Sunday, January 3, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Miss me?

I trust everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and is ready to dive into the near year. My new year hasn't exactly started off the way I'd planned. Far from it, in fact.

After being apart for 6 weeks, Dwayne returned home for Christmas. We made the 9 hour trip back to Taylor, Michigan on December 29th, pulling up to the red beast at exactly 10:43 p.m. that evening. Threw all our stuff into the cab, waited for the beast to warm up and then settled into the bunk for the night. Early that morning, we got word that our first load would be back to Oh Canada...Montreal, Quebec. I'd been looking forward to the day we'd get a load there, because I'd never been to Montreal, so this was a good thing, or so I thought.

As a result of the load having originated in Mexico, we had to do what's called "clear the bond" at the border. This means Dwayne has to park the truck and physically go into the security building where they have a closer look at the paperwork for the load, his passport and do whatever it is they do. He told me I should go in with him, because they more than likely would want to see me too. In we went.

Because a few months earlier, we'd filed the initial paperwork for me to immigrate to the States, it was noted on their computer system. From that point on, the questions started, documentation was requested, calls were made, we were shuffled from one agent to another, and after approximately an hour or so, we were told that I was not allowed to be in the States pending the outcome of our petition. Apparently once the initial paperwork is filed, if I enter the States, our petition becomes null and void and we have to start from scratch. Because I was returning to Canada, having only been in the States less than 24 hours, they were willing to let it go. Now, you'd think that little tidbit of information would have been noted somewhere on the petition or its instructions. But no-ooo! And up to this point, I've been able to cross into the States as a visitor, as many times as I've wanted, with them knowing that Dwayne and I were married, he American and me Canadian, but now suddenly I can't cross because of our trying to do things legally. What a frustrating process!

Sooooo....seems I won't be travelling around with hubby for awhile. And, of course, won't be blogging. Unless you want to hear all about the pros and cons of living with one's parents (lol). Although I am very thankful that they are willing to have me. The upside is that I get to spend more time with my daughter. :)

Upon arriving home (after my sister and her husband rescued me from the hotel Dwayne dropped me off at near Wonderland...this being New Year's Eve day by the way...yes, I missed spending New Year's with hubby!!), I did some on-line research and have discovered additional paperwork we can file that will allow me to be in the States pending the outcome of the initial paperwork. Of course, that will take a few months to process. That unfortunately means that I will have to endure the brutal winter months of January and February here...something I was looking forward to averting....and, of course, means being apart from Dwayne...AGAIN! It really is too bad that our first load was back to Canada. I had no problem getting into the States (go figure). If it weren't for that border crossing, we'd be happily travelling around the States right now.

A reason for everything I keep telling myself.

So my friends, this blog will, for the most part, lie dormant for the next several months. I do, however, predict that I may log on from time to time to VENT!!

Well, that's the update on me. 2010 has had an unsettling start to it. Sucks to be living in limbo. What the heck am I supposed to do for the next several months?!

I'm still not unpacked. Think I'm in denial.

Did I mention that I HATE border crossings?

Later,
B
P.S. Have a bitchy disposition? Become a customs border patrol agent.