In another nonsensical episode of “This is Erica’s Life!” we discuss the hopes and dreams in Portland, the longing for a particular house and the joys of orange juice. Brought to you by Stress, Gray Hair and Irritable Personality Disorder. We now return to our regularly scheduled madness.

Cat’s going to look at a house for us. It’s in the NE section of town, just a half mile from the Max train line, in a area full of shops and cafes, near (and I mean REALLY close) a bike trail, in a neighborhood full of dog-people and big porches.

Sunny, bright 3 bedroom craftsman home
Close-in and easy access to downtown
Prime bike routes on Williams/Vancouver
Short 5 min. walk to Mississippi Ave restaurants and shops
Spacious living and dining rooms
3 bedrooms upstairs
Large covered front porch
Hardwood floors
Kitchen has dishwasher, large refrigerator and electric range
New washer/dryer
Back door opens onto fenced yard with mature landscaping and cherry tree
Off-street parking

Can we say “MCEACHERNSNEEDTOLIVETHEREDAMNIT”!!!!!?!?!?

Yes, I think we can all say that. I am very very hopeful. I submitted our applications last night via e-mail and I am hopeful that Cat and convince him that we are not psychos and we are nice people with nice dogs and need a nice house for our nice life. Sometimes I hate renting. There’s no return investment. But in our situation, it is best that we scope the place out before we buy. I’m eager to make Portland my home. Very eager, in fact. But first, that starts with this house, then a job, and then i can think about the future.

I usually drink V8 fusion with my breakfast sandwich (english muffin, egg product, morningstar “bacon”), but I ran out of my beloved juice. Perhaps I am a 5 year old, but I need juice with my breakfast and coffee. D has a big bottle of OJ in the fridge. I stole a glass. Drinking orange juice in the morning makes me happy. Perhaps its the sunny color or the bright flavor, but it sits well in my tummy and the flavor lingers on my smile.

I may have mentioned this before, but I really love Lamb. I’ve been listening to them for 10 years (where’s my expiration date??) and their songs have moved through time with me, and sound the same and different with these older ears and this happier heart.

Coffee is good for motivation and focus. My mania is a constant right now, and it takes forever for me to spiral back into sleep. I refuse to take my Seroquel. That shit fucks me up like nothing else, and I end up with a med hangover. I’m not a morning person to begin with, but that stuff just makes it 100 times harder to get moving. Now, given the days of mania, if I am still up and running and going 10000 miles a minute, then I will take 25mg or a full 50 on the weekend. But then it’s “DeadErica” for the rest of the day. Sometimes being bipolar is SUCH a pain in the ass. Side note (*snicker*) when I get stressed, I go manic. It’s like my mind and body know that I need to get things done as rapidly as possible. The bitch of it is that in my speediness I do forget or overlook things. Let’s hear it for lack of focus!!
D and I are going to have to buy a bed when we get to Portland. The bed we spent a bajillion dollars on (tempurpedic knockoff) has turned into a torture device. Any suggestions?

And now, we return to our regularly (but unenthusiastic) scheduled work….