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Happy New Year! Kim and Grandma Gail kick off the new year by reflecting on 2025 and sharing what they’ve been up to over the holiday break. From enjoying the warmth in Palm Beach to day trips at Universal, Kim and Grandma have been keeping busy. They talk about nostalgia of going to the parks and how to not put pressure on yourself in today’s economy. The conversation moves into New Year’s resolutions (like cutting back Kim’s relationship with ChatGPT), self-care, and an Ask Grandma Anything with listener questions about family, relationships, stress, and personal growth. Grandma Gail shares her signature rules and advice on setting realistic goals, protecting your energy, and focusing on what truly deserves your time in 2026. In The Grandma Report, they review Americans’ top resolutions for 2026 (read the study on Statista). They also discuss which trends of 2025 they want to Keep or Cut in a round of Should We Bring It Back, from Labubus to mahjong to over-the-top weddings. Follow us onInstagram @excusemygrandma @kimmursteinTikTok @excusemygrandma and @excusemygrandmapod Watch on YouTubeSpotifyMusic By: Guy Kelly 00:00: Introduction35:49: Ask Grandma Anything44:00: The Grandma Report44:55: Should We Bring It Back
Happy New Year! Kim and Grandma Gail kick off the new year by reflecting on 2025 and sharing what they’ve been up to over the holiday break. From enjoying the warmth in Palm Beach to day trips at Universal, Kim and Grandma have been keeping busy. They talk about nostalgia of going to the parks and how to not put pressure on yourself in today’s economy.
The conversation moves into New Year’s resolutions (like cutting back Kim’s relationship with ChatGPT), self-care, and an Ask Grandma Anything with listener questions about family, relationships, stress, and personal growth. Grandma Gail shares her signature rules and advice on setting realistic goals, protecting your energy, and focusing on what truly deserves your time in 2026. In The Grandma Report, they review Americans’ top resolutions for 2026 (read the study on Statista). They also discuss which trends of 2025 they want to Keep or Cut in a round of Should We Bring It Back, from Labubus to mahjong to over-the-top weddings.
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Instagram @excusemygrandma @kimmurstein
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Watch on
Music By: Guy Kelly
00:00: Introduction
35:49: Ask Grandma Anything
44:00: The Grandma Report
44:55: Should We Bring It Back
Grandma Gail is full of wisdom... even if Kim doesn't always take it to heart. Every week, the granddaughter/grandmother duo share stories, chat about their lives, discuss pop culture, and unpack the generational differences of dating, sex, relationships, and more. Listen on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the show in full on YouTube and follow @excusemygrandma on TikTok and Instagram to keep tabs on what’s happening in their lives between episodes.
Inquiries: team@excusemygrandma.com.
This episode is brought to you by Prime. Obsession is in session, and this summer, Prime originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories, and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice. Off Campus, Elle, Every Year After, The Love Hypothesis, Sterling Point, and more. Slow burns, second chances, chemistry you can feel through the screen.
Speaker 1:Your next obsession is waiting. Watch only on Prime.
Speaker 2:Welcome back to another episode of Excuse My Grandma. It's Kim and my cohosts. Grandma Gail. The last episode of twenty twenty five. I know, I
Speaker 3:can't believe it. And we changed seats.
Speaker 2:Wait, I messed up. We're recording it, but this comes out on the first day of twenty twenty six, January 1.
Speaker 3:Okay, but we're recording in the last week of 2025.
Speaker 2:Yes. Wilde, this is year five of our podcast. We haven't had our fifth year anniversary yet. That's later in the month. But it's our fifth year,
Speaker 3:which is kind I can't, it is crazy.
Speaker 2:I know. So before we get into all of the things that we're going to discuss today, which is mostly about recapping the best things about 2025, what we learned, what we're taking into 2026, Let's do a little bit of a catch up. Okay. We've been here together in Palm Beach.
Speaker 3:Now for about three weeks.
Speaker 2:Yes, which is great. I don't wanna go back to real life. This is like La La Land.
Speaker 3:Well, weather's been beautiful. We've been very lucky because the the Northeast and the West are both suffering either from snow or rain. So we've been very fortunate down here.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And the thing is I haven't really sat in Palm Beach, like, continuously. I feel like I went back and forth to Miami now three times. Right. I went to Orlando yesterday to go to Universal Studios.
Speaker 3:Which you loved. I saw the pictures of you and the Grinch. Yeah. Everybody all all the little kids are now jealous.
Speaker 2:No. By the way, that's, a thing people wait three hours in line to meet the Grinch. Really? Yeah. Oh my.
Speaker 2:He's a big deal because it's not just taking a picture. Like, I didn't show you all the photos and videos yet, but he has a personality. Okay. He's like very sassy. So people try to get him to say funny things.
Speaker 2:And dad was like
Speaker 3:Your father went with you as well. Because he's addicted to all those theme parks.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Was with my dad and I was with Zach. And they actually both I can't tell if they're just fueling my love for theme parks because they know I like it or if they also enjoy it. I think it's a little bit of both. I think so.
Speaker 2:But dad was like to the Grinch, she has a million followers on social media. And the Grinch goes, so? I have millions and millions of followers.
Speaker 3:That's
Speaker 2:agree way more than with the billions. Yeah, definitely. Everybody loves the Grinch.
Speaker 3:Well, he
Speaker 2:hates them. Yeah, a mix. And so that was like a funny conversation. He was like, what do you have?
Speaker 3:It was competition between Kim and the Grinch?
Speaker 2:Yeah, but I was letting him have it. I honestly, was I always, since a kid, I didn't like people in character. Do you remember that?
Speaker 3:I know you always were scared of those characters on Broadway.
Speaker 2:On Broadway, yeah. Like
Speaker 3:It's at the end square you used to freak out.
Speaker 2:I just don't like the fact that there is a middle aged man typically in the suit. Or a woman. Sometimes, if it's like a princess, yeah. Yeah. Or something.
Speaker 2:But I just, it freaks me out a little bit. Like the Elmo in Times Well,
Speaker 3:that's why I never understood why you like Disney because they were all dressed up as something else. Well, like I mean, it's very creative, but you've been addicted to Disney and those theme parks since you were little.
Speaker 2:Yes. It's always been my thing. I love theme parks. I feel like I could create my own theme park. Honestly, I feel like I know
Speaker 3:it I think you are a team.
Speaker 2:At the end of the day at Universal, we went to a Fifties drive in diner.
Speaker 3:I saw it. I saw your post.
Speaker 2:I posted like one photo. How close
Speaker 3:are you Because looking I saw it. I saw it this morning because I was a little jealous, but not really jealous because I hate it. 'm the exact opposite. I hate the theme park.
Speaker 2:You're like mom, like so anti.
Speaker 3:But not anti, I just don't love it. I liked it when the kids were little, but then of course I lost my son for about an hour in Disney. And I think that traumatized me forever. I had the police out. I had everybody out.
Speaker 3:In those days, you know, they Who wants? Yes. The the the Disney police because I couldn't find and I'm yelling, I need a little boy to yell a little cost shirt. He's three years old. I think he was traumatized.
Speaker 3:Don't think he went, maybe he went back after that, but it was a moment that I don't wish to repeat. And he just wandered off into the gift store. I mean, knew exactly where he was going, but I had no idea that I lost him. It was very traumatic.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm thinking though? Everybody probably has fine friends on- Well, was, we didn't have phones then. Of course.
Speaker 3:I mean, that's a long time ago kids. But they
Speaker 2:probably have trackers on their little I kids of some
Speaker 3:would certainly hope so, especially in those big parks now.
Speaker 2:Except like, okay, Universal, I wanna talk about it for a second because I just had one thought on we we went to this, like, Frankenstein in the dark universe, which is part of the new epic park, and I wanna talk about that for a second. But in this ride, they're like, some people take their very little kids and this was a scary
Speaker 3:I mean, it's scary. I think they're traumatized. I can't believe they're not traumatized, but, you know, the difference is they see such scary things now on a big screen.
Speaker 2:Right. That's true.
Speaker 3:So they probably are like almost, they're almost immune to being No,
Speaker 2:but this kid was crying. I don't know what, and then Zach and I didn't realize, and we were just doing like our evil laughs, like to each other. Then the kid started
Speaker 3:And crying
Speaker 2:then the parent goes, you're not helping. But you know what? Then you shouldn't take your kid in that situation.
Speaker 3:Why would you wanna ride with that other family?
Speaker 2:What do you mean everyone's together?
Speaker 3:Oh, you're in one We
Speaker 2:were like in line.
Speaker 3:Oh, well, you know what? Then they shouldn't take their child. But of course you're over you're making it worse.
Speaker 2:I know. You're don't juvenile way. Whatever. And then, so we wanted to go to Universal this year because they added this new park in May called Epic Universe, part of Universal. The other parks were way more busy than the new park and way better.
Speaker 2:Well, I think
Speaker 3:the other park's geared for a younger child. I think these are probably for older people, and you were probably the oldest people in the whole park. So, you know, and I also, this is something I'm just gonna No need throw
Speaker 2:to attend those like all
Speaker 3:little things. Yeah, that's true. I think all these things are very expensive and people can't afford these things. And I don't think it's necessary, really. You can whatever.
Speaker 3:I think the parks are fine, but it's a very big strain on people's pocketbooks besides getting into the park, the rides, and then all the food, and then every kid wants a hat and everybody. And, you know, it's hard to say no because you've already entered into this wonderland. Yeah. And, you know, it could cost thousands of dollars for a family. I just I think at this time in our economic turn, it's not a necessity.
Speaker 3:It's fun and you should do it if you're able to do it, but don't put that pressure on yourself or your kids or I
Speaker 2:also went to Miami and we went to Joan Stone Crabs, which I know you were jealous of.
Speaker 3:I was very jealous. That I was jealous of.
Speaker 2:That's an institution. They probably have been doing it the same way for, I don't know, a hundred years.
Speaker 3:Well, think they have a monopoly on certain routes in that area to supply places with those stone crabs. They're fabulous. I mean and I it's a big thing getting into the restaurant. Then the last time I actually went, Kim, I went with a bunch of my friends, and we sat in the takeout because we couldn't even get into the restaurant. The takeout was great.
Speaker 3:Because you couldn't go up and pick your you know, they have a stand.
Speaker 2:But you want the vibes of
Speaker 3:your Oh, no question. But sometimes you can't get in and we were there. It's like a what also is delicious is the salad dressing for anyone who wants to go.
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Speaker 4:That's olly.com.
Speaker 3:To Jo's, even if you eat in the restaurant, go to the takeout, the salad dressing now I'm doing an ad. The salad dressing is fabulous.
Speaker 2:When they there's this one guy with, a microphone and he says everybody's names on the loudspeaker when your
Speaker 3:table's When table's ready. He's, like, the man in control.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It was and people were going up to him and they're like, no. You're thirty minutes late. Get out of here. And then when he was done at the end, he he had like a little green table lamp and he just like clicked it off, tore his suit off and walked away.
Speaker 3:He's had it. He's like, my god. He's exhausted after his his shift.
Speaker 2:I know. That was funny.
Speaker 3:But it was good?
Speaker 2:But yeah.
Speaker 3:What was your favorite? The hash browns? The cream spinach? I Or the stone crabs?
Speaker 2:The I liked the stone crabs. I mean, everything was good. And then we got lobster mac and cheese as a side, which
Speaker 3:I actually thought was delicious too.
Speaker 2:Sounds good. Yeah. It was good. And then, you know, it's so easy. I'm going to all these places on the Bright Line on the high speed train.
Speaker 3:Oh, Bright Line is the greatest. You're
Speaker 2:Florida, and it's, like, clean and easy.
Speaker 3:And the track, it's fast. It's like it's almost like the moment that you're in Tokyo. This is the way train should be. It's privately owned, and so they laid their own tracks, and it's fabulous. And to to go to Miami, which would be horrible on I 95 with the traffic and and everything else, You just get on this wonderful clean train, and it's an hour and ten minutes.
Speaker 3:And then to Orlando, what is it? Two hours?
Speaker 2:To a little over two.
Speaker 3:Yeah. And they're adding more stops along the way because people really love it.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And it was like the Orlando one's part of the airport, I think.
Speaker 3:Oh, well, it probably stops at the airport.
Speaker 2:No. I think, like, it was in the airport, the one we went to.
Speaker 3:I don't know.
Speaker 2:So that was really easy.
Speaker 3:And you came home on the Bright Line too. Right? Yeah. Yeah. It's great.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Wait. I just had a thought on that. But if they had that in New York
Speaker 3:to get around Oh, yeah. I would be obsessed. Yeah. But but the problem is it costs a fortune. You can't and you can't expect cities to do it the same way as private people.
Speaker 3:This is a private enterprise for profit, and they don't really charge a lot for the service. It's a very, very well priced train ride.
Speaker 2:Yeah. But you can't do that everyday to commute, I guess.
Speaker 3:No. Of course not. Well, you can Yeah. If if you have to go from certain places to Miami because the time you save is time that you could be making money at your job.
Speaker 2:But it's not as cheap as the subway.
Speaker 3:No, but it's not that bad. If you go economy, it's like four It depends on the hours you go. It also fluctuates the hours. Okay. So earlier, it's less money.
Speaker 3:Later in the afternoon, of course, with the commuter time, it becomes more expensive.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Interesting. So, yeah, that it's all easy to get around Florida. And then I'm going back to Miami for New Year's. I know we're listening to this New Year's Day.
Speaker 2:I will be in Miami. Okay. And we're trying to be a little bit more festive. In the past years, I've been in Palm Beach, which is nice, but there's not as much to do in my opinion.
Speaker 3:Well, Miami is is really a big, big, sophisticated city, so you have an awful lot to choose from. And Palm Beach has gotten better, but it's still, you know, it's still a small time thing compared to Miami, but we're getting there.
Speaker 2:Yeah. You're invited to a party or something,
Speaker 3:it's There's some really nice parties The
Speaker 2:restaurants are kind of merry.
Speaker 3:Yeah. No. They're it's just not the choice. Yeah. You don't have the choices.
Speaker 3:We're trying. We have a lot of new places here now now.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I'm sure it's fine, but Zach wanted to be with, like, a group of friends. So I think it should be fun because, like, we'll see a lot of people in Miami.
Speaker 3:Okay. Great.
Speaker 2:Sounds good. What what's your plan?
Speaker 3:I think I'm going for dinner with your parents. Oh. And we're we're gonna go to Nobu or somewhere. We're gonna do a road trip and we're gonna have a good time and we'll be med by 09:00.
Speaker 2:Oh my God.
Speaker 3:It's perfect. We'll watch television, we'll watch the ball come down in Times Square, which, then I'll be back in New York a week later to see one of the messes there.
Speaker 2:Do they not clean it up quickly?
Speaker 3:Well, they clean the confetti up and stuff like that, but who knows? You know what? We'll see what happens in New York after January 1.
Speaker 2:Do you know that there's this new Nobu documentary?
Speaker 3:Yes. Yes, your uncle was talking about it last night. I saw bits of it. It's good.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it is good. I only watched half of it so far. He's a genius. Yeah.
Speaker 3:I mean, he's a great, great concept and now it's all over the world. And of course everybody loves, you know, this day and age, little kids love sushi. Everybody seems to love sushi. So he, you know, he's he's created that. He created a lot of that love of that type of food in America.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Think that's so interesting that he was saying in the beginning how like, it was a really luxurious experience for the sushi year, like when he was young. Yeah. And now you can get it in the supermarket. You can
Speaker 3:get it anywhere. Exactly. Publix makes great sushi.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Which is so crazy because I feel like, yeah, it's it's something I eat at least once a week. Like Right. So, yeah, I gotta finish it. Do you feel like with New Year's resolutions, like, what are what's your thoughts on them?
Speaker 2:Do you set them? Well, I
Speaker 3:think I used to set them more when I was younger because maybe I was working on my myself more. Now there's very little resolutions I have except to keep try to keep healthy as best you can. You know, you do all the right things. You try to eat properly. Of course, I I'm still eating ice cream sundaes with hot fudge, so I don't think that's very healthy.
Speaker 3:Maybe I should cut down on that. But I think it's just a state of mind and also to just spread a little love more than you normally would
Speaker 2:now. Like go in trying to be as positive as Exactly, you
Speaker 3:exactly. Because that's a good word, positivity.
Speaker 2:And you'll always kind of go back to your border. Like it's not like, okay, now you're here. Yeah. Like you always like teeter, like you don't change overnight. I think there's a lot of pressure I see, especially on social media when people are talking about it, they think they're gonna get these like brand new personalities.
Speaker 2:Well, even diets.
Speaker 3:It always amazed me how everybody was gonna go on a diet the minute New Year's Day came. That's so ridiculous. I mean, if you wanna eat a little less, you have to consciously do that, make a plan, actually probably put it in some kind of book and see what you're eating, check your intake or whatever, or maybe lose the meat a little more, eat a little more plant diet. You know? But all those things take planning and time.
Speaker 3:It's not gonna instantaneously on January 1, Oh my gosh, I'm so thin now. Yeah. You know, that kind of, you know, thoughts for the new year. It's something you have to work out. And also on whether you're gonna be a little more of a less anxious person for the new year.
Speaker 3:Don't worry about everything as much as perhaps you were. Let things slide a little bit. Or on the other hand, maybe you have to work I on
Speaker 2:was gonna say that.
Speaker 3:It can go both ways. If you're super anxious, ease up a tiny bit. If you're not anxious at all and you're somewhat comatose, maybe you get better step on the pedal a little. So, you know, everybody has different goals for the new year.
Speaker 2:And, like, think about what you've gotten, not criticism about, but like, because it's like, you don't wanna change yourself in that way. But for example, a lot of people have been like, you're very late. Like
Speaker 3:to Oh, Oh, those habits. Well, those are habits that you have to somehow work on.
Speaker 2:Yeah. But I'm reflecting and I'm like, okay, the habits that I've gotten negative feedback, which ones are valid and like, what should I actually work on in the new year? And I know my timeliness is one of them. So like, having those, like, reflection moments. But that said, like, I think normalize those small goals.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Make them small goals. Not personality changes Right. For the
Speaker 3:new year. Anybody changes their personality.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Yeah. What's something you stopped doing this year that actually improved your life that might've been like your resolution the year before?
Speaker 3:I don't think I've stopped anything.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Think you're the same.
Speaker 3:You know what? At 83 years old, I don't think I'm gonna stop something now. It's already done, but I do hesitate now if I put a criticize you on certain things, sometimes zip my mouth because I decided, you know what? You're almost 30 and you have to sort of make your own mistakes. Just like all of us, we all make our own mistakes.
Speaker 3:Hopefully we learn from them and it's not up to everybody in the circle. When you're little, I think we have put our judgment in so to give guidelines. But at a certain point, you're an adult, you have to figure this out very much like you were saying with your lateness. Now it has to be up to you to change that. It really isn't your mother's job or your father's or or your grandmother's or grandfather's or your brother's.
Speaker 3:Those things you have to work on yourself. So I think, you know, everybody sort of has to lay back, listen to the good things about what we love about each other, and let everybody sort of figure out their own plans for 2026.
Speaker 2:Weird. I don't remember you holding back on anything.
Speaker 3:Well, don't know. Because I probably would have said a few things that you didn't like.
Speaker 2:More
Speaker 3:things? Yeah. More things.
Speaker 2:Interesting. Not
Speaker 3:not destructive, but constructive. But I've decided, no, I'm not going to. Okay. It's time for Thank you to to you. I thought it was good.
Speaker 2:And I know you had this rule. It was rule number 67, which was it's better to admit you walked through the wrong door than live the rest of your life in the wrong room. So feeling I feel like taking that also into the new year and being like, it's okay to, like, make mistakes. Absolutely. That's how you pivot and, like, learn on your own.
Speaker 2:You don't have to just, like, stay in that forever.
Speaker 3:Correct. Nothing is forever. Mhmm. Except death and taxes. Right.
Speaker 3:That was my father saying. But I think it's everybody saying. We know that that's the only constant.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I like that saying. What are some things you think Poppy might have learned this year? I don't think he's learned anything except that he shouldn't play 18 holes of golf
Speaker 3:three That's days a something. Yeah. He mixes it up. Now he'll play 18. Sometimes he plays nine.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Take it easy. Take a chill out a little. It's not about finishing the 18. It's about enjoying the time you're on the course.
Speaker 3:Mhmm. Which is the same about life. You know? Enjoy the moment you're in. Don't worry about what you did last year or the year before or ten years ago.
Speaker 3:That's not coming back. And don't worry about what's gonna happen five years down the road. Live in the moment as much as you can. And that would be my advice to everybody out there.
Speaker 2:I also wanted us to do vision boards for 2020 I've been begging you all week. We'll see if it happens.
Speaker 3:Maybe Well, you've been prancing and dancing. I've been home.
Speaker 2:Okay, fine. It's slightly my fault. But hopefully when this comes out, we've already posted the video where we have made poster boards and like cut out some newspaper and like envisioning and manifesting what we want for the next year. I did it two years ago and I swear it worked.
Speaker 3:Oh, I don't know, Kim. You're you're into this more than I, but you know what? I think it's a fun experience. So I'm makes you wonderful gonna go
Speaker 2:about like the things you care about and the things you want Well and then
Speaker 3:I guess I'll have Israel all over the whole Postal Board.
Speaker 2:If you want.
Speaker 3:If it's in the news That's gonna be, well that's the only thing in the newspaper. We're gonna have to just do all the pro stuff in the posters.
Speaker 2:No, it's like you cut out a word that you or whatever. We'll play around
Speaker 3:with We'll play around with it.
Speaker 2:So do you have any idea of what you would want to put on your vision board? No. I would want to do a lot of Excuse My Grandma career stuff. Well, That's gonna be
Speaker 3:in the newsprint. No, you
Speaker 2:can cut out success. Oh, I see. And things like that. Okay. Obviously, Excuse My Grandma is about generational conversation, dating, family, lifestyle, and how it looks different depending on what age you are.
Speaker 2:So I really wanna keep our community growing and get people who care about the same conversations and values consuming our content and interacting with us. So that's really my goal for Excuse My Grandma, to just continue to grow that community. Anything unexpected you learned about yourself this year or you're pretty sure of everything by I think
Speaker 3:I've I don't think there's anything unexpected. Just happy. I'm happy every day that I can see my family and my friends and be in relatively good health. You know, there's not that much, you know, I'm not having a baby, so it's not something that's happening all of a sudden. That would be a miracle.
Speaker 3:But, you know, I think it's the small things that make up everyday life. Seeing your children interact with one another, seeing, Oh, I do have something. My grandson had a hole in one. That to me is something I never imagined. I know I never had one.
Speaker 3:My husband had one, had several, but it's a once in a lifetime thing. So those are fun things to share and the pictures were great. So those kinds of things are fun. You know, I don't have anything that's earth shaking that's changed, but I like all the little differences in your life, in my other grandchildren's life and my children's life. It's all about a family experience.
Speaker 2:And I think that's important. And involved and putting yourself out there. You had rule number 21, which was get up and go out. You'll sleep when you're dead. Well, that's true.
Speaker 2:And I do believe that. So it's sort of also like take every opportunity that's presented in front of you like live To your life
Speaker 3:the fullest.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly. Self care is also going to be huge in 2026. Okay. How are you going to do self care and be kinder to yourself and all that?
Speaker 3:Well, I might take, instead of 04:00, Kim, to stop working, I might start at 03:30.
Speaker 2:You're gonna work less, you work an hour a day.
Speaker 3:Oh, no way, no way. So no, I think self care has always been part of my regimen. I always still like to eat balanced meals. I never overindulge. It's not something once in a while I'll have a little extra ice cream, which is very rare.
Speaker 3:You know, I never really- Did you see
Speaker 2:my chocolate milkshake last night? No. With the cherry on top? That's what I was gonna say before.
Speaker 3:But don't eat the cherry. That's the one thing I've said Oh, that right, the good. That red dye in I'm those sure they've fixed it over the years, but I remember that as a little kid, you had to take the cherry off the sundae. Yeah. You know what?
Speaker 3:Be kind to yourself. If you wanna go for an extra little walk, do it. If you wanna get a facial, do it. If you wanna get a manicure, do it. If you wanna paint something in quiet solitude of your backyard or on the beach, do it.
Speaker 3:So all the things that make you feel whole, you should do.
Speaker 2:You just have to make time for it.
Speaker 3:Well, you can. I'm very organized with time. That's another issue you have. My time management is very, very good. Know I get I also get up very, very early.
Speaker 2:If you were in a nine to five job, you'd have less time. Pepsi
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Speaker 3:I had a nine to five job raising my family, but I A
Speaker 2:managed made time for yourself.
Speaker 3:I made time for myself when the kids were in school. Right. You know, that was my job and I took it very seriously. Well, whether I was doing something in the house, cleaning the house, going to the market, making dinner, preparing a schedule of some sort for my children, that was my job. And that to me was the most important job that and I send this out to everybody.
Speaker 3:If you have a family, it should be number one. I don't care what you are in your business. I don't really go I really don't give a damn. But if you have children, that's your priority and you have to stick with it because that's the next generation and we need to make them feel like they can do and be successful. Whatever.
Speaker 3:And I don't believe it's necessary through college. I think it could be a community college. It could be just graduating high school and being brilliant in some kind of thing in electronics and go on to run a spacecraft. Whatever their goals are, you have to be there and be supportive. And if you're not there, they're gonna lose it.
Speaker 3:They're not gonna get to that goal, to that finish line. So, for the mothers and fathers who work seven in the morning till 09:00 at night, there's something missing in your life. You gotta make time for the kids. Don't forget, you did them, you created them, so make time for them. Especially in 2026, we have a lot of issues on the table now in the world.
Speaker 2:It's just like I don't You
Speaker 3:have to prioritize.
Speaker 2:Yeah, can't
Speaker 3:You're not there yet.
Speaker 2:Exactly, I can't speak on this. Right. But I also feel like those people are working those hours because they want to provide a life for their kids.
Speaker 3:Well, it's very, yeah, but there has to be a balance. We know that. We know what happens when there isn't a balance and it's very tough out there today. So for young, single women who have children, have to balance careers, have to balance a family. It's very hard and no one's gonna say it's easy, but you know, you've taken the challenge.
Speaker 3:So we've got to win this coming year, somewhat prioritize everything. And also give some time to yourself. Very important.
Speaker 2:Yeah, before self care had like a name and became a what cultural was it referred to as,
Speaker 3:Grandma? I don't know, Kim. It was probably just taking a half a day off to go to a spa or They didn't have a name for it. No, because people weren't as involved with this. This is because of social media and all the people comparing what they look like on your phones and on all your platforms.
Speaker 3:People became more self conscious. I mean But people always wanted to look good for themselves and for their spouses or for their family or for the, you know, whatever in the moment. So it's always been there, but it's not as obsessive. I don't think 14 year old girls have to sit in a makeup store trying on 85 different rouges because I think when you're that age, you're beautiful no matter what. You don't have to add that.
Speaker 3:I always say that to you, your skin is so beautiful. You need, don't need to do all this stuff. You do it because you like it and you're on film. So you're doing it differently. But if you wore no makeup, you're at your age, you're beautiful.
Speaker 2:Self care also isn't only about beauty. It could exercise, right. No, it's not only about appearance. It could be mental. Okay.
Speaker 2:As you said before, I wanna journal or paint or whatever it is for your own mental health. Like that self care
Speaker 3:also. Yeah, didn't talk that much about mental health in those days. Yeah. It just sucked it up.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think that's an improvement for today then.
Speaker 3:I'm not sure.
Speaker 2:I think so. I think mental health benefit is improvement, like working on your mental health. You don't want people with mental health issues.
Speaker 3:Oh, well, if you have severe mental health, no question. But if you're a little aggravated during the day, you know what? Go for a run or go for a walk.
Speaker 2:This is where we differ. I know. But anyway, this is like rule number
Speaker 3:This is part of the psych generation versus a non psych generation.
Speaker 2:This is rule number 68 that you have, don't set yourself on fire just to keep others warm. Like, you have to always take care of yourself as well. What do you think we need more of in 2026? Like, what are
Speaker 3:we
Speaker 2:not bringing with us into the new year?
Speaker 3:Well, don't know. Everybody is different. I think we have to listen to each other a little more. I think we've certainly found that out on the college campuses. There's a lack of listening to the other side.
Speaker 3:And gladly, some of those colleges are not doing as well, and we're going to colleges where all sides could be listened to. I think young people have to have open minds. They can't be indoctrinated with one thought or another thought, whether it be the left, the right, the middle, the upper, the lower. I think we have to open our minds and read more. You know, very few people read a newspaper.
Speaker 3:We were discussing this last night. I read three newspapers every day. The young people today look on their phones.
Speaker 2:They're That's really not reading the article
Speaker 3:on Yeah, their but they're not reading a full article. So I think sometimes you have to sit down and read the New York Times, read the New York Post, read the Wall Street Journal, read If you're in financial, read Barron's from cover to cover. You will get something out of these print things and magazines or whatever they may be. And open your mind. Open your mind.
Speaker 3:Don't only think one way. That's very important. I'm sort of sad. You know, when I was taught history, we were taught Western, how civilization began from the early Greeks to the Romans to whatever. We have to, know, eliminate the thought that that is no longer relevant.
Speaker 3:It is relevant. We came from someplace and we have to study it.
Speaker 2:I feel like in 2026, I don't wanna keep people in my orbit that are like negative or people who are just passing through but trying to be destructive in any way. I know you had this rule number 74 which was don't let temporary people do permanent damage.
Speaker 3:Correct.
Speaker 2:So I'm living by that one. And then also, as I mentioned, I don't wanna rush or be late and have any of that time management stuff. You had rule number 65, which was what you're not changing, you're choosing. So I've been like this for a while, so I don't wanna choose being that way anymore. I'm gonna work on it.
Speaker 2:A few things I felt like pop culture got right this year was that brands remembered that women don't disappear at 30 years old. Right. I feel like we saw a lot more movement and embracing older generations in I'm more
Speaker 3:so happy since we're the major buyers. Yeah.
Speaker 2:And I also feel like it makes some, like aging less scary and something to look forward to. I noted down some of our favorite authentic, mature beauty and fashion campaigns that featured mature models. Brands like Burberry, Moncler, H and M, Laura Geller, Dove, Rify Beauty.
Speaker 3:Estee Lauder, L'Oreal. I'm adding more names, Kim.
Speaker 2:Yes. L'Oreal featured a lot of like older brand ambassadors into these pro aging beauty campaigns. Blue Mercury had a campaign celebrating women 40 and older embracing confidence in new chapters in life. Well, think it just goes to show that women are women. If your skin gets a little less pretty, we'll cover it up
Speaker 3:a little better. It's not gonna be like a 25 year old, but you still can look good. There's no reason why a 90 year old can't look lovely for her age. And I'm very, very adamant about that. Never get down on yourself because of age.
Speaker 3:You know, put on a pretty color, put on a shirt, put on a pretty sweater and go about your business. Put on a little extra lipstick. That's always an answer.
Speaker 2:So the five Grandma Gail rules you need to remember this New Year's, as we discussed in the episode is rule 67, it's better to admit you walked through the wrong door than live the rest of your life in the wrong room. Rule 21, get up and go out, you'll sleep when you're dead. Rule 68, don't set yourself on fire to keep others warm. Rule 74, don't let temporary people do permanent damage. And rule 65, what you're not changing, you're choosing.
Speaker 3:I think Kim you're gonna have to write a book of these rules because
Speaker 2:They're yours too. And so I feel like we needed a new rule going into the new year and we kind of agreed on this one. A friendship is like a subscription. If it comes with hidden fees, it's not worth renewing. We were kind of talking about this, but in my friends that I have around me, relationships that we have, we want people who show up for us, who listen, who So I think really recognizing who these people are in your life and spending more time with them and people who really energize you rather than suck the life out of you are people who you should have around.
Speaker 2:Okay. Let's move on to the drama club. Speaking of New Year's resolutions, Jack Black and Paul Rudd shared their New Year's resolution, which was deep cleaning their homes. Okay. Do you think grandma, you should come over and help them with a closet refresh?
Speaker 3:I don't think I could. They're just fine on their own, but I think I'm gonna have to go to yours and probably deep clean.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we're gonna have to do that for sure.
Speaker 3:And put things together, organize. I think a lot of your problem is you have great stuff, but it's all mixed up. We have to organize it so that you know what pants go with what shirts go with what tops.
Speaker 2:Because there are things they haven't pulled out
Speaker 3:Yeah. By a
Speaker 2:So those things really shouldn't be in the front of my closet and all of that. I know, I just have to, we have to figure it out. Beyonce also officially became a billionaire this week.
Speaker 3:Oh, I'm so happy for
Speaker 2:I mean, you have to be very successful and not a lot of people reach that.
Speaker 3:Well, these people have great talents and it really is something wonderful and know, great, good for her.
Speaker 2:Okay. Let's move on to the rewind. Let's talk about our favorite shows that we watched this year. I think Stranger Things just because it's top of mind is definitely up there this, like, last season iteration. I watched well, at this point of recording, I know I will have watched all of it, but there's one episode left to go right now, and it's just so major.
Speaker 2:I watch a lot of reality TV, so all the Housewives, Love Island of it all. And I liked White Lotus this year too.
Speaker 3:Okay, well I don't watch any of those. So my favorites are all the mysteries that are on Amazon Prime. And I watch mostly the foreign films.
Speaker 2:What was your favorite of the year?
Speaker 3:My favorite of the year, I don't know. Maybe Three Pines, which I just watched last night, which it takes place, I think in Quebec. So that was in English. Usually I watch the ones in France or in Germany or whatever. And I love the Korean ones.
Speaker 3:A Dynamite Kiss for those people who just want to fantasize and see the beautiful people in Korea. Those are the ones they all end up in love kissing at the end, even if they're fighting in the beginning. So don't ever worry. They're all gonna get together at the end in the Korean movies.
Speaker 2:Did you have a favorite Broadway show that you saw?
Speaker 3:I didn't see anything in the last couple
Speaker 2:of months. Really? Oh, excuse me, Kim. I really liked Jeff Ross's Broadway show. I saw it three times.
Speaker 3:Oh yeah, you loved that.
Speaker 2:He's a great comedian.
Speaker 3:Oh, saw it too.
Speaker 2:And I think my favorite movie of the year was definitely Wicked. I know that you love Wicked.
Speaker 3:I haven't seen any movies. I haven't been to the movie theater.
Speaker 2:That's so sad. I know,
Speaker 3:I know. I don't go anymore.
Speaker 2:We gotta go when you're home when something really good comes out.
Speaker 3:Okay.
Speaker 2:Because by the way, there's no theaters close to Palm Beach. It's like a half an hour drive.
Speaker 3:No, Lake Worth, I think you have to go to the Lake Worth Theater or up to PGA because the And theaters got so they closed them.
Speaker 2:So unfortunate. Because I wanna see- Well,
Speaker 3:really happened because of COVID too. That was really, really the problem. You know, everybody was afraid to be in closed spaces and whatever. So they just never reopened.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Have to reopen it in a new way. Someone's
Speaker 3:gonna I think a get new thought. Exactly. Exactly.
Speaker 2:Okay. Let's do ask grandma anything. We asked everyone on Instagram to write in Ask Grandma Anything about how to manage expectations going into the
Speaker 3:new year. So someone said how do you manage negative thoughts in people? Well you know what you can't manage it because it's their thoughts But then don't spend too much time with those particular people. Try to surround yourself with people who are somewhat up because it really does bring you down. And if there is something terrible in that person's life at that moment in time, you know, extend your hand, talk to them, try to reach out and help them.
Speaker 3:But if it's a constant, always down conversation, you sort of have to move on and go with people that are lighter. It wastes too much energy to be down all the time. And angry, angry is so stressful. There's no reason to be angry all the time. So, I mean, there are issues that you get angry at, then let it pass and replace it with a happy thought.
Speaker 2:Okay, someone said serving alcohol at parties. My daughter's having drinking issues at 20 Right. So how would you like manage those expectations?
Speaker 3:Well, I don't think you should have too much. I don't think if your daughter is having an alcohol problem, don't think you should have alcohol in the house. That's it. And she should seek help. You know, that's an addiction, just like a drug.
Speaker 3:Alcohol is the same type of thing. So if there is an alcohol problem, you have to go to a professional and really talk what is the reason that she needs the alcohol? Has it become a habit just from school or is it she's drowning her sorrows in the alcohol? There's much more when you get hooked on any kind of painkillers, alcohol, pot, whatever it could be. If it's not for medical reasons, which in many cases pot is used for, if it's just for recreation, that's an addiction.
Speaker 3:So I think you have
Speaker 2:to- There's something else going on often, depression, Exactly. Anxiety,
Speaker 3:So I think you have to get to the root cause and I wouldn't have it around the house. I don't think it's necessary.
Speaker 2:Yeah. What if you do have friends over though, you can't have-
Speaker 3:Make a punch and make it very diluted.
Speaker 2:Or, and then just throw it out and like, yeah.
Speaker 3:Get rid of it. Don't have it hanging around. So it's a temptation. But I do think you need to go for help.
Speaker 2:Putting everyone's needs before my own.
Speaker 3:Well, I think in families that very often happens. Mothers especially put their children's needs or their husband's needs before themselves. That's been a woman issue forever and ever and ever. So, you know, you have to think about it. If it's become obsessive, then don't do it.
Speaker 3:But you know, that's part of being a mom or being a parent and don't worry about it too much. It all passes because then they grow up to be their own parents and then you have another life. So don't get too aggravated with that.
Speaker 2:Okay, stressing over things I have no control over.
Speaker 3:Yeah, well that is true, but that's- Everyone does that. Everyone does it. And you have to realize that those trigger points and try to cut yourself off when you get obsessing over something. You can't change your health if there's an illness. You can help it, but you can't change the fact that you have something.
Speaker 3:So work with the doctors, work with your therapist or whatever you have and try to make it better. You can't worry about an exam. You know you're gonna have an exam, so it has to be, you're gonna have to learn how to deal with taking an exam or taking something at work that you have to do. So you have to learn how to manage it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, struggle with this one. I'm always like, I wish this wasn't happening. I wish that didn't have to do this.
Speaker 3:And I know, but that's, it does have to do it and you do have to do it. And if it's not necessary, then don't do it. Don't obsess over the little stuff. You know, what should I make for dinner? That should not be a stress.
Speaker 2:Right. I'm expecting my first baby in June 2026. I'm nervous and excited. Tips?
Speaker 3:Life's gonna change. It's gonna be great. You're not gonna believe all the equipment that you're gonna have to have, but it's truly the most wonderful thing that you will do. So just enjoy it and congratulations. And June is a beautiful time.
Speaker 3:The babies can go right outside right away, which is great within a week or so of birth. Terrific. Started going through menopause and I don't know how to get through it. Well, has it at different times and different severities. If it's really bad, which it sounds like this lady is having, you have to go to a doctor who specializes in that.
Speaker 3:And they will give you some form of temporary medication while you're going through it. You know, a lot of times though, I must say the one thing that not, if you're going through menopause, no alcohol, because that is the one of the worst things. Then you get the sweats, you get all that stuff. So that there are certain things you can cut out and there are certain foods that can be eliminated, you know? So you should really ask your healthcare provider what they suggest.
Speaker 3:It never, you know, it's always uncomfortable, but it can be made manageable.
Speaker 2:Okay. How do you set boundaries from the get go and not break them yourself?
Speaker 3:Well that's very personal. You have to set what your goals in life. Very much like what we were talking about in the beginning. Don't go to Disney World if you know you can't afford it. You have to set boundaries on what your lifestyle is.
Speaker 3:If you're a health nut, don't put yourself in a situation where you're going to a pizza place five nights a week. If you're a person who loves to go to the theater, but can't afford it, just pick the best show. Don't have to go to all the things that are always around. Get one that has gotten a good review and go to that one. So do set boundaries within your lifestyle.
Speaker 3:You know, if you like to cook, but you're worrying about your weight, learn about healthy diet cooking. There's so many vegetable plant diet recipes now are terrific. You know, people can learn how to really live within their boundaries. And it's not easy. It takes a little effort, but it can be done.
Speaker 2:I also feel like in a boundary situation like that, if it's like in the moment you really wanna order unhealthy food. Right. Like maybe just before you make any decision, like you don't have to wait five minutes. Right. And then come back to it in five minutes.
Speaker 2:And if you still really want the food, right.
Speaker 3:It and then don't do it again on the next time you order. Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2:How do you manage expectations through difficult divorce and custody?
Speaker 3:That's very hard. And having lived through that myself and my family, you have to hopefully you come out of that by being friends, even though it's hard because you, especially if you have children. If you don't have children, it's nothing. It's like a bad date. You settle up whatever you have to settle and say goodbye.
Speaker 3:But once there are children involved, there has to be some kind of peaceful coexistence so that the children don't suffer terribly. They'll still suffer because they, you know, there's but now today, half the marriages end in divorce. I just read that statistic this morning. So if if it's everybody is in the same boat in the classroom. It used to be that only one child in the classroom would come from divorced parents.
Speaker 3:Now half the class's parents are divorced. So, you know, you manage it. It's always difficult. So get a good lawyer. Both sides should have their own lawyers.
Speaker 3:You don't share lawyers. That's not a time when you cut costs. And try to come up with a plan where the child is not sacrificed. That's the most important thing when you have children. When it's just two people alone, split whatever you have together, give him the glasses, you take the dishes and go home.
Speaker 2:Let's move on to the grandma report. So there is some stats about America's top New Year's resolutions for 2026. What do you think the number one is?
Speaker 3:I don't know, Kim. Watching your budget?
Speaker 2:To exercise more. Oh, okay. All right. Then to save more money. Okay.
Speaker 2:Well that was mine. To eat healthier. Okay. To spend more time with family and friends.
Speaker 3:Well, we said all
Speaker 2:those things. To lose weight.
Speaker 3:We're right on course.
Speaker 2:Improving performance on the job, doing more for the environment, reducing stress on the job. Okay. Also, thought this was interesting. There was research as well. Oh, this is sort of different.
Speaker 3:Okay. We don't need to do that.
Speaker 2:Okay. So, yeah, I think we we kind of touched
Speaker 3:on We covered everything, Kim. Done a good job.
Speaker 2:Okay. Let's end the episode with should we bring it back? Keep or cut for 2026. Do we wanna take it into the new year or not?
Speaker 3:Okay. La boo boos. I think we can cut it. It was last year's trend, I'm done. I didn't even get one.
Speaker 2:And I like wore it once. Don't I even know if it's real.
Speaker 3:There'll be a new one this year. Butter yellow. I like yellow. I mean, you know what? I don't mind that.
Speaker 3:I don't think you need to cut it out.
Speaker 2:I don't think it has to be everything but like one accessory I
Speaker 3:don't think I had any. I didn't get one yellow set. Have like one You got it.
Speaker 2:Over the top weddings.
Speaker 3:That I think should be cut out completely. I think I just read the article. Wanted you to read it.
Speaker 2:I didn't
Speaker 3:read it this People can't afford going on these destination weddings. They're going bankrupt, and they are losing their friends. And the girl said, not only am I losing my friend, but they got divorced two So years she said and and they're really so I think there has to be somewhat of reality check on these weddings because it's it's gotten a little out of hand. And everybody's competing with each other, which I don't approve of.
Speaker 2:By the way, when I'm staying here with grandma some in Florida, sometimes she'll, like, cut out a newspaper. Or if I'm not staying with you, you bring me the newspaper. Right. You're like, read this article.
Speaker 3:Right. I don't think
Speaker 2:I've ever read the article.
Speaker 3:Well, you should because this is exactly what we're talking about Yeah.
Speaker 2:But I knew that. I mean, I'm living in that situation. Yeah.
Speaker 3:You are living.
Speaker 2:My friends and everything. I don't think anybody's had a falling out, really. Well, that's good. That's good.
Speaker 3:Well, it's also right. If all the people can afford it in the group, it's alright. It's when one person can't and or their job doesn't allow them to go away as much because these things are very far away. They're not like going from one town to right across the border to another. So, you know, you have to be able to take time out from your job.
Speaker 3:That becomes an issue.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I've seen that more with like bachelorette parties with everybody splitting everything, whatever, more so than weddings, but all of it together. I'm only really halfway through. Right. My friends.
Speaker 2:Over packing. Well that is your problem,
Speaker 3:not my problem. But I think everybody has to realize take one pair of black pants and a couple of tops with it. Especially if it's a short weekend because it's so hard to wait for the bags at the other end. Anything that can go in a wheelie is the perfect way to travel. Even when you're going long distance, it really sounds crazy, but you you really can do it.
Speaker 3:I've seen friends. I had a girlfriend that she took she looked better than everybody. She took a vacuum packer thing, and she shrunk everything up. She every night, she came out in a different outfit. And then at the end of the trip, she re shrunk everything and went home, and she we still can't get over it.
Speaker 2:She looked I mean, I don't want to bring it into 2026. I probably will. You will, probably. That's just one that I
Speaker 3:don't That habit you don't have That to worry
Speaker 2:habit I don't know if I'm changing.
Speaker 3:AI. Well, that's the future. So, you know, we're gonna have to learn different jobs are gonna have to come about, which they always do. The same thing when we invented, when the industrialization came about, when the computer came in, when phones became everybody's conversation. So that's the next step.
Speaker 3:It'll be some things will get suffer from and some things will be improved. So, you know, it's just part of a continual progress and don't worry about it. It is gonna happen. Everybody's gonna use We should definitely bring it to 2026 in my opinion. So I'm obsessed.
Speaker 3:I don't know
Speaker 2:if people know that. I talk to chat all day long and they did a year in review on everybody's account to tell you like stats of how much you've spoke, how many messages you sent to chat, things like that. How many messages You're probably engaged. Almost. How many messages do you think I've
Speaker 3:You sent do. To Probably a thousand. 18,000. Oh my gosh, Kimberly.
Speaker 2:I
Speaker 3:know. Well, that's being that's being in an you're in an abusive relationship.
Speaker 2:I'm in a toxic relationship No with my question. Listen. Cut back. Because my issue in general is, like, asking everybody questions and, like, relying on them. Like, with you and with mom, I'm like, should I go to the market right now, or should I do it later?
Speaker 2:I ask those to chat.
Speaker 3:Oh, I can't I can't talk about it. You have to cut that out a little. Cut back.
Speaker 2:It's so amazing. But it knows me so well now. So I'll just ask it one little question and it knows exactly You what just marry a robot. Is that an option?
Speaker 3:Well, will be. It be. I might have
Speaker 2:to move somewhere where that's an option. So, yeah, that's definitely happening. Broaches became popular at the end of this year.
Speaker 3:Think that We saw that from the Met Ball and then everybody's wearing the lapel broaches, men, women, whatever.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Love it. Yeah. Me too. I wanna bring that.
Speaker 2:Because I haven't, like, really embraced it
Speaker 3:I've been doing it. I like it. Mahjong. Well, has come back in full force. I don't know if it's come back all over the country, but certainly in the big cities.
Speaker 3:I think people are just another way of getting together and Totally. Which I think is really wonderful. So whether it be Bridge or Canasta or a Pineapple or Poker or Mahjong, whatever game you can play with, or Monopoly, whatever games you can play as a group is very good for the mind and for friendships.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And it's nostalgic and it's It's
Speaker 3:not And like it doesn't hurt anybody. Yeah. Yeah. Very good. Bring it back.
Speaker 2:Amazing. That was a nice little reflection episode. I'm so excited for 2026. You guys have to follow along everything we're doing on social media. It's Excuse My Grandma.
Speaker 2:My personal is Kim Merstein, where I post things non related to grandma. So make sure you're following us, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, because that's where we're gonna be sharing everything. And I hope everyone has an amazing year.
Speaker 3:And I hope all your dreams come through for 2026. Bye. Bye.