STP has her Aussie family over I think so she must be pretty busy

Ah yes Busy busy!! Marta - I forgot what part of CA you're in - just showed Jeremy your piccie and he was like "awwww" - I think he wants to meet you!!! Hehehe

hey guys; just checking in

yes, I had my parents over for the past week... dropped them at the airport yesterday afternoon, but even in the morning it was all systems go, with all four parents coming out with us for breakfast at Denny's... had to give my parents as much Americana as they could handle

and yes, we got married on Friday
thanks to everyone who wished us well

you're allowed one pic:



(we got married in the Japanese Garden here in Houston)

congrats too to Rae and Scott, who will forever share our anniversary

best be off; we went to IKEA yesterday, and are now embroiled in home improvements
plus catching up on all the jobs we didn't do this past week, with all the entertaining we were doing...

Nice photo!

Congratulations on the wedding!

Congratulations STP!


Don't you 2 make an adorable couple?

Marta, that dress is GORGEOUS!!! You look stunning.

And STP, also gorgeous.

awwww to Marta and to StP, they some beautiful pictures!!! Congratulations!!!!

Did i miss the pic's from Rae? Or have they not arrived yet?

WOW! that dress is absolutely beautiful...the reddish detail is gorgeous!! and so is the bride

i posted some pics, you can check them out on my profile if you are interested

Love the pics!! I want to see MORE!!

Oooh Dennys does yummy breakfast!! The picture is great StP - you both look soooo happy And you look gorgeous Miss you here!!


Gorgeous Susie!! You must be sooo happy - looked like you had a great time!!

I'm in freak out mode now - I'm doing the whole "this time next week..." thing

Lovely pics Susie. It looks like you enjoyed every minute of your day.

question: I haven't yet applied for my SSN (I know; get a move on ), mainly because I didn't know if it would be easier to wait and apply for it in my new name, or whether I should get it in the name that matches all my other documents... I still have a few weeks before it becomes crucial, but I want to get it done, and get on with AOS, so anyone got any advice?

Nope, you didn't miss them. I'll post one now and get to more in a bit. Although we don't have a ton. I will later when we have our second ceremony and hire a photographer though!

I definitely feel like I'm missing replying to some things, but I've been so busy!

Congrats to StP; we will always think of you on our anniversary.

From what I have heard, it is easy enough to get a SSN in your maiden name then change it afterwards with your marriage certificate into your married name That's what I am going to do anyway Goodness me girly - what *have* you been doing all this time!?

Rae - gorgeous piccie I love the little kick up of the leg

I've had the forms for weeks, but I just didn't know how to go about it...

Oh dear I think I´ll have to PM you or you will never remember it God knows what Jeremy is after...better hide my dress from him

Ahhh lovely pic STP Now don´t you think we are gonna agree with being restricted to one pic only We are at least entitled to see your fern pattern natural skin colour skirt that we had to find you a top to

That´s so cute Looks like you had lotsa fun Hey there is a lady on pic 6 making funny faces

Ok, try to do "this time next month"

answer: You can do what you want It´s easy both ways Though if you wait too long they might not wanna give it to you if your I-94 is about to expire or something like that


Ahhh your pic reminds me of Europe so much Very nice

I am thinking: Does Julez have an excuse for being MIA? I don´t think she is getting married this week?

five replies in this thread; all from Marta

girl, you're great

Are you stalking me?

Hey Aly, how did the party for Jeremy go? Did he find the way home?

Just working and trying to get my stupid house ready for sale! I've been trying really hard to find enthusiasm for my job again. Its slow going!!

Congratulations StP!! You are a vision of lovlieness in pale gold!!!

Now stop stalking Marta!!!

A bit late with my Congratualtions to you guys, Rae! But the sentiment is very much heart-felt! Glad it all went so well!!

That´s what often happens during summers Hey is your house not ready yet? You did all the painting and stuff

We decided we needed to paint our bedroom, so that's up this week. Plus, going through all of our stuff is really time consuming! Ya gotta get rid of the clutter and with 3 kids, there is lots and lots of clutter! Plus we have had some massive plumbing problems that created some water damage that we've been working to address. Its been a real nightmare. I am slowing going insane! We are shooting to be complete by 1 July. I hope we can meet that deadline, or I might just die myself!

Don´t die on us

Hi everybody....

For those of you who have entered the country already - Did you get the work permit stamp in your passport? Did you ask (know you could) for it? Where did you come in? What did the agent have to say?

thank you Julez
and you others who have commented/wished us well


hope the house preps work out smoothly!


Thee Rak - entered LA, asked, didn't get; agent was nonplussed and said, after my explanation, 'we don't do that here'


*goes out to buy night-vision goggles and a periscope*

I have never seen any one get the EAD stamp in LA - I told hubs to ask for it when he entered over 2 years ago and they said the same thing

Called USCIS again. They told us lotsa new crap. They must have a manual of crappy things to say cuz they always come up with something new So the first person couldn´t find the AP in the system again but to EAD she said it didn´t matter that according to their website they were supposed to be working on applications from end of March and we sent our stuff before then. They only count business days and bla bla bla and for EAD we should hear a resolution on July 29 (in 130 days instead of 60? ) or sooner. For the AP we were transferred onto another person who said he couldn´t do anything about it cuz we were only 7 days out of processing times and we should wait 30 days before we can place a service request or something but better wait 45 days instead of 30. (What the heck? It´s just a freaking AP not even a GC ) Was told we could copy the NOA1 and send them a letter about it. Sounds like why the heck would that help?, but might as well do it. For AOS they said it should take 185 days for a decision so we can still wait a couple of months for that

We entered through JFK/Dublin so were processed in Dublin and asked for EAD and didn´t get it cuz they don´t do it. I´m thinking they should do it at all POEs cuz it´s just a freaking stamp and causes no delays to them. If they didn´t do it at any POE, fine. But since they do it at some places my brain just can´t get it why they couldn´t do it everywhere.

Marta. Be afraid. Very afraid.

Oh dear, I thought she wanted to watch the night sky I didn´t realize she was a professional stalker like that

I don't think he would fit in it


That sounds like a much better idea - this time next month we'll have about two weeks before we go back to Sedona, AZ (meet Agnes) and have our legal paperwork BS wedding


It was cancelled - my brother was so lame getting it organised that it was so last minute and no-one could make it as they all had plans! As it was, we booked a night out at a local Indian restaurant and went out, me, Jeremy, my brother and his gf and my mum and her partner - we got through a few beers and five bottles of wine and a bottle of port between five of us (bro's gf was driving). Jeremy slept in til almost 11am the next day


Ahhh! Nice to see you here!! Pull up a beanbag!!

Of course... they are behind, they can't find the time to process what they should so of course you should send them some non-standard form asking them to stop what they are *not* doing and do this.

thanks for the lovely comments guys, yes i enjoyed every second of it!

marta - i noticed that about pic number 6 as well...thats my cousin, and she was probably joking about something and we just caught her at the wrong moment lol

thee rak - adriano got the stamp at jfk and didnt have to ask for it (not that he would have been able to with his limited english), they just gave it to him

PEEK A BOO!!!!!

Surprise!!!! Stopping in to say hey!!!!!!!!!!

I have been a bad bad girl. Haven't logged in since Dan got here on Feb 11th!!! Nuts hugh!

How are you??? How is everyone doing?? Dan is great. Working a lot and all went smooth. I have some great stories to share. We are legally married, however the wedding for friends and family is Sept 26th coming up soon!!!

So how fast did your hubby/ finace get addicted to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts cofffe. There is no Dunkin Donuts coffee in New Zealand but Dan has quickly aquired a taste for it.

We went back to Newport recently where we had gotten engaged. That was a ton of fun!

~Christine, aka Missingmykiwi

Thanks Julez! Don't worry, you aren't late. I feel like I've barely had time to pop in here as well!


We crossed over the Peace Bridge into Buffalo. We asked for it, were told we would get it, but then didn't get a stamp. I wasn't exactly sure what we were supposed to look for or get so I was really confused at the border. The guard told us Scott could start working right away, but it turns out he was wrong. VJers told me it's a red stamp that goes on the back of the I-94. So, she should ask for it and know what to look for. Our guard clearly had no clue, unfortunately.

Aly, it's fun reading your posts and knowing you are *so* close to moving. I know you are super nervous, but I'm sure it's going to be wonderful.

Scott went through sort of a major freak out in his last week in Toronto, but I have to say, so far, things have been wonderful and we are both really happy and it just feels really really good.

Oh and Susie, I can't believe you are already in the midwest!! What a major change from Brooklyn. The extra space sure must be nice though! It's the one thing about NYC that really and truly drives me crazy (as I try to fit Scott's things into this apartment....) I enjoyed your pictures too.

Jeremy got it without asking. We entered at Port Huron. Our guy was new and learning the k-1 process. The dude helping train him reminded him to stamp it work authorized beause "the k1 is a work authorized visa" in his words.

What was it about the people who write first and then quote? (and then quote something that doesn´t even relate?)

*slaps herself for being cheeky*

For those who keep wondering about the stamp. Here is where the girl that misses her kiwi says that you don´t even need the stamp for to be able to work. Even without the stamp SS card allows you to work for the 90 days I-94 is valid. So I must either be stupid or am missing on something cuz my SS card is for restricted use only and it says so on it and everyone else has always said so too

Its good to know that the Peanut Gallery Posse is alive and well!!!

I am sorry you are having trouble. His ss say something to the effect of work authorization permited with authorization from DOHS. Which is Departmen of Homeland Security. According to the SS office, he is authorized in the SAVE computer system for 90 days than he needs reg. EAD. Which we have since its long after 90 now. Dan has had two jobs, both excepted the ss card and both ran background checks, and one is a HUGE HUGE company. We had no problems what so ever. His reg. EAD arrived and that is good for 1 year, but I promise we tripple checked with SS and USCIS and the employers and all said he was fine on K-1.

(Marta - my posts are *always* relevant ) Hey! Good to see you again I'd like to comment but am still in Blighty so ask me in a few days Of course I *do* love Taco Bell and all manner of other bad habits... Am giving myself a week after I move to just indulge then it is exercise and healthy eating for me - boo!!!


I am so glad it isn't just me - I think I would be arrogant and naive to think so but sometimes it just feels like you are the only one going through it all and that no-one else understands I'm chilling out a bit more now - now I can think about this time next week and think "thank goodness the goodbyes will be over" so I can move onwards Our first day is waiting in for the cable guy (who is due to turn up at 9.30 - yeah right ) then going bed shopping And if we have time then we might do some other furniture shopping and grocery shopping then get a bottle of wine and chillout in the evening together

Ohhh... I can't wait for this insanity to stop!!!

HEEEEELLLLOOOOO!!!!

Well last week plans changed and I couldn't get online every morning as planned.

Yesterday we had a busy day, finally picked up 2 certified copies of marriage certificate. I got added to the bank accounts and we ordered a new checks. (a really cute humane society one with a puppy and kitten on each check). Went to go change name at SS and got told they wouldn't do it as my 90days from entry was up on 11th. Can't see why it's a problem as we took marriage certificates but apparently it is. The afternoon was spent cleaning bits of tree out of the pool as we forgot to put cover on the night before. My arms are really sore from sweeping the net around, thankfully Nick did the pool floor vacuum which can be really heavy and hard to manouver. I love having the pool there though as this is getting far too hot for a poor wee Scottish lass.

Nick has lost his old checks so we are going to have to wait until we get new one to send AOS away. Gives my joint sponsor a week or 2 extra I guess. Everything else is filled out and waiting to go. Medical stuff wise I'm just sending the DS-3025 and praying it will be enough.

@Aly - Hope it's all going as smoothly as possible

RE. Starbucks - I was an addict before I came, now I'm even worse!!!

you are terrible.