Lori’s determination continues to impress me. I was prepared to launch my effort on increasing her freelance income and during our discussion this week she tells me of not one, but two job interviews she has scheduled during these next two weeks. Good work, Lori!

Travis Hamel Olsen is president of National Short Sale Center and COO of Loan Resolution Corp., both Scottsdale, AZ-based companies that specialize in short sales. They serve as an intermediary between all the parties -- realtors, sellers, buyers, banks -- during the long, hassle-filled process.

Travis read up on Leah’s case, and had a few things to say:

"Leah has done a good job at being patient and keeping a level head, while going through a very challenging time in her life. It’s never easy to accept that living in the home you own is no longer an option."

I was supposed to have my closing yesterday (Tuesday) but of course it did not go through. The closing was set up by the buyer's team, with the impression that the buyer was good to go, but at 4 p.m. I got a text from my real estate agent informing me that the buyer's bank was holding up the deal.

Within minutes of me telling Karen that I hadn't heard from my lawyers, the other line rings, and it's them! The lawyer's assistant proceeds to tell me that they want a closing by Monday or Tuesday, and that she needs my answer within 48 hours.

But one of those conditions involves me coming up with loot I don't have -- $3,000 to be exact!

Leah shared with me the way her life used to be. She had regular monthly visits to the chiropractor, the massage therapist, and regular pedicures. Today however, she says she feels completely strapped! She's never felt like this in her life!! She also shared that although she has given up ALL of these previous creature comforts, Eric occasionally doesn't appear to be on board.