Redneck Fourth

So my Fourth of July experience for 20X was pretty hysterical and awesome.

Day ONE

We decided to go down to Mobile and stay with my aunt and cousin for the weekend. My younger brothers, dad, and I left on Saturday morning. We hit a little snag in traffic that caused our trip to be extended a full HOUR (it took us over 45 minutes to get through 4 miles..). But finally we made it down to Aunt Lynnie's house which is super adorable. Her living room is decorated with dolphins, her favorite animal. She has two Dachshunds, Maddie and Abby, and a Golden Retriever named Lexie. All trouble. Maddie is a "fetch-a-holic," and Lexie is a "pet-a-holic;" Maddie will play fetch for HOURS, and Lexie will not allow herself to stop being petted. Abby is just there and barks a lot, but she's super cute to cuddle with.

So we got there and Aunt Lynnie told us that we were going to have a "community" dinner: all of her neighbors were bringing different foods over to one person's house for dinner. Before we went across the street, we met a few neighbors. Sandra and Mike live next door, and they have four kids: Guage (19), Brittany (15), Shannon (8), and "Peanut" (7). Guage is his from a first marriage, Brittany is her's, and the little ones--who are ten months apart--are theirs.

Had the luxury of meeting them, then Petra (my cousin) and her boyfriend, Jonathan, come in! We talk World Cup with Jon Jon a little bit, while Petra talked to us and the neighbors. We walked across the street, bringing our chairs, potato salad, FRESH pig ribs, grilled chicken, and burgers with us. [Note about the ribs. Junior, Aunt Lynnie's boyfriend, bought a pig a few months ago and raised it. He.."harvested" (?) it for the Fourth and we got some yummy meat from it. Rest in Peace, Barbie..]

We met more neighbors: Allison and Derrick owned the house where we ate; their children, Maddie Kae and Dailyn; Chris, who is living with Sandra and Mike until he goes to school sometime, and his girlfriend Chrissy; and four other people I never met. But everyone brought food, and there was SO much of it. The ribs and macaroni and cheese were to DIE for! They were so incredibly good. Big events that happened during dinner: Petra rode in the Barbi jeep, Jon Jon taught the little boy how to pop a wheelie on the Dora the Explorer four wheeler, Maddie Kae and Dailyn ate the equivalent of a half a watermelon all by themselves.

[Fun Story: I gave up soft drinks as a New Year's resolution and I've done very very well with it. But there was nothing to drink there except for Coke. So I had one. Halfway through it, I got a MAJOR headache. OUCH!]

So after dinner, we went across the street to go swimming in Mike and Sandra's brand new, out of ground pool! This was a big deal. They just dug the area out to make it flat, and then put in this HUGE pool! It was a lot of fun. After that, all of the kids got out of the pool and joined the adults. Mike and Chris had turned their TV inside to face a window so that we could watch the NASCAR race from the yard. :) Yes, that's right. It was a LOT of fun, even though #24 lost..

Day TWO

We woke up and went to my grandmother's church. Then we went and got Krispy Kreme donuts and went back to my grandpa's house to visit; he didn't know we were coming! We got there and saw his new back porch! Junior recovered his porch and lightened it up: looks great! Inside, his carpet was cleaned and walls were painted. He was watching Mass on TV and just hanging out. After we were there for a bit, we went to play disc golf. I remembered that although I enjoy playing that sport, I SUCK AT IT. The first hole, I got a +10, whatever that is. I stopped counting after the first hole; I just know I came in last..

So we wet back to my grandpa's house. We brought him a "Bacon Cheese Junior Burger" from Wendy's, one of his new favorite meals. :) We sat and watched a triathlon with him, and then went back to my aunt's house. We sat and hung out, watching some LifeTime movies before eating a wonderful dinner of spaghetti! Including a dessert of cookies n cream ice cream cones. :) Then my brother and dad went and got a few fireworks and we went and shot them.

They lasted about ten minutes. Some people tried to drive over them too. :\ Lame sauce.. Lexie tried to eat one of the spinny ones..Oops!

Came back inside, watched another LifeTime movie, then decided to hit the sack. I was tired.

Day THREE

Woke up, packed, left for Spanish Fort to meet Petra for lunch at Panera Bread. Lunch was a lot of fun, and then we left. Lots of traffic and driving on the way back, nothing exciting.

Weekend over!

I've Learned..

I've Learned. . .
Author Unknown

I've learned. . . that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I've learned. . . that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned. . . that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I've learned. . . that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I've learned. . . that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I've learned. . . that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned. . . that you can keep going long after you can't.

I've learned. . . that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I've learned. . . that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I've learned. . . that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I've learned. . . that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I've learned. . . that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I've learned. . . that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I've learned. . . that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I've learned. . . that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned. . . that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned. . . that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned. . . that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned. . . that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I've learned. . . that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned. . . that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned. . . that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I've learned. . . that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned. . . that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I've learned. . . that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help.

I've learned. . . that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I've learned. . . that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

Patience, People

So the reason I titled my blog "Patience" is because it is something I have to work on. Badly. I get so frustrated with situations, other people, and myself. I'll explain.

Situations

When things don't go my way, I get so frustrated. Especially if I've made a plan in my head? UGH! That's all it takes. If there is a plan in my head, and things play out differently than I was imagining, sometimes I can pretend it will be okay. But I'm always thinking, What the heck! What happened? Why is everything going wrong? That's exactly it. Not, oh well, it will be okay. Not at all. And THAT gets frustrating. I wish things would always pan out the way I want them to in the time I want them to.

Other People

Oh man. Certain people just make me angry. Just being around them can make me mad. Doesn't matter what they do or say, but when they open their mouth, that's when I get frustrated! Shut your pie hole! Agh! And they never stop. Telling me things I already know, telling me to do stuff I've already done. Anything like that. And it's so annoying. And I can't get over it. I don't know why.

Myself

This is the biggest thing. I beat up on myself so much. In every part of my life, I want to be better. My prayer life, my athletics, my sincerity, my appreciation, my love, my self-control, etc! Anything! I would give so much to be better at these things. And I get so down on myself when I can't accomplish that. Or when I can't do these things to at least what I think I'm capable of. Does that make sense? I just hate it! I wish that I could just move on and work on getting better. But I don't. I usually just sit and..do nothing. I have lost so much self-motivation. It's killing me.

Home

So where is home now? I spent the day in Auburn today, and honestly? I felt more loved and at home down there. I still had responsibilities, but not someone screaming at my back to do something I'd already taken care of. I never got homesick ever this past year. But I'm sick for Auburn everyday of the summer. I'm even starting to enjoy the church at Auburn more than I am at home. I could see myself living in Auburn for the rest of my life. Oh well. C'est la vie.

First One!

So here's my first post. Am I excited? WELL OF COURSE! I used to have a blog. I don't think I ever wrote in/on it though. But that was myself as a naive youngster.. Or something like that.

So this first post is going to be dedicated to you learning more about me. Sound good? Awesome.

I'll just start writing random facts about myself down. See something that catches your eye that you want to know more about? Let me know! I'll try to expound on it or clarify for you. :)

• My middle name is Elizabeth.
• I have a black lab/golden retriever mutt named Sadie.
• My oldest best friend is currently in Tiger, Georgia working at a camp which I wish I had the privilege to.
• When playing sports--especially my newest attempt, tennis--I can get very competitive and get frustrated when I don't perform to a level at which I believe myself capable.
• I am a cradle Catholic and love it. I have found The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Now to follow.
• I am a member of the AUMB's drumline. Being a part of this organization (yes, organization) has led me to find wonderful friends, and lots of fun parties. :)
• I am a "big picture" kind of person, but I need the details to get done correctly too or else I think about it and what could have been done better when I'm finished.
• I enjoy every type of pink jelly bean Jelly Belly has come out with. The only thing that tops those is the Starburst pink jelly beans.
• I have been a drummer since six grade, and couldn't imagine having to focus my breathing to play an instrument. My strength and talent is in my hands, and that's where it will stay. Winds..PSH..
• If I could have one attainable life goal besides getting to Heaven, it would be to visit every major city in the world. All of the big name places. I'm a city person; I love big cities, mostly because I grew up in Birmingham, AL.
• To follow that, I love love love the country and small towns too. I could never live in the big city, but could see myself in a small rural town one day.
• I am changing my major to only Human Development and Family Studies because science just isn't working out for me. Plus, I so enjoy working with children. All of them. Of any age. Including middle schoolers. I know..
• I am a huge star gazer. Love it. Wish I could see them at home, but too many lights.
• I am the most technologically challenged person ever. Not because I don't know how to work technology, but because mine always breaks. I don't know why, but I have gone through the most phones and cameras of anyone I know.
• I am a BROTHER of the national honorary band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi. Yes, it is a fraternity; our chapter (Pi) is coed, and I love it that way! I love all of the brothers and the hard work they put into everything we do. Similar to the drumline, some of my best friends thus far have come from this nationally recognized organization.
• I like driving on the interstate with the windows down, even when it's raining.
• I have three brothers: Joe is at UA, Andrew is a senior in high school, and Ben will be a freshman in high school. WEIRD.
• My favorite colors are orange and purple. But not together. Ick.. Unless it's the pimpwagon. :)
• My entire life, until junior year, I wanted to be a marine biologist.
• I am a front ensemble tech at Phil Campbell High School in North Alabama and I love it. The kids are so great, and it's so rewarding to take clarinet players and not teach them to hit the keyboard, but teach them to be real percussionists.
• I have a black 2006 Mazda6 named Charlie. Don't hate.
• I adore taking pictures of anything. Never taken pictures of people posing and stuff like that. But I love landscape photography. And I will not take a photography class, probably ever.
• I used to be a Facebook-aholoic. But I've gotten so much better.
• I love people so much. I love meeting new people, and making new friends. I tend to get along better with people older than me, but I have a lot of younger friends too.
• I'm still working on my prayer life, and that's my big thing right now. If I can learn to trust God more than I am now, I completely believe it will help me in a lot of my daily struggles elsewhere too!
• Next year, I am living with some of the awesomest women ever. Collectively, we are known as Sarka Susby. Aubie 2010, it's on.
• No matter what, I refuse to blow a kiss at a clock at 11:11 and make a wish. I won't do it.
• Glee is one of my favorite shows now, and I want it to come back on, please!
• I started reading the Bible for the first time this year, and I've read most of the New Testament already! War Eagle :)
• I love love love playing ultimate frisbee. Actually, I mostly love just throwing it long. People tell me I throw funny, and I don't doubt it.
• I want to get to know you. LGLP: Love God, love People. I'm working on the God half now. I want to work on the people part even more. So help me out. Who are you?

Ur the Best

B Happy

I love you

-Sarah C.