Stitching together a new quilt

[TimeHeals]

One more thought on "sticks in the mud":

It's kind of a put-down and not very inviting.

"You seem a little glum, why don't you join us? C'mon, it'll be fun." is inviting.

You're a stick in the mud is just a put down.

Turn that crap around with verbal jujitsu: "My, aren't you positively charming and full of compliments! It's enough to make a girld blush".