Marianne here: Lisa’s Xmas post is a little late due to me not being up to posting it last week. Better late than never though! Apologies to Lisa!

So the holidays are just around the corner, I’ve been gift shopping, sending Christmas cards, and books like a crazy person. But I finally finished today, and I’m broke (no new books for January, that’s for sure!). And besides that I made tons of Christmas cookies. When I was younger I would spend the night at my grandma’s house, and we would spend the whole time baking, playing board games, drinking hot chocolate, and just spending time with one another.

She lives in Germany, and now every Christmas, we only have a phone call to share. I love my grandma. She’s one of my closest friends, I could talk to her about anything for hours! I do miss her a lot, and I pray for her health every night. To make myself feel closer to her, I bake her old recipes, make hundreds of cookies, just so I can share them with friends, neighbors, my family, and just anyway that needs a little bit of holiday spirit.

Do you, do anything special with love ones? Or that reminds you of your childhood? What are you doing for the holidays this year?

I’m actually spending Christmas Eve with Josh and his family! I’m super excited, we’re having secret Santa (don’t tell anyone, but I got Josh’s mom), and tons of amazing food! On the 25th, Josh is coming over and were eating more food (yaaaay!), and sharing more gifts, between my mom, my brother, Josh and myself. I’m happy to spend the holidays with my family, I can’t wait!

If you keep up with Life with Lisa, than you would know that my dad recently deployed to Afghanistan, and he isn’t here to spend it with us. But we are planning on webcaming with him, unwrapping gifts with him!

No matter what you celebrate, I wish you a great time with your family and friends, delicious food; simply a awesome time.

Lisa

Howdy Ya’ll!

Last week’s post wasn’t my usually “happy” kind of post, I know. My dad was deploying, and I was going through that, and lots more. I was overwhelmed with stress from school work, to get chores done around my house, and spending every second with my dad. I just wanted to thank everyone who commented on my last post, he made it there safely and he has a phone in his room, so he can always call me … even when I’m in school, and he forgets about the time change!

Today, was my first official day of community service. No, I wasn’t arrested! But to graduate from my high school, you need to do this huge project, and that includes doing 20 hours of community service. I don’t have a job, and I don’t really know what I want to do later in life, I’m only 17. But I love animals, and I love taking care of them. So I decided to do my community service at this place on a military base, called The Pet Brigade. Basically what it is, it’s almost like a hotel, for pets. Especially now with the holidays just around the corner, people want to go back home, and visit family. Usually people don’t want to bring animals, or can’t, so you can take them to The Pet Brigade, there they will be walked, let out, feed, have their own little stall, get baths, etc.

It’s a great place!

Today being my first day, I woke up around 7:30, got dressed, ate breakfast (you know, the usual morning routine), and left my house at 8:30. I was pretty excited, besides the fact that I was half asleep, but I made it there on time, and everyone was very welcoming!

My first task, which started within seconds of me stepping into the door, was go outside, and pick up poop from over 30 dogs! Gross! I know. But it wasn’t to bad, it was freezing so I couldn’t smell the poop, the dogs were outside with me, so I wasn’t too lonely, and I was done within an hour and a half. After doing that I had to clean out the cat room, help customers, put dogs inside, and back outside, and tons more!

I got home around 2:30, which is only five and a half hours later, but I’m exhausted! Writing this, and watching Pretty Little Liars on T.V. is the first time I sat down, besides my drive home from work. I think my knees are broken! I had fun playing with all the dogs, and cats, but I’m glad I only have 15 hours left!

Lisa

Hellloo? Is anyone still out there? I know I haven’t posted a Life with Lisa in a while, but someone has to be here!?

So things at home have been hard, the last two weeks or so. I haven’t even had time to study or do homework, I’ve been unbelievable busy!

I’ve never really talked about myself in this blogging world, until I started writing for Burn Bright and have “Life with Lisa”, where I can talk about whatever I want. Before this, my focus was books, and book reviews. That was the goal, I never considered talking about myself, I just never thought someone would want to read about a 17 year old girl’s life?

So not many people know I’m a military brat. My dad’s in the army, and has been even before I was born.

When we’re younger, your dad is your hero, he is always the one you look up to and look for, for protection. Watching movies, you’d think that not too many teenagers have good relationships with their parents, but my dad’s my best friend, I spend all day with him. I tell him anything and everything, he’s the one I come to when I have problems, need someone to talk to, and even when I’m just bored and want to hangout.

I love my mom, but I’ve never been as close to my mom as I have with my dad. That’s why, when he deployed (last Sunday) it was really hard on me. Not only did my dad leave, but also my best friend and my hero.

Since my brother is across the state, going to college, and my dad is deployed, the house is pretty quiet. The house feels empty.

But it was his choice to join the army, it was his choice to serve his country. And my family and I stand by him, no matter what he decides/chooses to do, simply because that’s what family does.

He’ll be back next November, and I’ll be praying for him every night until than.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, and my posts will be on time from now on.

Lisa

Have a boyfriend (or girlfriend)? Been dating for a while? Not sure what to do on dates anymore? Well, no need to fear! I’ve set up a WHOLE list of different, and cheap date ideas!

1. Going to the Zoo.

Who doesn’t love animals?! There’s tons to talk about, you guys can walk around, hold hands, go to the petting zoo, and just have a good time together looking at all the different types of animals they have. You can go to a smaller zoo, so the entrance fee won’t be as much(:

2. Go to a Rec Center.

Rec centers have TONS of different activities to do! Instead of this date being a one time thing, you can come multiple times, each doing some new and different.

3. Mini Golf (Putt-Putt)

I love mini golfing, it’s so much fun! I’m not sure how much it costs, but the place Josh takes me to is around $12 for both of us. And as long as we don’t play the last hole (because the golf ball goes into the hole, and gets taken away!) we can go back to hole one, and play as much as we want!

4. Watch Movies, and Cuddle!

There’s nothing better than this! Together, make a list of movies you both want to see, than pick the top three or four, and make a movie night. Grab a blanket, popcorn, soda and enjoy the movie! This is a great way to spend the night together, and what’s better than cuddling?

5. Go to the Coffee Shop and then the Bookstore.

I don’t think this is for every guy though. Not all guys like coffee, nor reading, but if he does this is a great way to connect, and talk about books!

6. Buy two cheap $1 Kites.

Go to the dollar store (they have tons of cool stuff), buy a kite, go to a big empty field or a beach, and fly them together! This is a super cheap date, only $1 for each kite, and you get to spend the whole day together.

7. Cook Dinner Together.

Everyone should enjoy cooking! Or eating! So why not make something of your own together. It doesn’t have to be a three course meal, it could just be grilled cheese, sandwiches, or soup!

8. Play Video Games Together.

Again, I don’t think this is for all girls. Some girl do enjoy playing video games, just make sure it’s a game you both like, and can talk and communicate about.

9. Have a Picnic!

Awwwh, I love picnics! At a pretty beach, just you and him! I think this is the cutest thing a guy could do 🙂

10. Go on a Walk, Go to a Park!

If you’re tired of just sitting at home together, go out, get some fresh air. Hold hands and go for a walk, to a park. You can swing together, and go on the slides! And if it’s cold out, you can go back home, or stop somewhere to get some hot chocolate!

I hope this list helped you at least stir up some date ideas! Just remember, you don’t have to always spend a ton of money to have a good time. As long as you’re with that special someone, it shouldn’t matter what you’re doing, or how much it cost!

Helloooo? Is anyone out there?!

Oh there you are!

Welcome to another Life with Lisa! This week’s post isn’t going to be too long (well I hope not), it’s going to more informative than usual. Burn Bright is always looking for ways to branch out, doesn’t matter if it’s with the[intlink id=”7224″ type=”page”] Book Club[/intlink] (which you should check out; we’re reading Angel Arias this month!), Twitter, Facebook, or Youtube. But we’re always looking for new, fun and exciting things!

Drum roll please!

Tumblr! We made a Tumblr! If you don’t know what a Tumblr is, it’s just another blogging website where you can post pictures, videos, re-post others’ posts, and so much more! Of course we’re going to continue using Burn Bright, that’s never going to stop. But Tumlbr is just another chance for us to branch out.

Want to see what I’ve been slaving over (with the help of some others, thanks guys!) for the past week, trying to get everything done, looking nice, and ready to go for our GRAND OPENING on MONDAY!

Here’s a sneak peak of the the layout!

Again, don’t forget the GRAND OPENING is on MONDAY, so make sure to stop by, leave a nice comment or two, and have fun browsing Night Creatures 🙂

Lisa

***We’d really like to thanks Tracey Lea for designing the graphic and background for us.Thanks Tracey! We couldn’t have done it without you!***