Oh, The Places You Will Go!

Well, we thought we were returning home from FL to a slower, calmer, rejuvenating pace of life before Alex leaves for his next trip to Germany....not so! Alex forgot that he is not yet an American citizen, thus requiring a visa to visit Europe for his upcoming business trip. He figured this out with about 10 days to spare - was overnighting documents while we were in FL, only to find out upon his return that his visa had been denied!

The USCIS (immigration) is WAY behind on their paperwork and although Alex applied for his permanent green card last March (he has his temp. green card now) the USCIS is currently processing Feb. 07' applications!!! One whole year behind! This means his temp. green card is set to expire just after his return from Germany...and that for some reason makes them nervous! I volunteered to give a phone interview and say I would hurt him badly if he did not promptly return!

Upon hearing Alex's visa had been denied, his boss began contacting the local senator's offices for help! It ended up that one day, Alex had to drive to St. Louis to get a special "extend his green card for a year" stamp in his passport. The next morning he had to fly to Chicago to appear in person to apply for his visa at the German consulate! He flew back that same day...! So much for relaxing!

The girls and I did have a much more routine and relaxing week. They too went a few new places. Addie hung out in Tinsley's kennel and had trouble grasping that she was too tall to stand up in it - kept getting mad that she was banging her head! Jasmine got a ride in the laundry basket as I tried to get a few more things done around the house.

It is a busy day ahead of us! Tonight we are having our first annual "Perfect Pint Party." Each guest is to bring their favorite beer - which we will blind taste test - and the winner gets a prize! We have several yummy foods we want to make...just need to get off the computer and get to the grocery store!