Monthly Archives: June 2017

Gift to Celebrate First Day at New Job

Princess Diana - June 27, 2017 - Congratulations

Starting a brand new job is an exciting time in someone’s life and a cause for celebration!

My husband was not only starting a new job, but he was also starting his first job in his new career. This was a big achievement and I wanted to mark the occasion with a gift.

Thoughtful New Job Gift

That first day of a new job is always a mix of excitement, anticipation, and nervousness. Kind of like the emotions we all had on our first day of school. I wanted my gift to prepare him to start his first day on the job and give him something to look forward to at the end of the day.

I bought a gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts just around the corner from our house and a bottle of his favorite liquor.

The morning he started his new job, I put the gifts on the kitchen counter along with this note for him to find.

Coffee to start your first day at your new job,
A drink at the end of the day to celebrate!

Hummingbird Feeder | Backyard Entertainment

Queen Darlene - June 22, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Experiences, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts

My husband and I really enjoy watching hummingbirds. These beautiful birds have become our favorite backyard entertainment.

Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds with iridescent feathers. They are fascinating to watch because they can hover, fly right, left, up, down, backwards and even upside down.

They flap their wings about 80 times per second which causes a humming sound. Continue Reading

Custom Birthday Plate | Fun Tradition

Princess Diana - June 20, 2017 - Birthday, Kids

We all want to feel special on our birthday. Sometimes it’s the little things that make us feel EXTRA special.

Like getting to use a personalized birthday plate while every else uses paper plates.

Kids will especially love this tradition. All year long, they will anticipate getting to eat a big slice of cake on their custom birthday plate.

Think of the fond childhood memories this fun tradition will create!

This perfect birthday gift can be used year after year to celebrate someone’s special day.

One-on-One Father/Son Time

Princess Diana - June 13, 2017 - Birthday, Experiences, Father's Day, Gifts for Him

Although my husband’s parents only live a few miles away, my husband doesn’t get much one-on-one time with his father.

They meet up for quick lunches here and there, but they haven’t spent more than an hour, just the two of them together, in quite a while.

I wanted to remedy that with a thoughtful Father’s Day gift – father/son time!

I thought my husband and his dad would enjoy the experience of going to a professional baseball game together. It’s a perfect outing that combines sports entertainment and plenty of time to chat, drink beer, eat peanuts, etc.

Summer Camp Care Package

Queen Darlene - June 8, 2017 - Food & Drinks, Gift Baskets, Kids

I loved going to summer camp as a kid so I wanted my children to have their own experiences of summer camp. One of the differences between theirs and mine, I sent my children a surprise care package.

Even though I was having lots of fun, I remember being homesick and I was sure my boys were too.

Especially if this is their first time, receiving a care package of their favorite treats and fun games while away at camp, reassures your children they are loved and you are thinking of them. Continue Reading

Genetic DNA Testing & Analysis Kit

Princess Diana - June 6, 2017 - Birthday, Christmas, Family, Father's Day, Gifts for Me, Mother's Day

Imagine collecting a wealth of information about yourself, your relatives, and your ancestors based on your DNA.

Do you have to give a blood sample? Nope. Needles not necessary.

With the commercial genetic DNA testing and analysis services available, all you need to do is provide a sample of your saliva. Mail it in, and in several weeks receive a detailed genetics report based on your unique DNA.

DNA testing is very helpful in genealogy and ethnicity research. It essentially allows you to find your genetic family! If you choose, you can connect with the people in 23andMe’s database who share your DNA with you and message them.

DNA Testing Kits

I purchased for my father-in-law, Greg, a 23andMe DNA Testing Kit for Father’s Day. 23andMe based its name on the 23 pairs of chromosomes found in a human cell. Another popular kit is AncestryDNA.

World’s Coolest Rain Gauge | Father’s Day Gift

Queen Darlene - June 2, 2017 - Birthday, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Teacher Gifts

Simply put, my husband enjoys his rain gauge.

Randy is not only curious about how much it rains, but he also finds it useful to know how much to water the yard and flower beds.

In a previous post for Father’s Day, we purchased Randy a new E-Z Jumbo Rain Gauge to replace his father’s old gauge that eventually became weather worn.

Well… after three years that rain gauge stem broke while inserting it into the ground.

Instead of replacing it with the same brand, I found the World’s Coolest Rain Gauge that features interesting science behind it!

Archimedes of Syracuse, a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer, discovered the principle of water displacement, and it is demonstrated in this unique copper rain gauge (aka pluviometer).