Welcome nolalakeviewgirl and just ignore the idiot posters on here. Most of them don't even read the article or post before jumping on people. Anybody in the area KNOWS how bad the postal service is down here right now and your story is perfectly believable. Also, I would imagine the landlord has somebody already who is willing to pay more rent than you are obligated to pay right now.
I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you but I hope it works out. If some of the posters are right and this turns out to be a hoax than so be it. But in the meantime I prefer to have faith in people and give them the benefit of the doubt. What have I lost if it proves to be otherwise? Nothing.
I also find it funny the way they jump on "newbies" as if they aren't worthy. Everybody was a newbie at one point, right?
And most of the ones doing the trashing are noobs themselves.
Unfortuanately every bit of this is true. I was hoping to get some thoughtful responses. I should have known better. Some of the people here seem to think everything is your own fault and nothing could possibly ever happen that was not in your power.