Luck, Suzi!

So, I survived the journey away from home without any...ummm...indelicate problems. Got the fraud report signed and have a new card now. The credit union is switching from Visa to MasterCard and apparently MC has better security. In the meantime, the clerk advised to run my card as credit whenever possible over debit. Harder to skim according to her.

I also spoke on the phone with the local mortgage lady. She said that they have just recently started accepting co-signers and it is new enough that she needed to do some research before we start the pre-approval process. So, slight progress there.

The big issue is that they don't immediately credit back the fraudulent charges - it may take a day or two or so - they couldn't commit to a time frame. I have until the 4th before I start getting late fees on my rent. K-Bug said she would cover me if we get to that point, so it isn't as bad as it could be. Just sucks donkey balls.

Okay, the funeral for my grandfather is scheduled for Friday morning. Trying to get to LAX from where my family lives is a logistical nightmare.

Should I try to reschedule my flight to something super early on Saturday morning to spend a day and a half with friends? Or just cancel it altogether?

I guess I should call American to see if that's even an option, huh.

I say go if you can, shrift.

That all sounds about as good as can be expected, Suzi.

Dad is out of surgery and actually pretty alert. They had him conscious through the whole thing which I am having trouble wrapping my brain around, but it sounds like everything went well. They are, as expected, keeping him overnight so I'm gonna go keep my mom company tonight.

clerk advised to run my card as credit whenever possible over debit.

This is always sound advice. Debit PIN-based transactions are not covered by Visa or Mastercard's zero-fraud liability guarantee. There is the potential for your account to be wiped clean, and you have no recourse for recovery if you choose to purchase goods via debit and PIN.

Suzi, I would also ask around for mortgage broker recommendations. They have access to multiple funding sources, all of which may have different thresholds for co-signers and risk. It doesn't hurt to do the comparison shopping. Keep in mind though, you don't want them pulling your credit willy-nilly, unless you're ready to buy a house. Multiple credit pulls by different banks/lenders over a short period of time are usually treated as one hard pull because the scoring agencies realize you're shopping for a house. Spread out, they will count as multiple, and each one will drop your credit score.

shrift, FWIW, I'd try and spend time with friends. You've been under enough stress, and time with people who are good for you never hurts. Unless the rescheduling causes more stress for you, in which case ignore my advice.

Edit: Glad to hear it, -t! Sounds like a routine process and recovery for him.

Holy crap, it's March already. It's like entire months are just dropping into a black hole.

mr. flea said to me yesterday, "It's Feb. 23rd, right?" I was like, "No, March 1st. It's a good thing I pay the bills in this family."

It's now meteorological Spring! Daylight Saving Time starts in less than a week! Vernal Equinox in less than three weeks!

And today we're having some of the first snow of the year.

shrift, I second Maria's advice. I hope it all works out. Sending you much ~ma.