Author Archives: blogqueendiane

Antenna Balls: Finding Your Vehicle in a Crowded Parking Lot

Posted on September 3, 2014 by blogqueendiane

Have you ever walked frantically around a large parking lot looking for your car? If so, you’ve gotta love antenna balls! They come in all shapes, sizes and designs — from Mickey Mouse to happy faces. You just push them … Continue reading →

Posted in antenna balls, car, Goldie, thoughts tips and tales | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Highs and Lows of August

Posted on September 2, 2014 by blogqueendiane

Here’s a recap of the good, bad and weird things that happened during August: Good 1) Bought a new car – after 11 years! (You’ll hear more about that – the car’s very nice but the car-buying experience was unbelievable.) … Continue reading →

Posted in bad dates, car, dates from hell, friends, internet dating, life, online dating, thoughts tips and tales, thrift stores | 2 Comments

Doesn’t Everyone Name Their Car?

Posted on September 1, 2014 by blogqueendiane

I always name my cars; doesn’t everyone? After all, you spend a lot of time together. When I was a kid, my parents referred to the family cars by color. For example, they’d say, “We’re taking the “white car” today (versus … Continue reading →

Posted in car, Goldie, name my car | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

In a Rut

Posted on August 29, 2014 by blogqueendiane

I find myself doing the same things over and over and over — think it’s part habit, part laziness… For example, I’ve:

Posted in change, routine, rut, thoughts tips and tales | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Rant #2: An Open Letter to All Retail Employees and Managers

Posted on August 28, 2014 by blogqueendiane

When has the phrase “Have a good one” uttered mindlessly by a lackadaisical employee at the end of a retail transaction become the standard? What ever happened to thanking the customer for patronizing the establishment and spending money there? With … Continue reading →

Posted in customer service, rant, retail stores, thank you, thoughts tips and tales | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rant #1: Bad Customer Service Epidemic

Posted on August 27, 2014 by blogqueendiane

I’ve often been annoyed and amazed at the following situation (and similar instances at other retail establishments): You approach a fast-food restaurant drive-through (other than Chik-fil-A; their employees really are polite). The employee says, “Welcome to XX (their establishment)” or … Continue reading →

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Books I’ve Read and Enjoyed in 2014

Posted on August 25, 2014 by blogqueendiane

I absolutely love to read, and have also been taking a photo every day for more than four years to capture images of people, events and things in my life as part of the 365 Project. So it seemed a natural … Continue reading →

Posted in books, life, photo a day, project 365, thoughts tips and tales | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Good Year-Around Gift-Giving Advice

Posted on August 22, 2014 by blogqueendiane

  When I was in my early 20s and at my first real job, I wanted to buy a Christmas gift for my boss. She was a classy, conservative older woman.

Posted in advice, family, gift-giving, gifts, thoughts tips and tales | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Returning to Work after Vacation to an Empty Mailbox

Posted on August 21, 2014 by blogqueendiane

How would you like to return from vacation to an empty mailbox at work? It sometimes takes me an entire week after my return to go through all my accumulated email messages — and by about noon the first day back, … Continue reading →

Posted in email, employees, thoughts tips and tales, vacation, work | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Dumb Mistakes — Part 2

Posted on August 20, 2014 by blogqueendiane

My previous blog post — Unforgettable for All the Wrong Reasons — described some of my most glaring mistakes — away from work. However, upon further reflection, I realize I’ve made some blunders in the proximity of work, too. 1) … Continue reading →

Posted in dumb actions, mistakes, panhandler, thoughts tips and tales, traffic ticket | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments