Laundry...

"The only people whose laundry is truly done
are the naked and the dead." ~Emily Watts~

DING DING DING...

WINNER WINNER WINNER :)

I had so much fun
with this giveaway!
I l♥ve shopping for girl stuff :)
AND THE WINNERS ARE....


Girl Gift Package Full Of Surprises Category:
To pamper yourself with l♥ts of ♥ from me :)
Pink Award - 1st Place Winner
Emma
Pink Award - 2nd Place Winner
Susette
Pink Award - 3rd Place Winner
Jan
Congrats to all those that won! Please e-mail me at
tryingtostaycalm@gmail.com with your name and mailing
address and I will get prizes mailed out right away!

Happy Thanksgiving...

I smell yummy Pumpkin Pie!

Hope you have a blessed and beautiful day! I am thankful for all of you :)

Count Your Blessings...

We are having Thanksgiving at our house this year. As I have been preparing, I've been thinking about my many blessings and all that I am thankful for!

I am blessed to have such sweet family and friends that bring sunshine to my soul! May you all have a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving! Enjoy time with your family and friends! And don't forget to count your many blessings :)
♥ Hugs!

Sharing the L♥ve...

Thank you to all of you that have given
me an award you are so-ooo very sweet!

Now I am sharing the l♥ve back with ALL of you! Several
of you don't list your e-mail address so I thought the
best way to get these awards out was to post them! Please
take any or all of these that you want! They are awarded
to ALL of you! With lots of l♥ve from my blog to yours :)

Bee Thankful...

~What a perfect time of year for this~

Living in thanksgiving daily is a habit that will
enrich our lives and the lives of those we l♥ve...

It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.

It is impossible to feel grateful and depressed in the same moment.
~ Naomi Williams ~

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be
thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

I am thankful to all of you that follow this blog!
May the Lord bless you and your families during
this Thanksgiving Holiday season :) ♥ Hugs!

Tag...I'm it!!!

I've been TAGGED by my dear friend Tink.... I can't keep up with all the tags I get sorry....



A-Attached or Single: Attached
B-Best Friend: My Husband, & many more!
(I don't want to leave out anyone!)
C-Cake or Pie: Lemon Meringue pie
D-Day of Choice: Saturday
E-Essential Item: cell phone
F-Favorite Color: Hunter Green
G-Greatest Accomplishment: My Children
H-Hometown: East Side
I-Indulgences: Blogging & chocolate!
J-January or July: July
K-Kids: 3 teenage boys
L-Life is incomplete without: Family, Friends, The Gospel & L♥ve
M-Marriage: For all eternity to my sweet Honey :)
N-Number of Siblings: One
O-Oranges or Apples: Apples
P-Phobias or fears: moody teenagers :)
Q-Quotes: "Always think of things on an Eternal perspective!"
R-Reason to Smile: Awesome friends
S-Season: Fall
T-Tag Friends: anyone that wants to be tagged
(Thought I would think of those that don't like tags :)
U-Unknown facts about me: I do NOT like Liver!
V-Very favorite store(s): Deseret Book & Walmart
W-Worst habit: Stressing
X-X-ray or Ultra Sound: X-ray (no more babies for me:)
Y-Your favorite food: Mexican
Z-Zodiac: Aries

Blogging Tips...

This post is for those of you that have asked
me how to make hearts ♥♥♥...

To make hearts: press the ALT {hold it down} and
then push the 3 on your number pad. The 3 at the
top of your keyboard will not work.If you are on
a laptop then FN+ALT+L = ♥

To make the copyright symbol: ALT+0169 (using the
numeric keypad) for the PC Option+G for the MAC.

There are tons of helpful sites to learn from. I
search often to find new tips. I am still learning
and have found everyday there are new tools available.

Please leave tips for blogging in your comments on this
post not only for me but for my readers to benefit from!
Thank You very much, let us all spread some blogging ♥!

Introduction to me...

One of the new visitors to my blog asked for
me to do a post introducing myself to those
of you that don't know me so here it is :)

My name is Shauna and I l♥ve my family and
friends very much! I live with all boys, my
Hubby (my big boy) and my three teenage boys.
No wonder why I need a girl retreat :) I started
this blog up to be a retreat for not only me but for
other women to come here and feel uplifted and
loved :) So welcome to all my new friends and
welcome back to my friends that followed me here
from my blog I used to have. I hope you are having
a blessed and beautiful day! Lots of l♥ve and hugs!

Christmas Gift Ideas...

One of my blogging friends asked me for some ideas for
Christmas gifts. Here are some fun ones enjoy and please
feel free to use, print and share them :) I posted this
early for people that want ideas now.

** If you live by me then please skip over the part of what
I am giving out this year to my neighbors and please
act surprised and clueless when you get one from me **

Ok with that said here is what I am doing for my neighbors
this year... I bought Sweets brand chocolate orange sticks
and I am going to tie this tag to them with curling ribbon.

Let us remember our sweet Savior
during this holiday season
and always! Merry Christmas!
With All our Love

Here are some more ideas....
1. Pen: "Draw" near unto the Lord this Holiday season!
2. Twizzlers Licorice: "Twiz" the season to be jolly!
3. M&M's: "Have a Merry and Most wonderful Holiday Season!!"
4. Soup or soup mix: Wishing you a "Souper" Holiday Season!!
5. Frozen pizza: "Warm up to a wonderful Holiday Season "Topped" with Christmas cheer!"
6. Apples and Hershey's Hugs: A teacher can't live by apples alone...She needs "Hugs" too!!
7. Popcorn Balls: Hoping you have a "Ball" this Holiday Season!
8. Loaf of Bread: For being there when you were "Kneaded", for "Rising" to the occasion, large or small. For never "Loafing" on the job, for helping others to "Heel" with TLC. No matter how you "Slice it", you do a terrific job loving Others. Merry Christmas!!
9. Jolly Ranchers - Have a Holly "Jolly" Christmas!!
10. Rootbeer: We're "Root"ing for you to have a Happy Holiday Season and a Wonderful New Year!!
11. Chex Party Mix: Remember Santa "Chex" his list twice to see who's been naughty or nice...so be good for goodness sake!! Merry Christmas!!
12. Box of Hostess Ho-Ho's: Hope a merry "HO - HO - H0" fills your heart the whole year through! (Put a santa sticker on the label)
13. Wire wisk: (Filled with Chocolate kisses) "We WHISK you a Merry KISSmas!!"
14. Jar of Jelly: jelly is like love - you can't spread it around without getting some on yourself! Merry Christmas!! Jam: "Hoping your Christmas is "jam" packed with cheer"
15. Christmas Tray: We "Tray"sure your friendship! Merry Christmas!!
16. Bell: With each chime of this festive bell, may a Christmas wish come true. And bring you peace and happiness to last the whole year through! Merry Christmas!
17. Yule Log: "We send you warm greetings this Christmas Season!!"
18. Potpourri: "May this sweet scent bring back thoughts of warm Christmasses long ago!" Merry Christmas!
19. Cleaners: "You add sparkle and make our life brighter!" Merry Christmas!
20. Nuts: "We're nuts about you!" Merry Christmas! Love, your "nutty" neighbors!
21. Lifesavers: " You've been a life saver!" Have a great Christmas!
22. A juice pitcher filled with candy canes: "We pitcher you raising a little "cane" during the holidays!" Have a merry Christmas!!
23. Broom: You're "Dust" the finest neighbors we know! Merry Christmas!
24. Paper Towels: "Blot out your troubles; absorb the Christmas Spirit!"
25. Measuring Cup or Glass Measure: "Wishing you Joy Beyond Measure!
26. Bananas: If we could choose our friends, and we searched the whole world through, we'd go bananas trying to find a better bunch than you!!"
27. Any Star ornament: "Remember the reason for the season!" "Wise men still seek Him!"
28. Chocolate Mousse Mix: "Merry Christmousse" to our "Deer" Friends!
29. Wooden spoon: Whether stirring up cakes, cookies, soups or souffles; You'll find this spoon useful in so many ways. But whatever it's use, it says, "Merry Merry Christmas from us to you!"
30. Flower: "If friends were flowers, we'd pick you! Happy Holidays!! Or "You make friendship bloom all year round!"
31. Heart Christmas Ornament: "May the Joy and Love you give away, come back to you on Christmas day!"
32. Cinnamon Sprinkles: (Cinnamon & Sugar, or cookie sprinkles) "May your Christmas be sprinkled with laughter and love!" Merry Christmas!
33. Hersheys Hugs: "A friend always knows when you need a little hug!"
34. Christmas music..CD or Tape - "May the sweet song of Christmas make your heart rejoice!" Or "May the merry sounds of Christmas bring a Joyful Melody to your holiday season" Merry Christmas!!
35. Filled Basket: "Wishing you a basket full of Christmas blessings"
36. Salsa: "Add a little Spice to your Holidays!" Merry Christmas!
37. Stocking or filled Jar - "Have a fun filled christmas this year!"
38. Lamb: "Have "eweself" a Merry little Chistmas!!"
39. Candle: "May the you feel the light of our Savior this Christmas & always"! "You Light up my Life!" Thanks for your friendship! May your Christmas be Merry and Bright!" "Hope your Christmas is full of light" "May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year Bright!!
40. Holly: "Happy Hollydays!"
41. Calendar: "Keep Christmas in your heart the whole year through!"
42. Shaped Sugar Cookies: "Rolling out a batch of Christmas Cheer, for Someone we think is very dear!!"
43. Cherry 7-up: "Just a Little Christmas Cheer from Happy Hearts this time of year!! Merry Christmas!!"
44. Sparkling Cider: "Wishing you a Sparkling Holiday Season!"
45. Warm Casserole or Bread: "Bundled up with warm wishes!!"
46. Popcorn or Carmel Corn: "Just "Popping" by with a Holiday Hi!" Or "May your Holidays be Poppin'!"
47. Seasoning Mix: "Seasoned with Love" Merry Christmas!!
48. Eggbeater: "Have an "Eggstra" Special Holiday!!"
49. Hersheys Hugs and Kisses: "Christmas Hugs and Kisses to You " Or "Holiday Hugs and Kisses to you!"
50. Apple Pie of Apple Crisp: "Wishing you a Srumptuous Christmas!"
51. Fruit Basket: "May your New Year be Festive and Fruitful!!"
52. Any Sweet Treat: "Wishing you a season filled with sweetness!"
53. Oranges: " Orange" you glad we're Friends!?" Merry Christmas!!
54. Chocolate Orange: "Orange" you glad it's Christmas? Hope your Christmas is a Sweet one!
55. Sprite: " May your Christmas be Merry and Sprite!"
56. Ice Cream Snowballs and Hot Fudge: " Here's some packaged"snowball" treats - Just Drizzle Hot Fudge and its ready to eat!...Enjoy!!"
57. Snicker Bar: "Don't "Snicker", just be glad you got Something!!"
58. Mints: "Friends like you are worth a Mint!!" Merry Christmas!! "We "mint" to wish you a Merry Christmas"
59. Matches: "No one Matches you as neighbors!" Merry Christmas! "To our matchless friends"
60. Strainer: (With a christmas bow) " We could'nt restrain ourselves from wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!"
61. Box of Light Bulbs: "Have a bright and radiant Christmas"
62. Bubble Gum or Bubble Bath: "May your holidays "Bubble" over with fun!!
63. Pencil and Notepad: "Merry Christmas from our pad to yours!!" or Merry Christmas to a "noteworthy" friend!" "Hope your Christmas is something to write home about!"
64. Jar of Pickles: "Just in brine, Our wish for a merry Christmas!!"
65. Grater and Cheese: " To a Grate Neighbor! Merry Christmas!"
66. Ice Cream: "Have a "Cool" Yule!!"
67. Bear shaped Honey: "Have a Bear Sweet Christmas!!" "Have a honey of a Christmas"
68. Santa: "Ho - Ho - Hoping your Christmas is Heavenly!"
69. Angel: "Hoping you have a Heavenly Christmas!!"
70. Eggnog: " Have an "Udderly Moovalous" Christmas!!"
71. Gingerbread House: "Nibble, Nibble like a mouse, We hope you'll nibble at this house!" Merry Christmas!!
72. Mugs with Hot Chocolate Mix: "To our special friends who are so Dear, We wish you all a cup of Cheer!" (One Mug would be a special gift for a aTeacher. "To a Special Teacher dear, wishing you a "Cup of Cheer"!"
73. Cocoa Mix: "Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas!"
74. Muffins or Muffin mix: " You're getting "Muffin" for Christmas!!"
75. Gum: "By Gum, You're a great Neighbor!! "Have a Merry Christmas" We hope you chews to have a very Merry Christmas!
76. Veggies and Dip: "Dip into a wonderful Holiday season and a Healthy New Year!"
77. Christmas Shapped pasta: ( Or any Pasta and a bottle of Sauce ) " Have a Pasta-tively Happy Holiday!"
78. Jar of Jam: "Hoping you have a Holiday "Jammed" packed with fun!!" "Have a "Berry" nice holiday season!!" Or "Hoping your Christmas is "Jam-packed" with Christmas Cheer!!"
79. Cookie Dough: "Here's a little extre "Dough" for Christmas! Or "Everyone Needs a little extra "Dough" for Christmas!!"
80. Homemade Frozen Rolls: "Here's a little holiday treat. Rise and bake, it can't be beat! Warm fresh rolls just for you. Top with butter that's all you do! Warm Holiday Greetings to you"
81. Brownie Mix: (Or any Mix) "Whip up this mix for a wonderful holiday fix! Wishing you a "rich" Holiday Season!!" (Be sure to attatch the recipe!)
82. Homemade carmels: Hoping you have a "Rich" and "wonderful" Holiday!!"
83. Pie: "Just a "Holiday Hi" and a tasty Pie!! Happy Holidays!!"
84. Divinity: "May your Christmas be "Devine" and your Holidays so Fine! Sweet Christmas Wishes!"
85. Rice Krispie Treats: "Snap, Crackle, Pop" We think You're really Tops! "
86. Toffee or Brittle: "Any way you break it, We think you're the greatest!"
87. Fudge: "Fudge" a little on the calories and enjoy the Holiday Season!"
88. Cheese Ball and Crackers: "We don't mean to sound "Cheesey", we just hope you have a "Ball" this Holiday Season! Or "Spread a little Christmas Cheer this Holiday Season!"
89. Apple Anything: (Pie,Cobbler, crisp, muffins etc.) "Sending you a "Bushel" of love this holiday Season!!" Or " You are the apple of my eye, Teacher!"
90. Banana Bread: "Banana Bread just for you, because you have so much to do... We also love youa whole "Bunch" too! Merry Christmas!"
91. Cinnamon Rolls: "Here's a sweet treat "Rolled" up with warm Holiday Wishes! Merry Christmas!"
92. Homemade Chocolates: " You're so Sweet...having you as neighbors is really a treat! Have a Heavenly Holiday Season!"
93. Cake or Cupcakes: "You take the "Cake" neighbor, We think you're first rate! Happy Holidays to you!!"
94. Cornbread or Mix: "We're not trying to be "Corny" we just want you to have Merry Christmas!"
95. Carrot Cake: " I Really "Carrot" alot about you!! Merry Christmas"
96. Spiced Drink Mixes: " Hoping your Holidays are "Spiced" Just right!"
97. Homemade Ice cream of a Frozen Treat: "Here's the Scoop,,,,Hoping your Holidays are a "Blizzard" of fun!"
98. Recipe: "Just like you friend...it's tried and true, just for you! Happy Holiday Baking or Merry Christmas Cooking!"
99. Pizza: "Hope your Holiday has a touch of "Pizza - z!!" Merry Christmas!!"
100. Crayons and Coloring Book: Hope your Holidays are Colorful!
101. Plant: " The kindness you showmakes our friendship grow and grow! Hope you have a Happy Holiday!!"
102. Soda Pop: "I'd "Soda" like to wish you a merry Christmas!
103. Stuffed animal: (Beanie Baby) "Pawsing" to wish you a Merry Christmas!"
104. Dounuts: "Donut" you know we love you??? Have a happy Holiday
105. A plate of cookies: "Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, from your "crummy" neighbors.
106. Any soda: "We're "soda-lighted" to wish you a Merry Christmas!"
107. Popcorn: "We just "popped" in to wish you a Merry Christmas!"
108. Bear Shaped Honey: "Hoping our "honey" of a friend has a "beary" Merry Christmas".
109. Microwave Popcorn and 2-liter of soda: "Pop, pop, fizz, fizz, oh what a good friend you is!"
110. Mug with Hot Chocolate Mix: "To our special friends so dear, wishing you a cup of cheer."
111. Eggnog: "Have an "udderly moovalous" holiday!"
112. 7Up: "7 Up ideas for a wonderful holiday season" (include 7 uplifting thoughts/ideas)
113. Chocolate Covered Cherries: "Wishing you a very "cherry" Christmas"
114. Pasta: Have a "pasta-tively" happy holiday!"
115. Basket of Bath Items: "When you feel like a basket case, take a break...and slow your pace"
116. Bath oils, bubbles, salts: "The holidays can be a strain on our body and brain, so when you feel stressed, a hot bath is best, it truly will help keep you sane!"

Small and simple things...

Is it just me or do the little things bring you sunshine and
bless your life also? My sweet Hubby is always doing nice
little things that make me so happy! When my sweet family,
friends and blogging buddies leave me a comment it makes
my day! Yes, the little things mean so-ooo very much to me!

By small and simple things are great things brought to pass...
Alma 37:6

Smile Be Happy!

Today I am going to write about being optimistic! What a beautiful day it is! I am thankful for uplifting family and friends that are such a blessing to me and a special part of my life. It is so-ooo important to me to be surrounded by optimism and also a good sense of humor. Good humor truly is medicine to the soul. Humor can ease tension, change attitudes, generate love and understanding, and add sparkle to life. I hope we can all share a smile and be more loving and reach out to those around us in a positive and uplifting way :) Thank You to my precious parents for raising me in a home full of light and love!

Grapeful Ideas for November...

A cute idea for the ladies you Visiting Teach
along with the message for November...
We are grapeful to be your Visting Teachers :)
Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Tie a cute tag with saying and grapes on it to
either some grape jam, candy, a kitchen towel
with grapes on it. Or anything that has to do
with grapes. Feel free to share this idea :)

I LOVE HUGS :)

I LOVE hugs! Yes I am huggy person! So if you don't want to feel lots of warmth and love and hugs you are visiting the wrong blog :) Ok get this... A couple of weeks ago my sweet Angel Mom that loves hugs too, gave someone in her ward a hug. The lady then told her "You need to be careful about hugging people now days they might take it the wrong way"! Ok... time to listen to me vent for a second... HELLO..."WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE NOW DAYS"? I am going to be ME and I hope you all love me just the way I am! :) BIG BIG (((HUGS)))

Trying To Stay Calm Disclosure...

DISCLOSURE:

As of 2020 I now accept compensation for my posts.

This blog abides by the FTC Guidelines. This blog is written and edited by me. I believe in honesty of relationship, opinion, and identity. The compensation I receive may influence content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content in accordance with the FTC Guidelines.

The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers’ own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:

Some posts may contain affiliate links that pay out a small commission if you happen to purchase something through them. It is important to note, that this does NOT affect the price, or cost you anything extra, rather it gives me credit for driving business to the companies I am an affiliate for.

Trying To Stay Calm is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

My New Blog :)

Welcome to my new blog! What do you think of my look so far? Thank you to all my faithful blogging buddies, family and friends for visiting! I love comments! Please leave one so I know you have stopped by to visit me :)