Not a lot to report this week as there are currently other priorities right now, this is even a scheduled post and I’m hoping I get time to link it up before heading out of the door but more on that later. This is my desk this week, or at least it was my desk on Sunday which was the last time I stepped in to my room, and it does appear to be covered in Snowflakes doesn’t it!! Yes, I’m still on a Christmas card making kick (although not all my cards are of the Christmas variety), I’m still enjoying making them. Party because there’s still snow on the ground and we haven’t been above freezing yet so far this month, it’s definitely very wintry out there still. Last week in a comment, Bernie hit the nail on the head though, when she said it was nice to concentrate on individual cards and have time to make them and colour them without the pressure of the looming big day. And she’s SO right. By November I’ve almost stopped making individual cards and have had to switch to much simpler designs and mass produce them in order to have enough for our needs and to also send some back to a friend in the UK who has a coffee morning or two for charity. So that’s my excuse anyway!!
It’s clickable by the way, if you’d like to have a close look at all the snowflakes on my desk! I don’t think there’s much here that requires an explanation, but shout if you have a question about something. And this officious looking document is what’s been taking up a bit of my thoughts over the last few days. It’s the appointment confirmation for our Green Card renewal which is taking place (hopefully!) today at 9am, which is why I’m not here and you’re reading a scheduled post! This will also slow up my WOYWW commenting this week as I have no idea how long this will take.
Used to be the Department of Immigration, but now it’s the Department of Homeland Security, sounds a lot more intimidating doesn’t it!!? And you might notice that I’m replacing an Alien Registration Card, I think someone’s been watching too many episodes of The XFiles. So, while you’re tucking into your elevenses and perusing the desks of the world, I’ll be somewhere in Downtown Detroit (with Andrew though, we’re both being ‘processed’ at the same time), getting a retina scan, fingerprinted, being interviewed, mug shots taken and a biometric exam! I have no idea what a biometric exam is but as long as it doesn’t involve them wearing latex gloves I’m OK with it!! And I’ve had to take the morning off work too, so had to tell my boss what was going on, especially as my current Green Card expires in February and I can’t live or work in the US without it….. and the poor bloke has completely freaked out! He’s convinced himself that the next time he hears from me I’ll be 35,000ft over the Atlantic heading back to the UK because they’ve deported me!! Let’s hope he’s got that one wrong!!
***Update at 10:30am… we’re done and dusted and back home sitting by the fire with a big mug of coffee, and that’s after a 45 minute drive to get back home! Our appointment was at 9am and we were in and out in no time. All very friendly and welcoming, no uniforms and no intimidation or worries. The interview was filling in another very small form followed by one question to confirm something I’d written, followed by a 10 minute wait and then fingerprints and photographs. Nothing else was required. When I asked about the other things the lady said some people needed everything done again, others had data on file already (retina scan), it all depends how frequently you leave the US as they do a lot more checking when you come back into the US these days. We last traveled internationally less than a year ago so they had records for us. So, all in all, very quick, very easy and lovely people to deal with. Our current cards have been extended until July via a sticker on the back, by which time, the new ones should have arrived in the post from the central office in Nebraska, and then we’ll be Permanent Resident Aliens again for another 10 year!*** And a HUGE thank you to Annette (Voodo Vixen) for linking me up this morning!
For more desks, pop on over to Julia’s which is where we all start this weekly hop from. There’s a WOYWW button over on the right, on my sidebar.
Voodoo Vixen said:
Yikes… I knew we had some diverse peeps on the WOYWW trail but I had no idea we had aliens on it too! And such a clever card making alien too… not sure I could sit and make Christmas/wintry cards at this time… nope, doesn’t compute, I want to know its all behind me for another 10 months at least!!
Carola Bartz said:
Ouch – I didn’t know that you have to do all this AGAIN just for the renewal. Ours is due in four years, our daughter’s erlier (yes, we’re aliens, too!), but I hoped it wouldn’t need the whole enchilada again. Oh no…
Hels Sheridan said:
Oooh, I am keeping it all X’d for you that it is easy peasy and you don’t have to be an alien hun… sounds like it is a bit stressful too! All the best hun xx Hels #6
PS.. LOVE the pink ATG!! x
Samantha Ball said:
Another one of those guns that I want, need, want and have to have!!
Good luck with you Alien Registration!!
Happy WOYWW
Sam # 26
http://www.craftychickcards.blogspot.com
PS – I love X-files
Bleubeard and Elizabeth said:
I wondered why you were so early today, instead of being number 150ish. I would like to apologize to you and Andrew for what my country has (or is about to) put you through. After the Dept. of Homeland Security was established, our rights and those of our “welcome” guests were thrown out the window. I feel ashamed of my country and how you are being treated. I should not feel that way, or have to feel that way. I do hope things go smoothly today. If not, I have a couple of guns you can borrow (grin)! Regardless, happy WOYWW from a not so proud US citizen also known as #10.
Helen said:
Good luck, hope you are no longer an alien!! Love the snowflakes…
angie said:
Good luck with getting your green card ….didn’t do a WOYWW but thought I would pop by
Marjo said:
Love the busy workspace. Hopefully the whole process will be quick and uneventful…lol Thanks for the peek and sharing. Hugs, Marjo #7, Happy WOYWW.
Ciara said:
Ah yes, the joys of being an Alien. I’m a US citizen living in the UK and whenever I came back from holiday the smug immigration guys used to tell me I was an illegal alien – I was 11 at the time so used to find this hilarious! Good look with your ‘processing’!!!
You’re STILL making Christmas cards??!!! NUTTER!!!
Wipso said:
Good luck with your going ons this morning……just remember …we might not want you back here either hehehehehe Really hope it all works out well.
A x
Tracey White said:
Hope you get ‘processed’ ok today Brenda with hopefully no latex gloves involved! i don’t blame you for still making christmas cards when you still have snow on the ground and at least you will be very organised come December! Have a wonderful week! Tracey (Handmade with Love) x
Susan Allan said:
You do seem to have a lot on your plate at the moment. Sorry to hear that your weather is still so cold ..and, you still have snow???
Good luck with the registration.
Sue xx 40
Glenda said:
Good luck with your little outing this morning! Hope all is well afterwards!
Shaz in Oz. x said:
ah welcome to the aliens… that how we are treated now when we go too UK too, used to part of big commonwealth family but no longer funny isn’t it? I do hope your biometric thingy etc is not too stressful.. and yes will be joining the ATG gun crew soon, ordered mine today from US I will see who long it takes.. cheaper from Custom crops than here in oz, and big thanks to Brenda who told me Susan Maloney had one for Christmas and she was from Oz.This was ll last week on WOYWW… so see WOYWW does achieve something it tells us where we can get more stash!!
Shaz in Oz.xx #22
sue said:
Hi ya
lovely creative desk, i hope all goes well for you and not to nerve rackin,have great day, happy WOYWW, sue,x (30)
Jinny said:
I do hope your alien assessment goes through smoothly.
A busy but tidy and organised desk
thanks for sharing
Jinny#76
Joey said:
Hiya Brenda
oooh I hope everythign goes ok for you :O) and you dont have to come home lol. Lovely looking desk, I think I need to take a leaf out your book andmake my special cards early! might start next week lol
Joey xx
Okienurse said:
Good luck with the immigration people. I was surprised at how much work it is to get a visa. Have a good day.
Vickie #59
Artyjen said:
Crikey! I’ve just had a retina photo taken but that’s because I’ve just found out I’m diabetic!!! Perhaps they will discover I’m an alien too!!! Remember the “Truth is out there!” LOL
Good luck
xoxo Sioux
Maggie said:
Oh gosh, GOOD LUCK!
Love your space. 🙂
Thank you for sharing. Have a great Woyww!
Maggie
xx
Sarah (Sasa) said:
Hope the paper work all goes smoothly and in one go… And that you can soon return to paper of a more creative nature. Enjoy the process and beauty of each card!
Sarah (sasa)
S said:
I bet you’ll be glad when the papers are all properly stamped, signed, sealed, delivered, etc. Good luck.
cathy said:
Fab desk, looks like you’ve good things going on.
Cathy xx
donna.rodgers@ntlworld.com said:
hmm – I currently work with an American in the UK – it is highly Unlikely he will be able to continue to work over here (even though I don’t think I know anyone else we could employ to do what he does) – things are a changing – and I’m not sure it is for the better – unemployment rising across the Globe does not help non Nationals… If you end up back in Blighty you can come and craft with me though (not that that is Any Kind of Compensation) ….I do hope you get processed and renewed and hang onto your Alien status without any hitches.
Dx
Karen said:
I hope your registration goes smoothly and you can then relax again. Yuck, how stressful. Your desk looks fabulous though! I like the idea of getting xmas cards done now and not having to do them in a big rush … but so far have not done any myself.
xoxo Karen (# !17)
ANDRIA SIMPSON said:
Great workspace, crafty heaven.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth said:
I was delighted to read all went smoothly. And just think. You don’t have to do this again for another 10 years. By that time, I hope things will be even more smooth. Glad you didn’t have to borrow one of my guns. Isn’t Annette the SWEETEST? She did “good.”
Mrs A. said:
Iv’e been an Alien for years and got the blog to prove it!!!! Glad your going to be legit for the next 10 yrs. (Good they didn’t ask any questions about christmas cards. They may have thought it a tad strange making em so early.)
deb said:
Glad you got that sorted out quickly! well done for sticking with the xmas cards, wish I could but have no interest in them just now! I will start them soon though! hugs Debx
Cindy (aka Scrapcollectr) said:
Glad to hear you’re all set to stay Stateside for a good long while. Your boss feelin’ better? Maybe now you can treat yourself to some craftin’ time.
Happy Woyww…
*smile*
#25
Sarah-Stressed Stamper said:
Great desk… fabbly organised..and glad everything went ok
Hugs
Sarah – Stressed Stamper #31
MaggieC said:
Glad to hear you have sorted out all your forms etc. Now you can get down to some important work – crafting. Good idea to do some Christmas cards while you have time to think what you are doing. I was so stressed this year, I did not enjoy doing any of them. I felt I was just churning them out – not really the point of crafting. I like your Winnie the Pooh card, with its sparkles.
paula said:
wow – didn;t Sting sing about you – only you were in NYC? LOL… and what’s so bad about coming back here then Mrs? LOL – yeh, don’t blame you…
Anyway, I’ve misplaced your email address (I deleted a shed load by accident – and one by one i’m finding out who they are – like when I need to email them)!!!
Hope your day did’t turn out too stressful.
Paula x x x
triciafojut said:
Lots of great workspace . Haven’t been here for a while but you’ve come in as 20 and as i usually do every 5th one here I am. Glad your sorted for the next 10 years now you can relax for a while.
x Tricia (120)
Nicky said:
Glad it all worked out well for you – loving your christmas cards but please hide your pink ATG as I want one lol. Made me laugh when you said about Aliens as I come from the Romney Marsh and we are known as Martians! ~ Nicky 17
spyder said:
I’m rubbish at filling in forms, the last one was a pain form from the pain doctor (not called Dr pain, he was another doctor! ) I had to ‘re-write it coz it was sooooo confusing! Your desk looks very busy but tidy this week! HappY Woyww!
((Lyn))
CaroleB said:
Look at all those lovely snowflakes. I really love the ones sitting in the open package.
I’m glad your alien extension went so smoothly. I have a lovely friend from Scotland that has lived here for 30 years, her last visit wasn’t so painless, but maybe thats because she had not been out of the US in a very long time.
Happy WOYWW!!
CaroleB #135
Vicki Bruning said:
Glad you had an easy time at the Homeland Security Office. It’s snowy here, too, and Christmas cards are on my mind, too. Your work desk looks great with the snow flakes.
Vicki – a little inkling 108
Voodoo Vixen said:
Yay!! You get to stay for another 10 years!! Mind you, I am of an age when 10 years zips past at the speed of light, so I could be reading about your next venture into Homeland Security and we will all be asking where the heck the last ten years went!! 😉
Judie said:
well done on your green card hun, its snowy here this morning, not a lot but its here lol
thanks for the peep
hugs
Judie xx 158
Shaz in Oz. x said:
So glad it all went well Brenda and thanks for the message over at my blog.. AND yes! realsied it was you after I hit the send button and that had not worded it quite right and thought it would look odd, but hey I am odd!!
..and look what WOYWW can do.. get me to know where to get THE pink gun.. of course it was not just ATG gun I ordered was it?? saw they had Martha Stewart Score boards on super cheat and somehow it jumped in my basket and also the extra tape bit of bling.. bad very bad of me!! See you next week!
Shaz.
PS went to my exercise class today and am still counting the dreaded points my sister and I are yet be convinced this will be better than their old plan but time will tell!
MaggieC said:
Thanks for getting back to me and leaving such a lovely comment. I actually had new stamps for the Christmas just passed, which I never got to play with. due to lack of time, not finding everything I needed at the right time. So I think you are right to try to play in a more leisurely manner throughout the year without the pressure.
Tertia said:
Oh my. everywhere I look there seems to be a pink ATG gun. How I dream about owning one. They are not for sale in South Africa, so I can only dream.
Tertia 137
Tracey Brossart said:
Beautiful wintery card making and hope thing went smoothly for you!
Happy be-lated WOYWW and
Thanks for the peek! 😀
ƸӜƷ…x♥Tracey♥x…ƸӜƷ
RosC said:
So pleased you’ve got the Alien thing sorted – that’s such an unpleasant use of the word. What a paradox that the more global we become the higher we build our tribal fences. I think some things were more relaxed once.
I love your work space – the convenient arrangement of tools & materials, the pretty designs and the natural light. Then I realised that the light blue colour on the desk is very appealing to me.
Susan Moloney said:
Phew! Glad all has been sorted and there were no latex gloves involved! {**shiver**} A nice tidy desk there to see and lovely snowflakes (which I find weird as it is Summer here and it was over 40 degrees celsius today!) Happy [LATE} WOYWW! Susan xxox #29
florrie said:
Glad all went well for you and hubby……..so does this make you a legal alien,lol.
By the way I’ve had a few problems with someone who reads my blog and I’ve had to change my url address.
http://two-pairs-of-socks-and-an-apron.blogspot.com.
Hope you can still find me,
florrie x
LuLu said:
Howdy,
Nice desk and snowflakes!
Would love for you to stop by my blog when you have a moment or 2.
Peace,
LuLu
http://lulu-too-beaucoup.blogspot.com/2011/02/woyww-2211-laminatin-heaven-inside.html
Tuire Flemming said:
Congrats for being Aliens for ten years 😉
You seem to have snow also inside – as well as out…
-Tuire