Aaralyn

Hey... the green card isn't green!!

Alf received his green card in the mail today!

We haven't received anything before this... I was expecting a seperate welcome letter or notice before the card. Ah well, this is MUCH better, and totally a surprise!

Good luck everyone else who is waiting. It can't be much longer!!

Glyn's AOS has not been touched since 1/12. Glyn also applied to change her SS card to her married name in mid-December. However, the SS office says that the verification is still pending with DHS.

She has already received her AP and EAD.

I am worried that the delay is going to hold her up from starting a job. (It has already caused problems when I submitted my income taxes.)

Any thoughts on how to resolve this?

We had similar issues with Alf's SS card. It was his application for the first card rather than a name change, but every time he would call, they would say they were still waiting for verification. We finally called USCIS and asked, and he was told the Social Security office can phone them 3 days after verification is requested if nothing is sent to them. He called the SS office back and the woman had no idea she could call USCIS about it. 3 hours later, they had verification and we received his card about a week later.

In other news...

Receipt Number: MSCXXXXXXXXXX

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Notice mailed welcoming the new permanent resident.

On February 23, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we had registered this customer's new permanent resident status. Please follow any instructions on the notice. Your new permanent resident card should be mailed within 60 days following this registration or after you complete any ADIT processing referred to in the welcome notice, whichever is later. If you move before you get your new card call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

This was our first news since the touch on the 12th, so I've got my fingers crossed that all of the 12th touches are in line for approvals!!

Picture I took after the ice storm.

Congrats to all the recent approvals!! Looks like they're working on us CSC peoples! *crosses fingers*

Still nothing from the social security office. He applied the Monday after he received his EAD (early December) and since then they say they're trying to verify it with USCIS. He finally called USCIS this morning after hearing the same thing from SS. That was helpful. The guy he talked to didn't ask for any personal info/case number etc... he just said that if the EAD wasn't verified within 3 business days, the social secutiry office should have called them.

So frustrating!!

I had to call in to work Tuesday because there was so much ice, and I can't drive on solid ice.

I had to call in Wednesday because the roof on the porch collapsed Tuesday night/Wed morning and we couldn't get out of the house.

I was off Thursday, so no worries.

I tried to get out to go to work today, and the van is beyond stuck. It's sitting on solid ice, and the moron... oooops I mean, ever-so-friendly neighbor was sooo nice to try and plow the snow and ice... all around my van! Even if I could get any traction to move on the ice, I have a 3 foot pile of snow and ice around the van... *sighs* Alf was out there pushing for about 30 minutes before we gave up. So, I had to call work for the 3rd time this week to tell them I can't get there until my mother is off (at 3pm) and will hopefully let me borrow her car. My boss laughed, so I'm assuming I'm not fired, but still. *grumbles*

nevermind! I think I misunderstood what you were asking.

Thank Krikit... we are too

My sis and best friend are both without power. Sis is staying with friends... 5 adults, 4 kids, a ferret, and 4 big dogs (boxers). I think it's a 3 bedroom house... I would be out of my mind.

Hee hawwww!! passed my drug dosage calculation exam!! Last one for the course!! 1 less item to worry about.

Congrats!!! Calculations make my brain cry.

My hubby is the same way. He doesn't really care whether or not he's a citizen. He has nothing against it, but no real desire. The only reason he's going to apply is to not have to deal with USCIS anymore.

We're in Kentucky and it is/was nasty. We were very lucky here. We lost the roof of the front porch. Well, we didn't lose it... it's just lying *on* the front porch now. We have numerous trees and branches down everywhere, but we managed to keep electricity. They are estimating over 200,000 people without power, and at least 7-10 days before it's restored. They declared a State of Emergency here and in Indiana.

I think the final totals were between 1 1/2 to 2 inches of ice, then around 3 inches of snow on top of that here in Louisville. I didn't sleep a wink Tuesday night. We live in a trailer, surrounded by huge trees and every minute or so you could here a loud crack, then the crash of ice/branches falling. I finally tried to lay down around 2am, but every time I would hear another branch fall, I would be up running from window to window, checking on the kids etc. Like I said, the roof of the porch collapsed, and we were trapped inside until my father came over and cleared enough away from the door to open it a bit and slide out. We have a few large limbs on the trailer, but thankfully, not too much damage. Very very very lucky.

I completely understand the frustrations about getting different medications than you were expecting, and not being counselled about medication.

I'm not sure exactly which states follow which laws, but in KY, we are required by law to substitute the generic equivilent of almost all drugs (if available, of course) unless the patient or doctor requests differently. Most insurances won't cover the brand name (even if the doctor requires brand), but if you want to pay cash price for it, you can request brand.

Some states have to get your permission to fill with generic, but I think most states are the other way around.

We are also required to ask the patient if they have any questions about their medication, no matter how long they've been taking it. I'm honestly not sure if that's a state law, or just a CVS "Law"... but we ask! lol

I can honestly say that I HATE insurance companies. I can't even tell you how many hours per day I'm on the phone trying to get them to cover certain medications. If it's too expensive, they won't pay.. if it isn't on their company formulary the won't pay. Most will eventually pay after the doctor contacts the insurance company to explain why he/she chose this more expensive drug etc etc. Meanwhile, the patient is stuck without medication waiting for all the red tape to be cut, and they're screaming and cursing at me because I won't give them their medicine. *sighs* I love my job. lol

We also got a touch on his AOS today!

It may be nothing more than moving from one dusty pile to another, but we haven't had a touch since early Oct. Up until today it just said "Case has been transferred" blahblah... now it says pending! It may still be a long wait, but I was really worried that it was lost somewhere during the transfer. Now I know it's actually there, so my mind is at ease again.

I also got a promotion at work today, so it's been a great day!! Yay!

Now, if Alf could only get his SS card and a job!

Congrats to all the approvals and green card!!!! since my last post. I know it's been awhile, but I do read and cheer along all the time.

(edited 'cause I can't spell tonight! )

It's much easier to raise blood sugar than lower it. Have him drink plenty of water and exercise. If he's taking insulin, a small dose probably wouldn't be a bad idea... just keep an eye on his levels to make sure he doesn't drop too much. 238 is high, but in most cases it isn't life threatening. If it stays in that range for longer periods of time, he could have other complications though.

Make sure he's taking his medication properly and following his diet as closely as possible. If it isn't coming back down, you could always call his doctor and see what they suggest.

My doctor advises a trip to the ER if mine gets around 400 or above, but his doctor might feel differently.

Everyone have a great weekend. We're supposed to be in for a "storm of the century" Sunday evening into Monday, which means the store shelves will be empty. Now THAT is a phenomenon that may be unique to St. Louis. Mention snow storm, or ice...and people PANIC. They buy all the bread and milk at the store, their are lineups at the hardware stores for salt and shovels. It's hilarious.

We're not too very far from you, here in Louisville, but we have the same phenomenon. They can say "flurries" and people freak out! lol It really wasn't too bad until we had the storm in 1994. They predicted a few inches of snow and we ended up getting over 24 inches. The entire city was shut down for over a week. You'd think people would have calmed down a bit since then!

Congrats!!!!!

I was just browsing other threads and there have been several people transferred to CSC after our case. Almost all of those that I've seen have a case status of "pending".. so I was wondering... should I try to call USCIS and see if they have any info on ours? The status still says "Case transferred" etc, and hasn't been updated. Last touch was right after biometrics.

I don't expect an approval on the AOS for quite some time yet, but it is starting to really bother me that it doesn't say pending!

Good luck!!!!! Let us know how it goes!

Check again in 10 days or so...

And yes, definitely apply for jobs. Got nothing to lose by applying... and if you find something btwn now and the time the card is issued, just explain that your ssn is pending, but you do have permission to work and show them the paper (kinda like a receipt) you get when you complete the ssn application.

Good luck!

Thank you!

Alf went to the social security office this morning to apply for his card. He had his EAD card in hand, but they say it's 'not in the system' so we could be waiting for another 4 weeks. *sighs*

Should he go ahead and apply for jobs, or wait (again) until we get the SS card?

I brined our turkey for Canadian Thanksgiving and it really was the best turkey I've ever tasted. Like Marilyn said, even the leftovers were juicy and yummy.

We received the EAD card in the mail today!!!!

They just sent our NOA yesterday too, BH45. I thought we'd have that in hand before the card. Ah well, I'm not complaining!! Congrats to everyone (wow!!) who has been approved lately.

Yay!!

Let's hope to see more approvals today!!

Ooooh CRIS you big tease!!

Getting my hopes up with a sexy-looking e-mail...only to inform me that my password had been changed.

You suck.

Ohh that is so not fair!

The next one will be the good one!! I have my fingers crossed for you.

When I heard the words "protected sex" before, I thought people were talking about condoms.. not firearms..

AP received in the mail tonight. Hopefully EAD is right behind.

I was talking to a coworker about this whole process the other day. She was amazed at how long we waiting to be together, and have waited for the AOS process. I told her that compared to some cases, ours has gone pretty quickly, but it certainly wasn't easy to be apart for any amount of time. She responded with, "There is NO WAY I would go through all of that for a MAN." I just grinned and said, "He's worth it."

It is so hard to wait, but I truly believe that those of us who go through this have an advantage over couples who have it "easy" as far as being together. I know that I appreciate Alf more than I probably would if we hadn't spent time knowing what it's like to be without him. I don't think we'll ever take each other for granted.