I dreamed a dream...

It's incredibly dangerous to peruse this site "just for fun."  My "just for fun" jaunt has now developed into a full-fledged obsession with an adorable little townhouse nearby.  I NEED it.  (Okay, so I don't need it but tell that to the little devilish redhead on my shoulder.)

The price is fantastic, its in a great location and would be a super starter home, especially for a single woman.  That is also where the problem comes in.  As a single woman who is racking up student loans as we speak and is still trying to unearth herself from some poor monetary decisions while she was in her 20's and clinically depressed (retail therapy anyone?), I have found that qualifying for a loan on my own is not a possibility right now until I have enough money to eliminate some bills.  It would be different with a second income coming in but alas you need another in your household to bring that money in the door and that does not appear to be in the cards any time soon (the cat's a lazy cuss and refuses to go to work).  It's funny how people always dream of winning millions in the lottery but in reality winning $25,000 would make one of my biggest dreams possible.  Oh how your perspective can change as you become more and more adult like... :)

So here are a few pics of the house - its not super fancy, it certainly isn't my dream house but it is my dream "right now" house...

$ 109,900

3 bed 

2.5 bath

Front of town home

Bar and fireplace

Bar and open kitchen

Kitchen, dining nook and deck

Kitchen, nook and view!

Deck off the master bedroom, yes please!

View toward the Columbia river - would be super pretty on a clear day

So cute, sad it's not feasible...

What I have to keep on telling myself is that there are plenty of other people my age who aren't able to buy a home either, that I have a nice rental right now and that I am most likely in a better position financially than some my age... these self-affirmations however don't equate a home of my own or a nice deduction on my taxes.   Alas, patience is a virtue Sara... remember this.  

I do admit, however, that I look forward to the possibility of marriage someday - not only for the companionship and love but also the possibility to purchase a place of my own (or, our own).  I am also reminding myself on a daily basis that the right guy will come along some day and that it must be God's plan that I have yet to meet a man who is capable of loving me just the way I am.  Surely there's someone out there, right?

This verse was shared with me at my confirmation as an "adult" in the Lutheran church, it has always held a truly special meaning for me.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make you straight in your paths.

                               -Proverbs 3:5-6

Another that brings hope:

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.

                              -Psalm 143:8

High Fidelity - Eric Church and Springsteen

I love Eric Church's unique sound (which, I admit, took me awhile to like at first) and I'm really digging this song right now.  Doesn't hurt that he's perty to look at as well.  ;)

I took a cue from the title of the previous song, "Springsteen" and have included a couple of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs. :)

While I'm not a big fan of 'the boss' in general there are a few songs of his that have a special place in my heart.  

The first two were released in my formative music years - middle school.  The first is "Streets of Philadelphia" which was from the Tom Hanks movie "Philadelphia" released in 1993.  

The second is "Secret Garden" which was the theme to "Jerry Maguire" starring Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger released in 1995.  

While both songs were indeed from movies that isn't why I like them (heck, I didn't see them until I was in college!). I enjoy these songs because whenever I hear them they take me back to that feeling of being 11 to 13 and so at awe with the world, so hopeful for the future, for love.  I love how certain songs can take you right back to specific moments in time - there are a lot of early 90's songs that do that to me. 

The third I just personally discovered a couple of years ago even though it is from the mid-1980's.  It just happened to pop up on a Pandora station one day and I immediately took note.  I love how the percussion sounds like a train, the song just sounds like it comes from a raw place.  Love, love.

Eric Church

High Fidelity - The Temper Trap and Miranda Lambert

My boss said this afternoon, after I randomly decided during the last half hour of our day that our entire department needed to boogie to the B-52's "Love Shack" and proceeded to play it for everyone to enjoy, that I have a very "eclectic taste" in music.  He then proceeded to translate this more clearly into "Sara likes some crazy, random stuff".  I took it as a compliment.  :)

I couldn't make up my mind this evening about which song to feature so you get both.  :)   This will probably happen more and more cause there are so many great songs out there to share!

The first is a song that came out in 2010 but gathered air play in summer of 2011 here in the US.  It is from The Temper Trap and it still remains toward the top of my playlist.  I just love it.  Here's "Sweet Disposition"

Miranda Lambert is one of my favorite female country artists right now, she's just so real and a total dork (check out her twitter feed @Miranda_Lambert for evidence!) not to mention her songs are so great!  This one really speaks to me right now, I love the reminder that God does not require you to be perfect - he loves you just the way you are.  The thought of  being worthy of just kicking back and drinking a glass of wine with Jesus cause he accepts you and all your faults is awesome.  This is "Heart Like Mine"...