ch-ch-ch-changes

Well, readers, it looks like we are buying a house. This is something Scott and I have gone back and forth on (sometimes not so happily) over the past year or so and we are 98% sure we are going to make a move. 


I have finally come to terms that the money we plan to spend will get us this:

**

versus this in another state.

Ah, the price you pay for living in the Bay Area. But we have a good thing going here so we are going to hunker down, suck it up, and pay our mortgage. 


Well, that is if we can trick someone into actually letting us buy a home ;-). I kid, we are going about this very smart and slowly and will buy when we find the right home at the right price in the right location. Easy, right? We could be looking until 2020. 


Aren't I funny today? 


In all seriousness it is a very exciting venture in our lives and we (I'm) looking forward to owning a home that we can do whatever we want to and call it our own. 


We'll be sure to keep you posted!


**Ok, full disclosure, I did pick one of the smaller options in our price range for dramatic effect. 

Ski Trip 2011

It's been a few years but the annual ski trip resumed this year in Lake Tahoe.  The Yared, Koon, Strand, and Retchless families headed from our respective homes to the North Shore for good food, wine, company, and skiing.  

The killer dining room table.  So many great dinners had here!

The skiing was a bit crazy this year.  Day 1: normal, decent March snow.  Day 2: 14"+ of fresh powder. It was amazing! Day 3: Rain.  Ugh.  According to my dad it was snowing at the top but we opted to skip paying for the lift ticket and enjoyed lunch at the Brasserie, a nap, and more family time.  Day 4: EPIC.  Unfortunately, Scott and I didn't get to ski in the 20" of fresh snow.  It was a travel day for us back home to SF and our pomeranians.  Pretty much a giant bummer.  I guess we'll have to go again soon!

Miss Kayla all bundled!

Sledding fun!

Gab was waist deep in snow!

Scott watching the snow/sledding fun from the deck. 

Tanner's turn

A few pre-St. Patrick's Day treats. 

Catching snowflakes!

Grammy and her Grandkid's. 

The Yared Family at the top of Alpine.

Koon/Retchless Family.

Mom and Gab enjoying hot chocolate on the rainy day.

There is a Rav 4 in there somewhere.  This was the scene before we headed back to SF.

So here we are, back in reality preparing for work tomorrow.  Always good to be home but already missing all the quality family time. 

Happy snow couple!

I did it!

Last January I blogged about the earthquake in Haiti and our complete unpreparedness, remember?


Well, it only took a year and another natural disaster for me to finally get us prepared for the unthinkable in the Bay Area. That and a phone call with Allie who has a plan for everything and made me realize that the $100 I just spent would be completely worth it if the time came.  

Ta Da!  Our new kit from QuakeKare.com

All I need to do now is wait for it to arrive, add a little pomeranian food (they are legit members of this family and need supplies too) and find a place to hide the 5 gallon container.  


Next up, making bedside kits. Someone once mentioned that if disaster struck in the middle of the night there would likely be no power and broken glass on the ground.  Scott and I will each be getting a pair of shoes and a flashlight on our respective sides of the bed.  


How is that for a start to a Friday morning?

Day 1

Whew.  Made it through Day 1 of Lent.  I have decided that the beginning is going to be the hardest and eventually I will just get used to this whole not coming home to a glass of wine thing.  


My glass of wine when I get home from work is my way to unwind.  I am finally able to "check work at the door", relax, quit pacing around the house cleaning, and just enjoy my evening.  So many great benefits...plus it tastes fabulous.  Luckily Lent is over before summer really kicks in because I love being a city-hick with my husband and sitting on our front stairs, drinking wine and watching Noe Valley buzz around.  


1 day down... A LOT more to go.

Saying Goodbye

Last night I drank a farewell toast to something that I love.  For lent this year I have taken on the challenge of giving up drinking.  Last night I said a long goodbye to the stemware, beer bottles, and cocktail glasses and all the goodies that fill them.  


If you have read this blog even once you are probably well aware of my obsession with wine and how it is pretty much a part of all of social activities.  In fact, at my bridal shower the comment was made, "do you have any pictures of you without a drink in your hand?".  That probably should have been a clue to put the drinks down (not all together but before taking a photo)!  


I am not giving it up because I think I have a problem, but purely as the ultimate challenge.  I enjoy a glass of wine each night and a couple extra on the weekend.  A pretty normal consumption habit if you ask me.  


This will definitely be a challenge, especially when it comes to trips to Napa, St. Patrick's Day, Giants Games, etc...  Right, any of the aforementioned social events!


I'll be sure to keep you updated on my progress.  Could be an interesting ride! 

Had to Share

I was doing a little poking around over at YHL and decided to follow the link to the Style Maker Quiz.  As they mentioned, it doesn't really provide anything helpful but it is fun to play! 


I just thought my mom would be so proud that my House Style is apparently on par with Frank Lloyd Wright.  

Come back tomorrow to see what I am giving up for Lent.  Let's just say it isn't going to be easy! 

Oh, February

That is far too short of a month to be expected to blog, right?  I don't even think that makes sense but I kind of feel like February is a pretend month with its measly 28 days so I don't think I should be punished for not blogging.

So, in true Stephanie fashion we will have a photo update.  We were actually really busy in February:

• We went to Napa (shocker, I know)!
• Arnold continued on the road to recovery
• Lola is as cute and snuggly as ever
• We had a wonderful dinner with family
• The Berry Family came for a visit (and apparently my camera was lost all weekend?
• Robin turned 30 and we had a very special celebration!
• Kyle had a birthday and we celebrated with Led Zeppagain (well, Scott and everyone else did, I enjoyed the sushi and headed home to nurse a cold)
• I got sick...again.  I am 100% anti flu shot.  I have been sick more this winter and it is the first (and only) time I got the flu shot.
• We had great date nights, worked on sprucing up the house (the couch arrived!), and just enjoyed our life!
• Scott did a Bar Method class.  Maybe the most entertaining Saturday of the month. :-)

Super Bowl Cookies!

"Scott & Steph Day" Flowers (in place of Valentine's Day)

There are no words for how good these are.  Banana Bread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.  I have been letting bananas go bad on purpose ever since the first batch!

Neil taught us how to start a fire @ Kristina & Jeremy's.

Kristine's famous Caesar Salad!

Jeremy playing some music for us.

Rufus!

Date day in Napa.

At Hillstone (Houston's) after Bar Method.  Sometimes I actually do like the weather in SF!

I was there too!

Robin's birthday was at Asia SF.  Their claim to fame is their "Gender Illusionists".  It is definitely an experience!

Some of the entertainment.

Me and the birthday girl

Ok, hopefully we can get back on track with weekly updates now.  Stay tuned!