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December 6, 2006 (12:51pm)
24º F, Sunny, S wind 11 mph.

Good afternoon,

)&(BGPIHN%^%)(*) ! ! Yesterday was very disappointing and a wild goose chase. After a very indirect path, we finally arrived at USCIS office, only to find out we had the wrong form and Margriet’s needs could not be met. Once we got through the security line with pleasant folks, we hit the biometric office with some very grumpy folks. We thought we had all of the correct forms, $c. to accomplish the task, but didn’t. The gal was rather rude, inferring that rather dump for not having the correct one. I searched the website and thought I had the correct one. The main problem is the website does not give you a way to ask or determine which form should be filed when or what for. There is no phone number or instant massaging site either. From what I can determine at the moment, the money we sent in with the form is lost. Not to mention a day driving and the gasoline to do it. I am grumpy. To top off the deal, I tried to ask a question of the gal and she gave me the answer, before even knowing what the question was or I had finished two words of the question!

The upshot of the deal is that we have to file different papers, with another check, pictures of Margriet, and then set up an appointment for an interview in Milwaukee with a different person. I guess when I mentioned that it looked like yesterday’s mission was fairly easy, it was too easy to be true. Not looking forward to driving down again, probably with another snowstorm on the way. A second gal at the office gave me the number of the correct form to submit, so today I searched it out and we have completed it. As soon as possible, we will submit it. In the mean time, technically speaking, I think Margriet is not legal at the moment.

Actually the snow never developed past a few flurries. There was a light dusting here when we arrived last night. When we left there was a snow advisory in effect for 2-5" of snow, more north. Apparently they moved the advisory later, then after we were home for a couple of hours, dropped it totally. This morning when I woke up, the temperature was just above freezing and has been falling since. Looking for another night of single digit temperatures, then warm up to the 40's on Sunday again. Yo-yo time again. We were thankful that the snow missed up, or we it, on the ride. I was some worried about running into it on the way back.

The construction I assumed would be finished, was and wasn’t. Part had been completed, but then they started on the interstate system since we were last there. The net result was that the off-ramp we were to turn left on - wasn’t there. There was a sign indicating we should turn left at the same point and follow the detour. Problem was - I was in the left of three lanes in bumper to bumper traffic. No way to get over. So .... we got off as soon as we could, but a considerable distance south of where we should be. Had a heck of a time getting back to the USCIS office, thanx to not only the interstate rebuilding, but also much rebuilding of the surface streets too. What a mess! I saw some places I have not seen in decades and hope I don’t again. I will send a letter to our congressman very soon, suggesting some changes need to be made in the process.

One good result of the ride was stopping at the "M&M Lunch." It is a good restaurant and we have stopped there before. The specials of the day were a hot pork sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy (which I had) and roast pork with kraut and dumplings (which Margriet had. She totally enjoyed the meal as we don’t have kraut that often. Sounds as though it will be on the menu after the next time we go to Otto’s. He makes fresh and the kind she likes. Sounds like Otto’s is on the agenda to visit soon - followed by good eating.

Time to get a-going.

In Christ My Saviour,

Chris <><