Since Friday was the 4th of July, we had a cookout here. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips. The whole shebang. Unfortunately, my cousins and brother were obnoxious, as usual. I, honestly, can’t ever imagine being that annoying at that age. I might have been from time to time, but, overall, I just don’t think I was.

Anyway, it was raining off and on most of the evening, which sucked because the point of the cookout was sort of to be outside. The kids stayed outdoors most of the time, though, which was nice since they were so annoying. And we really don’t have the best outdoor lighting anyway.

The fireworks started at ten, so around 9:30 I rode with my grandparents up to my mom’s house to watch them. Thankfully, it hadn’t rained too much at her house, but in town is was pouring down. The fireworks weren’t nearly as exciting at they used to be, and I got bit my mom a stupid mosquito - on the hand, no less.

But we had s’mores afterward, which sort of made it okay. Nothing to extravagant, but it was still nice.

Since Mother’s Day was Sunday, which I didn’t really start to realize until a few days before, I decided to cook dinner for my mom and grandma. Naturally, that brings the rest of the family into the mix. Per Grandma’s request, I made manicotti and dirt pudding. Grandma took it upon herself to make 7 layer salad as well. I planned on making it, but I figured it was just better to let her do it since she’d probably hover if I didn’t.

I bought mom a Garth Brooks CD that came with 2 discs and a dvd. We watched the dvd, which was great for laughs while the kids argued over the use of the desktop and laptop. My brother tried to get me to let him use my computer, but I’ve deemed it off limits.

Mom, Bart and Blaine stayed out here until after nine. We dug out the old family videos, which was great for laughs. There were lots of questionable fashion statements. It was nice, though.

Now this Saturday is my open house, so we’ll probably be spending several days cleaning and cooking to prepare for that. Is there no rest in all this madness? I say not.

I cannot sleep. This is ridiculous. I wish I could get myself into some sense of order because I am not functioning well on less than seven hours of sleep each not, and I’m saying seven as the max amount I’ve been getting most nights.

My easter was good. We had dinner and then an easter egg hunt. It was fun. Then I tried playing my cousin’s Nintendo DS. I’m not so good at that. Then they had to leave to go to their other grandparent’s house with their mom. Cody had to call his mom to see what time their dinner was over there, and while he was on the phone, Cole kept calling his mom a druggie. The sad part of it? It’s true. She really needs to be in some sort of drug rehabilitation. I’m not exactly sure what she’s using, but I’ve heard a very wide range of things, none of which are good.

My addiction, which I have to say is far less troublesome, is chocolate. The amount of candy I received today was more than enough to quench that addiction. Unfortunately, after this week, that will be the last of it for me because I’m starting Weight Watcher again. I’m going to do it online. Hopefully, it will work again. This time I’ll just have to stick with it. I’m so sick of being overweight.

Yesterday was fun. We had my brother’s birthday party. The pizza was good, as was the cake and ice cream. Then Blaine open his gifts. He loved his present from me - Rob Zombie’s Halloween. He and Mitch watched it while Allyson, Trey, Bart, mom, grandma and me played Phase 10. Then I went to Wal-Mart with my mom, Bart, Blaine and Trey. We stopped by Culver’s for ice cream after we dropped off Trey. All in all, a good day.

I don’t have any plans for tonight. I think I’m just going to stay in and work on some random stuff I’ve been meaning to do. Not the most exciting way to ring in the New Year, but oh well.

I need to redo the layout here. Hopefully, I’ll be able to manage to come up with something. I’ve been trying for months. It’s ridiculous. I did manage to make a new layout for my fanlisting collective last night. One that I was actually pleased with, so apparently it’s possible.

My grandparents seem to be on the go a lot the last few days. Not that I’m really complaining. That means I get the house to myself, which is nice. They’ve been on the hunt for a new Bunn coffee maker. The old one broke, and it’s basically the only kind they’ll settle for since they’re so fast. They tried using another kind, but it just took too much time. Impatient bunch, they are.

I was looking at some Samsonite luggage, and while I don’t actually need any since I’ll probably never go anywhere, there was this red hardside one that I liked and thought looked so cool. I suppose I just have a thing for window shopping and thinking about what I’d buy if I had the money or need for something like that. I was doing a lot of the same the other day when I went shopping with my mom since I wasn’t able to find much in the way of my size of clothing. It’s so frustrating and annoying, but what can you do?

Well, my Christmas was very nice. On Monday morning I went to my mom’s and we did our gift exchange there. Then Blaine and I went to Wal-Mart before coming home. We watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Then yesterday we all got together here and ate and exchanged what gifts we had left to do. I think I did pretty well in the gift department this year.

- tan corduroy pants & red sweater [I picked them out while shopping with my mom]
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix [from my brother]
- eyeshadow + mascara combo pack [from my mom]
- $25 iTunes gift card [from my sister]
- iPod radio adaptor [from my step-brother]
- $125 [from my mom and her boyfriend]
- $50 [from my grandparents]
- homemade cookies [from my niece]
- a canister of peanut butter fudge [from my great aunt]

I think the best part of the holiday, though, was hanging out and playing games yesterday evening. My mom, Bart and Trey stayed until almost eleven last night. We played Phase 10 and Trivial Pursuit Junior. It was fun, but I think we’re in dire need of some new games. It was nice, though, because we don’t get together and do stuff like that often.

I think I’m coming down with a cold. I have a stuffy nose and my throat feels a bit sore. I need to get some cold medicine. I feel really drained, and even though I slept in today, I could easily go back to bed and sleep for a few more hours.

With the upcoming New Year, comes the resolutions and mine are the same as always - lose weight and find a job. If I could find a job until I graduate and find something more steady, I think that would be awesome. I could probably find something in market research, but I don’t know if I’m up for that. I need to get over my bashfulness fast.