Kelley and Gretchen look back on their accomplishments from 2017, and look ahead to what they want to accomplish in 2018. Like us on Facebook, email us at [email protected], and don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes or Stitcher!

Dave Ramsey (and his famous 7 Baby Steps)

You Need a Budget

Young House Love (I got the code for 3 free months of YNAB from their podcast!)

American Civil Liberties Union

LLBean Pathfinder Lighted Beanie

Dependent Care FSA

How Starting A Side Hustle Could Be Your Best Investment Yet

Subaru Ascent

6 Dimensions of Wellness

Kelley and Gretchen are joined by Amy, who talks about growing up Jewish in an area where there were not many others like her, while Kelley and Gretchen talk about their experiences as a Christian and an Atheist at the holidays. We had such a good time talking, we had to split it into two parts! This one might seem to start quickly, but you can pick up the first part at episode 12!

Netflix: Fireplace for Your Home (there are multiple versions!)

Hulu: Thermostat Wars

Chocolate Trifle / Sex in a Bowl

Monkey Bread (this is the recipe I use, only I swap out some of the biscuits for the cinnamon rolls in a can - a once-a-year treat!)

Framingham Heart Study

Judaism 101: Torah

What is a mikvah?

History of the Christmas tree

Stephanie Larsen, the Mormon who runs the support network for LGBTQ youth

Ellen meets Alabama hero dad Nathan Mathis

When TV went to bed: 13 classic signoffs

Kelley and Gretchen are joined by Amy, who talks about growing up Jewish in an area where there were not many others like her, while Kelley and Gretchen talk about their experiences as a Christian and an Atheist at the holidays. We had such a good time talking, we had to split it into two parts! This one might seem to end abruptly, but you can pick up the rest at Episode 13!

Netflix: Fireplace for Your Home (there are multiple versions!)

Hulu: Thermostat Wars

Chocolate Trifle / Sex in a Bowl

Framingham Heart Study

Judaism 101: Torah

What is a mikvah?

History of the Christmas tree

Ellen meets Alabama hero dad Nathan Mathis

When TV went to bed: 13 classic signoffs

Kelley is a wellness coach, but Gretchen is a late-onset athlete, who has struggled with "Gympostor Syndrome," and has to work harder (mentally) to feel like she's allowed to be part of the gym scene.

Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome

Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

The Oatmeal: At the Gym, Who's Looking at Whom

USDA School Lunch Guidelines

Whole30

http://www.easylunchboxes.com/

Silicone Cupcake Liners

Kelley's kids' colorful lunches:

*Or try what Gretchen mentioned, How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets

Kelley is back with her story about traveling with Oprah (yes, that Oprah!) and as tribute to her, we have a full episode of our favorite things. Only, our favorite things are not in the Oprah price range, they are in OUR price range.

• You're a Creepy One, Elf on the Shelf

Kelley's:

• Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover

This week Gretchen talks with author and columnist Sarah Smiley about raising independent kids who are allowed to take risks. (Kelley had to balance her chaos by missing this week, but she's back next week!)

www.sarahsmiley.com 

Dinner With the Smileys: One Military Family, One Year of Heroes, and Lessons for a Lifetime

Got Here As Soon As I Could: Discovering the Way Life Should Be

Lenore Skenazy (who wrote Free-Range Kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry)) now blogs at www.letgrow.org

To the Parents Who Called the Cops After My 80-year-old Dad Chatted with Your Child at the Supermarket

The Modern American Brag: “My Kids Were About to be Trafficked, Too!”

Gavin de Becker's Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane)

Jessica Lahey's The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed

Tom Wayman: Did I Miss Anything?

This week, we talk about what we are thankful for!

Mentioned in this episode

Maine Governor Paul LePage Threatens State Lawmaker With Profanity-Filled Voicemail

These Are the Happiest Cities in the United States

Maximizers vs Satisficers: Who Makes Better Decisions?

Party Lines: 10 Aspects of Old Telephones That Might Confuse Younger Readers

If You're A Real Grown-Up, Minivans Are Cooler Than Crossovers

Parents, Just Buy the Damn Minivan

Kelley: Facebook

Gretchen: The Wirecutter and for this week, their Black Friday deals page

This week, we have guest number two, Shira, a prosecutor (and new mom) who works on domestic violence and child abuse cases talking about links between domestic violence, homicide, and even mass shootings. She also gets some advice about going back to work after maternity leave!

Links Mentioned

Calif. gunman killed his wife before rampaging through community, trying to storm elementary school

Maine concert promoter pleads guilty to domestic violence charge, maintains he didn’t do it

Facing the Sins of the Democratic Party

Our Favorite Things!

Shira: The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country, Helen Russell

Kelley: Essential Oils - She mentions DOTerra, (the ones that Gretchen uses that are not MLM are from Plant Therapy)

Gretchen: Find My Friends the app that keeps track of everyone (if they let you)

In this episode, we talk about election results, being politically active, and where we stand on health care and gun reform.

Links mentioned:

The question every parent should be asking before a playdate

It was a Florida law that prevented doctors from asking about guns in the home. Here's a Washington Post article that explains it:

Have a check-up? Why your doctor might ask you if you own a gun.

The Dickey amendment prevents funding for research on gun violence:

Why gun violence research has been shut down for 20 years

After Maine approves Medicaid expansion, Governor raises objections

Our Favorite Things!

Kelley: Devafuser Hair Dryer (that's the whole shebang, but you can buy the creepy alien hand diffuser to use on your existing hair dryer for $50, too.)

Gretchen: Netflix and especially Parks and Rec. I also love that you can skip the intro on every episode! No ads, no waiting through the theme song. Perfect. (and yes, we talked about Netflix last week, but after a 10 day internet blackout, returning to the comforts of our cord-cutter lifestyle was much appreciated.)

In this episode, we talk about election results, being politically active, and where we stand on health care and gun reform.

Links mentioned:

The question every parent should be asking before a playdate

It was a Florida law that prevented doctors from asking about guns in the home. Here's a Washington Post article that explains it:

Have a check-up? Why your doctor might ask you if you own a gun.

The Dickey amendment prevents funding for research on gun violence:

Why gun violence research has been shut down for 20 years

After Maine approves Medicaid expansion, Governor raises objections

Our Favorite Things!

Kelley: Devafuser Hair Dryer (that's the whole shebang, but you can buy the creepy alien hand diffuser to use on your existing hair dryer for $50, too.)

Gretchen: Netflix and especially Parks and Rec. I also love that you can skip the intro on every episode! No ads, no waiting through the theme song. Perfect. (and yes, we talked about Netflix last week, but after a 10 day internet blackout, returning to the comforts of our cord-cutter lifestyle was much appreciated.)