I've gone and done it....
 

:blink:I did post an update on my original post, but it either got buried or you lot weren't interested in reading it :p, so I am starting it on a new thread anyway as I need to talk about it.

I mailed in my N-400 application on Wednesday September 3rd, applying on the basis I have had my green card since Jesus was a corporal and not on my marriage.

I contacted several animal rescue places (which I have before with no luck whatsoever) and to my surprise got an immedate response from a lady who can help us. We have been emailing and talking all week and we are taking 6 of our 9 cats to her tomorrow, 5 hours away. She has a rescue and rehabilition facility and places animals up for adoption and keeps others at her farm. She seems to be the perfect solution and I am amazed at the timing and how it's worked out that she actually has space right now. She offered to take all 9 cats, but because I think it's going to take sometime for my application to go through, IF they decide they want me as an American citizen :eek:, we have decided to hold on to the other 3 and put them up on adoption websites so we have time to find the right person.
Surprisingly it looks like Mr. Boo our black persian may have a new family already and someone is coming from Richmond next Friday (my birthday) to see if they are compatible. If so, she will take him there and then. So I will be saying goodbye to my absolute best black persian kittie ever on my b'day, which sucks, but I realise I have to do what's best for him.

So in the space of a few weeks, seems like years, we have made a positive move finally, towards my eventual return to England.
Hubby is even sounding more postive now I have made these moves and he's talking about when I get my citizenship we should rent the house rather than sell it so that we do have the option if England isn't what we really want, to return here. I am ok with that. Either way I believe things are going to work out.

Take care all.

:thumbup:

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Congratulations on finding homes for all your cats. I love cats and have a cream persian... persians are so beautiful. Anyway, I really had to laugh when I read your post because like you, we are just about to mail in our N-400 paperwork and it just dawned on me that we're waiting to get our American Citizenships so that we can leave!!! ;) Funny how it goes. Good luck with your move :)

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Well done, great that you are taking steps towards achieving your return to the UK. Have you told your family the good news or waiting til nearer the time?

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Hi HSG,

That is wonderful news re the cats. Sounds like it is all working out wonderfully for you, although I know how sad you must feel having to find new homes for them. I have two tabby cats who I love dearly, and will take the journey with me back to the UK after I have my citizenship. I applied for mines a month ago so it will be interesting to see when we all end up getting our citizenship here. And, who is the first one out of the door right after;):D

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

I am going on a trip with my daughter in October. I will tell them all about it then as I will be visiting the other daughter too. It will give them time to accept the fact I am REALLY planning on coming back now, so they better have space ready (or they can plan to move without leaving a forwarding address :D but I'll track em down anyway).

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Well done! When things just fall into place like that, you know you are doing the right thing. Fingers crossed for you that everything else goes just as smoothly.

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Thanks. Yes the very thing that has kept us from making a move this long has been our cats. We couldn't decide which one's to take or which one's to rehome so it's only fair we try to find all of them another home while we have the chance. We do have one cat that has special needs, so it will be interesting to see if anyone will take her.

Oooh yeah, all of us who have applied in the last few weeks should keep everyone updated on their progress. I find the whole thing excting now, but it is very ironic that some of us are obtaining it to go home! ;)

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Yes, it is exciting, the going home part, but having dual citizenship will definitely stop me worrying about the future. It will give me the leeway and peace of mind that I need to feel secure in my move back, no matter what happens:D

Wish the lovely Quoll could come with us too:wub:

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Ya know, until I found this website I had always balked at getting citizenship which is why I've had my GC since 1999 and never gone for it. I always just thought when I had had enough of the US I would just leave. Not thinking for a second about returning.
But, after reading the advice here it makes sense. Sometimes you, by that I mean I, have to have it point blank pointed at my nose before the obvious sinks in. I sometimes look so deeply into things I miss the 'bleeding obvious'.!!!

There are none so blind as those who won't see, or something. I have probably completely murdered someone's saying.

Good luck to all who have applied. Did you do it now to get in before the new test takes effect, so that you will have the choice on the new or old test?

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

You sound just like me. I never wanted to get US citizenship, and was happy with my permanent resident status. I was even going home this summer, with a job set up and a place to stay easily enough found. Cats were ready to fly too...........but, I kind of freaked out a little, and decided to get my US citizenship before I left, just in case it didn't work out back home.

I am definitely one of those people, like you, that looks into everything deeply, but the obvious was staring me in the face, and I didn't even know it, even though people on BE had tried to convince me to get dual cit. I thought I wouldn't need it;)

Okay, new test, what new test, haven't heard that one. When does it go into effect:confused:

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

[QUOTE=Marmalade;6756966]Okay, new test, what new test, haven't heard that one. When does it go into effect:confused:[/QUOTE

Try this link re the new/old test
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/usc...004718190aRCRD

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Thanks HSG,

That is very helpful. Looks like we'll be taking the current test after all.

M.

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Ok being a doofus now, what do they mean by 'initial test' anyway?:huh::confused:

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

I think it just means the naturalization test (I hope). Then after that the ceremony, as in the past.

But, using the words 'initial test' does seem to point to more than one test or step before the ceremony. It also might just mean if you fail the first test you have a second one to take, the new one..........

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

It appears then that we wil have a choice (probably) of the old or new test because there's no way we are going to have our test before October 1 2008. My personal choice would be to not take any test. Do you think they'll go for that! ;)
Nah probably not, you're right. My God I had better get studying. Right, George Bush was the first president. There are 324 stars on the flag, Independence Day is a celebration of fireworks, the colour of the flag is blue pink and yellow....how am I doing so far?

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Absolute rubbish, get studying:rofl:

Were you handed the book with a CD with all the questions and answers in it when you got fingerprinted? I did, and it looks easy enough, just a study guide, so I will be well prepared.

Happy studying. And, keep us updated on your interview date etc :thumbsup::wub:

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

I haven't got that far yet! I only mailed the application this week on Wednesday :)

Fingerprints? I have to have my fingerprints done? Gawd what about my criminal past? Those banks didn't NEED that money really. And that old lady was asking for it.......:eek:
Aghh fingerprints are overrated too, where IS that acid....

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Oh, right.........sorry. You will get a study guide and CD with it to play in your car or wherever you want. Doesn't seem bad at all. Just like studying for a test (not a hard one).

But, you better be wary of the criminal background catching up with you;) Hmmmm, I think your next post will be that you have changed your mind on naturalizing and your are swiftly exiting the country:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Congratulations on applying - definitely the right decision IMO, especially given your USC OH. Always a good idea to keep the gates open. It certainly made my OH more comfortable about the move knowing that it wouldn't be a problem for us to move back if needed.

The test is very easy if you have any kind of general knowledge and particularly if you've lived in the US for a while (e.g., where does the president live? The White House!). There are a couple of amendment questions that I had to think about for a minute, but they do make it as easy as possible. The book comes with flash cards, which are brilliant. I used them to study on my way home on the plane and felt pretty good about the test on my way up there - but did drive my OH mad by having him continually ask me questions.

And well done with the kitties. I'm so glad you found them good homes. Your rescue lady sounds lovely.

Good luck with everything. Tara

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

Thank you. And thanks to everyone who has leant an ear and offered advice, support, reministrations and everything else that I needed.
We actually just got back from taking 6 of the cats to our rescue lady today. My husband even felt good about it and said "yes she's genuine".
The house is sooooo empty without them, but for now we still have 3, and one is possibly being adopted on Friday.
As for the USC, yep I know you are all right. Hence I went and took the plunger. I mean plunge.

I have to say for the most part :rofl: everyone on here is great. I love all the comments, good bad and in between because it's all food for thought.
What a salvation this place is for everyone.
What did all the Expats do BEFORE the advent of the internet I wonder?!:confused::blink:

Re: I've gone and done it....
 

[QUOTE=HighSpeedGrandma;6757000]Darn - just reading this today, and no way will my form go in by tomorrow...so guess I'll be taking the new test...will I be at a disadvantage?? I don't get the difference?