Journal Challenge – The Great Kaysby

Can You Really Have Just One?

Daily writing prompt

What’s your all-time favorite album?

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

Daily Prompt – 2/24

What is the biggest challenge you will face in the next six months?

Six months from now will be the end of August. Summer will be winding down (take the hint winter, it’s time for you to start winding down), and our school year will be about to begin. Though with homeschool do we ever really stop learning? Based on our current lack of big plans, I suppose the biggest challenge will be self-discipline and remaining committed to the goals I have set for myself, our family, and our businesses. A key component to staying disciplined and committed will be remembering what I can and cannot control while also not getting distracted by things like doom scrolling that cause emotional shutdown and keep from my goals. How am I going to conquer the challenge? By keeping the vision in front of me, checking on benchmarks for goals frequently, prayer, and reflection. Time to get the job done!

What is your biggest challenge?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Daily Prompt – February 21

What is your favorite drink?

For YEARS Diet Coke was my favorite drink. I was 100% addicted to them, and I couldn’t have just one. Diet Mt Dew was a close second. Then, I started learning just how bad diet soft drinks are for you. Like, does anyone really know what half of those ingredients are? On January 29, 2022, I had my last soda. It was Mr Kisby’s virtual college graduation, and I had a 44 ounce Diet Coke that left me feeling bloated and uncomfortable. After that I said to myself, no more and quit cold turkey. My gut health thanks me immensely!

So what is my favorite drink now? I drink A LOT of water. It’s become the typical daily drink. I also enjoy coffee and hot tea most days. Coffee is usually after breakfast, and hot tea is typically in the evening. For an indulgent treat I will allow myself unsweet tea (my fav treat drink), lemonade, and juice on a a rare occasion. My favorite juice is the cranberry that the Drury Inn & Suites serves at breakfast!

What is your favorite drink?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

July 17 – Prompt of the Day

Dogs or cats?

🐈 🐈‍⬛ 🐈 🐈‍⬛

There is no hesitation for me to say cats when answering this question! For as long as I can remember, someone in my immediately family has had at least one cat. Usually it was my grandfather, and he had two white cats (one long hair like the Fancy Feast cat) around the time I was 12 that solidified my love of kitties! They were the ones that lead to me begging to get my first cat of my own for Christmas 1995. One cat quickly turned to two when we a stray adopted us during a severe rainstorm! Fast forward to today, and we have four cats. Two we adopted from a shelter, and two we bottle fed after they were abandoned. I never dreamed that we would have four cats (briefly it was 5 until the 17 year old passed), but here we are!

It’s Hard to Say…

Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met?

This is a really hard question for me to answer. I’ve met a lot of famous people because of attending cons, but does that count? Here’s my thought on this question…

Most Interesting Meeting – Waylon Jennings – When I met him, I had no idea who he was. I was a kid (must of been around age 9 because Hurricane Andrew had just happened), and I was at a barbecue buffet with my parents. This random stranger started telling me I was a cute young lady, and I told him that I couldn’t talk to strangers. I didn’t understand at the time why my mom was staring at me slack jawed. Now I get it!

Most Meaningful – William Daniels – I grew up watching Boy Meets World, and when I became a teacher, I wanted to be the kind that made the impact that Mr Feeny did on those kids. I am so glad that I could tell him thank you for being an inspiration. Bonus, LilKsby was so upset that I didn’t pick the Knight Rider picture for our autograph that his wife, Bonnie Bartlett, gave us one. 😊

Most Awkward – Howie D – I’ve been a huge BSB fan for a long time, and when we saw him coming out of a hotel, the words asking for an autograph barely came out of my mouth. They did come out, but I know I was shaking. Side note, that was the morning after the concert where we were close enough to slip them our room number. They didn’t call that night, so me and my besties are still waiting for them to call us to hangout. 😂

Most Kind – Luke Perry and Sean Patrick Flannery – I met them at a Con. Luke Perry and I had a conversation about hand sanitizer, and he let me use some of his. Same Con, a fan had given Sean Patrick Flannery some brownies, and he shared his brownies with me and my aunt. That was pretty awesome! We’d done the Boondocks Saints photo op the day before, so that made it even better!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

10 Things I Love About Me

As part of a leadership class I am taking, I’m starting a 30 day challenge of Daily Journal Prompts. This is outside of my usual realm, but I’m excited for the challenge!

Prompt 8 – List 10 things you love about yourself.

I love this prompt! Not because I love to talk about myself although sometimes I do it a little too much, but because I think listing things you love about yourself is a great mental health exercise. Over the years I’ve used a similar exercise to this prompt for therapeutic reasons, and I highly recommend everyone do it! Here goes my list!

1. I love my creativity and expressing it through painting, sewing, scrapbooking, coloring, and writing.

2. I love my ability to get lost in a book. Books can take you to another world, inform you, and inspire you!

3. I love my head – like all of it. My hair has always made me happy as have my eyes and smile.

4. I love my ability to burst out into song at random moments whether it is with a made up song or one I half know the lyrics to.

5. I love my tendency to be easily excited and enthusiastic about the littlest things!

6. I love my caring spirit and how much taking care of others feeds my soul. It’s important to be a servant leader.

7. I love my ability to teach people a variety of skills in a variety of areas.

8. I love my ability to work hard and get things done when I put my mind to accomplishing something.

9. I love my love of water. I feel most at peace when water is involved be it a shower, pool, rain, lake, etc.

10. Most of all I love being able to live by my priorities: faith, family/friends, living by the Golden Rule, and then career. The two greatest roles in my life are wife and mother, and I do my best to up hold that calling.

I challenge everyone to make their own 10 list!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Happiest Memories

As part of a leadership class I am taking, I’m starting a 30 day challenge of Daily Journal Prompts. This is outside of my usual realm, but I’m excited for the challenge!

Prompt 7 – Write about one of your happiest memories.

There are so many happy memories in my life that it is impossible to choose just one! I could talk about birthdays, our engagement day or wedding day, trips, hanging with friends, or LilKsby coming along! This time I want to go with a moment that fits one of my love languages: recognition and words of praise.

In 2007, I attended my first MK Seminar in Dallas, TX. At that event, I got to see people being recognized for their achievements on the big Seminar stage. It was like a Miss America pageant where everyone had the potential to be winner based on their achievements. I knew then that I wanted to walk across that big stage waving to the crowd like royalty!

Fast forward to 2010 when Mr Kisby attended the event with me for the first time. He got to walk the stage with all the other SOs. I was one of the crowd he waved towards. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being in the crowd and cheering for him. I get just as excited about celebrating other people I love as I do about being celebrated myself! However, I also like pretend score boards. I’m competitive like that! Big Stage Score Mr Kisby 1 and me 0. My business continued to grow and in 2014 and 2015, he went with me again and walked the stage. Mr Kisby 3 and me 0.

Enter 2016! At one of our smaller MK events with 5,000 people instead of 20,000, I earned my first stage walk! I was so excited! I still remember smiling and cheesing it up with the women around me! Our enthusiasm was contagious!!! I loved the thrill of earning the recognition spot and being celebrated!!!!

Summer of 2016, Mr Kisby went with me to Seminar again. Once again another SO stage call. That made his score 4 and mine 1. In 2017, I once again crossed the smaller event stage for leadership achievements. 4-2

Fast forward to 2018! That April it was announced that for the first time ever Princess Court achievers would get to cross the BIG stage during the BIG awards night in Dallas! This announcement got me working in high gear. I had been dreaming of this since 2007, and after eleven years, the dream was within my grasp. With a lot of hard work and determination, I made my goal! I treated myself to an amazing gown, and I felt like I was Miss America when they put that sash on me! I remember being in line to go back stage and being giddy with excitement. I took in every moment as we got back there, and I can still picture all of the backstage setup for the higher level awards being given. The thrill as we shuffled a long back stage was intoxicating, and by the time I stepped foot on stage, I was grinning from ear to ear. The whole moment may have lasted five minutes, but it was five limited that I had dreamed of for eleven years! Talk about a rush!!!

At that point Mr Kisby may have led the scoreboard at 4-3, but I felt like the biggest winner of all time! In 2019, I walked the stage twice more at one of our smaller events. This time LilKsby was in my belly, and I remember being so excited that I could share a world where dreams do come true with a little bit of grit with my baby! I guess that makes our score 4-5-2 technically!

Now it’s been over 4 years since those happiest moments, and I will soon be attending a MK event again. I won’t be walking the stage myself (there is always 2024), but I’m elated to cheer on all of my friends for their achievements!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Happiest Memories

As part of a leadership class I am taking, I’m starting a 30 day challenge of Daily Journal Prompts. This is outside of my usual realm, but I’m excited for the challenge!

Prompt 7 – Write about one of your happiest memories.

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Loud and Proud

As part of a leadership class I am taking, I’m starting a 30 day challenge of Daily Journal Prompts. This is outside of my usual realm, but I’m excited for the challenge!

Prompt 6 – What are you most proud of?

This is a tricky prompt. It’s kind of like when people ask the question, “What is your favorite movie?” Such a broad question kind of gets a blank stare. However, if it is a more specific question such as “What is your favorite sports movie?” I can quickly say A League of Their Own. For me, asking what are you most proud of gets the same blank stare until looking at it for different areas. Thus, in true to me form, I present a “Top List”!

Top 3 Things I’m Proud of in July 2023

3. Trying new things even if they are a little scary! I don’t want to go into details, but I want to do things that I find scary to help show my Sweet Boy how to have courage!

2. My MK Life – I love being able to work around my priorities with people I choose to be around. I have been abundantly blessed by my clients and team!

1. Mr Kisby and LilKsby! They are both doing amazing things and accomplishing great achievements! I love just sitting back and watching them be successful!

I think what you’re most proud of changes based on your season of life. There were periods when I would have listed all my personal accolades as what I was most proud of achieving. These days I’m often most proud of things that are about others more than me. Don’t get me wrong, I still think I’m awesome. The difference is realizing how much more awesome our lives can be when we prioritize the needs of others. In this season of life, nothing will make more proud than watching my loves!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Overcoming Challenges

As part of a leadership class I am taking, I’m starting a 30 day challenge of Daily Journal Prompts. This is outside of my usual realm, but I’m excited for the challenge!

Prompt 5 – What challenges have you overcome in life?

Well obviously I haven’t overcome the challenge of completing these daily prompts! I’m like 5 behind! I got distracted while on vacation, and then when we returned home, I didn’t think about it until I looked at my materials for the leadership class!

In all seriousness, I’ve overcome so many challenges in life that I don’t know where to start. My first thought was of a challenge around the age of six. As a child, I remember having difficulty running. It turned out that I have scoliosis which had caused one leg to be slightly off and caused a slight off balance to my running. Somehow, I learned to adjust myself over the years since diagnosis which lead to being able to enjoy many sports and activities. Then from the time I was a teenager, I’ve had to deal with the challenge of coping with loss be it friends, pets, or family. This was an emotional challenge that at times can still be difficult. For example, my grandmother has been gone for 12 years, but sometimes I still feel sad moments. Finally, I think of challenges with education and careers. There have been a lot of challenges for me in these areas. It took me 11 1/2 years to finish college from start to finishing my Masters. That season saw me through various careers, and when I decided to step away from a full time traditional career to that of work from home mom, I also experienced some challenges. Sometimes I think having to overcome challenges is such a key part to life that we don’t even realize we’re going through a challenge because we just grab the bull by the horns so to speak.

What challenges have you overcome?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

The Best Day

As part of a leadership class I am taking, I’m starting a 30 day challenge of Daily Journal Prompts. This is outside of my usual realm, but I’m excited for the challenge!

Prompt 4 – Write about the best day you’ve had recently.

The best day I’ve had recently is happening right now! I woke up with the sun shining, beautiful nature out the window, and I’m snuggling MrKisby while LilKsby plays. We’ve got a fun day with wonderful friends planned, and my heart is still full from all of the family time that we had over the 4th of July. So I’m declaring that today is thus far the best!

The main reason I’m making this declaration is because it is really hard for me to pick a best day. There are so many days that are great for different reasons be it the people they are spent with or the activities that are completed. I feel like to pick one best day would be hurtful to the other best days!

What is your best day?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Grateful

As part of a leadership class I am taking, I’m starting a 30 day challenge of Daily Journal Prompts. This is outside of my usual realm, but I’m excited for the challenge!

Prompt 3 – What are you most grateful for in your life?

If you’re going for a joking answer, my response to this prompt would be that I am grateful for a prompt that has reminded me of how to spell grateful. I love to write, but I frequently second guess myself when it comes to spelling certain words. If you’re going for a rote response, I would say I’m grateful for my family, friends, and health. A true thoughtful response? That answer would be opportunity.

I am abundantly blessed and so grateful for the many opportunities that I have had throughout my life. There have been so many things that I have had the chance to do in my life, and I am abundantly thankful for these opportunities. Here’s a list of some of the top that come to mind…

1. Being able to make the transition to work from home/homeschool mom. This has been nothing short of magical! I’ve gotten to take trips with family and hear fascinating stories about their pasts that I never knew! I’ve gotten to start LilKsby’s education. I’ve been able to participate in groups and met so many new, wonderful people!

2. Having the opportunity to experience life with Mr Kisby has been amazing! His love and support are the entire reason #1 has been able to happen. Beyond that, I’m thankful for all the opportunities we have had to travel together, have fun together, and grow together as people.

3. The opportunity to be a mom. I never knew how much I would love being a mom! For most of my life it wasn’t a thing on my radar. Now I can’t imagine life any other way!

4. The opportunity my DS business has given me. From the friends to the travel to personal growth, I am a better person because of that positive influence.

5. The opportunities to serve others and bless their lives are super important to me. I love helping others. It really fills my cup when I am able to help improve lives!

What are you grateful for?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Happiest

As part of a leadership class I am taking, I’m starting a 30 day challenge of Daily Journal Prompts. This is outside of my usual realm, but I’m excited for the challenge!

Prompt 2 – Who makes you feel happiest in life and why?

To say that one person in my life makes me feel happiest is impossible for me to do. There are so many people in my life that bring me different kinds of happiness, and I value all of them and how they helped me find happiness in different seasons of life. For as long as I can remember – and I have memories since the time I was two – family has made me happy. As I got older, friends have also brought me great happiness. I’ve been very blessed to have many friends who are more like family. I’m thankful for them especially those who have seen me through happiness and tears. For the past 14 years Mr Kisby has brought me happiness that I never dreamed I would have, and of course since before he was born LilKsby has been bringing me happiness. There is so much happiness in my life because of all the people in it! To pick one would truly be a disservice to all of them!

I hope that everyone is able to find happiness with the people in their lives!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Today’s Excitement

As part of a leadership class I am taking, I’m starting a 30 day challenge of Daily Journal Prompts. This is outside of my usual realm, but I’m excited for the challenge!

Prompt 1 – What are you most excited about for today?

As you may have realized over the years, I am an easily excitable person, so it is hard to pinpoint one thing that I am most excited about today. Currently, I’m excited that I’ve been able to make posts in my VIP Client and team groups while watching Aqua Pups with LilKsby. Now he’s sitting in my lap, and snuggles are always exciting! Another thing I’m excited about? Nachos! LilKsby has been asking to go to O’Charley’s, and it just happens to be $5 Nacho Day during lunch hours. So today I get to go have it with him and Mr Kisby – double bonus! I also get excited about the library, and we have to go there today too! Bonus? Tonight is our weekly leadership class, and I’m excited about that too! I’m excited that I’ve stuck with it for five weeks especially with the last week not being my best. Mary Kay Ash used to say if you’ve had a bad week you need the meeting, and if you’ve had a great week the meeting needs you! Plus, fireworks! So much excitement all day long!!!

What are you excited about today?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby