House Porn

When I was in D.C., I used to spend down time at work checking out Hart90's website (a rescue agency for wayward dogs). I wonder where Billy Brown ended up? I like to think that he would have been happy in Portland, bopping along on the sidewalks and hanging out at the dog friendly breweries. Anyway, Jesse called it "doggie porn" because I would obsessively send him photos of dogs that desperately wanted to come home with me.

I have grown up a lot since we moved to Portland. I now engage in "house porn" and often send Jesse links to totally cute houses that would love for us to make them our home. Today, against my better judgment (and his), I checked out the houses for sale in our area. I found a totally rad two-story house in an up and coming neighborhood. I must have been wearing my bad idea jeans, because I actually got in the car (under the guise of an errand to pick up new windshield wiper blades) to check it out. Jesse let me go on one provision; that I wouldn't come back home totally bummed and cry about the fact that we can not possibly buy said home right now. I promised.

To start, I must confess that the photo above is not a great. The house does not list to the side -- I was trying to quickly take a photo out of the window while driving (a stick shift car). I realized once I got there that this was probably close to my dream house (but not located in my dream neighborhood). For the love of god, look at those built-ins?! They're everywhere. And the house is within our ideal 3-mile radius. Totally a bikeable distance from downtown. Anyway, I came home all amped on the fact that there were still houses out there that need my love -- houses that still have awesome built-ins that haven't been painted and polished with granite counter tops.

Jesse was quick to jump to reality with "blah blah" 20% down payment and how many years (YEARS) we might have to save to reach that goal. Way to kill a Sunday afternoon. I guess he's right, I do need to be brought down to reality now and again. I think when he saw my face drop and all happiness leave my soul, he quickly poured me a beer and started back-peddling on how it totally won't take that long. I'm a jerk for evening looking right now, but I can't help but flip back to those initial plans that I had when we moved out to Portland. I was supposed to have a pretty steady job by now! Damn you economy! We were supposed to be looking for houses in the spring.

I'm okay now. I've banished all house thoughts from my head (for this week at least). However, don't mind me as I shove you over in line for that temp/admin job. There are too many cute bungalows out there calling my name!