Tag: buffythevampireslayer

13 Things About Me

You know those articles about famous people like “25 Things You Never Knew About Nicholas Brendon”? As a celeb gossip site junky, I like to read those to see if the things listed are truly ones I didn’t know. Typically, if it is someone associated with a favorite show or musical act, then I already knew about 75% of the things. Today, I got to thinking about my own audience and what fun things people may not know about me. Thus, I present “13 Things You Never Knew About The Great Kaysby”!

1. I love reading Top 10 Style Lists! Top 10 lists, especially those on http://www.screenrant.com, are one of my guilty pleasures when it comes to reading. I want to know things like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 5 Times We Felt Bad for Riley (And 5 Times We Hated Him)”. Lists about my favorite TV shows and movies always amuse me! I also enjoy just general funny top lists like Dave Letterman was known to share on his late show. I prefer my lists to have bold titles so that I can just read the list without all of the fluff if I’m not in the mood for it. (Feel free to just read my bold titles.)

2. I prefer odd numbers. I don’t know why, but I’ve always preferred odd numbers over even numbers. Maybe it is because I’m an only child which meant three people in my house growing up. Maybe it is because people always insisted that numbers like 13 were unlucky. Could just be because I’m an odd duck; therefore, I like odd numbers.

3. I don’t like being hot. If it is over 80 degrees, then I’m not happy! In fact, if it is over like 72 with the AC, then I’m grumpy. There is nothing worse to me than being sweaty and stinky. When it is over 80 degrees, the only way I want to be outside is either in a pool or on the ocean (cruise ship pre-pandemic or beach). I would much rather have fall temperatures all year than sweat.

4. I love food, but I do not like to eat it outside. Outside there are bugs (something else I’m not a fan of). The easiest way to get me to throw away food is to have a bug land on it or near it. Flies buzzing around food really grosses me out especially if they land because somebody told me when I was little that a fly vomits every time it lands.

5. I love food, but I’m very picky! I don’t like cheese unless it is on pizza or like how it is on pizza. The cheese CANNOT be the dominant flavor or texture. I don’t like steak because of the texture. I’m not a fan of chocolate unless the chocolate is a small part of a chocolate chip cookie or Reese’s cup. Ice cream is too cold, and I’ll only eat it when it is melty in a Blizzard. I’m not a fan of beer or drinks with sugar in them. Cheetos are yucky as are Cheez-its. I don’t like olives, mushrooms, or lima beans. Blue cheese dressing is gross as well.

6. I love to bake, but I don’t eat a lot of it. I love to bake! I love trying new recipes! I’ve been working on my decorating technique after getting hooked on Nailed It! on Netflix. Fun fact, once I’ve baked it, a lot of times I don’t want to eat it. The exception is usually cupcakes and cookies. During the holidays this means I bake a lot of things for other people just because!

7. I love to paint! I will never claim to be good at it, but because of the “Paint and Sip” style classes that have become so popular, I love to paint! I like playing around with a blank canvas and trying my hand at creating art. Currently, I’m watching YouTube videos of Bob Ross to improve my skill!

8. I love socks! I have so many socks that I could probably go two months and never wear the same pair of socks twice! I love ankle socks, knee socks, no show socks, socks with designs, plain socks, fuzzy sucks…any type of socks! If you ever want to buy me a present, then send socks! I have size 10 feet, so they can be a challenge!

9. I love labels, and I’m not ashamed to admit it! There are not a lot of things where I pay attention to labels. I don’t shop for name brand clothes, and I always try to save money by purchasing brands like Great Value when it comes to groceries. However, when it comes to shoes and bags, I’m not ashamed to admit that I have favorites! For shoes, I love my Skechers and Converse! You want me to be amused for a while? Drop me off at the Converse outlet! I’ll also accept knock-off Converse. I just love that style! With handbags, I’m a fan of Coach and Kate Spade. The addiction started when I earned pieces from both designers as prizes in my direct selling job. My helpful hint when it comes to labels? Shop the outlets, and sign up for their emails so that you get extra deals! That way you can save and shop!

10. I love performing! Performing on stage in front of an audience has been one of my passions for as long as I can remember. I love acting, and I love to sing. My fear of what people thought of my singing has truly held me back from singing in public more. That’s why I’m always in the ensemble in musicals! Acting wise, I love to be in comedies! If I can make people laugh, then I feel like I’ve accomplished something great! Favorite roles have included Emily Webb in Our Town (even though it’s not a comedy), Mrs. Poppenghul in Moonlight and Magnolias, and Phyllis Montague in Play On.

11. I love playing games! I love to play games! I love computer games like World of Warcraft! I love console games especially any Zelda game! I love board games, card games, and table top RPGs! Any game where I have a goal and the chance for victory pretty much makes me happy!

12. I love “quiet” activities! I love putting together puzzles. I enjoy word games on my phone. I enjoy completing crossword puzzles and word searches. I LOVE to read! This is one is so big that I can say breaking down and buying a Kindle last year was one of my best purchases. I love taking pictures of flowers and landscapes!

13. I love decaf coffee that doesn’t taste like coffee. If I’m drinking a cup of coffee, then I want it to be so diluted with creamer that it is like a pale brown color. For me the best coffee tastes like french vanilla, caramel macchiato, or a mocha. Drown it in whip cream and I have my own frothy Starbucks like drink at home. In actuality, the best coffee to me isn’t even coffee. It is a nice, freshly brewed cup of hot tea.

There you have “13 Things You Never Knew About The Great Kaysby”! I challenge you to share things about yourself that people may not know!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Following or Living?

I’m not perfect.

I make mistakes.

However, I truly believe Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart.”

That said, I will be the first to say that though I’ve been Catholic for most of my life (there was a hiatus in my 20’s), I don’t always remember what the preacher is saying at Mass. Thus, I am truly shocked that today – Monday – I am still pondering yesterday’s sermon on the Heart of the Nation Mass (don’t judge me for watching Mass on YouTube…at least I’m watching!). The priest was talking about the Pharisees and how they were determined to follow the law. He then went on to discuss how Jesus didn’t just want people to follow the law; Jesus wanted people to live the law.

Specifically he mentioned the law of “Thou shalt not kill.” You can follow this law by not murdering. Simple enough. Living the law of “Thou shalt not kill”? Not as simple. If you think about it, every time we have a negative self deprecating thought, we are killing our spirit. Likewise, every time we say something negative about someone, we are killing their self-esteem. It is so easy to make comments such as “She’s gaining weight!” or “He looks like he’s on drugs!” We (society in general) have a tendency to think that if no one hears our negative comments, then it won’t impact them.

WRONG!

Eventually, the person who is having negative comments made about them is going to find out the comments are being made, and there is a very good chance that it is going to make them feel terrible! Their self-esteem might be damaged; their spirit might be killed. If I’m following the law, I didn’t break “Thou shalt not kill.” But if I’m living it? I sure did break it!

The more I thought about this scenario, I began to realize that the idea of “following or living” isn’t just applicable to laws. The idea is applicable to everyday life. My day job – the one that puts food on the table and keeps the shelter over our heads – is teaching. Every school day, I see kids who are following the actions and words of their peers because they want to feel like they have a place. Instead of living their own lives, they get caught up with what is deemed “cool” or “acceptable”. Sometimes they even lose sight of who they are in the process.

I see this with adults too – including myself at times – who want to follow all of what they are told without question. I do this A LOT with what LilKsby’s pediatrician tells us to do to the point that it drives other people bananas! In my life, I’ve never felt like I’m purposely “following” instead of “living”, but as creatures of habit it can be easy to get caught up in just “following”. It’s not intentional. It’s just easy.

That said, a lot of my goals for 2020 are very tied to “living” and not “following”. This year, I want to be more creative. I want to get in better shape. I want to blog more. I want to read a lot of books with LilKsby. I want to spend more time with MrKsby. I want to have purple hair and get my nose pierced even if people think it is weird for someone in their 30’s to want. I want to become the person I am destined to be spiritually, emotionally, and physically. In short? I want “LIVING” and not “FOLLOWING”!

Will it be hard? Yup!

Will it have obstacles? Yup!

Will it be worth it? HELL YES!

By the way…it will also involve music because there is a little girl in me who dreamed of singing, and she’s ready to be free! Luckily, I can carry a tune!

I know this blog has been a little all over the place (let’s face it, that’s how my brain works), but I hope that it inspires you! I hope that in 2020 and every other year that you will choose “living” over “following” and be who you were put on this earth to be! I believe that if we all choose “living” over “following”, then great things can happen!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

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