SHE'S A CAR MOM, SHE'S A COW MOM

Welcome to the Carpool podcast with Kelly.

Speaking of things that Tyler brought home when I had a newborn,

literally I'm in the hospital with Libby.

We're back in the hospital because she had jaundice.

Tyler sends me a picture of haddy colting a piglet,

and I come home and we have four piglets.

And Liz.

Just like if anyone just like wants to like in a really polite way,

just like let me know when you're sick of me.

Like I'm happy to stop filming myself doing this.

Your mom time off starts now.

Welcome back to the Carpool podcast with Kelly.

And Liz.

Hey, Liz.

Hey, Cal.

She's the car mom.

She's the cow mom.

Cow mom.

The cow mom.

You guys, what an exciting time.

So I come home and Fred and Haddy run outside,

and they're like, daddy has a surprise at the barn.

Which made my stomach drop, I'll be honest.

Because the last time Tyler surprised me with an animal,

it was a puppy and I had a three week old baby.

And it did not go over, I think, as he intended it to go over.

Men love to surprise you with a puppy.

Because they know that's the only way.

Just like, I wonder if you've tried jewelry, you know what I mean?

Like, well, that's about our surprise.

No, it ended up working out great.

Long story, we lost our dog three weeks before George was born.

We were devastated.

And then Tyler never recovered, and he's like, we need a dog.

And I was like, well, let's just wait till George is a little older.

But you know, you meet a breeder, they have a puppy, you see a photo.

And next thing you know, you're driving three hours to another.

It's a tale of oldest, tale as oldest time.

So and we have casually, and I mean, casually tossed around the idea

of getting another dog.

And I was like, oh, no, like, do you think he would just do that?

And the answer is, yes, I do think he would just do that.

Like, I do think my second dog will just find me, you know, for sure.

Or find Tyler, I should say, he'll just bring it home.

Sure.

So Tyler wasn't even with me.

I just go up to the barn with Fred and Hattie.

The Hattie was home from sick from school and Fred is just home.

And I feast my eyes on the most precious baby cow I've ever seen in my life.

Yeah.

So we had also talked about getting a bucket calf, which is basically

like a cow that either it's either a dairy cow, it's their baby dairy cow.

Or like they don't let the mom milk it because like the humans drink the milk.

Or it's like an orphan cow, or it's like a twin.

Like there's situations sometimes where like a baby cow needs to be bottle fed.

And we wanted to try to find one of those because we think it's like

such a good experience for the kids.

The kids are going to start showing animals at 4-H in a couple of maybe next summer.

Tyler's capable to do such a thing.

Tyler's capable.

And I'm like, what's one more mouth to feed?

You know what I mean?

Like bring it on.

We don't have any animals right now other than just the bunnies because we've

just we've we ended up rehoming the chickens.

The other cows went to the other animals when other places.

So anyway, we're allowed on animals.

All's to say Miss Molly is the cutest baby cow I've ever seen in my life.

So Tyler just like got a call, you know, because he had put some

feelers out there and one of the guys called him back was like, hey, I got it.

I know one of my cows had twins.

Like, do you want one of the babies?

She can't feed both.

I tell her, I was like, yeah, for sure.

And there was two.

The guy let Tyler pick which one he wanted.

And the other one was so ugly.

Tyler's like, Tyler's like, I thought for sure the guy was going to be like,

I'm going to keep the bald face one, but like you can have like that black one.

But the guy's like, I do want the baldy.

And Tyler's like, yeah, we want the cute little one with the pink nose.

Yeah.

So anyway, she was a twin.

So the mom just like couldn't really sustain both of them.

And so she's very small.

She's small because she was a twin.

She's small because she needs to be eating more.

And that's why she's now at Stumpy Farms.

Wow.

Yeah.

And she's taking a bow really well.

Keep them for.

Well, we'll keep her for a long, long time.

OK, so you'll like raise her up.

We'll raise her like we'll breed her.

Like we'll have she'll be tellers like she's going to be our mascot.

Oh, wow. OK.

I didn't know how serious this was.

Yeah, I know Molly's like our Molly's like the new mascot of the farm.

Oh, wow. I wonder if I could see what is Tyler doing?

Maybe he could just like come tell us about it for a second.

Where is he?

Tyler.

Can you come here?

I would love to hear it from Tyler.

From the from Tyler's from the horse's mouth from the cows.

That is a saying, right?

From the horse's mouth, the horse's mouth.

I don't know why that's the saying.

Can you just come give us like a rundown

about like what Molly's next six months are going to look like?

No, no, under into the mic, preferably.

We're we're alive.

He goes, I thought this was pregnant again.

Lots of bottles.

Like how long will we have to bottle her for?

I don't know.

Probably you're supposed to know.

I usually just go through two bags.

But I don't remember how long that takes.

It's been a minute since I was, you know, 12.

Can you buck a.

Did you hear me tell the story?

No, can you tell the story about how you got her?

Oh, the cow just had twins and they were both healthy.

But, you know, it's not a dairy cow, so it's not going to the moms

not going to produce enough food to raise both of them

in a healthy manner.

So and we got pick at the litter.

We got pick at the litter now.

Obviously pick the cute one.

Now, forgive me for my ignorance, but are you giving the cow formula

or do you just go get like cow's milk from the store?

No, it's formula. OK.

No, it is a good question.

Like could you just feed her whole milk?

I guess you could.

But that would bankroll us.

Yeah, I mean.

Because she drinks like probably a gallon of milk a day.

Yeah, so it's like it's like a it's probably just a whole milk.

But it's it's not kid formula.

It's cow formula.

I don't know. You get in your feed store.

Tyler, Tyler's every mom when they're asked like anything about the newborn

stage, like how long are you going to feed her for?

How many bottles?

It's like we're going to we're going to see how things go.

I don't know. I've done this before.

So that's so yeah, that's what we're up to right now.

That's exciting.

Yeah, this is the kids.

So I can't wait to come see her.

And she's so like Tyler was like,

she will like we can put a halter on her in the spring

and like she can just be hanging out in the yard like that's where like that's our vibe.

We cannot wait. So cute.

And let's just say we're not done here.

So we have because I want piggies again,

because I was my happiest when I had pigs.

That's something I noticed about myself.

It's true that if you want to run from my pig saga,

speaking of things that teller brought home when I had a newborn,

literally I'm in the hospital with Libby.

We're back in the hospital because she had jaundice.

Tyler sends me a picture of haddy holding a piglet

and I come home and we have four big ones.

Yeah.

He needed an activity to do with the kids while you were held up.

So we're outside animals.

No, totally.

Like you actually don't have anything to do with them.

No, I really don't.

No, Tyler's very involved.

He's an involved father.

He's an involved animal taker.

I really am blessed.

Yeah.

But we're getting piggies and we're also getting lambs.

Lambs.

So we're getting lambs because one of our neighbors,

they don't have any land and their kids really want to show this summer.

So we're like, we got some land.

We got a barn.

We're crazy.

Just like keep your lambs here and their kids are amazing.

Like they're the kids where it's like like their kids are older

and I'm like, please send your kids over whenever,

because like they're all so helpful.

So their kids are showing lambs.

So we're going to have their lambs.

We're getting piggies and we have Molly. Wow.

And we have rabbits.

Stumpy farms is it's a pain zoo.

It's picking back up.

I'm like in the perfect position

because I don't have to pay for the animals

or feed the animals or clean up after the animals.

But I got to reap all of the benefits of my children

just getting to go over there and hang out with the animals.

Yeah, you really are.

You're lucky.

So blessed.

So that's like what's mainly new with me.

Aside from that, I'm not trying to rush out of this episode at all.

But like I'm incredibly stressed

because my book club meets in approximately four hours.

And I have approximately two hours left of the book to listen to on audible.

Hell yeah.

I know.

I don't like the book.

That's tough.

And it was my pick, which is embarrassing.

Yeah, that's the pressure of having to pick a book that you haven't read.

I know. All I did was judge the book by its cover.

I hate picking a book.

I hate it's just so stressful

to pick a book and these girls are like readers,

like they read in between the book club books

and I can't even get the book club book done.

So like I had suggested two books that I like knew were like

kind of the books in the book club sphere.

I'm like, we've read those.

And I'm like, great, here's my third choice.

And we ended up going to the book called The Goddess of Warsaw.

And it's like a set in like

it's a set during like basically the Holocaust and

it's just it's not written very well, I don't think.

And it's one of those books were like, I don't want to give spoilers.

Like it's one of those books where it's like I get that it's fiction,

but like I didn't know this was a fantasy novel.

Like this is so like I think a book is entitled to like one

insane coincidence, one like what moment not.

Ten. Yeah, OK.

Do you know what I mean?

Now, see, I'll be really curious to hear what your book club girly

saying, because I could see them being like, it was amazing.

It was a masterpiece and like all these things and like your shit.

You just don't know what's a good book.

No, no, no, I don't think because they did feel like I underscored

the Lion Woman of Tehran, which I just felt like the book.

I don't like the ending is like wrapped up way too fast. OK.

But I'm going to tell them like because one of the girls was like,

I don't know, I just think we should rate it higher because like I haven't

stopped thinking about that book since I've read it.

And I actually haven't stopped thinking about the Lion Woman of Tehran.

And I can't even begin to think that book has stuck with me a month later.

Like that was actually hindsight.

An excellent book. Yeah.

Very well written, a great story.

The Goddess of Warsaw is just like it's just like it's the most unrealistic.

It's just it's it's it's like my eyes are rolling.

I'm like, oh, really?

Oh, really? Dead Shea? Yeah.

And like it's just.

OK, I'm just going to give like a little spoiler.

So I feel like I was going to give them more context.

Like if you're going to read this book, if you're reading, don't listen.

You're not going to read this book.

I don't think you should read it.

So like it's set during the time of the Holocaust and like she's in love

with her husband's brother.

And I'm just like, I don't need this side quest for you.

Like you guys are all trying to survive.

There's enough.

And like you're telling me like your mind is how like you are love your husband's brother.

And then her husband gets taken to a camp.

I mean, again, it's so sad, like horrible things happening in this book.

And then she then gets with the brother and then the husband comes back from the camp.

And then she had written down the things she did with the brother

and then a Nazi finds what she written.

And then they're all sitting in the room and he's reading it to them.

I'm like, in what world?

Yeah.

Like just didn't happen.

I don't think the Nazis like cared much about this her love triangle.

That's what I'm saying.

It's like the Nazis.

It's like, it's so silly.

Like that part felt silly to me.

We're like, I feel like the themes of the book and I actually like, I'm actually very,

I, I like serious books.

Like that's why I like The Lie Woman of Toronto.

Like I like really feeling like I'm put in what's happening.

And I just don't feel like I was, I felt like I was put in a fantasy of what's,

I mean, not a fantasy, but like just so unrealistic.

And then it turns out that like her real dad was actually a Nazi and she never knew

and that's why she has the blue eyes.

And then like her dad's still, it's just like every,

not everyone can still be alive 20 years later.

Like it was just crazy.

Okay.

So, and I'm not even done with the book yet.

And like, so all this has happened, like that wasn't even the end.

Yeah.

And yeah.

So anyway, all's to say is that's what I have to get to after this podcast.

I have to listen to that.

And then my friends are coming over for book club.

It's just two other girls, but I highly recommend it.

We rotate houses.

Theme is like girl dinnered.

Like, so it's not a meal.

It's a girl dinner, which is like so fun to just make a girl dinner.

Totally.

So I'm got stuff to make.

I got popcorn, chips and salsa.

And I'm like, do you know what I'm literally going to make?

You're going to love this.

I obviously I'm still sugar free, but I love, I'm eating sweet potatoes and I

love the Courtney's cooks sweet potato with a piece of cheese in the middle.

So I'm just making those.

I'm just serving sweet potatoes with cheese.

And the great thing about a girl dinner is it's like everyone's good with that.

Like, no, and not ever, not only is everyone good with that, everyone's thrilled with that.

You're right.

So if there's no aesthetics, it's going to be air fried potatoes with cheese in

the middle and chips and salsa.

Wow, that sounds excellent.

I got good chips.

I got the good chips.

I got the good salsa.

The restaurant style.

Like it's organic.

No sugar.

Totally.

So that's what I'm up to.

What are you up to?

Let's see.

I'm pregnant still.

Thank God.

I'm feeling better.

I'm still having a little bit of nausea, but I'm feeling better.

So I'm just kind of working through that.

I'm cleaning out my house.

That's all I think about is what can I get rid of?

What can I sell?

I'm on Facebook marketplace like a madman.

Do you have a total for like what you've sold?

So far I've sold.

Hold on.

Let me add it up.

So a hundred and twenty six dollars.

Wow.

It's going to the church.

It's all going to the church.

It's so much fun.

I just love to just like price to sell like a counteroffer done.

If you're in the St. Louis area and you see me on on Facebook,

you just send me a message.

You want this done.

Here's when you can pick it up.

Well, you just start putting in your listing to check out your other listings

because like if you have a lot of stuff on there,

then it's like worth the drive for some people.

Sure.

Yeah.

I did just sell some baby shoes that actually you gave me.

First of all, they were size two baby shoes.

You gave me size two stride, right?

Baby shoes in the box.

Obviously you never wear them.

Who's putting size two shoes on their baby?

My kids don't wear shoes so they can walk.

These are for three to six months old.

I'm like, why would a three to six month old have a shoe?

Some people love babies with shoes.

And if that's you, like I totally respect that.

But like I don't do shoes till you can walk.

Till you can walk confidently.

Like if you're taking a couple of steps,

you're going to walk in your socks at the Walmart.

I had this exact same thought because I'm like,

do I need to hold on to these?

Like they're new.

They're in the box.

Like they're a nice brand.

Like do I need to hold on to these?

And then on my skylight calendar,

a picture came up of Sloan at the park,

like looking at the lake on this like fence thing.

Her and James were like looking over on the fence.

She's got no shoes on.

And I'm like, she could pull herself up.

And I took my kids to the park and I chose to put,

keep her barefoot.

So clearly she could like pull up,

but like she wasn't walking.

Like I'm not putting shoes on.

They just get clunky and they get in the way

and you're going to pull them off and I'm going to lose one.

Unless I'm invited,

the only time I would put shoes on a baby that can't walk

is if I was invited to a wedding.

Yeah, I would say a wedding.

And the baby had to come.

Then I would buy shoes for a baby.

I'm not, we're not holidays, church.

Yeah, none of it.

No, none of it.

My kids don't wear shoes like a size four

because Sloan had small feet.

Is the smallest, is the smallest shoe I've ever bought.

Yeah.

So anyway, I don't know how I got there,

but sold some of those this morning.

So I saw, I mean, I think everyone's like loving your journey.

Like I literally commented the other day, my show's on.

Like I don't think you should stop it.

Are you liking it?

Do you, are you genuinely like watching it?

Elizabeth, I would tell you if I thought you were beating, beating it.

Like no, it's so good.

Like do not stop.

Because you know, it's a lot like it would be easier

if I didn't have to film it and then like put it into my computer

and edit it.

Like that would make this journey easier for me.

But if people like and if it's helpful for people

then I want to keep doing it.

I've just like, it's a 40 day journey.

Like everyone's going to have to buckle up.

And I'm just afraid people are going to get sick of me.

I don't think we're there yet.

Okay.

Just like if anyone just like wants to like in a really polite way,

just like let me know when you're sick of me.

Like I'm happy to stop filming myself doing this.

I think, no, but I think then just if you're sick of it,

stop liking it.

And when the likes stop performing, then you know.

Yeah.

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I'm so excited though for our post Easter podcast because I need to start writing

these things down.

I have learned so much through this experience and I just think like even if you're not Catholic,

doing like a 40 day anything journey of anything where you're putting yourself through something

as a mom, like I'm literally not doing anything crazy and I'm learning new things about myself

and I don't have to leave my house to do it.

But I'm putting you're doing the same thing with your sugar journey.

Like you're learning things about yourself.

I'm learning things about myself.

They really are like micro journeys.

They're micro journeys.

That's a good one.

Like go on a micro journey.

Because it is such a short window.

I agree.

I've learned so much about myself.

My life will never be the same because I will go back to eating sugar but not in the way that I did before.

Like I cannot believe everything you pick up has sugar added to it.

Like things that have no right having sugar have added sugar.

This is America baby.

And like a lot of it.

So and I'm just learning like to just not give in to like every little like women desire I have

when it comes to like I mean anything in life but like when it comes to sugar or food specifically

like I didn't have dessert at the dinner auction and like here I am a few days later and I'm fine.

And I'm like yeah I'm fine.

It didn't change my life.

Like it's almost like I've seen some messages people think like I'm talking about it like toxically

and that's literally not the case at all.

It's actually the opposite like before it was much more toxic before it had much more like control over my mind.

Now I'm in control.

Yeah.

And that feels really really good.

So I'm anxious for the two week mark to hit because that's when like the full benefits of like a true detox come in.

And then I'm really hoping like I am definitely over the worst of it.

But like I definitely am still having cravings and I miss like some of the socialization around sugar which sounds so crazy.

And I'm not at all.

That is a crazy thing to say.

You dive in on that.

Yeah.

I'm not at all comparing myself.

I'm not at all comparing myself to like what someone's struggling with like real addiction is going through.

But like when you're at like the dinner auction like everyone's trying dessert and like no I can't I'm not like.

Or like you know you're out with friends and like everyone's ordering this like and you're like oh sorry I can't I'm not like there is something a little isolating about it.

And again this is like not I'm not even struggling with it like I'm really I have found new sympathy and respect for the people who are recovering from any type of addiction.

Who have to be in those situations and then and you know you have to you have to be in them because that's part of being that's part of recovery.

Because like for me just to experience like five percent of it has been really interesting.

I've just never felt that way about I've never even had to halfway even think about that.

Put yourself in anyone else's but yeah that's that's crazy.

And then you know like you're at a table and like everyone's being served dessert and everyone's talking about it and everyone's eating and everyone's enjoying it and like you're not.

Yeah.

Interesting.

Just interesting.

And that's just what it is.

It's interesting.

And that's all that it is.

So I have to put you on to something.

I have two things.

I have a base model luxury that I hope and pray you don't make fun of.

And I am wearing a new pair of pants that have literally changed my life.

Okay.

Couple of things.

I'm going to start with the pants because those are like the most exciting thing in my life right now.

Okay.

Yoga pants are amazing.

Yeah.

I have not bought a good pair of yoga pants in a long time.

I've just been on like my lule I'm in a line grind.

Like that's just what I wear.

I like a Spanx booty boost if I'm feeling like extra snazzy that day.

But like to me they're not that much more comfortable than a legging.

I was on ASOS.

What is ASOS?

Yeah.

I used to shop there because they were in the few places had had tall.

I shop there years ago, but I've not touched it since.

So I think I got a targeted ad for like a pair of adidas that was on sale at ASOS.

And I was like looking for like beige adidas.

So I was like, okay, perfect.

I'm buying them.

And then, you know, one like my toxic trade is like if I'm checking out at a store, I

can't just buy one thing.

It doesn't feel worth it to me.

So I was like, oh, I wonder if they have any tall because I kind of remember that.

I typed in tall ASOS tall.

These yoga pants came up $24.

Unbelievable.

They are so long, so stretchy, so thin.

It's a thin pant, but it doesn't show, but it's thin.

Wow.

It is the perfect, the perfect pant.

They're so flattering.

Like when you just have a little flare at the bottom, everything looks better than just

like a straight legging.

I'm going to need to get this link so we can include it.

I'm going to need to share the link because like I was not expecting, I was like $24

like for a yoga pant.

I was like, sure.

No, I can't believe these aren't Lululemon.

And I would never say that because I don't buy into any Amazon dupes that are Lululemon.

I don't play.

I don't play with that.

Can you attest to that, Elizabeth?

Yeah.

These, you could, if I put these on, I would think these were Lululemon.

Okay.

Well, you'll have to drop the, give me the link and I can put it and make sure it gets

in the show notes.

Yeah.

You can find it in my email.

What?

You can't just send me the link.

You're always in my email.

No, I just get your email notifications and every time you get, I get a PayPal or like

something interesting that I think you spent money on.

You'll just look then.

Okay.

Fine.

I'll find the link for you.

Thank you.

Okay.

My next base model, my next, my base model luxury, where we share a recent new discovery.

And this is also like beauty hack.

What was that segment called?

Detail shop?

Oh yeah.

Something like that.

That one didn't take off.

No.

I've been putting spoons in my freezer.

Okay.

And then I've been putting them on my eyes to like de-puff and then I've been kind of

like taking them down my face.

And it is, one, it wakes me up.

Two, it just like gives me a moment of self-care in the morning.

Whether honestly, whether it works or not, not sure.

It wakes me up for sure.

I think it does de-puff a little bit.

But just to like sit in the kitchen, I have my hot coffee there.

I'm putting cold spoons on my eyes while my kids are running amok, but like mom's doing

her spoons.

Yeah.

Yeah, mom's doing her spoons.

It's been so, so nice and they don't take very long to like get cold because like,

so like if you forget to put it in overnight, don't fret.

Just like put them in there, wait five minutes and then pull them out and do it.

Like it's not that big of a deal.

And sometimes I'll put them back in there two or three times in the morning and I'll

go for another spoon or a third.

Okay.

Yeah.

That's a good one.

That's a tangible one.

Oh, you think?

Yeah, I think that's good.

Have you ever like jade rolled or like Gua Sha Gua Shade or whatever it's called?

Yeah, I've got a Gua Shua.

I've got like the skinny confidential like rollerball things.

My problem with Gua Shua-ing is like I'm so mortified that I'm doing it the wrong way

and then I'm doing more harm than good.

Oh, that's interesting.

But I did see a reel of someone who was like, I'm on my third pregnancy.

I always get like a puffy face.

Like this time I'm really trying not to.

So here are the things I'm doing to try and not get a puffy face.

So I don't know.

Gua Shua-ing too though they're like, oh, you just need five minutes.

It's like, okay, who has five minutes to Gua Shua their face?

Like not me.

I need less.

So I'll sometimes like do it.

Like if I have put oil on my face and I like do with my hands or something.

Oh, sure.

Okay.

It's something that I would like to be better at, but I'm just like not super confident

that I'm doing it properly.

Yeah.

I agree.

That's just like not a five minute thing that I'm going to fit into my routine anytime

soon.

But I'm excited about my spoons for now.

I like the spoons.

And I think not even sugar has done more for my face than a Gua Shua would ever do to

be honest.

Yeah.

But you do see those people on Instagram who's like, I've hacked Gua Shua and they look

like a totally different person.

Yeah.

But like I'm just like, or you just go get a little Botox.

You know what I mean?

Like, I don't know.

I mean, I don't have time for it.

And it's again, I'm so mortified that I'm doing it the wrong way.

And like, then I'm going to have like more pop or like fluid in an area that there's

not supposed to be or like something's going to go wrong.

I think I'm just afraid.

So I've been seeing a lot of like, since I've been more like on like a health journey because

like when I need to, when I'm feeling really unmotivated about my sugar free journey,

I look at Instagram and I type in sugar free detox results because like that's so motivating.

So on my, on my bad days, like that's what I look at.

So now my algorithm thinks I'm like a total hell freak, which I'm not.

But I found a lot of very interesting like fitness influencers who have come across my

desk who are doing really interesting things.

This one guy only works out one side of his body.

It's the most bizarre thing.

I don't know why he's doing this to himself.

I guess to show that it like works.

He's like day 500 of only working out the left side of my body and like his whole like it's

so weird.

Like all the comments are like, what a weird use of free will.

And then I'm following this other guy who like all he does is gain 50 pounds, lose 50 pounds,

gain 50 pounds.

Like that's his whole shtick.

He just gains and re-lose it.

So he like gains, gains it and then he helps his audience all lose it together.

Um,

I was doing it.

Would really commit.

Like so committed.

Like that's their whole thing though.

Like how we get up and review cards every morning, like he gains 50 pounds.

You know, there are a lot of ways it feels like I gain 50 pounds and then lose 50 pounds

and then gain 50 pounds and lose it.

I'm kind of on the journey with him.

Totally.

In the past four years I've gained and lost 50 pounds.

This is going to be my third time doing it.

Wow.

You started Instagram about it.

I should.

So, and then I was so interesting because I was doing an interview the other day,

like someone was interviewing me and they asked me about, you know,

what's it like to be a creator and like what's my advice for like finding a niche.

And I was like, I think niches are actually the most important thing you can do.

And sometimes people think that it limits who will follow your content.

But I totally disagree.

If you have a clear niche, people who aren't even interested or people who aren't even

quote unquote, your audience will follow your content because it's so defined and interesting to them.

And it's like, I'm looking at these fitness guys.

And I also like this guy named the Orca man on Instagram.

I think that's his name.

He just, he talks about Orca whales.

Well, okay.

On, on the surface, I shouldn't give a rip about an Orca whale.

But I'm like, oh, that's his niche.

So like, you know, someone could look at it and it's like, oh, he just has followers

who are like super obsessed with Orca whales.

No, that's just something I don't know about and I'm interested.

So like, if you are a creator, I would say like, don't, don't be scared to niche so,

so down because people, even if they're outside of your niche, they may find it interesting.

It may want to follow that content.

If you're just too broad, if you're like everybody else out there, you think you're casting a wider

net, but I think you're just getting lost.

I do feel that way about some people that I follow who like have been influencers from

like forever, like they have, they're like some OG influencers.

And I'm like, I don't even, like your content is so random and so all over the place.

Like, I don't even know what you're about anymore.

Like, I don't even know what story you're trying to tell.

I don't even know why you're doing this anymore.

And it's because I, like I said, I don't feel like you have a story to tell.

And I think if you just want to talk about Orca whales or what are marketplace moms,

a great example, like she's constantly turning out content.

It's only ever about marketplace, but there's just so much to talk about.

And I, and I knew when I was posting things on marketplace, I'm like, I'm going to go

make sure I'm like, I'm following her tips for posting right.

And then once people like your content, like your personality, then you can like

sprinkle some more lifestyle things and they're like, I think that's what we've done.

Yeah.

But like it always comes back to our niche, which is like helping moms find the right car.

Yeah.

I agree.

It's a very clear identity.

And I just think that people don't do that more.

Like I would say like you can get so specific to be like, you know, and I need to think

of an example.

Like if you want to be like a fitness mom, like be like a boy fitness mom, like you're

a boy mom who does fitness who something like add a third thing to it.

And I just think I'll try to think of some examples because I do think this could be

kind of interesting because I know like everyone's trying to dibble and dabble in content creation

now, which has been a very interesting shift from like when we told everyone to do this

three years ago, who remembers that?

Remember when I did a whole podcast on how like this should be like, like influencing

is like the best side hustle ever.

Now everyone's doing it.

So I do think there's a lot more competition out there than there was a couple of years

ago.

I mean, even since we started, there's so much more competition.

Yeah.

But yeah.

Okay.

Anyway, something else I want to talk about totally shifting gears moving away from that

is the car mom auto show where about like tickets are going on sale soon, like maybe

next week.

Here's what you need to know.

We're going to do like an early bird sale and it's going to last like a week, maybe

two.

And it's like the tickets are going to be half price during this early bird sale.

Like we can't make it like last that long because it's an expensive event and we've got

to like, you know, pay for the rentals and all the things in the bubble bus and what

like we have.

It's an expensive event.

We got to pay for it.

But tickets are going to be a fantastic deal once they go up, they go up.

So if you know you're coming to the car mom auto show, when you see us post about it next

week, like go and get your tickets because like they're literally going to be half the

price of what a regular ticket is going to be.

Yeah.

Make haste when you see us post about it.

Yeah.

And we've never done early bird pricing before.

But we want to give people a chance to get tickets for less.

And we'll also the VIP tickets go out when these when these auto tickets go out.

And if you don't know what the VIP night is, so like we get the auto show set up the day

before on Friday.

And Friday night, we opened it up to like a very limited number of people for like a

night out like we wine and dine.

We've got live music.

We've got like some beautiful food.

That's all very like St. Louis inspired.

We have an open bar.

And this year I'm going to be doing like some tours of the show.

So I kind of similar to how I've done it like the Chicago and the New York auto show.

But you'll get there.

We'll like cabits for a while.

We'll get photos.

We'll drink.

We'll eat.

We'll have fun.

And then we'll head out to the floor.

I'll do a tour of like all of the cars that are there like a fun tour.

My tours are fun.

And then you guys will have like free reign to look at the cars without, you know, 4,000

people and kids there, which is like kind of the vibe.

So if you buy a VIP VIP ticket, you'll also it'll account for your ticket for the next

day.

So like if you're making a weekend out of it, come that night, but come back the next

day because then we'll have the activities.

We'll have the vendors.

They feel like two totally different events.

Yeah.

So they sold out like pretty quickly last year.

So like those will sell out also.

So just not also those will sell out.

The main tickets won't sell out.

And I promise you we are working.

Actually, I need to forward it to you because the travel agent sent it to me.

We work with a great travel agent who travel agents like it's fun because it's like free

for you.

Like they book your stuff for you.

And she's put together like three different experiences.

All free.

It's just going to be like a living rent free on our page.

If you want additional help with booking, you can reach out to her.

But it's like if you're coming with kids, here's where here's a brunch place.

Here's where you should go.

Here's an activity.

Here's a dinner place.

If it's a girl's trip, if it's a couple's trip.

So like no matter what you're doing, we have an itinerary for you and you're going to

explore the gateway to the West, which is St. Louis, Missouri, an amazing city.

Totally.

So much to do.

So much to see.

Maybe you'll bring Molly to the auto show.

Feels like that's going to be a lot for her.

Yeah.

I don't know.

I've never met her before.

I don't know what her vibes are.

Okay, Kel, now it is time for some advice questions.

We have a non-car related one, but there's a reason why I have two thoughts on this one.

So that's why I wanted to bring it up.

Oh, okay.

Let's go.

Hey girls, I have a group of friends who do something for everyone's birthdays.

Nothing fancy, usually gift from everyone or dinner.

My 30th birthday came and went and it was crickets, except for one of the girls got me flowers

the day before and everyone texted me happy birthday.

It's important to note I had expressed how sad I was that I wasn't doing anything for

my birthday to two of the girls and my husband.

The day after my birthday, I called my husband in tears wondering why I wasn't getting the

same treatment as everyone else does.

He spilled the tea and told me they do have something planned.

They just wanted to be a surprise and it wasn't for another week.

Am I wrong for being upset that they knew how sad I was and said nothing?

I don't like surprises to begin with, but a surprise a week after the fact feels so strange.

And to not even mention on my birthday, like happy birthday, be ready for whatever time

on whatever day.

My feelings are hurt.

I'm also annoyed that my husband didn't tell me, didn't tell them that I hate surprises

to begin with help.

Here's, she's just wondering like, should I let it go?

Here are my thoughts on it.

It's twofold.

Number one, I think you need to let it go because they are doing something.

I also think this is a good note for anyone who maybe wants to do because here's what

your friends are thinking.

Oh, she has no clue.

This is going to be so good.

They think the fact that you're sad is like a win.

She's clueless.

She's got no clue.

This is going to be epic when we surprise her with this thing.

Their intentions are all very good.

However, if you are planning a surprise for your friend, I do think it's important to

maybe let them know on their birthday because I think this is like a totally valid.

And now she's like stuck in this like icky feeling, even though they're trying to do

something nice and like it's not going to land the way that they wanted it.

It already hasn't landed the way that they wanted it to.

So I think Jen, you need to just like get over it.

I don't think they handled it while I'm with you, but like they're doing something and

anyone who's going to plan an event in the future, take this as a note that this is how

the person might feel.

I totally agree.

I think intention matters.

I think these girls have good intentions.

I think they have poor execution.

I think you should absolutely not say something because like there's something worse than

like, like it's like a sorry, like sorry, they didn't think about like the fake, the fake

happy birthday.

Like while they were also playing the real happy birthday.

So like, sure, like the feeling of discomfort is totally there, but they sound like good

friends.

Yeah.

They sound like good friends.

I've never had a surprise party and that is something that you have to do sometime in

my life because I want a surprise party.

I've never had a surprise party before.

We're not surprise party people.

I gave you a surprise party for your 16th birthday.

I know, but I know about it.

That's not my fault.

Like I said, the intention was there.

I don't think you would like to be surprised, but okay, fine.

I'll plan you a surprise party at some point.

I just mean like no rush.

Like you've got my whole life ahead of me.

Sure.

Yeah.

Like you got it.

I would just like a surprise party one day.

You just like want the feeling to like know what it feels like to be truly surprised.

Well, I do.

And there's something like, now this is just me.

This is not Jen and her friends, but like I actually find adult parties to be a little

like about adult birthdays to be a little icky.

So like I would struggle to like plan a party for myself.

And my friends and I don't celebrate.

I mean, we just like, no one's, we're not doing that for birthdays.

We're texting each other, but I would love a party one day.

Surprise party.

It's like 40th, 50th, 60th.

It'll be one of the, I've got really, I don't have that many chances left.

Like I said, you have time.

You have time.

Does it have to be a full party?

Well, I guess it kind of does because like, you know, a dinner doesn't count.

Oh, okay.

Well, what's a party then?

I feel like a party is all of us getting together and having dinner on a day that

you don't know about.

Okay.

You're right.

It's my, you don't get it.

You don't get to say it's not your surprise.

I'll just be like really hurt if you don't tell, if you don't do anything on my actual

birthday and intention matters.

Okay.

Next one.

This one, I think it's, this is going to stretch you a little bit in your car recommendations.

Oh no.

So I'm, but it's, it's going to be a good creative process.

Cool.

Grandmom car.

Hey, I'm riding on behalf of my mom who after over a decade is finally looking for a new

car.

She has eight grandkids ranging from ages four to 16.

She helps carpool my niece and my nephew often, but less now that they themselves are driving

and also will help me with my three kids on occasion, all of whom are in boosters.

She wants to buy new and wants her car to be as simple as possible, meaning she doesn't

care for the most high tech car.

She wants something that sits up high, but doesn't feel like driving a boat, something

mid-size.

So she drives her cars until they won't drive anymore.

So something reliable breakdown of wish list.

This is like, um, one of those HGTV homes where they have like their wish list and you have

to go find my house.

Okay.

Big enough to drive around grandkids on occasion, not too big slash easy to park new model, but

not super high tech reliable.

She has a generous budget, a car that makes her feel fabulous without being flashy.

Well, I would say there's no reason to not want like the word new and not a lot of tech.

There's no reason for those to be in the same sentence.

Like you're wasting your money.

You should go buy a pre-owned car then with less tech.

Yeah.

But I guess I'm like, no, I want to buy new.

And I also like don't really, when people say they don't like a lot of tech, I just really

kind of, I kind of like compartmentalize that and I kind of move on with my life because

like you'll get used to it.

And I was like, they all have tech.

Like they all have.

Like even the base models are going to have tech.

And let me be clear, it's, it's actually better to have good tech than bad tech.

So like they all have tech, but like you don't want a car that has the bad one because you,

because it's less, you'd rather have good tech that's more.

I know what this girl wants.

What does she want?

What was the last thing she said flashy or not flashy?

She makes her feel fabulous, but not without being flashy.

Generous budget.

They always have generous budget.

She said generous budget.

I actually love the grandma's.

Um, okay.

Do you think that means they want a luxury car?

I don't know.

I don't think so.

Cause like she doesn't want to be flashy.

Yeah.

But like, like a flashy is like a G wagon to me.

A flashy would be like a BMW.

You think?

And I think a BMW actually, I think that tech would be too hard for her.

Like that's the bad tech.

It's just like, does she want three rows or not?

I wish she would have included that.

Does it say what she's currently driving?

She, but she wants something that sits up high,

but doesn't feel like a boat.

Okay.

I don't think she needs three rows based on this, what I'm reading.

So the first car that kind of came to my mind was actually like the

Genesis, the Genesis GB 80, which is like, which is flashy,

but not everyone has it.

Like not everyone knows what it is.

So that kind of like makes it not like your typical like luxury car.

It is techy, but I think the tech's beautiful.

I think it's like, you'll feel like a million bucks in that car.

So like Genesis, Genesis GB 80 is probably like my,

I think she would love it.

I also think she would love a Volvo XC 90.

If she wants three rows, like I'm or a Volvo XC 60.

Like I really see a Volvo for her actually.

That's a really good, that's a good one.

Yeah.

I think the Genesis is kind of like my shot in the dark, like wild card,

because if people would expect, but like the Volvo 90 or 60,

simple tech, so safe, sits up high, not too big, reliable, nice.

Could I throw one out there?

I think I know what you're going to throw out.

The Buick Enclave.

I almost said Enclave.

I was wondering if it was a little big for her,

but then you could always look at it in Vista.

Uh-huh.

We're always trying to bark up Buick Street.

Uh-huh.

The Enclave like really blew me away.

No, I'm obsessed.

Not a lot of cars stick with me and like the Enclave stuck with me.

Similar to the Lion Woman of Tehran,

the Buick Enclave is a car that I frequently take my mind back to.

Sure.

Me too.

Like not a lot of people are talking about it.

That feels like we gave her a lot of good options.

It's like a lot of fun.

I think the XC 90 is going to be it.

If I had to guess.

Um, you know what?

Oh, you can go ahead.

No, please.

I said, can I tell you about the consultation I had today?

Yeah.

I'm not going to give like too many details because I just don't want to.

But it was just a really good reminder of sometimes when we're in the thick of it,

we think that it's going to be like this for forever.

But that doesn't always mean we should buy a new car.

And the example I'll give is, um, this mom,

she was doing three across.

She had two rear-facing kids and a kid in the booster.

The kid in the booster was in the middle,

but then like they couldn't get out for drop off because like that was annoying

because the kid was rear-facing and like then the child like couldn't really get out with this backpack.

Like it's just to kind of become hard.

And I think sometimes when it comes to like thinking about your next car purchase,

like because like that's why she went like she's thinking she needs a new car because of that.

Which like maybe she does, maybe she doesn't.

But I'm like, well, how old is the child that threw her facing?

They're like, well, she's two and a half.

And I'm like, okay, so like you'll probably keep her,

like if you want to extend her facing like all power to you, but like what, a year?

A year and then this isn't a problem anymore.

Like it's literally not a problem anymore.

And it was just, I'm saying this because like they had, the car is paid off.

They have a tight budget.

And I was just kind of like giving kind of a reframe of being like,

no, I think you should just get through the next year of your life to be on.

Like sometimes that's just the answer.

Yeah.

And just remember, like when you have these growing families,

what makes them so hard is every year, I talk this all the time,

every year you own the car, it could look different,

but the good news is every year you own the car, it's going to look different.

And some years it's going to get a lot easier.

Yeah.

And when that child is forward facing and the six year old can get out,

it's going to be a heck of a lot easier.

Yeah.

You said it won't be like this for long.

For long.

Yeah.

How are you gearing up to do?

Oh, you got a new car.

I got a new car.

I got a Kia Carnival back in the Carnival,

but I had a hybrid this time.

And they also gave me the captain's chairs this time, the dentist's chairs.

That's, here's what I want to say.

Oh, I know why.

Because those aren't selling on the lot.

That's why they gave it to you.

Here's what I want to say.

The hybrid is awesome.

Like I am loving the drive of a hybrid.

I'm loving that I've been driving it for several days and my gas has not gone down at all.

It's like so funny.

I'm so curious to know just in my daily week, how long it takes me to get to go empty.

Like I'm jotting this down because I want to report back.

I'm like loving the hybrid aspect.

They gave me the dentist's chairs and I have been messing around with them.

And they are so silly because they're so like wide that you have no aisle at all to the third row.

Not that I need one, but it's pointless.

Like you have to, you're going to have to, you cannot access the third row through the aisle.

There's no aisle.

So I just feel like I lost a seat for no reason.

Now the other day I arrived too early to my OB appointment and I was really tired.

So I said, you know what?

Let me sit and I hadn't sold my car seats yet.

So I said, you know what?

Let me sit in these dentists chairs.

Let me put them back because you can't, you cannot drive with them down.

So it's like not like passengers can ride.

You can technically, the car will move with them down, but like you're not supposed to drive with them down.

It says in the manual.

So I said, let me like put them to the test.

Like I'm, I'm have 20 minutes to kill in my car.

I'm tired.

Let me relax on my phone.

I mean, not like, not great.

I was able to put the seat back.

So it was kind of like reclined in that way, which was nice, which I could do in my driver seat.

But then like, great.

And I'm also six feet tall.

But like by the time I tried to do like the leg rests, I'm hitting my seat, the driver seat.

So I just like, I couldn't get comfortable with it.

It moves so slowly.

It's unnecessary tech.

It just makes the seats bulky.

They're silly.

I would never recommend them.

The word is clunk.

They're clunk city.

They're clunky.

It's clunk city clunk, clunk city.

Like it's horrible.

They're so heavy too.

Like I was trying to move my seats.

They're the second row is on track.

So I was trying to like move them forward and backwards.

And I'm using all the strength I have to move this seat forward.

It's, it was, it was so ridiculous.

They're so ridiculous.

I hate when clunk, I, that's like, that's such an accurate additive.

And it's one of my least favorite things to find in a car.

Like I feel the same way about like the BMW X7, like the power seats clunk city, the Nissan Armada clunk city.

Like I don't like the clunks.

Yeah, I don't like the clunks.

I don't like the clunks.

But I do.

Well, you're going to have to get out of that before number three comes.

I know.

Oh, I know.

And I can only drive 5,000 miles.

So I will be out of it before I have my next baby.

And then I'll be like, I really can't like you guys can't just like give me captain's shares.

But I'm loving the carnival.

I am loving the hybrid.

I have noticed something about me though.

I have always kind of said like, I don't really like tech.

I don't really, I don't need all the bells and whistles in my car.

Like I don't care that much.

And I have realized that there is one feature that like I would take over heated steering wheel.

I would take over heated seats.

I would take over a lot.

And it's an unexpected one.

Let me try to guess.

And that, you want to guess?

So they didn't, I didn't have it in, I had like a different key carnival for like two days and they needed it back.

This one didn't have this feature and my pathfinder did and now my new carnival does.

And like those two days, three days that I didn't have it, I was like, oh gosh, I hate this.

What?

It's like a front camera.

Oh, I know my expedition doesn't have one.

It's like when I'm pulling into my garage, I didn't realize how much I rely.

Like it has the beeps, like it has the sensors, but I love when I'm parking for a front camera to come on.

When I pull into my garage for a front camera to come on so I can see what's in front of me when I'm parking like that.

I told Maddie is like one day there will come a day where I don't just get to drive demos all the time.

And like we will have to buy a car.

And unfortunately it's going to be an expensive one because I have to have front cameras now.

Me being a brat.

That's what I'm going through right now.

It's my expedition doesn't have a front camera and Tyler's 2018 Ford F 250 has a front camera and I'm really missing it.

I'm kind of getting the new courage, but I'm also not.

I'm also good, but I'm at 60,000 miles on my expedition.

Yeah.

It's only a 23 because I drive about 20,000 miles a year.

So that's fun for me.

Wow.

Yeah.

Okay.

Well, should we get to ditch the drive where we give you an easy dinner recipe to mix it up to get you out of y'all dinner rut?

Yeah, I have one if I may.

Good.

I made this for dinner last night and it was really good.

Um, first of all, always serve it with a side of car mom broccoli.

I feel like we've been talking about this enough, but like Sloan is her favorite thing on her plate and James ate it the other day and said, this is good mommy.

So that's how you know it's good.

Car mom broccoli is steamed broccoli.

Um, then you're going to brown some butter on the stove.

Top it with that.

Top it with salt.

Top it with, um, lemon.

Delicious.

Tastes like lobster.

I use season salt.

Lowries.

Um, and you do have to brown the butter.

Don't just melt it.

It will not.

You have to brown the butter.

Yeah.

So anyway, car mom broccoli and then I got those like frozen tortellinis that have like beef or pork in them or beef and pork made those.

And then the sauce that I did was sort of like a vodka free vodka sauce.

So I took, um, my husband doesn't like onions.

So I don't put onions at anything.

So I did garlic and butter in the pan.

And then once that kind of got aromatic, I added some tomato paste.

And then once that cooked for like a couple of minutes, I added heavy cream, pasta water.

And like salt and pepper to taste.

Oh, and a bunch of a bunch of, um, Parmesan, freshly grated Parmesan.

It's delicious.

It's like a, I could have just done marinara, but it was just like a slightly different take that was still like really easy and like really delicious.

I kind of needed that reminder that tomato paste and heavy cream exists because I went to go make spaghetti the other day and realized I didn't have pasta sauce and I didn't make anything.

But I did have to make, I had heavy cream and tomato paste.

So it's just, it's good to remember that that exists.

Oh, I thought about you too. Cause I'm like, this is not any sugar in it. Kelly could make this.

Yeah, I could make that.

Yummy, yummy.

Like I said, I'm girl dinnering tonight and Tyler's taking the kids to McDonald's.

So we are not ditching the drive through tonight.

Tyler still, I don't know if this is like so crazy, but like we, like there's a McDonald's with a play place by us.

And like if ever like Tyler needs to handle dinner with the kids, like that's where they go.

Like without fail.

Perfect.

Yep.

Okay. Well, I think that's going to be our episode.

You don't have any, any industry news?

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Cause you didn't have any last episode.

Well, I feel like the auto shows industry news, like the grandma buying a Volvo XC90s industry news, like I do think there's kind of industry news sprinkled through.

Like I think we hit our quota of auto of auto.

Yeah, but hold on.

Well, we did do this out of order cause we did ditch the drive through before industry news.

So you see why I was confused.

Sure. Yeah.

Okay.

Now it's time for industry news where I saw the hot tea going on the auto industry.

We've got one story, but it's a meaty one and it's from Yahoo Finance that says minivan sales urge, urge minivan sales surge 21% in 2025 as millennial dads lead demand for cars offering the best bang for your buck.

Automations in the U S have introduced a new slew of trucks and SUVs over the past years, but last year me van sales rose 21% in the U S to 300, 393,000 units.

21% is significant.

They currently hold 2.4% market share, which is the highest level it's been since 2019.

Well, it's relatively small segment overall.

The recent increase reflects how competitive and well rounded today's minivans have become.

It's giving baby boom.

It's, um, I so get that like the from the millennial dads, it does feel like when you bring up the minivans to the men, they're like, Oh, would love a minivan.

And then the woman's like, well, you have to drive it.

And he's like, great.

Like I actually.

I totally agree, Elizabeth.

I hear that.

That's a trope at this point.

Like I hear that exact conversation all the time.

The dads want the minivans.

Tyler's begging me to get one.

Maddie loves, loves our minivan.

Yeah, it's so interesting.

Huh.

I've also seen that there has been an increase from, um, men buying minivans because they are like, they can be like outfitted for like adventure and travel.

And also if you can take all the seats out, then it's like a truck bed, like a lot of construction workers too.

Well, some of them will drive in a minivan over a truck because they're more affordable than they have the space.

I mean, we're always saying bang for your buckets in minivan.

Like if you want a true cause like the midsize cars, like some of them have good third rows, but like they're not.

I mean, if you want a large three row SUV, a minivan is about $30,000 cheaper.

Crazy.

Like a minivan typeset around 50, you're like touching an expedition max for like 80.

Yeah, it's crazy.

Like it's crazy.

Like, so then go to the pre-market.

Yeah, I'm a, I've been dabbling and dabbling with the thought of like maybe buying like a Honda Odyssey for my next car.

Just like for two years.

See how I feel.

Hang out with it for a bit.

We'll see.

Okay.

We'll see what I do.

We'll see what my next move is.

I'm going to keep you guys guessing.

Okay.

Similar to Tyler and a puppy.

One day I'll just show home with a new car.

Yeah, exactly.

All right guys, well that's going to be our episode.

So thank you so much for listening to the carpool podcast and we'll talk to you next time.

Love you.

Bye.

You

SHE'S A CAR MOM, SHE'S A COW MOM

About this episode

G-Class G Wagon

Genesis GV80

Volvo XC90

Volvo XC60

Buick Enclave

Kia Carnival

hybrid

captain's chairs

power seats

Nissan Armada

Bmw X7

heated steering wheel

heated seats

Nissan Pathfinder

front camera

Ford Expedition

Ford F-250

minivan

market share

Honda Odyssey

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