The Mommy Project

Kimberley is joined today with Hayley Gaston- a 20-something high school and Jr High school girls minister, and worked as a team event planner for Lifeway and Beth Moore. We discuss college friends, workplace ratios with men and women, and why women struggle to make connection with others not in their season of life. Seasons of life: unmarried vs. married college vs. graduated/ career no children vs. children men vs. women age vs age this is just a short list of the barriers which keep people in their comfort zone…aka.. lonely state. Beat the typical- and try to meet people where they are at, widen your circle by disregarding seasons, and get curious, creative and inventive. Hayley’s Reads: Keep a Quiet Heart  Fierce Conversations – How to get your voice heard. We share a favorite show:  Big Brother 18 Article is a must read: The Importance of Friendship Recap: Meet people where they are at. Lower expectations for new friendships. Schedule time to meet or communicate with your friends. Like Hayley mentioned- schedule a Skype or telephone call with a long-distance friend. be willing to truly share life… get vulnerable! Be curious.. not nosy Friendships require commitment, communication and time spent together to be cultivated or remain close. Tell us how you stay close to your friends as the years and seasons of life change? Leave a comment on Instagram or twitter.

Part two of life long friend discussion with Guests: Jo Tiffany Scott Faulk and Jennifer Fox. In this episode, the discussion is continued with the questions answered- Have you had a friendship go wrong? and What occurs when you decide to change religions, or career direction and does this affect relationships? Which poses the question- Why do some relationships last and some remain broken? Join these lovely ladies in this part 2 discussion about friendship. Please check out our website thepodcastproject.com and Hit subscribe on our iTunes feed. This not only helps us in ratings and spreading the awesomeness of unscripted life and making room for change and creativity, but this little action- helps you too! It aids in making sure you never miss an episode.

August is themed with Friendship- at least at the PodcastProject. We are kicking this month long deep dive into all topics regarding this tumultuous and complex relationship between people. Friendship can provide deep joy and satisfaction but it can also serve up some hurt and grief. We look at all ends of the spectrum in this month’s theme- Friendship. Top Questions for this week’s episode: What do you remember about friendship as kids? How would you describe the relationship in High school and College? Would we still be friends if met for the first time today? Kimberley invites two life-long friends over for good conversation and laughs. Sometimes taking the time to invest in friendships longtime or new are worth the effort and the inconvenience. There is a phenomenon of feeling lighter and fuller of spirit when the evening is spent among friends. What are your friendship goals? Jennifer Fox and Jo Tiffany Scott Faulk – you ladies are the best! We were “in each other’s pocket,” as kids.  As adults- we strive to continue to be life-long friends regardless of our separate paths we take, our friendship is one of “purpose.”   What are your friendship goals? It is good to check in and work to keep these relationships alive. Who are you going to grow old with when everyone else is gone? Your life-long friends! #makeitcount.

My latest projects: Why is that everything I create looks like a five year old did it? If I draw, paint, water color, get all pinterest-y and create a mobile for my kids bedroom—- 1000% of the time- it looks like my four year old did it- and I consider her a good artist in training. Here is the latest epic- artsy fail—   It’s not that I can’t follow directions- but somewhere in my brain the colors get mixed up- the lines become blurred and I end up spending more money trying to correct the mess- than simply going out and purchasing a new canvas or tossing all in the trash. I ended up – painting the canvas white and then- giving it to Evie to create her own “masterpiece.” I have to say I liked the outcome she arrived at!   Confession: Movies make me nervous. Inside Out I cry serious buckets – nasty crying when I watch this show. Even the score- gets me all melancholy. Hate it. Minions–  Jon Hamm is Herb Overkill? I was so happy to realize this! Who Knew Don Draper could be so comedic! Secret Life of Pets– Louis CK and Jenny Slate– awesome! Finding Dory.. too similar to Finding Nemo.. Read: How to Get More Women in the Director’s Chair NY Times article. all about Ghostbusters.  Sh*tty Mom > The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us. Hilarious! and a nice break from the mommy guilt- of not meeting up to the cupcake making, embroidery/ monogramed- crazy moms post FB status about how they are sad summer is over and their little cherubs have to go back to school….  yuck! Dad is Fat – a must read for anyone. whether you have kids, want kids or you are still a kid!   Watch: See Movie titles above. Plus- I am not sure how I feel about this- but Mozart in the Jungle has peeked my interest. Tv series on Amazon Prime. Listen: The sound of my newborn crying…. what feels like all the time.

Show Notes for this week’s episode include: Marriage hits a big road bump when the first, and second and third baby come.. So how does one avoid losing the connection you had when you were dating? Date your husband or wife- when children enter the family formula- everything shifts and lost connection can easily occur. So- suggestion- go on dates, take weekend trips away, invest in hobbies you can do as a couple. Read Watch Listen recommends: The READS: Craig’s recommend: Gizmodo Kimberley’s read recommend: The Hairpin similar to Thought Catalog – snarky satire on assorted topics. The Watch: K: Oliver Stone’s W. with Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks. I should mention I love political movies and presidential “documentary” types. Watch this movie with no one in particular while you eat a large bowl salsa and bag of chips. A smart margarita is required. C: Parks and Rec…. #teamron and the summer reality tv must Big Brother. UFC 200 was also an awesome of the week. The Listen: C: Chael Sonnon ‘s podcast You’re Welcome! With Chael Sonnon on Podcast One. Also on iTunes K: Spotify: Cover songs: playlist. Upcoming goals: Long Boarding, Paddle Boarding, Off Road Tri and Buffalo River Team events. All Sports all the time. Except Basketball- we don’t do.  Note**** The audio is a little janky on Craig’s end of the conversation- we are working on this issue- and appreciate your patience.

How does one survive the Hell – otherwise known as Deep South Summer? ….  20$ inflated swimming pools, cold watermelon or honeydew, half/half lemonade tea, and wearing practically nothing in the comfort of your own home. Mid-Summer recommends: a working air-conditioner or a go-for broke vacation to somewhere a little less oppressive. Kettle Cooked Jalapeño chips early morning walks lime or lemon water. Lots of it. Helps with post pregnancy swelling or if you just ate a lot of bacon… just saying. frozen desserts: frozen fruit like berries or bananas, frozen birthday cake ice cream, homemade ice-cream with fresh peaches, frozen chocolate chips – you get the picture. Books- which do not take a lot of thought or require much concentration. When it is 1000 degrees outside- can anyone focus on a deep and ponder inducing masterpiece? Not me. have your baby 3 weeks early and you will instantly cool down and slim up!  Instant diet! have as many parties as the budget allows. Invite old friends, new friends, people only known from the favorite local coffee shop, neighbors, siblings you like, parents, and people you don’t really like, but hope to improve the relationship. Wear as few clothes as possible- just try to not offend your neighbors. Iced Coffee. Home brew, Death Wish Coffee. Trends- I do not understand: Hamilton– I like the song… “What’d I Miss.” other than that.. don’t get the obsession and die hards for this broadway musical- however, I am willing to give it a go. Adults who still refer to their mother as “mommy.” Women who call their husband “daddy.” Pageants of any kind- outdated and stupid. All personality test and those people who repeatedly say their personality label in normal conversation. “I’m a INSJ.., he is a ENFP? I mean what???!! Loud Smelly Perfume.. otherwise known as the classics… aka Chanel. The Beach Photo- sunset, white, bloated sunburned faces. Solicitors who ring my door bell at naptime! too much Media, News. Read Watch Listen: Reading: for Summer- In the dog days- I tend to go back to old favorites: Heartburn– Nora Ephron Little Paris Kitchen– Rachel Khoo The Nesting Place– Myquillyn Smith “The Nester.” Outside the Lines– Curated by Souris Hong-Porretta Watch- I have been watching a lot of bad TV lately- sad, I know. But – I love YouTube – here are a few favorites subscriptions: Casey Neistat, Lip Sync Battle- The Tonight Show with Jimmy Kimmel, Craig Roberson, and A Beautiful Mess. Movies: Heat– Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock. This is 40! – Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd.  Documentary: Everything is Copy. found on HBO Go Listening: Podcast: this may be a little meta…. but I have some podcasts that seem to find its way into my daily convo. Both of these podcasts are hilarious, but I should mention Honey– is not suitable for small ears. The Popcast with Knox M

This week’s episode could not have occurred without the mad editing skills of Craig Roberson. I want to thank three delightful ladies for joining me this week for good food and chatty conversation on love, marriage, and a good old fashion fight. This weeks episode did not include the read-watch-listen section, but I wanted to mention it here. As mentioned before- we are big fans of the reality summer tradition known as Big Brother. As Craig and I welcomed our third child into the world Wednesday, June 29th- we also watched this week’s eviction of Jose- one of the more ridiculous characters in Big Brother history. Big Brother is one of those shows that you either follow religiously… and perhaps guiltily- or you could care less and liberally roll your eyes at us who do. I am also making a list of all the shows people say I should watch- because I will be doing a lot of couch time now that Baby Wyatt is here. Feel free to drop me a line of any recommendations you have. Reading has been slow- I will say I have enjoyed reading my weekly newsletters from Two Bossy Dames, and Sorta Awesome’s Megan Tietz. I love love love memes and little snap shots of delightful content- usually these newsletters provide pop culture snippets, memes, tips and interesting links.   I am also obsessed with the babylit books– not for my kids- although they love them, but I love the illustrations and little quotes of these books. My favorites are Don Quixote: a baby lit language primer, andMidsummer Night’s Dream: a Fairies Primer.  Listen: I have already mentioned Spotify. But a playlist I have on repeat is Hipster Hymns Any recommendations on Spotify or movies, shows are welcomed.