Loading summary
A
Welcome to the carpool podcast with Kelly. This is how I remember it.
B
So.
A
I'm so sorry, mom and dad. There was like, no rules around screen time, but like, sometimes they would just decide that it was enough and we were in trouble. Like, okay.
B
And Liz, you are like in an action movie when a girl's like doing a backflip and like fighting crime and boots with her hair down. And you're like, this is so unrealistic. That's the way you live your life. And it's so crazy to me.
A
Your mom. Time off starts. Welcome back to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz. And Liz. What up?
B
And Liz, how are you?
A
Honestly?
B
Honestly, I'm a little hungover. Kelly Stumpy. Kelly Elizabeth Stumpy.
A
Yeah, we went out with some friends last night. So at the time we're recording this, we went out Sunday night, like, and there's no work today. Monday, Memorial Day.
B
We're recording a Memorial Day.
A
Yeah, it went out. I went out last night.
B
What did you do? What did you drink?
A
I don't really want to talk about it. I know. Who am I? Like, am I 23? Like, well, who do I think I am?
B
No, I mean, I imagine you probably had like the bare minimum and you're suffering for it. That's just kind of.
A
Let me tell you what I had. Let me tell you what I had.
B
I had.
A
Now this was over a three to nine. How many hours is that? Six. For a six hour period, I had three high noons, two mixed drinks and one shot of tequila, unfortunately.
B
Yeah, no, that's like a drink an hour. Yeah, yeah,
A
it was just kind of like an interesting. We went to like this. Just like old little. Truthfully, the definition of a honky tonk is where we went.
B
You went for your brother in law's birthday, you took a party bus. He like this. It was, it was a thing. Like, you didn't just like do this?
A
Yeah, no, this is, this is like not typical behavior for me. Yeah, I'm, I'm. I'm a bit on the bus today, but okay, I'm. But I'm excited to sit down with you. I'm excited to rally. I'm not excited to do a ditch the drive through, but like, I'll get through.
B
Throw it.
A
Okay. And you know you have to do this every once in a while.
B
You have to be hungover every once in a while. Well, I mean, to remind yourself you don't ever do it again.
A
Well, it was very interesting. So I saw this reel and I really liked it. And this guy goes, I want to tell you about something called neighborhood maxing. Have you heard of this? I.
B
Maybe I haven't heard this term, but I think I know what it means, but tell me about it.
A
It's basically when, like, you just become friends with people who live very close to you, like your neighbors. And I actually think we've done a really good job of that when moving into our new house because, like, all of our friends, we're all so close. We're all like two or three minutes away from each other's houses, which, I'm sorry, makes it more fun and makes it so much easier to hang out when you're not like a 25 minute drive.
B
Yeah, yeah.
A
And we've just really been neighborhood maxing lately. So, like my neighborhood area, like, we all, like, got on this bus together and then went to this bar. We.
B
Neighborhood Max, you're, like, so crazy.
A
I know. I, like, I'm so sorry. I didn't even know. I didn't post about this on my Instagram at all because I just, like, didn't feel like it.
B
First I'm hearing of all of this.
A
Yeah, now I'm feeling a little. Now I'm feeling a little self conscious about it. But you know what? And let me just tell you something. My sister in law, Trina, her. It was her boyfriend. Her boyfriend. It was her husband's. It was her husband's birthday. Four kids together, some guy she's dating, I don't know. So it was her husband's birthday and you know, we were like, we ordered food at this bar, we were like eating, we were having fun. And then probably like an hour before everyone leaves, she goes, oh, wait, I forgot. She runs to her car and she brings out two platters of homemade cookies that she just like, had brought for the birthday party.
B
Now Trina is the same sister in law that also packs a cooler with waters in it for like a long shopping day.
A
So that's.
B
That's starting to track. How.
A
That was so fun.
B
So fun.
A
And everyone could just like. I mean, I didn't partake, but like, everyone got to. Could like, grab a cookie.
B
Yeah, I love that that's a lie.
A
I did. I don't know why I just lied.
B
Kelly, you're like, so you just admitted to like having six drinks and you're like. But not a cookie. You're like, so you're. This is going to be a weird episode.
A
Okay, let's move on. What are you doing?
B
What am I doing? Let's see. What. What did I do on Memorial Day weekend. Shopping for patio furniture. Such a hard thing to do. My patio is done.
A
The thing is, it's. It's one of those things. I don't think it can be done online, unfortunately.
B
Well, I'm going to try and do it online because, like, the options. Patio furniture is so weird because it's so expensive, even if you go cheap. So I'm like, in my mind going for the cheaper four piece set, and it's still 20 $100.
A
Oh, yeah, that is expensive. Have you done Marketplace?
B
I haven't done Marketplace, but I'm looking for something so specific. Like I. I'm looking for. I'm gonna collect them as I go. Like, I have mom's hand me down table. I have a hand me down thing, another hand me down thing for mom. I want a couch, two swivel gliders. Because when this baby's here, I'm going to be parked in the swivel glider outside under an awning with a fan on me. And, and I want like a little one of those little fire pit things. Like, I'm looking for something so specific that I think I'm just going to have to, like, pull the trigger on it. And I know, I'm saying 21. Like, that's, that's not expensive. When you look at outdoor furniture. Like, this is just like the Sam stuff and even like the Walmart better home stuff that everyone recommends is still thousands of dollars, but it's not $10,000.
A
Yeah, that's.
B
So it's just outdoor furniture is just so expensive. So I've been like, really struggling with pulling the trigger on that, but I need to. Because the Memorial Day sales are. Are happening now.
A
Well, yeah, and you got to make sure the scale's right. Like, you need to take the measurements and you need to take.
B
I. I did the measurements.
A
Okay. And you feel good about it?
B
Yeah, I feel good about the scale. Yeah.
A
So do you, like, have. So do you have one that you're just like.
B
Yeah, it's just sitting in my. Sam's car. I'm gonna get it from Sam's because I love. I think it's really cute. And eventually I'll up, you know, eventually I will. I'll get more as things. You know, I need to replace things and everything.
A
Our. Our sunroom furniture is from Ashley Furniture, the Beachcroft line. Yeah, but don't you find that, like, some outdoor furniture feels inappropriate to be outside? Like, I can't imagine my furniture being outside.
B
That's. The other thing is, like, I'm not covered patio furniture. I'm not sunroom furniture. This is, like, truly outside outdoor furniture. I mean, I'll put covers on it and bring the cushions inside and stuff, but, like, you know, I'm gonna forget to do that occasionally.
A
Yeah. Like, for a couple months of the year. Like. Like, in a couple months of the year, it's gonna be there every single day.
B
Right. So I don't know. I'm probably. Whatever. Whatever. I'm gonna figure it out. It'll be great. I'm so excited. I'm loving my patio. I'm loving having an outdoor space. I'm loving being outside these days.
A
So important to be outside. And I think we're saying that now because, like, the heat hasn't hit yet, but, like, it is going to be. I've heard, a scorcher of a summer. But don't they always say that the pollen's always bad, the summer's always hot. You know what I mean?
B
The winter's always cold, but that's just the way. That's just the. That's what keeps the Midwest Midwesting. Like, what else would we talk about if not over the weather?
A
We don't live in that interesting of a place. There's not a lot going on aside from the weather.
B
Yeah. So that's kind of what we've got going on.
A
Anyway, speaking of weather and neighborhood. Maxine, I'm also really going to try to be summer Maxine this summer. Huh. And I'm gonna just kind of, like, get my life. How do I word this correctly? Let me think about this. I'm gonna, like, not go against what's thrown my way. Like, I'm gonna go with the flow in the sense where it's like, I'm gonna wear tank tops. I'm not gonna, like, I'm gonna put my hair. I'm gonna learn how to do a good ponytail this summer. One thing about me is I always wear my hair down, and then I'm always hot because, like, I don't like how my hair looks in a ponytail. What is wrong with me? Also, at this point, who cares?
B
You. I cannot wear my hair down. You cannot wear your hair up. Like, I always have my hair in a bun. You are like, in an action movie when a girl is, like, doing a backflip and, like, fighting crime and boots with her hair down. And you're like, this is so unrealistic. That's the way you live your life. And it's so crazy to me.
A
I work out with my hair down.
B
That's insane behavior, Kelly.
A
I couldn't find a ponytail if I tried. I don't know where a ponytail is.
B
That's insane.
A
But I agree. It is insane. I agree. I am hot. And, you know, I'm investing in, like, I bought a pair of, like, nice linen shorts because I'm not sure. I feel like I've just been gaslit my whole life into thinking, like, jean shorts are the go to for summer. I'm sorry. Those are so uncomfortable. Yeah.
B
But linen wrinkles. I struggle with linen.
A
That's what I'm. Liz, you're right. But I already bought them, so don't yuck my yums.
B
Okay. I can't wait to see her let in shorts. Just stay upright all day.
A
I'm just trying to, like. Because, like, there are people who really enjoy the summer, and I think I could be doing little things in my life to enjoy the summer more. So again, I'm gonna figure out a ponytail for real.
B
Okay.
A
I'm gonna try to do, like, breezier better, unfortunately, less clothing. It's kind of an idea. I'm also gonna try to really capitalize on, like, my mornings in, my evenings outside.
B
Mm.
A
Like, we don't need to be doing things in the. And here's what you forget about the summer. The hottest time of the day is 5pm so, like, everyone always wants to, like, start things at five or, like, oh, let's go here at five. No, don't go anywhere at five. Five is so hot. Wait till, like, seven or get out, like, way earlier. I don't want to be doing stuff from, like, 12 to 5.
B
Yeah, it's hot.
A
I want to be doing stuff before and don't want to be doing stuff after.
B
Are these your summer goals, or are these just kind of some thoughts that you're having going into the summer?
A
Oh, well, I mean, I. A little bit of both. I mean, yeah, I would like to be. I would like to live in a world where I enjoyed summer more. I've kind of figured out a schedule for the kids. I'm gonna work, like, business as usual. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. So, like, they're gonna be bored at home, and they're gonna figure it out, and I'm excited for them. And then Thursday and Friday, I'm gonna try to, like, flex work a little bit more so we can go do things or at least they can, like, be there to assist them with things.
B
Maybe work from 12 to 5 inside.
A
Maybe work from 12 to 5. Not the worst idea. So I'm excited about that.
B
And where. Where do you land? Do you have an opinion? Anything? I just see it all over Instagram is like, the 90s summer childhood. Giving your children the 90s summer childhood aesthetic.
A
I don't know what that. I'm gonna be honest. I don't know what that means.
B
I don't know what it means either. I was hoping you would have some more clarity for me, because I'm like, like, what are we doing that's not outside of, you know, increased maybe screen time and iPads and such that weren't around in the 90s, but also, like,
A
we were still watching TV in the 90s. Like, that's, yeah, this was like, we
B
were like, questionably more. Because there were studies, there were studies around screen time. I don't really know what it means. I, My kind of thought is like, yeah, like, no, I want my kids to play outside and, like, do, you know, like, crafts. I don't know what it means.
A
Yeah, no, I'm, I mean, I have a 90s dollhouse, if that's what you're asking. We're having fun with that. I. The only rule I remember from our summer, because our mom was a stay at home mom and we did camps. We didn't do a ton of camps, though. Like, there's some, like, because our mom was a stay at home mom. So we just stayed, we stayed home with her. We were bored. I remember the only, like, hard and fast rule for the summer was that we were allowed to have three popsicles a day. That's a lot of popsicles
B
and, like, unlimited screen time. Three popsicles. But you know what? I.
A
Do you want to know the problem with our parents? And this is, this maybe wasn't how it went down, but this is how I remember it, so. I'm so sorry, mom and dad. There was, like, no rules around screen time. But, like, sometimes they would just decide that it was enough and we were in trouble.
B
Like, oh, sure, yeah. Like, make a rule, set a boundary, and then you have freedom when you are a child watching tv.
A
And sometimes, like, they'd come in, like, you guys are always watching tv. We're like, okay, yeah.
B
It just kind of depends.
A
Yeah.
B
What happened before then? Yeah, no, like, I want to get, like, you know, a kiddie pool. We'll get the, the water table out. I don't know. Okay, so you don't have any. Okay. I, I, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something with the 90s summer.
A
People are always saying, like, 90s this 90s people, I think, are glorifying the 90s a bit too much some days. There are times to be had here too.
B
There are times to be had here.
A
The twenties.
B
Yeah. Agreed.
A
I'm excited about them. Okay, so we're gonna do last three transactions today. Oh, my gosh. And guess what I'm doing tomorrow.
B
What are you doing tomorrow?
A
I'm going to dc.
B
You don't slow down?
A
No, I don't. That's why it's so not good that I had fun last night.
B
What are you going to DC for?
A
What am I going to DC for? Honestly, what am I not going to DC for? It's kind of. It's very much a three birds, one stone kind of trip, which is very exciting. So first is I have an event with Capital One. We're going to a dealership to film this like mini dealer web series that I'm doing with them. And it's actually really fun because I go around to. We've already filmed two of them, but I go around to different dealers and I meet them and I learn like how they. How their customer service sets them apart. So it's very like customer, like what the dealer does to advocate for their customers. And I'm very excited for this one. So I'm doing that one day and then the next day we're going to the ihs. Mazda invited us out there to see a crash test happen of the new Mazda CX50. And it's going to be amazing. And then the next day, my Godmother lives in D.C. so I'm going to dinner with her.
B
So sweet.
A
Three birds. And the most fun thing is Sam from Mama Knows Car Seats who works on the Car mom team. She lives there. So I'm staying at her house with her four kids and her husband.
B
Fabulous.
A
No, I'm actually home. It will feel like home. Like I'm actually very excited about that.
B
Yeah, that'll be fun.
A
And I've never met her kids too. And she's met my kids, so I like, don't like that.
B
I know, but you like, met her kids over like FaceTime too, so, like, they kind of know you.
A
I know. And I brought all of her kids a present because I think that's just like a good thing to do.
B
Cute. That makes a splash.
A
I thought it would make a splash and maybe they could go play with it and like I. We could like visit a little bit more, you know.
B
Okay, totally.
A
I brought her. I bought her girls these. She has four kids. I bought the girls those light bright touches. So it's like you just touch It. And it changes colors. It's pretty cool. And then I bought her son, who's George's age, this, like, LEGO builders kit that George has got for his birthday. George loved it. It's like advanced Legos, and I think he's advanced Legos, so. Oh, and then I got the baby just like a sleeper.
B
Cute.
A
Yeah.
B
Okay.
A
I do think it's going to require.
B
Did you get Sam a birthday present?
A
No, I forgot to get some. Okay, hold on. It's not too late.
B
She's can't make this kind of brain powers too much.
A
Okay, I'm. I will work on that today.
B
Okay, perfect.
A
I'll work on that today. Because it is Sam's birthday also. Oh, my gosh.
B
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A
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B
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A
Okay, let's get to our last three transactions.
B
Okay, I can start. This is our last three transactions where we share our recent bank account subtractions. I bought a belly band. My first pregnancy with the belly band. Because I am in so much pain, I, like, have to put my feet up at the end of the day. I cannot believe I'm 20. I'm gonna say only 29 weeks pregnant. Because of how I'm feeling. I should. I should be 34 weeks pregnant with how I'm feeling. Like, I got 10 weeks to go, you guys.
A
Elizabeth, I think I've said this, but if you still have the person. Her bump is so low. I've never seen anything like it.
B
She's been low this whole Time.
A
I know she's never gone up.
B
I'm just. I'm feeling a lot of pains. So I.
A
And your waddle is. So you didn't waddle like this with the other ones?
B
No, Kelly, I'm telling you, like, it' big problem that I'm only 29 weeks pregnant and I'm already feeling like this. Like, it is going to be a long, hot summer. But in my mind, I have to make it through the. I have to make it through June because I got the auto show. I have James's third birthday bash that I'm throwing. And then, like, July, your work schedule is going to be gone down a little bit, and that's when I'm going to take some time to get the baby ready because I'm due early August. So, like, it could be first week of August and I have nothing prepared for this baby.
A
No, you really do have, like, nothing prepared for this baby.
B
Nothing. But I. I really can't think about it. Like, I've got. I'm looking at piles of clothes for the auto show closet sale. Like, I don't have a spot to put anything. I need to nest. I need to do another decluttering series probably. And I'm gonna. I'm gonna do that all in July.
A
Yeah. Okay. So we just gotta get through. Really? You have to get through the auto show.
B
I have to get through the auto show on James birthday.
A
Okay.
B
And then it'll be okay. And then I'm gonna like, really, like, nest and be excited and, like, it's gonna be very. It'll be. I'm really excited to, like, organize and get to that point. I just really can't touch anything until then because there's no. There's no point, you know, when. What.
A
So just to circle back. So you bought a belly band.
B
Sorry, I bought a belly band because I don't feel very good.
A
I hope you feel better. Can you hear my kids in the background?
B
Yeah, but I think it's fine.
A
Okay. Kind of like white noise. Oh, all right. One of my recent bank account subtractions was we have a tradition here in the Stumpy household that I started last summer, and I just decided to make a big deal. And that is every summer we tie dye shirts.
B
Okay. And everyone has 90 summer.
A
That's. You're right. That's so 90s summer. Tie dyeing is so fun. And then, like, that's like their pool shirt, their lake shirt. Like, it's just a T shirt that they get to tie dye themselves. The kids really love it. Who doesn't love tie dye?
B
That's really fun.
A
So I bought a tie dye kit off Amazon, and this one, I'm excited about this one. It comes with a lot of colors. 180414 vibrant colors.
B
Okay.
A
Because I've bought the cheap kit. I've bought a cheap kit from Target before in. It was horrible. Like, all the colors were so muted, and then they all just came out to be like a light brown when they mixed. It was so bad. It was so bad.
B
So we'll see if the quality of the.
A
It had reviews. 4.8 stars with 34,000 reviews. I'm sorry, this seems like the kit.
B
The kit, like the original. That's really cute. You should make a. You should make a Instagram post about this. That's a cute idea. I didn't know you guys did this.
A
Oh, okay. Like what? Like just saying, say, here's how I'm
B
doing my 90s summer. Because it's trending. The. The girls are gonna love this.
A
The girls are gonna love this, you know? So, yeah, now I'm like, what else can we tie dye? Like, bring me your socks, bring me your shorts. Bring me a dress. I don't care.
B
Let's.
A
Maybe we'll tie dye a towel. Can you tie dye a towel?
B
I'm sure. Why don't you? Why not?
A
We're tie dying.
B
Okay.
A
I don't know when I'm gonna do that. Not at 2pm not between the hours of 12 and 5, that's for sure. Never.
B
Okay. You're going to be so excited about this transaction.
A
Okay.
B
I said James's birthday's coming up, so I bought a birthday banner, like a reusable one. I think it's the same one that you have, actually.
A
Raspberry Blonde on Etsy.
B
I don't remember what her name was.
A
Look it up right now. I am so. I haven't talked about talking about my birthday banner. And that is sad because George's birthday did come and go and I didn't speak about it. My birthday banner, it's a cloth, like, quilted, homemade. I didn't make it. This girl named Raspberry Blonde on Etsy made it. Birthday banner. And it is a treasure. A treasured piece for me. My kids will fight over it.
B
Let me try and find. Birthday banner. Yeah, it's like quilted, I think it.
A
Did she, like, send you? Because she, like, lays out the fabrics ahead of time and then sends you.
B
Yeah, she did that. And I literally. I'm sorry, I got. Oh, here it is. No, I did I did this girl, this magnolia mama.
A
Oh, she sounds qualified, but it looks,
B
it looks like yours.
A
Okay, but I like that ours are a little different.
B
Yeah. Was yours. So I said I want like prime. Like I have a boy and I have girls, so I want primary colors and some neutrals. And she sent it to me. And like the joy that I saw, like my, my personalized fabrics together, I'm like, oh, I love it.
A
I love it. So fun.
B
And this girl, I don't know if your girl. I'm sure your girl does this too, but this girl. You can also add names. So I could get one in the same colors that says James and one that says Sloan. And then I could. I could just have just the happy birthday. Or I might get them made with my kids names so when it's their birthday, I can pull out their banner as well and put their name on there. So fun. Yeah. That's so, so excited.
A
I can't wait for it to come in. It is such a joy. I agree. It's such a fun little treat to have a birthday banner. Yeah.
B
And I also ordered two. I'm also stealing your idea of hanging up photos of the birthday kid. And so I ordered two more photos of James for this year.
A
I have so many good ideas.
B
No, you really do. Like, I'm just like fully ripping you off.
A
I don't get enough credit. Some days I have good ideas that I did not come up with the birthday picture. I did rip that one off from somebody else, but.
B
Well, you're making it known. And that's.
A
And that's important.
B
And that is important.
A
Okay. My. One of my last transactions was I placed an Abercrombie order.
B
What did you get?
A
Well, I bought a. I've never. I have never in my 32 and a half years on this earth bought myself a decent cover up. Totally. A good swimsuit cover up. Like a cute one. Like one that's like, you know, a little like. That looks cute on you.
B
Yeah.
A
So I bought one from Abercrombie and it's just like white crochet. It's got like a little clippy thing here.
B
Part of your goal to just like wear less this summer.
A
Yeah. So that's it.
B
I bought that. Okay.
A
Abercrombie had some good sales going on and like, if you're not like, I'm sorry. They make the best sweatshirts. It is a known fact that their so good. Their sweatshirts are absolutely next level good.
B
No, they're so good.
A
Okay. That was mine. Okay.
B
Last thing I ordered on Sales I need to find now for the auto show. Very stressed about it. So I ordered three options with the intent to return them.
A
Oh, have they come in yet?
B
No, but I ordered them from Vineyard Vines. I might have talked about this, but, like, I just really like Vineyard Vines as a tall girl because it's like, like country club attire, which I feel like naturally is a little bit more modest and long. So then it's fits me like a dress from literally anywhere would fit an not six foot tall person. But I like, I can't just like go to Target and buy a dress like, never. Unless it's a midi dress. Like, never. Someone made a comment about how I dress so maternally sometimes and I'm like,
A
you've literally never gotten over that.
B
Well, because. And, well, all I can wear is midi dresses. Like, try being 6 foot long in the legs. And like, I don't just go. I don't get to go buy pants from wherever or buy a short dress from wherever. I have to look at the length of the dress and if it is any less than 35 and probably a half inches, I can't buy it. Like, there's no way. So then I lean.
A
Don't realize this about us. And like 35 is a little dramatic. I try to do around like 33 inches.
B
That would be a cover up on me.
A
You have longer legs than me, I guess.
B
Kelly, I'm telling you, especially, like, I mean, I just found some of your maternity dresses because I was digging through some clothes and I'm like, like, this is way too short. Dang, I'm just tall.
A
And dresses are short. Dresses are hard because they will make things in long sizes. Like, pants have gotten a lot easier and I think pants have gotten a lot more inclusive, you could say. But the problem is they don't make short dresses in tall sizes.
B
Yeah. Yeah.
A
And so it is really hard.
B
So what? I, I just, I. So I ordered three dresses from Vineyard Vines, hoping they fit. And I think, like, one of my goals eventually is I want to take a lot of my midi dresses and I want to take them to a seamstress and I want her to.
A
Oh, I think that's a great idea.
B
Make them an appropriate short length. Because I like, I like wearing short dresses. Like, I think they're cute. Like, I don't always want to wear a long midi dress. It's just all that I can do.
A
No, I think that's actually a great idea. And that's a great idea. Oh, yeah. I'm looking at Vineyards Vines. It's pretty cute.
B
I. I've really been liking their stuff lately, and they have a lot of good sales.
A
Yeah, they're 30 off right now.
B
Yeah.
A
That's so interesting.
B
Yeah.
A
Okay. The last of my transactions was I bought something so boring, but I bought an outdoor fan. Like, a fan to go underneath our sun room there. And the funny story about this is my husband is such a. How would you even describe him? He's like, he can't throw anything away, and he, like, loves to repurpose things. And when we were redoing our house, we got rid of our bedroom fan. This. Like, it was this old 90s beige. Like. Like, it was an intricate fan that had, like, probably, like, a fake berries on it. Like, it was so ugly. And Tyler was like, oh, this is a perfectly fine fan. I'm gonna go install it out by the pool. And I had to live like that for two years.
B
It's an. It's an. It's a truly indoor fan.
A
It's an indoor fan that he had hung outdoors.
B
Yeah.
A
Because he's like, now we have a fan. And I'm like, tyler, that looks ridiculous.
B
It did look really silly.
A
It looks so silly.
B
Yeah.
A
And, you know, I've really learned a lot on. On marriage lately, but you got to be. You got to be gentle with him a little bit, because he takes it. He takes a little too personally sometimes. I think if I'm like, that's so ugly. He's like, I'm just trying to save us some money. And I'm like, let's find somewhere else. Yeah, let's do something else here. But then finally. So I lived with it for two years, kept my mouth shut because I can't. I just. I don't nag on everything. And that's not. It wasn't that big of a deal to me. But then I decided it was a big deal, and I ordered a fan off Amazon.
B
Okay.
A
And it was a hundred. 115.
B
Right.
A
And it was fine. Right. And it looks so much better.
B
And it looks so much better. And you're gonna be having. Well, and your pool is, like, ready for hosting. Like, it wasn't the last two years, so.
A
No, exactly. We were very much under construction. Now, the craziest thing is, we don't have a lick of landscaping out by the pool. Not a lick. There's nothing to be found. And I kept waiting for Teller to be like, hey, like, you know, let's go find some trees or some bushes to plant. And he never said that. So then I Was like, hey, what about landscaping? He's like, we're not landscaping. I'm like, are you sure about that? He's like, I'm not doing it. He's like, we're not landscaping. Not for a long, long time. Which means aspen, which means ask him next year. So we have no landscaping. And again, it's not worth fighting over at the moment. It might be worth that eventually, but something I plan to do. Because the thing is, I think our pool still looks unfinished because we don't have any landscaping, and I don't want a ton of landscaping. But, like, could we just get some nice. Like, what are those trees that just, like, don't take any maintenance?
B
Right, right. Like, some shrubs.
A
Can we just get a shrub or two? Like, yeah, could we literally get. I. We have nothing. It's rock. It's creek rock that he took from our parents farm to put around the pool. It looks on. It looks. It looks. It looks. It looks. The fence helps a lot, but it's not done. So my plan of attack is I'm going to print off landscaping plans and I'm going to hang them, like, at the door going out to the pool. So my guests are like, oh, is this your plan? I'm like, yeah, you know, this is what we're planning on doing. Just so they know, I am still a work in progress out there.
B
Yeah, for sure. Yeah. You haven't given up? Well, I just don't want anyone to
A
think, like, I'm satisfied, but if. But also, you know, I go back and forth because, like, I don't want to pull weeds. I don't want to do any of that. I know.
B
Yeah.
A
So I do need him, as you kind of need him, to buy in a little bit.
B
So I'm just gonna keep a fan.
A
Wow. You just never know where the segment's gonna take us. Here I am airing my dirty laundry.
B
Okay, air your marriage, the depths of your marriage, the strategies you're holding.
A
Now, the best marriage advice I can give you, though, before I get off this topic, is the power of a list. Me and Tyler now have a shared note, and when I want him to do things, I add it to this list. And then I'll just be like, hey, no rush, but I added some things to your list. And he start. Starts going through it. He's actually being so cute today. Did you see what he's doing today?
B
Okay, I did see what he's doing today because the truck dad is back up and running. I guess he only comes out of retirement every Two years to talk on Instagram. I just saw him leave Mazda. Is that really the car they're bringing what they say, like a Miata? Mazda Miata stick shift.
A
Oh, dear.
B
And I was waiting for them to be like, oh, just kidding. Like, we're gonna bring the CX90. Right. So I don't even know what a Mazda Miata is, but it sounds fancy.
A
Doesn't sound car seat friendly.
B
No, entirely.
A
So, Tyler, tonight, we're, like, not doing a very good job today.
B
Okay, Sorry.
A
Today, Tyler is going around to all of the dealerships who are bringing us cars, and he's dropping off, like, cookies for them just to kind of, like, come across, you know? You know, I'm always telling you to come across people's desks, so I just, like, wanted to make sure we were coming across their desks in, like, a very sweet and savory kind of way. And so it's a poster board of my face saying, thanks for being a partner of the auto show with a box of cookies
B
delivered by.
A
Delivered by Tyler. And he's like, I'm gonna give everyone a social media shout out. And I'm like, good strategy.
B
Love it.
A
I mean, it's darling.
B
If it's not too late, I would suggest he tags them on social media.
A
Oh, I'm sure it's too late for that.
B
Yeah. Because he hasn't been doing that. But I love. I love that he's back. I forgot about when Tyler was posting on Instagram. Anytime he did anything, he would just search like he was gluing poster your face on posters. So I know he just searched audio poster and pick the first song that says the word poster in it. And then he, like, went to crumble cookies and he found a song called Cookie Grumble, which is kind of funny. I love it. I forgot he did that. And it's so off. Like, it's so authentic and silly and just, like, wholesome. I know that I am 100% here for it.
A
It is so funny. Tyler's been a really big part of the auto show this year, and he's just such a doer. Like, there is. He can really do what, like, seven people can do.
B
Yeah.
A
So, okay, are you ready for industry news or we spill the hot tea going on in the auto industry?
B
Well, I did have a advice question.
A
Oh, okay.
B
If I get to that first?
A
That's fine.
B
So this comes from Jen. She says, hey, Kelly and Liz, I currently own a 2015 Toyota Sienna that I plan on driving for several more years to make a long Story short, it's most likely totaled. Most importantly, my family and I are all unharmed. I absolutely love my Sienna but don't really want anything other than a minivan. But for several reasons. I may need to sacrifice my desire for a minivan in order to replace it quickly with something more affordable. Will almost certainly buy used. Do you have suggestions for something that I won't hate? I seriously love the minivan life so much that I fear I will hate anything else. My favorite things about the Sienna are the ease of getting in and out, ability to fit comfortably, extra adults on occasion, the space and the functionality. I have one kid in a booster, one forward facing kid and we are done having kids. I want a third row for occasional use. Would usually be adults in the back trunk. Space is important. I'll be able to have the third row down most of the time. Just looking just from looking online. I like the Atlas Pathfinder Pilot Palisade, Telluride but don't have super strong preference right now. Would love your thoughts on those or any other mid size SUV that checks the boxes. That won't make me miss my minivan too much.
A
Why can't you get a minivan?
B
I don't know. She's like she wants to buy used.
A
She's probably looking for a Sienna. She probably needs to kiss her Sienna dreams goodbye.
B
So maybe that's it. So maybe look at a different. You should be able to find another used minivan that's more, even more affordable than those options than those SUVs.
A
I agree. Look at an Odyssey or even a Pacifica is fine for those ages. I mean you don't have like a. Get a Pacifica. They're so cheap.
B
What years would. How far back would you go? She had a 2015 Toyota Sienna.
A
Oh, I don't know what her budget is.
B
Okay. Yeah, I don't either.
A
But like I agree. I. I don't like the idea of you going to an suv. I think you will be. I think it sounds like you love your minivan. You should just buy a different minivan.
B
I agree. Permission to do that if I. You know. She said for several reasons I may need to sacrifice the desire of Atlas Pilgrim.
A
She used to write. She's writing with more. She used to write in with a follow up. I need more. I need to know your budget.
B
We know. We know who this person is. So maybe I'll just have you read out her she. But you wanted to remain anonymous.
A
Oh really? Yeah, I know them. Yeah. Text me who it is.
B
Okay.
A
Hmm. Who drives a 2015.
B
Well, I don't think you know like what she drives. Let me text you.
A
You never know. Why does she want to remain anonymous?
B
I don't know. It's like not that serious of a.
A
Okay.
B
Did you see it?
A
Yeah.
B
All right.
A
Okay. We can just reach out to her.
B
Okay.
A
That's so funny. Okay, now you're ready for any news brides with the hot dog going on in the auto industry.
B
Yes, I am.
A
Okay, there's some interesting stories. First we're start with a really sad one. Oh, all time NASCAR great and two time cup champion Kyle Busch passes at 41. Yeah, this is so sad. So Kyle Busch, nicknamed Rowdy Bush. He's like, like I don't know nascar. And I know who this person was. Like he is like one of the best NASCAR athletes of all time. And he suddenly passed away. Things have come out a little bit that it was basically just complications from a pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. He was 41 years old. He has two kids. It's horrible.
B
Horrible.
A
And like was racing like last week
B
so scary. So you just think like I'm sorry, in the, my mind's view, I just like, I feel like if you get ammonia and sepsis like you we have enough technology that like we can fix that, you know, it's just crazy.
A
I know. It's so sad.
B
It's so scary.
A
So anyway, I just wanted to mention that. Praying for his family. Yeah, he was a good he, him and his wife Samantha. I actually follow them both on Instagram or I follow Samantha on Instagram. I don't know if I was following him. Like they're good. They just seem like good people.
B
So sad.
A
I know, so sad. Okay, our next story is by car dealership guy and it says sedans gain fresh appeal as OEMs reconsider the affordable car segment. US sales for that segment reached nearly 1.5 million units in 2025. With the average vehicle price hovering around $50,000, more buyers are turning into to sedans. With younger and future drivers also eyeing this segment, there's an opportunity for sedans to offer an alternative to the sea of SUVs. And they're typically less expensive than an SUV in the same size class.
B
I feel like, I feel like sedans are, it's about time for them to make their comeback. I mean, we're not going to talk about that much just because what's, you know, we have such a niche thing that we're working on which is families, oftentimes large families. But I could, I think it's their time. Everything comes and goes.
A
I. I think we will talk about like the good ones, like the ones that really stand out to us. I mean, it's crazy how few there are at the moment.
B
Yeah, we could probably stand to do some sedan content. We could stand to do some one to two kid families that we could
A
definitely see sedan content out there. Okay.
B
Oftentimes have good trunks.
A
100%. They do. And great fuel economy.
B
Yeah.
A
Okay. This is an interesting story. We're always talking about this brand. Stellantis $70 billion plan. That's 70 with a B. 70 billion plan. Will transform US showrooms with aggressive product rollout. Stellantis is leaving no stern stone unturned in a $70 billion bet to overhaul its product lineup and reclaim U.S. market share and improve profitability. The automaker plans to double down on high powered V8 engines, enter five new segments, encounter soaring transaction prices with nine new name plates that start under 40,000, including two Chrysler models that are less than 30,000.
B
Hmm.
A
I know.
B
Okay.
A
It says the. So I guess half of that 25 billion is going to Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and Dodge. I guess just in the US segment.
B
Sure.
A
Because 70s for everywhere.
B
You kind of for like 70 billion is a. Don't get me wrong a lot. But like you, it is like split up between a lot of.
A
Yeah. So it says the 25 billion infusion for Chrysler, Jeep, Ram will give dealers 11 new vehicles by 2030, including compact and midsize pickups, three crossovers, two performance cars, and a full size SUV.
B
I'm like, fix what you've got.
A
No, I'm excited about this.
B
I mean, like, I am. I am excited because, like, I like new shiny things, but I do feel like there's like some things that they could be working on with what they currently have going on.
A
It says Chrysler will add three crossovers.
B
Crossovers don't do a ton for me, but really, I don't know.
A
A crossover is like an suv.
B
I know, but it's like a small suv.
A
Yeah, we'll see what happens. But they. And they say a full size. I'm, you know, I'm.
B
I'm here, I'm here.
A
I'm interested.
B
Okay. No, I'm interested too. Again. Like, I like shiny new things. Like, I'm, I'm excited to see what I'm. There's always gonna be like, drama to unfold. Like, what's it gonna look like? Is it gonna be ugly? What are they gonna call it? Are we gonna hate it? Like, I think there' to talk about And I am excited for that aspect.
A
And that's interesting news. Okay, now it's time for ditch the
B
drive where we give you an easy dinner recipe to mix it up to get you out of your dinner rut. Do you have one?
A
Well, last night for supper before I left to go, you know, hang out with my friends, party, I would never. I did meatloafs in a muffin tin. I'm sorry. My kids love meatloaf and it's so easy. I do half a pound of. No, I do a half. One pound of beef, one pound of pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, seasoning. Like, please don't ask me for a recipe. Like you just do what you have and I swear it always tastes the same. Yeah. And I put them all in muffin tins and then I make a little sauce. I do ketchup, brown sugar and yellow mustard. Slapped it on top. Baked them. The kids loved them.
B
Didn't you? That was one of the goals that you wanted to do, was to make these?
A
Yeah. Oh yeah. So I made them.
B
And I bet they serve well the second day as well.
A
Wouldn't know. They animal amazing. My four kids ate two pounds of meat.
B
Oh my gosh.
A
Yeah, I know. I had one, but that was insane.
B
Your kids are such good eaters.
A
My kids are such good eaters.
B
Like I went to the farm this past weekend with the stumpies and our parents and I was in charge of the Sam's Club run, which I never am.
A
And you did such a good job, Elizabeth.
B
Thank you. Thank you.
A
I was really impressed with you.
B
Thank you so much. So I. Mom was like, can you pick up some Mac and cheese? You know the pre made ones. I'm like, I got two. Because I'm like, I don't know. I know my kids don't eat a lot. I do not know how much Stumpy kids eat. Anyway, you guys only went through one, but I thought for sure two was going to be like the right amount. But I just, I have. I cannot gate. My kids are still like, no. Like Maddie and I could both get an entree and like give our kids. Yeah. Some of our food. Like at the bare minimum. Like they're always splitting the kids meal. Like my kids do not eat alone.
A
Not my kids. Everyone gets their own kids meal except for Libby.
B
It's so good. It feels so good to watch. Like, I love seeing kids just.
A
God, so does mom. Mom is always so funny about.
B
She's always. Mom's so funny about it.
A
Mom goes.
B
Mom will be like, I remember When I used to watch you kids, you know, eat a banana, I'd be like, how lucky is that banana that they get to nourish this growing body? I'm like, mom, you also grab his green ketchup. It was a 90s summer. You say, how lucky is this green ketchup?
A
No, mom is.
B
Has she ever told you that before?
A
No, but she's always talking about my kids eating, and she's like, loves Iger. She also watched the meat. Like, she will sit there with Libby and, like, just keep feeding. She's like, we'll just keep feeding Libby. She's good.
B
It feels good. It feels good to see a kid eat a full meal. Maybe I just. I don't ever get to see it, so.
A
They will, Liz.
B
I know they will. They will. Okay, guys.
A
Well, that's going to be our episode. Kind of a dumpster fire an episode, but hopefully you kind of enjoyed. Hopefully, you kind of enjoyed the ride.
B
And if not,
A
we'll do better next time. I would say for the state that I'm in, I'm impressed that I made it through this long.
B
I would. Okay, I would agree. And you've got a lot going on and, you know, whatever. I'm not gonna keep talking because I don't even know what to say anymore. So. Thank you so much for listening to the carpool podcast. Oh, it's all good.
A
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.
Episode: SUMMER MAXXING 90'S STYLE
Date: May 27, 2026
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe & Lizz St. John
This episode dives into Kelly and Lizz’s plans for “summer maxxing” with a nostalgic 90’s twist, neighborhood gatherings, patio makeover dilemmas, and the balancing act of summer routines as millennial moms. The sisters swap stories of recent hangovers, childhood summers, and prepping for upcoming events—both personal and professional. The latter half features a “last three transactions” segment where they reveal recent purchases, as well as a reader advice question on minivans vs. SUVs and a round-up of current auto-industry news.
([17:47] and onward)
A listener asks for advice on replacing her totaled 2015 Toyota Sienna with an affordable used vehicle, open to three-row SUVs but worried she will miss her minivan.
The episode delivers exactly what “Carpool” listeners expect: sisterly banter, nostalgic humor, actionable advice, and down-to-earth honesty about parenting, marriage, and the realities of making summer magical for modern families. Though both admit this episode is “kind of a dumpster fire,” it remains warm, funny, and packed with relatable moments for suburban, work-from-home moms—and their partners in the summer chaos.