I watch too many romantic movies!

Thanks for your replies. I will try to address them altogether.

I realize that brief stints in jobs doesn't look good on a resume, but I already have issues with that anyway due to not working while at uni, doing BUNAC, and temporary jobs. I've gone through uni, got my degree, and still yet to find a career type job. If they would give me a leave of absence that would be perfect, but I highly doubt it would happen for a part time cashier. Of course I will ask when it gets closer to the time, but I will also prepare for a "no".

Right now I am planning to go for at least 2 months. My boyfriend wants me to stay as long as possible though, and I want to as well. But I also want to be responsible, and having a source of income as crappy as it is is an important thing. I don't know what to do though. In the back of my mind I am thinking, if it were possible to get something like 10-14 days off work without losing my job, then I should just go for that short amount of time. Perhaps then I could go back and visit again later in October for our anniversary and then do an extended visit.

I feel like my head is spinning...

So I finally got the paperwork for my mom...and she forgot to send her birth certificate!    She says she'll send it ASAP, but considering the last few times she's said that meant many months of no action, I'm not getting my hopes up.    (Procrastination genes are strong on that side of the family...)

Still, I have to wait on my referral people to fill out their form and send it to me, and I need to get passport sized photos, so even if I'd gotten all the paperwork today I still wouldn't be able to mail it in yet.

I feel your pain on that one equestrianerd!! We'll get there eventually!

I have a stupid question...what is the thing with the reputation awards...it says on my profile whose reputation have I helped? or who has helped mine? does anyone know what this is?


chi chi and equstrainerd you will get here eventually don't give up trust me...I almost did after being refused entry and then being refused a visa I wondered how I could ever get over here...my only advice is make sure you have all your paperwork and explain in your cover letter exactly what you are looking for...I know you willl be over soon as well as the other ladies on this thread...then we will soon be having our romantic movie meetup somewhere in England...it willl be awesome....

Woot!  I can't wait until we all meet up.

I told Beth we're going to take over England...and dominate. lol

And question as well here, for the letter of intent that I have to write for the spousal visa, do I have to write when I'd like to leave by?  I'm not exactly sure what I should write for that.

Josy, don't know about the reputation thingie....I think it has something to do with rating each other.  *shrugs*

So what are everyone's plans for the weekend?

Reputation feature is explained here: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=51575.0

Not much going on for me. Just having my apartment professionally cleaned for the first time ever in my life. It is LOVELY! She's already been cleaning the bathroom for like 45 mins now! She's not missing anything. It's awesome! I *may* just have to do this every few months or something.... Could be worth it just to have a nice, happy clean apt! I'm getting a haircut later today, too.. I love that first day haircut feeling, too! Might go for a pedicure/manicure later as well. Just going all out with pampering lately!

Patty- from reading other threads, I think that if you put the date you'd like to leave, they try to approve it for that date (up to a certain limit of course). I would write the earliest date you would like to leave. Then if it's approved for later, fine. Does that make sense?

equestriannerd, I hope you get the paperwork sorted out soon! That has to be frustrating. I'm such a "would rather do it myself, than wait on others" person. [hello, control freak! lol]

digitalsea- I would probably just go for a couple of weeks if I couldn't get the time off without losing my job. Only reason I can go for 2 months this summer is because I'm a teacher and have the time off automatically. I'm likely going to be losing my PT job when I go, though. I broke the news to my boss there last week and he wasn't very pleased. Kind of sucks, because if I weren't leaving I'd have worked FT for him probably. I was hoping he'd hold a place open for me since the college kids he'll be using for the summer will be going back to school....

Ok- just went and looked in on my bathroom she cleaned- holy cow. It looks like a hotel! She folded the toilet paper and rolled up the towels all special, and organized everything!!! I can hear her dusting the blinds! Oh happy day!!! It makes me so happy!!!!

Hope everyone is doing well this weekend! I'm gonna continue to relax and enjoy the sounds of someone cleaning my apt for me.

Oh yeah...forgot that the maids were coming today.  You're so posh, Beth.  Send them to Ohio for me, please? lol

And o.k...so if Ian leaves April 15th, and my visa can be approved by then, I'd like to leave with him.   What date do you suggest I write in my letter??? 

Alrighty...now I MUST get off this couch, shower, and do some things.  Need to run some errands and I want to clean out my car today. 

Beth - I am SO INSANELY jealous of you!  Can I ask how much you are paying these angels maids?  I need some of them and have been toying with the idea for a few months...  Its just never the same if I do the cleaning myself.   Go all out on the pampering today!!

Patty - you can inform them on your travel plans, but everything I have read says to NOT purchase the ticket in advance, of course.  I would ask for them to date it April 15th and cross your fingers.  If it isnt approved by then, I imagine they would date it for the date of approval and you can take off then.

As I said to Chi, I am dreading having to rely on David to send all the *right* documents.  His attention to detail skills are not the greatest... well, not as great as mine anyway , so we may have some trouble there... I feel your pain already, equestrian!  Fingers crossed she sends the right stuff asap.

I'm starting my Saturday really early today for some reason (probably b/c I'm so lame that I was in bed early last night) - I'm going to stop by the animal shelter and see if there are any kittens who need a foster home and then going to order my new glasses.  A friend was supposed to come with me, but shes not feeling well, so its all up to me to pick out frames (eeek!). 

Have a lovely weekend my ladies!

Carey- $80 for a 2BR/2BA apt. The guy said it's a little more than regular because it's the first cleaning. ANd they are charging me as a 1 BR because my 2nd bedroom is actually an office (which is really more trouble, I would say.. but whatever!) So I suppose next time it would be less? And omg.. she's like moving things off counters and things and cleaning underneath, too! It's so nice. She then rearranges it all neatly. *sigh* I do feel really posh. And a bit guilty sitting here on the sofa with my feet up while she's working so hard! Oh well.. i worked hard to earn the money to pay her!

Patty- I was gonna say to ask for it to be valid a day or two before you want to leave. That way, you would have some leeway? I dunno. Good luck. Hopefully it won't take too long to get approved and you can go back with Ian.

*guh*  It's Monday already?!

Where did the weekend go??!?!

Patty- just think! That means you're one weekend closer to getting married!!!!!!!!! See, glass half full!

$80 doesnt sound too bad. Maybe I'll do some calling around before David comes - then he will think I am a great housekeeper and be very disappointed when he finds out I am not

I'm with you Patty - what happened to the weekend?!?   But, Beth is right (as she usually is!) now only 2 mondays left before you enter wedded bliss. 

David and I had a huge fight last night and I feel like crap crap crap today. I think we made up, but as I have said before - its SO hard not to be able to "hug it out".  Blech.

David and I had a huge fight last night and I feel like crap crap crap today. I think we made up, but as I have said before - its SO hard not to be able to "hug it out".  Blech.

Oh I so know how that goes. I have to work really hard to try to not let those times get to me and ruin my whole day. Even if one of us is having an off day and we are just kind of bickering and not mad, but not lovey dovey, I can very easily get all emotional and be in a bad mood all day. Where as DH forgets it within 10 minutes and is fine. grrr. dumb boys.

Well, I did my online application for my spousal visa Friday evening. Patty, I am asking in my cover letter to have it post dated to March 31 and stating that I would like to be over there by the end of March provided my visa can be processed to accommodate that. STILL waiting for DH to email me over a couple of scanned documents that he doesn't even have yet (can we say cutting it close???). He is supposed to do that tomorrow (and was supposed to do that today, but has been busy and dealing with the deamons of quitting smoking again). Wednesday is my Biometrics appointment, after which I am planning on going directly to the post office and overnighting my papers to the courier. I am cutting it VERY close, as I have to put in my 2 weeks by Friday, so I can be done here by the 27th and leave sometime after the 31st to get there before April 9th. SHEESH! I hope it's approved quickly and there aren't any hiccups!

P.S. That Reputation feature looks kind of cool!

How exciting, Chi!!  I know this is so lame, but I am totally looking forward to doing biometrics - it just sounds FUN!  (although I'm sure it is not).  Fingers crossed the timeline works out as planned!

Beth and Carey..you ladies are correct.  I guess I have to look at the positive.

Sorry you had a fight with David, Carey.  I'm with you and Chi....whenever Ian and I are only slightly bickering, etc....it puts me in a bad mood until we can talk it out.  Like, Sunday, we got into a fight over a tie (he and I were supposed to go shopping for his wedding outfit when he gets here, and I bought a tie because it was $20 off and the ONLY one I found like it...so he blew up..things are o.k. now though).  But I'm sure everything is o.k. now, Carey.  *hugs*

And Chi, thanks for giving me an example for your letter of intent.  I'm probably going to fill out my application a few days before we get married.  That way, on the 31st, we can go to the probate court and get our certificate in person as opposed to waiting (the county I live in lets you do that).  So HOPEFULLY, with the courier and everything, my visa will be approved and with me by April 15th.  Keep us posted on things though, Chi....and I'm keeping everything crossed that you get approved and have your passport back in time.