What a MESS!!!

So yesterday morning my youngest son comes upstairs while I am in a deep sleep and says... "Mom there is water pouring down out of the ceiling onto your computer". NOT a good sign! After having several neighbors come over to help me move desks, computers etc then we called a plumber to come out. He had to replace a pipe! Now I am sitting here at my kitchen table on my computer. This picture below is now what my ceiling looks like right above where my desk and computer used to be. It's amazing all the damage one little pipe breaking can cause! Thanks to my son I am set up to be able to use my computer at the kitchen table for now until we get my house in order. We have fans blowing and hope to soon be able to start replacing sheet rock etc. What a MESS!!

Happy Birthday Claire, Jenny & Julie...

Today is my friend Claire's B-day! ~PARTY TIME~
The 28th is Jenny's and the 29th is Julie's! Hope you
all have a wonderful and very Happy Birthday! ♥ HUGS ♥

Solitude cd Giveaway...

Sherrie Shepherd
is in the process of releasing her first solo album, "Solitude." This collection of original songs and hymns promises to calm the Spirit and soothe the soul. Featuring bassist, Spencer Jensen, on two numbers, "Solitude," the album's title track, and a medley of "How Firm a Foundation" and "Praise to the Man" which was co-arranged by Sherrie and Spencer. Sherrie Shepherd specializes in weddings and large corporate and social events. She also works as a professional accompanist for competitions and school events.
Here I am with Sher!
I was so excited when I got to meet Sher in person and have lunch with her! She is super talented and sweet! I have been listening to her cd and l♥ve it!


Click here to listen to some samples of her music and a
chance to win her brand new cd out! Good Luck everyone :)

Guess what I l♥ve...

My hubby and I were talking about things that I l♥ve. Guess what one of them is...

SLEEP!!!



This smart little boy has the right idea! After the
wedding day is over he will be nice and refreshed :)

Yes I'm thinking sleepish today! I've always
l♥ved my sleep! Have a great day! ♥ Hugs!!

Pick your prize winners....

Another winning Wednesday here :)
The winners are...

Jared Johnson cd...
Kristie

100 poems to lift your spirits...
Keli
Tink
Connie
Shimmy Mom
The Garden of Egan

The Power to change today...
Pam
Jill
Paul
Becky
Boomer Baby Bliss

Ten Powerful Phrases...

Carla
Kirsten
Taunya
Carissa
Wendy Kae
Congrats to all the winners! Please e-mail me your mailing info. to:
tryingtostaycalm@gmail.com

Pick your prize giveaway...

Leave me a list in a comment on which items you would like to be in the drawing for by Tues May 19th. It can be one or all! I'll post the winners on Wed. May 20th.


Thanks to Jared Johnson
I get to give away one
of his Piano Pop cds.







100 Poems to Lift Your Spirits
No matter what the occasion, this collection of poems is the perfect gift to cheer up a friend or family member. Here, in this compact volume, are 100 poems written by the world's greatest poets, some inspiring, some hilarious, and all memorable. Each delightful poem is preceded by an illuminating headnote. Among the poems included are classics, such as Schiller's "Ode to Joy," Wordsworth's "My Heart Leaps Up," Longfellow's "A Psalm of Life," and Dickinson's "'Hope is the Thing with Feathers." This collection includes many more captivating works that take as their exhilarating theme the limitless possibilities of human existence. Whether it's through inspired nonsense or insightful commentary, these poems will leave readers feeling happier and enriched for having read them. Thanks to Hachette Book Company I get to give away five of this book! (Only residents of US or Canada are eligible. No PO boxes)
The Power to Change today by Gregory Dickow:
How many people go through their days feeling dissatisfied or even feeling their lives have no purpose or meaning? Perhaps money, time or love seem in short supply. Or one doesn't have the body they'd like or the perfect job or the perfect mate. What kind of faith can give the strength and encouragement to break free from emotional and spiritual discontentment?
In this debut work Pastor Dickow, brings a compelling vision for conquering negativity and achieving breakthroughs toward successful living. Through attaining a deep connection with God one can learn the keys to mastering destructive emotions and eradicating personal stress. Direct and heartfelt in its narrative, THE POWER TO CHANGE TODAY is more than a typical self-help book. It not only includes a full discussion of spiritual and common sense wisdom, but also reveals the story of Pastor Dickow's personal journey through a painful childhood, a crisis of faith and a miracle conversion. Thanks to Hachette Book Company I get to give away five of this book! (Only residents of the US or Canada are eligible. No PO boxes please)

Ten Powerful Phrases by Rich DeVos:
The simple act of offering a kind word or two can have power to change lives in positive and profound ways.In TEN POWERFUL PHRASES FOR POSITIVE PEOPLE, DeVos focuses each chapter on one key phrase, such as "I'm Proud of You," or "I Believe in You," that he has found to help individuals overcome differences, build relationships, instill confidence, change attitudes, and generally make us feel positive about ourselves and about helping others. Each phrase is illustrated through anecdotes from DeVos's experiences and about people whose lives have been touched either by saying or hearing one of the small but powerful phrases. Anyone with the ability to offer a kind word to a friend, family member, or coworker will benefit from this book's positive, practical wisdom. Thanks to Hachette Book Company I get to give away five of this book! Good Luck everyone :)

Hope you all...

Yeah it's Friday! I plan to read and relax this weekend! YAHOO!!
Hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing weekend! ♥ HUGS ♥

Thankful Thursday...

I woke up stressed today. Soon after I got several e-mails from many of you sending your l♥ve and support to me! I want to thank you all so very much for being there for me! You are all truly a blessing to me and I am thankful for each and everyone of you! Hope you all have a beautiful Thursday! ♥ HUGS ♥

Pick your prize giveaway winners...

Another Winning Wednesday here...

Piano Portraits Lullabies cd winner...
Lisa Loo

Work in progress book winners...
Julie
Becca
Tanyetta
Bee and Rose
Soapmomponders

Oatmeal raisin cookie candle winner...
Brenda

Having hope book winner...
GrammyStaffy
Congrats to all the winners! Please e-mail me your mailing info. to:
tryingtostaycalm@gmail.com

Happy Birthday Kristina...

Today is my sweet friend Kristina's B-day!
Hope you have a wonderful day! ♥ HUGS ♥

Yeah... it's Friday...

Yeah, it's Friday! That means that Mother's Day is coming soon! I hope you all have a beautiful and blessed Mother's Day! There's nothing like a mama-hug. ~Adabella Radici~

Pick your books giveaway winners...

Another Winning Wednesday here...

Winners of the Mrs. Meyers Clean Home Book...
Misty
Shawn
Jenette
Trublubyu
Busy Bee

Winner of the Deadly Treasure book...
Jillene

Winner of The Time-Starved Family book...
Dede

Winner of the Please no zits book...
Ramsam

Winners of the Jantsen's Gift book...
Wendy
Becky
R Max
Doris the Great
Mary Ellen

Winner of The Butterfly Box: A Modest Proposal book...
Donna

Winner of the How to Date Your Spouse book...
Amber

Winners of the Life Is Tough book...
Erin
Congrats to the winners! Please e-mail me your mailing address to tryingtostaycalm@gmail.com and I will get them right out to you!

Pick your prize giveaway...

I have several great things to give away on my blog! Leave me a list in a comment on which items you would like to be in the drawing for by May 12th. It can be one or all! I'll post the winners on May 13th.
Jon Schmidt, Paul Cardall, David Tolk, and Michael R. Hicks reunite to offer their most relaxing collection of traditional and original lullaby recordings. Tranquil and serene, they'll calm any heart, young or old. Thanks to Michael Hicks I get to give away one copy of this beautiful cd!


Work in Progress by Kristin Armstrong:
When Kristin Armstrong was in the pit of her divorce, she eagerly read every spiritual book and devotional she could get her hands on out of a hunger to connect with someone who knew exactly what she was going through and how she felt. Now, at a time when society offers so many conflicting messages about what it means to be a woman, Kristin invites readers to discover grace as a way of life.
Using real-life anecdotes, biblical wisdom, and insight born of hard experience, Kristin teaches women the twelve traits of grace, inviting reflection and interaction. Warm, engaging, and practical, WORK IN PROGRESS examines what God has to say about being His kind of woman in the twenty-first century. Thanks to Hachette Book I get to give away five of this book! (Residents of the US or Canada are eligible. No PO boxes please)

Thanks to Natural Lites Candles
I get to give away one Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Candle. To enter for this, tell me in your comment what is your favorite candle scent on their website. I have been burning my candle she sent me this morning and I l♥ve it! Natural Lite candles are 100% soy wax and heavenly! These candles burn longer than other candles and are eco-friendly. So head on over to read more about these candles on her site and look around at all the great scents they have! Thank You Natural Lite Candles for letting me have the awesome opportunity of reviewing one of your candles. I love it :)

Terri Ferran Having Hope:
After being reunited with Adam Bridger, the missionary she waited for for two long years, Kit Matthews experiences feelings she cannot ignore, promptings that take her halfway around the world. The strong connection she feels with orphans in Romania because of her own abandonment at birth draws Kit to Romania where she meets a Romanian medical student, Marcel and when Kit challenges Marcel to learn about the gospel, she has no idea of the doors she has opened. After learning of some disturbing news at home, Kit struggles to have hope that God is mindful of His children, and must decide between creating a new life in Romania and returning to repair her life in America. Thanks to Terri Ferran I get to give away one copy of this book!
Now please leave me a list in a comment of which prizes you would like to win! It can be one or all! Good luck everyone :)

Dreams...

Today I'm thinking it's time to slow down and ponder what we want to be when we grow up! So let's all get dreaming and reach for the stars! I hope you all have a blessed and beautiful weekend! ♥ Hugs!

David Bowman Print Winners...

And now for the five David Bowman print winners...
Shimmy Mom
Shawnalee
Amanda
Jenny
Emma
Congrats to all the winners! Please e-mail me your mailing info. to:
tryingtostaycalm@gmail.com