catrocks

Aunt Bessie's yorkshire puddings -

http://www.wisechoiceuk.com/scripts/prodLi...p?idCategory=21 $8.49 for pkg of 12 Item in stock

http://www.buybritish.net/store/customer/p...productid=19133 $6.25 for pkg of 12

That's my local British store , run by a lovely Welsh man! Went there for the first time on Saturday to get golden syrup and he gave me 10% off because it was my first time there

those look more like crepes

Yep, that's what we call pancakes in the UK. We don't do the thick ones like here in the US.

I have my golden syrup all ready and my lemon and sugar

$5 for golden syrup, blargggg..... but sooo worth it

Rachel, I'm like that too..... tall and a US size 10. I first tried on dresses in the US and they were all tiny! They had to be held with a clip at the back like Udella&Wiz said, because they wouldn't zip up! Plus it was 100 degrees outside and the place didn't have a/c, it was horrible.

I found it different when I tried on dresses in the UK though. Most sample dresses I tried on were a UK 12 or 14, so they actually did up! The one I bought was even too big! It gave me a lot of confidence and that's where I ended up buying my dress. Granted, I only went to one store here in the US, but I hated it. I have pics of me in these dresses I tried on and I looked like a cow! Stores should have 3 samples - small, medium and large!

I did contact my congressman but the lady I spoke with didn't really seem to know what to do and didn't seem to think it would be worth it either.

I was wondering about the blood test thing because I have to get a blood test since I am pregnant and if I have to do the medical again, another one for the medical... ugh! And within a short time... since the first one has to be done in the next couple of weeks, and the second one, well... if I have to do the medical exam again we don't want to put it off.

Is there no one else you can talk to at the congressman's office? I would hope someone there would know what to do or have some helpful advice.... but maybe just wishful thinking!

I'm sure that it would be fine for you to have two blood tests close together, but if you're doubtful perhaps you could ask your doctor when you go for your first blood test. I'm sure he/ she could reassure you

Oh and congrats on the pregnancy , how exciting!

But yes...my friend suggested we go and try on bridal gowns this weekend, then, when I've found a style I like, I can look on ebay/in charity shops for that style! She pointed out that when I try a dress on, it may change my feelings completely - I may feel that a big dress is what I want, or I may find I am too self-conscious in it

I'm sure once you start trying on gowns you'll have a better idea of the style you want. I wouldn't worry about being too overdressed though - at our wedding I and my family were all dressed up nicely, my mum wore a hat, and they were dressed like they would be for any wedding. Ben's family wore black pants and boring shirts, and our pastor wore shorts! I was surprised because I would always buy a nice dress for a wedding and make an effort, but at the end of the day who cares? As long as you're comfortable with what you wear it doesn't matter what everyone else thinks. But like I said, once you've tried on different styles I'm sure you'll have a good idea of what you want

Shopping for the dress is the best part, so have fun this weekend!

Here we go:

Jeremy, today in front of our friends and family, I pledge to be your loving wife. I take you to be my husband as you are and for who you are, just as I offer myself to you as I am for all my faults and virtues. I also offer my heart and soul because I know they will be treasured by you and safe in your love. I vow to build a loving and trusting relationship, to be your companion in joy, comfort in adversity and to bring happiness and laughter into our marriage. I will cherish your company and look forward to working together to build a life of dreams and adventures. I promise that on our journey through life I will find the sunshine behind every cloud and make each day as beautiful to you as you are to me.

I love you… Always.

That is so beautiful.... I'm all tearful now!

I check on my case online today....

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

Current Status: Notice mailed welcoming the new permanent resident.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

I'm thinking we would have my green card if it wasn't for this medical, that we're reluctant to want to do anything about it, with not much help from our congressman since they don't seem to know what to do... sigh. Does anyone know if it is dangerous to get two blood tests in a row?

I'm not sure what you mean by 'dangerous' to get two blood tests in a row, but if it helps, a couple of years ago I had blood taken on 3 different occasions in the space of a month.... and once they took 16 vials of blood! Ick! I was fine, though.

I haven't been following what's going on with your medical (I guess they must have lost it?) - have you already asked for help from your congressman or are you reluctant because you don't think they know what they're doing?

I registered on ebay about 5 years ago, but I've never bought anything - I've never dared to take that first 'plunge!' I might do so to save money, though.

I'm going to be oscillating over the coming months between wanting to do things properly and wanting to do things cheaply and quietly! Sometimes I think it'd be nice to have a proper dress and ask for a semi-formal attire and not use plastic goods, and other times I just think that it'd be far too attention-drawing and I'd be better off with wearing something more modest.

But you can have what you want on a budget.... if you are willing to shop around and barter with people. It's your wedding and you should wear what you want, there are plenty of huge princess type dresses for reasonable prices, especially on ebay. I got one of my bridesmaid dresses custom made for less than $60 (that included shipping). However, I understand that for large items like the dress you might not be comfortable buying it on ebay.... it's a risk, but remember that there are cheap alternatives like sample sales. Target also do wedding dresses, very simple but nice ones, for around $100.

YAY I love this post. I refuse to pay ridiculous prices for stuff so most everything for our wedding was a bargain. And the wedding itself was beautiful.

One word: Ebay!!!

I got my veil here (actually I got 3 because I am picky....)

I got a bunch of other stuff for cheap from ebay too, but it's been too long since I bought them so they're not showing up anymore!

Other than ebay, I got my dress from a sample sale.... it's good to call the local bridal stores and find out when they are going to have sample sales because my dress was more than half off, and they cleaned it for free, so all I had to do was get it altered.

There are a number of forums for weddings only, I got a lot of ideas from them too.

Oooh and for decoration.... we got everything for our centerpieces from Hobby Lobby. They often have sales going on. I think each centerpiece worked out at $9 - way cheaper than if I'd gotten someone else to do it. This is what they looked like.

I also got my flowers and bridesmaid flowers from Hobby Lobby for mega cheap. They are silk, but I prefer that as they're cheaper and last forever.

That's about all I can think of for now. We did it without a wedding planner but with the help of my wonderful now hubby who was happy to go and meet people and so on..... but I definitely would have used a wedding planner if he wasn't so helpful

I agree - it's difficult to understand your situation (I tried to read your previous topic but the link didn't work) since your husband is Canadian and you don't say who sponsored you, but as others said, I guess it's not important here.

You have been given advice here - make an infopass appointment. That would be the best advice I could give.

I'm not sure why you're getting to defensive since I didn't see anyone judge you.... but go ahead and yell at me too.

I love fluffy American pancakes with nothing on them. And don't get me started on how manky Golden Syrup is! blergh

It's like heaven in a can!!!

Congrats!!!

got my EAD card today.... do i need to apply for SSN in order to start working?

I believe so yes. Take your EAD card and passport (I took my AOS receipt too but all they wanted was passport and EAD card but better to be overprepared!) to your nearest SSA office. They have to do a check with USCIS to make sure your docs are correct, so it takes a bit longer than normal, but they give you a letter saying that you can work while you're waiting for your SSN. I applied for mine 10 days ago, they sent me a letter yesterday saying it's on the way (I guess they synced up with USCIS), so I should get it in a couple of weeks.

ETA: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

YAY pancake day, I forgot so thanks for the reminder - we will definitely be having pancakes on Tuesday - I'm sure this is a tradition that hubby will be happy to celebrate

We always used to have them when I was younger, but not so much in the last few years.

Oooh and now I have a craving for golden syrup.... has anyone found a similar product in the US which will save me a trip to the British store?

I always order water with meals here because it's free which makes me happy

they can't charge for tap water, as far as I know, but with the bottled stuff it's different (AFAIK)

That's how I understand it as well

But if you go to a restaurant in the UK and ask for water, they bring you bottled water. Here, you ask for water and they bring tap water. I don't think they can charge for tap water in the UK but you have to specify that you want tap water.... in my experience anyway. Just a difference of norms.

I had my biometrics in Cincinnati. We were the only people there so they saw me straight away, I was in and out in 20 mins. I actually had to go down there twice because the first time I hadn't brought my marriage certificate to show my name change so they couldn't accept my ID, but both times I was there, the place was empty. I would think if you showed up early that you'd be able to do your biometrics early.

We parked in a garage on 6th Street. Not sure which way you're coming from - we came south on 75, took the 5th Street exit, followed 5th down to Main Street, turned left on Main, and I think there was actually an entrance to the garage on Main. It was a 2 minute walk from the building we needed, and it was around $5 to park - bearing in mind that we were there early so we were parked for about an hour and a half.

Congraulations!!!

Chas CONSTANTLY has people thinking he's from Australia!!

When I was living in Belgium I met a South African guy who'd lived in Australia for 5 years or something.... and his first question to me was "so, what part of Australia are you from".

Me: the part that's in England?

there is no Dr office for visa med in scotland, we all need to go to London. When I had mine a few weeks ago there was no problems, the people there were very helpful and you can schedule appointments quite fast.

Ewww thats horrible! You'd think they'd have one in England, one in Scotland, one in Wales and one in NI to be a bit more convenient! Although, this doesn't surprise me.

Congratulations!!!

I booked a plane ticket. Your point of entry can be wherever you choose it to be. Simply book your ticket and your point of entry will be the first airport you land at on arrival in the US.

Jennifer,

I remember that feeling well, I just didn't want to get up for the first couple of weeks after leaving my now hubby. I think it's normal to feel this way in an LDR, because all you want is to be with that person, but you can't be.

Just think though, you are well on the way with your K1 process, and once it's approved you will be together! It's not much longer to wait, you just have to be strong and remember that once you're together, all the pain will have been worth it. I've been in the States for 5 months now and I thank God every day that I'm here with Ben, and I don't forget what it was like when we were apart. I feel like we're so much stronger for going through that

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to stop the horrible longing feeling, but just keep thinking, it's not much longer now, and then you'll be together forever

And until then, remember that we all understand here and are willing to listen and give words of encouragement.

Cat

As far as the doc's appointment goes, I'm sure if you call their office and explain your situation they would work with you. If I remember correctly (it's been a while so please someone correct me if I'm wrong), I was able to choose the date which suited me best for the medical. I'd assume the doc's office in Scotland would allow you to do the same

Not sure about the vaccination records, since I was able to obtain mine from the doctor's easily. They should still have your records even if you haven't been since 1994, but obviously if you've had any vaccinations since then they wouldn't have records of that. But if you had your BCG etc, then they should be able to give you a record of that.

I think as far as evidence goes you're on the right track - it doesn't hurt to take more docs than you need, so take copies of everything you've submitted as evidence so far - I always think it's better to be over-prepared than under-prepared! I think I took a copy of the I-129f we'd submitted but I don't remember if the officer asked for them at the interview, so I don't know whether it will be an issue or not, but hopefully someone else will be able to clear it up for you!

Advice - apply for your police certificate ASAP as it takes the longest to get!

Not sure why Ed, but I got two copies also. I guess it's normal?

Congrats again on the AOS approval

Congratulations Caro!!!

What a great week you are having - good luck on your driving test tomorrow! Was the written part hard? I am going to start studying for mine this week

Thank you catrocks! to prepare for the written test, I signed up for sample tests service with TestQuestionsAndAnswers.com. It was very reasoably priced and I felt well prepared Remember to study the whole drivers handbook and not just the signs and signals part things like knowing the penalties for DWI for both adults and minors, speed limits and parking rules are important.

Good Luck!!!

Saludos,

Caro

Thanks for the link, Caro and good luck for tomorrow!

Cat