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EP 124: December Catch Up
0 Playsin 6 hours
This week on Mom Group Chat, we are officially in our December era.
We’re recapping everything from the past couple of weeks — starting with Whitney flying down to Tampa, the two of us getting to spend time together IRL, and our surreal moment of being featured on Daytime TV (!!). Candace also shares all the details from her recent NYC trip — the cozy vibes, the food, the friends, the fall magic — and why the city always feels like a reset button.
We’re also talking about how the holiday chaos is starting to creep in… the schedules, the school events, the to-do lists, the mental gymnastics. And, of course, we get into the very real realization that our bodies can no longer keep up with every holiday drink, treat, and festive outing the way they used to. (One spiked hot chocolate and we’re done for.)
It’s a catch-up episode full of stories, laughs, and that “ok good, it’s not just me” energy we all need this time of year.
Keep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:
📸 Instagram: @momgroupchat
🎵 TikTok: @momgroupchat
Questions/comments/need to vent? Email us at momgroupchat@gmail.com
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:00:07
Speaker
There's no right way to do it.
00:00:12
Speaker
Oh, we're going to get into it. What up, moms? My name is Candice, and I'm here with my best friend, Whitney Williams, and this is the Mom Group Chat Podcast. Hi. Hi. morning.
00:00:23
Speaker
Good morning. don't know why i said that. i feel so grateful that I am well recording this because last night I had to edit the episode where I was deep in the throes of my cold I had going on.
00:00:38
Speaker
And let me tell you, what a fucking nightmare to edit. I was editing out every five seconds. I was like, ah ah like, and coughing. You were sick. I was so sick. And it actually made me think like, next time I'm not sick, like we got can't record. Yeah.
00:00:55
Speaker
yeah Like, so I apologize to our listeners. Yeah. For the amount of like sick sounding sounds. I tried my best to edit them out. Unfortunately, that was an episode that like had be done. I know. Otherwise, ah we would have totally been like, whatever. But yeah, I'm also laughing. There is a baby carriage in my.
00:01:17
Speaker
What you doing in here? It's cute. Yeah, she loves that thing. That is her favorite toy ever. She pushes it around. She's such a mom.
00:01:28
Speaker
So cute. Little go-go girl.
Weekend Magic and Future Aspirations
00:01:31
Speaker
So Candice and I are coming off of a weekend together. We are. And let me tell you, it really is so magical. Like I, every time we're together, I'm like, A, we got to do this more. And then B, i have to move.
00:01:49
Speaker
I was like, waited for too long, even though we talk like all the time, every day, we see each other at least once a week. It's just something about getting back together. like Just like work and friend. Like, I don't know. I felt so inspired being back with Candice because we were doing like exciting things for the podcast. But also like it's just like we can be ourselves with each other. And so nice. I felt inspired just because of all the fun stuff we were doing with the podcast. But also it's like so nice to have friend time with someone that like you can be completely yourself.
00:02:27
Speaker
Totally. It was so fun. it was We really had the best couple days, like and it was fast and furious, I felt like. um But it was just so fun. we got to go on TV and talk about mom group chat and just bust out our TV hosting chops. um um By the way, we've decided we belong on TV.
00:02:53
Speaker
Literally, we are going to um we are going to start a talk show. I'm just kidding. I wish. This is our talk show. But really, we need to be... like Honestly, if anything, it just made me want to step up our game with like our setup and maybe start posting on YouTube. like Maybe we...
00:03:13
Speaker
we really I know people have asked us that before. a lot of people have asked us that and they said they like watching, but, um, going on TV was so fun. Like i was nervous. I like almost didn't want to tell anyone because like, what if I was like, and I don't know, like a nervous Nelly on. And then once we were done, i was like, Now I want the world to know because we did it. And I was telling Candace, it felt completely different than like public speaking or in talk, talking
TV Experience and Expansion Plans
00:03:44
Speaker
in front of a crowd. It was almost like podcasting just because it's just a camera in front of you and someone's
00:03:50
Speaker
talking to you in a conversational way. So it felt very natural. and I was like, wow, that was way easier than I expected. um Especially like talking about this topic of mom group chat, like it's, it rolls off the tongue. It's so easy to talk about. and yeah, We did um two different TV segments and then Maggie and the moms had us on her podcast. And so we had like a 20 minute episode on there and all of it felt so professional, so fun. Just like Candace said, it's like now we just need to step up our our like arrangement so that we can like take it to the next level because it was really cool to witness and be a part of. I loved it.
00:04:32
Speaker
It was so fun. It really is cool to like see the behind the scenes of like a live TV show. It was like the cameras and like the queuing and how they transition from like segment to segment. I don't know. It was just like I felt like I was like looking, you know, a peek behind the curtain type of thing. It was fast, like you said. And they were like trickling people in and out, like rotating us in, micing us up. You look in this camera. Whitney, you look in this camera. It's just like, whoa, this is so crazy. And everyone's so professional and everyone was so nice too. Like, was like, we need to do this in Nashville next. I want to get the tape and submit it
00:05:13
Speaker
Is that what you do anymore? I don't even know. I don't know. i feel like you just need to find the producer's email and just pitch it to them via email. And someone said to me once, or I used to be, I actually used to have a client who was like a PR, um I don't even remember her name. But she used to have like a business called Press for Success. And she like helps people get on TV shows and
Insights from the PR World
00:05:38
Speaker
stuff. And I remember one of like the cores of her like teaching people how to do that was that literally producers every day are searching for ways to fill time on TV, like especially talk shows, local talk shows, all of that. Like they really do want you to pitch them because they are trying to fill the time. like I mean, I feel like i we witnessed that a little bit.
00:06:00
Speaker
Yeah. So she like literally helps people craft pitches and stuff. Wow. I should look up all that material. I think I have it somewhere. um But I was like, damn, we should just pitch ourselves to Nashville and see Nashville and beyond. I mean, Nashville and beyond. Or if you are a TV producer listening to this.
00:06:24
Speaker
Hey, hit a girl up. Literally, because it was really, um i don't know, it just reinvigorated like my excitement around the podcast. Not that it's never not there, but it was just like something new and um it felt like a new like our next step type thing. So it was really awesome. Yeah. And thanks everybody that watched and and listened. So we're going to post the link. Hopefully we have the podcast link.
00:06:49
Speaker
Hopefully if we get the recording so we can share that with you guys. Yeah. Yeah. I haven't even watched yet It went, it i know gar either it aired yesterday and I haven't recorded on my TV here. Cause it was like a local Tampa show for those of you that don't know, like the local daytime talk show here in Tampa.
00:07:06
Speaker
Um, but I just haven't had a moment to sit down and watch it, but, um, hopefully they're supposed to be sending us a link. So when we have that, we will post it and you guys, you guys can watch cause its it was fun time.
Personal Experiences and Cherished Moments
00:07:21
Speaker
Have you ever been on the news before? I have many times. Actually, last year, um after the hurricanes, I was on twice. I was on ABC News and I was on Fox.
00:07:34
Speaker
I forgot about that. Yeah, I had a bunch of people reach out to me about like doing a news story about our home and like how how we suffered from the hurricanes. So I did one interview of just me, in like literally in front of the rubble our house. And then... I did one of Vinny and I together and we like talked about like the struggle of everything. And it was like, it was when we had evacuated in hurricane Milton, like the second hurricane. yeah
00:08:04
Speaker
And we did that interview from Jacksonville, like where we had evacuated to what a wild time of life. felt that Wow. so yeah, I've been on the news other times too, but I'm like blanking.
00:08:18
Speaker
oh I know when, when I was like, funny. We were just talking about PR. I was head of public relations for a hot minute for a holiday gift market, like Junior League, which is like their biggest event of the year. That was like my, it was like being on exec ah in this morning, you know?
00:08:36
Speaker
um And I had to be on the news to talk about a holiday gift market. Oh, that's kind of like, because Salvation Army was there while we were recording or like. Yeah, like I would not be shocked if they were on If holiday gift market girls were on earlier this month, because holiday gift market was November 7th through 9th or something. so I bet they were on Maggie's show talking about it. But that's so funny. I was on TV one time or the news and it was ah me when I was little in kindergarten and they were filming like ah field trip at the pumpkin patch and I was picking corn.
00:09:17
Speaker
It's a circle moment.
00:09:22
Speaker
Stop. It was foreshadowing of the corn. Children of the corn. Children of corn. One day that would be your vegetable of the year. 2025 vegetable of the year. corny I'm so excited for your new. We're almost at a new year and it'll be time to choose our vegetable of the year for you.
00:09:42
Speaker
What will be my hyper fixation vegetable? I don't know. don't know. Oh my God. That is cracking me up. Holy shit. But anyway, we did have such a fun time. I got to spend a lot of time with the girls. Okay, give me a review. How are they?
00:10:01
Speaker
They're so good. And they're so sweet. And when by the time I was leaving, Alice said, Whitney, don't forget you're my best friend. And it was like, she is so sweet. I'm such a puddle. and It was nice to like give my time to them because I didn't have mine to watch. So it was like nice to like be able to bond with She was obsessed with you. She still is talking about you nonstop. She's like, Whitney this, Whitney that, when's Whitney coming back? I'm like, girl, i'm I'm counting down also. And you know, they tell you the truth. And she was like, I really like your shoes. So I was like, bet. I know that they're good. And then she told me I smell good. And I was like, thank God, because I'm the stinky one. So I was like, cool you know, she's so funny. Actually, this is but like funny that we're talking about this, because she picked up something in her room.
00:10:47
Speaker
Maybe it was yesterday or the day before. And she picked it up and she smelled it and she was like, this smells like Whitney. but She's like longing for you. She's like, this smells like Whitney. Which is funny. I didn't bring perfume, so I must have like an odor about me. That's so funny. It's your pheromones. Yeah, like are it's what got Chris. But it was they were so good. And even like Evie was talking and um it was just great. They're so sweet.
00:11:17
Speaker
Yeah. And it is just so nice to be together and to have you like you said, like have you spend time with the kids. Also, love that Whitney is a morning person. it gave me like a couple extra minutes in the morning because Alice would just like get up with eat with ah with Whitney And I could kind of hang back a little bit. It was also like like, I don't know. It's just funny for you to see like how much I struggle. And the mornings are hard for me. I'm not a morning girl at all. you You are sleepy. And I'm like, hey!
00:11:53
Speaker
You're like, it's time. We're getting up. It's so fun. And I'm like, I hate this. Which at least you got to like lay there and I just chatted with her, which was fun. That's what I do mine. Honestly, hack.
00:12:04
Speaker
Invite your friends over that are morning people to sleep over. i tried to like get her out of the room, but she's like, I want to go back to mommy's bed. And I was like, oh, sorry, Candace. It's okay. I'm used to it. She was up at 530 this morning, actually.
00:12:19
Speaker
Dang, the light didn't work. I know. It worked yesterday, though. She did wait yesterday it was on. It's just, we're still working on it. Yeah, yeah. For sure. It's an ongoing thing. I get it. Graydon came downstairs before his this morning, and he was like, the light turned green. And Chris and I go, no, it didn't, Graydon. And he's like, well, i was scared.
00:12:43
Speaker
Got it. oh But no, we had so much fun. We saw some friends. We went out to brunch or lunch with Brittany. Wow. That was a day. Shut up, Brittany.
00:12:56
Speaker
Yeah, we like be our girl today. So Brittany's from my due date group. She's also um an influencer. So we had such a fun day. She brought her baby, Posey. So we got to meet Posey. And she has a daughter that's Margo's age. They're in the same due date group. But um it was so fun. Like we had a a lovely little brunch at Oxford exchange. Um, and then like we went antique shopping, which wow, love. And then we had a dance party.
00:13:29
Speaker
Then we came back to my house and just had a leather glass of wine and a dance party. And i got like for real newborn snuggles. Yes. Candace was like, my gosh, I'm sorry. You're gonna have to spend the night cause this baby's sleeping on me.
00:13:43
Speaker
No, like this baby is mine now. It was, she's what, two months old? Like, oh my God. She was so precious, sleepy little angel, newborn baby. And she was sleeping on me. And I was like, i belong here.
00:13:59
Speaker
i know. And eye ovaries I even like got her to sleep on me, which Brittany was probably like, yay I'm free for a second. She was, yeah, she was happy. I think she was like, I get break. Yeah. She's like, I can move my arms. Yeah. So funny. Um, but they are so sweet. I forget like that. They just will pass out on you and then they don't wake up. You're like, wow, this is great.
00:14:22
Speaker
I'm not scared to move around or anything. So fun. yeah it was a good day.
Local Recommendations and Future Plans
00:14:28
Speaker
had just amazing food there. Like 10 out of 10 experience. We had really good meals. Oh my gosh. Um, If you need some recs for Tampa or you're coming to the Tampa area, like please send me a DM. I will send you some recs. I know Chris was like, you didn't even eat seafood while you were there? And I was like, look, Chris, I'm not there for seafood, even though yum, whatever. But like, I'm a local, okay? I'm not doing the touristy thing, going to get seafood. I'm a local, okay?
00:15:00
Speaker
And I'm doing the local thing. We totally could have done that, but I don't know. It just never crossed my mind, to be honest. That's like when people come here, they're like, I want barbecue. I'm like, are you sure? Okay. Yeah.
00:15:13
Speaker
Well, we'll get barbecue, even though I like going because at least has bushwhackers, which is like so fun to do in the summer, like during the day. Barbecue sounds really good. Some cold bread. Yeah.
00:15:26
Speaker
yeah um yeah so we go there like every time someone visits and I don't know it is good like sometimes I want it on a Sunday after like if we go out on Saturday night and it's like a little Sunday lunch barbecue it hits the spot and then you have with the kids so good sounds nice yeah it's lovely Oh, well, it was just such a fun time and we definitely need to get together more. Like I need to see you. And really, i was thinking about this when we were chatting about it via voice note yesterday was if we really think about our plans for 2026.
00:16:11
Speaker
We are going to see each other a lot more because I would like, like I said in our Q&A, like I want to have four in-person meetups. I know. So we're going to see each other more. Plus, I have that photo shoot already booked for February that we can use for a mom group. I was planning to use it for mom group chat photos. Okay.
00:16:31
Speaker
But which means you have to come to me again in February. I'm so sorry. Darn. I mean, it's cold here, so. sure Yeah, but it's already paid for and done. and we yeah Let's do Epcot, too.
00:16:42
Speaker
Say less, Queen. I've been dying to do that. February's the best time to go to Epcot, too. Okay, we're going to do that. We will do... epcot mom group chat photos another reconnect do we reach out to maggie and see if she wants us back on again we could i mean we could at least do like the panel or yeah something i don't know um i know and so we uh we did that q and a which was funny um and we were like should we even do like in-person meetups because candace was
00:17:17
Speaker
LOL. She's like, I'm scared no one will come. But we had a lot of people Nashville and Tampa that said yes. And then a lot from Texas and a lot from like the New York area. So yeah I think if we were going to do it, like that would be the four. I mean, it was like probably majority Texas, which yeah I'm sure like most of our followers are coming from skinny hangovers.
00:17:41
Speaker
I guess we're going to freaking Austin. Well, I've always, I've have been there, but it was for like a work conference. And so I didn't get to like explore much in Austin. i've I was only there. That's one place I've never been in Texas. Like I've hit the other major cities. So I'm like, um, Olivia, Olivia, you don't know this, but I guess you're doing the meetup with us. So yeah.
00:18:03
Speaker
So stay tuned for that. You can bring your baby cause you'll be having it by then her newborn. um Yeah, so we are going to see each other more and we have such big things planned for 2026. And i we're I know we're going to do like a whole new year episode like we always do. So I won't like get into, you know, everything we have planned. But I just love you so much. And I love every time we're together. it just is magic. Like I that sounds so silly more like.
00:18:41
Speaker
But it is. It's like, it's so like great to do this with you. And I just love you so much. I love you too. And I told Candice this, that it's, it, the reason it felt so conversational and calm, like is because I was next to Candice, like something about the way that we vibe off of each other and like can pick up where each other leaves off and like,
00:19:06
Speaker
I don't know. It just feels so like natural and we're on each other's team and we're like lifting each other up in conversation. It just feels so good yeah to be together and do this stuff together. Like I've never had that feeling like at work personally.
Supportive Friendship and Teamwork
00:19:21
Speaker
um it always feels like, I don't know, not a competition, but it just feels like who's smarter, who's asking the right questions. And with Candace, it's just, we're on like, yeah, we're a team. And it just feels so good to have that in my life. It's great.
00:19:39
Speaker
Love you so much. I feel the exact same way. We are as Vinny and I, Vinny and I have a thing we do where we always shake hands before we travel and we say same team, same team, just to remind each other that like, we're not at each other's throats on this plane. Okay. We're on the same team.
00:19:55
Speaker
We forget to say that and then we get at each other's throats and then we go, damn it, we forgot to say it. Yeah, it does. It's like a good little check-in of like same team, same team. But anyways, that's how i feel with you. It's like same team, same Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:20:09
Speaker
Always. um Did you talk about... No, you haven't. Wow. Oh, I went to New York. Yeah. Did we talk about it? No. I mean, we checked in before I went.
New York Adventures and Nostalgia
00:20:20
Speaker
um It was such a good trip. I... I went for a whole five days, which, you know, is so long as a mom with kids at home, like that is a very long trip. But obviously, I used to live in New York City. So going back there feels a little bit like I feel hate it it. I mean, it doesn't necessarily feel like home to me, but it like You know, it's just i know like, oh, I'm, it's like, I'm revisiting a past life of mine or something. I feel like you almost like morph back into your like 24 year old self. And you're like, and you got like a little pep in your step. You're like, oh yeah, I remember this.
00:20:59
Speaker
Yeah, it was so nice. It was the perfect mix of like doing things and ah like sightseeing and all of that. And also like chill. Like we had a day where we literally the only time we left the house was for me to go get a bagel.
00:21:16
Speaker
And we watched movies all day. And just like, it was a cloudy like day. It was just like, which, you know, as moms, like we never, I never get to do that. And so I just, man, I relished in that, a lay day, as I like to call. It was so nice. um But we, like, did such a good mix of, like, New York-y things, too. Like, we walk took a walk in Central Park and, like, took pictures and, you know, watched, like, the street performers. And we walked, we didn't go into the plaza, but, you know, we went past and saw the, um,
00:21:54
Speaker
the beautiful like decor and everything, which by the way is so stunning. And I cannot wait for our future girls trip with our girlies to go to New York and do like Eloise at the Plaza. That's my dream. h The best, like we have to do that. um And like around Christmas time, obviously. um And, ah and then we also, oh well, hold on.
00:22:21
Speaker
like at the end of our central park walk, we stopped at Bimmelman's, which is in the Conrad hotel, I believe. Um, which is like where all the celebrities stay for the Met gala. oh And, um, I think it's the Conrad, I might be wrong there, but, um, if you are in New York, do a walk in central park and then end your walk.
00:22:42
Speaker
I'll, I'll, if you, if you follow my newsletter, ah next week's newsletter is going to be my New York recap and I'll give more details in there. So, Um, but stop there and have a martini and the vibes in there are so cool. You feel like you're in like a celebrity cocktail bar. Um, and yeah, it was just so fun. And then we took the train up to cold spring, um which is like a little uptown or, um, upstate town. How how far of a ride?
00:23:14
Speaker
Like an hour and a half. Oh, that's not bad. Yeah. It was amazing. drawn in up there it was the coldest day and y'all the wind was whipping I have to show you guys this photo of me because after we got off the train and then like walked to our like where we were having brunch the wind was so strong it was like and so cold my makeup was like I was like fully like windblown I had oh no
00:23:46
Speaker
I had mascara and like my makeup was completely off my face from my eyes watering, like the wind whipping my face. um But Cold Spring is so cute. And it's like Gilmore girl vibes. Like, oh I love all of that. Like, I like the little towns and you talking about like a small martini bar. Like, that's what I miss about being up north in which there could be those things here in Nashville. I just don't get to do them because I'm...
00:24:18
Speaker
with child childs um yeah but that's like something I really miss is like a tiny niche bar where it sits like 16 and you sneak in just to get out the cold and you get a little drink god it's so you oh girl coded I love it it really is it was so and all we did was like pitter-patter around and like walk into shops like on the main street there's just all these cute little like shops in fact I got these how cute are these These are, um, these like paper chains for like holiday decor, but they're like pre-made and cut. yes Okay. love that What's crazy about these is they are paper, but they almost feel like a mix between paper and fabric. Like they can probably be reused. Well, I've kept all mine that I made for Margo and Graydon. I like just put them downstairs because they last. Um,
00:25:15
Speaker
I'm like, I'm going to be reusing this. Yeah, I'm going to too. But anyways, they had like the cutest little stuff. So I bought this and took it home with me. It was just like such a nice trip.
00:25:27
Speaker
um And i I know i that we, this is like beating a dead horse here. We talk about this all the time on this podcast, but this is your reminder that a girl's trip is what you need. If you're sad, if you're stressed, if you're feeling burnt out, if you are feeling like you've lost yourself or you don't have your spark, the girl's trip is what you need.
00:25:52
Speaker
Five days was probably like really good though, because sometimes when you take a shorter trip, which is what most of us do, yeah you almost don't get to relax. But with five days, you almost have to make yourself because you're like, well, I'm here for this long.
00:26:08
Speaker
Right. And that was kind of what happened is after the second day of like doing stuff for two whole days, we were like, all right, we got to chill. And then we were rejuvenated for the last like, you know, two days. yeah.
00:26:21
Speaker
It was just so nice. And I'm telling you book the trip. If you want some New York, some like New York finds, because we went to some great restaurants. Oh my God, the Italian restaurant we went to our our last night.
00:26:34
Speaker
i'm I'm dreaming about it still. It was so amazing. I will drop, I'm going to drop everything we did and ate and all of that in my newsletter next week. But um you can also DM me and I'll, I'll spill the beans. Yeah.
00:26:47
Speaker
So yeah I'm sure a lot of people travel to New York or, I mean, and we have a lot of listeners up there, um, during the holidays, especially. So, um, maybe we should book the Plaza already for next year. I think Margo being three would like it.
00:27:03
Speaker
Yeah. Next year. Yeah. I, Oh, I don't know. I feel like I might need one more year only because i feel like, um,
00:27:18
Speaker
Evie, I don't know, Evie's like a bull in a china shop. To me, I feel like she would be... Oh, she'll be so different by then. Yeah, true, true, true. We'll see.
00:27:28
Speaker
We'll see. I've never even priced that out. I wonder how much it is to stay at the plaza. ah i know it ain't cheap. That's why we got to like do a pay plan starting now for next December. Literally.
00:27:44
Speaker
oh put it on the credit card. Yeah. That would be so fun though. Well, either, either way, one day, i think that'd be so fun. Like you're right. Like maybe we should wait one more year. Cause I i want to go see like a play. I don't want her to sit.
00:27:59
Speaker
Well, the Rockettes, you know that I've never seen the Rockettes even in my time living in New York. Wow. Wow. I feel like that's such a holiday New York thing and I've never been. I've seen them like four times. Oh, shoot. Really? so That's not. Well, I've seen them twice in New York and then one time here in Nashville and then somewhere else.
00:28:24
Speaker
um My friend Kathleen was a rockette that lives here. Oh, damn. That's cool. Oh, you best believe I'd be asking her when we're drinking to high kick. I'm like, get your legs up, Kathleen.
00:28:39
Speaker
Oh, that's funny. Her husband proposed to her at um radio on the stage. Yeah, on the stage. oh How cool is that? I mean, that's a badge of honor right there. That's so cool. That's like being...
00:28:55
Speaker
It's like being a ah Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. I know. Like, same vibes. She's so cool. chic, I would say. yeah um I mean, it's kind of badass. Yeah, i mean still the same level of badass. And she's, like, so disciplined. Like, almost like, I don't, this is not the comparison, but she, like, it's almost like Shawn
Spotlight on Whitney's Friend, Kathleen
00:29:14
Speaker
Johnson. Like, she was so disciplined. Like, she's just good at everything because she's, like, mentally...
00:29:20
Speaker
like in like ready to go. Like she does, like she's high up at work. Like she's just a bad-ass damn lady. love that.
00:29:31
Speaker
Yeah. I love her. She's, and she's always down. She's so fun. Anyway, love you Kathleen.
00:29:39
Speaker
That's super cool. But yeah, New York was so fun. And, um, I love also like, I love going in the fall, like November time when it,
00:29:50
Speaker
starting to get chilly and the leaves are falling. it's just vibes, vibe, vibes, vibes. So yeah. Well, great. I'm jealous. I want to go up there. I haven't been in a while. um I've got to make a trip up North. I was going to say like you're due for a new England trip.
00:30:09
Speaker
trip. We didn't go this year. We really wanted to save money for the house and figure out how we would do living here for a year. And then we did the two trips so early in the year that we had that we were like, we don't need to do anything else. Good Lord, Key West and Breckenridge was lot. So Yeah. Kind of just like coasted the rest of the year.
00:30:32
Speaker
um And then that was it like Tuscaloosa. That was just a drive. So yeah, we have some stuff to do next year. I Chris and I really want to do Nantucket. So I think we we're looking at September to go. nice If we can. see it I would love to go back.
00:30:51
Speaker
Yeah. Desperately. our big trip That we know of. And i it's not even, i mean, there's a wedding involved, but we're going to go to San Diego for my friend Kristen's wedding.
00:31:03
Speaker
And I've never been to San Diego. And that is Vinny's favorite place. Like he always says if he can move anywhere, he would move to San Diego. So we're going to go out there and like hopefully spend like a good amount of time so that we can just see and do. And he literally goes on and on about how stunning it is. So.
00:31:22
Speaker
The second we landed there for Claudio and Kristen's wedding, Chris goes, could I? live here? Chris is at about everywhere he goes. Chris!
00:31:36
Speaker
Everywhere Chris goes, he's looking at Zillow. He's like, we could live here. But the funniest part was, he said it as we were going under a bridge and there was 15 homeless people around. I was like, this is what you want?
00:31:49
Speaker
Really? This is what's attractive to you? He's like, I'm talking about the ocean and the... I'm like... Well, your timing was impeccable, truly. Listen, and he's a man of the world because I feel like he likes the mountains. He wants to be there. he likes the ocean. He wants to be there. He likes the country. He wants to be there.
00:32:10
Speaker
He likes in New York City. He wants to be there. That's why Rhode Island was perfect. It was all in proximity. Yeah. That's so true. So true. He was like, this is this is me right here. But yeah, he loved it. San Diego was great. um I'm excited to go and see it.
00:32:30
Speaker
Y'all gonna go to the zoo? I don't think so. i don't think that's on the list. I went out there for work and we did it. And it was like actually some of the funniest freaking memories ever. my God. Like of just the animals or like stuff that.
00:32:47
Speaker
Just things that happened that day that were like outrageous. I don't know. It's just like, and I was with my friends from work and I think we were just like sleep deprived because we were planning this huge meeting out there. And we were just like, what is happening? Almost like you've seen those things where.
00:33:02
Speaker
you're severely hung over. And everything is so funny. and But, but like, it's something like, say you're in New York and you're severely hung over and you go outside and you're just like, I just need to go to brunch. And all of a sudden the Macy's day parade is outside your door. And you're just like, what the fuck is happening? yeah Like, you're like, this would only happen today of all days. since You're just like in another universe. You're like, yeah, 100%. exactly what you Really? Okay. So I don't know. it was just one of those days and oh everything was so funny. Yeah.
00:33:38
Speaker
I love, those are some my favorite days actually. Like I love ah random, like hilarious hungover day. so that's how our New York trip, I like think of that day as like a, everything was funny type thing.
00:33:55
Speaker
oh I will say That being in New York, like it's so crazy to think about how much I used to drink and like would drink back in the day. But okay, because I lived in New York when I was like 24 26-ish. And like we were going out all the time, drinking all night long, staying out so late.
00:34:18
Speaker
And now like when're not when we go out and like have three martinis, I'm like, whoo, I gotta go. I love it. I just, if I'm, if I drink and then eat, I'm out. I don't want to anymore. I'm just like, my body's like, Oh no, no, no, no. no no no You can't do that anymore. Like, i don't I don't want to.
00:34:41
Speaker
like, I don't want to do this. Oh God. And I was so like ah my last night there, that Italian place I was telling you guys about, which was so fricking delicious. But, um, we had, I had, I had indulged a little too much, ah like not in a bad way at all, just that like I mixed too many alcohols. We had had too many drinks before dinner and then wine. And then I woke up the next morning at five to go to the airport. And I was like trying not to puke in the Uber, like literally.
00:35:14
Speaker
Luckily, I got on that plane and I was asleep before the doors even closed and there was no one next to me. And I just was like and slept the whole two and a half hour. flight home and then I woke up and I was a little better but I had such a good flying experience as well I watched some of that freakier Friday movie and but i I had to stop it wasn't that good I didn't like it I like stopped after 20 minutes and I'm like you know what I'm just gonna look through my pictures and start deleting them yeah most of the time those like really nostalgic good movies like a lot of the time those sequels like
00:35:52
Speaker
I feel like they ruin them sometimes, like not ruin them, but I'm just like, it doesn't do me any good to watch this. Like, I feel like I just bad actress now. She used to be so good. And I'm like, she lives weird.
00:36:06
Speaker
Yeah. I haven't watched, but I can see that for sure. I'm proud of her and how far she's come. She looks great. Let me tell you. She does. right She does. Well, are you already feeling the holiday like hustle or you're in what way?
Holiday Season Hustle and Shopping Challenges
00:36:31
Speaker
i guess it's just for me that like I feel and this is probably like a culmination of things, but i just got off obviously like a trip and then having you here as a guest and then it's Thanksgiving week. So like obviously I'm thinking about like all I need to do for Thanksgiving and then.
00:36:49
Speaker
ah last night I like switched over our calendars in the kitchen to be December, ah January and February, which is so crazy. And um I was putting all of like Alice's school programs and like we have weddings coming up and Christmas parties. And, and I was just like, Whoa, I am feeling overwhelmed and it's just begun.
00:37:15
Speaker
so I don't know. i just was wondering if you're feeling the same way. I guess. I mean, these first two weeks of December are filled with work, which is kind of sad because I feel like I don't get to be here during like the best part of the year with kids and with my kids and stuff. So I'm going to California the second week of December for work and I'll be gone all week. So I'm like, dang, won't even be here like for it. which is, it's good. Like we have all of our Christmas stuff up. We put all the lights out on this past weekend. So like everything's good and we get to enjoy it or whatever. But, and I've been shopping like these black Friday things or I plan to do that today. Hopefully at some point, like I have carts filled.
00:38:05
Speaker
I can't stop. It's so fun. I feel like I'm getting all these deals. I keep buying stuff for myself. Oh, I'm going to buy stuff for myself. And I also need to like, I need to send some links to family members who are always asking me for things. Like, there's a pair of Rothy's I really want. There's that.
00:38:26
Speaker
anthropology handbag I really want. And I'm like, yo know, if you're not going to buy this, please just tell me so that I can buy it myself. I know. like Well, and also like being with Candace and trying on clothes, i was like, Candace, everything looks good on you. Like, how are you not buying everything? Oh, I don't know about that, but thank you for saying that. That's so nice.
00:38:47
Speaker
I did. It was fun. you. I do want, like I'm I really do need a whole new wardrobe. So i I have been trying to tell people like, listen, I really just want gift cards to like, you know, some of my favorite places to shop.
00:39:01
Speaker
But honestly, going to be hitting up the deals today. I'm going to be shopping. I'm going to get some clothes. I got to get some clothes for the girls. Like they really need a purge and a wardrobe update.
00:39:14
Speaker
But also I'm having a the fight of my life with Alice Joan Donnelly. and getting dressed. The girl is so specific about having pockets and then only wanting to wear shorts, which like, thank God we live in Florida. Like it's 80 degrees today. Let's see. I feel like that's such a hard transition for Graydon to like switching from shorts to pants. Cause now that we're in pants, he doesn't want to go back to shorts. If we have like a hot day here, he's like, no, it's very busy I don't know. I just like, and I almost am at the point where I'm like hesitant to buy clothes because I'm like, are you going to fight me on this? I don't really want to spend this money. If you're going to hate this and fight me on it, you know?
00:40:00
Speaker
So I'm just kind of like, girl, you're stressing me out. Yeah. Truly. Um, Graydon now will dress like bring clothes down and dress himself, which has been so fun. But today he brought down the Halloween shirt. You got him like great.
00:40:18
Speaker
i was like, please don't put this on. It's over. And especially like Thanksgiving week, please. Don't do this. Uh, brought her, um Halloween dress out the other day and she wanted to wear it and I think I let her but she wasn't going anywhere it was like we were I mean I lay at home yeah I'm like I'm gonna have to hide it so he doesn't like do that so I made him put on his outcast shirt today and he was so mad but then the second he got to school all the teachers were like cool shirt cool shirt and I said I told you i told you mom doesn't steer you wrong
00:40:53
Speaker
i Love you so much. Happy holidays, everyone. I hope you have an amazing holiday season.
00:41:04
Speaker
period Okay, I did want to say there was like a TikTok and it's a ah billboard or I guess it's like a church billboard and it says it's giving season, but it's everyone's been reading it's giving season. Yeah.
00:41:24
Speaker
And it's like, i blame you, you Gen Z for making me like think that way instead of it's giving season, it's giving season. Thanksgiving season. I showed it to k Chris and I was like, how are you reading this? And he's like, how you would say it? And i was like, exactly. It made me laugh.
00:41:42
Speaker
and Oh, that's It's getting season, guys. Bye. Love you all. Bye. by Thank you so much for being a part of our mom group chat. New episodes drop every Tuesday. And don't forget, the group chat is blowing up on our Instagram page. So make sure you're following along over there. All right. Gotta go. My toddler just put something in her mouth.