ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaMy Cat
If you can't find the feliway at petsmart, I am pretty certain that is it something that the vet can order for you. It will probably be a bit more $$ than buying it a a pet store, but may be cheaper than ordering on-line and paying for shipping. Call your vet and ask, they should be able to give you a price for it.
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-10-28 14:42:00
CanadaMy Cat
My cat has always been a fussy traveller as well, so I will look at picking up some of the feliway while I am in the states this weekend. The one thing I found that helps him a lot is not feeding him before we embark on a journey. He tends to get car sick if he eats anything and makes this awful meow until he is sick, then is better after. I found by not feeding him kept his tummy a bit mellower! I always let him have some water and bring some with, but he usually isn't all that interested in it. I always bring some empty plastic bags, some disposable gloves and wipes just in case!!!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-07-30 14:38:00
CanadaTips to avoid being denied entry at US border
Having a contact number is important. My sister was travelling with her son a few years ago (he was 14 at the time) and CBP did actually call the father to confirm that he knew his son was leaving the country. It may be advisable to give the father a heads up as to what time you may be going through border control just in case they decide to call. It would not be fun if for some reason they were not able to reach him. My sister did also require a notarized letter. The funniest part was that they were also travelling with her son's friendand they questioned only about the son (who was with a parent) and only asked to see the passport for the friend, no letter of permission from his parents or anything!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-10-29 12:39:00
CanadaPOE at a (not) busy land border
I have read reviews about the Alexandria Bay POE (Ivy Lea) on visa journey. I can't rememeber the exact location on the site, but you can look at everyones reviews. From what I have read that most went quite smoothly. I have done all my border crossings at this location and I have never had any sort of issue, other than them asking to look in my trunk and that lasted about 5 seconds!!! I have driven from Ottawa to Syracuse several times during the winter months, and have always found the roads to be in very good shape. There was lots of snow, but the roads were clear. I have also driven in the snow, and just needed to slow down a little and all was good. One thing to be very careful of when taking that drive is watching for wild life. I have seen numerous animals, especially deer, crossing in that area.

Good Luck.
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-08 21:11:00
CanadaWhere is...
I am still waiting for an interview, but have slowly started packing up. There is not a lot that I can do as I am still waiting for my house to sell, and it doesn't look all that appealing with packing boxes everywhere *sigh*. My fiance has NO household goods, so I will be moving all my stuff. I only bought my house 2yrs ago and bought all new furniture to to in it, so I figure it is worth it to move it. I get laid off from my job on the 26th (only 2 weeks to go YEAH!!), so I hope to go down to the US for christmas and while I wait for my interview. I was hoping with the little blitz on K1 interviews that last little while that I would get one before Christmas, but I am not holding my breath!!!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-11 14:49:00
CanadaImporting a Vehicle: Is the compliance letter always necessary?
I have a 2003 Impala as well. Do you know where these stickers are? I have to take mine if for a recall tomorrow, so I will ask about it. It would be nice to not have to pay for a letter. It is amazing how quickly all these little things add up!!!

QUOTE (Spoom @ Nov 11 2009, 05:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We took the car to our local garage a few months back, a 2003 Impala, and they said that it had stickers on it that certified that it complied with California safety standards as well as Canadian.

Assuming this were true, would I need to have the compliance letter from GM still, or would I be able to import it without the letter?

Also, if I do need to get the letter, we're still working on transferring the ownership of the vehicle from my dad to myself. Would the compliance letter still be valid if my dad got it right now and transferred ownership to me next week? (I'm out of town until Saturday.)


ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-11 22:54:00
CanadaGood Luck KnJ, Missa and cdn_gewels!!
QUOTE (cdn_gewels @ Nov 12 2009, 09:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks Wyatt's Torch. I have been playing with Aeroplan's site and think I may have discovered some options if we get married on a Friday in April.

I will still look into Allegiant Air for other possibilities! I live in Ottawa. A few people I know fly out of Syracuse which I believe is 3 1/2 hours away. It hurts cause I currently work for an airline but will leaving my job to move... so the paying taxes only thing to looking at fares for family over $700 each made my eyes pop out of my head! I've been living in a really nice travel bubble for 3 years! lol.


I am also in Ottawa, and I fly out of syracuse all the time and I can usually get to Atlanta for about $200 return (I usually book thru priceline or orbitz). And the parking at the syracuse airport is fairly cheap (I think about $7 a day....outdoor, but right at the airport so no shuttle required). I usually take an early morning flight, so leave Ottawa at about 1-2am and I am usually at the airport in 2.5-3hrs. Going that early in the morning there is never a wait at the border!! It is definitely worth the drive to save about $500 a pop on a flight.
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-12 13:36:00
Canadahelp! how does a k1 arrive?
I thought that I had read somewhere that in Vancouver you may get your visa that day or you can go and pick it up the next day? There are some recent threads in the Canada forum regarding this, so you may want to check them out. And the Vancouver Consulate seems to be a lot quicker at scheduling interviews then montreal. It seems that people get their interviews within a month or 2 of Vancouver receiving the case file. Mind you with US Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, there could potenitally be a slowdown.
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-13 15:05:00
CanadaMarriage certificate
QUOTE (mjk1 @ Nov 12 2009, 10:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I`m trying to get hold of the certificate. I think my ex may have destroyed it. (He ripped pics and the certificate out of our wedding album. He has anger management issues)


If you google Vital statistics for the province that you were married in (assuming you were married in Canada) you should be able to request on. They usually cost about $40 to get one. I had ordered mine a few weeks ago and in packing up some of my stuff tonight....I found the original.....UGH!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-12 23:17:00
CanadaPhone Call from Citizenship and immigration
QUOTE (LiLMermaid @ Nov 17 2009, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
She's applying for immigration to the US ....CIS is canadian immigration. Canadian immigration has nothing at all to do with this process. I kept getting calls from the RCMP for 3 days and kept missing it. It was some guy calling from work looking for his wife apparently he can't remember his home phone number. lol


The caller ID was just Citizenship and Immigration with no reference to the US or Canada, so I automatically thought it was the US since I have a pending case with them!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-17 13:21:00
CanadaPhone Call from Citizenship and immigration
Although I am pretty confident that all my paperwork etc that has been submitted is correct, it was a bit unsettling last night wondering what it may be about. But this morning.....yes...it was good for a laugh!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-17 12:28:00
CanadaPhone Call from Citizenship and immigration
Yes...I have it listed privately on a site called Grapevine ( A home marketing site) so it does have my home number as a contact point. So, yes...it is just coincidence that someone from CIS is looking to by my home!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-17 11:45:00
CanadaPhone Call from Citizenship and immigration
So I got the call from Citizenship and Immigration again this morning. It was someone who works for the Canadian CIS calling from work interested in buying my house!!!


ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-17 10:34:00
CanadaPhone Call from Citizenship and immigration
I got home from my medical this afternoon and I have a missed call from Citizenship and Immigration (and caller ID only display's the phone number and not the area code....UGH!). I called DoS to see if there were any notes on my file, and they said all it says is that they have recieved all the information they need and it is still pending an interview date. Did anyone else happen to get a call? If so, what was it for?

Thanks!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-16 15:46:00
Canadaenvelope size
I was in at the local Shoppers Drug Mart that has a post office in it. They carried the correct size.
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-16 22:30:00
CanadaDeadline to submit document after interview
QUOTE (maplestar @ Nov 19 2009, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I had my AOS interview on Tuesday morning and it was pointed out that they needed my long-form birth certificate. I had submitted the only birth certificate I have, the wallet-sized card, but because it doesn't have my parents' names on it, they won't accept it.

I received the letter today giving a 4-week deadline of Dec. 17th to submit the document. So (having heard back from somebody who is eligible to be my guarantor), I submitted the application online for the birth certificate.

Now my worry: the province doesn't make any guarantees about service times, if it's being mailed internationally. If one submits online and it's being mailed within Canada, they guarantee it within 15 business days. If I take that guaranteed time (ignoring the fact that it doesn't apply when the birth certificate's mailed to the U.S.), and work forward, I get Dec. 10th. Which is a little close for my comfort.

Is there a procedure to extend the deadline? If so, should I pre-emptively request an extension now, or should I wait to see if the document arrives in time to meet Immigration's deadline?

P.S. I wish they wouldn't use such black-and-white language in their notices "You have until December 17, 2009 (4 weeks) to submit the required documents or your application will be denied."

Do you have family or a friend within canada whose address you could use to mail it to, then have them priority it to you from there?? It would cost a bit more, but worth it. When I ordered my long form from AB, I think it said something about 20 days, but I had it later that week.
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-19 15:43:00
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
If you live near a Costco check there for the Gardisil. I know that in Ottawa their dispensing fee is only about $4, which is a lot cheaper than many places. I am pretty sure that you DO NOT need to be a costco member to use the pharmacy....(I doubt they get bulk discounts from the pharmacutical companies....lol)!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-10-28 17:56:00
CanadaNew Years Plans?
New Year's day will be the anniversary of us meeting....the day he returned from Iraq. So I am sure we will do something special. Maybe a weekend on a beach in Florida somewhere!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-10-30 12:15:00
CanadaToronto Medical - Short Review
The doctor at Dr. Siedens in Montreal asked me about my vision and if I wore glasses. I told him I good vision and didn't wear glasses, so maybe that statement pre-empted the vision test!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-24 14:58:00
CanadaChristmas Presents...whatcha going to buy?
I can't wait for Christmas....I love it. I am sad that I won't be spending it with my family, but I am beyond excited to be spending my first on with my SO. I love giving gifts, but I still haven't decided what I am going to be getting....his BD is right at the beginning of Dec so I will have to pace myself. We are thinking of getting married in FL, so I was thinking of paying for all the kids (nieces and nephews) to go to Disney as their Christmas present.
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-01 13:37:00
CanadaHome for the Holidays
I arrived late last evening after a 20+hr drive to GA to spend the holidays (and the time till our interview) with my fiance. I was a bit worried about crossing the border since I was bringing a few household items with me. I brought my china because I wanted to make Christmas very special for us as it is our first together and he spent the past 2 in Iraq, so he deserves a super nice christmas and aslo I didn't want to put it into the moving van. And it is also his birthday this week and as a hobby I make custom cakes, so I brought a bin full of cake and baking supplies. I was very honest at the border as to what I was bringing in and why. And since I wanted to stay for so long I brought a lot of evidence of ties. The CBP did as to look at my mortgage documentation and said it is very important to prove those ties. I had no work documentation since I was laid off last week, so the home documents became even more important. I also told him that we had a K1 in process are are just waiting for an interview to be assigned, and assured him that we were doing things the right way. good.gif

So it is possible to visit for extended periods during this process, but like Flames9 RN (I thinks) says.....just always be honest!!!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-12-02 10:47:00
CanadaMontreal K-1 Interview December
QUOTE (mjk1 @ Nov 23 2009, 12:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Our interview is Dec 3rd...medical on Nov 27th. I`m so nervous, i`m verging on meltdown. I`m too old for this...er...horse hockey... unsure.gif


The medical is easy. I had mine done with Dr. Seiden in Montreal and it was fast and easy. I didn't even have to change into one of those little paper gowns. A few general health questions, took my BP, checked the glands in my neck, listened to my lungs and heart, then did the little tap test on my abdomen, check my reflexes in my knees and that was it for the exam portion. I went to the lab and they took 2 vials of blood, then it was off to the x-ray. They didn't have a technician in that day, and the clinc in the building that the medical was in was really backed up, so they sent me to another clinic a few kms away. It was no big deal....it was the direction that I had to travel to go home, so it all worked out!

I didn't have my blood titre results with me, but I called before hand and they told me that I could just have my family Doc fax them over when she got them.


ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-23 12:57:00
CanadaMontreal K-1 Interview December
QUOTE (hyper @ Nov 12 2009, 12:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Colleens @ Oct 28 2009, 12:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just sent off my packet 3, so fingers crossed that it gets logged quickly and that Montreal is still being generous with the interviews!!!

hi
any news from the consualt or not yet ?
did u call the DOS to find u out u case?
good luck


I called on Tuesday and my packet has been logged, but no interview. At this point all you can do is wait patiently and call to see if you have an interview scheduled. I am going for my medical on Monday, and have everything else that I require for the interview already gathered. It seems like a long time, but when I look back to when we first sent in the paperwork...it really doesn't seem like all that long ago. The waiting really sucks, but it will all be worth it when you finally get to be together. I know that it is difficult not to focus on the waiting, but the more it is on your mind....the longer the wait will seem!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-12 13:23:00
CanadaMontreal K-1 Interview December
My packet 3 was 'successfully delivered' to the montreal consulate yesterday....so I am hoping that it may be possible to get a Dec interview.....my timeline is not too far off of MooseAlmighty's so I am hoping. Si has leave starting on the 14th of Dec until into the New Year, so having a few weeks to get settled in together would be perfect!!! *fingers crossed*
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-10-30 15:12:00
CanadaMontreal K-1 Interview December
I just sent off my packet 3, so fingers crossed that it gets logged quickly and that Montreal is still being generous with the interviews!!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-10-28 12:18:00
CanadaStopped at the border - visiting before CR-1 complete

There is definitely a difference between POEs. Alexandria Bay can be real "hardasses" with non-US citizens.


I have crossed at Alexandria Bay many times and have never had an issue. I crossed there at the end of Nov and asked to stay for approx 3 months and explained that we were in the final stages of the K1, that I still had ties to Canada (brought my bills and mortgage papers with me...which they looked at). They had a look at what I was bringing with me ( I had some household goods, but had a very good explanation for why I was bringing them). I chit chatted with the border gaurd for a while and was on my way. I was questioned way more when I flew to the US and went thru customs at the Ottawa airport.
ColleensFemaleCanada2010-01-03 22:42:00
CanadaHoliday Hoopla...the good, the bad and the ugly...share stories, ideas, recipes etc
if you use the silicon mats when baking your shortbreads, they turn out even better!!! The mats are great for sugar cookies as well!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-23 22:10:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
I had my last day of work this morning....went in and got my seperation papers and they explained my severance etc to me. It was the first day in sooooo long that I was actually looking forward to going into work!!! Now I get some chill time...yeah!!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-26 10:27:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
Tomorrow is my last day at work, and I can't wait!!!! I have been frustrated with my job for awhile, so I am looking forward to not having the stress of having to come in everyday!!!!

Everything is slowly falling into place, all my p3 paperwork done, all requird docs for the interview ready, work done and house sale being processed. Now all I need is my interview.....C'mon Montreal!!!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-24 15:58:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
Just be very careful when purchasing used furniture. I just saw a show on TV about the increased incidence of bedbugs. And used furniture is an easy way to bring them into your home.
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-23 13:49:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
I have been putting a ton of stuff up on Kijiji lately as well. And every day I have a bunch of stuff out on my front Lawn with a Free sign on it. Most is gone by the time I get home!! I can't be bothered to have a garage sale and haggle with people over the prices. We also have internal newsgroups at work, so I have posted and sold a lot of stuff there as well. It is amazing how much stuff you can accumulate over a short amount of time!!!

ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-17 14:49:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
QUOTE (trailmix @ Nov 14 2009, 12:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Colleens @ Nov 14 2009, 07:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
In preperatin for my move I have finally put my house up for sale. The first person who viewed made an offer, but it was pretty low, so I decided to wait it out. It had only been up on a website for about 2hrs and I already have 6 showings for it. I hope a get a buyer quickly so I can pack and and get ready to move!!! My job is done at the end of the month, so it would be nice to go and spend christmas together without having to stress about the house!!


Good morning,

wow Colleens that's great, not sure where you live in Canada but the housing market seems to be a bit slow all over and to have 6 showings is terrific!

I actually got a conditional offer this afternoon for MORE than my asking price. I am a horrible negotiator and I was not into calling people and haggling back and forth to see if I could get more. The guy offered above asking price right off the bat, so I have respect for that. And since I didn't use an agent...I won't have to take 5 or 6% out of that!! I am in Ottawa, and the market is really quite strong here right now. I have my medical on Monday, and already have all my necessary papers for the interview, so now it is just interview to wait for. I feel like Charlie praying to find the Golden Coupon for a trip to the chocolate factory...lol!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-14 14:39:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
In preperatin for my move I have finally put my house up for sale. The first person who viewed made an offer, but it was pretty low, so I decided to wait it out. It had only been up on a website for about 2hrs and I already have 6 showings for it. I hope a get a buyer quickly so I can pack and and get ready to move!!! My job is done at the end of the month, so it would be nice to go and spend christmas together without having to stress about the house!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-14 09:53:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
QUOTE (Udella&Wiz @ Nov 11 2009, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
On the eKetchup topic - yep, big difference. My brother noticed swhen he hit McDonalds in the US on the trip down last week. Saltier here i think, sweeter in Canada.

I <3 ketchup!

On the Red Robin topic - I don't think I've ever really had a great meal there, not my fav spot at all...and I like burgers


I have to agree....I have been to Red Robins many time, and the Burgers were ok...not the best tho. My fav Burger place is "The Works" http://www.worksburg...om/pdf/menu.pdf They have about 70 different combinations of toppings.....even one called "Crappy Tire" (and you can use canadian tire money to pay for it!!). They have the best milkshakes and onion rings as well!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-11 12:33:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
My dad put it into perspective for me when I was getting close to voting age. That not only should you vote to have your voice heard, but you should also vote out of respect for those who fought in wars so that you are ABLE to vote. There are people in many countries who would love not only the freedom to choose who their leaders should be, but the ability to do it safely. I guess I am a bit biased with this as well having a fiance who is in the army and has fought for this very right in more than one country.

I also think that if you don't vote, you shouldn't be b1tching and complaining when the gov't does things you don't agree with.

It is very sad when more people vote for Canadian Idol than for our leaders.
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-11-04 16:17:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
QUOTE (Flames9_RN @ Oct 29 2009, 12:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Very easy to use, but not something one wants to try and figure out in a real situation! I belive every one should take a BLS class. For CPR now they are tooting only giving compression--no breathes--about 100 compressions per minute-A good rhtyhym to go by is the Bee Gees song--staying alive. And both times i have given compressions on a real person, I had that song in my mind!! one want to go down 1.5 to 2" deep when giving ur compressions! One can read up online about how to USE AED, only takes minutes to learn, very simple, and once they the patches/pads are on, it tells ya what to do.


I just did a CPR/AED course about a month ago and they told me to think of the same song!!! And the same thing with compressions only....unless you know the person (ie parent, child etc). But with H1N1 right now....it is probably a good idea to do just compressions. The AED's are pretty easy to use, but I don't think I would be wanting someone to be reading the instructions on how to use it if I should ever happen to need one!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-10-29 13:07:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
We got one for my SO's niece this summer. It was the beaver. You can only get him in Canada and we did the whole mountie get-up on him...it was quite cute and we named him Chip. His Mom fell in love with it, so we just got another one made for her BD this past month....and his name is Chompz...lol!! They are definitely cute, but it doesn't take long for them to become quite pricey as well!!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2009-10-28 14:25:00
CanadaUPACK
Upack usually gives you 3 days to load and 3 days to unload. I was lucky since I was needing it delivered during the Thanksgiving Holiday, and since it was a US company....I got it for 5 days to load. I think you can ask them and they can give you recommendations for movers as well if you are unable to pack it yourself. And movers are generally worth the price as they know how to pack your stuff for the most efficient use of space and are generally pretty fast. I used movers for my previous move and they had a whole 3 bedroom house packed into the truck in less than 2 hours!!

If you are worried about your stuff moving around head to Canadian Tire and buy a bunch of the tie down straps ( you need 2 straps to go across the truck) so I would reccomend about 16 (I think I had 10, but wished I had bought a few more). The trailer that I had had rails on the sides every 2' that you can hook the straps into.

I am still waiting for my interview so I don't have my stuff yet, so I can't comment on the condition of the recieved goods....yet!
ColleensFemaleCanada2010-01-08 18:02:00
CanadaUPACK
I have have done the Upack trailer route, but my stuff is all sitting in one in storage right now while I await my interview. My quote was about $2100 for 12' and then $76 for each additional foot. The storage is a bit of a killer at $395 a month, but it is a lot cheaper than paying my mortgage and bills per month!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2010-01-07 09:24:00
CanadaMontreal Interview Times?
My packet 3 was logged on the 7th of November and I am still waiting. I am hoping that the start scheduling Feb interviews soon!!
ColleensFemaleCanada2010-01-11 10:01:00