Workin’

LinkedIn is reminding me that today marks 2 years since I started my job!  Honestly, there are days I don't think I'm going to make it, but the past 2 years have flown by and I can't believe I'm here again reflecting on another year of work.  While the days are long and often frustrating, I'm grateful for a flexible schedule that allows me to sneak away to a workout class midday, a team that insists that I take a sick day {or two} when I'm actually sick, and a few great colleagues that I honestly could not get through the day without.  I like my cozy little guestroom/laundry room/office where I can listen to the birds chirping outside my window and watch the seasons change throughout the year, and I'm grateful to be able to still work remotely 4 years after we were all sent home {though sometimes I long for the days of getting out of sweatpants and interacting with more people than just my husband}.  Whatever the future brings, I'm grateful to have a job and grateful for the daily commute across the hall :)  I can't wait to see what this next year will bring!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

San Francisco {Part II}

my last day in San Francisco I woke up thinking I'd grab breakfast in the hotel, but since I felt the need for a walk I found a cute Vietnamese coffee shop and breakfast sandwich spot with great reviews just a few blocks away, so I headed that way to grab takeout.

the prices were reasonable and the wait really short at Fresh Brew Coffee.....

.....and though it didn't look like much from the outside, it was the perfect breakfast and coffee to start my day.

i made the steep walk back up to my hotel....

then promptly got back in bed with my breakfast and laptop to work a bit while watching the Today Show.

later that afternoon my boss came to pick me up at my hotel, where she insisted on taking a photo of me {which would become a theme for the rest of our day together}.

we headed down to the ferry building and since the sun was shining, we had our Peruvian lunch {which ended up being giant} outside by the water.

after lunch we went for a walk and she insisted on taking a picture of me in front of the Bay Bridge....

.....then asked some friendly people to take one of the two of us!

we then got back in the car where we continued our tour of SF, stopping by the Chase Center which is right near our office.

we took pics in the giant spheres outside.....

....which were a pretty fun photo op, especially with nobody around.

we then headed up towards one of our hospitals, where she insisted we walk around a bit.....

.....and we discovered these cute heart statues all over the campus.

she was kind enough to drop me off at the airport before my flight, where I had a glass of wine and continued working until it was time to board the plane.  The trip is such a quick one from SFO and once home we did a big loop over Seattle seeing some beautiful views....

.....and flew right over the Home Run Derby at the All Star Game!

It was such a fun trip and I'm so glad that I decided to extend it for one extra day exploring San Francisco.  I can't wait to go back!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

San Francisco {Part I}

Since I technically work for a San Francisco company but have never actually been there since I started my job, I decided to stay on an extra day from the Bachelorette party on my own to meet up with my boss before heading back to Seattle.  The girls dropped me off at The Fairmont in the afternoon on their way to the airport, and after a little snafu with my room, I was given an upgraded room with a cozy bed and city view.  Even though I was exhausted I didn't want to waste my one afternoon alone in the city, so I got ready and headed out on foot for an adventure.  I slowly walked through Chinatown, one of my favorite parts of the city, on my way down to the Ferry Building where I checked out the cute shops before grabbing a burger and a beer at Gott's Roadside.  It was just the fuel I needed for the uphill walk back to my hotel, where I promptly got ready for bed by 7pm and was snuggled into my bed for some hotel tv and an early night.  

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Work Anniversary

Today marks 1 year at my job and believe me when I say that this year has flown by.  If you had asked me a few years ago if I would be 100% working from our guest room and would have never once met my boss or new coworkers except through a computer screen I would say you were crazy, but such is post-pandemic life.  While it has been a struggle to learn a new job and new company while being 100% remote and I miss the in person interactions and hallway chats with colleagues, I'm incredibly grateful that this place took a chance on me and that I'm able to have a flexible schedule that allows me to run out and grab last minute groceries on a Monday morning or work from halfway around the world over the Christmas holiday.  It's not always easy or glamorous {most days I'm working in sweatpants and making breakfast with my laptop set up next to the stove} but I'm thankful to have this job and all it's taught me {and the wonderful coworkers from many years ago that I've reconnected with this past year}.  Cheers to a year of taking chances and trying new things - I can't wait to see what the next year will bring!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{friday afternoon rooftop office}

{carrying christian's new toy up to the roof - and needing several breaks along the way}

{walking to dinner + cherry blossoms}

{our fave burgers}

{pancake breakfast}

{the best and easiest dessert}

{breakfast}

{inaugural cook}

{burnt ends}

{dinner by my honey}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

A Sunny Seahawks Win

Though you would've never been able to predict it, the Seahawks game on October 16 was hovering around 85 degrees and sunny all day.  We certainly don't often get October days like that here in Seattle, so Kelsey and I made the most of it by getting down to the stadium early and finding an outdoor spot at the Hatback Bar & Grille to sip beers in the sunshine.  Right before gametime we headed into the stadium to watch Shaun Alexander {Ring of Honor inductee} raise the 12th man flag and watch the Hawks beat up on Arizona in an awesome win at home.  At halftime we met up with Steph from work {it had been way too long!} and afterwards headed back to the seats to enjoy an epic game in the late October sun.  Go Hawks!

xoxo,

stephanie marie