24 Reasons To Be Grateful

I was going to do a whole post on patience, but I realized that there is literally 6 more months of learning on that topic before I can post anything worthwhile.

Instead, I decided that I am going to create a list of things I'm thankful for because, in our current world and in my current situation, it turns out that it is quite easy to become Negative Nancy.

24. My family (and yes, that does include my finacé and his family as well) that has done nothing more than be supportive to me throughout my life and be physically supportive to me during my recovery time after my surgery. 

23. Doctors that know what they are doing. So, yes, I had a last minute doctor change who decided that instead of using a cadaver's ACL, we were going to rebuild it using my own tissue. While this will take a longer recovery time, he claims that I'll be 100% at the end of six months and be able to train for a marathon. For a runner, that's some of the best news I could've received. 

22. Working as a teacher. While there will always be days where this job is frustrating (as any teacher can attest to), there are days that make this job worthwhile. 

21. Progress. I'm making progress in all that I do. I'm making progress in becoming a better teacher; I'm making progress on my exercises from the doctor; I'm making progress on the first draft of the book I'm writing. Every day, I make progress. 

20. Creativity. Being stuck on a bed or a couch for long hours at a time is quite boring, but luckily I have a creative mind that allows me to write out fantastical tales, blog posts, or video scripts that can take up time.

19. The ability to read. I love to read and that is not surprising to anyone reading this post, but I am thankful for the ability. When my creative juices seem to run low, or I am just too groggy to think on my own, I can always turn to my massive stacks of books to keep me company. 

18. Puppies. Currently, there are two waggily tales that are with us for Thanksgiving, but there is one in particular who greets me excitedly every day, no matter my mood. Amos has definitely lifted my spirits on days that I have felt drained. This week, we also have Barney who is making sure I have double the affection!

17. Stubbornness. Now, this is one of those things that people might say is more of a negative trait than a positive one for me. However, currently, it's one of the things that keeps moving me forward. I will get better. I will get stronger. I will complete those things that I want to do. 

16. Books. No, I do not count this as the same as number 19, because not everyone is blessed with the abundant amount of worlds and fantasies I have gathered around me to dive into when I need to escape the reality of the world. 

15. Financial stability. So, yes, I still have loans, medical bills, and a wedding to pay for, but I am not hurting. I am thankful that my parents are letting me spend a year at home so that I can pay for all of these things without hurting. (and still allow me to buy a couple books here and here ;) )

14. The internet. I have so many friends who I no longer live near and, as much backlash as social media gets, I am very much thankful for it. It allows for me to continue conversations with people that I may not get to talk with otherwise - celebrate when the time calls for it and grief when they need it. It also allows me to meet and befriend amazing people that I might not get to know outside of the interwebs. 

13. Vacation.  I feel that this one doesn't need explanation. :)

12. Chocolate - because everything can be made better by chocolate. 

11. I am thankful for a country that allows me to speak my own mind in any form I chose. Though most people find this dangerous and, personally, most people abuse this, I am still thankful we have this right. I am thankful that I am allowed to freely discuss different opinions and ideas with people without fearing for my life. 

10. Fall. There's something so wonderful about this season. Warm, fuzzy things, crisp air, spice smells and SO. MUCH. FOOD! I love the fall. For me, it's the happiest time of the year! (Especially in Texas where it's still in the 60s and 70s. )

9. Laughter. People say that laughter is the best medicine, but it's also a great way to bond with people. Most of my best memories with people are of us sharing stories and creating really weird inside jokes. Laughter doesn't have a language barrier.

8. Beautiful Nerves. Now, I know most people always have a weird story from their surgery, because they are loopy, but I have one before my medicine hit. I received a nerve block before I went under (for obvious reasons.) So, these two wonderful ladies come in and they use an ultrasound to find the nerves in my thigh, followed by a horribly long needle to make doubly sure I feel no pain. As they are looking around, the doctor goes, "You have such beautiful nerves." And then I got a whole lot of medicine in my system. 

So, when I am feeling down, I just have to remember that I got beautiful nerves in my body, which makes me beautiful as well. 

7. Bending knees. I never knew how grateful I would be for this common body movement until I was not allowed to do so for a week.

6. Friends. The family that has chosen to love me, my weirdness, and everything else that comes along with it. 

5.  Brand new days. Because sometimes the only way to move forward is knowing that yesterday cannot possibly be repeated. There is a chance for forgiveness and there is a chance to start again. 

4. The Dallas Cowboys having their first great season in a good long while. 

3.  The Ice Machine. If you have ever used one, you totally understand. If you haven't, well, be thankful you haven't. 

2. My finacé. (Yes, he gets his own) He has chosen to stick with me for better or for worst for the rest of our lives. That's worth being your own number on this list. :)

1. A God that is control of all aspects of my life, even if I am unsure what will happen come tomorrow. 

There are 24 reasons that I am grateful this season. 24 things that I need to remind myself constantly through the next six months of my life. Hopefully, as this time progresses, I will be able to constantly add to this list, and be able to train myself to stay in the Positive Pam mindset - because I know that it's a much better place to be. 

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

Until next time,

Kaity 

Kaity's New Groove

Hello, lovelies.

     Can you believe that we are already in the month of November? My brain keeps going between these weird states of feeling every second of the day, but yet also thinking that we started the school year two weeks ago. There's no in between.

     This post is not going to be about the election, so rest easy. We voted, and a decision was made. Everyone has their own perspectives, and that's one reason our country is great. All I ask is that you please respect each other's opinions.

Anyway - onto happier things!

I finally feel that I am in a groove. It's November - the start of the third six weeks - and I may have finally figured out the system. Mind you, that's all going to change come Spring, but what's a new year without new challenges?

The struggle for me, currently, is budgeting my time. I know that I am not the only one who struggles with the fact that we can't cram 40 hours into a 24 hour day. There is so much amazing ideas and projects that are bouncing around in my head, but I never seem to have enough time to do them all!

As I'm sure Charles and about 90% of my friends can tell you, I tend to overload my plate. I don't mean to; I just forget how many hours are really in a day. Ah, well, with age and experience will come improvement.

During the next few weeks (because I am honestly not sure when the next post will be right now) I do ask for your prayers. Next week Friday (if all goes well) I have another knee surgery, this time to reconstruct my missing ACL. Due to becoming a teacher and switching insurances and all the fun parts of being an adult, I have changed doctors and, therefore, changed the type of procedure for this current surgery.

I trust this doctor, and more than that I trust God to take care of me. However, as all know, with surgeries comes dangers, so if you wouldn't mind just saying a quick prayer for the doctors over my surgery that day, and the 6-month healing process that is to follow, it would be a comfort.

I hope that all of you wonderful people have a glorious day. It's Thursday - we are that close to the weekend! What's going to stop us from rocking out the week?

Until next time,

Kaity Sheppard

What Lifeguards Want You to Know...

I'm not dead! (I assumed y'all are aware of this, but just wanted to make sure that it's clear. :P) My goal was to be very consistent with this new blog, but it turns out lifeguarding is a very draining line of work.

Ah, yes. To make it to the fall, I have taken up a position as a lifeguard at a local water park. It's hot, it's crazy long shifts, but I do find myself liking my job. There are bad days, sometimes - but that happens with any job.

Remember this beauty of a blog post; Happy Customers, Happy Business ? Surprise! This is basically a continuation of that. This time, we're talking about what lifeguards want you to know next time you go to a water park.

Now some of you may be thinking, 'Oh, those crazy kids. Of course they drive you crazy not following the rules.' Fun fact: I have more adults than children who break the rules where I work. The worst one that the kids break most of the time is

1. No Running! 

Goodness gracious, I don't understand how the concept of walking is so difficult. Yes, I know that you are excited to be here and go to this slide / ride / play area, but please walk. We don't want you slipping, falling, and getting hurt. (Yes, this has happened in the way of bloody noses....a few times.)

Parents, if you see one of us asking your child to "Walk, please!", do not respond with 'It's not a big deal.' Chickadee and Chickasir, the reason we are asking them to do this is because walking is a rule at all water parks. This is for their protection. Also, if this is the fourth or fifth time that we've addressed this issue to your child, make sure they understand. We get tired of repeating ourselves as much as you do.

2. Read the signs. 

We have a lot of areas in our water park ( as most do ) that limit who can ride them by size. Sometimes there's a minimum and sometimes there's a maximum. We have to enforce these so that people don't end up hurt or find themselves in a situation where they are not strong enough to swim. And yet, parents argue these with us all the time.

  'I never saw a sign.'  / 'You think there would be a sign.' Just because you didn't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. 

'That's a stupid rule.'  Duly noted. That's not going to change it.

"Why can't you make an exception?'  Because that puts the person coming down the ride/ the people around them / the ride itself / the lifeguard at the location at risk. We cannot make an exception for you, no matter how mad you get.

3. We are not free babysitters.

You would think that this one would be understood, but no. Our job is to constantly scan a certain area we are assigned. We watch to make sure that kids / parents / guardians are following the rules and that there is no one floating unconscious in the water. I cannot personally watch Little Sally for you. That's your job as their guardian.

4. Don't argue with the lifeguard.

This one doesn't apply to children as much as it applies to adults. I have grown men and women try to fight me on rules they don't see as fun or fair for their child. These rules are in place for a reason. My job is to enforce them. No, you can't swim past the rope because that's out of my vision. No, I don't care that the tubes floated past the line. No, you can't ride down the slide with you're kid because you're past the height limit. No, you can't ride down the ride with the baby in your lap, it's not safe. I mean... y'all. Come on. These are common sense things! I'm not going to apologize that you are required to follow the rules just like anyone else. Being an adult doesn't make you an exception.

While we're on the topic of exceptions...

5. Season pass holders doesn't make you VIP.

No matter where I have gone, I have never understood this concept. I get that you have paid for a pass that allows you unlimited visits. You did not pay for a pass that makes you an exception to our rules.. These rules are here to keep you safe so that you can keep coming back. You are all guests in our park and we will treat you equally.

6. Please, please no more Dead Man's Float.

Y'all. Y'all. When you play these games, or any hold your breath / dunking / screaming that you're going to drown yourself type games, we are trained to react. We are trained to save your life. Once we have completed this task, you and your guardians are then forced to sit down with my bosses and fill out paperwork of why the lifeguard had to jump in and save you. Now, this summer I have had (as most in the park have) legitimate saves. I am never mad about having to do them, never. I will be extremely pissed to jump into the water to save someone who is faking it.

Actually...maybe not. Maybe embarrassing the mess out of you and your parents will be enough motivation for you to stop.

Please don't fake things like that in front of life guards. We can't tell the difference. Doing any type of rescue is super stressful. Please, I am pleading with you, don't make us do it for illegitimate reasons. It also means that we might miss someone who really, actually needs our help.


So, yeah. Those are six things that lifeguard would really like you to know this summer. We are here to make sure that bad situations don't become worse. We are trained and constantly tested to make sure our skills are all fresh. We are happy to complete our job to keep people safe. I hope that you keep these things in mind next time you're at a water park.

Happy Fourth of July. Until next time,

Kaity

(Comic Created by Patrick Hardin. )