mips

Hello All,
I am married to an American (we met online) we have been married 2 years in May and have been living in the UK. This Christmas we went back to the states and were both offered jobs starting in May as we wernt really thinking that hard about moving back I need some help to be able to get organised in the time scale. I have been told by the people in the states that I need to file I130 and G3258 x 2 but they have no idea how long this will take and the yank embassy here wont answer their phones! Any idea if theres somehowI can find out how long this is going to take. Is there a faster route.

Secondly I am bringing my dogs with me now this is a lot less of a problem than me just expensive. Any tips on flyinf with dogs would be appreciated. Also I need to have a travel crate made for a very big hound as the regular vari kennels etc are too small anyone have any ideas on who could make one in the UK?

Lastly What am I going to miss the most that I should bring...what would you have taken with you? What do you have to send back here for the most? I already have catering size tubs of marmite ordered.

ohh and can you buy video players that will play pal format?

Many thanks
Sue

ian-mstm

If you're a UK citizen and he has leave to remain, consider DCF - direct consular filing. A quick online check should give you the info you need. It is the fastest, easiest route to take in your situation.


Yes - there are one or two players that play both PAL and NTSC format, and there are also converters.

Sorry, but I can't help you with the dog stuff - but I'm sure others will chime in shortly.

Ian

mips

Hello Ian
Thanks for the reply and info. Ok I have checked the stuff on direct consulate and that I think is the way for us to go. But he can stay until mid May then his 2 years are up. Should we get that made perminant? WE were planning to but we cannot do that until mid March and if we are moving back to the US is it worth doing anyway?
Sue

ian-mstm

Well, now I'm a bit out of my depth. There are many others here who can give you more info! Good luck!

Ian

robskatie

Hi Sue! I would suggest Febreze for the dog (no I'm not joking!) We travelled with a lot of families who bought pets with them and this seemed to be top of the list.
There are a lot of English foods that you will miss, if you are lucky you may find a small selection in larger supermarkets and also small brit supply stores, marmite, great idea!! Birds eye custard, chocolate, T-bags, walkers crisps, these are to name a few that we get homesick for!! All depends on what you like! (some good bread mixes!! bread over here is very different)
Can't really help you on the visa stuff, my husband was also living in the U.K and we filed in London, the whole process took about 6 months, good luck! Kate

mips

Hello Kate thanks for the ideas do you know they are going to stop making Birds custard???? SHOCK HORROR. I loath the smell of fabreze but like the kennel disinfectants (they work better too). So I will stock up on them and chocolate will be hard to miss. I took 500 bars with me for family from here for Christmas my American relatives miss UK chocloate lol.

Anyone any ideas if you can buy duvets out there or shall I just ship some from here. Cant seam to find any online.

sibsie

Linens and Things does duvets.

I've lugged my pets around the globe. I flew a very large border collie to Spain from London. I had a crate made by Airpets at LHR. I lived in West London so I just popped down with my dog and they made one to measure.

She was frantic on the flight out and held up the plane for 20 mins while they tried to calm her down. She came out the other end soaking wet. Apparently they do that as dogs can overheat which can be fatal for them.

Moving to America I had to leave her behind as her vet check revealed that her cancer had come back. She stayed with my parents and sadly died a couple of weeks after I moved here. Even if she'd been fit and well I wouldn't have put her through the ordeal of another flight.

That's the bad news. The good news is that other people have shipped dogs over with no probs whatsoever.

My two cats flew to Spain and again flew here and were calmer than I was.

robskatie

Ikea also do duvets and a nice range of covers, if you are not near a store you can buy online. No more Birds custard?!!!!! Better stock up now then!

1Duckie

Duckie here.
You did not state (or I missed) where you will be in the USA. There are Target stores in nearly every town. They sell Duvets. The biggest problem is the naming convention.. the size is King, Full/Queen, and Twin. Twin is a "single size" and Full is close to the "Double" size. King is a very large bed.

Regarding Brit Food - supplies.. most International foods stores carry British goods otherwise you have to go online. My husband and I found an Indian food store that has the Bird's Custard and other British food.

As far as language you may have to get used to us..

1. Do not go to a restaurant and ask for Spotted Dick, Bubbles and Squeak, or Faggots and Peas
2. Our 2 lane roads are not Dual carriage ways.
3. When a house is on fire we do not say "it is a light".
4. Pudding is a custard not a cake
5. A fag is a cigarette
6. Sweet Bread is a Sticky Bun not sheep testicles.
7. Most of us use our fork in the right hand with the prongs facing up (as opposed to the left hand down ward facing) and our knives are used to cut food rather than push food onto the fork.
8. Don't use the term "knock up" as in "I will knock you up later".


Welcome to the USA!

Hypertweeky

Careful with the chocolate.. if the treat your baggage like they treated mine You would have to trash all the yummy bars
Birds custard?? What is that?

Hypertweeky

LOL Brit expressions can be easily miss-understood with naughty terms:scared:
I am glad I am Spanish!! lol

sibsie

It's a cheap yellow version of Creme Catalan.

robskatie

LOL! It's a warm vanilla pouring kind of dressing(?) that we Brits like to have on hot desserts, and very nice too!!!!

robskatie

You explained it so much better than I!!!!!!

Hypertweeky

Oh! I see, thanks girlie.
Crema Catalana is yummy!!!