My "Saga"
My time line is as follows...
Applied in late November 2005 (90 days before my 5 year completion) at Texas Service Center, got my GC in February 2001
Received Priority date notice of December 12, 2005
Received Finger print Notice and Appointment in January 2006
Received Interview Notice and Appointment in February 2006
Received Oath Letter March 09, 2006 for Oath ceremony in Houston on March 29, 2006
I completed the application myself (w/o an Attorney). Mentioned the three traffic violation tickets I had received 10 years ago. Was not able to get any kind of documentation that I had actually paid the fine. I did however obtain a certified letter from TXDOT regarding my driving record. Went to the interview all prepared with Tax documents, all past Immigration documents, pay stubs, utility bills etc etc. Interview was short and sweet, was asked to swear that all information I had given on the my application and information I was about to give was true. He basically went over the application, asked me if I had ever been arrested. Did NOT ask me any questions on traffic citations. Made me take the Civic test, no surprises there all standard questions. Told me all was good; finger prints results had also come in and that he was recommending my application for citizenship and that I should get the oath letter soon.
One thing I will mention which did catch me by surprise (pleasantly). After I got my fingerprints done I received the Interview letter like 10 days after. The interview was scheduled the week after. Giving me only 7 days to prepare for the interview. Luckily I had ordered my tax returns from IRS the day before I received my interview letter. I actually received my documents (IRS & TXDOT - Driving Record) a day before my interview. So a word of caution : if you are in Houston you might want to prepare for your interview as soon as you submit your N-400.
I have been in the "system" for quite a while now, over the last 16 years I have had F1, H1, extension to H1, parole documents, Green Card processing, I485 processing and now finally N-400 processing. Looks like INS saved their best for last (at least in my case). I was pleased by the service as far as my N-400 processing is concerned, I completed my 5 years on Feb 2006 and if everything goes well should be a citizen on March 29, 2006.
Good luck to all and many thanks to everyone who contributes on this site. It really helps.