Benita, yup they sound like dorks alright! Hope they'll be satisfied with the NOA1. I can't imagine it will take all that long to arrive. In the meantime, just hope he doesn't get sick.

Ashley, sorry to hear of your power troubles. Power outages are the worst kind of annoyance. And make sure you suitably yell at Tacho for getting a ticket.

And yes, guys, I am SOOOOOOOOO excited. We've been counting down the hours. I had told him that by the time I come to visit him, I'll know about the Advisory Opinion. Looks like now I'm not so sure......

Ashley…sorry to hear about that! That totally sucks.

Benita…figures the insurance companies would find some way to not add him…good luck at the lawyer tomorrow.

Charity…we got 2 Welcome to USA letters. They both said the same thing. I don’t know why they sent two. But the letters were in different envelopes than the Green card and came from different return addresses. We got our second Welcome letter 3 days after the first and also got the Green Card that same day in the mail. Sucks today is a mail holiday…hope you get them soon. What date exactly did you get the first Welcome letter?

Elvia…I KNOW! I really think the Mer/George thing isn’t o.k. I am wanting her and Shep to get together. It is taking forever. I don’t have much more patience. Dr. McSteamy is kinda hot though. Tough guy look.

Miss Liss . Got your gift satuday and in the midst of my crisis that was very sweet. thank you!

Melissa: I really think you will find something out about the AO before you go or while you are there. Good things happen when people are in Mexico.

Ashley: Sorry to hear about your power. At least it isn't too hot or too cold down there. Losing your groceries sucks though. I agree with Melissa, let Tacho have it for getting a ticket. Javier got two tickets before he left for Mexico. Not both at the same time but spaced out while he was here. Our insurance went up an absolutely ridiculous amount. Then when the tickets fall off it won't go back down to what it was before because we won't be able to get some of the discounts back.

Benita: I can't believe they won't add him to you insurance. What idiots! I can't add Javier to my insurance, it's too expensive. We will just have to get him some for himself through BCBS or something. So, since he doesn't have his social security number yet, we haven't even thought about insurance. I hope Alex doesn't get sick. Make sure you keep him pumped full of vitamins and stuff.

Stephanie: We got the Welcome to the US letter on Monday of last week. I don't know, maybe I am just overreacting. I should just be more patient I guess.

the company just called and said they estimate that it will be 350 dollars .!!!!!!!!!!!! oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh poor Ashley. I know if you and Tacho are anything like me and Javier you don't have $350 laying around. What a mess. I hope you don't have anymore unexpected expenses come up.

If I do i am giving up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Ohhh, Ashley…I am sorry to hear that. Life is expensive, especially for problems that come out of nowhere!

YAY Melissa, you’ll be in Mexico soon..I bet you’ll hear about the AAO beforehand. It is reasonable that you do, has Laurel given an opinion as to if you’ll hear before you depart?

The office work-a-holic snobby chick (Diane) is seriously pissing me off today. I'm surprised it hasn't turned into an all-out catfight yet. But it's headed that way.

Steph, Laurel doesn't like to give her thoughts on things a lot. She doesn't want to say something, and for me to rely on what she says, only for it to turn out wrong and then come back with "But you said...." Not like I would do that, but I'm sure she feels that she needs to be a bit cautious just in case.

Melissa: I am so sorry she is being such a witch. I know what it is like to work with someone who seriously ticks you off. I really think you need to go to your boss and get things settled. There is no sense in this going on and on. It will just end up hurting one or both of you if the tension just keeps building. Eventually others in the workplace will see it and it will start to bother them.

Not only that, she's always whispering around making me think she's spreading junk around about me. I definitely don't care, but who does she think she is????

I don't know who she thinks she is but she needs to be put in her place. Do you want me to call her? She better not be picking on my friend. That's not right and I won't stand for it. I've been known to give some pretty good tongue-lashings. What do you say?

I would love to let you do that, but I doubt that "sic"-ing my friend on her would be considered professional and smiled upon by management. It seems that unfortunately, restraint is in order for today.

Oh well, day is almost over. I can survive another hour and 10 minutes. Then I need to get my hiney to the grocery store and back home to do some unpacking!

Yea, I didn't really think you would want me to call her. I just wanted to let you know I am here for you. Well hopefully she will grow up soon. Good luck on the grocery thing. I guess your fridge is pretty much empty right now. I am going home and going to try and work out with Javier. I need to get some exercise. Then I am going to fix supper and get ready for bed. Nothing on TV tonight so I don't have to worry about trying to squeeze that in.

Only things in the fridge are a case of Cherry Coke cans and a case of Pink Lemonade cans...

I can't get a whole lot of perishable stuff since I'm leaving in a few days, but definitely some ice cream!!!!!

OH OH, Why don't you just run to the Cold Stone Creamery? I am sure they have something good. I could have won a million dollars just then. I would have bet you would have Cherry Coke in the fridge. I need to try this stuff. I haven't ever had it. It must be the bomb since you drink it all the time. I will have to order it next time I go to a restaurant.

Excellent idea, my friend. I will most certainly be patronizing the Cold Stone this evening. And yes you should give Cherry Coke a try but only if they actually have Cherry Coke. Some places will make it for you by mixing Coke and grenadine, but that's not the same and is actually not very good.

What's grenadine? I don't think I want any of that. Doesn't sound very good. Well I know Taco Bell has it. Where else has it? You dog, I want Cold Stone. No fair.

Woof woof!!! It was your idea!!

Grenadine is a cherry-flavored liquid that is added to drinks (some alcoholic, some non-alcoholic). I like it in Shirley Temples (Sprite with grenadine).

It was my idea alright. I just wish I didn't live 2 hours away from the nearest Cold Stone. I don't really think I could talk Javier into going down there just to get ice cream. I want to live in a big city. I am tired of the small town life. I need some excitement.

WELL...when are you coming to visit?? I have space and an Aerobed (full size) waiting for you!

We seriously need to schedule a weekend visit. I wonder if I can talk Javier into it. We could leave on Friday morning and be there by the time you get off work. We could go out on the town Friday night and party all night long. Then we could sleep till noon on Saturday. Then we would have to leave on Sunday around 10 or 11 to make it back here at a decent hour. See I have it all figured out. Now we just need a date.

Whenever you can!! Obviously not this coming weekend or the one after that (you might not find me when you get here-hahaha!!) But any time after that. By then, surely I'll have the place fixed up. Well, hopefully...

Well I think I will start working on Javier. We need to get away for a weekend. It would be fun. Maybe we need to wait until after Javier turns 21. Then we could really live it up. No fun if he can't go to the good places. We need to discuss this later. Set some dates.

Oh, great idea! I'll take you guys to Jillian's. It's a restaurant/arcade/bowling alley/pool hall/dance club/bar all in one. I think we could have a great time there. Maybe Saturday we could head to Baltimore and I'll take you to the Cheesecake Factory!!

Did you say the Cheesecake Factory? Oh my gosh!!!! I don't know if my little heart can take that. I love cheesecake. It is the greatest. Almost as good as the Chocolate Devotion at the Cold Stone Creamery. Jillian's sounds great. I think Javier would like it. Anywhere there is pool, he is happy. Pool and beer that is.

Well either Jillian's or Dave and Buster's. Both are pretty fun. Jillian's is closer, but Dave and Buster's is at White Flint mall, this kinda ritzy mall...every time I go there I feel too poor to be there.

There's also a Cheesecake Factory in that mall. However, I think you all might enjoy Baltimore. Trouble is, there's too much to do around here. So many places I'm sure you guys would like to go and so little time. Especially in Baltimore-they have so many nice restaurants. I think that's going to be the most challenging thing-deciding which restaurants to go to!

Yes, because we all know I like to eat and so does Javier. Really I do, the not eating thing was because Javier wasn't home. Now, let me at it. I have gained 5 pounds since Javier got home. We will eat anything too. Javier loves ribs and seafood. I like everything. Just pick a place and it should be fine. We may need to skip the White Flint Mall. I might get in trouble there. Plus, I know I am poor, I don't need to be reminded. We will just head to Baltimore and hang out there. I want to go to Chipotle's. I think that is the name of it.

Chipotle or California Tortilla? Awww...and I wanted to take you to the Mexican place. I think we need an extra day!!!!!!!!!

Whatever. Any Mexican food place is fine with me. I am sure it would be okay for Javier. Maybe we could manage another day. I will call you later and we can talk it over. That way Javier will know something is in the works. We won't be taking any long vacations so this would be perfect. We could get away from here and go somewhere we wouldn't normally go. It would be fun!

*taps foot* ahem... why does Charity get the special Melissa treatment and we just get talked to on a thread.... LOL J/K

Hey you guys are cooking an awesome little three day trip! I bet Javier will love being near the pool with some Coronas/Tecates sipping away. You will definitely have to go to get some cheesecake! and send some to Texas.... and Chipotle YUMMMM!!

Well it's not my house so I can't invite you but if it were up to me you could come too. The more the merrier. I think we would have to resort to a hotel room though if that were the case. I don't think we could all fit in Melissa's apartment. I don't think the Aerobed would hold up either.

Elvia, I would have to agree. Is this the Melissa and Charity topic? HA HA HA HA HA You girls are so funny, you must have been sisters in a previous life or at least best friends. I think the road trip to Melissa's sounds like a marvelous time. I hope that you guys have a ball. Hey Melissa, don't worry if you don't have the apartments perfect, that is what Charity is for. Remember she was going to help you arrange your furniture.
You gals have a great day, I will be in if I can. Have to work hard this morning, since Alex and I go to the lawyer at 10am. I will hopefully be in here in the afternoon to tell you how everything went.

Elvia, come on up! Benita, you too-bring Emily! And don't worry about fitting in the apartment-I have plenty of closet space; my mom said my closets will fit 3 or 4 of my closest friends (j/k)!! Haha! Ok this is my official invitation to all my lovely friends on this thread to come and visit me for the weekend.

Benita, good luck with the lawyer today. I hope everything gets filed and finished.

Benita: Good luck with the lawyer today. I hope everything goes well and you don't have any road blocks.

Melissa: Javier and I will take one of the closets. He is actually warming up to the idea pretty well. I think the talk about Jillian's got him hooked. I can't wait. I think it will be awesome. How was your Cold Stone? I was dreaming about ice cream last night.

Everyone else: Have a great Tuesday!!! The best thing about Tuesday is, it's not Monday!

Charity, the ice cream was WONDERFUL!! Thanks for the suggestion.

Your welcome. We so have to go there when we come to visit.

Hey did any of you see what Laurel posted on IM2US??? What do you all think about that?

Benita... Good luck with the lawyer today and if he says something that you don't want to hear do this to him .

Charity and Melissa... I hope you guys have a great time. Javier will also have fun as long as there is a TV and he has beer I think he will be a happy camper

Everyone else HOLA

Elvia: It's about time you showed up. I haven't seen what Laurel posted on I2US. I'll have to cruise over there and check it out. We are going to wait until Javier turns 21 so we can really party. We all need to find a central meeting place and get together one of these days after everyone gets back. I think that would be cool.

Good luck at the atty Benita!! She is probably already there…hope it goes well.

Charity…hope you and Javier can make it down to Melissas…Baltimore is fun.

Miguel told me last night he wanted to go to the Bahamas…I told him to start playing Powerball. But the beach would be ohhh so nice….Last weekend it was -20 around here. It was fricken cold!

Stephanie: It has been cold here too. Not that cold but cold. Javier wants to go to Disney World again. I think my mom and dad and my brother's family are going in July. I just don't think Javier and I will have the money to go. I would love to go but we are planning a trip to Mexico in December so we need to save our money for that.

Elvia: I read what Laurel posted. I think she may be jumping the gun a bit but that's her opinion. I know the Prez is against amnesty and I don't think there is anyway that will ever happen. I wish it were true. It would really help a lot of people out. I would love for them to do it again for my suegro's benefit. I am just not to optimistic. Sorry.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes.
I guess everything got filed OK. He said that Alex could work now if he found someone that did not want a SSN. That if he was caught it was different since he is married to a USC and is processing the EAD. He said it should only be 3 months to get work authorization, if it does not arrive by May, he can file locally for a temporary work card.

NOW WE WAIT......

Mexico in December….yup we are saving our money for that too. If it becomes a yearly thing or every other year thing to go to Mexico in the winter…I won’t mind.

Elvia…It is a tough call on what to believe. I do appreciate that she added that her colleague doesn’t think the same. Lets you know everyone is thinking/advising differently. I don’t know, this process was long enough, I just wouldn’t want to prolong it for the “possibility” of an amnesty. Bush has 2 more years in office, I don’t think immigration reform is a top priority. Plus….seems most amnesties came when presidents were on their way out of office……….

I can't get on I2US. It says Can't Find Server. What did the post say???

Here is Laurel's post from I2US.

My practice is in a bit of a limbo these days. We are about to get major immigration reform, so I've been recommending that people presently in the US remain here and postpone their consular interviews until the new law passes. This is supposed to happen sometime between St. Patrick's Day and Easter.

There's no reason to postpone your consular interview if the alien is already abroad or if the alien entered on a K visa and is not able to adjust status through the K visa petitioner.

There's also no reason to postpone filing an in-country I-601 if you are eligible.

I have a friend in Houston who is also an immigration attorney who does I-601 waivers (though she frequently threatens to stop handling that type of case because she'd rather just take uncomplicated cases). She thinks I'm being too optimistic and she is not recommending that people postpone their interviews. I'm presenting her point of view just so you know there's no sure thing here and we're not all making the same predictions.

Okay well now that I have gotten some feed back of course I need some more... I know that this is a long enough process and that I have been thru 3 years of this already... so my heart tells me to go ahead and go to CDJ but my head is telling me to stay and wait...... AAARGHHH

Elvia: I have to say I would go ahead with the process. I wouldn't depend on our government doing anything to help us out. I would hate for you to wait and then find out they did nothing. Then you would have gone through this process for nothing. They were talking about all this stuff when Javier left and look at us. He has already gotten home, legally. If we had waited, he would still be here illegally, with the possibility of getting caught. Then that opens up a whole new set of problems I just wouldn't want to deal with. Basically, it all comes down to what you feel is best for you and your situation. I wanted to move on with my life. I didn't want this immigration mess to be hanging over my head forever. I don't know if this helps or not. I hope it does.

I think I will do what my heart tells me... I will go on as if I had never read the post and continue through my journey . Raul told me last night that we will still be together when this is all said and done and like you said we can continue with our lives. Immigration will just be a distant memory. Thanks guys! You really are the best Comadres ever!

Your welcome. I just wouldn't want you to put everything on hold just to see what the government will do. I think you would be disappointed and I don't want that to happen. Of course, in a month or so if they decide to pass something, you can't be mad at me.

I couldn't be mad at ya girl!!! But I will tell you that I want to get ready to start moving... I have a dilema though.... I don't want my son to find out we are moving until I tell my exhusband!! and that will happen exactly 2 weeks from the move date.... Wouldn't want him to get heads up on this..
any suggestions..... Boy I am just full of questions aren't I my brain is actually functioning 100% today