Almost the last. CBR has their interview on the 11th. But yeah, it just about feels like it.

Very exciting things for you too Susie!! Congrats.


Seriously! I can't believe this has taken almost a full year. But now it's almost over! 2 weeks from today we'll move Scott to Brooklyn. Yay!!!!!



Thanks Marta. I hope they send it really soon too. It's the only thing left that could stress me out at the moment!

If they dont send it soon enough you need to have a back up plan like Aly did

congratulations, rae!!!
so happy for you guys... and our shared wedding date

and susie, what a lovely thing for your family to do... I bet you're still smiling

I got an email this morning from Allied International (moving company) saying that the ship docked here in Houston on May 30 and all the shipping containers are in the process of being removed from it... I should get an arrival date in a couple of days

Aww hun - StP is right - it will take a while to settle but if you try to ignore what you miss and find things that you love that you don't get in Germany then you might feel a little better - I am sure Marta has some tricks up her sleeve - I don't think I have *ever* seen her unhappy... I think she might be an alien or something


Gratzies!!! And to think - you are moving before me!! I swear I am going to be the last to move... actually no - I think Thee_Rak is... September... so only just!!


Let's hope it doesn't come to that - that was sooooo stressful!!


That's awesome!!! How long will it have taken them altogether then?

I know you're right but I don't even want to think about that right now!


Thanks StP!


I'm also not sure when CBR is moving (their interview is next Wednesday). At any rate, I certainly know how it feels to be one of the last to finally complete this dang thing! So you are not totally alone.

Thanks for remembering me Rae! lol
We're moving Jeremy here as soon as the visa comes in the mail after our interview 6/11 (I keep thinking it's next Monday probably because I've been excited for your interview today too).

Didn't TheeRak have their interview already? I know it was going to be September but then they got a call and it was the end of May. I could be losing my mind. But I don't know if she's moving here right away either.

You're not too far behind us Jeraly.

It's sad to see the homesickness setting in here. I imagine it would be very hard to move across seas. I'm trying to prepare for Jeremy's homesickness. He doesn't think he will have any, but I bet he will. I think that limbo time while waiting for AP has to be kinda hard. It's the feeling that you can't go even if you want to until that comes. It's kinda like not having any chocolate in the house...you want it more. But if there's some in the cabinet it's a comfort. I don't know if that makes any sense.

The homesickness thing is really tough. No matter how much you want to be with your other half, making the adjustment is not as easy as you'd like it to be. I know Griff has struggled with and continues to struggle with homesickness. Sure he had spent lots of time here before, but 3 months with a trip back to the UK seems more like a holiday than reality. The food and the sports are tough on him, but he also misses his dad. Luckily, we are able to go to the UK for a week in July and see some familiar faces. I am kind of hoping that being there will make him appreciate our life here in the US a bit more.

I know its not easy for the foreign spouse, but its also not so easy for the USC. I feel guilty for taking Griff away from his homeland. I take for granted all the stuff I know about the US and sometimes get frustrated at having to explain how things work. Its amazing to me just how different so many things are! Our adjustment is compouned by my kids, and I feel bad about that too. But they are mine and not going anywhere anytime soon, so we are doing our best to cope with all the extra baggage that goes along with them.

Regardless of how we feel - homesick or guity - I am not sorry we embarked on this journey adn I know with time things will settle down and we'll just live our lives without too much extra effort.

Yeah - but he already changed his tickets to September so they are sticking with that now

Yes, an undocumented alien That's what they call me here in USA I was sad like a week before I had to move and then I was sad about a week after I moved and then my family came over for the wedding and I wasn't sad anymore and haven't been sad ever since. We have fun together and we enjoy our life, both ups and downs and I already do stuff here and have some new friends and keep in touch with people in Europe and we might even be visiting them soon (if I ever get the AP at least). That' s what I do...keep myself occupied. If I was just sitting at home all day doing nothing or making no plans, I think that would be depressing. But that's not what I'm doing so it's not depressing

I feel sad that our little Peanut Gallery Posse is so quiet today. Where is everyone???

I was thinking the same. Aly goes round to a friend's house on Tuesdays, which will explain her absence.



That will also explain why it's so quiet!!

But Aly is one of us! Where are our other peeps????

I'm around! But it does feel like a lazy day today. It's raining here.

Here too! And I am so freaking tired right now. We are still not done getting my house reawdy for sale and I am just tired of doing work in it.

The good news is that the home inspection for the new house went well on Saturday, so we are all systems go this time around!! Plus, since Griff's green card is approved he can be on the mortgage as a co-borrower!! I guess there were a few good reasons why that other house didn't work out!!

I've been getting an absolute shedload of house and yard work done

Been busy here with work, Gretchen's pregnancy sickness, AOS, and normal life. Its a hand full right now. I hope to have our AOS sent off by end of the month. We hope the morning sickness passes in a month so she can get back to normal. She currently gets motion sick in the car so that has limited her to the house or walks around the neighborhood.

Gretchen also has some homesickness. She misses her family and the food and her dog there. She has had incredible adjustments in the last few months.


Chris

oh wow, i envy you about your greencard progress. i didn't get any touches or anything so far. it#s about to drive me NUTS.
@chris: yeah, i can imagine that it's a lot for you guys, just having moved, still adjusting, newly wed and preggo. but i'm sure that you guys can handle it.

i have crazy babyfeever, but i don't allow myself to follow it, as i feel that we first need more time for us, to become closer and a better team. plus, i want to have some savings before we start a family, especially as i want to be SHM.

homesickness is hitting me hard this week, especially as eric as a staph infection in the finger he broke recently. the medication is really strong and he's not really enjoyable....... ohwell.

but work is becoming easier and more enjoyable, so that's something, and the pay isn't that bad after all

@ stp: i didn't do anything but yardwork for a week after i arrived here. but it was good for my spirits and the yard.....

I changed my ID! I feel so fresh and young now!!

Agnes - totally hear you on the baby front And I want to be SHM too but time will tell how that all pans out - just taking things one step at a time - everything will work out how it is meant to I am sure


w00t!! Very cool!!!

On another note - I've just heard tell that you have to pay separately for AP... I thought it was included along with EAD in the AOS application as long as you filed for them all at the same time...? Someone else (can't remember username but friends on facebook ><) had to wait to get their green card to leave the country because it cost $300 extra for AP... that's not right is it??????

Aly, if you apply for AP as part of AOS you do not have to pay extra.

That's what I thought...

Never believe the infidels!

OK guys, I'm going to be gone for a few days at a business conference so I'll see you later!

I just wanted to say good luck to Susie for Friday / Sunday!! I hope you have a wonderful time and I look forward to seeing pics of your wedding and party!!

Take care everyone!!

bye, gorgeous! have a good time!!

like the new name, btw

xx

I was sitting on the runway...they closed the airport down due to weather and so we had to sit there and wait...

And you might as well end up never getting it like me

Now I´m thinking I should have worded that differently I was just complaining about my thing Not wishing for your stuff to take as long I hope everyone´s stuff goes fast

hey guys, sorry i haven't been around much these past couple of days, i know you all have been deeply sorrowed as a result

i have been going absolutely nuts with planning the wedding and the move!!!!!!!!!!!!

most matters are settled for the wedding, and they better be because we tie the knot tomorrow!! of course the fine touches are lingering in my brain though...and the move, well thats just another story entirely...we still dont have a vehicle to get us to indiana...any recommendations??? we will need either a minivan or a cargo truck size vehicle and all options seem to be either way too overpriced or just dont work out for a host of other reasons

the party isnt until sunday, but of course i am freaking out about that too...as i am writing this i am thinking of about 20 million things i still need to do

Susie, I can't help you with the transport thing but I wanted to wish you all the best for tomorrow. You must be soooo excited.

oh yes, Susie; hope it all goes wonderfully

thanks guys!! i hope so too

Wow, Susie, tomorrow! How exciting. The best to both of you.

Regarding the move, have you checked with Budget? They are usually cheaper than Uhaul. I used them when I moved up to Toronto in 2004. Or Penske? I assume you are looking for a one-way rental, but on the off chance you'd be willing to drive a cargo van back to Brooklyn and then make your way back out to Indiana, check with these guys: www.allcarrentacar
They have multiple locations in Brooklyn and good prices. I almost went with them but in the end really didn't want to go from Toronto to Brooklyn and back again. But they email you back personally and the guy I spoke with said he might be able to get us a deal, so they seemed really personable.

wow rae, thanks!! that is really a great help, i think we might go with the all car rent-a-car, they seem really reasonable, especially the surcharge for being under 24...now i just need to find someone to drive the van back to ny for us, because lord knows i aint doin it!

Good luck tomorrow When you find some time, let us know how it went and if something funny happened

So I thought the countup was becoming boring so I added an exciting ticker And I don´t wanna see anymore cigarette smoke here

*gasp*

really, Marta??????

oh, congratulations!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Marta.

oh Marta....CONGRATS to you!!!! that is soooo exciting! I must admit I was just scrolling down the page and saw your ticker....had to do a double take! when are you due???

@Susie.....Whatever you do, remember to have fun with your day! I know there are a million things to do, but try to really really enjoy the events and the words and the celebration its sooooo cool can't wait to see pictures


speaking of pictures didn't Debz promise to get us some like AGES ago????

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh hun congratulations!!! I saw the ticker and OMG! That is just AWESOME!!! Now don't forget to keep me up to date with the baby news so I can add it to our spreadsheet

AWWWWW MARTA!!!!

Congratulations that is so wonderful!!!

I feel like I am going to cry, such an emotional bridezilla I am.

That's awesome that your baby can already flip people off.

Did you hear that, ladies??? No more smoking!!

Thanks guys, I will do my best to enjoy every second of it. I am soooooo excited.

I'm good on the smoking - I kinda quit without trying - I just decided one day I didn't really like it all that much and I couldn't be bothered

yeah, I did the same with working

*whew!*
I'm off the hook to be cool! lol

Congratulations Marta and Scott.

Hehe You guys are funny Thanks Due date is Jan 3 so if it comes early, it´s gonna be a Xmas Baby and if not, then it´s gonna be a New Year´s Baby We went to the doctor today and heard the baby´s heartbeat It beats so fast, it was amazing

About the wedding pics The few of us who already got married know how time consuming stuff is even after the wedding. Get the thank you cards, get pics sorted out if you don´t have one photographer doing it all for you, pick what pics will go to who, print it or have it printed and then also get stuff online etc So let´s give Debz hmmm, let´s say, 2 more days

Have a nice and safe trip Don´t sleep throughout the entire conference And your new name looks very cool

Yay!! I updated the preggers spreadsheet!!! Now we need more info from Chris and Gretchen too!!

Ohh - I haven't sorted out my photos yet - still have to buy the album then am going to put it all together when I move Will give me something to do

I sent HUNDREDS of pre-digital prints over
(kept all the negs safely at my parents' )

I want to scan all the best ones and sort them all out... of course, they'll probably all arrive the week I start working and in three years I still won't have started


the fact that there's a 'preggers spreadsheet' cracks me up

Don't mock the spreadsheet!!! It's just so I can be nosey with an excuse!!

who said anything about mocking? I'm just laughing

Pippin let me stroke his belly this morning
and then jumped right out of his cage and ran around on the floor