Yearly Archives: 2015

Healthy Hearts for Valentine’s Day | Fitness Tracker Wristband

Queen Darlene - February 14, 2015 - Anniversary, Birthday, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is where most of us (women) expect something from the heart. Such as a dinner date, movies, flowers, chocolate, jewelry or a card from our sweetie.

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Healthy Hearts for Valentine’s Day

Randy and I enjoy surprising each other with gifts and sometimes we decide together on a gift for Valentine’s Day.

I told my husband I wanted to give him a fitness tracker wristband for Valentine’s Day but did not know which kind. I asked him to go online, and together we researched fitness trackers.

I knew once he started looking it would perk his interest. He loves gadgets! Do I know him or what?

As we were researching, Randy asked if I wanted one. “Yes, I want us both to be healthier,” I told him. We eat healthy and stay active but we no longer set aside time to exercise on a regular basis, and this would be a great way for us to get fit.

A Romantic Bed & Breakfast Getaway

Queen Darlene - February 13, 2015 - Anniversary, Experiences, Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is all about love and romance. Looking for something that will say that in a big way? Well, I have a lovely and romantic gift idea. Instead of buying flowers and chocolates spend that money on a Bed & Breakfast getaway.

Step away from the fast pace of the every day world and spend time focused on one another. Renew, rekindle and have a romantic fall-in-love-again-experience with the one you adore.

You can explore everything from luxury Bed & Breakfasts to sprawling inns. B&Bs offer different amenities such as themed suites, king or queen size beds, balcony/deck, in-room fireplace, in-room Jacuzzi for two, flat screen TVs, fitness facilities, hot tub, couple massages and spa.

Some have hiking trails and horseback riding while others are nearby art museums and shopping. There are a few that have their own entertainment.

You can choose a Bed & Breakfast that offers group dining or that delivers a gourmet breakfast right to your door.

Upgrade His or Her Lifestyle | Thoughtful Gift Ideas

Princess Diana - February 11, 2015 - Anniversary, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Me, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day

You probably know someone who is hard to shop for. It can be frustrating finding this type of person the perfect gift because they seem to have everything.

Don’t worry. For those who are hard to shop for, buy them a nicer version of something they already have in order to upgrade his or her lifestyle!

By upgrading, you’ll be giving someone a higher level of quality, comfort, beauty, performance, protection, or utility.

These types of gifts really work well when someone doesn’t typically spend money on themselves or when someone isn’t aware of what they’re missing by not owning a better brand that provides additional benefits.

Queen Size Sleeping Bag for Two

Princess Diana - February 9, 2015 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Gifts for Him, Valentine's Day

Imagine cuddling under the stars… Sharing body warmth… Inside a sleeping bag for two!

Camping is definitely more fun, cozy and romantic when you’re sharing a queen size sleeping bag designed for couples.

If your special someone is not interested in camping, a two-person sleeping bag might be just the thing to make the idea of sleeping outdoors more attractive. If you think about it, being zipped up together will make camping feel more like sleeping in a regular bed and less like tent-sleeping.

If you and your loved one already enjoy camping, well… a two-person sleeping bag gives you the opportunity to do more at night besides (*cough) sleep.

Three Gifts Representing Your Relationship’s Past, Present & Future

Princess Diana - February 8, 2015 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day

We often say, “I Love You” but Valentine’s Day gives us the perfect opportunity to show “I Love You.”

Taking the time to come up with a thoughtful gift for your sweetheart can actually strengthen your relationship.

That’s what happened last year on Valentine’s Day, when my best friend, Leslie, received three gifts from her boyfriend that represented their past, present and future. Not only was it romantic, but it gave a deeper meaning to the holiday.

Here is how Leslie described the past, present and future gifts she received:

Love Letters for Valentine’s Day

Queen Darlene - February 5, 2015 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Valentine's Day

Listen up guys – Love letters for Valentine’s Day trump cards, candy and flowers! Especially, if you haven’t written one in a very long time.

I wrote a post for Valentine’s Day last year on this very subject. I heard from women about how thrilled they were to get their love letters. Some letters were mailed to the office like I suggested, and others were placed strategically on kitchen counters or on bathroom sinks.

I’m telling you this is a no-fail gift for Valentine’s Day!

Now, I have a confession to make… There’s a back story to that “Mail a Handwritten Love Letter” article.

Last year, I told my husband he needed to write me a love letter so I could use it in my post. Continue Reading

A Solution to a Problem | Always a Thoughtful Gift

Princess Diana - February 3, 2015 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Catch All, Christmas, Housewarming

One of the best ways to come up with a thoughtful gift is to find a solution to someone’s problem.

All you have to do is listen closely. Do they complain that something is difficult? Takes too long? Too expensive? Doesn’t work right?

All of these statements are clues to a problem, annoyance or hassle in their life. If you can come up with a solution, you’ve found yourself a thoughtful gift!

Let me give you a simple example.

Personalized M&M’s |Valentine’s Day

Queen Darlene - January 29, 2015 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day

Chocolates are a girl’s best friend. Some would say diamonds but oh… how chocolate satisfies that indescribable craving!

Randy surprised me last year for Valentine’s Day by giving me my favorite candy – M&M’s! And they were personalized. I had no idea he even knew you could purchase them that way. I’ve seen personalized M&M’s at baby showers and birthdays and thought they were waaay cute!

My M&M’s had messages of Love Randy, Happy Valentine’s Day and the American Sign Language sign for I Love You (that one was my favorite!). The ASL “I love you” sign is a tradition used in my family by my grandparents, parents, brothers, sons and us. Continue Reading

The Promise of New Experiences

Princess Diana - January 27, 2015 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Valentine's Day

I received a most thoughtful gift from my husband for Christmas, but it’s perfect to use for Valentine’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries. In it, he promised new experiences for us to enjoy together throughout the whole year.

Spend quality time with someone you care about by giving them new experiences you can share together.

The romantic way he promised it brought tears to my eyes. This was no empty promise.

In a letter, my husband wrote to me:

I spent some time thinking about what to buy you, but I couldn’t come up with any ideas for a new gadget or item that would make your life better or increase your happiness. I also thought about our life together, and how much I love you and how much we love sharing in new adventures. I want every year to be our best year together, so here are a few things I’d like to either do or start doing next year for us.

Archer City, Texas | Road Trip to Yesterday

Queen Darlene - January 22, 2015 - Birthday, Experiences

For years, I’ve wanted a D-H-R weekend – Darlene, Harvey, Rodney. My wish came true on my birthday for my two brothers and me to spend time together.

My brothers and I stand on our front porch in 1961.

We took a road trip to Archer City, Texas where we grew up.

It had been exactly 50 years ago on my birthday that we moved away. I was 12, Harvey was eight and Rodney was six.

ROAD TRIP TO ARCHER CITY

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Click to enlarge

It was a 2 1/2 hour trip from Oklahoma City and the time spent in the car was priceless. I brought along over 100 pictures of us as children during the time we lived in Archer City.

As we looked at each picture, we reminisced about our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, the water tower, the fields we rode our bikes and the friends we played with everyday. Continue Reading