OH MY GOD!!! MUMSIE IS BACK FROM PRISON!!!! I MEAN, FROM THE FLU-SEASON......

It's not like they make up most of the armed forces or anything.

I missed you pervert, I really did.

Now, STFU.

Actually... I don't have a problem with universal health care at all, so long as private health care remains a viable option for those who want it. I like the ability to choose.

Oh and just so some of you know, very few physicians have any say whatsoever in how health insurance providers operate. From the physicians I know and have spoken to (and that accounts for quite a few), I can honestly tell you that the average physician strongly dislikes HMO and PPO interference. Not only do they make it difficult to effectively treat a patient, but they can limit or even withhold payment from the physician himself.

Besides... do you think physicians get a "free ride" when it comes to health care? No, they have to pay for health insurance just like anyone else. So not only do they deal with the crap the insurance companies give them when handling patients, but also the crap of attempting to receive treatment and medication themselves.

I think it's a safe bet to say that most physicians would be very happy to see health insurance companies go away completely.

Yesterday when I was at the dentist, I was asked if I'd want to forego my teeth cleaning if my insurance didn't cover it.

Me: Whaaaaaat?

Suffice to say, I'll never get used to health care in the States. Yeah, health care and dental care is different, but... hell, I was thinking about my mother back home who happily went for her yearly mammogram just recently, and us needing to pay out the chute for that here. Gives a whole new meaning to preventative health care

Preventative care = one look from the doc.
Covered by premium = two looks by doc and one phone call from his/her medical assistant.
NOT covered = everything else.

My husband currently lives with his parents and his little brother (who is 15) and my son (who is 17). Thinking that immigration would be completed by the year end of 2008 when we started, hubby agreed that he could tolerate those living conditions for that amount of time. As it is now, immigration will not be complete until about August 2009 but I don't have the heart to tell him this. My husband thinks we are about halfway through the process, time wise, but we are no where near that.

His parents have me completely pissed off. It is almost a good thing that they don't speak English and my Spanish isn't good enough to yell at them for being complete morons. Hubby called last night and although this has been going on for several months, he has finally had his fill of putting up with this parents. His mother greets my husband every payday at the door with her hand out. He is already paying more than half the expenses and half the rent and his mother expect that it is my husband's responsibility to clothe and entertain his younger brother as well. She has become nothing but a glorified welfare witch. Yesterday, she became violent because my husband wouldn't take her out shopping to buy a juicer. She hit my husband and threw a dish at him when he refused to take her shopping and buy her this item. At first he said he was confused because he couldn't figure out what the fuss was all about having never been involved in a discussion about a juicer and certainly not about anything involving the urgency of obtaining this kitchen implement. The woman has gone completely psycho. The father, no better. My husband and him currently work jointly in carpentry and my husband gets the gigs and splits the pay (they are paid per house) with his father who in my husband's words, "looks at something that needs to be completed and thinks about the most difficult and time consuming way to complete it, and goes about doing that." My husband owns all the tools, compressors, etc and pays for the monthly payment on the van they use, as well as the insurance.

He is tired of it as am I. Son will be coming to the U.S. as soon as it seems like a nice break at his school for it. He is a USC (product of my first marriage) and having already confirmed with his new U.S. school, he won't lose any credits or time if he transfers mid semester. Husband will be moving out on his own and basically severing ties (including work) with his family. The one that concerns me is the little brother. That poor kid is being raised (for lack of a better term) by complete schizos. I want to get him to the U.S. with us in any way I can, but the wait times are incredible. We can't even start the process until husband has U.S. citizenship and by that time, little brother will be about 18.

I just cannot find words adequate to describe my frustration and the immigration delays and the horrible and unnecessary living conditions that my son and husband tolerate during these delays.

Geez!! (understatement)

That's just horrendous! I'm just shaking my head. What Mother throws a dish at her son, grown up or not. Very strange! I'm glad he is moving out and that your Son is getting out of there too, it is a shame that the Brother can't move with them.

Delicia, barring some weird hold up with your application, I don't think you are looking at 2009, I don't know if you are just calculating worse case scenario (so as not to be disappointed) - but really the interview should take place this year.

Delicia, my heart goes out to you. Was your MIL always like this or has something changed? I'm thinking maybe separation anxiety or mental defect or some other illness. I don't know. I certainly can't figure out your FIL. DH's 'lil bro? I don't think you can adopt him in time but maybe someone knows the adoption process. That's all I can think of. How's your son holding up?

My son, thankfully, has always been oblivious to his surroundings. For once this is a good thing. My husband tells me that MIL and FIL leave him alone and if they want him to do something (pick up his clothes from the bedroom floor for example) the info goes from MIL/FIL to husband. I am thankful that the in-laws sort of treat him as unapproachable. Also, son is doing exceptionally well in school and has become BIL's tutor and those 2 who share a room couldnt be better friends. They spend all their time together playing video games or hanging out. They both are aware what has been going on in the house and pretty much keep to themselves in their bedroom which my husband has outfitted with computers for each of them and tv+xbox so they can stay a bit isolated from the insanity.

My husband is already his brother's legal guardian. That is something that they set up some years ago because the MIL/FIL didn't want to be bothered with 'school' stuff like attending parent-teacher conferences and signing permission slips. My husband also is in charge of his medical needs (taking him to the doctor and dentist) and everything else. It would be wonderful if we could adopt him, but I don't know if it is even a legal possibility.

Sh1te Delicia, your poor husband is under a heck of a lot of pressure sister. My thoughts and good vibes are on the way

If DH has been legal guardian for more than two years then there's a chance. If DH is a Canadian citizen then 'lil bro can leave the country without issue (I believe) but I don't remember what the US rule is. Might be worth looking into as soon as you can as aging out may be a consideration if 'lil bro becomes 16. The rule changes on the adoptee's sixteenth birthday. DH might even be able bring him in under his application by amending it. I wish I knew more, someone here has to know the procedure. I really feel for DH and you too.

My husband is not a Canadian citizen, but little bro is (he was born in Ontario). The little brother turns 16 in just a few weeks so seems like no issues. I think I might need to investigate student visas in the U.S. as a temp solution.

Might still be able to amend DH's application to put 'lil bro on it. I would think since DH's parents are not likely to contest an adoption you really should see if anything can be done before 'lil bro reaches 16. The US might (I'm not sure about Cando-American adoptions) just look at the legal guardianship. Time is tight though, after 'lil bro reaches 16 things will get more difficult. Good luck.

Shi1te and more sh1te. I'm here, wasting my afternoon at a training session for an application I already know how to effing use , so I am havingchildish fun posting in secret, hopefullythe dude who's "teaching" will remain as daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa unaware as up until now. BORINGGGG

An that's not all folks.... the dude behind me, who's as gay as my lovely secretary, keeps mumbling to himself and saying things like "Can I ask a BLOND question???"
Somebody please shoot me. Now. I beg of you.

Be careful what you ask for.

Mean, mean Mumsie... want some chocolate???????

I survived the idiotic training. One down, one to go. Well, at least that gets me out of my office and regular duties

I just want a job, mmkay. How long will it take for my paperwork to get un-messified?

Soon Nini dear, soon.... or we'll send Mumsie incognito to do some serious harm
Here's to you sister

You aren't by any chance trying to get a job as a school counsellor, are you?


Me no want chocolate, chocolate bad.


Why whatever do you mean? I wouldn't hurt a fly.

I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THIS STUPID CLASSSSSSS. ARGHHHH
And the fairy queen behind me is now HUMMING a Pet Shop Boys song ..... sh1te. Wonder what pissesss me off more: his humming, or me actually KNOWING the lyrics

Having been through this process, that completely makes sense to me.

Ain't insomnia a ######?

I am tired of being tired and I love my new bed but I can't sleep and haven't really slept in over 2 weeks. I am waiting for my body and mind just to cave in and crash... I hope soon.

I know the feeling .. I keep thinking a bottle of wine will solve it .. well at least precipitate the crash .. but nooooo ... nothing is that easy.

Gravol usually knocks me out. Though you can only get it in Canada. Not sure what the equivalent is here.

Dramamine. Both Dramamine and Gravol are Dimenhydrinate. I recall some people on here stating that these two are somehow different, but chemically, that's not possible. The only way that could even be is if you were to take different dosages of each. They'd still be the same medication, but you'd merely have different amounts of each within you.

True! With original Dramamine each tablet contains 50 mg of dimenhydrinate and so does original gravol.

egads - i spent like an hour and a half this afternoon just calling companies and filling out a form for our change of address. Thing is we don't really have an address that we are moving to, so I will have to do it all again

I just didn't want like visa statements showing up here in April weeeeeeeeeeee

+ cold temperatures + + no work permit / job =

Lizetaaaa, where did you get that picture of my ex-husband ?????????????

=)

I miss feeling like I'm home.....................

Lenina & trailmix, when are you moving to Virginia?

'The' place to be is Florida! So you folks need to move there. Crikey! is the nominated Florida Canadian Hostess

Naaaa.... the chances of running into my ex are higher... and that's just effed up [insert pukey smiley here].

But I'm willing to consider opening a commune in Maui.... any takers??????

*raises hand very very high* Me me me me!!!!!!!!!

I'd be all over that commune, if living in Hawa'ii wasn't so expensive. Clearly, we need to win the lottery.

It's a commune sister.... we'll live off the system and peace and love

You didn't tell me that Ricardo Retardo was an amorphous basketball thingy with acute solar erythma and a severe case of bruxism. No wonder it didn't last.

...and ritualistic cannibalism or the local Denny's I forget which.

The power keeps going off at my house due to a high wind storm we've got going on here. So everytime it does my computer shuts down because I haven't found the stupid UPS yet. (Actually, it's not because I haven't found it.... it's because I haven't looked yet. )

Interestingly enough, I was in the middle of a post when it last shut down, and when I came back a couple of hours later I was still logged into VJ. (And I still haven't retyped that post.)

I'm on wi-fi (in the house) but the power lines outside the window leak everytime it rains, snows or the wind picks up and the signal strength and speed drops. So I know what you mean. I get the same problem but usually what I post gets chewed up, sounds like the Gods of VJ like you.

I'm going to have to shovel just to get out my front door!
HOLY MAN!
Who else is snowed in in Ontario tonight??

Well, we didn't have to shovel and we are not in Ontario - but we woke up to snow flurries this morning - in Georgia - south of Atlanta! The ground was too warm for it to stick but it sure flurried for a bit! Nearly 70 degrees yesterday evening - down to 30 degrees when we got up this morning. Ah Spring.

Oh, holy smokes. I can't believe the weather in Ontario this year. That's crazy.

Niagara is getting close to 40+cm's!!!
It just keeps snowing and snowing and snowing...I can't see the tires on my car....

Holy mackerel! That's unbelievable.

My vent (which should have been posted a week ago when it happened, but I couldn't manage to write this story on mom's slooooow Internet connection):

Hubby and I flew Southwest airlines to Florida to visit my mom. It was my first time flying Southwest. For those who don't know, Southwest does not have assigned seats. You are assigned a number and then pick an available seat when you get on the plane. Normally, this would not be an issue at all for me because I don't care all that much where I sit on an airplane. However, when the tickets were booked, I spoke to an agent who assured me that I could pre-board because I am 7 months preggie. With me carrying so low and the lovely sciatica, I really do resemble a penguin waddling and pity the person who has to wait for me to get down the ramp. So, I was feeling reassured that I could pre-board and at least not have to wait in a long line and walk to the end of the plane (my assigned number was one of the last ones). The night before, I called SW and confirmed that I could pre-board. Arrived at the airport and was told by the ticket agent that pre-boarding was no problem, just ask the agent at the gate. Well, the (insert expletive here) at thet gate told me that since I could walk, I could not pre-board, that it was only for those with disabilities, that I could just sit down until my number was called and that would be fine. When I told her that 3 SW reps had assured me I could pre-board, she told me they were all wrong. She finally allowed me to have a pre-boarding pass, probably just to get me to go away, since I was politely arguing my case and very insistent at this point. Ya know, normally, this wouldn't piss me off so much. I would just chalk it up to someone who has let a little power go to their head ... but honestly, with the pregnancy hormones, I was ready to KILL!!!! It was her tone of voice and body language that really annoyed me.

BTW, when I got to Florida, I called SW to tell them about this and the rep about fell over herself to apologize for this happening and said that I absolutely could preboard on the return flight. And other than the initial experience, SW attendants were great and very helpful and polite.

Wow. I am shocked, Autumn. You must have encountered the only mean person working for SW. They are normally so helpful, kind, and accommodating. I always check in online as soon as the window opens so that I get a good seat. Is it possible you can do that just in case you get another mean person? But good for you for sticking to your guns. Boo to mean people.

I feel for ya hun. I'm north of Toronto and we got off light, it's still snowing but we couldn't have more than 35cm on the ground. All this weird cold weather and snow could only mean one thing.....the Leafs will win the Stanley Cup this year. (OK even I laughed at that, just don't tell Flames9. )

Ya know, the funny thing is that I did check us in online when the window opened and STILL got the number at the end of the line. It's okay though, coming back from Florida was fine and the SW agent was great.