Monthly Archives: June 2014

Papa Bear, Mama Bear & Baby Bear Folding Chairs

Queen Darlene - June 26, 2014 - Birthday, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Kids

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When Princess Diana’s son, Aiden, turned one year old, I set out on a mission to give him something that most boys his age would not normally receive for their birthday.

Of all places, I found it in a Hallmark store – a crimson University of Oklahoma toddler folding chair. (Princess Diana and her husband both went to OU.)

With the chair, I also gave Aiden an OU “Start ’em Young, Raise ’em Right” toddler t-shirt and a teddy bear. A large stuffed bear wearing an OU t-shirt and sitting in the OU chair is so stinkin’ cute!

Since Aiden’s parents already have their own folding chairs, Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear now can all sit in a chair that is juuuust right for them whether they’re tailgating, camping, RVing, fishing or just hanging out in their backyard.

OK, I have to tell you prior to writing this post, I researched the correct name for the folding bag chair. I found out there’s not just one name for it because there are so many variations! Continue Reading

House Cleaning Services Gift Certificate | Baby Shower Gift

Princess Diana - June 24, 2014 - Baby Shower

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Who deserves a vacation from house cleaning the most? New mothers.

house cleaning gift certificate with baby bath time gift set

Pair a housing cleaning gift certificate with baby bath products for a baby shower gift that will truly be appreciated!

They’re so busy taking care of a newborn baby who depends on them for E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G they don’t have time for anything else!

Here’s the reality though. While new moms get that cleaning is not their highest priority at the moment, they still stress about needing to clean. It seriously weighs on their mind.

Here’s what’s probably going through their heads:

The piles of laundry just keep getting bigger and bigger. Make it stop!

Is that food crust on the floor from the spaghetti we ate two weeks ago?

What are people going to think when they come over? I hope they understand this is not how we normally live.

Thanks honey for cleaning the house but why does it still look so dirty??

Unique Personalized Baby Shoes for Baby Shower

Queen Darlene - June 19, 2014 - Baby Shower

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When my oldest son Dustin was born 33 years ago, a friend gave me a pair of leather baby shoes with his name and date of birth printed in silver on the bottom of the shoes. I thought it was the best gift ever! So from that moment forward it has been my unique personalized baby gift to all of my friends and family.

When there is a baby shower, I print a photo of the shoes from the website to give the mother an idea of what the gift will look like. I also wrap cute baby socks to go with the mock-up photo.

A Going Away Present Anyone Will Love | Best Pizza in Town

Princess Diana - June 17, 2014 - $20 or Less, Experiences, Food & Drinks, Going Away

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When my friend Bose’ told me she was moving to Chicago to start her life anew, I felt sad for me but excited for her. I also felt proud of her for being so bold and courageous. Moving to a big city by yourself is no small thing.

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You have to find a new place to live, start a new job and make new friends.

With my going away present to Bose’, I wanted to help her make new friends while experiencing an important part of Chicago’s food culture – Chicago-style deep dish pizzas.

I bought her a gift card to Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, a restaurant many people claim makes the best pizza in Chicago, especially if you order The “Lou.”

I thought Bose’ could use the gift card to invite a new friend to lunch or dinner.

Gift for Him | Personalized Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls

Princess Diana - June 12, 2014 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Valentine's Day

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Personalize golf balls with someone’s last name, initials, or a special message.

When it comes to golfing, Titleist Pro V1 golf balls are the best brand out there.

I know this because my husband plays golf. But they do cost a pretty penny so my husband doesn’t buy them for himself even though he’s a better than average golfer.

(I’m pretty much the same way with massages and pedicures. I love getting them, but I don’t like paying for them.)

Kevin has a few Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls in his golf bag though because his friends have given him some of theirs or he happened to find some on the golf course. (He says it’s amazing how many really bad golfers play with expensive golf balls that they just end up losing.)

A box of a dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls costs about $50 bucks – which comes out to more than $4 per ball. That’s expensive if you’re just going to hit them into the woods!

Personalized Man Cave Photos for Father’s Day Gift

Queen Darlene - June 10, 2014 - Birthday, Father's Day, Gifts for Him

Men love their Man Cave – whether it’s in the garage, basement or a room in the house. When Mom passed away, my brother, Harvey, moved in to help care for our step-father Paul who has been deaf all his life and has macular degeneration.

To talk to Paul, who’s nearly 90, you have to sign real close to his face so he can see. Paul still cooks all of his meals but needs help with mowing the grass and driving to the bank, grocery store and the deaf club.

I’m so very grateful that my brother has taken on this task to help our step-father live his life as close to normal as possible. Paul is grateful too because otherwise he would be living in a nursing home without anyone knowing how to speak to him in sign language.

It has been somewhat challenging for two grown men to live together. They have their own ways! Know what I mean?

Their den sits right in the middle of the house, and you have to walk through it to get to the kitchen from the bedrooms. The den also contains the door to the backyard, which gets used constantly because of their little Chihuahua, Mickey.

Don’t kid yourself to think just because people are deaf that they are quiet. They are NOT. As a matter of fact, they are probably noisier because they cannot hear how loud they are! Well, Paul makes a lot of noise. My brother always has to turn up the volume on the TV to cover the banging and clanging in the kitchen and the slamming of the backdoor.

While Paul is happy to have someone in the home so he doesn’t feel so lonely, both men feel a loss of privacy. So to solve both problems of noise and privacy, my brother and I came up with a plan to convert the front room into Harvey’s Man Cave! Continue Reading

Beers From Around the World Gift Basket

Princess Diana - June 5, 2014 - Birthday, Christmas, Family, Father's Day, Food & Drinks, Gift Baskets, Gifts for Him, Housewarming

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I have to give credit where credit is due. This gift idea came from my husband Kevin. It’s an awesome gift that men will love!

Buy a selection of beers that are made in different countries from around the world. Stick them in a tub, basket or bucket, then use whole-in-shell peanuts as an edible filling.

If you buy a dozen beers, you can create a tag that says, “Around the World in 12 Beers” to go along with the gift.

Here are the beers from around the world (imported beers) that are commonly found:

Beers From Around the World Blooper Video

Princess Diana - June 4, 2014 - Catch All

We’re getting better but still making a lot of oopsies! The real video comes out tomorrow!

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“Mighty Fine” | Remembering Gramps’ Personal Saying

Queen Darlene - June 3, 2014 - Birthday, Father's Day, Gifts for Him

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My father-in-law, Gene Drew, was a very kind and quiet man who would sometimes surprise us with his humorous wit. I always thought my husband got his wit from his mother but he also got it from his dad. Randy even laughs like his dad. There’s no denying it. We are our parents!

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When Gene spoke, the message was plain, simple and always thought through. There was never misunderstanding what he said.

He was a WWII Veteran and like so many of his time, they did not talk about the war. Instead, they got busy workin’, raisin’ families and livin’!

Gene could fix anything. Cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers – you name it, he repaired it! He could make anything out of left over stuff. He made a work table on wheels once out of an old air conditioning unit. In his later years, he helped his grandchildren make science fair projects. He was amazing!

Gramps, as we all fondly called him, passed away in July of 2011 just shy of his 90th birthday. At his funeral, his youngest son Kyle gave the eulogy. He spoke about all of the wonderful things he instilled in his children not by doing so much talking but by his actions.

When he did talk, Gramps had a personal saying he always used for anything good – “Mighty Fine.” Kyle reminded us that when he learned to ride his bike or came home with news of getting on the baseball team, Gramps would always say that’s “Mighty Fine.”

When as a kid he asked, “Dad, what do you think about Jesus returning?” Gramps slowly took his pipe out of his mouth and said, “I think it would be mighty fine!”