OK....Where is my Package?

All day....All day....I have been waiting for Canada Post to update their website to confirm delivery of my package to the Case Processing Center. All day!!  Can you imagine how many times I have checked the Canada Post website with  my tracking number, sometimes a minute apart as if I might have missed something within the last minute? Yup....almost like waiting for a phone call and picking up the receiver to make sure there is dial tone and the phone is working. lol  Since I got home from work I've still been checking for updates like a mad woman. It's after 8pm and there is still no update on a package that was supposed to have been delivered today!! Where....is my package?

I just want to know it's in the building and hopefully on someone's desk. That's all. Where is my package?

So, i'm updating my blog to share my anticipation and frustration with not knowing what is going on. This just goes to show that the next several months or however long this whole thing takes....is gonna feel longer than ever. Lord help me!!  Once I receive a Client Number and will be able to check for application status updates on the Canadian Immigration website i'm gonna be a mess.  lol But, i've gotta pull myself away from the computer and accept that I wont have confirmation of delivery until tomorrow.  So when I finish writing this entry i'm going to put it out of my mind for now.....lol  But, as I write this blog in disappointment, I have another window open to keep refreshing for a delivery status update. Nothing!  I might check just one more time before getting in bed though.

My suggestion to Canada Post - Indicate on your website what time updates are to be made to save people from stalking your website for the info.  Now don't get me wrong, I did request on the website to be sent an email notification of delivery, but the wait is killing me. You'd think all the patience that I have exercised thus far would have prepared me for this. I just want to know...Did it make it? I packaged all the documents in a safe padded envelope so that any of the machines at the Canada Post plant couldn't damage my envelope too bad and my papers would be safe. Smart thinking i'd say. After all, Furman sent his documents to me using Priority Post with the USPS.  Before it reached my hands, the torn envelope had been nicely placed in a clear plastic post office bag for delivery. Luckily, it wasn't torn enough to lose anything from it.

Well, let me do a refresh just one more time before I call it a night.

WAIT FOR IT...........WAIT FOR IT........

8:45pm.....Nothing....still shows that the Item was Out For Delivery at 9:20 this morning.

Test for tomorrow.....Patience, because I certainly don't want to have to start calling people on the phone with my inquiries. After all, the website makes it clear to tell you:     Please note that this is the most up-to-date information available in our system. Our telephone agents have access to the same information presented here.   Gheez....what do you think they are trying to tell me?  Lol

If you know where my package is....lol Please let me know!!  Jk Jk

Tomorrow it is!!

The Countdown Begins

The Countdown Begins.......So....I thought I would start a new blog to keep track and update on the process and our progress for those interested to follow.  Hopefully anyone who may have to go through the same thing in future will get some encouragement and/or learn something. Besides, I love to write and I was very happy to hear that a few people had actually followed my wedding blog and indicated that they just might follow a new blog.  :)  So, the title seemed fitting "Bringing Furman Home" because that is what I am trying and waiting to do. I am definitely thankful to those who have given encouragement and said prayers. God is listening!!  Special Thank You to my friend Art Lewis that got married to his Toronto wife January 2011 and is a few steps ahead of us.

It sucks to get married and have to spend so much time apart from the man you love and want to spend the rest of your life with. But, we have been through so much already and have already had our patience tested that this next phase should be a breeze....at least that is what I hope.  

Where are we?  Well, I officially received Furman's Immigration Documents on Friday January 27th. He had to send his stuff to me so that I can add the stuff they require from me before mailing to them. So, I did my happy dance and was well prepared to add them to my already completed Immigration Documents that evening. Yes, while I was waiting for him to complete his part, I was completing and putting together my part. Gathering necessary documents the Sponsorship Application requested, etc. Good thing I did too, because when I got his half, I was ready to go.  That Friday evening I had everything spread out all over my ottoman and carefully went through the document checklist to make sure that everything was completed and ready to package.  Furman, being the wonderful organized man he is, already had his part neatly organized and filed in plastic sheets. So really and truly, I didn't have to go through his stuff...just had to make sure that I didn't forget anything myself and put things in the order requested. It was quite exciting I must say. I wanted to chill out at home with a nice glass of wine ( I don't usually drink at home but thought it was a special occasion to do so - alone) and get it all together. But, I didn't have the glass of wine after all...figured that could possibly mess up my focus and make me mess up something. Good thinking!! Then, Saturday morning, I was out the house by 9:45am to catch the post office because I wasn't sure what time mail pickup was on Saturday and wanted to make sure to catch it. What a waste that was....lol There was no Saturday mail pickup in my area. So, my Immigration pkg had to sit at the post office for the rest of the weekend till Monday pickup.  I was smart to send everything Express Post in a nice bubble wrapped envelope with expected delivery to Mississauga Case Processing Center for Tuesday. That's where we are!!  Just waiting for the office to receive our documents and hopefully not sit on them.  In the meantime, I have started marking my calendar so I can keep track of how long it takes for this to finally end and Furman to be home.

From what I have read, it takes about 2 months for them to go through the documentation to approve me as a Sponsor. The Case Processing Center is to make sure that we have all documents requested and that everything is signed. They make an approval and then forward to a Visa office and that is where the rest of the wait is.  This could take up to 12 months. I am hopeful though, because despite what the website forecasts, I have heard that some have gone through this process and have actually come out after only 4 months of waiting.  So, say a prayer for us and feel free to comment and/or ask questions below.

In the meantime, I am expecting to spend the waiting time with Furman as he comes to visit in March.  As a visitor he is allowed to be in the country for up to 6 months, all I know.  While he is here he can help me train for my 10K race in April and we are registered to do the Spartan Sprint in June. Oh, but not until after he completes the Toronto Goodlife Marathon on May 6th.  Can't wait to see my husband.....will make all this wait time that much more bearable!!!

Documents in the mail......The Countdown Begins!!!