What happened to February and March?????

I've been meaning to write this post for a while, just short of a month to be specific.

Honey arrived as planned on March 5th.  I nervously waited for him to appear on the tv monitor in the arrivals lobby.  Once he showed up on that, it was mere seconds for him to walk through the door.  It seemed like I waited forever, and almost broke down in tears thinking he hadn't made it through immigration but there he was...

Once he arrived we pretty much hit the ground running.  There is a LOT to do to prepare for the next step in getting him here permanently.

He arrived on Wednesday.  By the time Sunday was over, we had added him to the lease, opened a joint banking account, got a marriage license and bought a car.  That was an exhausting few days.

Monday it was back to work for me and time for Martin to try and settle into the Chaos.

During the next two weeks, we dropped some money at IKEA for new furniture, Honey assembled it all, and we made some more steps forward into getting him even more settled into the Chaos.

Now it was time to finalize the wedding plans and for Honey's parents to arrive.  They've been here 3 days and are still dealing with a little jet lag, tons of rain (they thought they had left that behind!), and the American way of life.

I have the next few weeks off.  My side of the family arrives Thursday and Friday.  We get married on Saturday.

HOLY CRAP WE'RE GETTING MARRIED IN 7 DAYS!!!!

There, got it out of my system for now.  Everything is set, we just all need to show up now.  The wheels are in motion, we just have to go along for the ride.

Now for the boring stuff.

Makeup:
No makeup except for something on my lips.  I've come to the conclusion that my perspiration and tears are comprised of acid.  I've given up trying to find makeup that won't run down my face - even though it says it is waterproof or "bulletproof".  As far as I'm concerned, it does NOT exist!

Hair:
I FINALLY found the size of sponge rollers I've been looking for so now my hair is done.  I tried hot rollers, curling iron, all sorts of hair products to keep it in place, etc etc etc.  Not one bit of that stuff worked.  I decided to go all old school and try the sponge curlers like my Mom used to curl my hair with when I was little.

BINGO!  Roll up all hair into sponge rollers except the front.  Sleep in them.  Take them out, run my fingers through my hair, pull it all up and back in a pony tail elastic.  TADA!  Hair is up and with the super curliness I got from the sponge curlers, I look like i have a high bun made out of curled ends.  NOT ONE BOBBY PIN NEEDED.  Just one lonesome hair elastic and lots of hairspray.

Dress and shoes still fit - barely.  Note to self: stop bloating for crying out loud.  Just. Stop.

Think that is all I've got for now.  Honey arrived safely, we've been busy, his family just arrived the other day, my family is coming in a few days.

Now if the weather could just make up its mind that would be good.  Thank you.

The Beginnings of a Really Good Panic...

Latest update:

Honey received his Visa on Wednesday via the special courier he had to sign up for...sticky thing in his passport and an envelope marked DO NOT OPEN which contains all the paperwork he has to turn in when he lands on US soil...which is March 5th!!!!

Our wedding is set for one month after that...

Just call it perfect timing:

I went this past weekend to visit our #1 choice of wedding venue.  We were hoping that we would know whether Honey was approved or not by then - and we did!  Antonella and I met up in San Francisco for lunch then toured the venue.  I took photos, we got specifics and asked questions.  I sent the photos to Honey that night and we discussed  everything on Sunday - by Tuesday we had it booked.

That takes care of the ceremony/reception.

We have been busy:

Honey is now at his parents packing up and getting ready to come over.  Tying up lose ends and getting everything necessary that needs doing for such a big move.

Airline tickets and hotels are being worked out for the family traveling into town for the Big Day.

We're trying to get our heads round everything else that needs to be done.  Choose invites, cake (and topper), flowers, etc etc.  Hoping we don't miss anything in the process.

It is not easy planning a wedding when the bride and groom are thousands of miles apart.  Thanks to technology though we are getting it done.  And thank Heaven for all-inclusive venues too - that alleviates a lot of stress.  Not going to say anything just yet about what we are doing.  You'll just have to wait.

Bridal Preparations

The push is on now to get hair and makeup good enough for such an important event.  

Makeup: 

I'm still not comfortable with putting on and wearing makeup.  I must be honest though and confess I haven't been doing as much practicing as I should.  That is about to change though as the clock is ticking!  Makeup is not supposed to make you look older - not unless that is the specific look you are going for...  Last time I checked, no one really puts on makeup to look older for their wedding.  It has been very discouraging to say the least.  I keep trying though and switching out this for that to see if it works better.

Hair:

I have spent the last few weeks on youtube looking at hair styling videos and videos about hair accessories and veils.

I have decided on a 'do for the wedding and have ditched any notions of having a birdcage veil and/or fascinator.  I don't do well with hats/head coverings of any sort and I honestly look a bit ridiculous with something sticking out the side of my head - and the veil is just...awkward.

With the new 'do though, I will have a nice hair accessory of some sort clipped on the back of my head.  I can handle that - yes indeedy.  What I need is confidence and comfort.  I get that with the hairdo I picked and the small but fabulous clip I will wear.

Now I just need to find that magical clip.  Or make it.  Lord knows I have enough supplies to open up my own bridal hair accessory shop.

Hmmmmm....there's a thought!

OK, back to reality.  I went to Michael's and stocked up on ribbon because I thought I would be making ribbon flowers to go in my hair.  Watched a shitload of youtube how-to videos about making said flowers.  Have now decided I don't want anything so 3-D on my head.  With the 'do I've chosen, the hair is the star - and one thing I do have is some good hair.  The search is on for the receipt as there are a few roles of ribbon that need to be returned.

Once the floral something was nixed, I decided to go with a nice flat clip similar in size to the one that was in the hair styling video.  I have searched high and low online and have not found anything that jumps out and says "BUY ME".  They are either too big or too small or on a comb or waaaaaay too expensive.  Looks like I'm making my magical clip. And so began the Great youtube search for videos about clips.  Got sucked into beading videos from there and well...  Goodness knows what I'll come up with but I'm going for understated but classy with a bit of sparkle.  It will not be a comb though.  Most everything on youtube shows accessories that have combs.  My hair is so thick it basically chews them up and spits them out.  It is OK with having clips in it though so now I have to devise something fabulous that can be put on a clip.  I think I have enough ideas, beads and wire to get this done.  If none of that works, a few crystals wired to bobby pins strategically placed in the 'do will work quite nicely.

It's always nice to have a backup plan.

In Conclusion:

From here on out I bore you with wedding stuff and blabber about how I'm trying to get myself together so I look like a bride instead of someone who hardly ever wears a dress, or does her hair up fancy or wears makeup.

APPROVED!!!!

Martin passed his interview and his visa has been approved!  We are so happy and excited and OMG!!!!

He had to leave his passport with them for processing.  We have no idea how long it will take before he gets it back.

Petition mailed April 27th, 2013

Visa approved...January 22, 2014


Correction: They told him that he should have the visa in about a week or so. YAY!

Emo Roller Coaster...not a ride I like...

From the highest personal high in a long time for me to a family low.

The "family dog" Dexter had not been himself since the New Year.

He was in the doggie hospital most of last week.

He improved so was sent home with my sister who had been lovingly caring for him since Mom passed away (and before then too - he was spoiled rotten by them both).

She had to make the decision to put him down last night while I was on my way home.  He had a relapse and there was no easy way back.

My small family is in mourning once again.  He was a beloved family member who stood loyally by my Mom for a very long time and had been a loving companion to my Sister.  He was spoiled rotten and could be a pain in the backside but we all loved him anyway.

He was 13 yrs old.  He is deeply missed.

We know his Spirit is with Mom's and they are having a nice long reunion walk.

Rest easy Dexter.

SQUEEEEEE!!!

Martin received the letter today and...

His Embassy Interview is NEXT WEEK!!!!!

He'll be heading to London for his January 22nd interview at 9am!

Which means he might know the final decision before I even wake up.

There are NO WORDS that I can say to express how I feel right now.

Except maybe SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

That's about all I can manage at the moment.

What little wedding prep I can do has just been kicked in high gear!

We're getting so close, I'm about ready to panic...

Martin and I were discussing the latest about his visa.

Not really much to talk about since we're in waiting mode.  There has been lots of waiting.  We're getting good at it I suppose.  Doesn't make it any easier though.

Latest estimate is that Martin should be receiving a letter from the London Embassy in the next week or so with his appointment date or some sort of appointment notice.  Once he submitted that last set of forms and other things after his physical, the countdown started: 6 weeks.

We are just over the 4 week mark I think.

And we wait.

The Embassy won't respond to questions about status or anything.

So we wait.

In the meantime, we try to plan for a wedding that we can't really finalize a date for...

We do have a tentative date but I'm not saying anything just yet. Don't want to jinx it. :)

In the meantime, we do research about wedding stuff and Antonella and I are going to go visit a potential venue in a few weeks.

Although we can't really do all that much but tell them our situation and hope they can work with all the unknowns.

At this point, I have a dress, Martin has a suit, Spencer has a new suit, and we have the rings.

That's all we really need to make an appointment at City Hall for a license and a ceremony.

Oh yes, and the visa.  Can't do much without that now can we?

Moving Right Along...

Things have progressed quite a bit since last I posted.

I have sent my affidavit of support form I-134 and all supporting documentation to Martin in anticipation of his Embassy Interview.

His physical exam is scheduled for this Wednesday, December 11th.  He bought his train ticket to London today.

We chatted today about wedding ceremony stuff.  There is a lot to do in a very little time.

So much to coordinate as most all of the people who are going to be at the wedding are coming from out of town: Spencer from L.A., my Sister from TX, Martin's family and friends from the UK and a few friends from here and there.

Wonder if we can have a Skype Wedding......

Still hangin' in...

We found out October 21st or so that our petition had been stuck in the National Visa Center in New Hampshire during the shutdown but was now on its way to the London Embassy.

Last week Honey got the all important letter from the US Embassy in London. Now we fill out more forms, gather more documents and evidence and soon Honey goes for his physical then his visa interview.

Things are moving along now. Exciting times!!!

Latest Info

Our K1-Visa petition has been approved and our bundle of papers and forms and evidence etc is now headed to the London Consulate for processing.

A big step forward!  This happened last week and Honey and I are very excited.

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of his official letter detailing what he needs to do next!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE

Clever prank!

I'm still Here...and so is everyone else.

Yesterday I turned 50yrs old.

There was no zombie apocalypse.

California didn't break off and sink into the Pacific Ocean.

The Earth didn't spiral into the Sun.

In other words, it wasn't the end of the world.

It was just another day and here I am the day after saying it wasn't so bad.

It is especially good if you face it head on with no grey hairs on that head and lots of love and happy wishes from those in your life who haven't hit that milestone yet.  From those that have, you get welcomed to "The 5-0 Club".

Never knew it existed.  I always thought it was just AARP.

Oh, and I will be filling out that AARP membership.  I'll get a snazzy free travel bag and access to a supposed boat load of discounts.

And getting older is all about the free and the discounts.  Even more so than it was before 50.  :)

Happy Birthday Spencer, Part 2

Almost forgot...

Here's your "birthday shirt and a pair of socks".  They should be done by the time you are 30.  Love you!

Happy Birthday to Our Spencer

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Spencer,

Happy 19th Birthday Son!

This is the first time that neither your Dad nor I have been with you on your birthday.  It is inevitable that this happens, you are becoming your own Man.

But, as I keep telling myself, I was there for the one that started them all - the day you were born.  I celebrate this date for me too you know.  It may be your Birthday, but it's also my MomDay.

You complained that you had to work today.  All I can do is smile and say "welcome to the real world".  The only time I have not had to work on my birthday is when it fell on a weekend.

I hope you enjoy yourself today both during work and after work and I hope the weather in LA is a lot better than it is here.  At least it's not 110F like it was the day you were born in Texas.

Have a great day Spencer!

Love,

Mom


PS When are you going to send me your Mother's Day photos?  I need some recent pix. Thx.

Simple Pleasures

Petition Update and Creativity

No new progress on the petition/K-1 Visa process yet.

They have updated the processing times for the California Service Center from 7.5 months to 5 months, so that is promising.  Our petition has been in the system for 1.5 months so far give or take a few days.

We had a bit of a hiccup when I got the official notice saying they had received our petition and gave us our case number.  They listed out our names and birthdays and low and behold, I had filled out my Honey's incorrectly on the main form.  It was correct on all the others and there was even a scan of  his passport, but still they requested a copy of his birth certificate.  Sigh.  We had to wait a bit for the certificate to come but all's well now as they have everything they need once again.

We have not received any more notices or anything, but I'm just glad there is a number to call and very nice, helpful people on the other end to help you update things when you screw up.  Of course that triggers a notice for documentation, but that is ok, at least we know that it is actually being worked on!

Oh, and I told Honey not to take it the wrong way that I got his birthday wrong.  I always mess up with Spencer's and I was ACTUALLY THERE on the day it happend.

I'm just bad with stuff like that lately.

I read an article last week that said hot flashes are a major contributor to women having memory fog and that it is temporary and things go back to normal when the flashes stop.

I'm still waiting for the stopping bit.  Summer is pretty much here, it's been hot and I can barely tolerate heat without hot flashes - with hot flashes it is just not good.

I want my normal brain function back please.

I have been having funny ideas about cartoons concerning hot flashes and general menopausal issues.  One day soon I will be going to a place where I can sit, relax and try my skills at drawing.  I have been writing down all my toony ideas as well as other Thoughts that pop into my head.

Now I won't forget any of it.  They are mostly things I want to make, and they are quite good, so hopefully some day I'll be able to work on them.

A first of MANY squeeeees to come....

Just received notice that our I-129F petition form has been accepted into the "system" and we have been assigned a case number.  Now it really IS official. :o)

Now you know what I will be doing every hour until the thing is complete...checking the status online of course.

I can't help it!

This is very exciting and it came about a week sooner than I had expected.  I'm hoping (and so is my Honey) that the rest of the process happens just as fast!

Send good thoughts, pray, cross your fingers, light candles...we need the good vibes for a quick process.

I've suddenly become VERY impatient. :o)

The First Step...

Martin and I spent last week in Dallas with my sister Liza working on the house and working on Martin's petition.

We're all pretty worn out from all the work we did. There was a lot of work done round the outside of the house. Things we did involved: trees, bushes, gutters, trellises, bricks, painting, and probably a few other things I can't remember.  We worked on computers, curtains, shades, front doors, and probably more.  Oh and the mailbox.  I think we did most, if not all of the outdoor items on the list.

Martin and I worked for a few nights into the wee hours of the morning to get the supporting evidence gathered for the I-129F petition for K-1 Visa.  The form itself is 3 pages long and fairly simple to complete.  It's the gathering and sorting through and organizing of everything we have to send with it that takes all the work.

We ended up with a 1 inch thick 3-ring binder full of stuff.  Our life together condensed down into a 1 inch binder.  It is pretty mind blowing.  And that is not even all of it.  Seven years is a long time to be together and you can't even imagine what it is like (until you actually do it) to try and pick out the right things to send to prove that you really are intending to get married.  How do you prove love?

So, Liza, Martin and I headed out to the post office yesterday morning to send it off.  That photo right there is the first set of "proof" we have starting as of submission of the petition.  Liza did us the favor of taking photos as we wrote out the label and put the petition in the envelope.  Once that was done, we went back to the house, packed, ate lunch and headed out to the airport.

All in all a very productive week.  And now we wait while the gears of the immigration machine begin to turn for us. There are many more steps to go, much more "evidence of relationship" to collect, more forms to fill out and submit.  I'll keep you posted as we go through the process.

It is exciting and scary all at once.  Exciting because Martin and I will be together once the visa is approved. There is much more to do after, but that is the first big hurdle.  It is scary because what if they don't like what we've sent?  Can't help but be paranoid.  There is a lot on the line here.

Anyhoo, wish us luck.  We are hoping for a quick and smooth process.

I Miss You Mom

Mom and Dad at their wedding reception, August 18, 1956

Dear Mom,

It has been a year already.  I miss you something awful.  I think of you all the time and can't tell you how many times I've picked up the phone to ask you something only to realize as I start dialing that you won't be on the other end.

As usual, I needed some help with the "most fabulous stuffing ever" for Christmas.  As you can probably guess, it didn't come out quite right, but it was still edible. I know I missed something, but I can't tell what it was, I'll just have to try again next year.

I've gotten back into sewing a bit and could have used some advice about fixing a zipper and the inevitable buying of new jeans.  You could have told me right away to give it up, I would have believed you more than my inner doubting voice.

Oh, and you could always tell your grandson the exact same thing I just told him, but he'd listen to you more than he did to me.

Wish you were here this week while Martin and I have been in town.  Along with Liza, we've done quite a bit of work around the house.  Hope you don't mind that we've had cable and internet installed.  Now Liza can work easier from home.  It's been nice for all of us to be on the interwebs all at the same time instead of taking turns at the mobile hot spot.

Martin has been quite handy to have around.  I'm going to miss him when he goes back to the UK.  He's a good man Mom, and very good with tools.  He's put quite of few of Dad's tools to work this week and things are looking good round the house.

Going to miss you at the wedding, whenever that will be.  If you were here, I'd ask you to light a candle and rattle the ol' beads because we are submitting the K-1 Visa petition for Martin to come over.  We've been working on all our evidence and so forth and will put it all together and take it to the post office tomorrow first thing.

I know you and Dad are together, so instead of teasing us down here (you guys are enjoying it, I know you are) see if you can pull a few strings and whatnot and get us a smooth and quick process.

Love and Miss you Mom,

Donna

I miss you Dad.

Mom, Me, Big Sis Liza, and Dad...hanging mid 60's style at a wedding.

Dear Dad,

It's 15 years today and it still hurts just as much as it did in 1998.

I think of you often.  I wish you were around to dispense words of wisdom when I need them.  Especially concerning your Grandson.  Or when I break things or need to make things.  I really  miss your hugs.

I wish you could be here to see how Spence has grown.  He's quite the man now, but still a pain in the ass sometimes, but that's what kids do.  You'd be proud of him.  I sure am.

I wish you could have met my Honey, Martin.  You'd like him, he's a good man.  I'm sure you could have convinced him to sneak off for a banana split at the Baskin Robins across the street.  He's easy that way.

I know you'll be there along side Mom 'watching' us at the wedding, whenever that will be.  I'll be thinking of you both and wishing you guys were there.

I know you and Mom are together now, the way you guys always were.  That gives me some comfort.

Love and miss you Dad,

Donna

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This break from working on the K-1 Visa form is brought to you by Gollum...