Today was my grandma’s birthday, and we had a dinner for her. My mom made potato soup, and it was really good - and that’s really saying something since I typically don’t care for it. And we also had chips and lunch meat for sandwiches. My mom made a caramel apple cake. Cakes seem to be her specialty. She likes to experiment with them. Most of the time they turn out pretty good, but there have been a few botched efforts, such as the Kool Aid cake.

After we ate and the presents were opened, my mom, Allyson and I went to Goodwill, TJ Maxx and Kohls. I found a cute shirt at TJ Maxx, and a couple of pairs of shoes at Kohls. I also went shopping yesterday and got a shirt at Maurice’s before I stopped by Sears to pick up a gift card for my grandma’s birthday.

I really need to buy some new make-up. I’ve been trying to take care of my skin, washing it at night - especially when I’ve been wearing make-up, and then moisturizing with some facial lotion. I almost bought a blackhead remover while I was at Target yesterday. I know that Clean and Clear has a product for that, but sometimes that brand dries out my skin, so I was kind of reluctant to get it. I might go to Wal-Mart tomorrow and see if I can find some other brand for the same thing, and see about buying some new foundation while I’m at it. I’ve almost spent all of my birthday money, which is just kind of depressing.

On a completely random note, I burnt my tongue eating the potato soup today and it hurts.

Well, the Black Event, also known as my birthday, has come and went. I survived. It does kind of kill me to admit that I’m now 25, but I guess that’s just part of life.

We had seven layer salad and manicotti and cake and ice-cream on Thursday night so that Allyson could come. She brought along her friend Gail and Blaine brought along Cody, but it was nice. I got $90 - $40 from my grandparents and $50 from Bart - and my mom got me some perfume and lotion from Victoria’s Secret. It’s called Pink, and it’s fruity scented. I think it smells kind of like cotton candy, which is yummy, so I love it. I kind of had a feeling that was what she was going to get me because I was with her twice and told her I liked it both times.

My grandma’s birthday is coming up next. I have no idea what to get her, and she wasn’t very forthcoming about what she wanted. My mom called and wanted to know what we should have for dinner for her, and tacos was her first suggestion. Then my mom called back later and said she was going to make potato soup instead. Just for future reference, I kind of hate potato soup. I’m considering looking up some Mexican recipes, and taking it upon myself to cook instead. I haven’t spoken to my mom about it yet, and I guess it really depends on how ambitious I feel. I’m kind of lacking in the cooking skills. I’m great with baking, but I can’t really remember the last time I cooked an actual meal that didn’t originate from a box. Pathetic.

I went to a family reunion on Sunday, and the highlight of the event was watching Allyson and Trey basically beat the crap out of each other. It was ridiculous and childish, yet hilarious none the less. My sister managed to knee herself in the eye while Trey had her in a headlock and wound up giving herself a black eye. Definitely laugh worthy if you ask me. I kept telling Allyson to be careful. Trey is about as accident prone as Bella Swan. Of course, his mom rushes him to the ER for the smallest of things. It’s beyond me how they can afford to make a weekly visit to the emergency room and still manage to sail off into the sunset on Caribbean cruises just about every year. What do I know, though?

My brother cut his hair, which is just bizarre now. I didn’t even recognize him at first on Sunday because so used to his long ‘do. It looks better though. You can at least tell he has eyes now, which is always nice.

I’ve been busy this week working on a label. I’m just about finished with it. I have a few things left to do, but I needed to take a break from looking at it to regather my thoughts. I really had when that happens. It’s like I have all of the pieces there, but when it comes down the last part, I can’t seem to fit them together. Usually taking a break helps, so, hopefully, I’ll finish it either tonight before I go to bed or tomorrow after I wake up. Oddly enough, I woke up this morning with the logo design in my head. I wound up deviating from what I have in mind, but I think this worked out better. I guess I won’t actually know until I send it off.

Tori’s birthday is in a couple of days, and I’ve yet to buy her anything. The kid has just about everything, so I’m not really sure what to get her. I mean, she’s going to be four, so she’s pretty much pleased with anything, but even so, it’s still hard to choose. I guess I’ll have to hit the store before Saturday. Allyson’s having a party for her that day at the park, so I still have a few days to think on it.