ProcrASStination

I am supposed to be reading for school, but I am finding everything else to do instead!

Instead of reading today:

• I have found a lot of cute pictures of animals doing people things:

Yes, I know what you are thinking..Amanda you HATE horses, why did you put this here...They are Miniature horses, less deadly and more dog like, that is why....

                       I want one! I think we would get along great!

It is cold outside, and this cat knows how to keep warm!

• I have been snooping on Facebook and have been wondering these things all morning:

• What did we do before Facebook? I mean how did I know who was working out, what people were eating, and how miserable everyone is everyday?!?  Seriously though, it is strange to think how things were before Facebook....I think I liked people more back then....
• When did we start putting babies in fur baskets? I know I have some photographer friends that can answer this for me. I seriously spent 25 minutes googling this and could not find an answer...I know the babies aren't really using the fur baskets, because that would be crazy...I just want to know why this started and who thought of it.....

• Why is everyone in love with Bacon? Yeah it is good, but so are ice cream sundaes, and people aren't going crazy over ice cream sundaes...What do you think the next obsession will be? My money is on Horsemeat Burgers! Yummo!

I have also been looking seeing what music is out there. My friend just posted a blog about what she is enjoying.

• This is what I am loving lately:
• Icona Pop
• Santigold
• HBO Girls Soundtrack
• The Lumineers
• La Roux
• Rilo Kiley
• The Civil Wars
• Also I enjoy the app Soundtracking...not many people are on there, but it is like Instagram, but with songs! So hot right now!

Tomorrow, I will get to procrastinate with Zombies! I am going to Warm Bodies with a friend. I read the book and liked it. I hope the movie is good too..And of course, the Walking Dead starts again! 

I almost had this picture accompany my HorseMeat comment...


• I will also watch Girls, because that show cracks me up and is a half hour long with no commercials. What's not to love?

Well, I better get back to playing Draw Something with my mom. She drew an amazing picture of a wedgie a few weeks ago, and wish you could have seen it (she has raw talent), but I forgot to take a screen shot :( ... Next time! Back to reading!

Christmas/New Year's Card from the McCurleys

Well, I am not exactly sure how to start this post, but in lieu of spending a lot of money on stamps and cards, Dan and I have decided to post our Christmas/New Year's Card online.

We know this is late, but Dan and I are still recovering from our involuntary New Year's full body cleanse...Sorry, was that too much information? Be thankful we didn't post descriptive updates on Facebook!

As most of of you may know, but some may not, I started grad school this fall. I love it! I have decided to focus on Aging and Health. I am currently doing a field placement with a senior services agency and am learning a lot and getting to interact with amazing people each day I spend there. I am also still working part-time at the law firm I was previously working at. I am no longer a manager and am working in a new department mostly on special projects. I am really enjoying it! This was definitely a hard decision for me to make, but it was the right decision.

I am still crafting! I am crocheting, knitting and making jewelry. I also started an Etsy store, MttyMcC, this year.  I have made enough money to help pay for books for school! Thanks for your support! I also have mastered distracting myself when it is time to work on papers, but I have seen some hilarious pictures of cats, so I think it was worth it....

Dan will write more about himself later...

We wish you all the best in 2013, and stop by and visit if have the chance. Columbus is a great city!!
We would love to hear from anyone we haven't heard from yet!!

You can also keep up with us on here, though I can't make any promises that we will update frequently, as most of my life is consumed with school, and probably isn't very interesting....
And of course we are on Facebook so follow us there...

Also, it is that time of the year again where we steal the survey from our friend Catherine's blog:

Our Responses are as follows:
A: Amanda
D:Dan

-- What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
A: I started Grad School...I also had one Grad school meltdown! I also did some improv classes.

D: I traveled for work, twice. Once to Austin, Texas for a workshop and once to Spain (for a week) for a study abroad site visit. I also took some Design classes and spoke Swedish with real Swedish people.

-- Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
A: Last year my resolutions were:
less TV and more blogging-OOPS! That did not happen!
more crafting-Yes
more reading-Yes-Thanks to grad school!
more working out-eh...I did join Zumba!
I would love to join an improv class-Did it!!!
and of course, I would like to keep in better touch with my friends and family.-I think I did ok-but there is always room for improvement!

My goals for 2013, will remain the same plus a few others:
- stay organized
- live simply and minimize some of the stuff in our house
- take some time for myself to RELAX!

D: Last year I vowed to read more, which I did, and to watch less TV, which didn't happen as much. I did watch less scheduled TV and more on-demand/internet tv, though.

For next year, I'll continue to read. I'd also like to eat healthier and stop holding on to junk around the house.

-- Did anyone close to you give birth?
A: Yes, this was the year of babies!! Some were expected and some were not, but they are all beautiful and taking over my Facebook newsfeed!

D: Yes, lots of them, everywhere.

-- Did anyone close to you die?
A: Luckily, no one very close to me passed this year.

D: Two faculty members in our department passed away this year, unfortunately.

-- What countries did you visit?
A: I stayed in the US this year. I did visit  Iowa, Chicago, and Pittsburgh though!

D: Spain.

-- What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
A: A dresser and a better organized bedroom, and less work related stress...

D: More opportunities to travel, at home and abroad!

-- What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
A:8/22/2012-the day I started grad school at OSU, 12/14/2012-the Sandy Hook shooting-  12/21/12-the day the world did not end! 

D: September 2012, when we went to Madison for the Wisconsin - UNI football game!

-- What was your biggest achievement of the year?
A: Starting Grad school, being able to keep a balance between work, school, and field placement, and getting straight As.

D: I found a career field I think I'd be interested in pursuing further: International Education/Study Abroad. I already kind of work in that area, but I would like to do more with that in the future and in future jobs. I don't think I'd mind doing busy work as much if it was for something that I actually care about, like getting kids to go abroad.

-- What was your biggest failure?
A: Not making coffee at home before class and paying for it at school. Also a group project I was in was pretty bad....

D: I created then abandoned another website before it launched. It was for my web design class, but I thought it could work afterwards, except for the part where I was too lazy to follow up.

-- Did you suffer illness or injury?
A: Right at the end of the year I had food poisoning or the flu, the verdict is still out! But I do know that I will not be eating Chinese food for a while!

D: I got food poisoning too, plus a few allergies/sinus things throughout the year

-- What was the best thing you bought?
A: Tuition for school and plane tickets from Southwest to get home to Iowa!

D: Football tickets to UNI-Wisconsin, plane tickets.

-- Whose behavior merited celebration?
A: Malala Yousafzai, unfortunately we did not hear enough about her. what a brave, beautiful, smart young woman!

D: The internet people who sent Pitbull to Alaska, made Kim-Jong Un win the Time Person of the Year poll and ruined the Mountain Dew naming contests, among other things. I love it.

-- Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A: People's responses on Facebook after Obama was re-elected. There were a lot of ignorant and hateful things out there, and it made me sad. Also our political leaders ability to work together to accomplish something. If I acted like that at my job, I would be fired....Also the writers for Dexter...ugh!

D: Boehner.

-- Where did most of your money go?
A: School and Travel

D: Plane tickets.

-- What did you get really, really, really excited about?
A: Starting school, seeing Heart in concert with our friends from UNI that came to visit, trivia at Zeno's, visiting my friends in Chicago, and our friends' wedding in Pittsburgh and Iowa.  I was also excited to have visitors for Thanksgiving and throughout the year! We also saw Mumford and Sons live!

D: The Heart concert, traveling to Spain and Austin, the UNI-Wisconsin game.

-- What song will always remind you of 2012?
A: Call Me Maybe, Diamonds, Some Nights, Ho-Hey, Locked Out of Heaven, and Whistle

D: Gangnam Style

-- Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
A: Happier!- I am doing something I am enjoying now!

D: Happier

b) thinner or fatter?
A: Thinner, thanks to my "cleanse" a few days ago....

D: Not sure....thinner.

c) richer or poorer?
A: Poorer, but it is worth it. 

D: Poor.

-- What do you wish you'd done more of?
A: Calling friends and family! Sorry!

D: Read.

-- What do you wish you'd done less of?
A: Stressing out! Wasn't worth it!

D: Internet.

-- How will you be spending Christmas?
A: We went back to Iowa to see our families!

D: Same as above!

-- Did you fall in love in 2012?
A: I found a career path I am excited about!

D: No.

-- What was your favorite TV program?
A: New Girl, Happy Endings, Parenthood, Girls, and The Walking Dead.

D: New Girl, Happy Endings.

-- Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
A: Probably!

D: Probably, I can't remember. I probably blocked any offenders on FB long ago.

-- What was the best book you read?
A: I just finished Warm Bodies and it was good! I will be starting Half the Sky soon!

D: I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What It Was, by Barbara Sher.

-- What was your greatest musical discovery?
A: First Aid Kit, Of Monsters and Men, The Head and the Heart, and the Rilo Kiley song: With Arms Outstretched-it was on the finale of Weeds.

D: First Aid Kit, Fort Atlantic and Japandroids

-- What did you want and get?
A: To get into the MSW program at OSU!

D: A sandwich!

-- What did you want and not get?
A: Not sure...

D: I wanted a new job for a while, but I didn't get one. Now I don't really want a new job, at least for a while.

-- What was your favorite film of this year?
A:  Expendables 2,The Avengers, Moonrise Kingdom, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Pitch Perfect, Les Miserables.

D: Expendables 2.

-- What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
A: I turned 28, and we went to Mickey's. It was fun!!

D: 28 - probably Zenos.

-- How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
A: Trendy and Sweatery!

D: Hobo-chic.

-- What kept you sane?
A: Dan and my friends!

D: Deep breathing.

-- Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
A: Any girl celebrity with a cute pixie cut (Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, and Carey Mulligan). 

D: 

-- What political issue stirred you the most?
A: What didn't stir me...so glad the election is over!!

D: I struggled with voting Green Party or for Obama - in the end, I didn't want to let Romney/Ryan win, especially in Ohio, so I caved and voted democrat.

-- Who did you miss?
A: Family and friends that are not in Ohio!!

-- Who was the best new person you met?
A: I met some great friends in grad school and through other friends this year!

D: Probably some of the other people in my field that I met in Austin and Spain.

-- Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
A:Making good money and working long hours does not equal happiness, make sure you are doing what you love to do!

D: "F*** It." (I'm serious. I read a book with this title, and it was pretty helpful and valuable.)

-- Quote a song that sums up your year:

A: The Head and the Heart - Rivers and Roads 

"A year from now we'll all be gone
All our friends will move away
And they're goin' to better places
But our friends will be gone away

Nothin' is as it has been
And I miss your face like hell
And I guess it's just as well
But I miss your face like hell

Been talkin' 'bout the way things change
And my family lives in a different state
If you don't know what to make of this
Then we will not relate
So if you don't know what to make of this
Then we will not relate

Rivers and roads
Rivers and roads
Rivers 'til I reach you"

D: Sage Francis - Slow Down Ghandi

"Rich get richer til the poor get educated"

Christmas...Someday!

Someday I hope to be HOME for Christmas, surrounded by friends and family and will throw a fabulous  party much like the one depicted below....I better start growing out my hair!






But for now, we will be traveling back to Iowa to celebrate with our families...
Clang! Clang! Clang! Went the trolley!

Overdue Update!

Time flies when you are having fun (I think)....
School has started and I am already 6 weeks in, so far so good! I will be working in a field placement come October, but have not found out where that will be yet.
I enjoy my classes and have had a lot of interesting and eye opening discussions. I feel that I have made the right decision to go back to school and get my MSW.

We have been keeping busy and have had few adventures the last couple of months. We went to Madison to see UNI play the Badgers. We stayed with Dan's cousins Jeff and Kara, and had a great time! Abbie and Alexis also made the trip, so we had a mini UNI reunion. Dan's dad Don came and visited too! We went to wine tasting and Dan and Don went to the Art Museum and German Village.
We also had a gathering of friends to come watch the Youngstown/UNI game. Though UNI lost, we still had a good time.

Dan and I also had our three year anniversary, which does not seem like it could be possible! Where does the time go??

Besides studying and reading, Dan will be heading to Spain next month, and I am trying to figure out what I am going to be for Halloween. I am planning on being an Ewok for now...


Make sure you watch Happy Endings and New Girl  as their seasons are starting soon!!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Well, here I am with another overdue post! First, I would like to thank those you have helped support my etsy shop Mitty McC! I had my first non family/non acquaintance/non friend purchase yesterday! Keep spreading the word for me. My newest addition to the shop is a friend ship bracelet set. If you have an ideas or suggestions of what you think I should sell, let me know.




I have finally made an official announcement to work that I will be going to graduate school at OSU this fall for my Master's in Social Work as a full time student. They have allowed me to stay on part time. I am very excited! School starts on August 22nd, so wish me luck...I think the academia world will be a big adjustment from Corporate America, but I am looking forward to the change of pace. I am not 100% sure what I will want to do exactly, but I would like to combine my paralegal certificate and experience with the social work field. I am meeting with an advisor on Tuesday. I just bought a book bag and am now counting down the days until the fun begins! This also means, I will probably be blogging more to help avoid doing school work... Dan and I have had a pretty laid back summer. I went Pittsburgh for a bachelorette party, and participated in a pole dancing class. Don't let anyone fool you, that is hard stuff! I took the next level of improv classes in Columbus. Dan and I have played movie trivia. We also made it back to Iowa over the 4th of July for my best friend before preschool's wedding and to see our families and friends. It was crazy hot, but a lot of fun! The wedding was beautiful as well! The theme song for our trip was Call Me Maybe! We also got free tickets to the Airborne Toxic Event last weekend. It was a blast!


 

Next weekend we are going to have a houseful of visitors from Iowa (Jamie, Katie, Derek, and Vanessa) ...I am resting up now to make sure I can keep up! We are going to go to the Heart concert, sing karaoke, go to the North Market, drink and eat like champions!

 Things we are looking forward to in the upcoming months:
-Caitlin and Zane's Wedding in Pittsburgh
 -Mumford and Son's Concert in Columbus
-School Starting
-Going to Madison for the UNI/Wisconsin Game

 Things we are enjoying at the moment:
 -HBO Go (especially Big Love and The Sopranos)
-Of Monsters and Men
-First Aid Kit
-Sweet Corn
-Blueberry Pies
 -Summer Shandy
-Weekend Coffee
-Nightly Walks in our neighborhood

Mitty McC is now open for business!

It is here!! You can now visit my Etsy shop Mitty McC here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MittyMcC.
A big thank you to my sister Erin, for making the store logo and banner!

Currently, I am only selling necklaces but will start to post other things soon.  I hope to add knitted and crocheted items soon. Let me know if there is anything you would like to see!

In all honesty, it was quite a process getting this shop set up, but it was fun to do.

Please keep the buzz going and tell your friends to stop by and look around!

She's Making Jewelry Now

A few weeks ago we saw this on Portlandia, and laughed a lot mostly because it rang true with me...

I really do love to make crafty things! I have been crocheting and knitting more, which inturn means I am blogging less. Some projects I have made in the past few months are below:

Lately, I discovered making necklaces and I love it! Some people at work asked if I would make them some. I did and got some money for it, and then I thought I should just open an Etsy Store. It took me forever to come up with a name but I think we finally settled on one! I will announce when it is up and running..For now I will be putting my necklaces on there, but eventually I will try and add some crocheted and knitted goods as well!

Here are some examples of the Necklaces:

If you see something you like let me know and I can give a good deal!

Checkin' In

Here we are in February! One month ago I was making New Year's Resolutions, and I feel I am making good progress in 2012!

My resolutions will probably be the same as last years:
less TV -I feel like I am doing OK with this one!
more blogging-eh-there is still room for improvement right?
more crafting-Yes! I have made some cool stuff so far this year and will be making more, but that is a whole other blog post!
more reading-Yes!!! I have read some good books!
more working out-I took some time off for a cold...but I will jump back into it this week!! Also, I am going to try Zumba soon!
I would love to join an improv class-Third class starts this week!
and of course, I would like to keep in better touch with my friends and family.-Working on it!

Last week we went to see Nick Offerman (also known as Ron Swanson) at OSU. He did stand up comedy offering up his tips for prosperity. Some were funny like eat as much red meat as you want. Some tips really were inspiring, like make things with your hands, push the envelope, and stay offline. He made a very good point, no one is going to care if you had a high score on Angry Birds. Why not use the hours you "waste" each day and make something? I found this inspiring and am going to really try to make sure I am not wasting my time away, which often happens when I open my laptop and wander onto the interwebs...

Speaking of the interwebs, thanks to Pinterest, I have found an easy way to keep our house tidy and it only takes 312-30 minutes out of my day. So when I get home I clean right away and have the rest of the night and WEEKEND to relax! My new chore chart can be found here.

My recent favorites:

Homemade Thin Mints!

This Sloth Necklace!

Parks and Rec-This show gets funnier every week!

This shirt in green!

My next craft:

Necklaces!

Limboing in Purgatory

So begins a New Year! And along with the new year comes reflecting on the past year and looking forward to what is to come.
I have been reading a lot of memoirs lately, and most of the time I think to myself I could do this, I have a lot of thoughts, opinions, and strange stories I could write about....Then I thought, I have a blog, I can write on there...

This last year Dan and I had a few opportunities come up that we thought would bring us out of Ohio and closer to home. But as luck would have it, it just didn't happen that way. We were (maybe still are) disappointed, but we have decided that wee need to make the most of our time here, while we still have it. Never in my life would I have thought that I would be living in Ohio, let alone more than 4 years in Ohio, but here I am getting close to year 5. And though it seems like EVERYONE we know are moving on, having children and getting married, we feel stuck. Ohio is now synonymous with purgatory. We always thought this was going to be our stepping stone onto the next best thing. I am starting to think this may be this is it!

We have really been thinking about what we want to do and are thankful we have the time to do that. We are learning to be PATIENT and are realizing that we need to stop being frustrated that we may not be doing what everyone else is doing or that we aren't closer to home. We decided now is the time that we can try new things. For example, I signed up for an improv class, Dan wants to do an open mic comedy night and so on. We can keep making plans for future, but we are learning when things don't go as planned that we should use it as another opportunity to try something else.

Columbus is a lovely city. There is a lot of good food and places to see. And most importantly, Columbus is fairly cheap*!
So until the next thing happens, we will be here limboing in purgatory!


*Don't believe me?!? You should come visit!!!

Happy New Year!

It's a New Year!! Which means time for another survey!!
Thanks for the survey Catherine!

-- What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
A: I went to Canada and gambled in a casino. I decided I don't like to gamble...
We went to Hocking Hills (beautiful!), and saw DeathCab for Cutie live. I was in a book club.I started playing words with friends! We listened to an Audio book on our road trip. We finally saw a play that Dan's younger sister was in. We also stayed in Columbus for Christmas!

D: I was subpoenaed as a witness to county traffic court (got payed $9.00 for that.) I also went to a UNI game at the McLeod Center, which I hadn't been in before. I also didn't go to Iowa for Christmas. I went to Michigan. I bowled competitively in a league. And I went to my first midnight video game release at Gamestop!

-- Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
A: I am satisfied with my resolution keeping of last year! I blogged a little more, was super crafty, and I worked out! I also joined a book club, and have been reading more! I also visited more places in Ohio!
My resolutions will probably be the same as last years:
less TV and
more blogging
more crafting
more reading
more working out
I would love to join an improv class
and of course, I would like to keep in better touch with my friends and family.

D: I read a lot more this year, and I plan to continue that next year. I need to watch less TV.

-- Did anyone close to you give birth?
A: My sister Steph! Also, a few of my friends. It seems that everyone I know is pregnant right now, so this list will be larger next year!

D: Same as above!

-- Did anyone close to you die?
A: Not that I can think of...

D: I don't think so...

-- What countries did you visit?
A: Canada, but it was French Canada, so it felt like France too!

D: Canada......and Michigan (ba dum chhhhh)


-- What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A: A chance to move closer to home!

D: Less stuff, a chance to move on to something new workwise/locationwise.


-- What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
A: Friday May 13...My dad had had a heart attack and I was helpless in Ohio.

D: This year was kind of a blur - I had to go back through all of my 2011 FB wall to remember what happened at times. I guess spending the 4th of July weekend by myself in La Crosse, Wisconsin when I was interviewing for a job.

-- What was your biggest achievement of the year?
A: I stuck with knitting and crocheting and made some neat things. I am starting to play around with my sewing machine again too!

D: Reading more books - I actually made a goal to read more then followed through with it.

-- What was your biggest failure?
A: I read the whole book Freedom by Jonathan Franzen and will never get that time back. Also my bracket for March Madness was atrocious this year...

D: I ran a wildly successful internet blog for a few months then abandoned it at the height of its fame, much like Nirvana. Maybe I'll try to pick that back up.

-- Did you suffer illness or injury?
A: Injury and Sickness free in 2011!

D: Nothing major I can remember, and that's including an overnight stay in Akron!

-- What was the best thing you bought?
A: More boots! Yarn and a Comfy Couch...Also new tires for my car!

D: Skyrim for Xbox 360 - definitely has eaten a lot of my time. And my Kindle, although that was a gift (thaaaaanks Amanda!)

-- Whose behavior merited celebration?
A: All the people who stood up and fought for what they believed in, all over the world...You made a change, and that is inspiring!

D: All the protestors in Wisconsin, Ohio, the Middle East, NY, etc.

-- Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A: Sadly, a lot of people...Sandusky, The Republican Candidates, that guy that wrote the horrible article about Iowa (yeah, like Michigan is going to be sooo much better), and there are more, but I will stop now...

D: Pretty much all politicians, tv ad-writers and the general establishment of economics (thanks to a book I read about it.) Also the Koch brothers (the evil robber barons, not the UNI Basketball family dynasty)

-- Where did most of your money go?
A: Canada!

D: Canada, tires, christmas gifts, etc.

-- What did you get really, really, really excited about?
A: Going to see Aziz Ansari, We went to the OSU/Purdue basketball game, going back home in November, we had a string of family visitors in the summer! Of course our friends weddings and good new they shared with us! Oh and I cut my hair really short!

D: I really enjoyed all of our friends' weddings this year, and getting to travel to different locations for them. I also got excited about a couple of job opportunities - none of which panned out - but they all ended up being close calls. I was also pretty pumped when Skyrim came out and when we went to see Death Cab at the LC.

-- What song will always remind you of 2011?
A: Rolling in the Deep, Party Rock Anthem, Pumped Up Kicks, and Shake it out!

D: The ones Amanda named, plus Jack Sparrow by The Lonely Island.

-- Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
A: Happier.

D: Meh.

b) thinner or fatter?
A: about the same, but with all my eating lately, probably fatter!

D: Probably fatter. Boy, this question is brutal.
c) richer or poorer?
A: About the same, maybe a little richer?

D: Richer I guess.

-- What do you wish you'd done more of?
A: Reading, socializing, running, crafting...

D: Exercising, reading.

-- What do you wish you'd done less of?
A: wasting my time on the internet, mainly Facebook and Pinterest...

D: Worrying about the future, watching TV.

-- How will you be spending Christmas?
A: Dan and I stayed in Columbus. We did house sit in German Village for a couple of days, so it was a change of scenery!

D: We stayed in Columbus!

-- Did you fall in love in 2011?
A: Sure!! With lots of things!

D: No.

-- What was your favorite TV program?
A: 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, True Blood, Homeland, Disappeared and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

D: Eastbound and Down, Game of Thrones, Workaholics, True Blood.

-- Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
A: Hate is a strong word, but I really have no tolerance for greed anymore...

D: John Kasich - major league douche.

-- What was the best book you read?
A: Tina Fey's Bossypants and The Monster of Florence is good too!

D: Probably either Europe's Promise or Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

-- What was your greatest musical discovery?
A: Foster the People

D: Frightened Rabbit and Turisas (which led me to find a bunch more Scandinavian metal bands...thanks JamFla and D$)

-- What did you want and get?
A: A trip to Canada, to see our families, and a Healthy and Happy New Year!

D: Skyrim, and we got to see our friends and family quite a bit!

-- What did you want and not get?
A: To be closer to home!

D: A new job in a new location. Maybe this year!

-- What was your favorite film of this year?
A: Drive, Harry Potter, The Muppets, Bridesmaids, and Blue Valentine!

D: Super 8, Harry Potter, Drive, Harold and Kumar

-- What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
A: I was 27. Dan and I went out to eat at Surly Girl, and then I had a happy hour at Marshall's with co-worker whose birthday is close to mine!

D: Our friends came over to our house then some of them tell me that we went to Zeno's.

-- How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
A: Classy, Comfortable, and Cute-and of course boots!!

D: Craptacular.

-- What kept you sane?
A: Friends, family, my work wife, and watching reality TV....

D: Amanda, and the Xbox.

-- Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
A: The Gos (Ryan Gosling), Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Amy Pohler, and Aziz Ansari.

D: Kenny Powers.

-- What political issue stirred you the most?
A: I guess the question should be which issue didn't stir me?! In all honesty the whole pizza is a vegetable thing freaked me out the most! I am also concerned about the fracking that will start in Ohio soon!

D: The whole anti-labor, anti-education thing: SB5, the Wisconsin bills, etc.

-- Who did you miss?
A: My family and all of our friends that are not in Ohio!

D: Our friends that have moved away from Columbus over the years.

-- Who was the best new person you met?
A:I got to know a friend from work more, which in turn introduced me to her friends and I ended up playing on a sand volleyball team....Also my work wife!

D: I'll have to think about this one...

-- Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
A: For the workplace: No matter who is going to be upset, you should speak up about things that are bothering, or else it will get worse!

D: But while they prate of economic laws, men and women are starving. We must lay hold of the fact that economic laws are not made by nature. They are made by human beings.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

-- Quote a song that sums up your year:
A: A song would be Shake it out by Florence + the Machine and my quote is from Christmas Vacation: Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?

D: And we can both get old fashioned

Put the brakes on these fast, fast wheels

Oh let's get old fashioned

Back to how things used to be

If I get old, old fashioned

Would you get old, old fashioned with me?

- Old Old Fashioned, Frightened Rabbit

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the McCurleys!

New Picture!

Well! Here we are, it is the middle of December already! Dan and I are not going back to Iowa for Christmas, but we will be enjoying Ohio this year instead. Dan is actually working on Christmas cards as I type this, so check your mailboxes in a few weeks! Though, we are not going home, I must say that I am much less stressed about the holidays this year.
Below is a survey our friend Catherine filled out! I am copying her!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
I am partial to hot chocolate, but I will never turn down a good nog!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Neither. Santa put them in our stockings by the fireplace!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Colored lights on the tree! White is OK, but color is better!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
I don't. I don't think I have ever.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
This is my first year decorating in columbus. I put stuff up 2 week ago.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Puppy Chow and Chex Mix. That counts right?

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
We used to go to my Grandparents' in South Dakota and would see our cousins. Also one year our cat chased a mouse up our Christmas Tree. It was pretty exciting!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I think the 3rd grade. I really trust what people tell me.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes we did, mostly because my parents could not wait...

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Growing up, it was covered in a bunch of random decorations. Now I have small tree that lights up when I plug it in. The decorations don't fit too well.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I can live in it. I do not like how other people drive in it. I like to look at it from the warmth of my home.

12. Can you ice skate?
Yes, with double blades or on my ankles.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
My crimp and curl cabbage patch kid and my kid sister!

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
My family and reflecting on or blessings! Also, time off of work!

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Pinwheel Cookies!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
English Crackers! I don't really have any traditions yet!

17. What tops your tree?
Growing up it was an Angel. Now it is a Star.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
I love to give gifts! It stresses me out trying to find a good one, but I do like it!

19. Candy Canes?
Sure!

20. Favorite Christmas show?
Dan calls it the Holy Trinity of Christmas Movies: Home Alone, Love Actually and Christmas Vacation.

21. Saddest Christmas Song?
Christmas Shoes, both because it is a bad song and because it is depressing.

22. What is your favorite Christmas song?
I am not really a huge Christmas music fan, probably because they start playing it before Thanksgiving....I like Hark the Herald Angels Sing and All I Want for Christmas is You!

Shaking my fist!!!

That is right, I am bringing back the fist shake.
Here is a list of things that I am raising my clenched hand up and am shaking it violently to...Just like this!

1). Jack and Jill was the second highest grossing film last weekend. This movie which looks like one Tracy Jordan from 30 Rock would have starred in, was filling up theaters. Don't get me worng I used to love Adam Sandler movies, but when I saw this preview, I thought it was a joke, a really bad joke...What is wrong with you America?!?



2) Leggings as pants...They are OK for SOME people under LONG shirts and short dresses. They are not pants and I don't care what to know what you look like under your clothes...

3)Community has been shelved...Don't get me wrong I can't wait for 30 Rock to come back, but can't Whitney go away instead?

4) Nicholas Cage...You are awful!

5)Congress blocking more nutritious school lunches. Wow...Who is running this country??

6) The drivers in Columbus...You are awful!

7)Fur Vests...I don't get it...You look like an ewok, or a wookie if you are a tall person...



8) People that rant and rave on the internet...Wait...Wahh?


That's it for now. I couldn't think of anything else to say. I was going to try to get to 10, but I am tired. Yes, I am shaking my fist at myself right now...

Fall has arrived...

SUNDAYS are my most dreaded days, and they always have been! I think it is because it means my weekend is over and it is back to the grindstone...

Last weekend we went to Akron for John and Lisa's wedding. It was a beautiful day for a wedding and it was a wonderful wedding! The reception had the drink the Sidecar, which I never had before, but it was delicious!
We also went to the cracker barrel for breakfast the next day. It was delicious!

This weekend we were able to stream the UNI/SDSU game on ESPN3. We had a few friends over to watch the game. It was a lot of fun! I also bought some more yarn at the Knitters Mercantile for gifts for the nieces and nephews! We also had some amazing Venezuelan food at the Yerba Buena food truck today. I love me some plantains!

For Halloween this year, I think Dan and I will be Pete and Pete from the Adventures of Pete and Pete. I will be big Pete and Dan will be Little Pete.




For work, I think I am going to do Toddlers & Tiaras. This may require a fake tan....


Other than getting excited about seeing Aziz Ansari next weekend, boot and sweater season, digging Foster the People, and getting sick of horrible Columbus driving and people obsessing over their new iPhones...There isn't much going on here!

Come on ride the train, and blog it!

It is officially fall now, which means everyone will start blogging again...I think...
I figured I better get back on the blogging train!

We had family visits in June: Dan's mom and sister and my parents, sister, brother in law, and nephew. It was great to have our families here. Dan's dad is even coming this weekend too!!

We also traveled to two weddings (Sarah and Tom in Iowa and Sarah and Sean in MI). Both weddings were so beautiful and fun!

We also went to Montreal and Quebec City Canada in early September, to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. You can see the pictures here and here. It was a blast, which made it hard to come back to the real world!

I have been pretty homesick lately, but I think we may be heading back to Iowa around Nov. 3rd to see Kirsten's (Dan's Sister) musical and my new nephew Leo!

I have also been knitting and crocheting like crazy getting stuff done in time for birthdays and Christmas. I got some great yarn in Canada.


My next biggest challenge for this month is coming up with a Halloween Costume...Any suggestions???

Things I am enjoying lately:
-The Movie: Drive
-Aziz Ansari
-Pinterest- it is a great way for me to keep track of the crafty stuff I want to do and stuff I want to buy =] (tell me if you are on there!)
-CraftGawker
-Jason Derulo -it is fun to workout to
-Roots!-love my new sweatshirt!
-TV shows are starting up!
-Cider and Maple Leaf Cookies

Saturday

Happy Saturday!!!

So....

I should probably blog more....Oops!

Her name is The Barefoot Contessa, and you will never be like her. Starting with the barefoot part...

We have been busy lately!
I made some blueberry cobbler and it was delicious!! It wasn't an Ina recipe, but it was super good. Also, it was pretty easy to make. Too bad I cannot find cinnamon ice cream in Columbus, because it would have been delicious!!
I have been pretty infatuated with German Chocolate Cake lately, so maybe I will make that next...
I really enjoy baking the only problem is that Dan and I are the only ones around to eat it!





Dan and I decided that we should try gardening a few random weekends ago. We don't really know much about it, but thought it would be fun to try. We picked out some herbs and planters. It has rained here almost everyday the last 20 days, so I was getting worried our plants would not grow. But when we got home from Chicago on Sunday, I looked in the planter and saw some sprouts. It is pretty exciting! Maybe someday when we have a yard we can have a real garden.






My nephew turned 4 last month and to keep up with my crafty traditions, I made him a Lawerence Welk Shirt. Dan made the design. I think it is pretty schnazzy! Next, I am going to try and crochet a pug toy for my niece, as her birthday is up next!



This last weekend we went to Chicago. I went to bachelorette party for my friend from college. We went to the Cubs/Reds game and out to dinner and out around town! It was a lot of fun! I miss my friends a lot, and I am glad we were all able to make it. Dan stayed with his friend and had a great weekend as well. We also got to visit with some of our friends that moved away last fall! It was great to see them all!



Other than that, not a lot going on with us!

The Manda/Ina Project

Back in December I talked about Julie/Julia, and what neat idea I thought she had. So with this entry I feel like I pretty much ripped off the idea, but it was fun!

I wouldn't call myself a cook or even a baker. I baked a lot when I was younger, mostly for the Hardin County Fair when I was in 4H. My mom is a great cook! She made most of our meals and desserts growing up, and even convinced my siblings and I to eat beet cake.

In High School I would bake, but it wasn't from scratch but it was easy enough and I would get brownies out of the deal.

In college, I really didn't have an interest in cooking or baking...
Over the least few years I have developed an irrational fear of baking for others. What if someone finds my hair in their food, they wold clearly know it was my hair! Also what if everyone hates what I make, but feels bad and eats it anyway? Or worst of all what if I get everyone sick?

So lately, things have been a little stressful at work. And as most people do, you vent to other coworkers. One of the other managers for another department and I have been spending a lot of time together lately, mostly because we are trying to implement new procedures and our departments directly effect one another. I notice every time I go to her office she has baked goods. I always ask her why she bakes so much an she says is it is relaxing for her and she ENJOYS doing it. I always tell her how I should bake more...

A few weeks ago a mini-series on HBO called Mildred Pierce started. I honestly didn't know much about it, but it took place in the 30s (I like the hairstyles and dress of that time) and star Kate Winslet, so I thought why not...I won't tell you about the story, but Mildred does a lot of cooking. She made really good pies! As I watched the show, I kept thinking to myself I could/should make a really good pie! It also made me think of the movie The Waitress with Keri Russell and she also made pies. And when I watched the movie I was like I could/should do that!

Like I said earlier, work has been pretty stressful lately. I like to bring bagels or doughnuts for everyone when things are like this, but this time I wanted to do something different.
When I lived in Milwaukee, my roommate Alli always made the best scones. They were the best scones I had ever had! I asked her the recipe and she sent it. I also found a a recipe for orange cranberry scones (my favorite) from Barefoot Contessa (Dan's Favorite ;0)).

Dan was playing in a concert for most of the day Sunday, so I decided that would be the best time to start baking (you know what they say about too many cooks in the kitchen!).
And bake I did... I made a lot of scones and a few muffins (in case someone did not like scones).

I knew I was probably in over my head, because I wasn't even sure how to zest a lemon, or what that meant really...Thankfully Dan was able to educate me.
Once I got over the initial fear of actually trying something new, I was fine. I really enjoyed it!! And Holy Moly do we have a lot scones!!! They were a big hit, so I will probably keep up the tradition!










Earlier this week, Dan was at band practice again and we still had some lemons ( I am a zesting machine now!), so I decided I was going to try some lemon bars from Barefoot Contessa...

Though I hit some snags (my room temperature butter was a little too warm, I mixed the sugar with the flour at first instead of the butter, etc.) I think they turned out great!








I learned that we should probably invest in a zester, whisk and probably a nice mixer. the hand mixer does not do well with cold butter! And most importantly, there were no hairs in scones, no one got sic, and everyone liked them!

So what should I try next? I am thinking the chicken salad!