Julie McNulty
Julie and her husband, Mike, were both born and raised in Southern New Jersey, but recently relocated to Vermont. Though new to the Green Mountain State, it already feels like home and they love the swimming, hiking, and skiing. Julie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Theology. She spent the past ten years working with kids and teens but, these days, she's a part-time work from home/full-time homeschooling mom to her crazy boys, Luke- 7 and Liam- 6. Julie enjoys reading big books, writing witty blog posts, cooking new recipes, indulging in celebrity gossip, watching trashy reality TV, and doing anything outdoors with her kids and husband. You can follow her adventures on Instagram, @ur_basic_mom instead, and you can check out her content strategy and marketing business, Writes Well with Others.
Five Family Friendly Restaurants Near Rutland
I really like to eat good food. Cooking it, not so much. I would venture to guess that my family eats out more often than the average family (though we have really been making...
Winter Break in Central Vermont: Family Friendly Fun
Winter break is just around the corner for us Vermonters.
For Vermont transplants like my family, this is an unexpected week off in February that we are unaccustomed to. In excitement and anticipation, my family...
A Suprising Birthday Party Trend: Do I Have to Pay for Your Kid’s Party?
Earlier this week, a birthday party invitation came home in my youngest son’s backpack. I cringed because I hate social interactions and also because I knew the party was likely to be on a...
December 14, 2012: The Best Day of My Life?
On the morning of December 14, 2012, in Newtown, CT, an armed individual who will not be named because he deserves no fame or notoriety entered Sandy Hook Elementary School.
In one of the deadliest...
Our Holiday Gift Giving Philosophy and How We Simplify Shopping
Before we moved to Vermont, my husband and I had our holiday schedule streamlined. When we had kids, we decided that we would not run around and try to see everyone on both Christmas...
Unique Vermont Gifts: 2018 Holiday Season Edition
The holiday giving season is right around the corner… and it will be upon us before we know it.
Before moving to Vermont, each year my husband and I looked forward to giving our loved...
My Family’s Fall Family Movie Night Favorites
I hate fall. I am apparently the only basic mom out there that despises the cooler air, changing leaves, chunky sweaters, and pumpkin spice anything. But, I’ll tell ya what. There is one thing...
When a Teen RomCom is neither Romantic nor Funny
For some reason, this week, I felt Netflix calling my name. I saw all of the memes and witty articles going around and I decided to watch, “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.”...
Would You Let Your Kids Hike the Long Trail Alone?
One day, this past summer, I was in my bedroom changing into my bathing suit. I heard my two boys, ages 4 and 5, arguing downstairs. One wanted to play on the swingset when...
Working Remotely in Vermont: How Julie got her Groove Back
In my adult life, I’ve always worked full time. If not more. Sometimes, I was also working part-time and volunteering, too. So much of my identity and sense of both value and worth were...
Retiring our Red Wagon: Fondest Farewell, Old Friend
The other night, as we were on our nightly family walk, trekking up the steep hill across the street from our house, something dawned on me.
I watched my 4.5 year-old and 5.5 year-old race...
The Vermont State Park You Probably Don’t Know About (But Definitely Should)
A little over a year ago, when we moved to Vermont, I happened upon an article in Seven Days. The article was about the newest Vermont State Park, Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park. It...
Alone: How I Conquered My Need to Avoid Feeling Grief
It’s easy for me to go about life and take the punches as they come. Something difficult happens, and I get over it and move on.
Avoid feeling, and never actually deal with the emotions.
One...
Silently Suffering a Miscarriage: When the Mom Life Doesn’t Stop for Grief
I had a rough week, last week. I don’t typically talk about my feelings (like, I did once and it was a BIG deal for my family and friends). But, I think I’m going...