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Rachael Herron

(R.H. Herron)

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Bribery

October 20, 2004

Thanks for ALL the compliments on Cromarty! I lurve wearing it, I really do. It fits, and it’s soft (Koigu goodness), and when I met Mariko and Marie and Megan for a spot of yarn shopping on Monday, there was a group of knitters at the store. They made me model and spin and show off, and they made a big ole fuss over me. It felt great. And then we had frozen custard. All was right with the world.

Well, on the house front, I have good news. I can call it good news because it’s quite a bit better than bad news, which makes it good, right? My realtor said she talked to the lender’s agent and talked that person into going to the boss’s boss’s boss and telling him that her client “is a dispatcher, and there will be plenty of really unhappy cops and citizens if this girl doesn’t get her loan funded.” That is not true. There would be an unhappy writer/dispatcher/knitter in the Biggety-biggety-O, sure. But who am I to argue with corporate arm-twisting? They say that the boss agreed, and that the loan docs are going to come in any minute. Uh-huh.

Somehow this smacks of the guy at the car dealership shaking his head and saying, “Jaiz, I’d love to help you, but my boss isn’t going to like it. Man, I’d love it if you bought this car. My wife’s divorcing me, and I don’t know where I’m going to get the money for the court battle to see the kids.” (I once had a car salesman tell me exactly that. I waited until I was outside to roll my eyes.) And then he goes in the back room and he and The Boss talk about the Red Sox until he comes back out and says, “I don’t know how I did it, but he agreed. He’ll lower the price by seventy-three cents. Just for you. Whew. Ain’tchew lucky?”

Anyway. None of it sounds real anymore. We’ll just wait and see, and what’s meant to be, will be. I believe that, I really do.

There’s more good news, actually. My landlord called and apologetically said, “Rachael, all the people you sent me from the open house changed their minds or found other places to live. We have to start all over again.” This was the other night, when I thought for sure the lender wasn’t going to come through, so I said, “Oh, GOOD! Can I have it for another month?” I’ve already paid last-month’s-rent, so it won’t be any money out of pocket (a good thing, since I ain’t got none), and no matter what, it’ll either be a place to live, or it’ll give me more time to move. I swear, when I heard that, it was like a migraine lifting. And I didn’t even know I had a headache. I don’t think I knew just how upset I was at moving with no place to go until the fear was given a reprieve.

And I know it’s all happening because I have a lot of knitters’ fingers crossed for me. Y’all must be dropping stitches out there, huh? I appreciate it, SO much.

Love!

Posted by Rachael Leave a Comment

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Comments

  1. Kathleen says

    October 20, 2004 at 3:24 pm

    The not bad news is great and the good news terrific! I love when things work out like that.
    BTW, I was waiting to read you got custard on Cromarty. I am glad you didn’t. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Nathania says

    October 20, 2004 at 3:45 pm

    Well, it’s beyond finger crossing at this point, babe. I mean, you’re showing up in my dreams and stuff. I have faith that all will be well.

    Reply
  3. Cari says

    October 20, 2004 at 5:06 pm

    Thanks to you I’ve learned to knit with fingers firmly crossed.
    MWAH!

    Reply
  4. amisha says

    October 20, 2004 at 5:39 pm

    Hey there,
    SO glad to hear that things are looking up. Sometimes we don’t realize how much we need the safety net until it arrives… and as someone who hates and fears moving (until it’s over, then it’s great!) my heart was going out to you for having to move without the secure spot at the other end. You know the truth, though… I think things *have* to work out for you, because you put so much positive energy out there into the world that it’s gotta come back to you. And I’m so in awe of your leap of faith. And keeping your sanity in the face of what really does seem like a surreal, farcical (except not that funny) lending situation… so bizarre.
    BTW, Cromarty! Hot diggety damn, girl! I have to second everyone that it is an incredible work of art. I have some Jo Sharp tweed coming in the mail for a yummy cably cardie thing, and I am so totally inspired by you! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Mariko says

    October 20, 2004 at 6:07 pm

    Hey, I think all that is VERY good news! The loan will come through eventually, but now you don’t have to stress about it as much, since you have an extra month. Phew! But why didn’t anyone want your gorgeous apartment! Pooey.
    And hello, 71 comments on your Cromarty? Geez, you are a popular gal!

    Reply
  6. michelle says

    October 20, 2004 at 6:39 pm

    I love it when good things happen to nice people.

    Reply
  7. amy says

    October 20, 2004 at 7:57 pm

    Well that is GREAT! On both owning and renting fronts.. You can now relax a bit 🙂

    Reply
  8. Yvette says

    October 20, 2004 at 11:07 pm

    YowZa! That Cromarty! Excuse me while I drool over the sweater. I knew she was gonna be gorgeous, and she is. Love that shade of Kersti. And the pics are terrific!
    By the way, finished Filey about a month ago. Ms. Starmore was right on track – 24 balls of Den-m-nit. So much for sleepless over possible yarn shortage. What to do with 6 leftover balls?

    Reply
  9. Ann says

    October 20, 2004 at 11:08 pm

    Do not EVEN get me started on car salesmen.
    Happy home, all ways.

    Reply
  10. Ann says

    October 20, 2004 at 11:09 pm

    Oh, and one other thing: cops, schmops. They need to look out for the knitters.

    Reply
  11. Em says

    October 21, 2004 at 4:54 am

    Wow, the synchronicity of those two things is mind-boggling! So glad you don’t have to couch surf. My goodness, though. What a hassle!

    Reply
  12. Eilene says

    October 21, 2004 at 5:22 am

    Sometimes things just fall into place…a good place! 🙂

    Reply
  13. susan says

    October 21, 2004 at 7:38 am

    Keep hanging in there, sweetcakes!

    Reply
  14. Janine says

    October 21, 2004 at 7:44 am

    So what are we to conclude about the three events: finishing Cromarty, the opportunity to remain in place for a month, and the positive news about the loan? Is this a sign that we are to pull out our WIPS and bring them to completion? Is this a cosmic chain letter kind of thing???
    Your lovely Cromarty, as a symbol of perseverence, might be just the thing to tip the moneylenders’ balance sheets in your favor!

    Reply
  15. elizabeth says

    October 21, 2004 at 8:45 am

    I agree with Ann, your realator may have been stretching the truth about the upset cops but she didn’t even mention all of us knitters with point sticks! We’ll poke them until they loan you the money. poke. poke. poke.

    Reply
  16. alison says

    October 21, 2004 at 9:16 am

    So glad you won’t be living on the streets! I won’t uncross my fingers yet, though… xo

    Reply
  17. Rachel T says

    October 21, 2004 at 9:25 am

    Good times!! I know that I only usually figure out how much stress I’m under when I finally relax and become a little puddle on the couch. But great news on the rent situation. Lace knitting with crossed fingers is really hard!!

    Reply
  18. Bliss says

    October 21, 2004 at 11:05 am

    So glad to hear you have a little breathing room concerning a roof over your head. I’m still believing the loan will come through to make the condo yours. I think the fact that not one of the group that toured your apartment snapped it up is no coincidence. Your apartment is lovely, and all these people managed to resist it AND George? Nah.
    Cromarty is the bomb. My head is still swimming from the fact that it was knitted on size ONES. I cry when I have to knit socks on size 1’s. You knitted a magnificent sweater on 1’s. Once again I bow to your superior skills your highness.
    Although the police and fire dept. might not take up arms in the streets over your not getting the loan, I think it’s safe to say you could rustle up a daunting crowd of manic knitters wielding their pointiest needles (size 1 of course)hee!

    Reply
  19. Mandy says

    October 21, 2004 at 11:47 am

    Awesome, Rachael! I’m so very, very glad to hear that the pieces are coming together. 🙂 Your Cromarty is breathtaking, too – the yarn makes it look like something carved. Wow. Hang in there, my dear! Moving is freaky – I know I’ve developed a new nervous twitch over the last few weeks. I really can’t wait to hear more about your new place-to-be. 🙂 xo

    Reply
  20. Angel says

    October 21, 2004 at 6:38 pm

    what’s the name of the place u got frozen custard? Dying to know.

    Reply

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