What I've learned of love and blogs, I've learned from my wife. Written by: Scot Gotfredson

This post will focus on the second of those two topics.

Blogs are an online forum used for creative self-expression. If we were playing Apples-to-Apples, I would describe it with the cards: Pinterest, Time Traveler’s Wife, and maybe Yoga Pants, but only if my other cards were: Pretzel, Hall & Oates, and Juxtapose. And for a guy that reviews bank disclosures and writes summaries of his findings during the day, I might just benefit from a creative medium.

Above: Photo and Music of Daryl Hall and John Oates.  

While super cool, NOT what I would use to describe "blogs" if playing Apples-to-Apples.

Like I said in my title, much of what I do appreciate of the blogosphere, I’ve learned from being married to a bloginist (definition: a reader and writer of blogs or someone who enjoys pictures with clear foregrounds and blurry backgrounds).

Above: Bloginists love this clear/blurry stuff. You may be wondering, 

"Where did you find this exotic flower?" I didn’t, it’s just some stupid flower, 

but this is what cameras do these days!

And with the exciting 4-month anniversary of the newly released Tara Gotfredson’s Blog 2.0, I decided I should become a little more involved. You could say I'm down with this idea... down like a rodeo clown, which I understand is an incredibly strong pact, considering rodeo clowns are a group not only known for their motley garb and humorous performances, but truly honored for there willingness to commit.

I hope this creates a new canvas for using my “bank examiner judgement”, which is my professional skill of criticizing things I don't like and maybe in the process I'll create a new “mormon daddy blog” craze. Oh, and don’t take that as a hint, Tara is not pregnant.

Oh, and what Tara has taught me of love is trust. Trust that is so strong she provides me carte blanche blog posting privileges!

Epic Fail and Winter Wonderlands

Remember that November challenge?  I failed at that one.  We have been busy this month.  I was in charge of the Relief Society activity for our ward in November.  I had a lot of help from the additional relief society meeting committee which was a huge relief.  It was a great success and we had a very large turn out.  I had my first principal evaluation of the year as well.  Despite my stress and nerves, it worked out well.  We are also building a townhouse in Lehi and have been busy making design choices.  Who knew there could be so many different choices to make?  Do I care what kind of light is in my closet?  Why no, no I do not.  If only I cared that little about other options.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with my family up in Idaho Falls.  We ate more than anyone should and played our fair share of Just Dance 4 on the wii.  Now, we are back to normal life.  Scot is traveling and I am trudging through the next three and a half weeks until Christmas break.  I love that it is so soon. 

I rarely enjoy being alone when Scot travels.  However, I can appreciate some good classic solitude.  For example, quite a few Saturdays ago, I woke up early on my own.  I think I knew it had snowed outside and was itching to get out in it.  I left Scot in bed, pulled on some warmer clothes, and headed out in the winter wonderland.  It was stunning.  Because of the early hour, not many were up and about in Provo.  I took my time walking and just soaked it all in.  One of my favorite parts about snow is the quiet that seems to always follow.  It is the perfect setting to just clear your mind of worries and stresses.  After an hour of simply enjoying it all, I walked over to Melissa's. We walked to downtown Provo and shared a perfectly warm cup of hot chocolate and talked about things we loved.  I couldn't be happier that Melissa is so close to me.  Of all people to appreciate that morning, she was the one.  It was confirmed when I texted her at 7:00 am and she responded right away with a remark on the beautiful weather outside.  Love her.

Days 3 and 4

It happened.  Just as I predicted.  I didn't update the blog yesterday.  I was too busy spending time with my husband, eating delicious food with friends, and laughing my lungs out at a movie.  But, better late than never?

November 3rd

I'm very grateful for good friends and the ability to laugh with them.  I teach with some of the most amazing girls who have exceeded my expectations.  They are extremely supportive at school and even more supportive outside of it.  I liked teaching last year but teaching this year is a significant improvement and I owe part of that change to the wonderful girls I am around every day.

November 4th

I'm grateful for a husband who sacrifices a lot to provide for our family.  Scot and I were lucky to spend a majority of the year together without interruption.  In the past month or so, he has started traveling significantly more.  He had to leave this morning (he absolutely hates to travel on Sundays) and will be returning on Friday.  It is certainly not fun for me when he travels.  I imagine it is even harder for him.  He is in a completely new place with unfamiliar surroundings.  He is in a hotel room by himself at night with a limited amount of things to do.  At least I have friends and family close to keep me company.  He is such a trooper and never complains (a stark difference from my reaction to the travel).

Happy Sunday!

Winter Wishing

I know I dedicated two whole posts to my love of fall but I have officially moved into winter craving.  It snowed a couple of times last week.  Is it bad to say that I loved it?  I also loved the Christmas music that Scot and I listened to as we made dinner and the Christmas movie that we plan on watching tonight.  I promise I won't go overboard.  But really, walking through a snowy city at night with beautiful lights and my handsome man right next to me sounds pretty dreamy.  So...day two of the November challenge: I am grateful for the Christmas season and that it is right around the corner (or in full swing if you are in my house). 

I tried to provide the original source of this picture but every time I went to the "original" website, it was a different random blog or source that I simply shouldn't give credit to.  Happy November!

November November

I have been thinking about doing the November challenge...you know the one.  The one where you post something that you are thankful for daily on your blog.  I like the idea of it but I am afraid the follow through on my part will be lacking.  Now that you have extremely low expectations, I just might be able to exceed them!

Today I am thankful for sick days.

I have a head cold.  When I was teaching last year, I never took a sick day until my intern facilitator forced me to leave school and found a sub for me for the following day.  I hated missing school because I wasn't quite sure what I was doing yet.  This year is a little different.  I feel more comfortable and established in my classroom.  My students know exactly what I expect of them and I know the other amazing fifth grade teachers would be able to take care of anything that comes up while I am gone.  It was a lovely sick day of staying in bed, watching pointless t.v., and taking a fantastically long hot shower.

I have been considering yoga recently.  I have never done it before but love everything that I read about it.  Have you done it before?  What did you think?  Have you been to a studio that you really liked?

Autumn

Fall has been my favorite season for years.  Growing up in Maine, I was spoiled with the best autumn experiences.  I remember going apple picking every year and driving through the most beautifully colored trees.  We loved going to the chilly football games and spending time outside.  This year, Utah has not disappointed.  I think it is the most beautiful fall that I have seen here in Utah in the four+ years that I have been here.  The other Sunday, we joined the Gardners for a little picnic in the mountains.  The lemon poppyseed bread that they made was delicious and the mountains put on quite a show. 

  

End of Season Jitters

          I know we still have another month or so of summer but I can't help but feel eager for autumn to come.  With the ending of summer comes a lot of emotions.  I'm not exactly ready to head back to school yet but I am ready to have something valuable to do during the day.  I'm not ready to give up the carefree nights of summer and the activities that follow but I am more than excited for football, drives through the canyon, apple pies and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  While summer clothes are extremely fun (and fill up the majority of my closet), I can't wait to be able to wear a sweater and boots without overheating. 

          I don't exactly have a bucket list...I'm not exactly a world traveler and I like to play things safe when it comes to recreational activities; however, if I were to choose one thing that I would like to do before I die, I would want to visit the Balsams Resort in the mountains of New Hampshire.  I visited the resort once on a drive with my parents.  They took the day off of work and called Melissa and I out of school.  It was a different time...one when my parents were in the process of getting divorced.  However, that one day has provided me with so many great memories.  We listened to Enya on the whole trip...dorky?  Maybe.  Do I listen to it in the fall just to bring back those fun memories?  Absolutely.  It is those random visits to new places that end up being important to me.  Visiting The Balsams Resort during my parents divorce, attending the Thanksgiving Point Gardens after getting back together with Scot, going to the Draper Temple open house and later marrying Scot there.  These places will always be special.

          On another note, I am not pregnant, but that can't keep me from loving the new Gap line for baby boys.  The Maine Collection has me convinced that little boys clothes are far cuter than little girls.  How can you resist a baby boy wearing a lobster onesy or a chunky whale sweater.

(Though my parents did get a divorce, they remarried each other less than a year later.  It was a happy ending for all!)

Summer Birthdays

Scot and I both have birthdays in the month of July.  Because we were in the midst of a family reunion during Scot's birthday and he was traveling for mine, we found ways to celebrate throughout the month.  We ate out a few times, and went to an outdoor Rodney Atkins concert at the Scera.  My favorite birthday celebration?  Scot bought us tickets to see Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Sundance.  It was perfect.  After a short hike (or tractor ride), we were surrounded in a gorgeous green mountainside and the temperature was just a little bit cooler.  It was the perfect escape and I loved every minute of it.  Scot was certainly a trooper for going to a musical (although I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it).  I appreciate all of the visits, phone calls, texts, etc. that I received on my birthday.  I am a very lucky girl!  And now...pictures at Sundance:

An Unlucky Time to Pass Out

Have you ever passed out before?  I have...3 times that I can remember.  The first was at a flee market in Florida.  The second was while getting water out of the fridge in the middle of the night at the arch house.  The third time was today when I went to get a massage.  Instead of actually getting the massage, I spent an hour laying down on a bed while the chiropractor gave me water, talked to me, and checked my pulse every 10 minutes.  It was embarrassing to say the least.  I would say it's the top competitor for the most embarrassing moment I've experienced thus far.  What is your most embarrassing story?

Gotfredson Family Reunion 2012

Scot and I went to Kansas City for a couple of weeks to visit with family, try out some authentic bbq, and get away from Utah for a little while.  It was a great trip and we were spoiled.  If anyone thinks that they have cuter nieces and nephews, I would find it hard to believe.  Picture proof would be necessary to sway my belief on the matter.  Here are some pictures from the trip.  I didn't get a picture of everyone (I think there are 23 nieces and nephews at this point) but enjoy the few that I did get.

                                            

 

New Beginnings

It was time to create a new blog.  My name changed over a year ago.  I never updated the old blog and when I did, I was never satisfied with how it was written or presented.  I'm hoping that this new blog will be better.  Instead of writing about random things that we do every three months, I hope to update this often (weekly even...I'm feeling ambitious) and include my thoughts as well as what has been keeping us busy.