We also laughed at the memories of three young kids in the car – all in car seats – and the creative ways we used to entertain them. This is twelve years ago, and not everyone had all the electronic gadgets. Instead we played “I Spy”, or who could find a license plate of an out-of-state car, and the name game. Those times were so special and the car time was a family time together.

Now it was not all perfect harmony, of course – there were the moments of meltdowns, and arguments over what music to have on, but it was all part of the vacation experience. The new Family Road Trip Box of Questions provides that experience for any family today. We are going to do a road trip with our kids to a national park, and I am going to ban the electronics from the car. That way the drive is part of the family experience and it can be a lot of fun!

Hope you all have great summer vacations. Please share any stories you have about your family car trips and ways you make it fun. Have fun this summer with your family and friends!

Cece Feiler

We have started to host each other’s birthday lunches at our houses vs. going to a restaurant. My husband and I have been invited over for dinner at people’s houses vs. going out somewhere. I have actually noticed as a result we are having more conversations with each other and connecting.

It makes me realize how great conversations are the best entertainment, the most fun, and bring us all the most meaning. So out of these difficult times we are all learning what matters: relationships. I have found when I bring any of our box of questions as a hostess gift, people are really excited to play the game. I guess we all are looking for new creative ways to make our dinners or parties fun, and we all like to have conversations.

So in these challenging economic times let’s still have fun. One way is to bring the gift of conversation to your next party. I recently was at a store in Los Angeles, Kitson, and overheard two teenage girls talking. One said her mother brought the Sex Box of Questions home as a way to start a conversation with her about sex. I thought that was a new use of the box and the girl was telling her friend they only did two cards but wound up talking about sex for over an hour.

There are so many different ways we can use these boxes for important conversations. Please share any stories you have.

Cece Feiler

Well, in thinking about blending all these groups. I realized the new Bridal Shower Box of Questions would be great.  Thinking back to my own showers 20 years ago, we could have used this kind of conversation starter at each table to bring everyone together in a fun, engaging way.  I called my niece and she loved the idea!  In fact, she knew about the other boxes and was going to suggest we use one of them; she was very excited that we had one for bridal showers.  It felt pretty cool that my twenty seven year old graphic designer niece wanted to use the box!!!

When I think back to my bridal showers and baby showers,  there were always a mixture of people who knew each other, new friends, older relatives.  We struggled with the seating wondering how could we make this fun?  I know The Box of Questions would of been great.  Also, how wonderful for all your guests to get to know other people at such a special event, or discover new things about people they already know.   We all love games and finding a way to connect with each other at these special life events.  For all of you like me who are moving into the bridal shower or baby shower rounds again try this out .  We can share our stories of the beauty of good conversations and fun in this new stage in our lives.  I’ll let you know how it goes with my niece’s shower not happening for a few months but I have to start planning now!

Cece Feiler

I think when I originally developed the boxes with Heidi,  I did for me to have a way of communicate with my children more effectively.  Funny, I am a therapist, I help others communicate, but it is still hard to say those one liners.   Perhaps I didn’t know when the moment was right (as if there is a right moment); with 3 kids I always felt tired so the emotional energy was gone to say it those things to my husband or friends.  Or maybe I can blame my parents because we did not communicate in our family. It is so easy to have the list of reasons and wait for the holiday to make us buy the card, make the card, or stop for a moment and say those important words.

I challenge myself, and all of you to every day, to stop and acknowledge one person in your life. And to those of you who do have families, once a week have dinner together and talk about something meaningful.  The other night at dinner, I found out my fifteen year old is going to get an award at school for a piece of her art, and all of us, especially her older sister and younger brother got to share how proud they were of her, and it led into a discussion on art.  My daughter had such joy on her face that her siblings were that proud and interested.  How great for all of them.   I realized in that moment this one sentence from her brother and sister ment so much.  Please share any stories you have of sharing with a person today, tomorrow  or dinner conversations you have had.  We are all in this together and we can all make the changes with each others support.

Please have a great day today and maybe someone will say one line to you today that matters.
Cece Feiler

We women are lucky because the kind of friendships we cultivate with other women are special.  If we are blessed to have great girlfriends are lives are happier, more successful and are mental well being better.  I know women who have a hard time developing friendships with other women and I know women who always have those great girlfriends they rely on.  Those of us who have great girlfriends know they survive boyfriends,  traumas with our families, marriages, children and divorce.  Our girlfriends will come over at 2:00am, stay on the phone with us to all hours, not judge us as parents or wives, will cry with us and make us laugh for hours.  I know my marriage, my parenting and my sanity would not have survived without my girlfriends.  So have your friends over for lunch, go out to lunch or happy hour and have those conversations with your girlfriends that nurture your soul.  Let us know your stories of friendship and we all say thank-you together to our girlfriends.

Sincerely,

Cece Feiler