holidays – The Great Kaysby

The Perfect Month

What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

Can we just agree that some of these daily writing prompts are odd? I can truly say I have never thought about what my favorite month of the year is. Favorite holiday? Sure. Favorite season? Okay. (Spoiler, all four have their perks.) Favorite month? All I can think of is that clip from Miss Congeniality where the girl says the perfect date is April 25. So instead of a favorite month, how about a pros and cons list? My followers know how much I love a good list!!!!

Pros

January – Snow is likely! This means hot chocolate, snuggles, and “lazy” days.
February – important family celebrations and snow
March – NCAA Tournament (the only time I make a point of watching Sportsball) and Spring! Also, sometimes snow!
April – Gardening and outside time weather begins!
May – lots of fun celebrations!!!
June – summer camps
July – important celebrations
August – important birthday and State Fair
September – Fall starts! That means all the fun fall activities begin!
October – fall activities and Halloween
November – Christmas prep! Celebrations! Sometimes it snows!!!
December – Christmas palooza! Winter time!!! Family celebrations!

Cons

Each month has some sort of con associated with it because of something that has happened or because there is a holiday you don’t agree with celebrating. However, it’s not enough to ruin a month.

Do you have a favorite month, or do they all have their merits?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Change for Christmas

Winter Storm Elliott has brought many of us an unexpected gift for Christmas: change. When the forecast was made, many of us never dreamed that it would impact our Christmas plans. Even yesterday after the 53 degree temperature drop, the icy snow mix covering the ground, and spending the majority of the day at a wind chill of -17, I kept thinking there would be some Christmas magic that allowed our planned Christmas events to occur. Alas, I was wrong. The roads are still a mess, the temperature is 15 degrees with a wind chill of 0, and I don’t even know if salt works in this extreme. The result? Change for Christmas.

Let me preface this by saying that six out of ten times change is hard for me. That said, even though I know it is better to be safe at home, I got a little in my feels cooking breakfast this morning. Had things gone to plan, we would have already been having family gift time and been eating Chinese for lunch. Instead, I had already cleaned vomit (cats will eat anything even if it won’t stay down), started a crockpot of soup, and began a load of laundry. However, along the same line, if things had gone to plan, then I wouldn’t have been able to let LilKsby spend an hour laying in bed and “reading” his Christmas books to me. This was absolutely precious and priceless! Other things have also occurred this morning that made me glad to be home instead of out and about. So even though it wasn’t what we had planned, change for Christmas hasn’t necessarily been a bad gift for 2022.

As I was writing the previous paragraph, I started having memories of other times we’ve had change for Christmas. There have been a couple of times that my mom has missed out on Christmas festivities due to illness; there were Christmases (yes, plural) spent in the hospital with my grandparents. There was even one Christmas where my dad had to work because his job was essential. Thinking back on these changes, I realize that my real problem with change for Christmas is that I don’t like things that are out of my control or that I cant help fix. When my mom was sick, I could take care of her. When my grandparents were in the hospital, I could visit them. When my dad had to work, I knew that we could have things ready for him when he got home. However, in this case I can’t control the weather or how fast things are cleared. As much as it can be hard for me, I just have to wait.

So while we wait for improvements, I feel like this is a great time to slow down (the holidays can be a lot of rushing) and be thankful. Even with change for Christmas, I have A LOT to be thankful for this holiday. The first one of those is a loving like minded family also wanting to put safety first! It’s also a great time to just enjoy the moments now instead of pondering on what was supposed to happen. If you’re struggling with this gift of change for Christmas, then I invite you to also reflect on what’s going right today and for the things you have to be thankful about.

Merry Christmas Eve!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Thanksgiving – Open for Business

A couple of days ago, I saw a sponsored ad on Facebook for Big Lots Thanksgiving sales. I don’t have feelings one way or the other about a sale at Big Lots, but I was curious to see the comments. They seemed to be equally balanced between “How dare you be open on a holiday?” and “Great! I might come shopping!” I can be understanding of both perspectives. On one hand, it is wonderful when families get together for the holidays on the holiday. On the other hand, some workers rely on the extra holiday pay, some people don’t celebrate holidays, and some people spend time with family while shopping. Aside from both sides of the Big Lots argument, I started thinking about if people were just applying these arguments to retail stores, or does it bother them that other establishments are open on holidays?

My first thought to this question was that I am glad essential care places are open on holidays. Twice in my life, we have been thankful for emergency health services being open on the holidays. The first was when I was ten. We had family visiting from Kansas for Christmas, and my cousin got really sick. Luckily, the hospital emergency room and a pharmacy were both open for the holiday. The second instance didn’t impact me directly, but the memory is crazy vivid. We were in Oklahoma having Thanksgiving with family, and my uncle’s neighbor accidentally got run over by the car he was repairing. Literally ran over! Guess how glad we all were that medical professionals were working that holiday? Seriously, the neighbor may not have lived otherwise. We were thankful for all of those working that played a part in those instances!!!

I understand that medical facilities are a far stretch from Big Lots, but gas stations aren’t that far of a stretch from Big Lots. I’ve been very thankful that gas stations are open for holidays. We’ve almost always traveled for holidays be it for 20 minutes or 12 hours. Guess what is necessary for travel? Gas! I can also say that never were we the only customers at gas stations on holidays. There were always other people getting gas, using restrooms, and getting travel snacks.

Speaking of travel, on holidays we have also been very appreciative of hotels and restaurants being open for breakfast. Yes, a big part of Thanksgiving is eating, but those meals are usually later in the day. I still remember a delicious diner on Thanksgiving morning in Oklahoma. It was close to the hotel where we were staying, and they had the best waffles with strawberries and whipped cream on top! Seriously, I remember them almost 30 years later! Likewise, we’ve also been appreciative of restaurants open on holidays when we’ve had relatives in the hospital. When a close relative’s life is in the balance, the last thing you want to do on a holiday is cook a big meal at home. Also, and I say this from experience, there are only so many hospital cafeteria meals you can eat. Even if the food is decent, it is unsettling hearing “code blues” announced on speakers when your relative is in ICU/CCU. Sometimes to keep your sanity, you need a non-hospital cafeteria meal on a holiday!

Another essential to keeping sanity is having entertainment. How many people watch football on Thanksgiving and Christmas? I’d almost wager that some of the people acting like Big Lots is the evil incarnate for being open on Thanksgiving are watching the NFL today. In my head, I hear them arguing “Those players get paid millions! They know what they signed up for! Their families can have Thanksgiving another day!” What about the officials, the parking attendants, the concession stand employees, and the stadium maintenance staff? When you’re watching at home, there still has to be people working on site that make the game experience possible. Likewise, how many people have been to the movies on Thanksgiving or Christmas? I have! Growing up, we would go as a family. It was always fun after a meal early in the day. Also fun on a holiday? Watching parades! I’ve never seen a single person complain about all the people who have to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas to make parades happen. I’m sure thousands of people have to work to make these parades happen!

So if we are thankful for medical services, travel services, and entertainment being open on holidays, why do people get so bent out of shape about stores being open? Is it because people like saying “greedy retail establishments”? That doesn’t make complete sense given travel services and entertainment also generate income on holidays. Is the root of it because people like to complain about things they don’t understand? Whatever the argument is, I hope that everyone who reads this has a blessed holiday season!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Three Is a Magic Age

There is a song from School House rock called “Three Is a Magic Number,” and one of the main lyrics is this: “A man and a woman had a little baby, yes, they did. They had three in the family, and that’s a magic number.” This lyric has stuck with me since I first heard the song last spring. At the time it stuck in my head because of our little family of three: me, Mr Kisby, and LilKsby. Now the song keeps popping in my head because three has been such a magic age so far for LilKsby!

The first reason it has been magic is the increase in communication. LilKsby wasn’t much of a talker before turning three. However, he must have been quietly listening and observing because he went from just a few words to using complete sentences with A LOT of words and singing seemingly over night! Now he can repeat anything – and I mean anything – after hearing it once! For a while I was concerned, but it turned out that three was his magic number for speech!

Another reason three has a been a magic age? The amount that LilKsby loves learning! We have opted for home school for preschool, and since starting two months ago, he has learned so much! He’s working on obvious things like numbers and letters, and he enjoys them. He also loves math, science, music, yoga, shape art, painting, learning the states, and working with the calendar. His thirst for knowledge is absolutely magical!

Something else that is absolutely magical is how much LilKsby understands holidays now that he is three. Since around August, he’s been working on his list for Santa! (In case you wondered, he wants noodles, an orange pencil, and a blue notebook.) He’s super excited for Christmas for the first time ever. Mr Kisby and I love this given it is our favorite holiday! LilKsby has also been super psyched for Halloween. For the first time he picked his own costumes, and he has been elated to wear them trick or treating. So far we’ve attended five different ones, and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down! Bonus, he’s loving trying new to him candy! It’s been so magical to watch him understand holidays for the first time!

He’s not even three and a half yet, but so far three has been magic! I can’t wait to see what the rest of this age brings! What’s been your favorite age?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Hallmark Happiness

We’ve all seen the memes about how all Hallmark Christmas movies have the same basic plot and all end the same way with a kiss. Whether it’s a big city girl who has to choose a “dream job” over love or a sweet yet sassy small town gal who doesn’t even know she’s looking for love, you know there is going to be a happy ending where everything magically works out phenomenally. These movies are highly unrealistic, but they have a way of making you feel good. Seriously, my heart melts so much while watching Hallmark movies! I really hadn’t watched any until last year, and now I’ve watched/listened to 52 of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas movies (typically I do other things while they are playing, but I’m always able to get this gist). That said, if you want to dip your toes in the Hallmark Christmas Countdown pond in 2022, these are the ten I recommend (keep in mind there will probably be like 25 more new ones in 2022) for some Hallmark Happiness:

10. The Santa Stakeout (2021) – First things first, Tamera Mowry-Housley has been a favorite actress of mine since her Sister, Sister days! She does an amazing job of bringing to life characters who have a serious side and a comedic side. This movie capitalized on that with some LOL comedy while throwing in a good old art heist plot!

9. A Shoe Addict’s Christmas (2018) – Candace Cameron Bure (yet another longtime favorite of mine because I’m a 90s kid) stars in this rom com featuring a lot of designer shoes that I’ll never be able to afford. The storyline is fun if you’re into the guardian angel helps a lost soul find their way plot. What puts this movie in the top ten is who plays the guardian angel: Jean Smart. Her comedic timing is genius! Don’t believe me? Watch any of her comedies!

8. Let It Snow (2013) – One of Candace’s most underrated Christmas movies is one of the best. The setting for this movie – a family owned resort – is absolutely breathtaking! I love all the traditional activities for Christmas that happen at the resort, and this movie makes outdoor snow activities look super fun! I can’t put my finger on it fully, but there was something delightfully heartwarming about this movie!

7. Merry and Bright (2019) – yet another 90s child star is the main actress in this film: Jodie Sweetin! I feel like a lot of people don’t give Jodie the credit she deserves because they get caught up on how she had substance abuse problems in the past. To those people, I must say that you need to make like Frozen and let it go. She’s got great comedic acting skills, and she’s got a beautiful smile that radiates joy! Plus you cannot judge someone’s present life by their past (also a common Hallmark movie moral). Bonus, this movie revolves around a candy factory. Who doesn’t get excited about food at Christmas?

6. Finding Santa (2017) – Another Jodie film! This one is super cute as she goes on a crusade to find the son of the town Santa and convince him to play Santa. The actors who play Santa and the son do a great job, and the hijinks that all of the characters get into will make you LOL. Also, this movie includes Santa School which looks super fun!

5. Switched for Christmas (2017) – I’ve always loved stories involving twins ever since I was an avid Sweet Valley reader back in the day. I legit followed the Wakefield twins all the way from Sweet Valley Kids to Sweet Valley Confidential! Not to mention the previously mentioned love of Sister, Sister! Before I even watched this movie, I knew I’d love it because it involved twins. Throw in a story line where the twins switch places, and you’ve got me hook, line, and sinker! I love the mischievous mayhem of twin swaps! Bonus, the twins are played by Candace!

4. Christmas Comes Twice (2020) – Tamera is the star of this film about a magic carousel that takes her back in time to change the trajectory of her life. First of all, the idea of a Christmas carnival with a magic carousel is just fun. Time travel? That’s an even better story element! Combine the two, and you know it is going to be a good time!

3. Christmas Town (2019) – the last Candace movie on my list that I just rewatched/relistened to this evening! This is the sweetest story about a small town known for its hospitality and Christmas festival!!! It involves communities helping one another, foster care and adoption, and the most welcoming people! For all of you Sabrina the Teenage Witch fans, Beth Broderick plays a key supporting character in this one!

2. Christmas At the Plaza (2019) – This movie is set at the Plaza Hotel, and it involves a super charming story about a lady who is hired to dig into the hotel’s holiday history. The historical element is a lot of fun, and the historical Christmas ornaments are beautiful. However, what really makes this movie a must see is Ryan Paevey. In my opinion he is to Hallmark movies what many saw Rege-Jean Page being to Bridgerton. Before becoming a Hallmark regular, he was a model and soap opera actor.

1. A Timeless Christmas (2020) – Another Ryan Paevey movie! This is hands down my favorite Hallmark Christmas movie! It combines time travel, mystery, and romance! Plus the majority of the film is set in a historical mansion in which the employees reenact the past via living history tours. The early 1900s costumes are stunning, and the period decor is charming! These kinds of tours are something I’ve always enjoyed in real life, so turning one into a Christmas movie makes it even better!

So there you have it…my top Hallmark Christmas movies! What are your favorites?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Reflecting on 36

In one hour it will be my 37th birthday! To say that I’m excited would be an understatement. My birthday is definitely my second favorite holiday. I love cake! I love a reason to be with family and friends! I love presents! Most of all, I love celebrating another year here on earth living a life of abundance!

I have to say looking back, that 36 has been one of the best years ever! Some may think, “But Kaysby, we’re in the middle of a global pandemic! In fact, the last two month of your 36th year have been spent social distancing and in pretty much complete isolation with Mr Kisby and LilKsby!” That’s two months of time that I’ve gotten to spend with my AMAZING baby almost 24/7 (seriously I’ve been away from him for maybe two hours) and my hubby (who I don’t just love but also like to be around)!

Plus, some of the greatest things ever have happened while 36! Here are the highlights:

We had a baby! LilKsby has the distinction of being born when I was 36 just as I was born when my dad was 36. Also, the three of us are all Tauruses who were born in the Year of the Pig. How fun is that?
The three of us got to spend A LOT of time together! You know what? We love our little family, and we wouldn’t trade the togetherness for the world!
We got to see some of the best of Broadway by going to Hamilton and Jesus Christ Superstar. Bonus? We also got to watch Jesus Christ Superstar again on Andrew Lloyd Weber’s YouTube channel!
We traveled with LilKsby! He won’t remember it, but I’ll always remember playing with him in hotel pools! I’m so glad that he loves water just like his mama!
We got to celebrate several holidays before and after quarantine began: Halloween, Not-So-Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, a wedding, and birthdays.
We got to get some of the best family pictures ever made with Elcara Photography!
We’ve tried new things like baking a cake from scratch and learning guitar.
We’ve virtually visited museums and amusement parks!
We’ve finally taken time to do little things around the house that there never seemed to be time to complete.
We’ve supported causes near and dear to our hearts!
We’ve taken more time for things we enjoy like creating art, blogging, playing games, and having family movie nights! The last of these is why I’ve finally seen the first three Indiana Jones movies and all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies that have been released thus far!
I’ve taken time to read! Books are great!
We’ve taken more time to attend church in person and virtually – especially virtually!

There’s more greatness that I know I just can’t think of right now! 36 has been that great of a year! I hope that 37 will be just as great, and that next year when it is 31 minutes until my birthday, I’ll be finishing another blog about another great year!

To everyone else having a birthday today, tomorrow, or soon, I hope that you can reflect and realize that your year has been great even if there were struggles along the way (after all no road is ever perfectly paved)! Find joy in the little things, and live by your priorities! Love life! Here’s to 37!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby