Thank you guys so much! This information is exactly what I'm looking for, I feel much more optimistic about this now with your advice!
And the woman who I mentioned about the thank you is going to write me a rec letter for her house, and she said she would also forward my email to some people that she knows, so I feel that since she is doing that, even though it's not a hige effort, I should still send a thank you note. Thanks again, ladies