Gday
As alot of the Members here on the forum would already know during My trip around The States that I met the Woman of My dreams who also has an awesome 8yo daughter Mexi that also I get along really well with in Mobile County :o :) :) :) As some of you know from coversations we had along the way that I was thinking of moving to the USA as I do see alot of Opportunity there for people who are willing to work hard and smart and put in the hard yards to make it work :) ;) ;D ;D ;D 8) but even i was thinking it was just abit of a pipe dream as I had alot of stuff on here on the go that i though I was going to just keep doing ;) But Meeting Your Soul Mate changes all that for the better ;):):):):) 8) 8)
So Im coming to America To Have A Crack and I am getting all My paperwork arranged at the moment and putting out as much work as I can in the time I have here as I am planing on moving back Home to Jesi & Mexi and starting our life together by the end of Jan hopefully ;) ;D ;D 8)
Ill be getting a sawmill Most likely a Lucas or Wood Mizer as I know it will work strait off the bat the way it should and I will also have a very short lead time to be started sawing I will also be getting an 8 ton truck and a loader of some sort plus all the usuall tools I have arranged some work with a pallet company just sawing pallet stock like stringers and cants and have a tree removal company already storing logs at their yard in mobile which will be bread n butter money to keep things moving as We also plan on advertising doing Custom milling in mobile county as asfar as we can tell there are not many doing it their coupled with the fact that the population has doubled in the last 7 years :) :) prob due to a couple of things like Katrina and the Gfc there should be demand once we get it out there that we are doing it also ;):) now there are also two large mills that have said they would be interested in custom milling for long and large sections for building and crane mats and odd sizes from time to time ;)
We are also looking into Bundled Firewood ,Building log Shells & Building in general , and Rustic Furniture if things are going slow with strait sawmilling ;) I and Jesi both feel lucky that I can turn My hand to pretty much anything as I have a broard range of skills and experience :) ;) ;D ;D 8)
Jesi & I have also just arranged to buy a Very Tidy 3 bedroom home with plenty of space for a start and a pool as she also a Registered Nurse and works at the local Hospital where she intends to keep working until we have everything up and running at which point she will leave that and start working with me :):) I feel very lucky to have a woman who is willing to support me in what we need to do to have a lifestyle we all wlll enjoy and also shares My interest as far as timber and milling is concerned :) :) :) :) :) ;) ;D ;D 8) 8) 8)
We will keep you posted on how everythings going here and Wish Us Luck ;):):):):):):):) ;D 8)
Best Regards Chris & Jesi :)
Dreams are the seeds to reality. Looks like yours are well on thier way to being what you want. Good luck to you.
Well how about that. ;D
All we need now is Radar and a pear tree! Can't wait for Chris to come home. I have never been happier in all my life. smiley_love smiley_love smiley_love smiley_love
Sounds like a true love story , hope everything you wish for comes your way . The best of luck to you both Bill
Well, congratulations to both of you, and wishing you the best of luck!
Chuck
Hi Babe the only thing we where missing that day was Mexi ;):):) And I cant Wait to get Home either ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) 8)
Thats So True Lee Thanks Mate ;) ;D ;D 8)
Cfarm I never saw it coming either Mate :) :) :D ;) ;D ;D 8)
Thanks Bill & Chuck I am Happy that we have such a large group of people on here we can call friends that we can share this with fellas :) :) ;) ;D ;D 8) 8)
The "Pear Tree" and "Honeymoon Suite" are available !!! Congratulations to and Three of you. :)
That sound great Chris. Wishing that all of your and Ms Meadows Miller dreams come true. That pear tree would make for a very nice setting for a wedding. It bears a spot where you have been and a place where you will be going. Good luck to the both of you and daughter. bg
Congratulations! And when you get around to drying wood, you will find American species much easier than those darn Eucalypts. Cheers! Den
Congrats to all three of you! Sometimes the best things in life sneak up on you. Sounds like you've got a good plan going.
I lived in Mobile for a couple of years, some years ago. I liked it there and I'm sure you will too, Chris.
Bill
Congrats,
Welcome to America, all that you said in your opening statement are dead on, working hard, and making it happen. Things are GOOD here.
Happiness is living in gratitude, feeling blessed for all we have. !! And your gal comes WITH a daughter!! Bonus.
Ironwood
8) 8) 8) You guys have a plan :) 8) :)
Congrats Chris
I hope your plan all comes together and you 3 are very happy and successful 8) 8) 8)
Good on ya mate. If you guys are even half as happy as Jan and I have been for the last 40 years then you are in for a truly fantastic life. All the best from Jan and I. Cheers.
I guess you know love is true when you want to compare your match to the sweet old couple at the Waffle House holding hands on the tabletop. :) :) :) I hope we are blessed with a 40 yr marriage. Congrats on that! Thanks to all for your kind words of encouragement and support.
I introduced Chris to the Waffle House. He loved it so much that we went there for breakfast at least 1-2 times a week. :D One morning we went for breakfast, we saw an elderly couple, side by side, both with walkers, walk into the restaurant, sit down and hold hands. Both still very much in love, smiling at each other. Chris and I both said that maybe one day.... we will be lucky enough to be the little old Waffle House couple. :):):)
That's a start. Congrats and welcome home.
Congrats to the three of you. Linnea and I send our best wishes. 8) 8)
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Congratulations and good luck
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
I must also add that I AM concerned if you're this happy, that perhpas you will be using MORE smilies :D ;D ;) :) :( :o 8) ??? ::) :P :-[ :-X :-\ :-* :'(
Ironwood
Congrats Chris and Jesi!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: Ms Meadows Miller on November 29, 2011, 02:30:10 PM
I introduced Chris to the Waffle House. He loved it so much that we went there for breakfast at least 1-2 times a week.
Keep that up and ya might not make it :D :D :D
Wow, Congratulations!
I agree, I think there is plenty of opportunity here in the USA.
Good luck to you and your new family!
:D :D :D Death by Waffle House!!! LOL. And yes, I am very happy :):):):):):):):):) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) ;)
Best wishes.
Congratulations, Chris & Jesi ! Our best to you all. I used to worry about Chris running the smiley well dry around here, but after all that he's used, I'm now satisfied that the Forestry Forum Smiley Well is bottomless. Either that or Jeff has been buying them in bulk and not telling us.
The best of luck to you folks!!
8)
Norm
There is a big bucket of "smiley fluid" somewhere. ;D
One thing to consider (I am sure you thought of this) is HEALTH CARE. My wife works "over the next hill" at a branch campus of a large university, which literally almost abuts our property. She is our "anchor" for the health care issue. Good coverage and reasonably priced for our family of five. If I had to make that "nut" every month it would be the equilivant of another farm mortgage. We have busy household and there is alot of money coming and going (daycare, taxes (low), mortgage, etc..) the Healthcare is one thing we never take for granted. It is expensive on the open market and getting worse. I just went through some double digit + +++ increases at a group plan at a Non-Profit I volunteer with. It was a budget killer and we had to "ask" the 15-20 employees to step up their contribution.
I like your avitar pic.
Ironwood
Well if you plan of actually getting hitched at some point, I think at a pig roast would be a good place to do it! You won't have to buy food for the reception and we can arrange for a Honeymoon Suite somewhere. You won't have to send out invitations because everyone will know about it from here.
Just thinking out loud. :)
congrats mate 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :D :D :D >:( ;D :D :) :) :) :) :) :)best a luck with both ya 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) ;D :D :) :)
:D (I am showing restraint ;D).
Jeff,now that's a great idea. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Congratulations!!
Awww what the heck! :) :) :) :) :) :) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :D :D :D :D
Just saw this...and about half predicted it ....well, come on, what are ya waiting for? lol
Gday
And Thanks for The Congrats & Well Wishes Everyone :) :) ;D ;D 8)
I love Waffle House smiley_thumbsup digin_2 Lmao death by waffle house thats bloody funny Babe :D :D Steve I know what your saying but i recon everythings good in moderation hey mate ;):) and Jesi will tel you I struggled to make it through sometimes so I would just order what I wanted ;) ;D 8) you do have some big serving sizes overthere at some places thats for sure :)
Ironwood we have looked into that Mate and Jesi said it would come in at something like $650 a month for all of us which aint that bad in My book seeing seeing as you have either insurance or nothing which can get bloody expensive there :o :) but I was expecting it as I did pay $500 for full coverage for the 3 moths I was there but thats one thing that should be covered at all costs is your health Mate :o :) ;) :D :D Like you said everything else seems pretty bloody reasonable asfar as cost is concerned :) ;) 8)
Yeah I think the Smiles are here to stay like I said early on in the piece I started doing them to let people know what context i was saying something in or what mood I was in just didnt want anyone thinkin they had some Aussie taking the piff outa them and Nah they dont look like they are going to run out soon :) :) ;) :D :D ;D but ifin youall star using them like I do I might have to get Jeff to look into it just to be on the safe side :) ;) :D :D ;D ;D
Jeff nothing wrong with thinking out loud it could be a good idea Mate ;) :D ;D ;D 8) Yeah theres abit of talk about getting married (From both sides ;) :D ;D 8) )we both know its going to happen one day its only a matter of when and where ;D as I do have alot of family here also but we are thinking of having one there and renewing here in Australia one day :) ;) ;D ;D 8) 8) keeps everyone happy then ;) :D :D ;D 8)
Zopi Jeez Id be there Now still if I didnt have to worry about getting kicked out and not being allowed back in Mate ;) :D ;D ;D Plus we want to do it properly she wants me and I want to be home as soon as I can ;) ;D ;D 8) I was going to stay here and build a house and sell it but we decided to hell with being apart for something like 6 months plus and to come home as quick as I can ;D We can build there ;) we still have to arrange paperwork for the Visa and I am on a job at the moment getting some funds together to put some equipment together to get started So we are aiming at hell or high water for the end of January if not earlier if we can ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Regards Chris
Well now , Félicitation. !!! I'm with Norm on this one :)
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) ;D ;D ;D
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D ;)
Best wishes for all three of you and I hope you have a safe, quick return! :) 8) 8) :)
Quote from: Burlkraft on November 29, 2011, 09:11:41 PM
Quote from: Ms Meadows Miller on November 29, 2011, 02:30:10 PM
I introduced Chris to the Waffle House. He loved it so much that we went there for breakfast at least 1-2 times a week.
Keep that up and ya might not make it :D :D :D
You say that like you have some experience in these matters. :D :D
Only just picked up on this thread, Good onya mate, great news, :) looks like its coming together for you both, a big congratulations to the three of you. 8) 8) 8)
Pig roast wedding, ;) I'd like to get to that. :) :)
Rob
Chris when you get started and looking for a truck my older brother knows where some deals are.
Debating which sponsor hat Chris would wear for a pig roast wedding. LOL. Lucas or Woodmizer? Guess he could please everyone and just wear a Forestry Forum hat!!! ;)
:D
Heres a thought ... You wear one and , he , the other ;D :D
I love My Forestry Forum Hat ;) ;D ;D 8) 8) But you know Im a man of many hats as long as I like the equipment and the company ;) ;D ;D ;D you never know it could ba a Meadows hat babe :) ;) :D :D :D ;D 8) 8)
Quote from: isawlogs on December 04, 2011, 04:57:28 PM
Heres a thought ... You wear one and , he , the other ;D :D
Thats a bloody great idea Marcel :) :) :) ;) :D ;D ;D 8)
Quote from: Ms Meadows Miller on December 04, 2011, 03:37:03 PM
Debating which sponsor hat Chris would wear for a pig roast wedding. LOL. Lucas or Woodmizer? Guess he could please everyone and just wear a Forestry Forum hat!!! ;)
He could wear the FF hat and get Lucas and Woodmizer logo patches to put on the dress jean jacket. One on each side would look nice.
Herb
No one has convinced me that they will wait until August 4th yet. I'm predicting a Radar67/Pear tree wedding and a Pig Roast reception.
When you get settled in your new nest here in Alabama give me a shout out horn_smiley and will meet move_it for lunch sketti_1 one day. It'll be my treat. smiley_thumbsup If you get settled in time for this years hunting season I'll take you deer smiley_antlers hunting. We have some of the best hunting land leased on the banks of the Alabama River you could ask for. You do need to know one thing though before you make you move smiley_horserider to Mobile. Most women here in L.A. (Lower Alabama) can hold their on. bat_smailey smiley_whip smiley_argue01 hurt_smiley Just kidding. :D I wish all three of you smiley_hardhat smiley_hair_gal smiley_daisy the very best. Marcus
Quote from: Ms Meadows Miller on November 29, 2011, 02:30:10 PM
I introduced Chris to the Waffle House.
I have it on good authority that you were also seen eating at Denny's. ;) :)
With all those smilleys won't be no language barrier between you two now will there be. :D
Ahhhh! Ain't love grand! Congratulations you two! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Hey, Congrats to the both of you! 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
I was disappointed that I didn't make it to Magicman's place to meet you at the chikin crispin, but Mobile isn't too far away :)
FWIW, I asked my wife to marry me a few days after bringing her to the 2009 Pig Roast :D
Well, congratulations Chris & Jesi.
I think in honour of this we need a special smiley just for Chris oz_smiley oz_smiley oz_smiley .
;D
I think he should get a Great Southern Woodchuck smiley!!! :D :D :D
US Visas are a real nightmare to get! Really upsetting me. I just want him home. :( :'(
Take your time and get it done right. Make sure you know and understand all the rules
There are some real horror stories of Canadians who tried to short cut the system so they could be with their American spouses (or spouses to be). Some of them simply got bad advice from consular staff. Some of them got bad advice from employers, or from friends. Some of them just didn't understand all the rules.
At the end of the day, it's the immigration officer at the point of entry who decides whether or not to let you in. So make sure all the information you get comes from the immigration department.
Thanks for the advice! :) :) :)
Fiance visa! And a work permit. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Ninety days to get married on a fiancee visa, not a day more! Get your SS# and work permit during this time or you can experience great delays after.
Signed,
Decorated veteran of the K-1 war!
Happy Birthday Jesi. :)
Thanks! What a great birthday! I spent all day packing up my stuff. Closing on our house hopefully on Wednesday!!! So excited! 8) 8) 8)
Missed your birthday,but hope it was a happy one. Hope Wednesday will work out the way you want.
Thanks!!!
Gday
Happy Birthday Baby smiley_love smiley_love smiley_love smiley_love smiley_trap_drummer she got a nice surprise from Me the other day :):) ;)
Mark You will be getting A PM shortly in regards to the K1 Mate :) ;) ;D Im just happy to know We are not the only couple on here to do it this way and there is someone on here we can ask in regards to it mate :) ;) ;D 8)
Bruce we are taking out time and making sure everything is in order and spot on as we dont want any stuff ups to deal with mate ;):):)
Marcel theres no language barrier between Jesi ,Mexi and I we all understand eachover well :) :) ;) its everyone else :) :) :) ;) :D :D ;D
Marcus Thanks Mate We will be taking you up on the offer theres some nice timberland up your way and I love the name of Pine Hill for a town ;) Yeah I know she can hold her own :) :D :D thats one of the things I love about her the most along with the fact we both feel like we where made for eachover and its like we have been together forever :) :) :) :) ;) ;D ;D 8) 8)
Dodgy Im looking forward to meeting you the Missus and the new baby some day soon Mate :) :) ;) ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) 8) 8)
We are looking for Foresters & Logging Contractors for about the 500 ton off SYP a month within 100 Mi of Mobile too looks like we have an Export Contract for Sawn timber and Cants so if everything is a go we will be hitting the ground running things are looking good ;) ;D 8)
Regards Chris
Extremely awesome surprise baby!!! An hour long drive at midnight just to video chat with me!!! I love you so much.
Gday
Time for an update I will be Home On Saturday ;) ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) 8) overdue and late but home none the less ;)we had afew issues that have caused us dramas to deal with one being the amount of idiots who have infiltrated the industry here and I have had enough of dealing with people who say one thing and do nothing or the wrong thing by you and cost you nothing but time n money thats for bloody sure :( >:( smiley_furious
But We are onto better things I know that for sure :) ;D ;D 8) I will be back for 8 to 12 weeks while we are waiting for the K1 to land in Australia to spend alot of time with My girls and get things done around the house and equipment scrounged and work lined up before I have to start working for a living ;) ;D ;D 8) 8)
Regards Chris
That sounds like happy times on the horizon for two folks :D :D and one bloke. oz_smiley
What an exciting time for you three! 8) 8)
And it sure is refreshing to see that the dream is there if you go after it. :)
To think of the hoops and red tape above and beyond what anyone already here doesnt have to deal with and yet you're will and determination will overcome any of those obstacles. My hat is off to you tree. (3) ;)
Chris, just keep on truckin like you have the world by the tail. Good luck, bg
Well, yet another setback. Chris won't be home on Saturday :'( :'( :'(
It's been quite hard with him gone, especially with a little girl that adores him asking me several times a day when he will come home. Hopefully it will be soon. :(
I hope for all three of you the latest setback is a very short one. :-\
Gday
Its been very hard being away from You and Mexi Baby :( as I love and Adore you both with all My heart n soul and im sorry its been hard but when you have one business of your own and work in another with your family things can be complicated :) :( >:( when the love of your life is 15000miles away and I would do anything to be home as quick as I can ;) ;D ;D 8) It will be very soon as 3 to 4 days organizing the sale of the land here is a very small setback for what we have gained :) ;) ;D ;D I still want us to be like that old couple at waffle house that morning when we are older Baby :) ;) ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) 8)
Regards Chris
Gday Everyone
Im Finally Getting on the Plane in about 38 hours to Fly Home to Jesi and Mexi to start our new life in Alabama together every things finished up here and we focus on what we are doing now :) :) ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Regards Chris
8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Seems like Carley Simon's "Anticipation" would be most appropriate right now. Safe trip.
Chris , welcome home and good luck to you all, bg
Good to hear Chris. :)
Good news 8) 8) 8) my best wishes to you
Welcome home Chris, and best wishes for you three. :) oz_smiley :D
Thanks Guys We are on the home run now and It feels good to have the loose ends tied up here so we can focus on Us and what we are doing there ;) ;D ;D 8) 8) still got 2000bft of cypress decking to saw and drop the last big tree n my last tree removal job here tomorrow but I will have the full crew on it with Me which is Dad ,Agro, And Myself :) ;) ;D ;D 8)
That's great news, have a safe trip!
Good news mate, you will need to change your signature block, no doubt you wil be buying some new work toys. :)
I am unbelievably excited 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) I would like to thank everyone for their support in getting the love of my life back to me. Two more nights of sleeping alone. It has been 5 months since he left. He gets on a plane tomorrow afternoon!!! :) :) :) :) :)
That should be a smile on your face. ;D
Jesi,be carefull I hear Chris's pet wallabe has fleas.Best of luck me and mommy are doing 40 to life. Frank C.
I am thinking about that old song, "Together Again".
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/DSCN0455.JPG)
It's funny. I'm nesting. Trying to make sure that everything is perfect when Chris gets home. Yard is immaculate. House, well, I still have tonight and tomorrow. Lol. Trying to figure out what to cook tomorrow. I'm going crazy. Just hoping I have enough time for everything. I'm even getting off work early today to go home and git er done! :D :D :D
Jesi, relax. you've got a lifetime to get it all done. Chris will be fine if you leave him something to help out with too.
I couldnt relax if I tried right now. Don't think i'll get much sleep tonight. Trust me... Chris has made his own list of stuff to get accomplished once he gets home!!! And the list is long. I just want everything I can do to be done so he can come home to a nice clean house, yard and pool and not feel like he has so much to do. We can just enjoy each other for a while. Guess i'm a bit selfish right now. I need "me" time before he gets the sawmill. I'm sure I won't get much of that once the "American Wood Fever" sets in. :D :D :D
Ahhhhh, young love. smiley_love
Gday
Im here !!! :) :) :) ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) got in last night at about 10pm after about 30hrs of traveling we are spending the next few days just relaxing and just getting things organised My mind is still going a million miles an hour and thinking of everything that need to be done to get us set up but we will get there thanks everyone for the well wishes and advice :) :) :) ;) ;) ;) ;D ;D 8) 8)
Regards Chris
That's great news Chris! I'll bet there are a couple more people just as happy as you are. I say you give them a few days, the work will always be there when you get to it ;)
If you need a little help with something, just give me a shout out. If I can, I don't mind. move_it
Welcome Home!
That is some good news. Or I should say great news. 8)
Wonderful news Chris. We are so happy for you, Jesi, and Mexi. :)
Just reunited with jesi. What you doing on the computor?
;D ;D ;D
I was thinking the same thing trapper!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D
Quote from: ronwood on March 21, 2012, 10:59:18 AM
I was thinking the same thing trapper!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D
Did ya'll happen to notice the time of Meadows Millers post? 01:32am. He's as bad as I am. ;D
Yup, I noticed, and this is such an exciting time in their lives.
Welcome back Chris. You know, that pear should be in full bloom soon.... ;)
And the Guest House or Cabin is available and the invitation is open. :)
Gday
:D :D :D :D :D Nah We are having good quality time together I left the comp running when we went out dismorning as we spent most of the day looking at rings I have a fair idea of how jesi feels about me rambling on about what mills best for our needs now :) :) :) ??? :P :D :D
Paper Maker Ill be holding you to that mate :) ;) ;D as there is a 40'x24' shed to get up tthen the other two post n beam shelters/carport/ent areas
come in at 24' & 34' by 65' ea Mate ;) ;D ;D
Magic and Radar You fellas have the Job we decide that a long time ago ;) ;D ;D smiley_thumbsup Radar your in charge of the hichin and Magic your going to be Master of Ceremony Mate ;) ;D ;D ;D We are still organizing things like when and where its going to happen as we are still waiting on the Govt to get things organized so we still are up in the air a little with date n such :) :) :) But we are thinking we may have it in Mobile here as it looks like ill have family coming in from Australia for it too ;) ;D ;D ;D 8) 8)
Regards Chris
This has been a pretty cool story to watch.
The best of luck to you love birds 8)
mh
I am glad that you two can take a bit of ribbing. Take your time and do it right. :)
Quote from: Magicman on March 22, 2012, 02:38:03 PM
.......... Take your time and do it right. :)
You can say that again. X2 ;)
8) 8) 8) 8) ;D :D ;) :)welcome home Chris :o :o :o 8) 8) 8) ;D ;D ;D :D :D :D
Hope we get a chance to cross trails, Chris and Jesi, we're practically neighbors now, oh it's about a day's drive from here. ::) So we'll have to see when we're going where and coordinate, mate. ;) Welcome to the US, and by the way, a word of warning-- "Not all Americans are "Yanks."" I expect Jesi may have explained that to you. ;) Call the wrong guy a "Yank" in Alabama, and you may find yourself suddenly leaning up against a tree standing on your shoulderblade in Tennessee, mate! :o :o :o :o :D :D :D