A SIDE OF MELON FRIES

Summary

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz
Episode: "A SIDE OF MELON FRIES"
Date: July 22, 2026

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Overview

In this episode, Kelly and Lizz, third-generation auto-industry pros and suburban moms, dive into the realities of parenting, sisterhood, and car-related dilemmas—all with their signature mix of humor and practical wisdom. The conversation flows from postpartum and pregnancy woes to hosting tips for summer gatherings, “hot takes” on sharing and tipping, and even a lively discussion about the new Tesla Model Y L and the saga of “melon fries.” Along the way, the duo tackles listener questions about car leases and neighborhood etiquette, and ends with lighthearted recipe ideas and future plans for perfecting summer entertaining.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Late Pregnancy, Postpartum Fears & Sibling Support

• Lizz, nearing the end of her pregnancy, shares anxieties about labor, having three kids, and postpartum depression.
• Kelly empathizes, recalling her unpredictable postpartum experiences:

  “What I really don’t like in my experience is I could never predict if I was going to have it or not...I didn’t do anything different.” (01:59, Kelly)

• Both underscore the importance of support and adjusting expectations:

  “Once you give yourself permission to know, it’s not your summer, but your summer will come around again...I always found a little peace with it.” (03:10, Kelly)

2. Acts of Service & Hosting Mishaps

• Kelly visits Lizz to help, but chaos reigns when their kids meltdown; still, small triumphs (like cleaning the fridge) offer satisfaction.

  “I wanted to leave having accomplished something.” (05:49, Kelly)

• Discussion about showing love via service and needing that affirmation:

  “You like to do things for people and then be told how great it was that you did this thing for them.” (04:01, Lizz)

3. Parenting Hot Takes: The Sharing Debate

• The sisters challenge conventional ideas about kids having to share:

  “I’m actually not this mom who really believes that kids have to share that much. Hot take in certain situations.” (06:13, Kelly)

• Nuanced approach with family versus in public; preference for letting young kids negotiate some disputes themselves:

  “If I have two one and a half year olds, let them...figure it out. I don’t need to intervene here.” (09:53, Liz)

4. Other People Disciplining Kids & Judgment from Strangers

• Lizz recounts an unsettling grocery store incident where a stranger intervenes with her upset child:

  “The audacity to come up to a screaming child and try and console them or tell them anything is insane.” (08:38, Liz)

• Both agree: correction from trusted adults is fine, but strangers should stay out of it—especially without context.

5. On Buying Toys vs. Outings—Mom Guilt & Internet Backlash

• Kelly justifies buying at-home toys/activities over expensive outings, especially in rural areas:

  “Sometimes you can just buy your kid something new instead of going to blow 25 a pop at a children’s museum.” (11:30, Kelly)

• She notes online criticism for being “wasteful,” which she pushes back on:

  “Be so for real. If you want to take your four kids to an activity, you would be driving 45 minutes away and spending a hundred dollars.” (13:12, Liz)

• Pro tip: Stash unused gifts to bring out mid-summer for novelty (14:07, Kelly & Liz).

6. Mom Tips: “Take Notes on Your Life”

• Kelly’s top tip for motherhood:

  “My tip is to take notes on your life and see how you can constantly be improving them.” (13:47, Kelly)

7. Tipping, Gifting & Societal Double Standards

• Rant about illogical tipping norms (ordering coffee vs. not being allowed to tip EMTs/nurses):

  “Wake up, America...For you to take my order, ask me to tip, for what? The only exchange we’ve had is, what would you like? I said it. Here’s the total. I haven’t even tasted it.” (19:13, Kelly)

• Creative gifting: praise for a family handing Starbucks gift cards to flight attendants (20:08, Kelly & Liz).
• Discussion about the strange divide between cash tips and gift cards, and the unsung value of “novelty” like $2 bills (24:00, Kelly & Liz).

8. Summer Hosting Wins & Melon Fries Vision

• Tips for summer hosting: delegate kid drinks, keep it simple (juice boxes in a cooler = host win), focus on one thing (bar cart) if not making food (24:53–27:20).
• Kelly embarks on a quest to “perfect” something this summer: enters the era of “melon fries”—colorful ridged-cut strips of melon as a creative fruit tray with dip (29:18–32:11).

9. Internet Rabbit Holes: Giant Pumpkin Talk

• Kelly confesses to a fascination with social media accounts documenting the growing of gigantic pumpkins, proposing a family field trip to see one (32:24–33:12).

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Advice & Listener Questions

Lease Dilemma: Hyundai Palisade with 4 Kids

• Listener due with fourth child, frustrated by lack of trunk space; asks for advice about escaping a lease early for a Honda Odyssey.
• Kelly’s expert take:

  “Leases are designed to go to term...if a dealer tells you, ‘I can get you out of your lease’, ...the money is going somewhere.” (37:00–38:47, Kelly)

• Recommendation: “Fade the double stroller, babywear, make it work for the short term.” (38:34, Kelly)
• Lizz suggests buying a cheap travel stroller if needed and underscores that owning multiple strollers for different stages is normal (38:47, Liz).

Neighborly Judgment About Yards

• Listener’s neighbor gossips about her “bad” yard. Should she fix it just for neighbor harmony?
• Empathy from both hosts:

  “Your yard is all she probably has.” (41:05, Kelly) “Sometimes just addressing it straight up in a very, like, almost apologetic way.” (41:38, Liz)

• Their consensus: Don’t stress for her sake—unless you want to—because this is just the neighbor’s “hobby.”

HOA Gripe: Halloween Decorations

• Kelly laments early, graphic Halloween décor (headless horsemen et al) as an unaddressed HOA issue:

  “If you want to set that up the week of Halloween, fine...Halloween decorations have to be PG until the week of Halloween.” (46:09, Kelly)

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Industry News

Tesla Model Y L Launches

• The long-wheelbase 2027 Tesla Model Y L is coming to America, starting at $63,000, and offers a true 3rd row—intended for families who wanted a Model X for space but can’t get one anymore.
• Kelly is “shook to [her] core” about the new model, expresses admiration for Tesla SUVs, and laments she can’t attend the reveal (47:09, Kelly).

Quick Car Review: Mazda CX-90

• Lizz drove the new Mazda CX-90 as a press car; likes its appearance and is a “trackpad girl,” but finds rear compartments tight and the no-ceiling-vents a drawback (48:46–51:14, Lizz).
• The sisters agree it’s niche, expensive for what it offers, and recommend Mazda over Subaru in some cases due to available hybrid (50:36, Kelly).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Once you give yourself permission to know, it’s not your summer, but your summer will come around again...” (03:10, Kelly)
• “Did you get that ad done? And I’m like, no...because it’s just not my creative process...say what you will about me, I do get it all done.” (29:44, Kelly)
• “Fruit fries sounds like fruit flies. So that needs to be reworked.” (32:09, Liz)
• “If riceroni has no fans, I’ve passed away.” (52:28, Kelly)
• “I love to do things for people and then be told how great it was that you did this thing for them.” (04:01, Lizz)

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Recipe Section: The Drive Through (51:55+)

• Kelly’s tip: Buy Costco rotisserie chicken and use it for three freezer casseroles—Chicken Pot Pie, Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Chicken Casserole, and Poppy Seed Chicken.
• Pro tip: Rice-a-Roni is the secret weapon for easy, delicious casseroles (52:28, Kelly).

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Pregnancy, postpartum & support: 00:41–04:26
• Acts of service & sibling dynamic: 04:26–06:12
• Kids sharing (and not sharing): 06:12–11:28
• Internet judgment and toy/experience debate: 11:28–14:40
• Tipping, gifting flight attendants, $2 bills: 18:23–24:42
• Summer hosting, melon fries concept: 24:42–32:15
• Giant pumpkin social media fandom: 32:15–33:12
• Lease question advice: 36:07–39:53
• Neighbor yard controversy: 39:53–43:46
• Halloween decorations and HOA: 44:23–47:09
• Automotive news (Tesla Y L, Mazda CX-90): 47:09–51:14
• Freezer casserole recipe/Drive Through: 51:21–54:22

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Final Thoughts

Diving from personal struggles and wins as moms and sisters to a bit of automotive news, Kelly and Lizz keep things real, funny, and useful. Whether you want validation for store-bought toys, a sisterly hot take on sharing, practical lease advice, or inspiration for your next summer fruit tray, this episode delivers—topped off with plans to perfect melon fries, and maybe even a trip to a giant pumpkin festival.

Transcript

[Kelly]

Welcome to the carpool podcast with Kelly. For you to take my order. Ask me to tip for what? The only exchange we've had is, what would you like I said it. Here's the total. I haven't even tasted it. What if you make it wrong three times?

[Liz]

And Liz, only reason I'm tipping a dollar is to avoid you potentially spitting. Like, right. That's what I'm actually paying for, is to avoid it being tarnished.

[Kelly]

Your mom time off starts. Welcome back to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz. Hi, Liz.

[Liz]

Hi. How are you?

[Kelly]

I mean, I don't want to make you feel bad.

[Liz]

Yeah, it's good to know that one of these days I'll be great again. Dude, it's just like, it is just the end of pregnancy where you're. It's a mind. It is a mind game.

[Kelly]

It's a mental game.

[Liz]

Yeah, it is such a mental game. And for me, this time, it's a really physical game. I did have a bit of a scare. This. Not scare, but false. False labor, maybe. Anyway, I thought my water broke and turns out I just peed myself in public. But I went to the doctor to get it checked out anyway because I'm like, I don't know what happened. And I went and they were like, they. They were. Told me it was the right thing to do to come in. Like, everyone was great. No one shamed me. No one sent me home. Which you have to, like, if you think there's a chance, like, you have to go and get it checked out. But being in the, like, room, I was like, oh. I'm like, really not prepared for this. Like, I'm really getting nervous about giving birth.

[Kelly]

Are you nervous about giving birth or you're nervous about having three kids?

[Liz]

Yes, both. Yeah, Separate. And I'm also nervous about having postpartum depression.

[Kelly]

Well, that's the thing with those just, like, baby blues looming over you. Just ne. What I don't like about postpartum depression, well, is. Is a myriad of things. But what I really don't like in my experience is I could never predict if I was going to have it or not. Like, it doesn't matter what you do. I find it to be random. George and Libby, ppd, full swing. Fred and Hattie, postpartum joy. I didn't do anything different.

[Liz]

You have no idea. And so, you know when people are trying to, you know, like, I cannot make a plan past in August. Like, don't ask me for a plan. Obviously I'm not doing anything. But, like, even so I'm like, work things like, hey, do you think you can maybe work with this brand in September or whatever? It's like, I do not know because I do not know what my headspace will be like. I don't know. My recovery is going to be like, you know, I hope that it's smooth sailing like it was with Sloane. Like, you don't know if you're going to end up having an emergency C section. Like, you don't know if anything. So you really, you can only plan for so much.

[Kelly]

So true, bestie.

[Liz]

So.

[Kelly]

But, well, I will be here to support whatever version of you comes out of that hospital.

[Liz]

Thank you so much. Just excited that you can actually be there for me.

[Kelly]

No, we've been talking about this a lot because with Elizabeth's first two, I was in the postpartum trenches myself. And now I've, you know, I've obviously doing great. I'm doing great. To be honest with you.

[Liz]

She won't stop talking about how great everything is.

[Kelly]

Finally my summer. I'm telling you, it's. And I was talking to my sister in law this past weekend and she was just saying like, how hard it is. And I said, girl, it's just not your summer. And once you give yourself permission to know, it's not your summer, but your summer will come around again. I. I always found a little peace with it. And I'm happy to report that it is my summer. And I am so excited to serve you because I don't always get enough credit for how actually, like, acts of service is kind of probably one of my love language. That's how I. That's not how I like to receive love. I like words of affirmation, but I love to do things for people.

[Liz]

You like to do things for people and then be told how great it was that you did this thing for them.

[Kelly]

100. First of all, that's. That's a little rude, but it's also true.

[Liz]

Beautiful. It's a circle of light. It's beautiful.

[Kelly]

But I don't want to hear it necessarily for my own ego. I want to hear it. So I know that it was helpful.

[Liz]

Yeah, I get that.

[Kelly]

So, speaking of acts of service, Elizabeth, I came over last week, honestly, kind of was a dumpster fire of a day.

[Liz]

I know Kelly came over last week and actually, now that I know that that is your love language, I feel really bad because after you left, I was like, wow, it would have been so much easier if you just didn't come over and you're like, really And I'm like, oh, sorry. You just drove, like, an hour round trip. Like, you cleaned up my fridge. Like, you brought two kids. Like, I understand that was insensitive of me, but also, it was a dumpster fire.

[Kelly]

Well, you just never know. Sometimes when Elizabeth and I get together with our younger kids, we never know what we're gonna get. And tell.

[Liz]

We think we're gonna get one thing, and we always get the opposite, and

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

we refuse to learn.

[Kelly]

And that's insanity. We're insane. But one of these days, it's gonna all. One of these days, it's gonna be a good idea. So basically, Maddie was working late. I was like, I'm gonna bring Fred and Libby over. I'm gonna bring. I brought some beautiful steaks. You had some burgers. I was like, we'll let the kids play. I'll help you out a little bit. And it just didn't go that way at all. But one thing that we notice is when we first get there, our kids are the best. They're not fighting yet, and they're entertained. So I got there, and I hit the ground. Run. Give me your refrigerator. I took everything out of her fridge

[Liz]

to the point where I took the first 10 seconds you entered my house. You were.

[Kelly]

I said, I'm cleaning your fridge. Because I.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Also.

[Kelly]

Because. No, because we have learned some things. And I wanted to leave having accomplished something.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And my refrigerator looks great.

[Kelly]

So I cleaned out deep. Cleaned her fridge, took everything out, got my scrubby daddy out. Was washing, drying, throwing away expired things. About halfway through, when I was starting to put things back into the fridge, the kids started having an utter meltdown. All of the children. Yeah, all of the children.

[Liz]

All at once.

[Kelly]

And I've never seen a person really crush teaching a child how to share. Because sharing is such a. It's kind of such a dumb concept, if I'm being honest with you. And I know it's a necessary concept. And, like, I want kids to get. I don't want the kids to fight. And I guess they're fighting over the same toys since that. So that. Since so they have to share. But it's so hard because, like, if Fred is playing with something, and now all of a sudden James wants it. Like, why does James have to. Why does for. Have to share? On the flip side, why is James having to share all of his toys? Like, it doesn't make any sense. And I'm actually not this mom who really believes that kids have to share that much. Hot take in certain situations. Like, we've been in. We've. We've had situations where like, my kids bring a toy to like maybe a get together or to the park. They don't have to share. They brought it. Yeah, they brought it. Not to share. Like, sorry, your kid didn't bring a toy. He does not have to share his paw patrol. He brought it.

[Liz]

I agree. And I do think that, I mean, I think it's easier said than done when it's like your own, your niece or nephew. Because if Fred, like, wants James's dinosaur and we're in public, I'm like, well, you know, that's. That's James's. He brought it.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

If he.

[Liz]

Maybe in a little bit, I'm sure he'll get sick of it and maybe then you can play with it. But I'm not going to say James handed over to Fred because you just walked in here. But I, I understand the pressure with like, maybe a new mom friend or just like you.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

You're not.

[Liz]

I'm not going to talk to someone else's kid that way. I'll talk to your kids that way. Because I'm partially in charge of raising them to be, you know, as well, because I'm their aunt.

[Kelly]

I actually love when people dis. I actually love when other people who I. Who, who, Who I trust and who are close friends or family discipline my kids.

[Liz]

I know. You know what? Someone came up. James was throwing a meltdown yesterday in the grocery store.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

And.

[Liz]

And this woman, he's screaming, maddie's. I'm trying to check out. Maddie and I are like, trying to. Maddie and I were both there, okay? And like, Sloan's fine. James is screaming, we're trying to check out. And this woman comes up and gets in his face and goes, hey, buddy. And I'm like, woman, get away from my son right now. She goes, do you think you could. You think you could settle down? I don't want you to get hurt. And Maddie's like, he's fine. Like, I'm like, the audacity to come up to a screaming child and try and console them or tell them anything is insane.

[Kelly]

Well, you obviously, you obviously don't have the context.

[Liz]

She's like, I've just been watching him, and I just like, want to make sure he's okay. And Maddie's like, yes, he's fine. Like, it would say that's insane. It was 1pm and we were at the grocery store. Like, it was a bad move on our part. Both of his parents were there. Like, I'm not like this mom who's like needing help. Like, oh my gosh, go away. So anyway, that just reminded me of that. It was like the most insane thing ever. Maddie and I both got in the car and we were like, what was that about? Who does that anyway? Yeah, I get that. Like people you trust and know, disciplining them or correcting them.

[Kelly]

Yeah. I mean, I just think, I think sometimes they'll just listen. Anyway.

[Liz]

Also not with sharing. Like, if your child is young. Two young. Definitely younger than two. Maybe two. This one. Then we can start talking about sharing. But don't have your one and a half year old. Don't say, hey, buddy, can you share? Like, I did not expect your one and a half year old to do anything. Like, your one and a half year old does not need to be sharing. Like, they're gonna. I'm kind of of the mindset, like, if I have two one and a half year olds, let them pick, figure it out. I don't need to intervene here because it's not going to do anything. Like they need to socially figure it out themselves.

[Kelly]

I agree. Even, even Fred and James, if they're fighting over something, like, until someone like starts throwing hands.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Like maybe let's just see what, let's just see what happens. But it's so hard. It's one of the hardest part about like making new mom friends is you just don't always know. It's just. It's a very awkward situation.

[Liz]

That's why I always say that should. I mean, I would say if they're like, hey, will you share? I'm like, hey, you do whatever you feel comfortable doing how you want to handle the situation. But no, for me, I'm not expecting your child to share with my kid right now.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Like, they're young. They're very young.

[Liz]

Always just say that. And I don't know if that's helpful or not, but I just like, I want to get the expectation out of the way that I do not care.

[Kelly]

It is just so insane because, like, you're never asked to share in your adult life.

[Liz]

No, yeah. Not, not. Yeah, that's true.

[Kelly]

Like, I'm trying to think of like, what's the adult equivalent to like sharing? I mean, of course, like, you would let someone borrow something if I was

[Liz]

like, your shoes are cuter than mine. Take them off and give them to me. I'll. I'll set a timer and then we could, we can swap them back. Like, it doesn't happen.

[Kelly]

I forgot sunglasses. Can I have yours?

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

It's like, I brought These. So I'm really just, I'm a little. And to me sharing is different than learning to play with others. Yeah, that's a good skill.

[Liz]

I don't know.

[Kelly]

I don't know. I need to think about. So all this is. Of course I make my kids share. People really haven't. I've been floating on the wrong side of the Internet. People have really been taking my stuff out of context these days.

[Liz]

What do you mean?

[Kelly]

Well, I posted that this past weekend. I did like a, like an indoor toy roundup because I was just trying to like share what has been working for us this summer. And I'm sorry that I'm just of the belief that sometimes you can just buy your kid something new instead of going to blow 25 a pop at a children's museum. I'm sorry, like that. I'm not saying I don't believe in in person experiences. I'm not saying I'm trying to create these spoiled kids I buy into something every five seconds. I'm saying sometimes you can just buy them an activity to do at home instead of taking them to do an activity and spending way more money.

[Liz]

That's actually a beautiful point. And also you don't live, you don't live near a million children's activities to

[Kelly]

go and do like 45 minute drive to any ACT children.

[Liz]

Yes, I live near a lot. So my kids do do those things a live in rural areas. And so yeah, you have to bring the experience to your home.

[Kelly]

And I was just trying to make the point like so for example, our kids just got that Hot Wheels track. It's like 25, it's like this really cool track. All the kids are obsessed with it and I just gave it to them without a reason. Like it wasn't a birthday, it wasn't a holiday, but I needed an activity for this week or for the next couple of days. And so I just bought them that and said, here's what we're doing today.

[Liz]

But you know what? No one bats an eye if you would have like connected it out of like tissue paper holders and made it yourself and said, look what I did. Like no one would bat an eye if you did that. But because you had to order it off Amazon, it's all of a sudden a problem.

[Kelly]

I know. So I got some messages being like, I just worry about what this, what this is creating for your kids. Or like, well now you're just being so wasteful because you're buying things. And I'm like, sister, be. First of all, be so for real.

[Liz]

No. If you want to take your four kids to an activity, you would be driving 45 minutes away and spending a hundred dollars. And also, you have to get lunch on the way back because you're 45 minutes away.

[Kelly]

Yeah. So that was just the point I was trying to make.

[Liz]

Like, okay.

[Kelly]

And this summer, really, like, I. I'm not ready to do my summer recap after action report with the carpools or jet, but just know, like, I have been taking copious notes. Taking notes in my motherhood is probably one of my best tips, I think. Literally the other day I got asked, what's my tip for moms? My tip is to take notes on your life.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And see how you can constantly be improving them. And one of my tests from last year was like, you know, buy some toys or save some toys to give them in the summer. Like, just make, like, work it into your budget. Work it into, like, you know, however much toys you want to give your kids, because you actually do need to spend time inside and in the summer.

[Liz]

You know what? And my kids are young, so they. They forget about. But we always complain about how much. How much stuff grandparents give them for their birthdays and for Christmas, when they get so much stuff at once, I let them open it. We take it home. I put half of it away in a closet.

[Kelly]

Yeah, that's a good idea.

[Liz]

And I pull it. I just pulled out a Christmas present the other day because, like, we needed something new to look at and. Great. And then they actually played with it. So if your kids are still young enough to do that, freaking hide the. Put it in a closet and bring it out when you need it.

[Kelly]

That's what I'm saying. So anyway, I just, like, shared some of, like, our favorite toys. And this Hot Wheels track is. It's been the. It's. It's been an amazing. It was the best 25 I could have spent, truthfully. We've gotten more hours at that. At a children's museum. That, again, would have been 20 a pop per head. 80.

[Liz]

And you would. You could only be there for one hour and have nothing to show for it. Wow. Okay. I'm, like, so frustrated for you that anyone said anything to you.

[Kelly]

I'm frustrated for you with that girl in the store. People are so crazy.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

People are so crazy. Well, that's what.

[Kelly]

You know what. It's like, the great Toby, he said, God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.

[Liz]

That man was like, what. What quote? You know which one. They're all good ones. He's got some good ones.

[Kelly]

They're all good. That is Toby Keith, right?

[Liz]

I have no idea. I feel like it's not actually Fear for my horses.

[Kelly]

No beer for my horse.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Wait.

[Kelly]

People are crazy. It's Toby Keith.

[Liz]

Oh, it is.

[Kelly]

I'm looking it up.

[Liz]

I don't think it is Billy Currington.

[Kelly]

Who's Billy Currington? One hit.

[Liz]

One sings Take. No. He sings and Turn of Grains.

[Kelly]

Oh, thank gosh for good directions. Turn of grace.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Stupidest song ever.

[Liz]

That is a stupid song. But I love it. I love it. I love it.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Today's episode is brought to you by K12. No one knows your child better than you. And no one wants your child to succeed more than you. Which is why choosing the correct education path for your child is so important. And for families who are looking for a new path to help their child succeed, K12 could be the perfect fit. K12 powered schools offer tuition free accredited online public education for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. They know learning is a one size fits all and will meet your child where they are. K12 has been a leader in online education for over 25 years. They provide everything a student needs to feel safe, motivated, and thrive in their learning environment. With flexible education options tailored to each child's needs, interests and goals for the future. Plus, students will belong to a vibrant online community with opportunities for extracurricular activities to help them connect with peers, explore

[Liz]

interests, all in a setting that works for your family.

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[Kelly]

Today's

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episode is brought to you by Skylight. I've been using my Skylight calendar for over a year now and I have to say it's really helped me with my mental load because it gets everything out of my head and onto my sleek digital display. It syncs my entire family's schedule. I can meal plan from it. I can. I can make grocery lists from it. It's been a really nice way for me, my husband, and even our nanny to collaborate in a way to just help our household run a little bit smoother. Skylight Calendar is designed to bring the families together for more time. This all in one digital smart calendar syncs seamlessly with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and more, giving you customizable views for daily, weekly or monthly planning. This has been really great to sync my calendar, my husband's calendar Our shared family calendar. Also manage events, chores, and grocery lists while assigning colors to each member of your family and eliminating excuses for not knowing what they needed to do. Your happiness is Skylight's happiness. So if in four months you're not 100 thrilled with your purchase, you can return it for a full refund, no questions asked. Families are better when they're working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners 30 off their 15 inch calendar by going to my skylight.com carpool. Go to my skylight.com Carpool for $30 off your 15 inch calendar. That is my S K-Y L I G H T.com carpool.

[Liz]

Okay, cow, what do we have on today's episode?

[Kelly]

Oh, hold on, let me pull up my. I think I had something on my dumpity doo dah. Oh, I was. So the other day, where was. Tyler and I were coming back from Florida, and I feel like there's so many people in this world who were forced to tip who maybe I don't enjoy tipping. And then there's other people where it's like, not socially acceptable to tip them. And I think that's crazy. Like, I think as a society, we need to, like, rethink our tipping strategies. Do you know what I mean?

[Liz]

No, for sure.

[Kelly]

Because, like, EMT would love to tip. Oh, yeah, A nurse would love to tip.

[Liz]

Inappropriate.

[Kelly]

Inappropriate. Not all baristas. But again, tipping a barista before I've received the beverage I'm getting. Wake up, America.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Or figure out how I can tip afterwards. Like, for me to have to. For you to take my order. I'm not gonna beat this dead horse. For me to take my order, ask me to tip for what? All the only exchange we've had is what would you like? I said it. Here's the total. I haven't even tasted it. What if you make it wrong three times?

[Liz]

The only reason I'm tipping a dollar is to avoid you potentially spitting it. Like, right. Like, that's what I'm actually paying for is to avoid it being tarnished.

[Kelly]

Right.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Anyway, but I was thinking, although tips are inappropriate, sometimes gifts are appropriate.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

So Tyler and I were coming over from Florida and there was this cute little family. It was like a mom and dad and like a 10 year old girl. And when we got on the plane, they handed the flight attendants three Starbucks gift cards.

[Liz]

Love that.

[Kelly]

And I was like, you know, they're so. They literally got them at the airport because there's always Starbucks at the airport.

[Liz]

Mm.

[Kelly]

The star. The flight attendants can always access a Starbucks. And I was like, that is such a kind thing to do. And the flight attendants were so gracious. So like I, they were sitting right behind me, so they also got on right in front of me. So I saw them give them to one flight attendant. The other two flight attendants came to their seats during the flight to thank the family for the, for the Starbucks gift cards.

[Liz]

You want to be on the flight attendant's good side too?

[Kelly]

1,000%.

[Liz]

What was, did you hear what they said when he gave, when he gave them the gift cards? Like, what did he say?

[Kelly]

I didn't really understand what was happening until after the fact. So no, I didn't like hear that exchange, but I guess it was like, hey, like these are for you and the flight crew. Sure. Something like that. And then as we landed, the flight attendant said, and thank you so much to the family who brought us the gift cards. Me and the whole crew really appreciated it. Like, these flight attendants were so grateful. So I think I'm going to start getting gift cards for my flight attendants.

[Liz]

Okay. No, that's espec. I mean, honestly, especially when you're coming on with kids, you know, Especially coming on when you might need like someone to like bring you a juice quickly. Like you need someone on your, on your side.

[Kelly]

People I'm interested in having on my sides. Flight attendants.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Totally.

[Liz]

That does bring up a good point.

[Kelly]

Like flight attendants, they're, they're, they. People are so rude when they travel. Like I always telling you, traveling sometimes feels like a simulation because people aren't thinking with their heads. It's like how I always tell you whenever I sit down, people don't even like make eye contact with the person they're sitting next to for the next three hours. Like, we don't need to speak. When I say, hi, how are you? Like, you know, like just talk to people. People are so not themselves when they travel. It really stresses me out.

[Liz]

It's like when you're driving, like, everyone is so def. On the defensive, like, so mean, like thinks everyone's out to get them. That's so true. But that does, that does bring up a good point. Like, yeah, people who you would love to tip my labor and delivery nurse. But why does that feel inappropriate?

[Kelly]

But you could give them a gift.

[Liz]

I could give them a gift, yes.

[Kelly]

So just something to think about.

[Liz]

Okay, well, why is a Starbucks gift, like why is like a hundred dollar Starbucks gift card different than a hundred dollar bill?

[Kelly]

Literally? I have no idea.

[Liz]

You know, but it is, but it is.

[Kelly]

And like, you couldn't even. Even a Visa gift card would be weird. Yeah, but you can't give them cash. You can only give them a gift card disguised in a gift basket.

[Liz]

Is. Is it legally wrong?

[Kelly]

I'm not sure.

[Liz]

Okay. Because I do think Maddie might have given one of our. Some of our nurses cash when I delivered.

[Kelly]

But I hope she took it and like, mum's a word. Like.

[Liz]

Well, it's like you put it in a card. Like, thank you so much. Open it later. I don't know. What. What's. What, what's the thing here? What do you do?

[Kelly]

Let's get a lawyer on the pot. But every industry is a little different. But I'm telling you, one time, I've heard this a hundred. I've shared this story before. But one time Hattie had a seizure, febrile seizure. And we had to call 911 because she was unresponsive. Super traumatic. And the EMTs who came, they were the nicest gentlemen I've literally ever met in my entire life. Like, I was trying to send them home with pr.

[Liz]

Totally.

[Kelly]

She wants a protein pound.

[Liz]

Hey, your wife will love this. Retinol. Just like, please,

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just.

[Liz]

Yeah, just interesting. So interesting.

[Kelly]

I think that's gonna be.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

I'm just.

[Kelly]

You know, Tyler started doing something kind of cute too. Tyler went to the bank and got a bunch of two dollar bills, which I guess you can just do that.

[Liz]

What two dollar bills? He's a guy who carries around two

[Kelly]

dollar bills when he travels now.

[Liz]

There's always a guy.

[Kelly]

I know, but like, that's fun.

[Liz]

No, it is fun.

[Kelly]

So now he's like tipping with two dollar bills because he's. I guess he's too cheap to do fives. I don't know. But like one. So feeling up. I don't know. It's weird.

[Liz]

No, but a two dollar bill, like, you can never actually go and spend. Like, two dollar bills are so weird.

[Kelly]

I've spent. I've. I spend my two dollar bills when they come across my desk.

[Liz]

Yeah, but like a man, like, can't, like, I don't know, gave us one. Maybe it gave like the kids one. I don't know. And I'm like, I feel like I can't spend this.

[Kelly]

No. What are you doing?

[Liz]

It's just like novelty. Well, you can just go to the bank and pick them up.

[Kelly]

That's what I said.

[Liz]

I'm like, really? This is not. This does not feel that special.

[Kelly]

They were like crisp, new two dollar bills. He had like so many of them. He got like 50 worth of two hour bills. That's 25 last time I checked.

[Liz]

Okay. There you go. I know, I didn't know that.

[Kelly]

So I want to say that thing about flight attendants. And then this past weekend, I hosted kind of a big crowd. I hosted 13 adults and 19 kids.

[Liz]

Oh, my gosh. Kelly. Yeah.

[Kelly]

I ordered pizza from a local pizza place. I was going to make a salad, but then I got too scared of the parasite, so I faded the salad. And someone brought a veggie tray. So it was a very simple. I didn't actually cook, but I took that energy into making a bar. Like, I set up a bar.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

So I had someone bringing kid drinks, which, like, if I'm ever hosting, someone asked what to bring. I always think kid drinks is like a very easy thing to offshoot to somebody. Now the person brought the kid drinks crushed it. I've literally added this to my notes because if I was asked to bring a kid drink, I would bring two boxes of juice boxes. Not even on ice. Like, it would be insane.

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[Kelly]

She had a cooler, which, like makes sense. Like just make it put in a cooler. A cooler with juice boxes, mini water bottles, and mini Gatorades. So it was variety and it was like ice down in the cooler. And she just brought the cooler in and I was like, thank you so much for. I would have rolled up with like two boxes of Capri Suns and called

[Liz]

it good and been like, do you have a cooler? I can put this.

[Kelly]

Exactly.

[Liz]

It's like I cooler.

[Kelly]

Well, and I just had never thought to like. I know that sounds bad, but sometimes you just have to think. Yeah, so I took that note. So someone brought kid drink. Someone brought a veggie tray. Two people brought desserts. Oh my gosh. The dessert that my sister in law brought. Unbelievable.

[Liz]

I'm going to.

[Kelly]

I'll have to. That's the story from our time. They were called like salt river bars. It was basically like club crackers covered in chocolate and caramel. They were unbelievable.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Anyway, so since I wasn't cooking, I took that energy and I put it into a bar cart. I was like, or a little bar. And I went to someone's house a couple months ago and they had like a bar set up. Like they had mixers, ice, and different types of alcohol. And I'm like, this is fun. Like it's kind of like a diy, diy your own adventure. Or like, I as the hostess, could tell you what I could make you. Now, my cocktail recipes need work. Like, I definitely didn't crush. My prep was there. My execution wasn't. So, again, I've written that down on my notes. But here are the cocktails I could make. I had stuff to make. Moscow Mules. I had stuff to make, like, Skinny Palomas. And my new summer cocktail of choice is, like, kind of a crazy cocktail of choice. I have been doing unsweet iced tea with vodka and lemon.

[Liz]

Yeah, that doesn't sound good.

[Kelly]

It is good.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Because you know what it is? It's just. No nonsense.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

It's just like.

[Liz]

But you know what? In my cocktail, I like a little bit of nonsense. You know? I mean, a little, like, a little bit of nonsense.

[Kelly]

Co. Yeah, no, I'm telling. Maybe it's just. It's. Again, I'm, like, still coming off my sugar fast.

[Liz]

So, like, things are like a lemon is, like, so, so sweet.

[Kelly]

Like, I'm so. I'm so toxic. At least I'm. I'm insufferable to be around right now.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

But I've been liking that. I'm just letting you know. I got the spindrift iced tea. Lemon. Pour that into a tumbler with a ton of ice and a shot of vodka. I'm telling you, there's something about it that I like. It's like a spike iced tea. It's just. It's fun. It's easy. It's basically water. So anyway, that was my bar cart, so I'm just always working on improving my hosting abilities.

[Liz]

Okay. I like it. Well, something we haven't done in a while.

[Kelly]

Sorry.

[Liz]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Kelly]

I have more to say.

[Liz]

I'm sorry. I'll just continue to listen. Please continue.

[Kelly]

No, it's okay.

[Liz]

No, what else did you want to. What else did you have? I thought you were done.

[Kelly]

I'm never done.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Anyway, so then my new theory. So one thing I feel like I haven't done a good job of this summer is I actually haven't, like, perfected anything. You know what I mean?

[Liz]

Okay. So this is such, like, a trial and error summer for you, though.

[Kelly]

Well, it is a trial.

[Liz]

And the last literal five summers of your life have been survival summers. Now it's like a trial and error summer.

[Kelly]

Yeah. I just want to feel like I, like, have something on my roster, like a new dish, a new setup, a new something on my roster that's perfected, and I just haven't perfected anything yet. So the next thing I plan on trying to perfect is something I'm calling melon fries. Okay,

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

you're so Ridiculous.

[Liz]

Let's hear about the melon fries.

[Kelly]

So I bought this thing off Amazon,

[Liz]

like, just to spend a day in your brain. You're just like, okay, I have this meeting. I have this. I have to go on this, like, intense podcast where I don't know what they're gonna ask me, but I'm gonna figure it out. I have to do this. This person has to be paid this, that I have to film this ad. What about, like, melon. How should I, like, perfect the melon fry for my children?

[Kelly]

My husband hates me. He's always like, did you get that ad done? And I'm like, no. He's like, why? And, like, because it's just not my creative process. The thing is, it's like, say what you will about me, I do get it all done.

[Liz]

It's your process. Yeah.

[Kelly]

Anyways, so I found this thing off Amazon, and it's like a. It's like a. A knife that's ridged.

[Liz]

Okay, I. I can pack. I can picture it.

[Kelly]

You know what I'm saying? I don't know what it's called. It's like a slicer.

[Liz]

Huh.

[Kelly]

And I saw this thing on Pinterest and this person cut honeydew, watermelon, and what's the other one? Cantaloupe into these fries and made a delicious, you know, probably yogurt based dipping sauce. And it was such a fun take on, like, a fruit tray. And I don't know about you, but, like, I don't think anybody. I mean, just with. With this parasite, like, I'm not literally looking to, like, do berries right now.

[Liz]

Totally.

[Kelly]

I also hate washing that stuff.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Huh.

[Kelly]

And they're expensive. And, like, they're not. They're not really in season right now. I don't think. I'm not really sure. Maybe they are. Who knows? But what is in season is melons.

[Liz]

Okay. Yeah. See, a strawberry's, like, always kind of the same year round, except for when they're really in season. A melon only in the summer.

[Kelly]

And so this beautiful tray. So the picture, this is a beautiful tray. They have green melon fries, orange melon fries, watermelon melon fries. And I was like, that looks yummy.

[Liz]

You know? And what is it about, like, cutting a honeydew or a cucumber up into a cube? It's never easy to eat. Your mouth is always too full. We really need to be reworking the way we're cutting up our melons.

[Kelly]

So you see why I'm passionate about the melon fries.

[Liz]

No, Kelly, you Got me. I mean, now I'm hooked. Like. Yeah, I agree.

[Kelly]

I haven't.

[Liz]

You're losing sleep over it. I understand now. Now we're all going to.

[Kelly]

So I haven't, like, I said, done it yet. Like, oh, my gosh. This is so cute. Here it is. Well, I'm gonna send you this link. Oh, they did a pineapple too. I just really want to execute this in the way that my brain wants me to. Please look at what I just sent you.

[Liz]

All right, I'm. I'm looking. Oh, yeah, No, I love. I love it.

[Kelly]

Like, I love it.

[Liz]

No, I'm bought in.

[Kelly]

So I bought that. Literally, I bought that thing that they're showing.

[Liz]

Okay. Yeah, I like this. I. I want to know how long it takes you to cut it up and everything. Fruit fries with lemon dip. I don't like the term fruit fries. Sounds like fruit flies. So that needs to be reworked.

[Kelly]

That's why I think melon fries is better.

[Liz]

Melon fries is better. Yeah, I agree. Okay.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

That was worth talking about. Last thing. Okay. Yeah.

[Kelly]

I have found myself on such a glorious side of the Internet.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

And that is Giant pumpkin.

[Liz]

Oh, yeah. Okay. I saw you post about this. I couldn't really get behind this one in the same way.

[Kelly]

So apparent, there's all these people who are documenting what it's like to try to grow a thousand pound pumpkin, and I am hooked. This is the kind of TV shows we need. We need less. Just, like, bring back, like, just interesting things.

[Liz]

Mm.

[Kelly]

Anyway, if you haven't landed on giant pumpkin talk. Sorry. And now. Now. Now I have myself googling where to go see one of these in person. And one of my followers sent me that her dad is a giant pumpkin grower in Iowa, and it's only four hours from my house, and they had this big festival, so I'm considering taking the family.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Okay. I could keep going, but I won't.

[Liz]

Okay. You know what? Melon fries. Good. Giant pumpkins does less for me.

[Kelly]

Okay, that's fine.

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[Liz]

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[Liz]

okay, are you ready for some advice questions?

[Kelly]

Obviously.

[Liz]

Okay. If you would like to write in to get your own advice, you can run into. Hello atthekarma official.com. okay, I was wondering if I could email you for advice. I'm currently driving a leased 2025 Hyundai Palisade with one year left on my lease. I have three children. Right after Christmas, we found out we're unexpectedly expecting our fourth baby at the end of August. I have a dilemma because while all four kids will fit in the Palisade, this leaves me with very little trunk space. I cannot even fit a single stroller, let alone my double. I would really like to trade in my, my least Palisade for a Honda Odyssey minivan sooner year. My question for you is, do you have any advice on how to get. Get out of a lease early without pain, an arm and a leg? If not, then any advice on how to best optimize my space in the Palisade with four kids for the rest of my one year left on my lease?

[Kelly]

She has one year left on her lease. So there's like. I mean, there's so many, like, nuances to this conversation. But what people need to understand about leasing is like, leases are designed to go to term. And people have a lot of trouble with that sometimes.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

But.

[Kelly]

And you know, some manufacturers, some dealers will tell you, I can get you out of your lease. But, like, in the, like, you're never getting out. Money's never just, like, disappearing. Like, it's always going somewhere. So, like, just also remember that, like, if a dealer tells you I can get you out of your lease, okay, well, they're just like, taking less money off the car or like, charging more for the next car. I mean, the money is going somewhere. You know what I mean? Leases are really different than they used to be. And since you're going from, like, a different brand, it's also a little bit more nuanced because before COVID you used to be able to turn your leases into other manufacturers. So I used to be able to take way back when, like, you could take your Hyundai lease to Honda and like, Honda could buy your Hyundai lease. They don't allow that anymore. So you have to go back to a Hyundai store. So I mean, my only piece. So truthfully, like, in my opinion, I would not try to get out of release early. Like, because the thing is, it will cost an arm. Like, like, it will cost what it will cost to get out of your lease. I would make it work for the short term. And so you have, you have a year left. Like, you'll be fine. You have a year left. Fade the double stroller. Sorry, baby wear. Okay. Or riding board. Fade the double stroller in the Palisade. You can lift up the bottom of the trunk to like give yourself a little bit more depth so you'll be able to, I mean, I fit a full size stroller in the. Yeah.

[Liz]

I fit a mockingbird in the. Yeah, we've.

[Kelly]

But yeah. Fade the double baby wear or walk or take. I mean, like, sorry, like you don't want to hear that. But like, yeah, I know it will cost you money to get out of your list. So if you don't want to spend the money. So that's where I just think like,

[Liz]

it's such a good stroller. It might be cheaper to like find like a, like a, more like a travel stroller on Facebook marketplace. Or like buy, buy like a smaller stroller if you need to. That's the thing about strollers is that everyone wants like a one size fits all for strollers. Like when they register. Like, should I get this one or this one? It's like sometimes what you just need to realize is that throughout the life of your motherhood, you just like might need get multiple strollers.

[Kelly]

Yeah. So like go on Facebook marketplace and buy and resell.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

But I think like this is just the discussion of like, okay, would a Honda Odyssey be easier? Could you fit your double stroller? Sure. So is it worth it to you to spend an extra. I don't know. I mean, I don't know how much I, I, I don't know how much it would cost you out of your lease. But like, okay, you want to spend an extra two grand to get out of your lease, Is that worth it? So you can take a double stroller for like the four times you're going to need a double stroller or like, can you just not take a double stroller one time?

[Liz]

Like just, just depends and depends on your lifestyle and it depends on your life.

[Kelly]

You could be like, no, Kelly, we take our double stroller every single day.

[Liz]

I don't, I don't know much about her. She might be a stay at home mom and goes to the library like every day. Like, I, I don't know.

[Kelly]

No, for sure. But, but, but you have to put, you have to put a price tag on that.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Yeah. Okay.

[Kelly]

That's my answer.

[Liz]

I like it. Okay. This one's not car related.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

It comes from Jen. I live in a Pretty relaxed HOA neighborhood. We have rules like, about like, boats in the driveway, but there's nothing about yard upkeeper landscaping. Ours looks kind of bad right now, but as a full time working mom with a husband who's on call on weekends and working during the week, we really just don't have time. Yeah, I guess we could hire it, but also like, hello, student loans, groceries, etc, life is expensive. Anyway, apparently my neighbor across the street has been complaining to other neighbors about us. She's normally a sweet little old lady who literally lives in her yard and smiles and waves, but more and more people keep joking to me that she's mentioned our overgrown beds and faded mulch. Do I fix it just for her? I'm kind of annoyed right now. She's.

[Kelly]

She's.

[Liz]

And she's being rude, right? If we lived in a strict hoa, I'd probably be more motivated, but I'm just not. It's really not big on our long list. It's really, it's really. It really is on our long list, but not on my short list. Am I being a lazy neighbor or is she overstepping by talking to everyone about it? I don't know if I'm looking for validation or for someone to tell me to just step up and find the time to do it. This woman, it sounds to me like she needs a hobby. And unfortunately, the hobby is complaining about your yard.

[Kelly]

Nope. Yeah, people, like, love some crabby old people love an hoa. I think you need to. Here's what you. Here's what I would tell you. Your yard is all she probably has.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

So don't.

[Liz]

Because, like, then imagine if you fixed it. Like, what would she do with her days? Like, she would have nothing to complain about. I have a really. I have very sweet neighbors who will, like, stop and talk to me. And they're.

[Kelly]

They're older.

[Liz]

Like, I see my neighbor, like, he will go and take, like, scissors to his yard. Like, this is what they have is to work on their yard. And their yard looks great. Mine looks horrible. I've said it to her. I was like, you know what? I. I know our yard looks terrible. Like, I'm so sorry things are so crazy right now. Like, And I. And she's like, oh, my gosh, I don't even notice that kind of stuff. Stuff sometimes just like, addressing it straight up in a very, like, yeah, oh, like, almost apologetic way. But, like, I'm not sincerely so. I. I mean, I am, because I do like my neighbor. I'm like, I know I'm sorry. Things are just like, so crazy. Just like, look at my life. She's like, I get it. I've been there. Like, don't even worry about it. So I'm just like saying that and addressing it kind of like, yeah, I agree with that.

[Kelly]

I agree with that.

[Liz]

I wouldn't fix it for her if you don't have the time. I get it. I've got overgrown weeds. Like, I also don't have the time to do it. It's just, it's not my summer to do it. I wouldn't, I would not do anything about it.

[Kelly]

I like your theory of. I would address it with her if it comes up as kind of like sass. Like, you're kind of sass.

[Liz]

Like, yeah, I would not go. I heard that you were talking, like, it's totally just like, almost make her feel bad. It's like when someone sends, like, Kelly, like, you a hate message and then you like, message them back, like, with a voice and they're like, oh, no, no, no. Like, I didn't mean like, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And they're immediately like, she. She's just looking for something to do.

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She's the poor.

[Liz]

With a poor woman.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

And yeah.

[Liz]

And it could actually be at the

[Kelly]

start of something beautiful. You know, maybe she'll offer to help.

[Liz]

Well, wouldn't that be nice?

[Kelly]

And that's. On being neighborly. I'm telling you, people aren't neighborly anymore.

[Liz]

And people just, like, want to assume the worst of people too. Like, they want. They see overgrown weeds in your yard and they think you're lazy. You're this, you're that, you're the. You're the other. And if they would just like, let you say, I'm a full time working mom, my husband is on call on the weekends. Like, we don't have time for this. It's just, it's on my long list, but it's not on my short list. She'd probably be like, I totally get that.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

But people aren't willing to assume anything but the worst these days.

[Kelly]

And she may still. She makes that to your face and still talk about you behind your back. Because I just also think there's a level of like. Like, for some people, for. Because I used to live in a strict hoa. And for some people, like, just know that's all they have and just let them have it.

[Liz]

Oh, I have stayed in my old. My current neighborhoods, like, Facebook group is so inactive. Like, no one cares about anything. My old one. Oh, the drama was so Good. I stayed in it just so I can like stay in touch with the drama because it's just like literally all that people have going on.

[Kelly]

I know people who live in a neighborhood love to act like they live on five acres without neighbors. It's like you just don't get. I mean, it's. People are crazy.

[Liz]

No, it goes both ways. Like, people are crazy for caring too much and people are crazy for not caring enough.

[Kelly]

Oh, I. Elizabeth. 1,000%. Here's something that they. That I think the HOA should attack because so our ultra division, we used to have an hoa and it was active. It was active. Like, you know, I felt like brought him like a trailer for work and like left it there for a day. Like we would get a letter. Like they were crazy.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

But something they don't touch is how early you put up Halloween decorations. And I specifically call out Halloween because it seems as people always rush Halloween more than they rush Christmas. Because really, like, if it's after, if you're putting up Christmas after Halloween, whatever, at least it's November. At least it's cold. Like, whatever. I'm not gonna have that discussion. But like, we do it. So the people who bought our house, our old house, they. Their favorite holiday is Halloween. September 1st. They have a beat, a whole Halloween beat in their yard. I'm talking like headless horsemen, zombies, skeletons. Guys. September 1st, kids aren't even. Some kids aren't even back to school yet and they have a coffin in their front yard. First of all, it's gory. I don't like it.

[Liz]

No, that's the thing. I don't care when you put your, your Christmas decorations up because they're unoffensive. I don't want my kids to be scared when we go on our walk because you have a 16 foot skeleton and a headless horseman and a zombie popping up in your yard. Like it's hard to look at.

[Kelly]

And like it's 2pm on September 16, like, calm. If you want to set that up the week of Halloween, fine.

[Liz]

You want to be the haunted house? Like, do you then I totally agree. I totally agree.

[Kelly]

I think I truthfully believe HOA should say decorations have Halloween. Decorations have to be PG until the week of Halloween because it's when we used to live there, like there was another house. That was crazy too. We wanted to walk on the other side of the street.

[Liz]

Yeah, but sure.

[Kelly]

My husband's trailer, work trailer out in the driveway for two days is.

[Liz]

Well, that's the thing. It's the Double standard.

[Kelly]

Right?

[Liz]

And that's the problem because I don't wanna. Yeah, I don't want to police, like, you know, if that's what makes people happy, like, just because I have young kids, like, maybe that's my problem. But I just, like, even as a person, like, I don't like, come on, like Christmas. Other decorations are cute, they're joyful, they're whatever. But, like just the gory zombie or like the witch hanging upside down or like the person being hung, like, it is not appropriate for two months people. But they're like no signs in your yard that say any, like, anything. You got to take that off for two months. Yeah, I know, it's crazy. Wow.

[Kelly]

I bet. Yeah.

[Liz]

This podcast is really full of a lot of opinions today.

[Kelly]

Well, let's get into this drive through. We give you guys an easy dinner recipe to mix it up. Oh, industry news. Really quick news. Yeah, one quick story. One quick story. One quick story. Okay, so there's some new rumblings because the 2027 Tesla Model Y L finally, finally lands on American shore, starting at $63,000. Okay, so the Model X is gone. And so now they're giving us a Model Y long wheelbase, and I'm shook to my core about it. Okay. Plenty of families bought the Model X for its fancy rear doors. Not for its fancy rear doors, but for its three row convenience. With the X put out to pasture, Tesla needs to offer something a bit bigger than the Y. And it already makes such a a car for the Chinese market. The new Tesla Model Y Ls is 6 inches longer and it gives a proper third row compared to the regular Model L. And it will start at $63,000. Now, I got invited to this reveal, so I always like to shout out the manufacturers who do invite us, but I unfortunately have another obligation that I have to go to, so I'm not able to make it. But I'm excited. I'm ready, Tesla. I'm ready. You know what? You had your moment in the time with the cyber truck. You know, Elon went a little Elani and now we're back and the Tesla. I actually like the Tesla SUV's a lot. And I'm ready for them to shake it up Chicago and do something new. And I'm excited for the Y.

[Liz]

Me too. I mean, nothing.

[Kelly]

I'm nothing but optimistic.

[Liz]

Me too. Okay, agreed.

[Kelly]

All right, so now it's time for just the drive through. We give you guys an easy dinner recipe to mix it up to get you a dinner rut. Thank goodness we covered that auto story for 25 seconds so we can stay in the automotive category.

[Liz]

Well, I could talk about the CX90 loan that I had because I had my first ever press car and it was so exciting to drive a Mazda CX90. And there was so much that I liked about it and so much that I just is, is unforgivable about it.

[Kelly]

Totally. It's a tough one. It's a tough one. We'll call it a niche one. It's in the same way there's a lid for every pot. There's a CX90. There's a key for every person. It's not, it's for some people.

[Liz]

No, it's for some people. I just want, I just want to highlight the things like I really enjoyed about it. First of all, I think it's probably one of the better looking cars in its class. I just have to say, like, it's a very good looking car.

[Kelly]

Sure.

[Liz]

Okay. Also, I found out that I'm a trackpad girl, Cal.

[Kelly]

No, you're wrong for that.

[Liz]

No, I'm not wrong for that. Because it was too far away for me to reach.

[Kelly]

Well, that's, that's their, that, that's their fault. Then put the screen closer.

[Liz]

I liked the track patch. I found myself like, even though their Apple CarPlay is touch screen, I, I found myself really enjoying the trackpad. Like I felt so techie. I just felt like I was in control of, of the, of the, of, of my dash of my life. Like I, I liked the trackpad and I didn't know that about me.

[Kelly]

That's a really hot take.

[Liz]

Yeah. The no ceiling events was like brutal. It was just like also the hottest week of my entire life. And the, it was a little tight. Yeah, it was a little tight in the second row.

[Kelly]

But it's also expensive. It's like people, people forget about the price of that car too.

[Liz]

Oh, see? And I didn't. I haven't even gotten into that.

[Kelly]

Yeah, it's a little expensive for, for what it is, in my opinion.

[Liz]

Yeah, it's just, it's hard in, in the class of cars that we are trying to help people shop for. It's just like, it's hard to justify that one over other ones. But it's. The safety ratings are also. It's very safe. Safe and it's beautiful.

[Kelly]

To me, I, I'm, I'm, I have an easier time recommending that. And it's available as a hybrid. I find myself recommending that more than something like the Subaru Ascend. Like, I'm sorry. Like, you just can't catch me recommending that car.

[Liz]

Sure.

[Kelly]

It's not that I don't like it. I just someone would need to sit me down and say, explain to me why they bought it over other things. And maybe you just didn't know that there's cars that. Everything that car can do, there's other cars that can do it better.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

That's what.

[Liz]

That's what it all boils down to. Yeah, for me, just like.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I. You know, it was nice. I felt very comfortable from the driver, but I just feel like everything happening behind was just, like, hard.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

You know? So.

[Kelly]

We get to the drive through

[Liz]

now. We can do that.

[Kelly]

Well, I bought the Costco pulled rotisserie chicken, and I turned it into three meals.

[Liz]

Okay, let's.

[Kelly]

Three casseroles.

[Liz]

Let's hear them.

[Kelly]

Chicken pot pie, obviously. Broccoli, cheddar cheese chicken casserole.

[Liz]

Yum.

[Kelly]

Poppy seed chicken. Put them all in my freezer.

[Liz]

Which one is. You told me you made me a freezer meal this weekend. Which one of those is for me?

[Kelly]

Well, I was gonna ask you that because I know you don't love poppy seed chicken, and I just made you a poppy seed chicken, so I was going to offer you the chichi pie. Pie or the broccoli cheddar. I didn't know if your kids would like the broccoli cheddar.

[Liz]

You know, my kids are. It's hard to know.

[Kelly]

So which one would you like better?

[Liz]

I think I. I think I'll do broccoli cheddar. Because the thing is, like, my kids might eat that. Like, it's gonna be, you know, for James, it's gonna be the vegetables.

[Kelly]

If you're interested in, like, making freezer casseroles, let me introduce you to your best friend, Rice a Roni. That girl. I. If riceroni has no fans, I've passed away. Like, I love a rice a roni, and so you can do so much with it. So for the poppy seed chicken, I do the chicken flavor. For the broccoli cheddar, I do the four cheese rice. If I'm making Mexican, I do the Mexican rice.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Sometimes I'll do the rice peel off if I'm feeling crazy. Like, I love rice Roni. So it's really good. And I do a lot of garlic salt in it, so it's like a garlicky cheddar. I mean, there's nothing not to like about it. It's so good.

[Liz]

Okay, I will take that one Then I suppose. Thank you.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

I'll.

[Kelly]

I'll send it your direction.

[Liz]

Thank you so much.

[Kelly]

I'm gonna give it to you, like, maybe this week.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

I thought you could use it, like, prior to. Because I already told you I'm gonna bring you when you have your baby.

[Liz]

Yeah. What?

[Kelly]

I'm gonna. I'm gonna bring your ribs.

[Liz]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. The ribs, for sure. And maybe some. Depending on how easy the melon fries are to make. Like, maybe some melon fries.

[Kelly]

Done.

[Liz]

I'm gonna bring ribs. Side of melon fries.

[Kelly]

Ribs, melon fries. And a recipe that I'm really gonna perfect because my kids love it.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Is.

[Kelly]

I'm gonna perfect. Isle of Fe. Stumpy's zucchini bread.

[Liz]

Okay. Oh, yeah. Love a zucchini bread. Yeah.

[Kelly]

Zucchini for. For me. Zucchini over banana. Do you know what I mean?

[Liz]

I don't know.

[Kelly]

Yeah, well, I do.

[Liz]

I think there's a time and a place for both.

[Kelly]

Not for me. It's. It's. It's always zucchini over banana for me.

[Liz]

Okay. I don't think I've had, like, enough zucchini bread then to feel that.

[Kelly]

So I'm gonna bring you ribs, melon fries, zucchini bread, and then what else?

[Liz]

Well, and now the obvious choice would be a bagged salad, but we can't do that these days, so.

[Kelly]

No, not.

[Liz]

That's right. No, no, no, no, no. Taylor Farms.

[Kelly]

I will bring you something. Maybe just like, a veggie tray.

[Liz]

Okay. You know what someone sent me when I actually know exactly who it was. My aunt sent me when I had James a Edible arrangement. And it was, like, so nice to just, like, have fruit. I mean, I think the melon fries are going to be an edible arrangement for. You know,

[Kelly]

I'm so nervous about them.

[Liz]

But yeah, no, like, having just, like, fruit things easy to grab. That's, like, not packet. It's just really refreshing. It was, like, things that stuck with me with someone. Was someone sending me, like, an edible arrangement? Like, I actually really enjoyed that and ate it all.

[Kelly]

Okay, well, I've got a busy day because I have all the work, as we've mentioned, and I have melon fries on the brain. Like, I simply have to try to execute these today.

[Liz]

Yep, yep, yep, yep. Okay, well, let us know how it goes, and we will talk to you next time.

[Kelly]

Maybe I'll do a reel. No promises.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Okay.

[Liz]

All right, well, thanks for so much for listening to the carpool podcast. We'll talk to you next time. Bye.

[Kelly]

Thank you. For listening to the Carpool Podcast with Kelly and Liz. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode. And if you enjoyed riding with us, tell everybody you know there's room in the car for everyone.