5 Favorites: Free Printables

I'll be back with the birth story for Miss Audrey later, but the tl;dr version is: 41+5, induction, epidural, standard delivery. Overall, it was good, and we're doing good.

I yanked this one out of my posts drafts that I hadn't gotten around to. A themed 5 Favorites. I do love me some free printables.

1.

Recipe card

And by 'card,' I mean an entire sheet of paper that goes in a sheet protector in my recipe binder. I love that these are editable pdf's so you can copy/paste and don't even have to wade through rushed handwriting.

This one from DomestiFluff is what I used 5 years ago for my sister's bridal shower cookbook.

I think this one here can actually hold more text on it for those longer recipes.

2.

Notes for the babysitter

You can find all sorts of these all over Pinterest, but I found 3 faves.

The one shown is from here. Another nice one is over here. And lastly, this one. Oh wait, there's also this adorable one that is specifically for infants. So. Many. Options.

3.

Yearly kid's birthday interview

Also an editable pdf, which I started this year at age 3. I'm sure my daughter's answers changed the next day, but I tucked what I got into her baby book anyway.

There's also a blue/green version, and both can be found right here.

4.

Anything from Kendra at CatholicAllYear

Especially these lovelies:

I highly recommend reading the blog post that goes along with the Solemnities one, as well as her 10 Baby Steps to Living the Liturgical Year post. Both are full of win.

For all of Kendra's printables, check out her Pinterest board

5.

Handwriting practice sheets

Full confession: if it weren't for Cora's daycare, I would have never known about this one. But to watch your 3-year-old write her name? Jaw-droppingly awesome.

This was all her, no help.

Fully customizable and free at handwritingpractice.net


For some other awesome free printables that may or may not fit your life, check out freeprintablesonline.com and Thirty Handmade Days and Real Life at Home

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Linking this one up with Call Her Happy's 5 Faves, hosted this week at Efficient Momma

7QT: 35 Weeks and Scatter-brained

--- 1 ---

I've felt the urge to blog for the past 2 weeks, but after staring at a computer all day at work, I just can't bring myself to type something up. Sigh. I've also been going through some type of sluggish/manic cycle, where I go hours or days too tired to get anything done and then get a wave of energy and knock a bunch of stuff out in the course of a few hours. Is this a pregnancy thing? I'm blaming it, regardless.

--- 2 ---

Speaking of that, I bought some stuff to make some adorable baby headbands and bows that I saw on Pinterest. I'm of course excited to do it . . . I just have to muster up the energy this weekend to bang a few out. Even Cora is excited about this, so I guess I should just suck it up buttercup. (Cora can't really help too much since it's pretty much all hot-glue-gun work.)

Life Unfluffed's tutorial for these puppies

I could probably pin cute hairbows and headbands all day long. I never really did like the ones we put on Cora as a baby (the crochet headbands were just too big for her little head).

--- 3 ---

Another 'manic' thing I've been doing when the energy hits is some freezer meal prepping. I had never really done much of this until my book club friends had a freezer meal swap night back in November. We each made 3 of the same dinner and brought it, then went home with 3 different meals. We also talked about strategies and favorite recipes that night. One gal brought copies of her favorite freezer meal recipes (I think they're from a book), and I've been using some of those, along with this Aldi freezer meal plan from the blogosphere.

It's not much to some people, but that's 4 meals: baked ravioli, mac & cheese, Souvlaki chicken, and alfredo sauce

I'm not sure if these will make it to "new baby" time, but with both of us working, freezer meals really are awesome. B just pulled out the bag of Quesadilla Casserole filling Thursday night (we just assemble it the night of, unlike that recipe I linked), and last night I made a double of the Alfredo sauce from the Aldi plan (one to eat now, one to freeze). We still have enough of the casserole left for at least another dinner.

--- 4 ---

I had a 2014 resolution to kick Cora's picky eating habits. It never happened.

But then.

But then she turned 3 about a month ago. And guess what--someone's picky little tot learned the benefit of 'cause and effect.' I know, I know, I'm not supposed to use sugary foods and desserts to get her to eat her dinner (says all the scientists and child nutrition experts). But goshdarnit, it works!

She also responds to a bribe for her beloved cottage cheese, so all is not lost?

We enjoyed some (fake...microwaved) s'mores for dessert Wednesday night, because I was craving one and she'd eaten all her fish and some veggies.

--- 5 ---

My hometown in Georgia got some snow this week, and I have a lot of friends with school-age kids and even more friends (and family members) who are teachers. Everyone was so jazzed about the snow and school cancellations.

Then Thursday, we had a bit of snow here, and I heard the DJ on the radio say, "Yeah, there's some snow, but amazingly no delays or cancellations today." I'm pretty sure every parent in this city breathed a collective sigh of relief that morning, since they cancel/delay school a lot here.

And that's the difference between Georgia and Indiana. (Not saying one is better than the other, although I wouldn't mind just getting a few inches of snow once a year and being giddy about it . . .)

--- 6 ---

So Lent started last week. For accountability's sake, here are my Lenten resolutions:

1. Go to Stations of the Cross at least once. (Yeah, I haven't been in YEARS and don't even remember what happens at this.)
2. Floss my teeth every night. (Sounds odd, but so does giving up chocolate, right?)
3. Read/pray the daily devo from Blessed Is She. They come straight to my email, and I'm really liking these!

If you want to join the Lenten bandwagon, I found out about this cool website/Twitter account called What to Give Up that gives you a new challenge each day of Lent. I told B he should do it, but not sure if he will.

Fri, Feb 27 - Set a reminder so you go to bed an hour earlier than usual. http://t.co/7e2zn5SfmR
— WhatToGiveUpForLent (@WhatToGiveUp) February 26, 2015

--- 7 ---

Next week I'm going to hang out with awesome people for a day! I'll be attending a Catholic Women's Blogging Conference on the campus of Notre Dame. I'm probably nuts for doing this at 36 weeks, but oh well. I'm a bit intimidated, since I don't live and breathe blogging, nor have plans to ever make any money from it, but hopefully I'll learn something and chat it up with homegirls like Grace and Bonnie and Sarah. (I've actually had dinner with Sarah before, so I'm excited to see her again!)

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain't the Lyceum

Race Recap: Nun Run 5K

Who could resist a race with a name like Nun Run/Brother Boogie? I couldn't, that's for sure.

This race was about 20 minutes away in a small city called Huntington, former long-time residence of Dan Quayle. I have only been out there one other time, and it felt like stepping into a different world even though it's so close. The run was at and benefited St. Felix Oratory, a Catholic retreat center and home to nuns and monks or something like that. (More info on the place, if that's your thing.)

Anyway, the building was beautiful, and the day was gorgeous as well. They even got this group picture before we started.

I'm somewhere in this picture. I still haven't figured out where.

The 5K and 10K started simultaneously but on opposite sides of the building. I started off good, toward the front. We ran around this pretty lake and then ran on the side of a road that had NOT been blocked. So yeah, cars going by on a 2-lane road with no shoulder. Whatever. They had warned us, and told us to be safe.

I was feeling pretty good about halfway through mile 2 until we started running up the biggest hill I have seen in the entire state of Indiana. It reminded me of my hometown in Georgia and not in a good way. Of course my pacing song was set to come on during that. Yeesh.

I don't remember any big downhills. After the big hill, we ran around mowed paths through grassy fields. Can't lie, it was kinda boring. I saw a sign for mile 3 and started to push a little harder for the final 0.1. But the course kept going. And going. Winding this way and that way, with the finish line in sight for some of it. That was wayyyy longer than 0.1 at the end. Finally made it to the finish line, and sprinted next to a gal I figured was in my age group and I needed to beat. (I did, by a second.)

After the race, there were not only the requisite bananas, but cookies and chocolate milk! I've only ever heard about chocolate milk for much longer races (half-marathons and such), so I kinda felt like a big deal. Nice touch, even if it was donated (it was).

I finally made a race friend during the after party as well! I had been trying to catch up to this one lady and never was able to, so I told her. (Running pick-up lines, anyone?) She was in her 40's and ended up winning her age group. We chatted for a bit, and I'll probably be seeing her at some other races. Maybe I'll catch up to her then!

My time was 27:46, which is way worse than what I did the previous week.

I came in 29th overall and 3rd place out of 22 in my F 20-29 age group. I stayed around for the awards, but they only gave awards to top 2. I cheered on my new pal, though!

B and Cora did come to the race, but B was in a bad mood the whole time and didn't take any pictures. He apparently hates coming to races to chase after Cora, and his bad attitude was actually affecting me during the race. I won't be inviting him to any more. I'm working on making some friends who actually want to run the race.

But at least I got this awesome shirt.

No actual nuns in habits were seen on race day.

What I Wore Sunday

I'm lookin' so fine today I haven't even changed yet!

Haven't done this link-up in a while

Seriously, do you have those days where you just think you look exceptionally good? Such a confidence booster. Especially because I have an interview tomorrow with a temp/employment agency. Every boost of confidence helps, since I haven't had a serious interview since 2008.

I'm apparently a walking ad for NY & Company today. Pants, blouse, and blazer all. However, the pants were thrifted, the blazer was bought from a blog-land friend, and the blouse was bought in-store off the clearance rack. I've had the blouse for over a year but never worn it because a) I couldn't figure out exactly how since it's an odd shape and b) the front hem had come out and I hadn't fixed it. I decided to address the latter this morning with my emergency sewing kit and had a hunch a blazer would do the trick for the former.

The shoes are from the Old Navy clearance rack last year, and I can't remember how the necklaces came to be.

As for mass, I'm so glad I could take Cora to the morning mass. We have been going to the 4:30pm Saturday vigil for months, and she has been bouncing around and talking so much. An usher asked us last week if we'd like to take up the gifts, and for the first time in my life I turned it down. Ugh. I was about to throw in the towel and take her to the nursery this week, but I decided to see what a change in schedule would do. Thank God! She wasn't perfect, but I got to hear the homily, which was amazing.

I have been reading Jennifer Fulwiler's book Something Other Than God, and I enjoyed reading about her first mass experience. She had researched it back to the writings of Justin the Martyr and Hippolytus, each describing Christian church services of the time. I think after growing up in it, I sometimes take for granted the fact that I participate in a basically-unchanged ancient ritual on a weekly basis. Except for now I can wear pants and leave my head uncovered.

What I Wore Sunday (Vol. 17) and Dorothy Day

Linking up once again

Some outdoor pictures today! Spring might have actually finally arrived! That tree I had been mindlessly staring out the window at all winter has bloomed!

Tank top: Merona from Target // White denim blazer: American Eagle // Pants: NY & Co., thrifted and amazing (my size and petite length!) // Shoes: Old Navy // Necklace: Body Central // Purse: Vera Bradley Outlet Sale

Baby's clothes: Probably all from Carter's (gifted). Shoes: Robeez (also a gift)

Oh, and that is what my hair actually looks like. Those curls ain't happenin' again, sorry. And full disclosure: these were taken yesterday. Today has taken on rainy and dreary qualities.

I have always like this little rose pin detail on this blazer.

As for mass, we actually got to hear the entire homily, and it was great (Cora gets another A for mass behavior!). Monsignor talked about Dorothy Day the whole time. I knew a little bit about her before--mostly just that she was a convert and co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement--but he made me want to know more and read her autobiography. I just read her entire Wikipedia entry this morning.

I can't find one of the quotes our Monsignor used that I liked the best, but he also used this one:

"I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions"  - Dorothy Day

This made me think of politicians. Don't know why . . .

Anyone planning to join me for National Screen-Free Week? (I'm only doing it for realz for one day. Hey, it's somethin'.)

What I Wore Sunday (Vol. 15)

Happy Divine Mercy Sunday!

I have heard more than one person (including my husband) say that Easter is over. To that I say:

50 days, baby!

As for my mass attire, I didn't plan on wearing jeans to church. We didn't even think we'd be going to church last night, but it worked out so we did. So this should really be titled "What I Wore to Look At Cars After B Got Off Of Work."

Sweater: Croft & Barrow hand-me-down from MIL // Skinnies (in short length for my little stumps!): Old Navy // Shoes: Old Navy clearance rack score // Necklace: some cheapo store (Body Central) in the Pensacola mall // Trench coat: XOXO brand from TJMaxx(?) a few years back

I'm so glad we can actually go outside with more than our face exposed now. Although B did ask where the other half of my shoe was. Boys.

Hooray for link-ups!

And today you get a bonus. Since I was too busy celebrating my BIL's baptism and full communion with the Catholic Church and whatnot to post last week, here is what I wore to Easter Vigil, via selfies in the rain while Dad held the umbrella:

Same coat as above, a purse that didn't match but I didn't care, and a dress that I wore to a friend's potluck farm wedding 4 years ago.

Good ol' Dad in the background again.
This was my FB profile pic for a solid block of time.

Oh, and you know how I said we were looking at cars? Well, neither of us brought the checkbook (accidentally-on-purpose?), but B will be coming home with a new (to him) car tomorrow. We're paying in full. We're crazy blessed, I know. (But we're also both frugal cheapskates who are proficient at setting sensible goals and sticking with them.)

7 Quick Takes: Easter Trip Photo Dump

Our trip back to my home state of Georgia, told mostly in pictures.

--- 1 ---

A total trooper on her first plane ride!

--- 2 ---

Enjoying the company of flowers, friends, and family.

--- 3 ---

A baptism. (Full immersion, baby!)

A confirmation.

And a really long and beautiful Easter Vigil.

It started at 8pm. 3 hours and 5 minutes later, it's time for the reception!

--- 4 ---

Easter morning.

--- 5 ---

Easter Sunday down in West Point, GA (on the Alabama border).

Cousins!

--- 6 ---

Can't forget the kibbeh. (It's an Easter tradition!)

--- 7 ---

The best photo of me EVER.

And a 19-year-old 3-legged cat.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

What I Wore Sunday (Vol. 14)

Yesterday was a double header with Jesus.

We went to daily mass in the morning because it was being said for B's grandfather that passed away in early February and then we were having brunch with lots of family members afterward. Later in the day, we hit up the vigil mass for Palm Sunday since B is working today (as usual, as usual). I have never in my life seen that many people at a daily mass before. Then again, I haven't been to daily mass at this church before. My uncle says there's usually about 100 people(!), and he said this one was way more. The Saturday one has confession immediately following, so they were out in full force yesterday. This is my first time living somewhere super-Catholic, and it kinda weirds me out sometimes. I should love it, right?

Linking up with FLAP

So this outfit did double-duty, both 8am and 5pm. The dress is new--my first foray into both chambray and shirtdresses--and we were running out the door in the morning so quickly that I didn't have time to figure out accessories. I had a watch on in the morning, but I guess I took it off at some point. If you have a suggestion on how best to accessorize this (long necklaces? scarf? trucker hat?), please leave me some comment love!

Check out that cloth diaper cover!

Dress: Old Navy // Tights: Target //
Boots: I forgot the brand but they're from Shoe Carnival

Also, crosses made out of palms. Are they okay, all you Scrupulous Sallies? I've always thought there wasn't a problem, but the priest said something about respecting your palms since they are blessed and to put them back on the table if you were just gonna throw them out. (He did not specifically say not to do origami with them.)

As for the crosses themselves, I didn't know how to make them until a few years ago when I looked it up on YouTube. Then I forgot about it for next 12ish months and had to look it up again. I was trying my best to remember the steps in the car on the way to church. I failed. I sat there twiddling with it before mass and a little bit during offertory and gave up. Good ole internettin' bailed me out once again after we got home.  [Here's a link to the video I used]

I hope you all have the holiest of Holy Weeks, and get your bums to confession if you haven't already! I'll be on a plane to Georgia on Wednesday to see my side of the family for Easter. Baby's first plane trip!

Speaking of the bambina, I'm pretty sure that yesterday, at 13 months, 3 weeks, and 4 days old, she took her first steps! She sorta walked two steps from me to B's aunt with no help, then sorta fell into her arms. And of course we couldn't get her to do it again. (She is stubborn!) Why can't we ever have milestones that I can truly figure out? (On that note, I *think* her first word was "yeah" but B thinks it was "dada." Those are the only words she knows right now anyway.)

What I Wore Sunday (Vol. 13)

Nothing like a good easy link-up to pull me out of a blogging funk!

But first off, our new Pope. I love him. By participating in stuff like Fantasy Conclave, Adopt a Cardinal, and other sundry 'guess the Pope/learn about Conclave' fun, I was really interested in Conclave this time around. I really didn't care much when Benedict XVI was elected, even though I was a practicing Catholic. I guess I was just a self-centered, overachieving, and over-busy college student at the time and had trouble seeing the world outside my dorm room walls.

Ah, but on Wednesday I watched with nervous excitement as we waited for the announcement. I will never forget it! I think I was almost in tears by the time he was announced--and I couldn't even understand what was being said. The baby napped through it all, but I took a picture of the TV because, hey, digital cameras are awesome.

Although his name is slightly wrong.
(Not the 1st until there is a 2nd. You have John Paul I to thank for being cocky and sneaking in a I.)

On that note, this makes me laugh:

via Catholic Memes

Okay, now on to the fashion show! I went to mass last night so I didn't feel obligated to wear green. But I did it anyway.

This outfit has another DIY element. That infinity scarf is really just part of one of my husband's old t-shirts that was too big for him. I used this tutorial, but once you read it, you'll see you don't really need much of a tutorial. My only issue is that this shirt was cheapo cotton so it isn't the soft and stretchy kind. I have read some tutorials about brining your shirts for that feel, though, and I might just give it a go with this.

Scarf: old t-shirt // Sweater: Charlotte Rusee // Shirt: Motherhood Maternity (thrifted, and yes, this still looks fab after all the baby weight has been shed--hooray for ruching and I like the longer length) // Pants: Alloy (I should buy more petite-length pants via catalog/internet) // Shoes (black Mary Janes with black socks, seen below): Jellypop via ?? // Probably-too-casual-but-brand-new-watch: Timex Ironman, a gift from my husband who knew I needed a watch to run and swim in! (from Meijer, I think)

I attempted to use the prop of a half-deflated balloon left over from baby's birthday (which was almost 2 months ago), and this was the tragic result:

Awk. Ward.

Linking up with FLAP