JenandBarney

Hey guys sorry it took so long to give the news...we got approved. Hurray Hurray Hurray!!! We have been on the move and without internet, so haven't had the chance to post. Hope you are all doing well, Jen and Barney

Alright - drum roll awaiting an update to add two more lovely 'APPROVED' tags from today......

Congrats Dan and Tiffany!!! Hope you got a little sleep last night!!

Barney had his medical today. He said everything went fine, except that his arms hurt from getting stuck with needles (1 in each arm for vaccines, and 1 for blood). Glad to have that out of the way. Now I can just stress out about the interview!!!

Ahhhhhhh Tuesday! I'm a WEE bit stressed - not so much about the interview itself, but more about timing. What if we forgot some little silly form that holds things up? Our wedding is planned for August 11 - quite a large event. His whole family is flying over Aug 8. He's planning on hopping on a plane as soon as he gets the visa (we're hoping for Sunday Aug 5). Flexible airline ticket was the greatest idea ever. I'm rushing like mad on last minute wedding plans. Good luck to our fellow July 31st-ers!! Can't wait for Tuesday to be over with.

I'm sure everything will run smoothe as silk!!! But I know how you feel, I'm going through the same motions, all the what ifs. I am so excited to see that APPROVAL by your names!!!

We did it!!! Hip Hip Hooray!

Oh you both look stunning!!! Congratulations to you!!!!

I got Packet 4 today.... the DoS said my interview is at 8.30..... but Packet 4 says its at 9.30. I'll give DoS a call later to see which one is right. Either way....YAY! lol

Congratulations. I would think the P4 would more than likely be the correct time, but on that same note, I would arrive in time for the 8:30 date, just to be safe. One hour of waiting is nothing compared to the wait you have had to get there!!!

Cari, any news yet?

I just got through to DoS and we have an interview date on August 7!!

I was so excited I completely blanked what time it is though. It's so soon, I'm not sure I'll be able to make it over that early! I was planning to go over for the interview, but I guess we'll just have to see.

Oh Cari I am so happy for you. And I am sooooo glad you got a date so soon. Blows your mind when they tell you that you have a date, huh? After waiting now for almost 6 months for this to finally happen, I was flabbergasted all day yesterday, and am still a bit today!!!! Hurray for you. Too bad we weren't on the same day, could grab a cup of coffee and laugh about how neurotic we've been through this whole process!!!! Well, I speak for myself and am only half ashamed to say what a pucker-butt I have been!!!! Great news though!!!

I just got my interview date.....August 10th at 8.30am.

:dancing:

Hurray for you JandC. Bummer that you won't be able to be there, but great that it is so soon. Congrats!!!!

Cari, any news yet?

Thanks for the input Tracy and Daisy. I'll keep searching around. 20 days till I go over, hurray. Better get my bootie in gear!!!!

JenandBarney, I would take your dad up on the offer of using his miles. I was lucky enough to have some miles too and as an example a one way BA flight from London to Tampa would have been approx $1600! With the miles that amount came down to $190, so it makes sense even though we do not like to rely on our folks too much.

Good luck in the search.

Thanks Selly. Yes, I am waiting to hear from him to start the search. And yes, you are right, no one likes to rely on their folks, but I am grateful. It was a birthday present to me, so we shall see what he comes up with.

Adding Converse - who should see JenAndBarney at the consulate on the same day!!!

Recent London 'graduates'

May: JamalNTam, Oath/Leney, Tigersden, Marina+Dave, Mark&Steph, tonyeck, AlienUKGirl; June: jac, kins, TracyTN, bevray, REP&KMM, elmcitymaven, wodge2003, craigandkym, FutureAmerican, Linababe, ashp; July: RGNSCOT, robburnsefc, msu17, Teddy-406, TimsDaisy, linzzee, cindi, ValWesUKUS....

June 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

Duffbeer.............CR1........04/24....04/30.....................06/12.....09:30...PENDING I-864

Justchillin...............K1.......05/01....05/11........05/05......06/15....08:00...PENDING ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

July 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

TQMAngie.............K1.........06/08...................06/28..........7/17....09:30....APPROVED

selly.....................K1........05/23......06/06......06/12.........7/19....10:00....

Jennymc11............K1........05/29....06/07.......06/11..........7/20.......

halcut..................K1........05/31......06/07.......06/12..........7/24....09:00...

Jake & Ali..............K1.......06/04......06/12.......06/22..........7/25....

psho.....................K1.......07/06.......07/16.........................7/31....8:00

Dan&Tiffany.........K1........06/25......07/03.........................7/31....9:00

August 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

dropinboy.............K1........06/11.....06/12.......................08/01...08:30...

UK-to-USA..........CR1.....05/29......................06/12.........08/06.......

JenandBarney....K1.........7/07........07/27........................08/08..10:00

Converse34..........K1........06/26......07/20......................09/08..10:30

Rubycon/Disco..K1...........06/01.....................05/09.........08/10...09:30

Dawny&Tommy..K1..........06/07.....08/15........07/11.......08/16..10:00

Mothy................CR1.......06/11.....07/02......06/27.......08/21.....08:00....

uzume................K1.........05/29....06/14........06/23......08/31........

September 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

blspicer...............K1........06/12.....07/16......06/26.......09/04.....09:30....

Waiting for Interview

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....

Neal&Cari.............K1........06/23......07/03......

JandC..................K1........06/29......07/26.......

adi77..................K1.........07/01......06/22........

CardiffIan............K1.........07/04......07/30........

Yes, I could wear a red hat for id purposes....oh wait, I look awful in red!!! Hmmmm, will have to figure something out. Definitely want to meet up with a VJ member if possible. Will be so nervous though I'm sure. What am I talking about, I'm already nervous. Since I got the news this morning, I've gone from ecstatic....to pure nervous wreck. Shite....that diet that I was planning on doing...for months now...RIGHT!!! Oh god, have to look perfect, what if I don't???? Haven't seen Barney for over two months now, wanna look my best.....ARGHHHHHHHH. Panic mode has definitely set in. And what if we don't have anything to talk about? Irrational I know, because we talk every day, but what if???? Need a valium or something

Thanks for the input Tracy and Daisy. I'll keep searching around. 20 days till I go over, hurray. Better get my bootie in gear!!!!

Well, trying to find flights....I'm getting 1400, a little expensive. I could drive down to San Fran and get a much better deal, but I'm guessing we will be having a few cocktails on the journey home, so thats not a good option. Anyone have a good website to recommend? My step dad had said that he would use his frequent flier miles to get me a flight, but I am just trying to cover all ground if he can't get me one.

Yeah, maybe I should have included a cover letter with our packet. We put our travel date as September 1st, because we need to take care of a lot of stuff before the wedding, but they haven't taken that into account. I asked on the DoS line if they take that into account, and they said no, that I just have to wait until they schedule everyone else's and see where they can fit mine. I emailed them again about it, but is it also worth calling do you think?

Well, if it was me, I would be calling. They seem to be trying to be as accommodating as possible, so I would give it a shot. You've got nothing to lose but 16 bucks, which is chump change in the whole scheme of things.

Congratulations JenandBarney!!!

Just out of curiosity, what did you put as your travel/wedding dates? I am still holding on to that faint glimmer of hope that we will have an interview in August, but our packet seems to have gone into the slooow pile.

Hey there Cari, actually you were the one person I thought of, and kind of feel bad because you sent your packet in over two weeks before mine. To answer your question though, we sent in a cover letter in asking for an interview as soon as possible after the 27th of July after Barney gets his medical. We said mid august is a good time for me to travel over for the interview and for us to travel back together to the US. Our travel dates we put mid august and our wedding Sept. 15th. After reading the email they finally replied back to you, I am guessing that was a standard response, I am hoping you will get an August interview. My fingers are crossed for you. Take care, Jen

Adding JenandBarney! (Congrats!)

Recent London 'graduates'

May: JamalNTam, Oath/Leney, Tigersden, Marina+Dave, Mark&Steph, tonyeck, AlienUKGirl; June: jac, kins, TracyTN, bevray, REP&KMM, elmcitymaven, wodge2003, craigandkym, FutureAmerican, Linababe, ashp; July: RGNSCOT, robburnsefc, msu17, Teddy-406....

June 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

Duffbeer.............CR1........04/24....04/30.....................06/12.....09:30...PENDING I-864

Justchillin...............K1.......05/01....05/11........05/05......06/15....08:00...PENDING ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

July 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

TimsDaisy.............K1........05/29....06/07.......06/25......07/05...09:00....APPROVED

linzzee.................K1.................................................7/10...10:30...APPROVED

cindi....................IR1........05/09.....................05/31.........7/11........APPROVED

justbee&robbie.....CR1.......05/12......06/27.....05/30...........7/11..........

ValWesUKUS..........K1........05/30....06/06.......06/14..........7/16..........APPROVED

TQMAngie.............K1.........06/08...................06/28..........7/17....09:30....

selly.....................K1........05/23......06/06......06/12.........7/19....10:00....

Jennymc11............K1........05/29....06/07.......06/11..........7/20.......

halcut..................K1........05/31......06/07.......06/12..........7/24....09:00...

Jake & Ali..............K1.......06/04......06/12.......06/22..........7/25....

psho.....................K1.......07/06.......07/16.........................7/31....8:00

Dan&Tiffany.........K1........06/25......07/03.........................7/31....9:00

August 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

dropinboy.............K1........06/11.....06/12.......................08/01...08:30...

UK-to-USA..........CR1.....05/29......................06/12.........08/06.......

JenandBarney....K1.........7/07........07/27........................08/08..10:00

Rubycon/Disco..K1...........06/01.....................05/09.........08/10...09:30

Dawny&Tommy..K1..........06/07.....08/15........07/11.......08/16..10:00

Mothy................CR1.......06/11.....07/02......06/27.......08/21.....08:00....

uzume................K1.........05/29....06/14........06/23......08/31........

September 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

blspicer...............K1........06/12.....07/16......06/26.......09/04.....09:30....

Waiting for Interview

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....

Neal&Cari.............K1........06/23......07/03......

JandC..................K1........06/29......07/26.......

Converse34..........K1........06/26......07/20.......

adi77..................K1.........07/01......06/22........

CardiffIan............K1.........07/04......07/30........

Ha ha, thanks Tracy for adding me. I tried to but did it wrong...I was all in red. Of course I like to stand out, but want to save the red for the approval part. Thanks for the congrats as well, you too Tiff

Recent London 'graduates'

May: JamalNTam, Oath/Leney, Tigersden, Marina+Dave, Mark&Steph, tonyeck, AlienUKGirl; June: jac, kins, TracyTN, bevray, REP&KMM, elmcitymaven, wodge2003, craigandkym, FutureAmerican, Linababe, ashp; July: RGNSCOT, robburnsefc, msu17, Teddy-406....

June 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

Duffbeer.............CR1........04/24....04/30.....................06/12.....09:30...PENDING I-864

Justchillin...............K1.......05/01....05/11........05/05......06/15....08:00...PENDING ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

July 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

TimsDaisy.............K1........05/29....06/07.......06/25......07/05...09:00....APPROVED

linzzee.................K1.................................................7/10...10:30...APPROVED

cindi....................IR1........05/09.....................05/31.........7/11........APPROVED

justbee&robbie.....CR1.......05/12......06/27.....05/30...........7/11..........

ValWesUKUS..........K1........05/30....06/06.......06/14..........7/16..........APPROVED

TQMAngie.............K1.........06/08...................06/28..........7/17....09:30....

selly.....................K1........05/23......06/06......06/12.........7/19....10:00....

Jennymc11............K1........05/29....06/07.......06/11..........7/20.......

halcut..................K1........05/31......06/07.......06/12..........7/24....09:00...

Jake & Ali..............K1.......06/04......06/12.......06/22..........7/25....

psho.....................K1.......07/06.......07/16.........................7/31....8:00

Dan&Tiffany.........K1........06/25......07/03.........................7/31....9:00

August 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

dropinboy.............K1........06/11.....06/12.......................08/01...08:30...

UK-to-USA..........CR1.....05/29......................06/12.........08/06.......

Rubycon/Disco..K1...........06/01.....................05/09.........08/10...09:30

Dawny&Tommy..K1..........06/07.....08/15........07/11.......08/16..10:00

Mothy................CR1.......06/11.....07/02......06/27.......08/21.....08:00....

uzume................K1.........05/29....06/14........06/23......08/31........

Jen and Barney...K1...........07/07.....07/27........................08/08...10:00

September 2007 Interviews

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

blspicer...............K1........06/12.....07/16......06/26.......09/04.....09:30....

Waiting for Interview

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....

Neal&Cari.............K1........06/23......07/03......

JandC..................K1........06/29......07/26.......

Converse34..........K1........06/26......07/20.......

adi77..................K1.........07/01......06/22........

CardiffIan............K1.........07/04......07/30........

Hooray for ValWes -- Congrats you guys!!!

Daisy and Tim -- as you rightly said, Woohoo and D'Oh!

Tom (TQM_Angie) should be reporting back soon -- and selly and Jenny, your big days are almost here! Good luck to you both.

Don't know if I did this right.

Oh, today is a good day.....we got our interview date!!!! August 8th at 10 AM. AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! I am still shaking. Right, now flights, time off, etc.

I got a reply to one of my emails that was "deleted without being read" today:

The administrative processing of the application has been completed. We note that the marriage ceremony will take place in October. The appointment for the visa interview will be scheduled in September.

Sincerely

Consular Information Unit

I was hoping for August, but oh well. As long as it's not too late in September so that we'll be cutting it close, I don't mind.

Somewhat good news!!! Still no date though?

Update: We are now eligible for an interview. Don't have a date, but at least they have us in the system. This is good news

Now I am really starting to get worried. I called DoS and they still haven't qualified us for an interview date apparently. I mentioned that several other people had sent theirs around the same time and were already eligible, and asked what could be holding ours up. The lady answered with the usual "It's too soon," but also said that there could be a problem with the paperwork. She then asked if I'd sent in my affidavit of support and I told her I was under the impression that I brought that to the interview, not sent it in my P3, and she just replied she didn't know, it could be any number of things. She then told me to call London to see if there is any other paperwork they need. I am really worried we've done something wrong, though I can't think what it could be. And why do I always get the cranky ladies at DoS?

Should I call the London extortion line to find out about paperwork? Was I supposed to include the I-134? I just don't know what to do, it's making me so paranoid.

Can't say much, just wanted to lend a hand...no line...of support to you. Didn't Neil have to get an extra explanation on his medical from his GP? I saw that he had his medical on the third, so that should be in the system by now, but maybe the letter from the GP is the hold up??? Long shot, but just a thought. On the other hand, as far as I can tell, there is no rhyme or reason to the timing of these interview dates. Maybe Neil could try the embassy. He can get straight through, correct? (Actually I'm not sure of this, so don't quote me) Hang in there Cari!!!!

Well Miss Daisy the only thing I can say is good on you for your present...oh shite, I can't think of the right word (I've been sitting here for five minutes trying to think of it)...positive attitude...no....critical thinking...thats not it...well, whatever the word is that you do when you analyze the situation with clarity instead of clustering over it, and feeling bad about it, and taking care of what needs to be done. I hope your congressman can be of aid to you and get some results to you. My heart is with you (as corny as that sounds) I am having a hard time with words at the moment, but I am thinking of you.

Jen

Is there some reason why I keep getting the "Our office is closed message" when calling DoS? Do they have a lunch break or something? They keep telling me to call back Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, but it's now 11:20 am there on a Wednesday.

That happened once to me too. I don't know if it's an overwhelmed phone system or what. It eventually was back online by, I think 10am Cali time when I experienced it. Random.

As for the above question about the secret code - that's a code that the toll line (scotland DOS info line) will give out (when it feels like it) that you supposedly need to get a real answer from the embassy using the embassy email address.

Except that there are about 1000 different experiences people have with trying to email. Most everyone gets the "Deleted without being read" auto reply. Some get a real answer. We emailed once without the code, once with the code, and never got any sort of reply at all. Others without the code have received replies. Who knows. But the code can't be obtained from the US line.

Ahhhh, thank you Miss Daisy. Hope things are coming along with the big move, as well as wedding plans!!!

Is there some reason why I keep getting the "Our office is closed message" when calling DoS? Do they have a lunch break or something? They keep telling me to call back Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, but it's now 11:20 am there on a Wednesday.

Haaa. Well, at least you didn't call on the 4th of July, knowing FULL WELL that of course they would be closed, but due to extreme neurotic tendencies just HAD to call anyways expecting to hear a message of "We are closed for the holiday". But instead heard "Your expected wait time is 10 minutes", then stayed on the phone for 40 on hold before finally giving up and hanging up the phone, cursing up a storm!!!! IDIOT!!!! Uh hum, but to answer your question, no I have no idea. DRRRRR.

fantastic!! Glad you're making the trip, psho! Perhaps you guys will run into Dan when you're there. Also, I, too go the deleting of the email response, but kept resending like 3 or 4 times. This was before I knew of the secret code word. I just assumed that they didn't have our case in the system, and when it got there, they would accept it. HA! Guess they got tired of my resends, so they did finally respond that our case was, in fact, there.

Secret code word? Oh please, do tell.