An explanation...

of sorts, regarding our sudden decision to move. First, our septic system has completely failed. We have had continuous off and on trouble since December 2004, and now it's just dead. We're living in constant fear that despite the port-a-potty, etc. our house will be red-tagged. Secondly, my father-in-law, the technical property owner, refuses to give us any paperwork that actually shows the mortgage value and the payment amounts being applied to it. Why? Well, we hear from his brother that he's charging us about $400 a month more than the actual payment amounts, because we're paying half his mortgage (in Arizona) too. Third, every room in the house now leaks in any kind of rain. FIL says "put plastic over it"... this solution would lead to rot in what is left. Fourth, we started digging up the yard for a veggie garden and discovered a veritable landmine of non-biodegradable garbage, from the approximately 20 years my in-laws lived there. I knew when we moved in that there were some problems with the house, but this is beyond what we can and will be able to fix.
That said, we have gotten an apartment in Santa Rosa! We move in on April 1st. It is the nicest apartment I have ever rented, so I am actually kind of excited. I am also returning to school at last. Funny, FIL and his wife have avoided taking responsibility for any of the problems with the house, until we gave notice. Now they're coming here next week to "fix" everything.