A state of want is temporary.

Typically I wait a day to write important emails like that, just so emotions don't make me want to write too much.  

Additionally, if there is organic matter that is still decomposing, the grouting sounds like a temporary fix, as there will be more settling after the remaining material continues to decompose.  

I'm not mixing emotion with anything.

What if she says that: "The cat is a unique service animal who provides emotional support to my son who suffers from anxiety from being abused prior to my adopting him at age 5"Now she call this cat Emotional Support Animal.

Since this is your primary residence the higher interest each year would probably help with your taxes as well so paying down principal might be more of an emotional rather than a financial decision.

Also, you ought to delegate as much of this situation and the remedies to experts so that you can focus on helping your tenants and their families during the next few months endure the hardship of winter and Holidays  in temporary accommodation.

In many cases, they are being given a temporary cost of living allotment from their employer, so they don't care about the exorbitant rent you charge them because someone else is paying for it, but they DO really appreciate that it's already furnished with all the creature comforts that hotels don't have.

Their house was up for foreclosure in two weeks and they were trying to sell before the auction all while trying to find somewhere to move in a market where rental houses were few and far between.Needless to say, they were emotionally worn out.Their predicament was not of their own doing.

So after all the dust settles & you go through all of the emotions (anger, blame etc) you will come to a crossroads.