ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaWell
QUOTE (thetreble @ Sep 21 2008, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Laura, my dear,

This is not the easiest transition. You have just moved from little brantford, ontario, home of THE GREAT ONE, to the most densly populated area in the whole united states.

For some, home sickness comes adn then goes for good. For some, it lasts a long time and for others it doesn't. I've lived here for almost two years and although my home sick has lessened, I still get disgusting boughts of it where I am convinced I might have made tehw rong choice.

The positive thing to note is that I always come back off of that cloud and see reality. Life moves on. Things are constantly changing. You have to move towards a point where you are truly happy in your new surroundings. I know that for me, specifically, once I move to somewhere here in NJ or PA that I'm totally comfortable living then I will improve 100% on my feelings towards living here. If I'm going to sit in traffic for hours each day, then when I get home and on the weekends, I want PEACE. So now I know what I need to do to move towards my goal of living somewhere quaint and that doesn't induce stress. I moved here to be with my love, not to gets ulcers and stress headaches.

Things will fall into place. Maybe your homesickness will never truly go away. Who the hell knows! Do know though, that it gets easier with time. You just broke off your relationship with your country and you may feel like she's mad with you. She is not. You guys have just decided to take time apart smile.gif But she still loves you and will always be there for you.


Well said Treble....thank you.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-09-21 21:16:00
CanadaWell
Laura - you are not alone. I've been watching movies and most of them remind me of what Kelsie (my daughter) and I had not long ago. Now, I'm here with Larry,and happy too, but I sure miss my baby girl. She started high school and I wasn't there to give her a hug and send her off to the next step in her education. I haven't been there when she's been sick or hurt.

I'm doing well here and meeting wonderful people from the church. It's just not the same as being home in Cochrane. There I could walk down the street and say hi to everyone as I knew most everyone. I've only seen 2 people twice here that I know in the 3 months I've lived here.

Time is getting close to Thanksgiving in Canada and my dad's birthday, even though he has passed away, I'm still not close enough to visit his resting place to wish him Happy Birthday.

We just need to put it out there for our friends here on VJ to tell us we are not alone. I'm thankful that you did this. It already has made me feel better knowing that there are others who feel just as alone, sad and missing their hometowns as I do.

((((( hugs )))))
BH45FemaleCanada2008-09-21 17:26:00
Canadaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats...one step closer to being together.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-01 19:28:00
CanadaWish Us Luck
Have a blast !! Think of all us other Canucks wishing we could be joining you.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-03 18:16:00
CanadaLesbian Couple Wants to be Together
I was a former marriage commissioner in Ontario. I know that Ontario recognizes same-sex unions and I believe they allow for family benefits.

I'm in agreement with Reba. Follow her suggestions and live in Ontario. Nothing stopping you from visiting the US afterwards.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-07-05 10:00:00
CanadaHi from North Carolina!
Have a great time. Go visit the place where the movie was filmed and take mega pics!!!!
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-01 19:28:00
CanadaDown to just a matter of days
Congrats on the upcoming wedding. May you enjoy a beautiful day and you can give thanks for it during the Canadian Thanksgiving celebration.

Just so you don't do what I did.....check the dates on the bottom of all your forms and make sure they are the most recent ones so you don't get a Rejection Notice like I did for my EAD.

Best wishes for Saturday
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-06 16:25:00
CanadaWhite Stuff is Falling
I received an email earlier today from the north. It was full of news and interesting tidbits. The best thing I read in the whole email was:

"It snowed here today." laughing.gif I can't help but laugh. This is very early for snow, even up north. If it continues, they'll be enjoying snow for 6 maybe 7 months. tongue.gif Better them than me. I'm liking this weather.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-02 15:02:00
CanadaThe Loving on Laura Thread.
Sending positive thoughts and lots of love to you, Laura and Nick. heart.gif
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-08 11:00:00
CanadaWOOT WOOT! RAISE THE ROOF!
This has been something hubby's can do in Canada for quite some time now. I don't recall ever reading or hearing of any problems with SIN.

I, personally, think it's up to each couple as to what name they take after marriage. His, hers, ours.....being together is the main thing.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-05 16:21:00
CanadaWhat do we do???
Laura - my heart goes out to you both. It's a sad situation. You have every right to panic and be concerned about the process. As others have said, I'm sure Nick will find himself a new job and you are going to be right there to support him

You are both strong people and will see this rough patch through together. That's what counts - together.

(((((((((( hugs )))))))))) I'll keep you both in my prayers.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-08 10:58:00
CanadaJitterbug
My contribution to the party:

Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
Bermuda, Bhama come on pretty mama
Key largo, Bntego baby why dont we go

Off the florida keys
Theres a place called kokomo
Thats where you wanna go to get away from it all

Bodies in the sand
Tropical drink melting in your hand
We'll be falling in love
To the rhythm of a steel drum band
Down in kokomo

Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama
Key largo, montego baby why dont we go

Ooo I wanna take you down to kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
Thats where we wanna go
Way down to kokomo

To martinique, that monserrat mystique

We'll put out to sea
And we'll perfect our chemistry
By and by we'll defy a little bit of gravity

Afternoon delight
Cocktails and moonlit nights
That dreamy look in your eye
Give me a tropical contact high
Way down in kokomo

Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama
Key largo, montego baby why dont we go

Ooo I wanna take you down to kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
Thats where we wanna go
Way down to kokomo

Port au prince I wanna catch a glimpse

Everybody knows
A little place like kokomo
Now if you wanna go
And get away from it all
Go down to kokomo

Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama
Key largo, montego baby why dont we go

Ooo I wanna take you down to kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
Thats where we wanna go
Way down to kokomo

Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama
Key largo, montego baby why dont we go

Ooo I wanna take you down to kokomo
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-10 20:18:00
CanadaThnksgvn
I'm making the traditional Thanksgiving dinner that I watched my mom do for many years. I still use her recipe for the stuffing, make mashed potatoes and mashed turnip. If they are really lucky, I'll make an apply pie for dessert. We're having our dinner on Monday.

It's going to feel strange not having my family around for the afternoon / evening.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-07 13:16:00
CanadaWell I haven't been on much lately
What a sad ordeal and such a young man.

I've got such a big family that there have been separations and divorces. Some of the people who were married to a sister or brother have thought that once the divorce was final, the ties to the family were over too. I don't work that way. Whoever it is, they married my sibling not the family and just because they are no longer married to my sibling doesn't mean they are no longer my family. They were either the mother or father to nephews/nieces. In my eyes, they are still family.

I hope this is the beginning to a better connection for you Marie with the other side of your children's family.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-09 08:36:00
Canadaour interview is tomorrow
Good luck.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-14 09:12:00
CanadaWhat to do with my GST refund.. now that I'm living in the U.S.??
Southern...I would return it to them with a note reminding them that you have moved to the USA.

I did all those things too regarding the CTB. I still received one after my arrival here in the States and it took Revenue Canada 2 months to ask for it back. Once I started receiving my EI, I sent Revenue Canada a money order to pay it back.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-11 14:20:00
CanadaFacebook
My FB has family and friends that I want to keep it touch with in Canada. I keep adding more and more family members as the start their FB page. I love to be able to see what's happening with all of them.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-09 14:56:00
CanadaThe Boss Thread
How would you like to be supervised by someone who knows nothing of your job and who has no degrees whatsoever in the area of your work? I spent more time arguing with the supposed supervisors than doing a lot of my work. I'm glad I no longer work there. I've been stress free for 6 months now.

QUOTE (Ana&D @ Oct 6 2008, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And I thought I worked for some weird ppl... I especially loved the story about silent office on the camera blink.gif

Well, my last US internship was quite smth too. We had a guy watching gay porno during day shifts, bellman watching some other weird porn during nights in the accounting offices. Another dude had a habit of faking sickness so they would send him home early. He really took it to the next level when he fell out of the chair and apparently had to go to special class for his wrist that company paid for! Oh, and there was this really young college girl working the front desk who just loved to share her wild party stories. No kidding, once she told us how they got drunk and some guy peed on her blink.gif We also had a spy in the office who watched every misdoing and reported back to the managment. Add a manager constantly on a power trip, supervisor whose response always was "I don't know"... Makes me wonder how on Earth did I last ther for 18 months? wacko.gif



I worked with these type of folks too. Did we work in the same place? rofl.gif
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-06 16:22:00
CanadaThings to be grateful for
I'm thankful for the things God shares with me and others. I'm blessed with the love of a beautiful daughter, whom I miss very much every day. I have a wonderful man who loves me just as I am. My family and friends who are always there when I need them.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-17 10:57:00
CanadaVISA APPROVED
kicking.gif Congrats.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-16 13:51:00
CanadaInterview at the Consulate in Montreal
Congrats Pandora.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-17 10:52:00
CanadaMy Montreal interview experience....approved!!
Congrats on the approval. On to the next steps in the process....stick around VJ is a great place for advice and support.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-21 10:47:00
CanadaWedding tomorrow!
I wish you all the very best. The sun is shining here so I'll wish some your way too. May you enjoy many many more days like today - ones filled with joy, happiness and lots of love.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-11 09:10:00
CanadaI eat whale blubber and club baby seals...
QUOTE (Mephys @ Aug 20 2008, 06:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
what are butter tarts.? unsure.gif


If I have some made before our lunch, I'll bring some for you to try.

Yes the squares are much easier to make, but I take after my mom and like the real deal. yes.gif
BH45FemaleCanada2008-08-20 18:54:00
CanadaI eat whale blubber and club baby seals...
QUOTE (Mephys @ Aug 20 2008, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Levi_Heather @ Aug 20 2008, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
YAY!!!! I have a Canadian flag sticker on my car lol.... I see alot of Manitoba and Ontario plates around here. I always wave when I pass smile.gif


Which reminds me the other I saw a car with a Canadian flag on the window and a Canadian flag sticker on the bumper, was trying to follow it to see if it was a nyone from VJ but she turned on Elgin o'hare express highway...

Brown car, anyone ? lol


Nope....mine is a green van with Ontario plates still.... biggrin.gif . Any suggestions for a personalized plate?????

No one here knows what butter tarts are ohmy.gif . Maybe a new business venture for me???? headbonk.gif
BH45FemaleCanada2008-08-20 16:07:00
CanadaUS Consulate in Montreal Review
Congrats Pandora. On to the next step in the process.....moving and getting married. kicking.gif
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-22 13:06:00
Canadahow long does it take for visa to arrive from MTL?
best of luck at your interview
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-22 19:55:00
CanadaAnt's Taking a "VJ Vacation"...
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I've been there with my Dad - he had 8 years of wonderful life (I believe) after his initial stroke. Hang in there!!
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-17 10:51:00
CanadaWow!
Congrats. Now you can really begin to enjoy life kicking.gif
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-23 17:18:00
CanadaOn Our Way......
Checked the website today and found this:

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

Current Status: Response to request for evidence received, and case processing has resumed.

On October 29, 2008, we received your response to our request for evidence. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. You should expect to receive a written decision or written update within 60 days of the date we received your response unless fingerprint processing or an interview are standard parts of case processing and have not yet been completed, in which case you can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done. This case is at our NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER location."

I had my bio yesterday. Interesting that they indicate I should receive a written decision or written update (which is probably what most get) in 60 days.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-29 16:23:00
CanadaOn Our Way......
Larry has his taxes prepared by a company. So I submitted what he received from them. No biggie. He only has a W-2 to submit and I'm sending it off today.

Should I re-submit his 1040 along with it?
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-24 10:15:00
CanadaOn Our Way......
RFE arrived today. When I sent in the I-864, Affidavit of Support, I sent them copies of Larry's tax returns (1040) for the last 3 years. The RFE wants the supporting documents for the most recent tax year - W-2's, 1099's etc.

So that's all I need to send back to them are copies of Larry's W-2 for 2007???? It will be in the mail tomorrow as I need to wait for Larry to come home to find it.

I didn't know that this RFE also holds up the EAD. "The Service will process your I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (if submitted) within 90 days of the receipt of your missing initial evidence. This is pursuant to Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 103.2(cool.gif(10)(ii)."

*big sigh*....Another 3 months of waiting to go to work. Maybe my EAD will be a birthday present for me the way it's going. laughing.gif
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-23 12:35:00
CanadaOn Our Way......
QUOTE (Carlawarla @ Oct 20 2008, 07:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What are the RFE's for?


No clue, yet. The site just said they had mailed a RFE on the 16th.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-20 10:46:00
CanadaOn Our Way......
Hubby picked up the mail this morning. I have received the 2nd NOA for the AOS. My biometrics appointment is on October 28 at noon in Norridge. I'm so thankful that Larry has the day off and can drive me.

A little confused over the site indicating a RFE and then getting the bio appointment. Oh well, go with the flow, I guess.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-19 13:31:00
CanadaOn Our Way......
OK... I received the NOA for the EAD - good thing. However, when I checked the site it indicated that the AOS had been touched. It was touched all right - RFE is on its way. wacko.gif Somehow I knew there would be a hiccup in this process tooo.
BH45FemaleCanada2008-10-17 19:24:00
CanadaNOA2 Approved!!
Congrats....headed towards the next step..... kicking.gif
BH45FemaleCanada2007-11-11 17:08:00
CanadaWhere's MandE, Jeremy/Kristi?
sheeeeeeeeeesh....give them a chance to get home or to a pc to post.... laughing.gif

I look forward to the reviews.....dang it get a move on will ya's.... wink.gif
BH45FemaleCanada2007-11-09 17:28:00
CanadaMontreal Approved
Congrats. Sounds like you had an enjoyable interview. good.gif
BH45FemaleCanada2007-11-11 17:32:00
CanadaTaking My Daughter to USA
QUOTE (Jeremy + Kristy @ Nov 12 2007, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Ontarkie @ Nov 10 2007, 06:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ok as far as ive been told by my lawyer sole custody or just plain old custody is the same thing Canada uses them both but mean the same. Since he has access thats what montreal is going to tell you that you need consent. Well if you can talk to him without a yelling match try again, remind him his custody does not change or his access that you will give him your address and phone number and he can call and she will be able to call him, this is all things my lawyer put in my consent letter. And you can always remind him that if you have to go to court he is going to have to come to you since that is where your daughter lives and that it would be possibly more then one court date. Dont wait if he wont give consent or risk getting to montreal for them to tell you no.

The lawyers maybe able to figure something out that they never told me.

The laws changed in January here in Ontario it is something your going to need to get a lawyer right away if he wont give you consent not sure what the court is like there it may take you a few months to get a case conference and you would have to go to 2 at least thats what they set up in the books. Now i'm not a 100% if you have to go that route but its what i was told is the only way since January and its both ppl have to attend. I'm sure he probably would be able to pay a lawyer to be there instead of him just my thought there but would be expensive.

My ex didnt want to sign so i was taking him to court once he got served and saw what my lawyer wrote he called me up and signed the consent letter (I had alot of dirt on him and i didnt even get into the big stuff)that letter went back to my lawyer and she had a judge endorse it 3 days later it came in the mail as a court document signed seal and iron clad lol, so he cant even change his mind without going to court.

Danielle


This sounds like a good plan. I don't think we would have been approved for the K-2 with the court order alone. However, as it's really hard to get things notarized in Canada (we can just go to a bank, here) the letter wasn't notarized. Getting a letter was stressing us out a lot.

You will probably have to pony up for a lawyer, as duty counsel was useless, really. The guy at the window did ask if the ex was involved, at all. We said yes, as he is, but very sporadic. Sounds like your ex, really. Even when he didn't live over two hours away and only lived on the next street over, he still only saw his daughter every three wmonths, or so.

As long as the consulate believes that you have tried to make contact and that you're not kidnapping your own daughter, I think you are all right. It's not even that you are really asking permission, I don't believe, but rather only that he knows that you are moving. I'm assuming that he moved first, so you have that on him, too.

Anyway, I'm not a lawyer, but he lucked out at the last possible moment getting that letter. We even got him to change the visitation with that letter from every-other-weekend to reasonable access after I pointed out to him that if he doesn't show up for his weekend, that we can charge him for the babysitting.

So, now that I'm typing, that's one thing that's different between our cases. Since he has "reasonable access" now, he still has "reasonable access" after you move, in my mind, anyway. Kristy's ex actually said, "well, if I commit a crime or something then I won't won't be able to see her." Well, jackass, don't commit a crime, then.

I'm not sure If I stressed you out more, or gave you some relief. We booked an appointment with a lawyer before getting the letter, but got the letter before the appointment. At the initial consult the lawyer said that everything looks great and you shouldn't have any problems and there wasn't a charge.


You haven't streesed me out. If anything, my ex used to stress me out....now he just ticks me off. I spoke to my lawyer today and my court order states sole custody with reasonable access with reasonable notice and has no residency stipulations. I will draw up a list of physical visits from him and indicate that in the past 2 years there have been sporadic telephone calls, online chats and emails.

Thanks for your input. It is a great help.
BH45FemaleCanada2007-11-12 14:36:00
CanadaTaking My Daughter to USA
QUOTE (Delicia @ Nov 10 2007, 05:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
there is a big difference between sole physical custody and sole legal custody here in the U.S. Getting sole physical custody of a child is fairly common. Getting sole legal custody is very rare. The non custodial parent has to either 1) voluntarily revoke their parental rights; or 2) voluntarily revoke their rights to allow for an adoption (if the other parent has remarried, for example); or 3) have their parental rights revoked by a court because the noncustodial parent is incarcerated or deemed to be a threat to the child (child molester, violent/criminal history). Since your former spouse still has join legal custody, you are going to have to find a way to get him to agree to the move.

If the former spouse is motivated by his wallet, this may be an option (and one I pursued). All my former spouse cared about was the measly child support that was garnished from his paycheck. So, when I told him he doesn't have to pay child support after he relinquished legal custody, he was all for it. It's a little hard to get it through a judge (but I had other issues such as my former spouse's history of violence and criminal convictions to support the action), but perhaps you should consult both an immigration and a family law attorney and see what your options are.

I know you are dealing with Canadian law here, so things might be different. I am just trying to provide you with some alternatives you may want to explore. Is your husband planning on adopting your daughter?



It's not joint custody....I have sole custody. He has access with reasonable notice. My future hubby would like to adopt her but will discuss it with her first.
BH45FemaleCanada2007-11-10 18:02:00