I survived

My meeting with the bankruptcy attorney was yesterday, and I survived. It took 3 hours! I do qualify to declare chapter 7, but it's so frustrating that I have to. I have to liquidate some stock I've had since I was born, and they could go after Mom for the tax refund I gave her this past year. They will also get my tax refund for this year. I still think that this is better than having the MC garnish my wages, and take all of my money. So.... I have to do a couple more things, like credit counseling (online) and send a couple more things in, but it's going.

I can't believe it's come to this. I don't have ANYTHING to discharge other than the condo. I don't have any credit card debt, my car is current on payments, my student loan is current, and can't go away anyway, and I don't have any other debt. I worked so hard to get to that point, and now it's all for nothing. If she could have just told me straight up that she really couldn't afford the house anymore, before the liens were placed, we could have done a short sale and been done with it. I know she said I never picked up on hints, but that's definately something she could have been straightforward about. So.... Everyone, I think it's going in the right direction, but until it's over, don't forget me!

It's tomorrow

My appointment with the bankruptcy attorney is tomorrow. Good Lord, I am terrified. I am so scared that something is going to go wrong, that she will tell me that I am screwed etc. I don't know what to wear, I've got all of the stuff, but I don't know what it's for, like she wanted the last 3 months of bank statements. Well, I don't have anything to hide, I'm not hiding any money, or anything, but what if she tells me that I'm spending too much on one thing or another, and that means that I can't do it? I am just terrified. I don't think I'll be nearly as scared of the meeting with the actual trustee. Who knows? I just wish that this could be completely over tomorrow. I also pray that everything will go fine tomorrow. If you're reading this, think of me tomorrow morning at 9.

Labor Day Weekend

Now for the three millionth post being made today about this past weekend. It was fun! Friday night we went to rib fest, ate some ribs, corn, onion thingy and lots of mentos. Pat Benetar played, and I had no idea how many of her songs I knew! She was really good. Saturday, we had lunch at Johnny Rocket's and then went to rib fest. We saw Beatlemania Live (a great, fun beatles cover band), Shooter Jennings (really good) and The Marshall Tucker band (not my fave!) For the last one of those, we were invaded by the red-neckiest red necks that I have ever seen. There was this whole group in front of us that was so bad, we ended up moving.

Saturday was REALLY hot, and I forgot good sunscreen. I could feel my skin burning, and when I got home, I had interesting lines on my arms, spots on my chest, and the best, stripes and polka dots on my feet from my shoes. My feet were so dirty from all of the dust that I wore flip flops to the shower, and then turned the water black.

Saturday night was Sky Concert, and though we had good seats and there was fun stuff, it wasn't as good as it used to be. The fireworks didn't seem timed much at all, and the music wasn't very varied. Also, they kept calling it the 25th anniversary of sky concert, and it was really only the 24th. It was so much better when I was in HS.

Sunday morning, we got up early ish, and went out to eagle creek park. We walked a trail around a lake, through the forest and saw some interesting stuff, and then decided to rent a canoe! That was superfun. It was a little nervous making when I was getting in, but after that it didn't really feel to me like it was going to tip much. We paddled, in a zig zag pattern, straight line was hard, around the lake, we saw a blue heron who got mad at us, and some cool fish. Also a big black/brown bird that we didn't know what it was. Jason's arm hurts now, and my shoulders, but we really liked it. We want to try a kayak next time.

That afternoon, Jason installed our new kitchen faucet. He broke the old one off in his hand (look up). The new one is great! It's really nice to have a handy guy. I would still be trying to hook it up now. We went to Ruby Tuesday for dinner. YUM.

Monday was a lazy day. Jason went and bought our latest video game obsession, because we had to return the rental one. It's Justice League. We have been playing it waaaaay too much. It's fun and addictive. That night, we went to see Buddy Guy at rib fest. That was a GREAT show. He never finished a song, just changed to a new one in the middle. He came out in the audience and played. It really was awesome. Then we grocery shopped, went home and played more Justice League. I like Zatanna. Why had I never heard of her before?!

I know, I know

They've all been like this, but I'm so stressed out about this bankruptcy thing. I just hope it all goes well. I'm more scared about this first meeting that I think than I am about the one with the creditors. I don't really think anyone will show up for that... I don't know though. I'm just so scared, and so stressed about it. Jason is a big help, and so are my friends, but it's such a scary thing. Mom volunteered to go with me, but I'm torn. I want her to go because I want moral support, but I want to go alone because I'm a grown up, and this is my problem that I should handle myself. One week and one day until I go.

Helooooo

Still here, I'm still a little sick. I think it's getting better though. I spent all day yesterday at a training session. Not the most riveting stuff, but not a waste of time either. No update on the bad stuff, still waiting for my appointment.

I'm still trying to read the newest Laurell K Hamilton. I usually love her, but Harlequin has just failed to grab my attention. I think it's on the cusp though, I didn't want to stop reading this morning.

We went to see Stardust this past weekend. I loved it. I'd like to see it again. Jason thinks Claire Danes has huge mutant eyes. I just liked it and thought it was under-loved by the critics/public.

I guess that's it, until I get inspiration.

The continuing stoooooory...

Of a quack, who's gone to the dogs. Anyone out there remember that? I decided to post again today, because I'd like to get this story as finished as I can.

So, there I am in Ohio for the wedding, and the mortgage co calls me. They say they didn't get the listing agreement I faxed. No problem they say, just re-send it. I tell them I will and I get in the shower. When I come out, my phone is screaming that there is a message. It's the MC (mortgage co) again. I call them back, expecting an "ooops" called you again. No such luck. The ER's liens wouldn't settle. The short sale was off. I cried. I was going to have to declare bankruptcy.

After the weekend, with a little time to think, I called the MC and asked if they would wait to start the foreclosure stuff so I could see if I could somehow fix it. I called lawyers. One recommended me do a "waiver of time limit" but the lawyers for the MC had never heard of it and said I should talk to the MC itself about it, who said to talk to the lawyers. So, no luck there (it still haunts me that that could have worked, but I guess I'll never know). No way out of the liens, it was a HUD rule, if the short sale was going to work, the liens could not be there. It came down to, I could pay off the larger lien and the mort co would do the smaller. So, I called the lien holder. No call back. The MC called me the next day and said that if I could get the lien paid by that Friday, that they would pay the total $2000, leaving me to pay less. I called the lien holder back again, and she refused to talk to me. Told me that since it was the ER's lien, I could not pay it. I called the MC, they called the lien holder. Same story. I couldn't pay it. I called my lawyer, they told him the same thing. All hope for the short sale or deed in lieu was gone.

That was in June. Since then, nothing has happened. I was waiting to declare bankruptcy, (or see if I could avoid it) until I talked to the bankruptcy attorney last week. She said not to wait, that if I waited it would be worse (since I would be married) and that it was best to just go ahead. I have an appointment with her next Friday. I don't think it's going to be easy. I'm constantly worried about what could go wrong.

So, that's it. I called the ER on the day I found out that the liens wouldn't settle, but that was it. She didn't answer the phone. I am so scared that something is going to go wrong with the bankruptcy. I don't know what I'll do then. I'm trying to be optimistic, but it's so scary. This is something that I really wanted to avoid, and now here I am. It seems that every smart financial decision that I've made is now a bad one. I can only hope, that in 2 weeks, it turns out well. please.

Part Three

Soooo, when I left off before, I had gotten a new job, the short sale papers were in, and I thought things were going pretty well. Then, there was the notice on my door. I went to pick up the certified mail. I had been served.

It was a copy of the foreclosure. Listed on one of the first pages were others that had a claim on the property. It seemed there were liens. I called the mortgage co. Sure enough, there were 2 liens on the property. In her name. Placed in 2005. To the tune of about $7000 dollars. This was putting the short sale in jeopardy. They would pay up to $2000, but the ER (ex-roommate) would have to get them to settle for that. The representative from the mortgage co emailed her. The ER said she would get it taken care of.

Many emails between ER and mortgage co later, it appeared to be settled. It's now March. I was offered my old job back, and went. Things were going as planned. I signed a listing agreement with a realtor. The application for the short sale program was pending, but according to the mortgage co, it looked good.

April. Happy Birthday to me! I'm almost done with school! Short sale stuff is still pending, mortgage co and ER still emailing about the liens, still looks good.

May. I graduate! I found a new job, a real children's librarian! It's a great job. I'll start in June! On my last day at the old job, I get a phone call from the mortgage co. The short sale is approved! That weekend, we were off to Ohio for Jason's sister's wedding. Nice hotel, nice company, etc. While we were at the rehearsal dinner, the restaurant caught fire! we all had to go outside for a while, but we took pictures with the fire truck. It was fun. Then the morning of the wedding, as Jason and I were getting ready to go to a movie, my cell phone rings. It's the mortgage company.

Sick

I feel awful today. I don't know if it's allergies or something I picked up yesterday at the doctor's office or what. I'm really stressed out because I'm having to declare bankruptcy. This is, of course a sneak peek at what I hope is the ending to the long story I've been posting on here. If you're out there, hope that it goes well!

ANYWAY, I'm sick. My nose is all stuffed up and my head hurts. The nose stuff started last night. I bet poor Jason has felt like this all week! He's still the best ever, by the way. Really helping me get through all of this.

Picture is where I'd like to be...

The Next Episode

Okay, when I left the story before, I had just lost my job, and was still getting promises from my (ex) roommate that she would pay bills and help me out as I looked for a new roommate. I got a new job 2 days after I lost the first, but it wasn't what I was looking for. I had a good lead on a better job, so I left the new job to pursue this one.

Something I hadn't mentioned yet, during all of this I was discovering that she had transferred all of the utilities into my name without my knowledge. I asked her about it and she said that the companies had let her when she said we were both on the mortgage. When I talked to the utility companies, they said that only I, with my social security number could have changed them.

At this point, it had become obvious to me that :

1. I could not find a new roommate.
2. I sure couldn't afford the house on my own.

I called the mortgage company and asked them what I could do. They recommended a short sale, but said I would have to have her signature to do it. She was not answering calls or emails. I sent her an email asking her to take responsibility and work with me to dispose of the condo. I received an email in return that was full of venom. In it she told me that everything was my fault and that every bad thing that had happened to her in the 7 years we lived together was due to me. It also said, however that she would be glad to do the short sale.

I moved in with Jason. I had the condo cleaned. I started the short sale paperwork. The condo was empty. Soon, I begin to get "final notices" for utilities and home owner's association dues that had not been paid. I pad them all. I settled a lawsuit from the home owner's association. These were not the utilities in my name, but the ones in hers from when we were both living there.

Pretty soon, I got that new job I was hoping for. I started teaching preschool at a daycare. I liked it, but it was hard work, with no recognition, and little support from administration. The ex-roommate came through with a signature on the quitclaim deed that the mortgage company told me I would need to pursue the short sale on my own. I sent in all of the paperwork for the short sale. I had to get counseling to send in the short sale paperwork, and the counselor thought everything would go well, as long as there were no liens on the property. I assured her that if there were, I would surely know about them. Everything was on track. Then in February, there was a sticker on my door, asking me to go pick up some certified mail.

Happier news

I didn't want my first depressing post to just sit. So, here's a happier, shorter one. We got a new couch! It's awesome!!! It's green!!! It's really comfy. We are so happy with the way the living room and whole house are shaping up! We are going to paint the wall behind the couch blue, and one wall in the kitchen is already beautiful bright green. Jason is putting up white shelves all around, and we are going to put cars up on them. I really feel like it's home. This place feels more like home to me than the condo ever did.