Got it!

Just got a call and was offered the job! In the midst of all the car chaos it's comforting to know I'll be getting a paycheck soon.

It'll take a week of processing before I can start work. The woman who called asked what I hoped to make. "Well, I've been told that designers in San Francisco get between ___ and ____ so I was hoping for something in that range." (Considering that I made half that at my last job I had to laugh at my own nonchalance). She asked what I'd made in my previous job and, thinking on my feet, I scrambled, "Less than that, since Baltimore was a lower scale for everything. For example we had a three-bedroom house that cost us $125,000." She laughed and offered me something within that range. Inside I was excited but calmly answered, "That should be fine for now."

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I took a humor risk during the interview when they said they'd need to do a drug test. I acted like I was getting up to go and exclaimed, "Well, that's it for me then!" Fortunately in the job description they'd mentioned that humor was important.

My other risky response during the interview was when they asked how I handle stress. I grinned, "You mean aside from running around the room cursing?"

I guess I was right about their humor. Phew!

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Modified to add: I met with one of my freelance clients yesterday. He has a few deals that might go through in the next couple months. I just couldn't wait to find out if they were going to work out. He asked what they offered me so that he would know what he has to offer to buy me out! It may not happen, but it was flattering to be asked.