Category "Retirement"

MoviePass | Watch One Movie in Theaters Every Day

Princess Diana - November 14, 2017 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Family, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Me, Graduation, Kids, Retirement, Valentine's Day

Some people love being able to watch movies on their home entertainment system, but others love the original movie watching experience–in an actual movie theater!

They want a cinematic experience that involves sitting in a dark theater watching a film on a three-story screen while listening to the audio come out of a massive speaker system. For them, it’s just not the same watching movies at home.

There is another reason some people love going to the movies.

They want to see a movie as soon as it comes out. They don’t want to wait months for it to become available on Redbox, on Netflix or on DVD.

Psst. I personally love the social aspect of watching horror movies inside a crowded theater–to feel dozens of strangers suck in their breath together in anticipation or to hear a blood curdling screen come from someone sitting in the row behind you.

Recreate the Pose of a Famous Photo

Queen Darlene - November 2, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Retirement

My boss, Dennis, loves the Beatles. And yes, he’s a baby boomer! His favorite album is Abbey Road with John, Paul, Ringo and George walking across a striped crosswalk on the cover.

The Beatles had many famous photo albums but this may be their fans’ most favorite.

For one of his retirement gifts, I recreated the famous Beatles photo with Dennis and his three Team Leaders who have worked with him for 20 years.

I scoped out the many streets in our city and found the white stripes in an intersection that would allow us to recreate the photo.

The Power of Words | Book Inscription

Queen Darlene - September 28, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Retirement, Thank You

The power of words give joy, move you to tears, show encouragement, inspire imagination, express love and admiration.

There are millions of books, letters, quotes and sayings in support of how powerful words can be.

Words of Appreciation

My boss of 20 years is retiring, and we had a retirement celebration of 100 current, retired and ex-employees in attendance.

Throughout the celebration, many employees were involved in giving gifts, performing funny skits, and sharing heartfelt words of his leadership and friendship.

After the accolades were bestowed upon him, Dennis expressed thankfulness and love for working with such an amazing dedicated staff.

Then he shared a story about a gift I had given him years ago…

The Power of Words

Vintage Golf Throw Blanket & More

Queen Darlene - August 31, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Retirement

When my friend Jeff invited me to his birthday/retirement party, I knew immediately what gift to give–anything golf related! He loves the game!

Other friends were giving him golf shirts and golf balls, but I was on a mission to find something a little different.

Cool Golf Gifts

If you Google golf accessories, endless items will pop up. I have saved you some time by putting together a curated list of some pretty unique and cool gift ideas.

My favorite is a Vintage Golf Tapestry Throw Blanket Made in the USA. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I favor Made in the USA products! Continue Reading

Cozy Fleece Photo Blanket

Princess Diana - August 15, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Family, Father's Day, Get Well, Going Away, Graduation, Housewarming, Kids, Mother's Day, Retirement, Teacher Gifts, Valentine's Day, Wedding

Years ago, my sister, Julia, and her family moved to the East coast away from her parents and siblings.

It’s tough living far apart from family, but especially hard when someone has young children. Finding child care is harder, and holidays can be a bit more lonely.

My sister though experienced tremendous luck! She found an older woman in her neighborhood who ran a small in-home day care. “Miss Pat” has cared for my sister’s three daughters for 14 years now, and they have a very special bond with her.

She loves those girls like her own granddaughters, and they love her like a grandmother.

“Miss Pat” and her husband “Mister Pete” have become family.

Custom Photo Blanket

For Miss Pat’s birthday this year, my sister gave her a custom fleece photo blanket with a beautiful collage of her three daughters and Miss Pat.

The photos printed really well and show how much the girls have grown up since Miss Pat has known them. So many cherished memories gathered all in one place!

Miss Pat can literally wrap the girls around her any time, day or night! Continue Reading

Easy to Read Oversized Watch

Queen Darlene - July 20, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Retirement

I haven’t worn a watch in years. One reason, I can check my cell phone for the time. The other reason, my age!

When I got older, I always required my reading glasses to see the time. The thought of purchasing an oversized watch just never crossed my mind.

Oversized Watch Face

My friend, Susan, gave me a beautiful rhinestone Betsey Johnson oversized watch for my birthday. She knows I love bling!

I cannot believe how much I enjoy wearing a watch again.

I love the HUGE NUMBERS because I can see them so clearly!

Plan A Surprise Party on a Holiday

Princess Diana - May 31, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Going Away, Graduation, Retirement

My husband, Kevin, graduated with this Master’s degree this year. To celebrate such a major accomplishment, I decided to throw him a surprise party.

I schemed with his parents who was hosting the graduation party in their home. After checking with each other, the only date in May that worked with both of our schedules was Mother’s Day. Oh no!

That was my initial reaction. But after thinking about it, I realized there is NO WAY he would see this surprise party coming.

A graduation party on Mother’s Day? Who would do that?!

Planning a surprise party on a holiday provides the perfect cover story.

The Perfect Cover Story

I simply told Kevin we needed to go to his parents’ house because for a Mother’s Day brunch. He easily believed it. I didn’t need to concoct some elaborate story to get him there.

Do you have people coming from out of town? They can say they’re coming into town for the holiday.

My Favorite Ergonomic Drinking Mug

Queen Darlene - May 4, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Me, Mother's Day, Retirement, Teacher Gifts, Thank You

OK… my favorite mug is not advertised as being ergonomic. I just gave it that name.

The word ergonomic means well designed, usable, user-friendly and comfortable. All the adjectives that describes my favorite mug!

Several years ago, while visiting friends we made when living in Albuquerque, we played tourist by visiting Old Town. We had fun walking around the Square checking out each gift shop.

In one store, we watched pottery being made directly in front of us by artists. It’s truly amazing how plain brownish clay turns into beautiful colorful pottery. I like to think of it as usable art!

Personalized Luggage Tag & Handle Cover

Princess Diana - May 2, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Going Away, Graduation, Retirement

Every time I hear of someone graduating school, I think how exciting it is they have their whole life ahead of them.

I’m also reminded of Dr. Seuss’s book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” Such as classic and accurate description of this journey we call life.

I have a family member, Sidney, who is graduating from high school. With her graduation gift, I wanted to encourage her to take the opportunity to travel and collect experiences while she is in college.

The college years are well suited for traveling since the school year has built in Spring Break, Summer Break, Fall Break and Christmas Break. Once you’re in the workforce, you only have one or two day holidays and limited vacation days to fit in all your travel plans. Boo.

When I think back to my college years, the highlights include spring break trips to Florida and South Padre and summer trips to China and Costa Rica. I’m so glad I experienced them all!

Personalized Luggage Tag & Luggage Handle Cover

For her graduation gift, I gave Sidney a personalized luggage tag and luggage handle cover for her future travels.

Lotto Ticket Get Well Card

Queen Darlene - April 20, 2017 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Get Well, Retirement

Need an easy peasy fun gift idea for someone who is ill or in the hospital? Choose a get well card and insert lotto tickets!

Nothing lifts someone’s mood better than dreaming about how to spend the money if you win!

Gift of Possibly Winning Big

My friend, Dick, had triple bypass heart surgery and I wanted to send a cheerful gift. I wrote in the card “possibility of a winning lotto ticket” because I won just a few weeks before his surgery.

I shared my experience in the card. I explained the whole episode of asking my husband to pull into a gas station as I wanted to check my ticket. My husband did his usual eye rolling thing because I have never won more than a few dollars. Continue Reading