5 things to help you through the holidays

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

It’s that time of year again. You know the time of joy & peace & love. Also, of depression, uncertainty, & how in the world am I going to get this all doneness? But y’all. How do you make it through the holidays without the annual hair falling out conference (as I have attended for several years)? I have to keep myself psyched up & organized (to a degree, because who am I kidding?) Here are a few things that may help you combat the bah humbug syndrome.

Christy Jordan, over at Southern Plate, has the best printables to stay organized at Christmas. To see these click here.

If you need a good Southern recipe, she has that covered, too.

Whether you are eating, cooking, shopping, or just having a good ol’ fashioned meltdown for the holidays, remember to take a minute for yourself. This is priority. I have found that taking time to stop & study my Bible & spend time with the Lord COMFORTS ME SO. Here are some verses to consider during this time.

Good news! There’s hope in the Lord. No where else. Jesus came, lived, preached, & died on the cross for our sins. Because of this, we have forgiveness of sins & a home of heaven, if we are faithful. Proverbs 14:32 promises ³²The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. (KJV)
You know that meltdown I was talking about? That’s real. Many dread the holidays because of the fact so much has changed in their lives. Loved ones have gone on. Health problems may keep some from enjoying the holidays, as they always have. There may be family problems, money problems, or any kind of problem that makes a person feel helpless. However, the Lord comes right in with another promise- Matthew 11:28 ²⁸Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (NKJV)
Remember to trust. This was my “One Word” that I focused on this year. And let me tell you, it has really brought me through some tough times. Just knowing God is with me & that He will take care of all my insecurities. Psalm 46: 1-2God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;(NKJV)
How can you make it without love? Jesus says you can’t. That’s why in the scriptures He continually tries to drive home the message that we as humans need love. 1 John 4:11¹¹Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.(NKJV)
And last but not least, expectations are the devil. These kids expect costly electronics, name brand clothes & shoes, the latest gaming system with you know, the expensive games. All of that costs money, right? You know the money that’s so hard to come by. Make this season about love, joy, & peace. Let’s show our families that they are important. Because it doesn’t matter how fancy your house is, how new your car is, how much money is in the bank. If it costs you your soul, all is lost. Luke 9: 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? (NKJV)

Y’all. Let’s make this Christmas what it’s supposed to be. Don’t let the burdens of expectations take a hold of you. Pray about it & then do your best with the situation you have. Ask others for help, if need be. Things tend to work themselves out. Don’t fret! I hope you are having a blessed week. I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

photo credits: pinterest

Christmas fun & how your taste in Christmas presents changes

December 20, 2014December 19, 2014 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

While reading over my favorite blogs, I thought, perhaps you all would enjoy some of the Christmas fun I have been reading about.

First is one of my faves: Christy Jordan’s Southern Plate. Not only does Christy share with us about delicious food, she gives ideas on how to have some Christmas fun. Click on the cookies to find out how you can do 25 free & inexpensive things for the best Christmas ever.

Next, there is so much going on over at I should be mopping the floor. Kristi has some adorable printables & ways to make your holidays less stressful. Just don’t be mad at me if you spend A LOT of time there.

Then, my other fav, who is always keepin’ it real over at Only a Breath. Melanie has announced she wants us to share reading the Bible in 2015. I know she would love having you all join in to study God’s word together. Just click on her messy kitchen to go to the blog post. (And by the way, this was after a night of at the last minute reindeer cookie making. I feel her pain.)

Now that I have shared some of my favorite blog stuff with you, I want to talk about how my taste in Christmas presents have changed. When I was younger of course it was toys, toys, & more toys! Then, as I became a teenager, it was a special piece of jewelry, clothes, or whatever it was everybody else was getting that year. As I got older & had kids & now grandkids -it’s hard to buy my Christmas present. Not that I am that hard to buy for. You see, what I want for Christmas has become something you can’t buy in a store. My kids will ask what I want, every year.

For the past several years, it’s been the same- nothing.

I just want them to take care of their own babies now. To make sure they get what they want. My Christmas present is my house full of people who I love & who love me. Being able to open up my house to the ones who are dearest to me is a wonderful feeling. In the past few years, people have become so much more important to me. I think it’s just something that tends to happen when you lose those who are very dear to you. Many of our loved ones have gone on & you start to really pay attention to the relationships you have. My mama loved a get together. I think I am getting more like her. I love eating together, laughing together, & watching them all be excited for the season. Seeing the little ones squeal & rip & romp through my house. Having enough food for everybody & then some. Being able to cook with my sweetie. That is what I want for Christmas. The feeling of contentment that right then, for a split second, my loved ones are fed, safe, & sound. There, for the moment, there is peace on my earth, that I live in. I wouldn’t take anything for all of that. Now show me how to bottle & sell that & we will be gazillionaires!

What are you doing for Christmas? Whatever it is, I hope you feel as blessed as I do. Not with what’s under the tree, but being grateful for your family, friends, & spiritual blessings. That’s what it’s all about anyway. Until next time, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

A little Christmas perspective from Calvin & Hobbes

Being offended

March 26, 2013 / kstrick7 / 2 Comments

Have you ever been offended? I know I have. Sometimes it might be how I felt that day, that made it so easy, to have gotten under my skin. It might be that someone makes light of something, I think is important. Or it just might be the wrong time for a comment to be made. Sometimes things hurt my feelings! But you know what? I am the only one that can control my being offended. People are people. They are going to say stuff that they don’t think about, before they say it. They are going to let their lips run rampant. They are not going to consider how you feel or what their shallow words do to you. So, how do you rid yourself of being offended? Well, Lord knows most of the time, you may not be able to do anything about the people around you. Then, what’s left? You simply must determine in your heart, that you will not let those unkind, untrue things said out of ignorance, bother you. Yes, it will take practice, but it’s not unachieveable.

I read a remarkable post this week, by Christy Jordan @ the Southern Plate blog. It was so good, that I wanted to share it with you all. Since I am the president & CEO of I should be washing clothes.wordpress.com, I am making the executive decision to to hereby declare her post part of my post. I love being boss. So, for those of you, who may have already seen this on Christy’s blog, I am so sorry, ya’ll. It’s just too wonderful not to pass on. Just click here.

I needed so badly to hear what Christy had to say on this subject. Thank you for stopping by to visit with me today. I have enjoyed having you here. I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes.