Not sure what this says about us...

[McSporran]

Hi All,

Not sure what this says about us, but it's interesting to me that 2 threads are currently running on here - 3+'s asking for positives about where we live/what we think about and how we find life here and Pet Peeves asking what we dislike about where we live etc.

As a network - we have read the 3+'s over 300 times - with only 26 replies in 3 weeks....

But when it comes to listing the things we are "peeved" about... in less than 2 days we had 30+ replies.

I'll let you draw your own conclusions.... :)

[byjove]

We need to rally more support for the 3 +'s. Cant have Pet Peeves in the lead!!!!! WE're British you know!!!

[McSporran]

Hi,
I couldn't agree more...but may be the problem is that "we're British you know" ;)

Come on people...I know there's a lot of doom and gloom and bad experiences out there - but lets try and remember why we're here in the first place!

[DEE F]

Hi McSporran,I think its because of all the doom and gloom,that we do lose sight of why we came here,but I get so disheartened when I read of the illegals and the things they get it just p***** me right off,and then stories that crop up on here,it is truly amazing what do these people want from us anyway,our firstborn,oh and the reason I came here was because my husband wanted to,I thought we were only moving round the corner lol,so blame him for my meloncoly mood hahahah. Take care.

Dee xx

[Munish]

We do complain more, but that makes people more accountable like our politicians. managers etc. Everyone is under the spot light. But, yes, very interesting that we were faster to bring out our pet hates.

[Kriz1]

Its nice to get something off your chest...when you're having good times you're out enjoying them....so don't really share them...
Sometimes you just feel better after a moan....I know I do...

[anniefromessex]

To be honest, if my son had managed to get out here okay yes, we really wouldn't have too much to moan about, weathers great, most people are friendly - I just love to get a smile and greeting from them, even the trash man waves to me (probably thinking I need to hop on his cart, ha ha), but immigration DO make us jump through hoops down to Property Management Companies having to employ people, involving untold costs, whereas American Property Management Companies do not, they can use subbies and do - so where do they get off.

In another posting I told of how when you come back into the country even if you are a Green Card holder they still want to know what you do. We have always answered politely in the past but now we have nothing to lose Ted is going to tell them we do sweet fanny adams (no comments from you Bobby) and that we are of independent means - that'll throw 'em, just see the green eyed monster appear then!!!

Yes, there are good things but when like Dee you haven't seen your new born grandchild because you are scared sh..less of leaving the country in case they don't let you back in and then where are you (as in my sons case -talk about hardship - nobody really knows until they have experienced it for themselves) but sometimes even the good things make you wonder if it is worth everything they put you through. At least I will be able to walk in and out of England with my little red passport and not have to worry that somebody is going to nit pick; the biggest plus of all being that I will be able to see my grandchildren, parents, siblings without having to travel 4,000 miles, especially with my creaky bones after a long long flight.

Still wouldn't denigrate anybody who does want to do that, you are all obviously sooo much younger than I and good on you. I am sure there must be loads more pluses!!

This site has helped me enormously since I joined. To be honest I don't know where I would be now without it, we have the serious side, we have the funny side (omigod, don't we) but more than anything I have learnt soo much - things I really didn't know even after much research, so thanks everyone - whether the posts are serious or sad, somebody has something to give and that is how it should be - I hate it when I go on and nothing much is happening!!!

Keep it up everyone.

Love Anniexxxx

[McSporran]

Hi All,

All I wanted to do was to make us think about anything positive (as i think thats what Byjove's post was trying to do). There is so much doom and gloom out there - and much of it outside our control...but I guess I was just trying to lighten the mood - failed again I guess - oh well at least I tried.

Glad I come across as a "youngster" Annie - I'm really not, and whilst I would never claim to be able to comprehend the pain you (and others on here) have gone through...believe me this has been no "easy ride" for me or my family, but many years of hard slog, blood sweat and tears - and continues to be at times (as I know it has been for all of us - before I get shot down again ;) ). But like you said yourself, there are many wonderful things about this country, which is now my home. I do feel at times that L-1 holders, seem to be portraid as getting an easy ride of things, and somewhat dismissed as " it's alright for you jack" - I run companies on 2 different continents to keep my visa, but thats my choice and I choose stay focused on the positives, in life in general - always have, always will. If the US ever makes me miserable, then I'll move somewhere else - life is just too short to tilt at every windmill. :)

But to be honest, the reason for my post was tongue in cheek (hence the ;) in the title) I just wanted people to think of something nice.

[DEE F]

Hi All,

All I wanted to do was to make us think about anything positive (as i think thats what Byjove's post was trying to do). There is so much doom and gloom out there - and much of it outside our control...but I guess I was just trying to lighten the mood - failed again I guess - oh well at least I tried.

Glad I come across as a "youngster" Annie - I'm really not, and whilst I would never claim to be able to comprehend the pain you (and others on here) have gone through...believe me this has been no "easy ride" for me or my family, but many years of hard slog, blood sweat and tears - and continues to be at times (as I know it has been for all of us - before I get shot down again ;) ). But like you said yourself, there are many wonderful things about this country, which is now my home. I do feel at times that L-1 holders, seem to be portraid as getting an easy ride of things, and somewhat dismissed as " it's alright for you jack" - I run companies on 2 different continents to keep my visa, but thats my choice and I choose stay focused on the positives, in life in general - always have, always will. If the US ever makes me miserable, then I'll move somewhere else - life is just too short to tilt at every windmill. :)

But to be honest, the reason for my post was tongue in cheek (hence the ;) in the title) I just wanted people to think of something nice.

Hi McSporran, my sentiments exactly ,we are on L1 and are still jumpimg through hoops,really sorry this thread backfired on you,its just that it is so hard at the minute with all that is going on regarding illegals etc,it is just sometimes very hard to stay positive,and you are absolutely correct,life is too short,and we shouldnt let it take over,but unfortunately we do:(

Love Dee xx

[anniefromessex]

McSporran,

My post wasn't meant to be perhaps how it came across. I too wanted to lighten the mood, hence the trash man thing and the bit about Bobby and suchlike, but as I cannot seem to start a thread, I think they are barring me really, I have to combine the two. Sorry!!!!

Love Anniexxx

[McSporran]

Hi Ladies,
Glad we can lighten the mood...sending you both a hug.

Goodnight, :angel:

[anniefromessex]

G'night McSporran,

Sleep tight!!

Love Anniexx

[Dustin]

Time to ask ourselves some questions!

Hey guess what even after all that has happened to us I do still love what we were trying for and the dream. I and we will try with all our might to get what we were working for because of the support we get from you guys.

• Why O why must it be so hard for the people who want to do it by the book UNITED WE STAD! Divided we fall!! “Shoulder to shoulder? “ “Special relationship?” PLEASE????
• Nothing anyone can do to me will want to change my mind to live the dream!
• We also have problems in the UK! Same S*** just a different place (so I am told now again and again and again!)
• No place on earth is going to be perfect for some people! (can’t please all the people all the time just some of the people some of the time”)
• What difference do we make trying to be heard by tiny ears?
• If’s, and's, what's and why's life is about this? I thought or been told to believe!

I bet I could go ON and ON with why and what peeves me off with the UK but you know what? It will not change a thing! Let’s decide our goal and standards and try to reach them the best way possible. (Legally of course):p and enjoy as I am finding life is way to short to spend with the heart going twenty to the dozen!!!..

No one who knows me will think I am sane reading this but when you have been broken like I have and many others it is time to take a realty check on everything as life is so short and we want to live the best we can…..


Just my thoughts.

Dustin

[DEE F]

Dustin never give up your dream,you will get there,for me the dream turned into a bit of a nightmare after my daughter was deported,and now being landlocked on top,it makes it doubly hard,I dunno maybe I am just having a bad day,but sometimes to me at least ,it all seems a total waste of time and effort,but your journey is only just beginning really,go for it you will have your family with you,and that is far more important than worrying about policies that we will never change,things dont happen ,you make them happen,take care.

Love Dee xxx

[Dustin]

Hi Dee and Crew

You are so like my family I don’t get to see anymore and understand what you are saying. I am not trying to patronize but you of many people have offered us as a family much support.

Like I was trying to say is all about what you want and what you do to try and get it. I too still have bad days when I feel like C*** and everything going against me but!

The big thing I noticed is tomorrow is always different! Another day different from day before and (no worse) lol.

I wanted to try and sound upbeat and my last post was trying to be positive as today is a better day for me :)

Take care and hope to see you all soon.

Regards


Dustin
:) :o

[anniefromessex]

Dustin,

I understand exactly where you are coming from my love, you desperately want to live the 'dream' and good for you. I also understand about your peeves about England (believe you me I really do not want to live there for too many reasons to list and that is why we wanted so desperately to leave there and live this life), but for some of us, even though we should be in the best position in the world and you must think us bonkers to have Green Cards and still want to return to England, but when you have been given wrong and really really bad advice (you know who I am talking about), and the only reason you agreed to come to this country to live and work is because you were told that part of your family could come too (before this we had an idyllic life spending 6 months of the year here), when that particular dream is shattered as it was with us, and lets not forget here that Ted and I are old timers compared to you and have grandchildren (which believe you me have a totally different pull on you compared to your own kids) then never knowing how many years you have left to be able to enjoy those said grandchildren and believe you me they are not babies long, then you have to have a different take on the situation. Hence I said before if Daniel and Co were here, yes it would be a wonderful life (in certain respects) - you never really get away from "not belonging" however much people tell you that you do - we have friends who became Citizens but because of their accent and such like they are treated differently in certain circumstances.

That is all by the by really, and I will say again I understand all your reasons and I really really do wish you, Janine and family every success in the future. We will not be going home any time soon, still got to sell our house, Daniels house so you could all be stuck with me for a long time to come (anybody want to buy two houses, job lot, ha ha)!!!

Dustin, look forward to getting together at last when you arrive - it's about time you and Ted talked about scuba diving, he is getting withdrawal symptoms so talking about it might even help.

Love Anniexxx

[Kriz1]

If you think people think you have it easy on an L1.....try having a greencard....they think you came in here on a red carpet or by using fairy dust...:D :D

[peter gold]

Annie
I understand your thought process and decision.
Do you realize that if you are out of the US for longer than a year you could loose our green card, then you will have problems if you ever want to return.
Why not naturalize and then i years to come if circumstances change you are free to return or live as a snowbird for as long as you want.
Just a thought ??
country

[anniefromessex]

Thanks for that thought Peter. Yes I did know that we would lose our Cards but Mun seems to think you can get special dispensation if you want to be out of the country for more than a year, but less than two.

I have spoken to Ted about it and being an angry bitter man at the moment his take is that he never wants to spend another dime in this country (could change his mind when reality hits in England) ha ha. As far as Citizenship is concerned that would mean staying here another couple of years, although the way the housing market is at the moment we still could be!!!!

Anyway, thanks once again for your thoughts.

Love Anniexxx

[Munish]

Hi Annie,

In case you really cannot hold out there until naturalization, I am referring to the re-entry permit. See http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/B5.pdf.

I think the requirement for naturalisation is 5 years, provided you've spent 30 months of the time physically in the USA. You are allowed breaks for less than six months outside the USA without having to start the 30 month clock from the begining.

I don't know if you can do this, but if you've already done 30 months you might be able to spend the remaining time outside the USA (with the re-entry permit) and put in your citizenship applications at the five year mark. Maybe that information is included in the link provided.

[peter gold]

Munish is right re rentry permit.
I would carefully check the requirements for continuous residence. I think it is five as the forms require you to list where you have lived for the previous five years.
I just filled mine out and senility prevents my recollection of the rules.

[byjove]

Well, I rescued yet ANOTHER animal last night!!!!!! and ended up with 5!!!!! I DONT DO CATS!!!!!!!! I am a dog person, but kids found an unwell cat not belonging to anyone, I said I would take her off the ladies hands as she lived by a main road and has been feeding her. Took her to the vets asap, thought she had BAD worms or something (even if I am a dog person, dont like to see things hurt or in danger) the worms were 4 hairy little blighters! And 2 were born in my mustang on my son joes lap, he panicked coz, he thought she had poo'd on him it plopped on the floor closely followed by another. So cheer up everyone on this happy day of new motherhood and another furry off the streets! This is a happy posting!