Last night I dreamed about having a family get-together at an aunt's palatial estate (which she does not own in reality) where my dad, my deceased cousin, and another aunt whose funeral I just attended were present. I had rigged up a model train to carry a Godzilla doll attacking a building as entertainment for the kids.

Welp, the condo buyer backed out. So. I'm getting the earnest money, thank goodness, because we are Out. Of. Money. until it sells, but I'm feeling a lot of stress about it all. It was supposed to close (cash sale) in May. Then the guy asked for a one-month extension, so the new date was June 16. Got everything signed and notarized and ready before leaving today, and got the call this morning that the guy has to cancel because he can't close due to some snafu with a business loan. The property values in that area have gone down since it listed two months ago, so I probably won't get as good an offer as we did initially.

But it's not really about the money (though, yes, a lot of the stress is about the money). It's also about closure. I'm hosting Dad's celebration of life Sunday, and I really really wanted that to be the end so when ND and I head to Ireland on the 15th, I could really disconnect from the bureaucracy and management and logistics and spend time healing. Instead, I'm still going to be worrying about maxing out credit cards and signing documents and all of the bureaucracy that comes with death.

I know it's going to be okay. I do. It's just hard today.

Oh no, Pix! That's a disappointment, for sure.

Oh no!

Are you ok with us sharing the Zillow listing?

Pix, that is so damn frustrating! I wish this process would just go smoothly for you.

Thanks, all.

Sure, msbelle, but I think my realtors are calling back some other agents who expressed interest first. But if you know someone who you think might be interested in the area, please share away.

Oh, Pix! I am sorry. Yes, good idea. I will share the listing.

ION, I have a mouse in the house. Which isn't all that surprising after being closed all winter, but both animals are going nuts. I expect Scully will prevail. I left the door open for her to take it outside, hopefully. eta: Not a mouse, a squirrel, it must have come in via the cat door. This is not good.

AUGH, Pix. Real estate stress is the worst.

In related good/bad news, my school offered me a chunk of change to create a new online course over the summer — a serious time commitment. I had turned them down to allow myself an actual summer off and was so proud of myself for putting my mental/emotional health first, but I was able to reach back out and say I'd take it after all, so that will give us more of a buffer if it takes awhile for the condo to sell and close.

Stupid responsible, adult decisions.