Welcome to ‘Sota!
This blog, originally titled “Seattle is Sexy”, was created in April of 2011 to document my life and abundance of misadventures in the Emerald city.
Our family in our old Seattle Neighborhood (Ballard – Golden Gardens). And no, I’m not wearing hair extensions.
Life in Seattle was fabulous. My husband Scott and I had great jobs, great friends and lived in the heart of a bustling neighborhood. We had become bona fide urbanites.
And then ‘ish hit the fan.
Long story short, in January 2011 we relocated to rural Minnesota for Scott’s work. I was fortunate enough to keep my job and continue working from home.
As a result, this blog has transformed into a collection of my daily musings about life in a Midwestern small town. I put it all out there, so don’t be surprised to read stories about me peeing my pants, accidentally going naked in public, contracting a fungus on my face or farting in my sleep.
I’ve also been known to tarnish my classy reputation by doing things like fishing sunglasses out of a gas station toilet or sitting in other people’s vomit. Really, nothing is off-limits. If you have a love all things TMI, this is the website for you.
About the blogger
I’m Katrina Taylor, a 20-something web designer living in rural Minnesota. I also work part-time as a group exercise instructor. I love fashion, fitness, traveling, and pretending to be a Yuppie. I might also bombard you with photos of my beloved dog while bragging about how Norwegian I am. You can find me doing pretty much all of these things on Facebook and Twitter.
Photo by the lovely Sara Montour. And yes, I’m wearing hair extensions.
I grew up in Alaska and Washington state before my first move to the Midwest in 2002. I left my friends and family behind to purse an undergraduate degree at my beloved alma mater, Dana College, a small liberal arts school formerly located in Blair, Nebraska.
On the first day of classes, I was selected for the role of “Ginger” in the Dana College Theater production of Book of Days. I don’t remember much of the actual play…just that I got to wear a sweet pair of boots. I also met a ridiculously cute guy who was selected to play “Sheriff Atkins”.
Book of Days, Dana College 2002. I’ve since learned how to apply makeup .
Four years later we got engaged and moved to Upstate New York so I could pursue my Masters of Science in New Media at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Yes, we were engaged in the back of a U-Haul trailer. I’ll save that story for some other time.
Receiving my Masters Degree from Syracuse University. No hair extensions.
A month later we got married in Washington before returning to Syracuse for Scott to begin graduate school. Two years later, he was officially a Physician Assistant.
The hair extensions returned. As did the liberally applied spray tan.
Scott becoming a Physician Assistant. Or, as he likes to call it, a “substitute doctor”. Or, as I like to call it “Someone who finally makes enough money to afford the name-brand Pop Tarts.”
From here it was off to Seattle and then on to Minnesota where we begin our new adventure. I look forward to sharing the highs and lows on this blog, and to having you right there with me each step of the way.
The Cast of Characters
SCOTT
My husband, Scott. I love him with my whole heart. Otherwise I definitely wouldn’t have taken the time to Photoshop his pimples out of this photo.
Scott and I have been attached at the hip since 2003. He’s featured on the blog quite frequently, and not always in the most flattering light. But, because I really do love him, I run every single thing I post by him first, just to make sure uploading photos of him in a bow tie and speedo, or revealing his naked smoothie-making technique are things he is truly okay with.
Luckily, Scott has a great sense of humor and, for the most part, really doesn’t care what I post. I suppose this is to be expected from someone who’s been working professionally as a stand-up comedian for the last four years. Scott also loves wrestling (he competed all through college), cooking, listening to weird indie music, participating in any type of high-risk outdoor activity, and spending countless hours on the Twitter.
Also? No matter what he tells you, I’m pretty sure he’s the only person on the planet who actually loves Jolie more than I do.
JOLIE
Jolie the Chipin. (Chihuahua/Miniature-Pinscher mix)
Jolie trisky-trotted her way into our hearts in 2007. And yes, “trisky trot” is a real word. A verb, actually.
We adopted her at the age of three from a good friend, and have been dressing her in tweed trench coats ever since. Unfortunately, she’s not very photogenic, but we adore her nonetheless.
Jolie is my best friend, and secretary as she sits next to me while I work all day. In her spare time she enjoys burrowing under pillows, being carried around in purses, and attacking large Pit Bulls.
Yup, I think those 3 things pretty much cover it.
Ooh! I almost forgot. She’s also incredibly skilled at riding bikes and sticking her tongue out.
She’s basically a prodigy.
As you can see, it would be nearly impossible not to write about such a well-rounded pooch.
Need more Jolie? Friend her on Facebook.
Yes, my dog has a Facebook.
Shut up, Scott.
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Thanks again for stopping by this humble little blog of mine. It makes me blush when I think about you taking the time to spend a few moments in my world.
Sure, it may be world of pimples and binge eating, but it’s a world, nonetheless.
Feb 25, 2012 @ 00:11:49
I’m so excited I discovered your blog! I grew up in Minnesota (a small farming community in Southcentral MN) but currently live in Anchorage, AK. I’m looking forward to reading about your adventures in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and will be living vicariously through you. I miss it a lot!
Feb 25, 2012 @ 10:04:54
Hi, Michelle! I’m so glad you found the blog, too! How funny that you grew up in Minnesota and I grew up in Alaska — it’s like we switched places! I am really loving Minnesota so far, especially with the mild winter we’ve been having this year. How do you like Alaska? I have so many wonderful memories of growing up there, although I know this time of year can be tough with all of the darkness. I’m glad to have discovered your blog as well! I am a novice runner who has just signed up for my first half-marathon this spring, so I’ll definitely be reading up to get some tips from you. Looking forward to seeing you around the blogs!
Mar 14, 2012 @ 22:51:58
SMALL WORLD! Michelle – I’m Katrina’s sister, and really good friends with Ross and Jenn Radtke. Craig and I were both in the wedding! Funny how these connections are made…
Mar 15, 2012 @ 09:12:47
Crazytown!!! How do you two know each other?
Feb 28, 2012 @ 17:03:45
I’m so glad that I found your blog. You accidentally go naked in public? Well I accidentally confuse people’s genders. Let’s be blogger friends. Looking forward to reading more!
Apr 12, 2012 @ 21:50:15
Hey Katrina,
Not sure if you even know who I am. Mara Teske connected us on Facebook almost a year ago when we were moving from Minneapolis to Seattle. Sadly, our time was so short in Seattle that we never even connected with you and your hubby. Anyway, my wife reads your blogs and loves them, so I had to check it out too! Hope you are adjusting well to life in the midwest!
Brett
Apr 16, 2012 @ 08:53:19
Hi, Brett! Sorry for the late reply…we’ve been on vacation in Mexico and I’m just catching up. I totally remember Mara telling me about you guys! How long were you in Seattle for? Did you like it? I miss the Northwest a lot, but am LOVING Minnesota so far. Are you guys back here in the Midwest? We’re planning to meet up with Mara down in the cities sometime soon…it would be fun to get together! So glad your wife enjoys the blog, too!
Apr 14, 2012 @ 02:37:52
Katrina you are hilarious! I accidentally discovered your blog when looking into info for TurboKick online, as I am a certified TurboKick instructor… I have never laughed so hard! I’d love to subscribe to your blog! Thank you for showing the world how much FUN Turbo is– & just a side note… I will NEVER wear my Old Navy yoga pants to class again!! Yikes! lots of lov from Cali ; ) xo Shavonne
Apr 16, 2012 @ 08:50:03
Thanks, Shavonne! Are you going to Camp Do More this year?
Apr 15, 2012 @ 13:09:07
Hi! I just read your guest post on CNC and decided to check out your blog and I thought I’d pop by and say go Syracuse!
Apr 16, 2012 @ 08:49:24
Thanks, Ashley! Are you a ‘Cuse grad as well?
Apr 16, 2012 @ 08:43:22
Just found your blog from your guest post on CNC (which was awesome, by the way). Looking forward to following the writing of a fellow Newhouse alum! I graduated in 2008 with a master’s degree in magazine, newspaper and online journalism.
Apr 16, 2012 @ 08:47:49
Thanks, Cassie! I graduated in 2007 with a New Media degree, so we must have just missed each other!
Apr 19, 2012 @ 10:16:16
Just saw your guest post on CNC and immediately subscribed via google reader. Your blog posts are hilarious and, don’t tell my boss, but i especially enjoy reading them at work. thanks for a nice break in my day!
Apr 19, 2012 @ 10:27:58
Your secret is safe with me…
Welcome to ‘Sota — so glad to have you as a reader!
Jun 14, 2012 @ 22:52:05
I LOVE your blog and am a fellow ‘Sota citizen and Turbo fanatic. Do you instruct locally or do I have to guess
I think you’re hilarious and think it would be fun to come to one of your classes. I am going to share w/my fitness peeps 
Jun 19, 2012 @ 09:10:54
I’m actually from Wabasha, MN, but we live in Denver now. Love that your dog can ride in bike baskets! So fun!
Jun 19, 2012 @ 18:54:09
LOVE Denver! We are visiting this August…such a fun city
Jul 10, 2012 @ 15:55:21
Katrina, you are hysterical! Jolie is adorable. Looking forward to continuing to read your blog (but really it’s just for the pictures of Jolie.)
Jul 23, 2012 @ 18:01:46
You are hilarious! I’m so excited to have found your blog. I’m about to move to Minnesota after graduating Syracuse
Jul 23, 2012 @ 19:01:33
No way!?! That’s crazy! We are living parallel lives!!! What are you going to SU for? I went to Newhouse for grad school and LOVED it. Are you originally from ‘Cuse?
Aug 06, 2012 @ 15:56:47
I love your blog–your stories and antics are hilarios! Being a Minnesota-girl, I love all of the cultural references and I often think of you when I pick up my Starbucks in the morning in hopes of looking trendy as I walk into the office… If I ever spot you in the Twin Cities and treat you like a blog-world celebrity, don’t judge me…
Aug 06, 2012 @ 16:32:59
Hahaha…love it!! There are actually several readers down in the cities…I was thinking it would be SO fun to have a blog party down there!
Aug 07, 2012 @ 13:13:52
Yes, please! If you need any help planning, I’m your girl!
Aug 23, 2012 @ 07:05:12
Katrina & co — I googled “Sheet Metal Magnet” and your blog appeared. I was expecting Menards, but this is far more interesting.
As it happens, I grew up in MN, moved to Seattle in 1994, where I spent a lovely 18 years smack in the middle of the city (Cap Hill, First Hill, Downtown).
Then, through a bizarre turn of events involving my biological family finding me (I’m adopted) and a job I had interviewed for in 1995 reopening, as of May 1 I am now living in Winona MN. So… after 18 years, I’m back to You ‘betcha land. (They really talk funny here, don’t they.)
Keep up the great posts! Erik
Aug 24, 2012 @ 16:33:58
Hahaha — yes, this site is DEFINITELY a little different than Menards
Glad to “meet” a fellow Seattleite living in ‘Sota! I’ve gotta say, You ‘betcha land is certainly growing on me!
Aug 26, 2012 @ 23:12:53
So tonight I am in bed googling “Khloe & Lamar moss balls” (because I love the ones in their kitchen) & I stumble upon your blog. You are a hoot & I will definitely continue to follow, but for now… where do I find these beautiful balls?? I’m having no luck!
Aug 27, 2012 @ 00:03:41
Hahaha — that’s a great story! Believe it or not, the mood moss question is one I get asked the most! I purchased these at a small home decor boutique in Moses Lake, WA nearly two years ago. You can buy them in bulk on Amazon (just search for mood moss) and I’ve heard that large craft stores carry them as well. I’m actually in the same boat as I want to get a few more but can’t find them ANYWHERE!
Glad you like the blog — welcome to ‘Sota!
Feb 22, 2013 @ 11:59:43
What a fun space. I’m a true Minnesotan and would never think about moving
Glad you like our pretty state.
Mar 01, 2013 @ 16:27:55
I just stumbled across your blog and have been playing catch up. I think your blog is hilarious! Its so witty and fun. So glad to have found you.
Mar 02, 2013 @ 08:25:12
Aw, thanks Jasmine! I’m so glad you found it, too. Welcome to ‘Sota!
May 19, 2013 @ 05:21:23
make some invite posts on my blog?