Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ever since I have been up here at BYU I have not been able to successfully make chocolate chip cookies. It's rather embarrassing I know. I used to be so good at them when I lived back home! Every time I make them, the cookies always go flat. I've tried everything!...more flour, less sugar, less butter...you name it...I've probably tried it. However because of the striking lad in the picture below....we solved the problem.
Jared came up with a really good idea to make cookies for some people in both of our wards to kick off our weekend! We're having a packed weekend with date night tomorrow to see the temple lights, babysitting sissy's kids on Saturday, and probably dinner with some friends on Sunday. Well, tonight we went back to our childhood years and made cookies for some people and ding dong ditched them to some people who we thought needed them. Me, being the same as I've always been, chickened out on it and so Jared had to ding dong ditch all of them. I stood there and watched from a distance for moral support. The fact of the matter is we made some pretty DANG GOOD cookies. And I think the problem that I was having before is I wasn't using a good enough cookie sheet. We used a couple different ones tonight and only one of them really worked well. It's either that or God was blessing us for doing service. Take your pick. We made over 60 cookies to give to people and I'm proud to say that all of them were a success!

Turkey...

You may all think I'm going to be talking about my Thanksgiving holiday....too bad for you but you're wrong. I would just like to publicly announce that I got my first turkey in bowling a couple weeks ago. My first three frames of the game I got strikes. The best part about the whole experience was that it was date night with Jared....and guess who won? I did. Proof is in the pictures. My Bell side definitely came out that night and I definitely rubbed it in for as long as I possibly could...As a matter of fact...I'm still rubbing it in...hence the blog post. Read it and weep everybody...Jared is the top score and mine is the bottom....

I do have to admit that Jared was a good sport about it...He was mostly just impressed with me. I don't win too many games against Jared (especially in the dot game) so I had to milk this one for all it's worth.

Who ever thought...

Who ever thought that boys would be so excited for a simple coax cable. My FHE brothers have a super nice tv but no cable cord to go with it...poor things have been deprived of sports center. So my roommate, Justyna, and I decided to take a little scooter ride over to DI and invest in a cable cord since they were so lazy to get it themselves. It was only a dollar. So we decided to make this a big deal. We went to the dumpster to get TONS of newspapers...we got a big box from my work and buried this tiny coax cable at the bottom of the box and literally STUFFED it full of newspaper....We wrapped it beautifully in babyshower wrapping paper...made cute rose flowers out of tissue paper and a huge oragmi crane out of tissue paper. It was AWESOME. we delivered it to the boys and watched them open it. See for yourself...


Oh you gotta love college....

It's Official!

K so now I'm really serious this time when I say that my headbands are really up and running! I have my business cards...I have my new blog..and drum roll please....my etsy account is officially up and running! And for the first announcement...My headbands had only been up for 4 hours and they already had 20 views! Now we'll see if we have any buyers! So for all of you people that are dying to get your friends involved in this since I know you are :)...the blog for miss bella boutique is...
missbellaboutique.blogspot.com
My etsy account is missbellaboutique.etsy.com

Everybody go check it out and tell all your friends!
My little sister, Lori, has already helped me out on this. She took a bunch of business cards home with her...wore her headband one day...and passed out three business cards. This is exciting everybody! I'm finally in business!

Grungy...

So for the past few weeks I have been in absolutely NO mood to get ready in the morning. The majority of the time I'm wearing jeans and a white v-neck t-shirt 3 times a week. The other days I'm wearing sweats to school. Most days I'm only wearing mascara...and lets face it...some days I just don't wear any make up. Some days I don't feel like showering....so I don't. How disgusting am I? For the love people....I'm single...at BYU...you would think I would want to be like all the other girls in their dresses and high heels lookin hot for the boys...NOPE...not me. I'm totally content with being grungy. I don't know how I will ever get someone to love me with this look but hey...he's gotta love me regardless. I just have no desire to really get ready. However, this morning I woke up at 8:30 so that I could get ready. I had class at 10 so that gave me approximately an hour to get ready...plenty of time right? This is how my morning went...woke up...took a shower (even shaved my legs)...started blow drying my hair...half way through got bored and decided to do my make up...sat down in front of the mirror....got my make up bag out....decided I was hungry so I got breakfast...went back to the mirror to do my make up while eating breakfast...ended up just eating my breakfast and then staring at myself for a few seconds in the mirror...decided I didn't want to wear jeans so I changed back into my sweats....then decided that I really didn't want to do my make up...got my back pack and walked out the door to go to class. On the way up to class I started thinking about my successful morning. I honestly don't know what I did this morning because I looked like total TRASH walking to class this morning...and the best part about it is that I really don't care. I know I should...and with my luck the apostles are going to have a talk this weekend in conference about looking our best. But until that day comes....GRUNGY I will be!

Close call....

So this past weekend I was able to go down to Beaver and stay at my bishops cabin with a bunch of kids from my ward. It was a blast to say the least. He was kind enough to feed us delicious food, show us around the ski resorts and let us ride his four wheelers....oh the four wheelers...what an experience. So my Bishop took a few of us out on a tour of the mountain on the four wheeler. I was spoiled enough to be able to ride by myself on the best four wheeler he had...what can I say...my bishop loves me :) I was on a scrambler which is ones that they take on the sand dunes...so they go real fast and slide A LOT...it's super easy to fish tail....Let's just say that on Saturday I was in my element....until I almost died and almost killed my friend....I know...a tad bit scary. So let's talk about my near death experience but totally awesome all at the same time...
To start off, my bishop was leading the pack...there were 4 four wheelers. There was a couple that had never ridden them before and a couple that had. Because I had driven them before, my bishop wanted me to follow him and then the couple who never rode to follow me so they could follow my tracks and then another couple to trail behind them to make sure nothing happened. Nothing against them at all...but I couldn't be too daring since they had to follow my tracks....I had to take it easy. Eventually I told my bishop that I couldn't handle how slow they were going and the fact that I couldn't do anything...he let me go in the back so I could play around a little bit :).....BAD IDEA. Once I got in the back of the pack I felt like I was free....the wind blowing...dirt in my teeth and up my nose (you know how it goes)....sooo I decided to go off a jump....first one was a success....then there was another one right after...I gunned it and sure enough landed on my front two wheels...slammed my body into the handle bars and just about flipped my four wheeler. I started cracking up knowing that I almost got destroyed by hundreds of pounds of metal...ALMOST is the key word here. Well, knowing me...this didn't stop me from continuing with what I was doing. I saw another jump about an hour later and decided it was time again....went off the jump...put on the breaks way too soon...started to slide on one side...started to feel the four wheeler roll...decided to jerk the handles the opposite way...totally fish tailed out of it. You can just see it. It was so awesome. But I decided to stop and see if my friend behind me had seen what happened. I didn't realize I was so close to the base of the jump. I turned around, had seen my friend land (REALLY CLOSE TO ME)...she had to break really hard and jerk the handle bars to the right to avoid hitting me...All I saw was a big cloud of dust...my friend and her boyfriend launched about 5 feet with the four wheeler rolling towards them... My friend stood up and started laughing because she was so scared...meanwhile I still saw the four wheeler rolling towards her...I screamed out to her "Nikki...MOVE!" Her boyfriend jumped up shoved her out of the way and literally grabbed the four wheeler and jerked it back on all 4 wheels. Let's just say the four wheeler was on it's two side wheels literally just about to roll over one of my best friends....Talk about SCARY. Luckily they both just got some scratches and bruises...it could have been a lot worse than it was. And luckily our bishop didn't see (we're planning on telling him next week at church) Moral of the story?....I've decided I'm a boy at heart and I should probably not be overly daring on a piece of equipment that weighs about 5 times as much as I do. It was still SO much fun!

First Sale!

Well everyone...it's official...I am in business! I made my first sale for my headbands! Of course it was just my roommate that bought one...but it was still a sale nonetheless! It got me really excited about it! Something even more exciting is that I think I came up with a name unless any of you can think of something better...I'm definitely up for suggestions. But I wanted the name to be pretty girly obviously and I wanted to keep some sense of my name in there. Drum roll please.....Bella Boutique. What do ya think? I've always loved the name Bella...(no not because of Twilight...I liked it before that even came out). So that's what I've come up with so far. If you have any other suggestions please let me know! Something else that is exciting is I'm expanding my little business and I'm making belts! Now you may think that's a little crazy or may look tacky but I came up with the idea this past weekend. This is how it all happened. I was sitting at my kitchen table, crocheting another headband and talking to my roommate. I had just finished the headband and then accidentally dropped it in my lap. It landed perfectly around my waste and not to boast or anything...but it looked pretty darn cute. :) I'm definitely looking forward to this photo shoot with Tamara soon! I'm on my way to being a little entrepreneur!

Babysitting

Lindsey was kind enough to let me babysit her kids for a few hours a couple days ago and it was SO FUN! It's always interesting as college student trying to figure out what you are going to do to make things fun for the kids. Well I needed to make some brownies to take to a friend, so I figured it would be a good activity for Brooklyn to do. And boy, did she love it. After we made brownies, we went and played in my "sand box" (volleyball court). Because I don't have any sand toys we had to make do with tuberware and measuring cups! haha Brooklyn didn't know the difference and loved it! Easton enjoyed eating the sand just as much as Brooklyn loved playing in it. I had to make a card to put with the brownies so I told Brooklyn that we were going to color :)...See the way I get my errands done :)...All you need to use is reverse pyschology. Brooklyn insisted on drawing my friend a picture as well. Overall, it was so much fun to spend time with them! I'm excited to babysit Bre's kids on Monday and Brad and Tam's on Wednesday! Thanks again Lindsey! You're kids are so dang cute!

Look on the Bright Side...

Last Monday I got word from my boss that everyone's hours are getting cut to 20 hours a week rather than working a full 40 hours. At first I was really upset about it. I was expecting to make a lot more money the last month of the Summer. Now I only work Monday-Thursday from 7:00-12:00 in the morning. No one likes to hear that they won't be making the money that they were planning on...and as a college student, lots of us live paycheck to paycheck. With school coming up and all the expenses that brings it's definitely a trial of faith. Luckily, I've planned ahead and saved a lot when I was in high school so I'm not taking a huge hit from this like other people are. It still doesn't change the fact that I was hoping to reach a certain goal money wise in my bank account and I won't achieve that since my hours are cut. However, as I started to think about this more, I realized what a blessing in disguise this really was! I have so much more time on my hands! I have been wanting to do so much stuff but just never had time to get it all done! These are all the things I've been doing now!:

*I go to the gym every single day because I'm not as tired at the end of the day!
*I get more vitamin D now than I ever have! (Lots more pool time)
*I've slacked off so much on practicing the piano but now I have time to rebuild that skill
*I can actually do my laundry now
*Last but definitely not least...I'm being so crafty! I've been making tons of headbands and will hopefully be doing a photo shoot with my sister in law Tamara to launch this little business of mine. (pictures will come soon) For all I know, it could fail miserably but how will I ever know if I don't try right?! So everyone support me! We hopefully will be doing this with in the next couple weeks so spread the word and advertise for me :) Also, if you hear of little boutiques or things that I could bring my stuff to please let me know! If worse comes to worse, and I sell absolutely nothing, I've just developed a new talent and can make lots of cute stuff for my girls when I have kids...and as for now I can be making it for my cute little nieces. Let's just hope for the best!

Life is so beautiful! We have trials in our lives but if we look at the positive side of things it makes life so much easier and we really can find joy in the journey!

Sleepless Nights

So you would think since I have to wake up at 6:00 in the morning every day to go to work that I would have enough common sense to go to bed at a decent hour of the night. Think again. I just figure I only have so many years to live it up at college so why waste my time sleeping?! The past few nights I've gotten less than 5 hours of sleep every night. I just forgot what it's like to party with friends every night! It's awesome! The only people that will read this is probably my family so this is all dedicated to you. Yes..I am very aware that I am the next one in line to get married. And considering my dating history I'm sure you're all guessing that I will start dating someone next weekend. Well you guys are right! I'm dating someone again! JUST KIDDING! I'm taking a new approach on life. And you will all probably laugh and think it won't happen but I'm very much determined to make it happen. My plan is to stay single and date around. (I know...keep laughing. How many times have you heard that one come out of my mouth and I never follow through) However, I really think I can do it. I'm taking this one up with the Big Man. AND I've been studying my scriptures a lot differently recently which I think will really help. But I can honestly say that I am praying to be single! Who prays to be single at BYU? It's a crazy idea isn't it?! But I'm really excited about it! Because I feel with the approach that I'm taking, I won't settle for someone. Obviously if Heavenly Father tells me that someone is worth it then i will go for it. But I'm really excited to make a lot of friends. I'm really looking forward to the fall and getting back into school but we all know what I'm really excited for...FOOTBALL SEASON! Ahh I just can't wait. I'm still the same old Julie but I feel like I'm really learning a lot about myself especially with the different way I've been reading my scriptures and I'm excited to see what the future holds. I can tell a difference in the way I've been feeling about myself and life in general. Love you all! Thanks for all your help and supporting me in this single and fun time in my life!

School's Out! Summer Time!..It's our Vacation...

I am absolutely in love with the fact that School is out for 4 months. Finals went well for the most part...especially my Family Finance exam. Let's just say that Heavenly Father was on my side the night I took that exam. I went into the exam..sat down...looked at the 25 question test and literally knew NOTHING!...I knew a total of MAYBE two questions. I'm not kidding when I say that I guessed on 95% of it and was literally making cool designs on my bubble sheet. I walked out...handed the lady my test...stopped to look at the computer screen...awaiting my less than 50% grade. And what did I see?..." 7-2119: 80%" REALLY? I seriously guessed on all of them. Heavenly Father was seriously on my side. I have no clue how I possibly got an 80%. I stood there in front of the computer screen for a good minute...walked out and then walked back in because I didn't believe what I saw. Sure enough...I got an 80% on my finance final and realized God was very very gracious to me. And as for now...."I'm goin goin...back back to Cali Cali...."

Smokey Kitchen

With out fail, every time anyone in my apartment cooks chicken the entire apartment reeks and gets super smokey. There's nothing we can do about it either. We open the windows and the door just to prep for this occasion. It still doesn't help. The worst part about the whole experience is that you reek like chicken afterwards...your hair, your clothes...EVERYTHING. And lets be honest...smelling like burnt chicken is not the most appealing smell to have. I always have to pretty much do the duck and cover tactic...hoping that it will help...it usually doesn't but it's worth a shot. I usually put a huge sweatshirt on over my clothes and then put the hood on so that my hair doesn't completely smell bad....it looks a little something like this....
I just look so un-put together hahaha. Hey desperate times calls for desperate measures....

Poopy Diapers

So I volunteered to watch Brooklyn and Easton today and let me tell you...what an adventure. Brooklyn is spending the night at my place. Lindsey came and picked Easton up a little bit earlier. Let me just start by saying those kids have the WORST poop in the world. It seriously reeks like nobody's business...sorry Linds if this is embarrassing you. I love these kids to death but when I volunteered for this job, I forgot about the fact that kids poop. I was seriously gagging when I had to change Easton's blow out and then once again was gaggin uncontrolably when Brooklyn walked out of my bedroom from sleeping and said "I'm poopy" Oh my heavens...was she ever. I gagged the entire time and Brooklyn laughed uncontrolably. It seriously was aweful. I'm never having children I've decided. Other than that part of the day....it was seriously so fun to have them. Brooklyn was shy for about 3 or 4 hours. Eventually she warmed up to all my roommates at approximately bedtime...figures as much. It's been so fun to have her here. She was super easy to put to sleep and everyone just loves her. She's welcome to come here any time she wants...keep that in mind Linds :)

Apple Juice

Yesterday I decided to go up to the library to study...look at me being all studious. Well I wanted to bring up some apple juice to thirst my quench on my long treacherous hike up to campus so I just brought my whole bottle. As you know, the basketball game was yesterday. I get up to campus and still drinking my juice out of the jug. I was getting really awkward stares and weird looks. It then hit me that apple juice looks a lot like beer. The thought crossed my mind..."what if people think i'm hiding my beer in my apple juice bottle so that I can get drunk before the big game."...and then i continued to drink away. Oh the joys of BYU.

ICE

Can I just tell you how awful the ice is. I'm sure we all know how awful the ice is but let me expound... the ice is AWFUL. I really don't mind the fresh powder...it's fun to throw around and have snow ball fights with which I did do the other night with people in my ward. So fun by the way!...Anyway...the ice. I hate how there's different types of ice. I hate how sometimes there is a very thin layer of powder on the ice so you think you are safe walking through it and then you are horribly mistaken when your butt is on the ground. I hate how sometimes it really is powder and then randomly you get the stupid ice patches that make you slip. I hate that no matter what shoes you where...you are still destined to fall on the ice. Now I'm only complaining about the ice because this past friday I was walking to class...(I was early by the way) and I decided to take a little short cut. Note to self...never take a short cut when there's snow on the ground. I was up by Helaman Halls and I was cutting through the grass which had a couple ice patches. I thought I was good. I first walking on frozen grass which wasn't bad and then I had to cross the miserable ice patch. As soon as I laid foot on that thing I slipped and fell. I was holding a box so I couldn't catch myself. I literally landed straight on my rear. Needless to say....I have a huge bruise on my behind...don't worry...I checked. And it hurts....BAD. Curse you Ice and the huge bruise you gave me.

Note to the boy...

Note to the boy in the library that walked past me literally 5 times...I can see you. I just pretend like I can't. Seriously....if you want a girl to notice you please don't walk past 5 million times and try to make eye contact. It makes me sick. And don't pretend like you actually have something to walk around about. I can maybe understand once or twice to go get a drink of water if your parched...but really...5 times?...I don't think your THAT thirsty.

Note to the boy who was sitting across from me earlier...Quit rasing your eyebrows at me. I don't even know you and you're really starting to freak me out...

Note to the boy who is now sitting across from me....Please notice my existence. You are a freakin babe.

Library

Oh how much I love the library for a number of reasons....I won't go into detail about all of them but I will on one of them...Couples. Oh sweet couples. How you graciously present yourself in the library by macking all up on each other. Last time I checked...this was a library...not a room. So let me give you a tip...get a room. It makes me sick seeing you nuzzle up into his ear and whisper sweet nothings to him...(just like that couple in my sunday school class the other week) I find it highly disrespectful. I come to the library to get away from the distractions of the world (you). Do me a favor and get out. Thanks. :)

Deep Thoughts

So I've been thinking lately about a bunch of random things...

1. Why does trident gum taste so bad. You chew it for maybe 5 minutes and then it goes bad and leaves you with a horrible after-taste....never again will I buy an 18 pack of trident from costco (maybe there is a reason why it was on sale)
2. Why is my second toe longer than my big toe?...it really is a sick deformity.
3. Why am I crazy enough to wake up and go to the gym at 5:45 every morning...I'm a college student...we weren't made to do these things.
4. Why is stats so unbelievably hard?...My mistake for taking it at 9 in the morning...it's death.
5. Why did I laugh so dang hard when I read my sister's blog about my dad saying..."it's time for another orca feeding!"...probably because it's true.
6. Why are there so many beautiful men that just moved into my ward this semester?....my eyes have been opened to the single life.
7. Why do I still where my ugly ugg boots that have holes in both heels in the middle of the winter....water seeps through almost every day. You think I would learn.
8. Why can I never manage to keep my room clean...sorry Bek.
9. Why do I have a nasty blood blister in my mouth....no i was not busy kissing boys. Promise.
and finally...
10. Why does are dang TV only get 3 freakin channels. I need my Bachelor and Office!!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

.....Beautiful Boy sat next to me in the library today. The End.