August 31, 2013

I was being busy taking a break....and being famous.

Things have been crazy busy here this summer. We've gardened till we've dropped. The weather was really wet so we spend a lot of time canning our veggies so they didn't as you might have read and seen in an earlier post.

As you know our numbers have increased as my step daughter and her family have moved in with us until they get settled. We're having a great time getting to know each other again and I must say I love the pidder- patter of kids feet on my floors again. That's not to say that Bill and I won't enjoy our privacy once they move out but for now we've settled into an nice rhythm of family life.

Which begs the question; how long will this situation last?That's rather complicated. Lets just say that in the post 911 climate getting ones green card so you can work (her husband isn't American) is very difficult. That you have an American wife and four American/Cypriot children has little bearing on the time involved or the cost. The Department of Homeland Security/Immigration is rather a mess when it comes to giving directions on the process not to mention the difficulties of the process itself. I think we're in for the long haul.

 I'm grateful we all get along very well.

Oh and btw,  my DSL has been for the birds these past months and Verizon sucks, just sayin. We loose service as much as we have service and as this summer has progressed it's gotten worse. Needless to say we had satellite internet installed this very morning. We'll have to be careful since we have a cap on usage (not something we're used to) but it runs fast and strong. Good riddance DSL!

If all that hasn't been enough to keep me on my old toes....on my rest.

I've taken another trip south to visit my ward and see to her care and well being. I've come to call it "doing my guardian thing". She's doing wonderful and we had a great time on our visit, sharing meals, having ice cream as well as visiting her mother in the nursing home. She is such a happy and energetic woman who knows her mind despite her intellectual disability. And really why shouldn't she? She is loving and lively and sees the world as such a beautiful place; I envy that.

And about the being famous part!

Remember the whole debacle with our trip to the Bahama's in June? You might also recall I contacted Christopher Elliot the consumer advocate/journalist, the story is here. Want to know which agency and airline was involved and what the outcome was?  WELL, our story made it's way to an article in a major publication, just click here.. Washington Post!

WE'RE FAMOUS!!

17 comments:

  1. Just think, I can say I knew you when! LOL!

    Curious... where was your step daughter, husband and family living before moving in with you? Have they been in the U.S., or were they living elsewhere? If they were all living here, has the husband ever been able to work in the U.S.? I'm not at all versed on the subject, but I had no idea it was so difficult.

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    1. She was born in the USA and he was born in Cyprus. They haven't lived here in over twenty years, married here. He's has lived and worked here on two different occasions previously holding two green cards years ago. Although three of four of the kids were born in Cyprus (the Greek part) they all have duel citizenship. The other two times it was much much easier and its quite frustrating. As you can imagine he doesn't want to do anything that would put him in jeopardy of being deported like working an illegal job.

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  2. That's awesome! Can I have your autograph?

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    1. Funny right?! I'm just happy to have the money back and the extra credit was a blessing really..

      Wouldn't have gotten more than $50 bucks without Christopher Elliot that's for sure. You should check out his blog. www.elliott.org

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  3. Congrats on achieving fame status. :)
    And on succeeding as a large family. I'm sure it isn't always easy, but it sounds like it's working out for you guys.

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    1. Thanks Silvia, We're making it work and the house isn't overly crowded even with my big head :) lol

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  4. I did wonder where you were but thought you were busy with your extended family. I read the newspaper article,wow! You're famous! Didn't like how it called you by your surname. At least it will be a warning to other people.

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  5. Wow! You're famous! :D
    I would want a signed autograph please.

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    1. All I did was send Mr Elliot an e-mail!
      Not bad right?

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  6. Cool, you're famous! I'll be sure to check out the link! :) Danica

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  7. Jen, you are having a busy life lately! Nice that you all get along with each other.
    Your 'ward' sounds like a sweetheart! I spent a few years in a school setting with similar people. I loved every minute of it!
    In the Washington Post no less!! Good you did what you did!

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    1. I used to have the life of Riley, sort of lazy-laid back, now I'm really rather busy, but I'm not complaining.
      That's right you did Special Ed work back in the day so you understand!
      I wanted my money back!The WP was a surprise to me, I contacted him on his blog elliot.org

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  8. And to think I knew you before you were a celebrity!

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    1. Seriously Mare you'll need shades to look at me next time I come up to NY. I'm so bright and shiny! lol
      btw family wedding three days after Christmas so I'll be up then.(Howies daughter)

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  9. Full house, full garden, AND made the news. So glad you got some reimbursements from Hotwire. Would you not recommend them now? :-) Your tomatoes are beautiful!

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  10. I don't mind using Hotwire and I've used them since for a car rental but I check my reservation flight/car. Honestly though Mare I'm left to wonder if I wouldn't have gotten more then a 50 dollar credit if I didn't contact that consumer advocate (christopher elliot). I think/know they didn't want the bad press.

    I often wonder how far I would have gotten if I had negotiated without him-how far would they have gone for little ole Jen?

    I try to be a nice person and give them the benefit of the doubt. But I also took away the lesson that a confirmation isn't necessarily worth the paper its written on. I will forever check my flight no matter what.

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