House Hunting

Milo - who planted the seed of relocating to a home with a backyard. 

Oli M - who took the idea of relocating and just sprinted with it. 

I used to be a dedicated viewer of HGTV's House Hunters. Prospective buyers toured precisely three houses, decisively choose one to purchase, moved in and presumably lived happily ever after. 

That was pretty much my story when I went house hunting for my condo. I toured a few places, fell in love with my condo, submitted an offer, which was promptly accepted and before I knew it I was moved in and trying to figure out which light switch turned on which light. 

I figured I'd stay here forever. My home is my sanctuary. I've been hearing the expression, bury me in the backyard, rather frequently and that would have applied to me, too, except I don't have a backyard. This was the start of my problem. 

I barely noticed the end of my street until my dachshund, Milo, came into my life. Then I discovered what lay beyond my street - a whole wooded area - that Milo absolutely loved to explore. He planted the seed. That maybe a backyard was something I should acquire. 

Then came Oli M's arrival (it's Milo spelled backwards, in case you are wondering). He punted the idea of a backyard into the stratosphere. Oli is a man who lives to walk. He also loves to eat whatever his nose finds, bark at whatever he hears  and yearns to say hello to every pedestrian who crosses his path. Going on walks for my rascal Coton de Tulear made me think that 99 percent of the trouble Oli stirs up would be eliminated if only I could give him a backyard. 

This thought was proceeded by my parents' very generous offer to give me the money to buy a home with a backyard. 

Awesome, I thought. It will be just like HGTV's House Hunters and just like my previous house hunt.  Only it isn't. I've turned my nose up at a lot of homes and had my purchase offers be rejected, twice. I know I shouldn't take these rejections personally but there is a slight sting.  What's so wrong with what I have to offer?!

Even worse, I've made promises to Oli to get him a backyard and rid him of the inconvenience of climbing up and down stairs. Sure, he still loves me but I know I have broken a promise. 

After my most recent failed attempt at buying a house I am left wondering if this whole house hunt is worth it. I'll need to face whatever obstacle presents itself when Oli and I go for a walk and I'll need to drag my vacuum up a flight of stairs to clean each step but such is life. Maybe I can be buried under floor boards instead of a backyard.

I sat outside on my balcony tonight to eat dinner. I love looking to my left and seeing the mountains' jigsaw silhouette. I see the Otowi building from my perch and the cool gear sculpture on the Eco Station. I used to see Omega Bridge but then the Hill Apartments were built and it is obscured from my view. I was resentful of that but then again, change happens. You have to roll with it and see what approaches you next.