Lessons in Communication

I have the best husband. He is sweet and caring, handsome, kind, a great father and the love of my life. He is also the strong silent type. Me, I'm more the chatty-Kathy type. Here is a snippet from a conversation we had this weekend.

Me: Wow, I am so pleased with the way the flower bed turned out.
Him: Mmmm-hmmm.
Me: I love the boulders. It's weird how sometimes something you picture in your head works out so well.
Him: Mmmm.
Me: I am so happy with it! This was a good bit of work we did.
Him: Um-hmmm.

See what I mean? Not a lot of feedback there, and yet I know he likes it. So, I have thought up how the conversation could have gone to make it better.....

Me: Wow, I am so pleased with the way the flower bed turned out.
Him: It really is nice, isn't it.
Me: I love the boulders. It's weird how sometimes something you picture in your head works out so well.
Him: Those really add just the right touch.
Me: I am so happy with it! This was a good bit of work we did.
Him: We really did a good job.

Or, to put it over the top, home-run, outta the park.......

Me: Wow, I am so pleased with the way the flower bed turned out.
Him: It is fantastic. I am amazed at how perfect it is!
Me: I love the boulders. It's weird how sometimes something you picture in your head works out so well.
Him: Honey, you are a genius! You have a real knack for landscaping.
Me: I am so happy with it! This was a good bit of work we did.
Him: I am so lucky I married you. You are the best. Here, let me rub your back and make you dinner.

Hmmm, maybe I would do better if I stopped making him the butt of my redneck jokes.......