It sounds like you and your adversary need to communicate better. All of the issues you are talking about are best worked out between the parties...

In pleadings, you should probably stick to "plaintiff" or your proper name to refer to yourself. In briefs you can be a little less formal, so...

Can I appeal the decision to not grant a continuance of the summary judgment hearing so I could find a new lawyer?

This hearing was six months ago? If judgment was entered, most likely it is too late to appeal. You generally only have 60 days to file an appeal...

Any Ideas for making this work out or get me out?

Tell them you will do your best to get the price reduced, and then go back to them with the best you are able to get. Deal with the $400 bill later.

Can I prepare my witness by giving her the rundown of possible questions prior to her taking the witness stand? Is this allowed

Assuming you are allowed to call witnesses at this hearing, you should most definitely prepare the witness for the questions you expect will be...

1) can the judge force me to use a certain court reporter; and 2) if a court transcript is not accurate can it bring a motion?

The motion you would be filing in that situation would be called a motion to tick off the judge. Or at least that would be the effect of it.

It is called a cross-complaint, and yes, you can name both defendants as cross-complainants, so long as you have a shared understanding as to how...

Prior business acquaintance claims I owe $15K for a loan, threatens to call police, litigation, contact my employer

You might send a polite but firm written response stating what your understanding of the agreement was, i.e., that you believed he was paying you...

Is there anything that I can do to curb opposing counsel from abusing me as a self represented litigant?

If they have spent more than six figures on this case, they probably feel abused also. Litigation seems to be getting both sides nowhere. Maybe you...

Will we get our deposit back thru mediation? Should her attorney have known about publishing the property so this could go thru

What you will get in mediation is whatever you can persuade the other side to give you. Mediation does not follow any rules, and there is no law or...