I think taking any age child to a funeral is appropriate (with the exception of a baby or toddler, I suppose - I would still take them but make sure I could take them out of the room if they got loud or fussy). My ds went to the funeral home (visitation we called it) for my very close uncle when he was 18 months old. I didn’t take him to the funeral because I wanted to be present and not have to worry about a toddler. My kids went to my best friend’s funeral when they were 6 and 9. They both wanted to attend and I thought it was healthy for them to be given the opportunity to say goodbye to someone who had been such a huge part of our lives. My parents always took me to funerals when I was younger, but they didn’t make me go up to the casket if I didn’t want to (open casket funerals). These funerals were typically of older people who attended our church or even family members that I didn’t know well. I think this was good for me. While I do have some anxiety about death (my parents, in particular), I have never been fearful or felt weird with funerals. They are just a natural part of life. I would never force my child to go, but if it is convenient and I am going anyway, yes I would definitely take my child to this funeral.

I’d like to join! For me this week - Purchase some new Christmas decorations and finish decorating. We bought some new furniture last year and all of my old decorations just don’t work right. Finish Christmas shopping. Would love to get most of it done this week! Do my CE for work which has to be completed by December 31. Yes, I’ve had two years to get it done. Yes, I waited until the (almost) last minute, like I always do!!

Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana (the adult side is Zilara). It was honestly the most amazing experience. The service was like nothing I’d ever experienced and the resort was just beautiful. Our (18 and 15 yo) kids had a blast - it was just a fabulous vacation.

I turn 50 in two years (right before Christmas) and I would love to take a trip with my family to the Caribbean. Last Christmas, dh and I took our kids on our biggest family vacation to the Dominican Republic to stay at an all-inclusive resort. Dd was only 15, so we had to stay on the family side. When I turn 50, dd will be 18, so it would be so wonderful to go back and stay on the adult side! Not sure if we will be able to swing it financially (like everything, lives have gone up there), but it’s something I’d love to try to do.

My family always has Texas Sheet Cake. It has always been a staple for the kids (who are now parents themselves!). My mom also makes a platter of cutout butter cookies that we munch on all weekend. My kiddos have never liked pie, so a few years ago I made a tollhouse pie recipe (chocolate chip cookie pie) and now I make two every year for Thanksgiving.

I answered no, but I will admit that both of my kids (when they were much younger!) used to “drink” their applesauce with a straw. They thought it was hilarious!

My family (dh, ds18, dd15, and me) vacationed at the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana last Christmas. It was the most amazing vacation ever! All-inclusive, but not a party scene. Because Cap Cana is a gated community, there are no vendors on the beach. The food was very good and there were activities and shows that we all enjoyed. Best vacation ever!

This is probably what I need to focus on. While I feel pretty confident that dh is open to trying to improve our marriage, no matter what, the only person I can fix is me. Having unmet expectations (on my part) is probably half of our problem. Working on ME and MY communications skills is a great idea. I’m going to look into that book you recommended too. Thank you!!

Funny, but I’m actually traveling tomorrow for work (I’ll have about 6 hours in the car, but just gone for the day), so I plan to give these podcasts a try. Dh also loves podcasts, so maybe we can both try them. Thank you!!

Yes, it is! My situation is a bit different than what I imagine yours to be, though. Dh works in the oil and gas industry, so when he is traveling, he may be working 12 hour shifts. Sometimes he is working day shift, sometimes night shift. Sometimes the only time he is free to talk is when I’m working, so that is difficult. Boundaries don’t really work, as he is working a set schedule. We have been dealing with dh working out of town for a long time (since our kids were little - ages 7 and 4 when it started). It has been 12 years and I’m actually quite used to it! For many years, we were just trying to make it - with him out of town, me working, and two young kids. During those years I really don’t think we nurtured our marriage much. But, if I’m being honest, dh and i have always had communication problems, even when he was home and he worked more regular hours. While I think that dh working out of town has caused our marriage to be more difficult, it hasn’t been the cause of our issues Ds is 19 and living on his own in college. Dd is 16 and almost has her drivers license and is getting a part time job. I think it is just time that we figure out how and who “we” are as a married couple now. And working on communicating with each other in a more healthy way would likely be a great start. I am going to read (and re-read) through many of the ideas listed here. I plan to share them with dh too - he knows we need to fix this. I appreciate everyone’s help!!!

Thanks everyone! I’m going to look at the book that @marbel recommended. It looks like it has a workbook too. I feel like it would be nice to have something to work through with dh. I appreciate the suggestions from @fairfarmhand and @Junie Reading these suggestions is making me realize a huge problem that dh and I have - he works out of town a lot. He used to be out of town for 2 weeks, home for 2 weeks. This new job is not as scheduled. For instance, he was just gone for a month (!!) but will be home for 3 weeks. This type of work is nonnegotiable at this time. He is also going back to school to get a certification which may help him to be home more in the future. So we don’t have the benefit of taking a drive once a week or daily walks (which are great ideas!). We are sometimes limited to phone calls and we both dislike talking on the phone, so… Also the kids are getting older (19 and 16) and I am struggling with what to do with my career. I guess there is just a lot right now, and I feel like it would be so much easier to get through the complications of this stage in life if we could actually lean on one another. I want us to learn how to do that.

Thanks and good ideas!! Dh and I do use a budgeting app (YNAB) and it has significantly improved our communication on money. However, right now the issue is more with the stress of not as much coming in (job change due to layoff), so while YNAB is helping for sure, our stress is causing even more communication issues than normal.

Dh and have been married for almost 24 years. Like many, our marriage has had ups and downs, but we have always managed to persevere and make it through. We have always had communication issues (even back in our dating days, really). I am a talker - he is not. When we try to discuss an important topic we both get heated and say things we shouldn’t. Afterward, we calm down and apologize, both saying we will handle things better next time. But we don’t, because we don’t have the tools to do so. Have any of you done anything to improve communication in your marriage? I would love a book or program for dh and I to go through together. I know marriage counseling would be best, but we just can’t do that right now. Money is tight, which is part of the reason I am looking to improve our communication skills (money fights are the worst). Or if you just have any suggestions about how you improved communication in your own marriage, I would love to hear them. I am so frustrated that we have not improved and am tired of having the same arguments, over and over, simply because we stink at talking to each other.

So sad for him ☹️

Marvin Gaye

Snoop!

Brad Pitt for talent

It’s Kelly for me.

Most talented?? Although I was a bigger Michael Jackson fan back in the day, I’ll have to say Prince.

Yes, I’m sure he did. And Let’s Gooooo!!!! 💙💛

I’m also from WV (and graduated from WVU - Country Roads is a requirement there!). Funny thing is, the lyrics of the song really aren’t about WV. They focus more on western Virginia. Oh, and I heard that John Denver had never even visited the state of WV before writing Country Roads, which was always kind is sad to me. I just pretend like that’s not the case and belt the lyrics with my friends anytime the song is played (usually at a party or WVU football game).

Thanks! I’ll check it out.

I love John Denver and listened to him a lot in college (late 90s). Several have mentioned a documentary. Anyone have a specific one to recommend?

I just got back from seeing the movie with my 16 year old dd, my bff, and her dd (21). There were a lot of people in my theater for a Sunday afternoon and a lot of singing along. A group of probably 10 girls (I’d say ages 10-12) stood in the very front and danced/screamed to the songs through the whole movie. They barely obstructed the screen and the music was so loud that it didn’t bother me (they were having fun). The only time it was slightly annoying was during the quieter songs, because they literally screamed all the lyrics! But they added energy, which I enjoyed. My dd sang every single song. She loves TS (this was her second time seeing the movie this weekend). We saw the show live together in Cincinnati and it is one of my favorite mother/daughter memories with her.

Okay, thank you!! I was just kicking myself for forgetting about it. Dd is a new driver (learners permit) and I was more focused on her driving and less focused on my grocers, I guess.