MarieAnastasia

Just wanted to let you know I got my Advance Parole Yesterday I had an Infopass appointment in South Portland, Maine. Bruce and I drove down..it took about 3 1/2 hours. They were going to get back to me on Friday or Monday but I asked if I could speak to an Immigration Officer. The lady who was at the front counter helped us so much because she could see the pain in my face. She talked to an Immigration Officer and back and forth until we were asked to wait. I also asked if there was where I got my biometrics, and she checked on something and came back and said they would do the fingerprints and pictures then. Then she told me to stay because they were working on my papers. Lo and behold I got them within a hour..multiple trips .........good for a year. I cried and thanked her so much. She was a doll and she really cared.

So in 2 weeks I'm flying to Alberta for the birth of my grand daughter (booked everything today!) and then flying to Newfoundland to visit my oldest daughter, 2 grandchildren and my Dad and celebrate his 98th birhtday at a family reunion. My wonderful husband will drive to Newfoundland the first of September and stay for a week and a half then I'll drive back to Maine with him. I am sssssssssoooooooo happy!!

Thank you everybody for listening to my belly aching about me being so homesick (especially this past weekend). The stress level has dropped 100%...just knowing I'm going to see my family.......but in the same breathe I'll miss my husband so much. You guys are the greatest ....................{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}........Joan

Well, when I first moved to Canada to be with my hubby I actually didn't mind it. And then all of a sudden, after about a year and a half, homesickness hit me full force. And ever since then I can't think of anything except how much I want to be back in the U.S. I hate it here. And I can say that because we're doing something about it not long after our interview - we're finally leaving.

Anyway, I know how you feel and I'm sad for you because I know how much you must ache for your home. I hope it gets better for you.

Thanks. I've only been here for 3 months and I want to go back home so bad.....but with my husband. Every day I feel I'm losing a part of myself. This is a total 360 for me. From family and friends, everything was within walking distance. Lots to do and volunteer work to no ends. Not enough hours in the day..........From all that to being in the middle of nowhere, can't walk anywhere do to wild animals, not a soul to talk to other than my husband who leaves 3 in the morning til 5 in the evening or 3:30 in the evening to 5 in the morning!!!!! I know all I do is complain it seems but at least it's talking but I'm become somebody I don't like anymore. I am totally dependent on hubby and I've never had to do that before (in my adult life). I can't even make reservations for a trip home because my AP was denied and now it has to be resent to Nebraska or back to Chicago due to me ticking off the wrong block

I know I said for better or worse but I thought that was going to be years down the road .............{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Congratulations!!! May you both be always happy as you are today. God bless.......Joan....{{{{HUGS}}}

Thanks for all your feedback..................{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}

A perfect scenario for who?

And yes, a perfect scenario would be to live in my hometown with him. That's not possible at the time so I have you guys to vent to

For both my husband and I. If you had read all my posts, I stated that my husband would live in my hometown in a heartbeat. No, I'm not being selfish here. He took to my hometown like a house on fire. He loves my family (I'm the 10th and the youngest child) and my friends (who have now become 'our' family and friends). The only reason we live here is because he has a good job and the unemployment rate is pretty high where I come from. Does that answer your question................{{{{HUGS}}}}

i'm also going to bounce off of tara's post, in agreement ... women are territorial and can be a bit evasive and aloff at first.

just from your post, marie ... you sound like a very outgoing and friendly woman - don't let that go!! go right back out and be yourself without compromise.

nothing is EVER going to compare to your 'home', so don't try to. while i can appreciate your emotions about everything that's going on in canada at the moment ... focus your energy into being the most attentive, communicative, loving wife that you are!

True, true, true!!! But I guess I would look at what I would do at home if this were reversed...and a friend brought his new wife to the community.........we would open our arms and hearts!!

And you're right NOTHING will ever compare to my home so I should 'build a bridge and get over it!!!' sssssssssssssssiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh! ..........{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

... instead i am stuck sitting around here.

i think you need to reevaluate your priorities ... you came here to be with keith.

sometimes, i think many members lose sight of the reason that they moved to america ... it was the person that you couldn't live without. i relocated 3 years ago from everything and everyone i knew ... the more that you dwell of the negative, the more you are just going to drag yourself down ... mentally, emotionally and physically. why do that to yourself?

sorry that mark isn't more supportive for you, amanda!

Don't be hard on Stina (or anybody else who gives their opinion). She was expressing her loneliness not her displeasure with being with her hubby. And right now I, too, feel like I am stuck sitting around here. But that doesn't make me love my husband any less........just feeling sad and alone and there's nothing he can do about it. Please let's NOT make this thread into a 'He said, she said' post. I just wanted to vent and would love to hear any suggestions you have for me or just a hug would be fine too

We're all in this together. Some are finding it harder than others and God bless the ones who have fit right in and are not missing their homes to such an extent as I am (and Stina). I envy you ........but I love my husband to the moon and back. And yes, a perfect scenario would be to live in my hometown with him. That's not possible at the time so I have you guys to vent to ...Thanks.............{{{{HUGS}}}}

(((((MarieAnastasia)))))

I can empathize very much - I moved here at 49, my husband's daughter is grown and away from home and I lived those previous years independent and self-sufficient, involved in my community, known by many and active in a wide variety of hobbies and inerests as well as my job. We live in the suburbs with the nearest corner store 2 miles away. Two things made a big difference though - I brought my cats with me so had their companionship - and my husband made it a priority to get me a car right away. Part of your problem is that you have lost your independence - and having a vehicle to drive around, get out of the house and regain your independence would be an immense help. You would be able to orient yourself in your new life, explore your new surroundings, discover what there is to discover and have greater opportunities for developing friends through volunteer work or locating activities you enjoy. You said your husband and you are looking for a 2nd car - I think right now that should be your highest priority because it will help you regain some sense of self, and when you can 'do' for yourself again, you won't find yourself balancing what you had to give up with what you have gained:-). Time, also makes it easier to adjust to your new home, but when your world has narrowed from a whole community to 38 acres with wolves, bears and coyotes, it is hard to recognize the value of the exchange. Good luck.

Well said, Kathryn. Thanks for the kind words and you're right on the money {{{{HUGS}}}}

Thanks, just reading comments helps alleviate the pressure. As least it's someone to vent to other than family and friends (who I don't want to upset by them knowing how desperate I am!) They were all worried that I might run into this wall.........and they do know to a certain extent!! I talk to them EVERY day (yes, we have the US to Canada package ) But they really don't know how bad it is and how alone I feel!!! We live in the middle of nowhere on 38 acres.........I can't see a road, totally surrounded by trees (a complete circle). I told my husband that I feel like I'm camping all by myself which is pretty pathetic!! We will be getting a second car (in the process of looking) but for now I feel like a prisoner (and the term Advance Parole aptly applies ) I can't go for a walk (bears, coyotes etc) We're so far in the woods we have to come out to hunt!!

I am totally dependent on my husband and I don't like that feeling. I've been divorced from my ex for almost 14 years, raised my kids myself (even when I was married!!) so it's really tough having to depend solely on another human being. And I don't like the thought that my dependency has been taken away (albeit temporairly but this is what I'm feeling at the moment!)

We are in our early 50's, yes, he has children.........one is away at college and the other lives with his mother (older teen) and we see him every weekend but just comes in, eats, goes out with his friends, sleeps in all day and repeat til he goes back to his mother. He has a brother and sister in law who live their own life...........I have even invited them to supper but they hang out solely with each other and have no regard or desire to have anybody else hang out with them (I could use a 'finger' symbol here

Hubby has a good job here so we can't move. He would live in my hometown in a heartbeat. The people love him and I've drawn him into my wide circle of friends and friends (he is a shy man, therefore, the reason he doesn't hang out with anybody here)

My hubby does know how I feel because I have no body else to talk to and even though he feels helpless, he really can't imagine what I'm going through. He didn't sugar coat anything and he did warn me about the people around here and I can honestly I came in with both eyes open but I guess I thought it would be rectified by now. And I would be lying if I said that this wasn't affecting our marriage. I love this man with my heart and soul but I don't know if I can survive in this enviroment!! We've talked about moving back to Canada when he retires (but that's not for another 11 years!!!) I'll be a bitter old woman by then feeling the way I feel now. Bitching and complaing about anything and everything. I don't like who I've become. And there are days I don't know who this person is that's staring out of the mirror. And if I don't like me how do you think hubby feels!!

Summer in my hometown there is so much to do with festivals and people home for the holidays. I'm missing my high school reunion the end of July.......this is our 35th (yup I'm an oldie but a goodie ) and this is our 6th reunion we've had since high school....we started at the 10th and every 5 years we have one. We know 5 years in advance when the next one will be!!! As we speak, there's a party going on at my friends' mother's 80th birthday and I missed a big bash last night for a friend's 50th!! So I'm feeling pretty homesick for all these get togethers.

And in my hometown people have a sense of humour, but here if I crack a joke at the grocery store with the clerk he/she looks at me like I have 10 heads. Anywhere I go at home I know somebody. One of the girls I worked with at the bank said "If Joan don't know you, then you don't exist!!" Of course meaning there were few people I didn't know or at least knew somebody in their family.

Sorry for sounding like a raving lunatic but this helps just reading comments and typing my feelings. Thanks again for listening and please keep talking. I'm desperate for human contact without upsetting anybody (family/friends)......................{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Is there anybody else as homesick as I am??!! I miss my Dad, daughters, and grandkids and friends so much that I'm sure there's got to be a physical crack in my heart!!! I love my husband to the ends of the earth and he feels so helpless.

This is a very small 'clickish' town (if you're an outsider, you're on your own!!) There is nowhere to go to meet people. They just had a 'town' day with parade and all and I was so excited about the day arriving that it was a big let down!!! My husband introduced me to people and all I got was a hello (and he's lived there all his life). The men before the wives showed up asked me general questions about my home and the immigration process, etc but once their spouses showed up it was like 'oops, can't talk to her!!' The only word that I can describe them is 'clickish' (for lack of a better word!!!)

I come from a very friendly enviroment. My husband's first visit there was the total opposite of what I endured!! I have a large circle of friends at home and my friends have jokingly called me a 'social butterfly' because I was involved so much and didn't have enough hours in the day....and here I have nobody but my husband (that's not a bad thing but he's at work a lot and it would be nice to have somebody to chat with!!)

I'm not asking for a lot just a genuine friendly face (not a 'smiling cobra')

Anybody else encounter this?? And believe me when I tell you there is nothing to do or nowhere to meet people. There is a general store here and that's 5 miles away!! I'd love to volunteer at something or better yet...work........ but right now 'even' if this was available to me, I can't because we don't have a second vehicle so I'm grounded!! This is a total culture shock for me and I'm ony an hour and a half from my beautiful country of CANADA!!!! (and I'm trying desperately to get Advance Parole so I can go home for a visit........I have an INFOPASS appt. on Monday). Wish me luck!!!

WWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I wanna go home and take my hubby with me.

Would love to hear some feedback. Thanks for listening to my belly aching ....{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}

Marie your dad is 98 - his health can't be 100% -and if he's been ill before, then its a possible emergency in the making situation (hopefully your dad wont be ill again but you can't 'know', hence your need for AP to go see him and to have ready if something bad DOES happen) its def something to impress on them at the infopass - even more so than the birth I would have thought.

Good luck!!

Yes, Jaylen, I put in the plea letter to them that it was vital that I be free to return home whenever the need arises due to my Dad's age and health and that he is in a Long Term Care Nursing Home. But I guess whoever got the application didn't even bother to read the letter. I am very close to my Father and I am the youngest of 10 children (it broke my heart to leave him and now I feel so torn that I can't see him right now.

Thanks for your feedback. Come on, my friends, somebody must have a magic solution .............................{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}

JenT, That's ok, I can use all the hugs I can get. And this is going to make me Grandma # 3 (my oldest has 2), but thanks for the congrats

Karen, I just made an Infopass appointment in Portland, Maine (3 or 4 hours away) for Monday. I'll try anything. And you're right, all they can say is No! Thanks

Thanks for any/all the feedback..............{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

I am ready to scream............. Today I got a rejection notice from my Advance Parole because I ticked off the wrong box in Part 2 of form I-131...I ticked box 'a' and I'm looking at it now and I quess I should have ticked box 'd'????? I'm really not sure!!! They sent my application, my money order for $170 and my letter explaining reason for trips!!! The told me I have to send it to Nebraska Service Center. But I'm 'assuming' that I sent it to the right place but ticked the wrong damn box. God forbid, if someone should either forward it on or call if they weren't sure. The AP application was in with my AOS application....so it was obvious that I was going through the process!! I tried calling the number they put on the letter if I have any questions.............yes, and they should have said the moon is made of cheese.............neither statement is true!!! I called and lo and behold, after punching a gazillion numbers, they inform me that the system could not access my Receipt Number because of 'System Failure!!!!!!!

As some of you know I'm desperate to get my Advance Parole because my daughter expecting her first baby the first week of August and my Dad's 98th birthday is in September.

What do I do?? Time is running out and I need to make reservations................I've never done a damn thing wrong in my life and I'm being treated like a criminal (as we all are) just because I fell in love with an American citizen!!! My poor hubby feels so bad for me and he would take me home in a heartbeat (but only for a visit ). As a matter of fact he's driving up to Newfoundland for my Dad's birthday and our family reunion then I'm driving back to Maine with him. And we will ....COME HELL OR HIGH WATER!!!!!

Thanks for listening.................................I'm heartsick ........{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

You need two for each for a total of four. If you are also applying for advance parole, you need two more for a total of six.

Are you serious, Stina?? OMG!!!!! I only sent in 2 passport pictures with my AOS and AP (plus our wedding photo) I was worried that I might have missed something......................I'm on pins and needles waiting to hear something (I know it was signed for in Chicago). My daughter is due the 5th of August and I'm biting at the bit to make my flight reservations to Alberta!!! I can't imagine not being there and it is so upsetting and really getting me down. Advance Parole is so upsetting and I really find it hard to comprehend .............................{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}

Sweet child 'o mine- Guns n Roses

I love that 'o!

oops

Radar Love- Golden Earring

LOVE IS A MANY SPENDID THING................An oldie but a goodie.........I'm showing my age!!!...

Crystal Ball---artist; STYX

hmmmppphhh...can't think of anything with Crystal soooo...

Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis (mine would be too if I went through that many wives)

CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASSION....?????

I went back to a previous post because I didn't see this one

HAPPY CANADA DAY

What's everybody's plans for our National Holiday?? I sure wish I could cross over the border (1 1/2 hours away from the Canadian border....Calais, Maine/St. Stephen, NB..............I know.........you all must be sick of hearing me say that ) just to see the fire works. I sure do miss my home but I wouldn't trade my husband for anything. So I have to do what I have to do!!! (as all of us I'm sure..............it's the price of LOVE .......Have a wonderful and safe Canada Day and remember .............PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.............{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

How do I find out where the Biometrics appointment will be? We live in Maine, will it be in this State? I sure hope so. We just sent my AOS in. Any info is appreciated.......{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Hi MarieAnastasia,

Ours is right in our city Miami. You have that your local office is Montreal? How can you local office be in another (Canada) country?

You will get the address, date and time when you receive your “Notice of Action” (I-797).

Good luck,

Peter Miami

Hi Peter, I put Montreal because I thought that was asking what Consolate I had to go through for my Interview!! Is that wrong? Looking forward to getting the Biometrics 'Notice of Action"!! Thanks for your feedback..............{{{{HUGS}}}

Stina, did you apply for an advance parole also?? Mine was only sent in last week with my AOS...............it rots my socks to think it makes any difference whether we leave the country or not. I only live an hour and a half away from the New Brunswick border and I'm so wanting to go over just to celebrate Canada Day on Saturday!!!!! .................Good luck to you........{{{{HUGS}}}}

May the force be with u (let not forget that Hayden Christensen is Canadian lol......) so this phrase is right in this case

Maria

Thanks.........I love the saying "May the force be with you" because my birthday is May 4th and that's how my friends remember it because I always tell them 'May the fourth (force with a lisp ) be with you!! {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

I crossed at ft erie/buffalo and they didnt know what to do with my stuff either. When I handed the pkg that said 'do not open' He goes 'wahts this?' and ripped into it. I was like OMFG WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!

Then he had to call someone else over ask them and he told him to stamp it in a couple different spots and then forward it to the immigration centre (which one he didnt specify). I had to ask if they wanted to see my list of things i was bringing...after they wre all finished and he handed me my passport and stuff back. He didnt even look at the list let alone the uhaul or truck....sheesh

I cross Monday with my son, he is activating his visa for the first time....should be interesting.

Totally off topic....but any of you canucks or canuck-by-marriage dont have any plans on Saturday, come on up to the Maple Grove Tavern, in Maple Heights (cleveland) (www.maplegrovebar.com). Come upstairs, I will be bartending...I wanted to have a Canada day party but my idea was ummm well it wasn't acceptable I guess....who knows, but here is the deal.....since it is Canada day....anyone with Canadian ID....I will buy them a drink! Hows that?

EvilCanuck I sure wish I was close enough to Cleveland......................I'd show up in my reds and whites and take you up on that offer of a drink .....Nothing Canadian happening around here that I know of..............If anybody knows of anything in Maine...........PLEASE let me know...........even though we're only an hour and a half from the border..............I don't have my Advance Parole yet

Have a good one.....................{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Congratulations!!! Your interview sounds very close to mine (check it out in the USCIS Reviews)..........we also stayed at the La Tour Centreville..............we couldn't park in the creepy underground thank God because our truck was too high but the clerk sent us down there anyway without us knowing how low it was....................we ended up parking in their upper parking lot on the side of the hotel after a close call with losing the truck roof!!. It was cheaper back in March..............$75 a night plus $20 parking and we went by their directions on their website and ended up being lost for 3 hours!!!

But my Interview was totally hassle free! It was at 9:30 and we were out of there by 9:25 due to like you going early!! I wasn't lucky enough to go site seeing because I ended up with a stomach bug!!!!!

We married May 16 and now I'm going through AOS and AP ...Madness, I say......Good luck to you and ours on the rest of your journey..............{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Stina, did you apply for an advance parole also?? Mine was only sent in last week with my AOS...............it rots my socks to think it makes any difference whether we leave the country or not. I only live an hour and a half away from the New Brunswick border and I'm so wanting to go over just to celebrate Canada Day on Saturday!!!!! .................Good luck to you........{{{{HUGS}}}}

Did anybody else know that Wendy's bought Tim Horton's in 1995!!?? This is a first for me!! Tim Horton's is opening about 45 minutes from me in Brewer, Maine.(I'm TOO excited!! They're opening in an old Wendy's. I was surprised to say the least when I read this in YAHOO News (Canada) today..Ya find out something new every day!!!....Read on.......{{{{HUGS}}}

Wendy's expected to spin off remaining stake in Tim Hortons by Oct. 1

Wed Jun 28, 04:27 AM EST

By David Friend

TORONTO (CP) - Wendy's International Inc. (NYSE:WEN) said Tuesday it plans to spin off its remaining 82.75 per cent stake in Tim Hortons Inc. (TSX:THI) to current Wendy's shareholders around Oct. 1.

The Ohio-based company also disclosed Tuesday that same-store sales at its Wendy's and Baja Fresh restaurants will be lower than expected in the second quarter, which ends this week. Wendy's also said it will have lower net income contribution from Tim Hortons in the second quarter, due to the spinoff of 17.25 per cent of the company through an initial public offer, as well as higher expenses related to the reorganization

"The board's unanimous decision to spin off the remaining shares of Tim Hortons confirms the commitment that we initially made to shareholders," Wendy's chairman Jim Pickett said Tuesday.

The spinoff of Tim Hortons, acquired more than a decade ago by Wendy's, is part of an agreement made between Wendy's major shareholder Trian Partners. Nelson Peltz, head of Trian, had been pushing Wendy's to speed up the process.

Pickett said the spin off of the remaining Tim Hortons stake this fall "will quickly deliver value to shareholders and enable the management teams of both companies to focus on their respective strategies, operations and growth agendas," Pickett said.

Wendy's also said it expected lower second quarter results.

In an effort to reverse soft sales, Wendy's introduced a "Combo Plan" with the target of increasing sales by more than three per cent each year and reducing overhead costs by $100 million.

Part of the cuts included voluntary early retirement plans for about 175 of its full-time U.S. employees in May. Overall, Wendy's plans to reduce its workforce by 350 to 375 positions. Expenses related to retirement and severance packages would have an impact on second quarter earnings, the company said.

While same-store sales results for the Wendy's brand were the strongest the company had produced since January 2005, they were still below expectations, it said.

"Our second-quarter sales trends have improved compared to the first quarter, and we are optimistic about the initiatives to increase customer traffic for the remainder of the year," said CEO and president Kerrii Anderson.

Founded by its namesake Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Tim Horton and Ron Joyce, a former Hamilton former police officer and franchisee of the first Tim Hortons store, the iconic Canadian coffee and doughnut chain was bought by Wendy's in 1995.

Tim Hortons shares closed down 77 cents to $29.71 in Tuesday trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

God bless you both and good luck to your future.....................{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}

As long as you send copies of the divorce papers and have the originals for the Interview. My husband and I were both previously married and this didn't cause any kind of snag. Hey, we all make mistakes

We've just started our AOS and will be happy when this process is over and we can start living a 'normal' life ........Normal is what normal does Good luck...........{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}