Your explantion of the process sounds very logical.
You are a blessed soul to possess such patience. Unfortunately most people don't possess the same quality, myself included.
I don't think that the processing time is as much a factor as not knowing anything.
By putting the status check online the volume of calls into Austin should be reduced. It shouldn't be too difficult to have different messages denoting at what stage of processing the application is in. Adding more than just "processing application" would help to reduce the call and e-mail volume.
Obviously DPS can't hold your hand while they are processing the application, but sheesh, they could at least throw you a bone to knaw at while your waiting.
My application took 101 days from mail box to mailbox. I did include weekends and holidays. Heck if I have to work them then they should too, dangit!
Now, mine took a long time because of an incomplete application and had to be sent back. Considering that the time wasn't so bad. When I e-mailed to ask the status I received a very nice, professional reply from them. Heck, I even think that whoever respondede included thier name, but I'd have to check on that as I don't recall.Wayne