Project 365: Day 12- December 12th

This isn't just my brother. It's my best friend.

Today my brother came home from college for 3 weeks and I have to tell you.. I was extremely excited. That means late nights playing video games, endless movies, and constant eating out haha! My brother and I grew up close. And nothing has changed. I can tell him anything and trust him to keep it to himself. I admire him more than he probably even realizes sometimes. He has huge dreams and he's succeeding them. He gives me so much support. I honestly couldn't imagine my life without him in it. I know soon, we'll both go our own separate ways and start families... and we won't see each other on a consistent basis, but I don't think that will ever take away the bond that we have. We can look at each other and know exactly why the other person is laughing. We live for "that's what she saids." And we both love a good rap/r&b song. I am so thankful.

Cheers to Project 365 and for the return of my brother hehe! I love you both!

Project 365: Day 11- December 11th

It's been said... you are born an original, so don't die a copy. Maybe I've taken that to extremes, but either way, I live it. Today's Project 365, I just took a second to recognize my weirdness. It's a cold, chilly night here with a temperature of about 22 degrees and my mom and I are getting up early to shop, so I just decided to get comfy, warm, and relax for the evening. My mom started giggling at my choice of outfit... I basically just put on the warmest stuff I could find within my reach and it turned into this rainbow. Green sweatshirt, yellow/pink shirt, gray capri sweats, and of course... the amazing toe socks my mom bought me last night:

I'm not at all conventional. I would rather cuddle up with a movie and a hot chocolate than go to a party. I crave Flaming Hot Cheetos. I love fall and prefer it over summer. I love reading and cross word puzzles and would give anything to live in place that was 50 degrees all year long with an amazing porch swing over looking a body of water. I'm simple. But that's me. 2009 has been a year of finding myself.. what I want, what I need... and I'm finding it. I'm okay being unique and slightly weird. Wearing 4 different colors, dancing in public, and talking to random strangers. I love life and I just want to let it shine.

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.
[ee cummings]

Cheers to Project 365 and to all the readers out there. Love who you are and be confident in it! You are beautiful and amazing... just how you are.

Project 365: Day 10- December 10th

"When snow falls, nature listens."
[Antoinette van Kleeff]
We had our first big snowfall here today and I have to say, I'm mesmerized every time I see it. Ever notice how quiet the world gets when it's snowing? It's like everyone freezes.. time, activities... life. Weather makes you realize how small you are and how big the world is. And snow (although I detest driving in it) has to be my favorite. It's quiet. It's soft. It just falls and lands. No two snowflakes are alike. It's a beautiful reminder of how the world should be. J.B Priestley said "The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?" And that, my friends, sums up how I feel about this morning.

Cheers to Project 365 and our first snow fall. Looking forward to more snow to come..

Project 365: Day 9- December 9th

Christmas cookies and happy hearts, this is how the holiday starts.

You know it's Christmas in our house when my mom starts baking her famous cookies! Man, I absolutely love December. The 8 pounds I generally gain through the Holiday season is rough, but the process of gaining those 8 pounds is amazing! She bakes sugar cookies.. pretzels dipped in chocolate.. oreos dipped in mint chocolate.. peanut butter cups... Yes, I am craving them as I write this! The icing kicked off today.. and of course, I'm there for back up (which means licking the bowls, spoons, and knives she uses.) Last night, I taste tested.. you know.. to make sure that they weren't poisonous for others ;) I survived.

Cheers to Project 365 and to Christmas... boy, I love you both!

Project 365: Day 8- December 8th

"“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” [W.T. Ellis]

Today marked the purchase of the first Christmas present of the year! Of course, I can't tell you what I bought, but I can tell you I am so excited about it! I also purchased all of those Christmas boxes and bags since I am a terrible wrapper!! (haha!) And then in front of the gift bag (that holds the first present) is my Christmas list and budget! I am such a stickler for having a budget and being sure I follow it!

I love buying presents for people and seeing their faces when they open it! There's just something about it! Like, honestly, I anticipate watching my family open their presents more than I anticipate opening my own presents! It is by far my favorite thing to do! I LOVE buying them gifts and seeing them be excited about the gifts! Also, I am terrible at surprises... and waiting till Christmas for my family to open their gifts, but I am trying to persuade myself to be patient this year! We'll see how well that goes! Cheers to Project 365... and more shopping that is about to happen!

Project 365: Day 7- December 7th

Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it. -Josh Billings

This is a picture of a sick wittle Lyssa. I have spent the day laying in bed with a terrible headache and an upset tummy. It could have been the negative temperatures in Cleveland this weekend... or the hundreds of people that were around me giving me their germs, haha! I'm not really going to complain cause I had an amazing time, but today, I suffered greatly. Thank God for ZiCam, Vicks Vapor Rub, Kleenexes, and Halls Cough Drops. They have helped me wonderfully! Now, I just need some chicken noodle soup and some hot chocolate! haha! I am steadily keeping myself occupied with balancing my checkbook, planning the purchase of Christmas presents, and the always amazing Facebook games such as Farkle. Hope everyone has had a great day today! Cheers to Project 365. I hope I feel better tomorrow :)

Project 365: Day 6- December 6th

There's no other love like the love for a brother.
There's no other love like the love from a brother. -Astrid Alauda

This is a picture of my calendar. I keep track of important dates and this Saturday is a really important date for us! Although I just saw my brother this weekend at the wedding, December 12th he will be home for 3 whole weeks which is the longest he has been home since August. It might not seem like a long time for some people, but my brother is more than just a sibling to me. He is my best friend, thus begins the countdown till he is back here with all of us!

Growing up, Corey and I fought a good bit, but when I started college and we didn't see each other quite as often, our friendship really started to grow. My brother is one of the only people I can talk to... about anything. He is also one of the least judgmental people you will find. I always wanted an older brother, but God blessed me with a younger brother that's about 7 inches taller than me. (he-he) This year, my brother has been there for me. Through the good times and the rough times. He is growing up into an amazing man that I couldn't be more proud of. He has dreams, ambitions, and a great girlfriend that I will be proud to call my "sister" one day. I get choked up when I think about how blessed I am. Don't get me wrong, I love all of my siblings because they each bring something amazing to our family. Corey and I just have a really close relationship that I can't really explain. We always know we have each other's backs. I have truly been blessed in my life and I cannot hardly wait for Saturday afternoon!

Cheers to Project 365 and all you amazing people reading along with my life journey...

Project 365: Day 5- December 5th

"A good friend will get you out of jail........ but a GREAT friend will go to jail with you!"

Where Jessica and Alyssa go, usually trouble follows.... and it was no different December 5, 2009. Jess was my "date" for my cousin's wedding this weekend in Cleveland and let me tell you-- what a time we had! The night began with a social hour (your basic meet and greet.) We were seated with my brother, his girlfriend Marie, Chris, Tony, & Amanda. While sitting there Marie tells me about this website about crazy, obsessed Twilight fans to which Tony states "Are you team Edward or team Jacob?" Yea, a 32 year old man asking us who are heart throb is. Awkward? Dinner was served.. wine was getting downed... and yes, the music began and where music was.... dancing sure as heck followed. First song of the night? "Celebrate good times.. come on!" As the night progressed, we rawked out to Miley Cyrus "Party in the USA" and we most definitely put our hands up, had butterflies fly away, nodded our heads like yea, and moved our hips like yea. We asked them to "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and we hollered "I Like Big Butts and I Cannot Lie." Slow dances came and I often sat alone (or I sat with Jess whom everyone thought was more than just a friend.....) but then "How Do I Breathe" began to play and some handsome fella named Jeff took my hand. Sure, he was a little bit drunk, but we had a beautiful time (haha). I ventured off to find Jess later and lo and behold, she was at the bar convincing those around her to take some vodka shots. While at the bar, we ran into a police officer that was doing crowd control. He thought we were a little too wild, a little too crazy... and thought we needed tamed a bit.. so the handcuffs were brought onto the scene (hence the picture.) We were THOSE girls last night and we were okay with that (totally kidding, but you know....) The night ended with carrying Jess (okay, not really carrying, but sort of dragging) Jess to the shuttle bus, bustin a move to Summer of '69, losing my ticket to get my jacket, fourteen hugs from my drunk cousin who stated "Since when did you get fun?", and..... a lot of crazy, fun memories.