February 09 - VSC

[Dave & Jenny 0]

For those of you following my efforts, I wanted to let you all know how the Tour de Cure event went.

In short, it was a great success! The weather was perfect, the ride not too bad, and most importantly with help from 67 of you, I managed to raise just over $3500 which when added to that of about 1200 other riders came to over $500K for the fight against Diabetes. To all who donated, my sincere thanks (and to those who still want to, you can still donate)!

In more detail, the event started (all to early) with a 7:40 check-in, a quick breakfast and a start at around 8:10 am. The weather was sunny and the temp was in the upper 60s. The original plan was to have an initial stop where my friends Matt and Gay Lynne were volunteering, but I rode right by them (they were at the Ashburn rest stop, but I had thought they were going to be at Cochran Mill!). So as a result, my first stop was 1/3 of the way finished at the Leesburg rest stop. Here I grabbed a half banana, almonds, and a snack bar, plus some water, called Matt & Gay Lynne (and found out where they were), and after about 10 minutes was back on the trail.

The next break was at the end of the W&OD trail in Purcellville (the halfway point) where I grabbed a sandwich, more water, and a snickers protein bar (with 40carbs!). This stop was pretty busy, with riders from the 63 and 100 mile rides (and a long line for the bathroom!). After about 25 minutes, I hit the road again.

The next leg took me through about 4 or 5 miles of country roads in a loop around Purcellville and then back to the W&OD trail. From there it was mostly downhill back to Leesburg, then after a quick supplemental drink of water, on to Ashburn to stop for a quick rest, bio-break and to visit with Matt & Gay Lynne. After 15 minutes of rest, it was back on the bike for the last 10 miles where Matt & Gay Lynne met me at the finish line (just barely beating me there).

In the end, the ride took 5 hours 11 minutes (including the stops) for 63 miles. Very tiring, but after having had trained for it a couple previous rides of 60+ miles, I actually felt fine - good enough to go at least a few more miles

After the ride, I enjoyed a slice of pizza (it is nice to be able to splurge after burning 4000 calories!), then we hung out in the Reston Town Center joined by my brother Brian and his family. We caught a little music and the "awards" ceremony. At the ceremony, there were two Youth Ambassadors who shared their stories of courage and encouragement in managing their Type 1 Diabetes. Their stories were vivid reminders that this disease affects people of all ages and types, and reminding us how important it is to work to find a cure.

After the event, it was back home for a long shower followed by a celebratory cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and a few really good beers (and lots more water).

And please do not forget to get your fasting blood sugar checked at your next doctor's appointment!

Dave

[Rich and Bey 1]

well everyone i guess we had a slow day here on VJ. ee keep the chin up and it will come any day now.. i am sure it is being worked on this week and u will have it by saturday or early next week.

roman how are you holding up? everyone getting excited yet?

[gatoula_tou 0]

I'm getting excited to see my honey in a month. I wonder if that'll be the same time all of you have your SO's coming to the states for the visa??

[JeremySusan 0]

For those of you following my efforts, I wanted to let you all know how the Tour de Cure event went.

In short, it was a great success! The weather was perfect, the ride not too bad, and most importantly with help from 67 of you, I managed to raise just over $3500 which when added to that of about 1200 other riders came to over $500K for the fight against Diabetes. To all who donated, my sincere thanks (and to those who still want to, you can still donate)!

In more detail, the event started (all to early) with a 7:40 check-in, a quick breakfast and a start at around 8:10 am. The weather was sunny and the temp was in the upper 60s. The original plan was to have an initial stop where my friends Matt and Gay Lynne were volunteering, but I rode right by them (they were at the Ashburn rest stop, but I had thought they were going to be at Cochran Mill!). So as a result, my first stop was 1/3 of the way finished at the Leesburg rest stop. Here I grabbed a half banana, almonds, and a snack bar, plus some water, called Matt & Gay Lynne (and found out where they were), and after about 10 minutes was back on the trail.

The next break was at the end of the W&OD trail in Purcellville (the halfway point) where I grabbed a sandwich, more water, and a snickers protein bar (with 40carbs!). This stop was pretty busy, with riders from the 63 and 100 mile rides (and a long line for the bathroom!). After about 25 minutes, I hit the road again.

The next leg took me through about 4 or 5 miles of country roads in a loop around Purcellville and then back to the W&OD trail. From there it was mostly downhill back to Leesburg, then after a quick supplemental drink of water, on to Ashburn to stop for a quick rest, bio-break and to visit with Matt & Gay Lynne. After 15 minutes of rest, it was back on the bike for the last 10 miles where Matt & Gay Lynne met me at the finish line (just barely beating me there).

In the end, the ride took 5 hours 11 minutes (including the stops) for 63 miles. Very tiring, but after having had trained for it a couple previous rides of 60+ miles, I actually felt fine - good enough to go at least a few more miles

After the ride, I enjoyed a slice of pizza (it is nice to be able to splurge after burning 4000 calories!), then we hung out in the Reston Town Center joined by my brother Brian and his family. We caught a little music and the "awards" ceremony. At the ceremony, there were two Youth Ambassadors who shared their stories of courage and encouragement in managing their Type 1 Diabetes. Their stories were vivid reminders that this disease affects people of all ages and types, and reminding us how important it is to work to find a cure.

After the event, it was back home for a long shower followed by a celebratory cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and a few really good beers (and lots more water).

And please do not forget to get your fasting blood sugar checked at your next doctor's appointment!

Dave

many congratulations to you. i bet those celebratory cheeseburger and drink swere so good

[Richard-Joanna 1]

WTG Dave!

Morning everyone!

Maire feeling any better?

[Richard-Joanna 1]

i have asked this question b4 but cant remember the answer if my life depended on it, but I own roofing company so i dont really have a letter from employer, and all i have are my 2008 tax's are my personal and company's 1040... i should be good with that right?

If you are self-employed (own your own company), you need to provide *3* years of tax records. Technically if you are not self-employed you could likely get away with 1 year, but I am not going to chance it. Because it is about proving you can support your fiance/wife, you need to show that. I would suggest providing any evidence of net worth that would help show the ability to support (bank records, property ownership, etc).

Dave

Well here is the thing, i have only been self employed since September 2008, and b4 2008 I did not make enough money to cover the poverty rate, so will i be fine just taking the 2008 taxs or will i need to have a co-sponser

I am afraid that I can't answer....it really is up to the Consular Officer at the embassy. Key thing is how much did you make in 2008? If you made 200% or 300% of the Poverty Level for your family (you, spouse, any dependants), then you probably will be ok. If you just barely meet the requirement (125%) you may need a co-sponsor... In either case present any evidence you have that you can support your fiance...

i reported a little over $20,000 in 2008, so I dont think that is over 200%, im going to try and contact the consulate to see what they say, but just incase i cant get in contact with them what form will the sponsor need to fill out? the I-864?

I believe it is the I-134 form the same as you have to fill out.

[lizandpat 0]

Morning everyone!

Dave - Congrats...you did a great job!!

Is it time to go back to sleep yet???

[lee b 2]

Morning everyone.

Dave you guys kicked some serious a$$.

[lizandpat 0]

Morning Lee...

Greg - thank you for the link!!

[Roman&Marina 0]

well everyone i guess we had a slow day here on VJ. ee keep the chin up and it will come any day now.. i am sure it is being worked on this week and u will have it by saturday or early next week.

roman how are you holding up? everyone getting excited yet?

Good Morning Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!! Crazy at work yesterday and today is going to be no different. But before it starts, I just wanted to say "hello" to my February squad. Paperwork should be arriving in Ukraine any day now. Getting all of the paperwork together and will be sending it to Marina. As soon as she will get packet 3, she will schedule the interview. I hoping that is going to be by the end of June and the way that consulate have been scheduling interviews in the past, I am hopeful that it should be mid July. This process is not over yet. They will make us sweat just a while longer.

[Roman&Marina 0]

i have asked this question b4 but cant remember the answer if my life depended on it, but I own roofing company so i dont really have a letter from employer, and all i have are my 2008 tax's are my personal and company's 1040... i should be good with that right?

If you are self-employed (own your own company), you need to provide *3* years of tax records. Technically if you are not self-employed you could likely get away with 1 year, but I am not going to chance it. Because it is about proving you can support your fiance/wife, you need to show that. I would suggest providing any evidence of net worth that would help show the ability to support (bank records, property ownership, etc).

Dave

Well here is the thing, i have only been self employed since September 2008, and b4 2008 I did not make enough money to cover the poverty rate, so will i be fine just taking the 2008 taxs or will i need to have a co-sponser

I am afraid that I can't answer....it really is up to the Consular Officer at the embassy. Key thing is how much did you make in 2008? If you made 200% or 300% of the Poverty Level for your family (you, spouse, any dependants), then you probably will be ok. If you just barely meet the requirement (125%) you may need a co-sponsor... In either case present any evidence you have that you can support your fiance...

i reported a little over $20,000 in 2008, so I dont think that is over 200%, im going to try and contact the consulate to see what they say, but just incase i cant get in contact with them what form will the sponsor need to fill out? the I-864?

I believe it is the I-134 form the same as you have to fill out.

Food for thought. After speaking with my lawyer I had found out that I-134 is good form to fill out because it shows commitment. But it is not a contract or a legal paper of any kind, that the government can use against you or to make you pay for anything.

[Maire 1]

Morning my Sunshines....Yes Richard feeling a bit better..thanks for asking

[D_n_M 0]

Morning Everyone!

I'm still waiting for the NOA2 hardcopy. I did call NVC again and they said it has not gone to Prague yet. I would expect that it will by friday or next week at the latest. Once that is done I will either send papers to my BH or fly there myself. SHe still has to translate her docs to english and do the medical. Everything else is about complete.

[Richard-Joanna 1]

Morning Everyone!

I'm still waiting for the NOA2 hardcopy. I did call NVC again and they said it has not gone to Prague yet. I would expect that it will by friday or next week at the latest. Once that is done I will either send papers to my BH or fly there myself. SHe still has to translate her docs to english and do the medical. Everything else is about complete.

I like the fly there myself idea... but thats just me!

At the airport.... see you guys in a few hours

[Roman&Marina 0]

Morning Everyone!

I'm still waiting for the NOA2 hardcopy. I did call NVC again and they said it has not gone to Prague yet. I would expect that it will by friday or next week at the latest. Once that is done I will either send papers to my BH or fly there myself. SHe still has to translate her docs to english and do the medical. Everything else is about complete.

What docs is she notarizing?????