Having to get my employment authorization renewed and my permission to return to the country if I have to leave the USA.  Considering my father's health issues lately it's possible I may need that permission sooner not later.

My mother is planning another visit.  I am planning another nervous breakdown over it LOL ..

It's been very cold this year, much more so than last year.  My husband has slipped on ice twice and hurt his back.  He was lucky not to break anything.

I am job hunting for the moment, thinking that might help a lot if I need to get to Australia and back the airfare alone will kill me.

Still loving this country and we are 2 days off celebrating our one year wedding anniversary.

Spring and Summer pictures.

We drove over to Kentucky Lake several times over summer and these are some of the pictures.

I'd never seen a turkey in real life before, so this one obligingly posed for pictures.

Summer here is so humid it's almost unbelievable especially so far inland.  The Ohio river is just above where I live though and the Mississippi is not that far west of here, so I assume that counts for most of it, as well as the lake and the Tennessee River to the east.

In Nashville there is an aquarium restaurant .... The tank is in the middle of the room.

This is one mode of transport seen at the local Walmart fairly often

And this sign ... well ... LOL .. made me think Oxymoron !!!

Update time

The latest on the Immigration saga is that there is no latest.  I don't know where we are at but no news is good news so far.My mother came to visit in May and that was nice to see her and have her meet the husband.I have found part time employment here but I need surgery on both wrists to fix the carpal tunnel.  They say that's $ 20,000 ... gulp !  So I am waiting to see if aliens are able to get assistance on the fees as Aus and USA have some reciprocal medical programs.I bought a car here of my own now, a Chrysler Sebring convertable.  It's very nice to drive ... looks so small next to the 4WD truck .. (Ford F150 crewcab ute for the Aussies)

I made it to the next step in the Immigration process !

OK  :)

Now at the next step of immigration process.

I have an appointment in about 2 weeks to get my fingerprints checked and who knows what else done in Nashville.

That's about a 3 or 4 hour drive from home and in another state.  I really thought I'd be going to Louisville in KY for this appointment.  But still I do want to see other parts of the country and I am reasonably confident at driving on the highways here... not too much confusion on what side of the road when it is 2 or 3 lanes each way LOL.

I have more trouble in towns ... traffic lights are odd, as you can turn right on a red light here.  That would be like turning left on a red to the others who drive on opposite side to the US and Europe.

I might even see if hubby wants to spend the night in Nashville as it is an afternoon appointment and come back the next day.  We might get a good meal and a night out that way.

:)


That's all the latest news so far... 

I am an Alien !

Well I am now officially an alien in the USA Immigration System.

Got confirmation today that they received all my paperwork and are now on the case.

I hope to have an interview in 3-5 months to see if they like me enough to stay here.

Meanwhile I had to have a medical and they need to ensure I am not a National Security Risk etc etc etc 

LOL 


Should be a fun ride ahead huh?

More Honeymoon and Christmas Pictures

 More of the frozen Mississippi River in Illinois

The Cabin we stayed in

 An old windmill in Northern Illinois

 We also found the Hobbits from the Shire - alive and anonymous in Illinois

Me attempting to navigate and still getting used to the "wrong" side of the car and the wrong side of the road

And Himself - freezing to death but the snow is so pretty !

January's Update - late of course lol

Well I have been so slack in not updating this blog ..

Sorry !

Things got hectic.....

I got engaged for Christmas and then married in January... so I had a lot of things to do and very little time to do them.

Now I have had to apply to the US Immigration Department to be allowed to stay here - and trust me - that appears to be no easy task.

Dave and I have had to fill out more forms than you can imagine, and I decided to retain a lawyer to help with this process as there is no room for mistakes !

I had an Immigration Medical Exam today - cost a fortune - came out of it with 3 vaccinations and a TB antibody test as well as two holes from where they took blood off me.  I hate being a pin cushion.

:(

Monday I go back to find out if I pass the TB test and hopefully get my paperwork approved for the medical side of things.  I don't know what else I may need.  I am guessing a Police Clearance from Australia but I am not sure of that.

I will post the long awaited photos as soon as I am on the computer that has them stored.

Engagement Ring for Christmas

Snow on Boxing Day

The Moon on a cold clear night

The Mississippi River Frozen solid in Illinois

Our Wedding - :)

Sunset over Western KY on our way home from Honeymoon