Thanks to the holidays, extended sickness, our two week trip to Iceland, and my parents’ own week long trip, the kiddo didn’t have a normal weekday at their house in six weeks. He loves his days with his Nana and his Grammy (my grandmother), and it was clear he was overjoyed to be back to a regular schedule with them.
I got to their house at a reasonable time and the weather was really nice for January (see: low fifties and not rainy or windy), so the kiddo, my grandmother and I headed down to the waterfront and let my mom do a bit of work before dinner (our regular routine is for me to stay for dinner on the days I pick him up there, both to avoid traffic and have a weekly family night).
We stopped at the bakery and Starbucks and then headed down to the shoreline to enjoy the unusually nice day. We walked around (and played PokemonGo) until sunset, where we were rewarded with a beautiful darkening sky to finish out the afternoon. The kiddo also skipped rocks and drew in the sand (a rainbow plus a bunch of letters) while my grandmother and I chatted and strolled up on the bulkhead.
After that, we went back and had dinner with my parents before the kiddo and I headed home for the evening. My husband doesn’t join us because his work days run later – and traffic gets particularly bad – but he also doesn’t mind having an evening to himself to relax and tinker on projects in the garage.

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Ps – if you follow me on social media you might have seen this already, but my mom’s newest book came out this week! Eighteen years after writing her blockbuster The No Cry Sleep Solution, she did a complete revision and update of the book. That second edition is now out, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. She changes families lives in such a positive way, and she sure changed our first few years with the kiddo as well.
1. I had a couple friend and their kiddos over on Saturday for lunch, where we cobbled together food we had in our freezers while the four kids under six played together. That was the day I woke up with my right heel in agony (which I now think is plantar fasciitis). I mentioned it to my friend when she came over that day, not thinking about the fact that she was a massage therapist.
She sat me down and massaged my heel expertly for an hour, which was incredible. In a loose exchange, she left for a couple of hours while the kiddos stayed and played at our house. She was back for dinner, when we had a couple other friends over as well. It was a low key day filled with people and support – my favorite kind of Saturday, even with a painful injury.
2. Beyond the Saturday meal, we had leftovers multiple times this past week. We did such a poor job of eating them previously that we’d adjusted to cooking mostly just for that night, or maybe enough to take for lunch the next day.
Lately, we’ve been doing a much better job of eating leftovers, and more than that, we’ve come to appreciate them a lot more. When the food is good, it’s nice to just reheat a meal and be able to take a night off from cooking. Wild, I know, but it’s taken us far too long to realize the awesomeness of leftovers.

3. Our garbage service had gotten skipped due to the snow, so last Friday was the first pickup in two full weeks. We almost never fill our trash or recycling though (or our compost/yard waste), so it wasn’t a hardship. We pay less than if we had a bigger can, but the bigger incentive is the reduction of waste – and the ability to skip a week without worry.
4. One of the headlights on my car went out this past week. My husband noticed right away, but two of my neighbors also made sure that I knew it was out. The husband ordered new LED lights and replaced them himself one afternoon. It didn’t take a ton of time, and it was way cheaper than taking it in to an auto shop.
While I could learn how to do some of the car maintenance myself (and have changed tires, oil, and wiper blades in the past), I really appreciate that my husband takes on all the maintenance stuff for us without me having to think about it. One less thing I need to worry about – especially when it’s the frugal answer – is always welcome.
5. I’ve been getting my money’s worth out of the gym thanks to my messed up heel. I’m hopeful that it will be well enough for at least a short run next week, but we will see.
In the meantime, I’ve been spending more time on the stationary bike than I probably ever have in a given week. I only pay $18 a month for my gym membership anyway, but my per visit cost has been driven down thanks to my bike workouts that would otherwise be a trail run. Silver lining, I suppose.
Exercise Update
I went for an hour long run on Friday, which felt fabulous. Until, that is, I woke up the next morning with that awful pain in my heel and spent the day sitting as much as possible. Sunday was a slow walk and a forty minute bike ride at the gym, followed up with more ice and foot massage.
Monday was a ten minute bike ride (thankfully the work gym also has a stationary bike). Tuesday was an hour long bike ride and then an upper body only lifting workout at the gym by my house. Wednesday was a half hour on the bike – again. Thursday was a meandering walk through the woods with the kiddo, followed up with more ice and sitting on the couch.
Are you good about taking it easy after an injury, or are you inclined to push it and get moving like me?
We’ve been gone for a while and we’re going again in 30 days if the Corona doesn’t stop us (Asai!) but it’s nice to see you’re still living the good life. I’m always impressed. You mentioned Iceland – Northern Lights? Now I’m envious – they’re on our list. Wish I heard about your mom’s book before. Our youngest grandson was a nightmare for months. Keep up the good work.
We saw the Aurora on the plane there and then again halfway through the trip, but it wasn’t the super impressive lights that you see in photos. Still cool. But I want to see them all out someday.
I’m curious to hear how your new LED headlights work in the cold/snow. I’m contemplating putting them in my vehicle, but am hesitating due to our very cold winters. They run much cooler than a traditional bulb & I don’t know if my headlights would frost over🤔
It doesn’t drop below the 30s here very often, and never below the teens. My husband’s had them on his truck through that weather and they’ve been fine, but I can’t speak to anything colder than that.
plantar fasciitos sucks. i only had it once when i was 18 and running some hard miles. i hate to say this but mine took a long time to heal. i pushed it and came back too soon a few times. i think you’re smart to ride a bike instead and that ice massage is a great idea too. when i was running college x/c they had us massage with offending part with the ice right on the skin surface. get well.
Yeah, I’m trying to baby it but it is SO hard.
Ha! I suck at taking it easy with an injury – hence my boot of shame. However, I will pat myself on the back for the decent job I’ve been doing the past 3.5 weeks. Take care of that foot! I have neighbors who have told me when my taillight is out and I just love that someone is keeping an eye out for me. Enjoy your weekend!
Having people looking out for you is the best 🙂
I hope your heel heals soon. I agree that finding a balance between resting and moving forward is tough. Love your posts!
Thank you! Continuing to try and take it easy.
You Mom writes books? That’s awesome!! Kudos to her!
Like 14 of them in 30+ languages 😉
Take care of your heel, heard that plantar fasciitis takes a long time to heel so hopefully you won’t rush it. Probably just need to rest and try not to do any running on it…only on the treadmill which seems like you’re doing. Enjoy the weekend, Angela!!
No treadmill time for me yet even… just the dang stationary bike.
Congratulations to your mom! Wow, that’s awesome!
I hope your foot feels better soon. I know you’re on a shopping ban, but podiatrists sometimes recommend Olukai flipflops for people with this problem and foot problems in general. I have bad feet and love this brand. It might help alleviate some of that pain, but don’t take my word for it. If you’re interested, search reviews, etc. and see what you find. They’re pricey, but they offer great support. You can even wear them around the house instead of going barefoot to see if they help. If not, return them and get your money back. 🙂
Oh, and leftovers are a gift! Enjoy them. I don’t know what I’d do without them.
Yeah, I hate wearing shoes around the house 😣
Most people do. I rarely wear them around the house too. But podiatrists sometimes recommend them for support for your condition. Just an option if you want it. 🙂