The Great Kaysby

The Hardest Life Lesson

Are you ready to know the hardest life lesson? It’s simple: You can’t save everyone.

Harsh words, huh?

I still remember hearing them my second or third year as a teacher MANY moons ago. When the other teacher said those words to me, I was absolutely stunned. In hindsight, I do not know if I was more surprised by the veteran teacher saying that to me, or the fact that there was so much truth to those words. Either way, it was one of those moments that I will never forget.

The words stuck with me throughout my teaching career, and they have frequently come into my mind when dealing with other life situations. As someone who is naturally inclined to want to nurture people, help them through difficult times, and solve problems for them, it is hard to realize that you can only do so much. In fact, as a “fixer” it can be draining when someone refuses to tell you that they could use some assistance. It is especially gut wrenching when you know that you could have made a difference.

So what can you do for those who will not allow you to assist? You can pray for them. Even if they do not follow your faith, you can still pray for them. No one can stop you from praying for someone! You can also show them kindness and mercy through little acts. Just don’t overdo it as kindness overload can further burden people. It’s a fine line. Also, sometimes the most kind and merciful thing you can do is give people space and time. A lot can be solved just by being quiet and still. Allow them the room to experience this.

Perhaps the best thing you can do is remember that even the hardest of life lessons are valuable even when they are a tough pill to swallow.

What’s the hardest life lesson you have ever learned?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Reality & Me

Picture this. I’m in my kitchen preparing a meal for our family today, and I get to thinking about how pleased I am that I am using mostly leftovers to create a new dish. It makes happy to not be wasting food, and even though cooking is not my favorite thing to do, I like that I am able cook a warm meal when there is snow covering everything. (Seriously, we were prepared to eat sandwiches for like a week if the power went out in the storm.) As I was cooking, I got to thinking that this is not the kind of meal that you would see on a reality TV cooking or baking show. However, it was the kind of meal that you would see in a lot of people’s homes. That got me to thinking, if I was responsible for coming up with reality shows, what would the content cover? Immediately, I thought of three that would be for me!

Cooking Show – This show would go beyond just what happens in the kitchen. I would want to teach families how to meal plan based on a grocery budget, how to make the most of the weekly ads for their favorite grocery store (mine is Kroger, and I checkout the new ad every Wednesday!), and how to prepare quick, healthy meals that only utilize common ingredients. None of that you have to buy a giant thing of an herb that you will only use one sprig of nonsense! I would then take a family shopping for the week, help them prep their meals, and discuss ways to reuse any leftovers. For example, if they had pork tenderloin as the main dish one night, then they could use the leftovers for sandwiches the next day. I have come to believe that a lot of people want to make better meals at home, but they could use some real guidance as opposed to cooking shows that are either to gourmet or seem more focused on chaos than learning.

Travel Show – I would want to showcase something that most people would not think to visit. Perhaps I would do a world tour of museums or visit a variety of National Parks. My goal would be to feature places that appeal to an array of interests while also being open to those not wanting to take out a loan just to go on vacation. There would also be specific episodes geared towards families, married couples, and single adults.

Art Show – Can we all agree that performing arts shows have basically been done to death at this point? I think it would be cool to see a visual arts competition. I’m thinking something like Bob Ross level of calm where people just paint some Happy Trees and see who comes out with the best painting after a given time. I have great memories of watching The Joy of Painting on Sunday mornings, and I feel like the world needs more art like that. I realize you can just watch most of it on YouTube, but the competitive aspect would be a lot of fun!

If you were in charge of reality TV, what would your content cover?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

It Matters To That One

Perhaps you have heard this story before by Loren Eiseley…

A man and boy were walking along the shoreline, and the boy kept picking up starfish and tossing them back in the sea. He did this over and over again. Finally, the man said, “There are thousands of starfish on the shore drying out. What difference are you making?” The boy looked at him and replied, “It matters to that one.”

Eiseley’s actual words are much more elegant, but that is the gist. I have long loved the message of that story, and I believe that it can be a very helpful thought to keep in mind in this tumultuous world. Often times when we pursue something, we get frustrated when it doesn’t become “the next big thing,” and we quit because we have not had a sensational impact. Perhaps we give up because something is not as easy as we thought it would be. When these mindsets take hold, it can be easy to miss the little impacts we make.

So how can we open our eyes, hearts, and minds and commit to making little impacts?

Remember the purpose behind what you are doing. It may only have an impact on you, but you never know who is watching and might follow your lead. For example, when I started writing “Matthew & Me,” I did it because I knew that I needed a deep dive into the Gospels, and I knew that as a sinner there might be other people with similar questions that they were afraid to ask. Now there are five devotionals, and though none of them are bestsellers, I’m not done writing. The devotionals have made a difference with my faith, and that makes the effort worth it. If it opens up conversations for someone and helps bring one person to know Jesus, then that one difference will be extraordinary!
Find ways to be helpful to others at least once a week. There are so many people out there with various needs, and I dare say that some are afraid to voice their needs. You can make an impact just by sending a genuine “How are you?” or “I thought of you today” message. You can put food in a roadside pantry; you can donate items you no longer need; you can help a neighbor with a task. It doesn’t have to be a big production. Side note, if you have kids, let them see you do these things. They may follow your lead!
Share your experiences with those around you in an open and honest fashion. If you are on social media, then you have a platform in which you can bring light to topics and make a positive impact on those around you. When you are open and true, you will find that you can help people realize they are not alone. You can also share resources that might have a positive impact on others. Feel free to share my blog anytime! 😂 Seriously though, can you imagine the change that could come from more people using their platforms to be a blessing to others?

That’s a lot of serious thought, and a lot of info to digest. If you take nothing else from this post, remember the starfish.

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Well…We Already Did…

Come up with a crazy business idea.

So maybe our business idea isn’t crazy. After all, we, aka Letters & Lore, currently publish books through Amazon KDP. Our idea was simple: we wanted to make our dreams of being published authors come true. Instead of waiting around and hoping without action, we leapt in head first. Currently, we have lined notebooks, a fictional Christmas novella, books for kids, a business planner, journals, and devotionals. This year we plan to add a full length historical fiction novel AND put content on Audible. The last one feels a little crazy, but only because I have not yet done the research to find out how it works. For the last two years, completing work that matches our dreams has felt right and not crazy.

Crazy would be wanting to attach whales to icebergs in order to start an ice distribution business. Thank you Dr Heidegger’s Experiment.

Crazy would be wanting to sell ice over the internet in the early 00s using your daughter’s wedding fund. Thank you Jack Geller.

What is your biz idea be it crazy or not?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

The Joy Jar

What brings you joy? Do you find joy in the little every day things, or do you only find joy in big events? Maybe you experience joy in both! Perhaps, you are struggling to find your joy at all. No matter your current scenario, I have a little mental health exercise that might help you. I call it “The Joy Jar.”

First and foremost, let me provide this disclaimer. I am not a licensed therapist, psychologist, etc that has a background in mental health. My suggestions are not a replacement for their help. Also, this is not my original idea, but I think it is 100% worth sharing.

Now…

“The Joy Jar” is a simple concept. Throughout a given time frame, fill the jar with slips of paper describing something that happened which brought you joy. As the jar fills up, you will have a visual representation of all the things in life that bring you joy. Once the jar is full (or your time frame is up), empty the jar and review all of the things that brought you joy. Your heart will be warmed by the love and memories! For a long term joy reminder, tape the pieces of paper into a notebook that you can revisit.

The How To…

Find a jar like object (mine is an old flower vase) and decorate it if desired.
Find some paper (I use scraps of paper or those free pads of paper you get at vendor events), a writing utensil, and scissors that you can keep close to your “Joy Jar.”
As things bring you joy, write them down on the paper, cut them out, and drop them in the jar.
Fill the jar.
Empty and repeat.

For me “The Joy Jar” is a simple tool, but the rewards of it are astronomical. When I reviewed my 2025 jar, it reiterated my “why” in life, reminded me of wonderful moments, and filled my heart with an abundance of love and happiness! Side note, do not wait until an hour before midnight on New Year’s Eve to start going through your jar. I 100% had to finish it on New Year’s Day!

If “The Joy Jar” can help one other person, then my mission of sharing this is accomplished. I hope you find your joy in 2026!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

New Year, Now What?

It’s a New Year! One of the first things that you are inundated with at the start of any year is an abundance of ads, videos, podcasts, etc to help you make this the best year yet! Another thing you see in abundance is posts from people (who you may or may not know because let’s face it so many are sponsored ads) sharing their resolutions. In many ways it is as though culture is pushing you to make some sort of groundbreaking change because of the new year. But what about those of us who are having a hard time reflecting? What about those of us who need more than a day to think about the trajectory of our next year, five years, ten years, etc?

Some of us just need a couple of days to breathe. If that is your next best step, then that is okay.

Personally, I have not written any goals for 2026 yet. I have reflected on all of the things that brought me joy in 2025. In fact, during 2025, I kept a “Joy Jar.” Most of the time (sometimes I forgot) when something brought me joy, I wrote it down on a scrap of paper and put it in the jar. It was really cool to spend time reviewing all of my moments of joy! Plus, it illustrated what things bring me the most joy. That’s pretty cool knowledge to have!

So knowing what brings me joy, why am I procrastinating on making goals? Simple. I’m not sure what I want my goals to be yet. I know what brings me joy, and I generally know my God-given purpose in life. I also know that there are about 1.7 million things that I would like to do. However, what I need to time to reflect on before setting goals is which of those things I like to do will actually support a bigger purpose. Spoiler, my love of “brain candy” phone games is 100% not supporting my bigger purpose. Facts.

Knowing I’m a little all over the place, what’s next for me?

Pray on it. No matter your faith (feel free to use any of my books if you need to find faith), take time to pray over what truly matters in your life. Pray for your heart, mind, and soul to be opened.
Think about your RIGHT NOW WHY. What is the thing that currently gets you out of bed even when you’ve only had two hours of sleep? What can you do in the next 90 days to fuel that RIGHT NOW WHY?
Visualize what you want your life to look like a year from now. On December 31, 2026, do you want to look back and go “Damn, I did a lot of cool things and am closer to my dreams!” or do you want to go, “Crap. Another year gone and nothing has changed.”
Revisit the dreams you have let go. Maybe you were writing a book that you’ve yet to finish (ME!), or maybe you have wanted to start a podcast. Are these things you really want in life or were they fleeting in a moment? Learning to distinguish lifelong dreams from flights of fancy is a BIG step!
Think about who will be impacted by your dreams coming true! What do you want them to take away from watching you go for your dreams?
When the time is right (within reason, like don’t want until November), write down your goal. Then break it into benchmarks with dates. Remember, a goal without a deadline is just a pipe dream! Also, it is okay if the date changes as long as you don’t give up!
Lastly, as you are working on your goals, remember it is normal if they are not easy or popular. Most things worth working for take hard work, determination, and may be viewed as strange. Do not let what others think stop you from achieving what you have been put on this earth to achieve. YOU CAN DO IT!

Guess it is time for me to take my own advice! Tomorrow, I’m going to get to work!

What about you? Do you know what your next steps are?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Stop and Watch the Animals

What skills or lessons have you learned recently?

In a fast paced, almost always connected world, the most important lesson is to stop and watch the animals. Today, we seized the day, and we went to the zoo instead of doing our typical homeschool day. One of the best parts of the day was when we sat and ate snacks while watching the lions and giraffes! Watching them filled me with such a sense of calm and peace. The feeling was enhanced by the warm sun on my face, gentle breeze blowing through the trees, and the refreshing sent of outside air. It was one of those feelings that served to remind me of the importance of slowing down and being present in the little moments. During this crazy time of year, I think we could all use a moment to stop and watch the animals!

A Place Where Dreams Are Born

Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?

“My home where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of lovely things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever in Never Never Land!”

Remember those iconic words from “Never Never Land”? As a child (before growing up), Peter Pan’s home checked all the boxes for a favorite location! It had pirates and mermaids; it had a secret underground house and a cave! Not to mention the fact that it was an island. Plus, there was a lot of singing which is always fun! JM Barrie knew how to create a place that felt personal to us yet familiar to all.

Unfortunately, as we grow up, sometimes we forget how to find our own Never Never Land. We become so busy with the mundane – jobs, bills, etc – that it can be hard to take time to visit different places much less figure out a favorite. Sometimes we even stop dreaming about seeing exotic places that to us would be like Mermaid Lagoon or Pirate Cove. However, one thing I have realized is that to be a favorite place to visit, the location does not have to be exotic. In fact, some of my favorites have always been simplistic. So what are they?

As a child, my favorite place to visit was my Grandma’s house in Kansas. Oddly enough, I never called it Grandma and Grandpa’s. Where they lived had a lot of things we did not get to enjoy at home. They had Sonic for getting Limeades; they had Casey’s for getting Taco Pizza. Plus, there were a lot of cool touristy things to do that never really changed which provided comfort and nostalgia. Bonus, they had Keno before it was popular. It was fascinating to sit and watch people play!

Fast forward to adulthood, and I still enjoy sitting and watching people. Though I will say the locations have changed a bit. Now I also have way more favorite places to visit including:

Half Moon Cay (favorite Carnival Cruiseline Port)

Niagara Falls (favorite place to see waterfalls)

Holiday World (favorite theme park)

Anywhere With Mountains or a Campground (favorite place to unplug)

Museum or Art Gallery (favorite learning experiences)

Gettysburg (favorite Civil War battlefield)

America’s Historic Triangle (favorite general historical area)

St Louis (favorite place with lots of free activities)

Buc-cee’s (favorite place with clean bathrooms while traveling)

The more I get to visit new places, the more I find myself adding things to the list! They may not be Never Neverland, but they are places where dreams are born!

What are your favorite places to visit?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Five Things I’m Good At…

This is a great daily prompt! I am always fascinated by the responses to questions like these because they can go a variety of ways. The easiest way to answer is always with skills for which you have received recognition. It is also easy to answer with something related to hobbies you enjoy or a hidden talent that you may possess. I mean wouldn’t we all agree that we are amazing singers in the shower and put on the best concerts while in there? The more difficult way to answer this question is with intrinsic things that others may not know about yourself. Perhaps you would also come up with a list that includes extrinsic and intrinsic things. For me, I feel like it is a combination of both!

One thing that I am great at is worrying and letting the things I worry about distract me. In fact, sometimes I think I get some kind of odd pleasure out of having something to worry about. Part of this is a predisposition to worrying. I 100% believe that things like worry and anxiety have a genetic component. Which is why – though it can come across as toxic to some – I try to always find a positive lining to things. It’s for my own good. Sometimes I worry about things so much that after they have come to pass, I find myself simply exhausted. This is the case today. We started the day with having to take a cat to the pet (our cats are family), and I was afraid something was going to be wrong. Why? Probably because I’m still grieving the cat we lost this past summer especially on days when LilKsby brings her up a lot (which he did this morning), but also because the cat didn’t have the best checkup last year. Praise God (yes, I pray over my cats), the cat got a perfect checkup this year! What a relief!

Another thing I am good at is finding joy in the little things. I believe this is truly an amazing skill to have! For example, I am finding joy right now in writing this blog. I also find joy in watching it snow, cuddling up in my chair in front of the twinkling Christmas tree lights, and wandering through art galleries. I think that one of the biggest things that can make a difference in our lives is finding joy in little things.

Guess what else I’m good at? Being creative! I love writing, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, finding ‘reuses’ for items, and singing. I also love to dance even though I have the rhythm of a bucket! There’s something magical about taking something and molding it into something new.

I am good at being social. It can be exhausting because I am an extroverted introvert, but I can do the whole “peopling” thing. It actually recharges my battery to “people” the majority of the time. I love listening to the stories people have to tell and seeing all the wonderful connections that we have. When you get out there and get to “peopling” you learn just what a small world it is!

Finally, I’m good at word puzzles. I absolutely love word puzzles! I love learning the definitions of different words, I love learning the origins of words, and I love utilizing the words that I use from crosswords. It’s fun to be like, “That’s not light brown; that’s ecru.” I also love number puzzles like Sudoku! Puzzles are fun past time, and I like to think they are good for the brain!

What are five things you’re good at?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

The Wonder of a Weekend Getaway

Who can relate to not being able to completely relax at home? Maybe you’re distracted by dishes in the sink, thinking about laundry that needs to be done, or just feeling like you’re “supposed to be doing something productive” because you’re at home. I can absolutely relate to this! That is why I struggle with the concept of a relaxing “staycation” even if going to do fun activities during the day. To combat this, I have found that one of the best ways to relax, recharge, and reset is the Weekend Getaway.

What constitutes a Weekend Getaway? In my book it is spending a night or two away from home with family, your significant other, a friend or friends, or yourself. My idea of a Weekend Getaway also involves a place that you can easily drive to in three hours or less. The location does not really matter as much as the ability to unplug from everyday life. You can spend your Weekend Getaway in a hotel, tent, cabin, rental property, etc…whichever you find the most relaxing! It might even change based on the activities that you have in mind for the particular Weekend Getaway!

For me the best Weekend Getaways involve things I cannot do at home. For example, one of my absolute favorite things to do is to order room service or have food delivered and eat it in my pajamas while in bed. I find it super relaxing to eat something tasty while also being super comfy! Another favorite activity is to write while I am on a Weekend Getaway. I find that when I am away from home it can be a lot easier for me to focus on my writing as there are way fewer distractions. This can also be applied to reading! If I am with other people, I also love chatting, playing games, and doing activities like hiking, visiting museums, going to zoos, attending food/beverage tastings, and shopping. I am also a huge fan of little things that I do not have at home like super hot showers, tubs with jets, and fireplaces! Oh, and if it is summer and water activities are available, I’m there!

But the most important part of the Weekend Getaway? Returning home feeling rested and recharged. There is restorative power in getting out of your routine (i.e. comfort zone)! I highly recommend a Weekend Getaway at least once a season as a way to restore balance!

Do you think Weekend Getaways work wonders? What are some of your favorite Weekend Getaways?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

What’s In a Name?

What brands do you associate with?

If you would have asked me this question as a teenager, I probably would have made a comment about how brands don’t matter. Now as an adult, there are a lot of areas where I would still agree with this. However, as I have become more knowledgeable about issues that matter to me, my stance on brands has changed a bit. I will openly share with people who ask about brands/companies that I no longer support because of their social responsibility, environmental issues, etc. I also share that I fully realize that the companies do not feel a dent in their profits from my choice to not use them, but I feel that my peaceful protest (channeling Thoreau, Ghandi, and King) provides me with a clean heart. Is it a perfect plan? No. Especially given a world where it is hard to truly know what a brand stands for as available information can have inconsistencies. I also do my best to not judge those who are willing to spend their dollars with brands that I do not utilize.

So what do I utilize? I like Letters & Lore! letterslore.com I’ve worked with them on a few publications. I also love #mymklife and the brand that I am creating with thegreatkaysby on Instagram. For our homeschooling (though our values do not 100% align), I love Sonlight and Abeka. In this case, I use what doesn’t align with our beliefs as a learning opportunity. For craft/art supplies, I go to Michael’s. Whenever possible I prefer to support local brands/businesses.

What is your brand stance?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

With Infinite Time, I Could…

Daily writing prompt

What could you do more of?

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Everyone has the same number of minutes in a day: 1,440. The way those minutes are spent varies from person to person, but one thing always seems to remain constant. There never seems to be enough time in the day for everything that a person wants to do. However, with infinite time, I could think of a few things I would do more!

Paint – I love painting, but when I sit down to do it, I want at least two solid hours of painting time.
Scrapbooking – I love looking at pictures and making precious pages of our best memories. I also enjoy scrapbook competitions!
Writing – Really working on doing this more. I really want to finish my second non-fiction book soon, and the topic seems very pertinent.
Video Games – Since I was five, I have loved playing video games. I will 100% own up to the being that adult who loves to game.
Puzzles – I love compelting puzzles! Once I start one, I become hooked on completing it. We have stayed up until 3 in the morning completing puzzles before!
Traveling – I love to travel! If time (and money) were infinite, this is where I would be.
Sewing – I love to sew, but again I need bigger time blocks to do it!
Exercise – I would love to spend more time walking, doing yoga, and swimming!
Working – I work what most would consider “side hustles” and more time (and energy) would be great for these!
Studying – I love learning! With more time, I would take a lot more free courses online or watch more instructional videos.
Improve my piano skills and learn guitar!

It’s hard to work all of these into your schedule when you also homeschool and enjoy being involved in community activities! Maybe I should give up sleep, LOL!

What would you like to do more?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Can You Really Have Just One?

Daily writing prompt

What’s your all-time favorite album?

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I applaud all of the responses I have read where people can pick one favorite album of all time! My immediate thought with this question was, “I can’t pick just one!” There are so many albums that have been influential at different times in my life, and I still listen to the majority of them when the mood strikes. Of course that is the thing that I love the most about music: how it impacts us differently at various points in life and always seems to come into our lives when we need it the most. So instead of choosing one album, I’m opting to reflect on a few that have been an intregal part of my life.

Millennium – Backstreet Boys – 1999 – I cannot tell you how many times I have listened to this album in the last 26 years. To say that I was (am) a BSB fan would be an understatement. There was something about this album in particular that was magical. “The Perfect Fan” was the sweetest homage to moms, and I loved that my mom got to hear it in person at their concert that year right around her birthday. “Spanish Eyes” was beautiful, but it became more important when my future husband was singing it in my car one day. Yes, I was VERY impressed by Mr. Kisby’s ability to sing unreleased BSB songs!!! “Don’t Want You Back” was the anthem for so many relationships over the years, and “Larger Than Life” made us all think we had a chance at “making it” with a member of the band. HA HA Most of us were wrong! Sadly, I did not shell out the $1,000+ it would have cost to see them at The Sphere. Feeding the family comes before flying to Vegas! I’m sure that would have been an incredible experience! If only one of them wanted to give me tickets and backstage passess…I could totally become an official BSB blogger! HINT HINT
William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack – 1996 – When I say I have seen this movie at least 16 times, I am not at all exagerating. It was a brilliant retelling of the story in a modern setting with a soundtrack that exemplified what mid-90s music was all about! There were alt rock numbers, adult contemporary numbers, a Prince song in a gospel style, and of course Des’ree’s OUTSTANDING “Kissing You”! I listened to that CD until it was scratched beyond being able to play everything. I could tell you exactly where songs were used in the movie, and when I listened to it, I felt the passion and emotions portrayed by the characters. How tear jerking was that ending? Baz Luhrmann is such a genius at making you think characters have hope before yanking it all out from under you!
Bat Out of Hell – Meat Loaf – 1977 – I was not born when this album was released, but in my teenage years this album became synonymous with family roadtrips. The lyrics were beatiful and the music was banging! As I grew up, the songs became more and more relatable. Like, how hauntingly accurate is “Two Out of Three Aint’ Bad” with “I want you, I need you, but there ain’t no way I’m every going to love you”? Also, “Paradise By the Dashboard” lights was iconic! Nothing left to the imagination there as they went for the line drive up the middle! The titular song was also amazing! Those riffs!
Reputation – Taylor Swift – 2017 – I loved how this album transistioned Taylor from young adult country/pop to relatable themes that so many of us experience as adults. I for one love the lyric “the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now because she’s dead.” I feel like a lot of people were shocked by this lyrical choice, but I think it is a highly accurate portrayal of growing older. Frankly, I am very glad to not be the me that I was when I was 18 or in my early 20s. Personal growth like that mentioned in the song is how I’ve become the person I love today! This was also the first Taylor Swift album that I could listen to on repeat, and it was the last concert we saw before finding out that LilKsby was going to be joining our family!
The Greatest Hits Volume 1: 20 Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys – 1995 – I have also listened to this album over and over again! My love of the Beach Boys began when I was about five, and I would listen to my dad’s cassettes. I knew the lyrics to songs like Surfin’ USA before I could read! By the time I was a teenager, I loved this album even more because of the poinancy of many of the lyrics as well as the unmatchable musical genius of Brian Wilson (may he RIP). Brian could bring things to life musically that most of us could never dream of creating! That album introduced me to “Sloop John B” and “God Only Knows” both of which have become two of my favorite Beach Boys songs. Plus, “Kokomo” featuring John Stamos and that video with the pink tank top. Drummers who can sing are hot, mmmkay? I really wish I could have seen Dennis Wilson perform while he was alive. Added bonus, the songs from this album are also what got LilKsby hooked on the Beach Boys too! Timeless!
Honorable Mentions – these are albums that I may not listen to as much, but they have definitely had a lasting impact on my life either because of the moving scores or life event significance: Beetlejuice Soundtrack, Titanic Soundtrack, Clueless Soundtrack, Hamilton Soundtrack (seriously, right after you’ve had a child, “Dear Theodosia” will make you cry your eyes out), Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack, Josie and the Pussycats Soundtrack, American Wedding Soundtrack, Backstreet Boys’ DNA, Rent Soundtrack, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Musical Soundtrack. I could talk about each of these, but this blog is already too long!

Can you pick just one favorite album?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Well…Considering How The Great Kaysby Started…

Daily writing prompt

What are your favorite types of foods?

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When I started this blog in 2018, my idea was to make a blog about travel and food. I like to fancy myself a “foodie” and “travel lover” with big hopes that someone will pay me to eat and travel in exchange for my opinions. That hasn’t happened yet! Cruise lines, I’m looking at you!!! LOL Though the direction of my blog has changed over the years, my love of food has not!

So what are my favorite types of foods? Let me break it down!

Comfort Foods – Pizza, French Fries, Bread Products with Butter
Cold Weather – Chili, French Onion Soup, Tomato Soup with croutons and parmesan cheese
Craving Salty – Chips – especially sour cream and onion or ones that I can dip in ranch
Condiments – Ranch and mayo
Italian – Pasta with olive oil and parmesan cheese, breadsticks, pizza
Chinese – Egg drop soup, fried rice, various chicken dishes
Hibachi – rice, sushi
Fast Food – Zaxby’s (because they are consistent no matter where we go)
Carryout Pizza – Casey’s Taco Pizza and Cheesesticks, Domino’s

Now do you see why I originally started a food blog? Now I’m hungry!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Sometimes You Lead, Sometimes You Follow

Daily writing prompt

Do you see yourself as a leader?

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By definition, according to the Oxford Dictionary, a leader is “the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or a country.” Solely looking at this definition, I have been a leader. I have been in the President/Highest Office in a few organizations and been one of the supporting main offices (usually secretary) in other organizations. I have also led a team of beauty consultants for almost 15 years. Just going off of what is on paper, I have been a leader in various capacities since about 2004. In other words, if my leadership self was their own person, they’d be having their first legal drink this year! LOL

But do I see myself as a leader?

No. Yes. Maybe. Being a leader is interesting because I do not necessarily see myself as a leader, but I have the type of personality where I can take charge when necessary (especially in critical situations though I may have a come apart when it is over), and I can also be the planner, organizer, etc for various situations. However, sometimes it is also nice to be part of the ensemble so to speak. It’s nice to be in the background while someone else steps in the spotlight. I also feel like as I get older, the reason for seeking leadership changes. When I was younger, sometimes I wanted to be made the leader because it made me feel like I had a bigger purpose (like when I held various offices with organizations). As I have gotten older, I want to lead people with a servant’s heart so that they will be able to mirror that love and gratitude to future generations. Currently, I have a semi-leadership position in a non-profit, and I have said for years that I want to lead it in such away that when I decide to step down, I know that it will be secure for years to come. I have also found myself desiring to grow in business leadership because I know that it will have a bigger positive impact on my own family. However, I also know that to do this and be the best leader I can be, I have some self growth that needs to happen in areas like time management and overcoming obstacles.

So do I see myself as a leader? I see myself growing into the person I was born to be, and if that involves leading others and showing what it is like to live by the Golden Rule, then that’s cool.

Are you a leader?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby