Last week, I ventured out to get my Texas car tags and driver’s license. It’s not fun. No one wants to do it. But I have quite a bit of free time, so I decided to knock it off the to-do list.
The car tags part was easy breezy! I was in and out in less than 30 minutes. Although the lady said that Texas requires back and front tags. I looked at the front bumper of my Nissan Sentra. I swear there is not spot for a front tag!!! I looked at several other Nissan in my apartment parking lot and they didn’t have front tags either. So, I’m not worrying about it.
I ventured over to the driver’s license office on Lamar right after that. I was immediately told that I needed my birth certificate or passport. No problem…I just came on a whim, so left and came back the next day.
The next day there were approximately 1 billion more people at the DMV. Yikes! They made an announcement that the new South Austin DMV office had ZERO people waiting in line, so I left to go there. Since it’s a new office though, my GPS didn’t recognize the location. But, I wasn’t paying attention that my stupid dang Garmin picked a different address for me.
And me being new to town, just aimlessly followed my GPS…….to Round Rock!!! Um hi, Round Rock, TX and South Austin are polar opposites. Argh!
I finally made it to the South Austin DMV and got in right away.
Then came the dreaded eye test. (Insert ominous music here.) I had detached retinas and eye surgery on both my eyes in 5th grade. I just really can not see well out of my right eye.
I read the left section of numbers right away. And the middle section of numbers was fine too. But then when I had to read the right section of numbers….a total blur-fest. I was basically guessing….and blinking a million times to try to get a millisecond of clarity.
I finally got them all but one number. 3? 8? 6? I started to panic! Is she going to fail me? Will she take away my Kansas license too?
I was all flustered and sweaty by now. So of course, the lens was all foggy. I sheepishly asked her for a tissue to clean off the lens.
The DMV lady loudly sighed and said….It’s a 9!!!
Crisis averted. Texas driver’s license approved.
To celebrate, let’s have a breakfast panini.
Banana Panini
Recipe from Everyday Food magazine, March 2012
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Nutella
8 slices thick bread, such as brioche
3 bananas, thinly sliced
1/2 stick unsalted butter
Serves 4
* I just eyeballed it to make myself one sandwich for breakfast though.
Instructions:
Spread 1 tablespoon Nutella on 4 bread slices. Layer with bananas and top with remaining bread.
In a grill pan (I used my beloved Griddler), melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Cook 2 sandwiches until bread is toasted and Nutella is melted, about 3-5 minutes.
Repeat for remaining sandwiches.
Serve warm.
My family are Nutella freaks!
In California we can just go to the auto club or go online … DMV always a nightmare!
I’m a Nutella freak myself!
Heck to the yes! This is a breakfast for celebrating with, for sure. Yum. Have you ever made an Elvis sandwich with honey, peanut butter, and bananas, fried in butter? I did, and I know for a fact that I would like this more. YUM. Glad you passed your eye test! Last time I got my license renewed, I didn’t have to test for anything–I don’t think they even checked my eyes. Too bad it’s not that easy when you move to a new state!
I’m a big fan of the honey version too!!
I forgot. It also has bacon on it! Of course.
I don’t have great eyes either and I definitely panic whenever I get tested like that. I was dreaming of the sandwich last night. Loving the drippy hot Nutella, the banana makes it extra special.
I think after an ordeal like that I’d need a breakfast cocktail to go with my breakfast panini. 🙂
I like the way you think, Anita. 😉
I just recently had to renew my license, and I panicked at the eye exam, too. Fortunately, next time, we’ll be able to renew online! They only make you show up in person every other renewal or something like that. Great post!
Well at least mine’s valid through 2019 too!
I have to renew my license this year and I’m dreading it a bit myself. It’s never a fun experience. 🙂
Ugh, I hate going to the DMV!!
But this breakfast panini makes it all better I am sure!
This is one of my favorite sandwiches. Thanks for reminding me that I’m out of Nutella, must add that to my list this week.
That sounds absolutely heavenly! Great recipe.