Houston, we have a problem.

I'm really trying not to panic here, but for the last 4 and 1/2 hours, I have only extrapolated to the worst possible scenerio outcomes. My mind is having great difficulty wrapping itself around the latest development, and I feel like I am somewhat detached from it all, orbiting in a zero-gravity space, looking down on it all, seeing it happening. What is it, you ask?

Our mortgage broker causually mentioned the other day to find out if Dan is on probabtion for his new job, then to call back with the answer. I did. He told me he's on 3 month probation. I called and told them this today. Their response? "Oh, well, that changes everything. I'm sorry, but no one will lend you money if he's on probation. You'll have to wait until he's done probation to try to get preapproved and buy a house." Pardon me? I called our present mortgage holder and asked her again about a new mortgage, and because, on paper, Dan isn't guaranteed more than his 32 hours/week earnings, even if we put down in excess of $150,000 on a new home for a downpayment, they still wouldn't approve us for a loan.

You have got to me frickin' kidding me. I feel like pretty woman in the fancy shops (banks) with all the money crumpled up in my hands crying "I have all this money, and no one will help me." Our credit rating is excellent--they've all said so. We have absolutely no debt, except for our present mortgage.

So why the hell are they just telling us this now? After I've quit my permanent teaching job, we've listed our house, accepted a new job, even gone so far as to put an offer in on a home (yes, hindsight is thankful that fell through!), but HONESTLY! We have changed our whole lives based on their word that, "No problem, guaranteed, if you put 25% down, and with your good credit, there's not even a question of you being approved. It's a sure thing." And they forgot to mention the whole question of probation?! Is this not their jobs? Are we supposed to know all the ins and outs to watch for before changing around our whole lives?

And the kicker? Dan realized today that he's not on probation for three months, he's on for six months. Our present mortgage holder told us to go rent a house.

I can't even comprehend that this is happening. In my mind I keep thinking, obviously there has to be a solution. This can't end like this. This isn't it. But what's the solution? Beats me. I'll have to get back to you.