The Pioneer Granny

My Granny and I share a love of many things, food, cooking, books and The Pioneer Woman!

How rad is my Granny for loving P dub as much as I do. She even sent me the cook book - a signed copy!

My mom is visiting her for Christmas and I am terribly jealous, you see my Granny lives in Fairfax, Oklahoma. Just a hop, skip and a jump (if there were such a thing on the Oklahoma plains) away from the ranch of The Pioneer Woman and Marlboro Man.

Happy Holidays

I looking forward to a relaxing holiday weekend. I'll spend time with friends and family and hopefully I'll spend a lot more time snuggled up in bed, as I have been missing my time spent in that warm cozy place.

During the holidays it is hard to not reflect upon the blessings we have and I am so grateful for my life, my friends, my family and the many opportunities I have.

Just want to share a few thoughts with you this holiday weekend.





The true meaning of Christmas and the knowledge of this moment is what I am most grateful for.

I have Christmas Bieber fever....

I want to live in these outfits this weekend.

It snowed a lot this week. A LOT. It makes me want to stretch out in a hot yoga class! My old roommate and good friend Steph teaches here .

I'm going to try a new gym, the cost is much higher, don't know if I'm willing to spend that much more.

A few other Christmas thoughts. Wise Men Still Seek Him and the First Presidency December Message.  

Holiday Baking

I've been a baking fool. Making so many holiday treats. I feel like it says that I care enough about you that I take the time to bake these goodies, but also that I'm poor and can't afford gifts for everyone...

Anyway, I'm thinking about giving these babies a try tonight.... We'll see. I've always wanted to make them.

I am also thinking about making some cake pops!

I'll let you know what happens...

Winter Meetings

It's a weekend devoted to processing winter meetings. So many changes. I'm getting psyched for April!

Please enjoy:


















Hehehehe, I'm still laughing.

Obsessed

Be the Change

via 

I have had a lot of different thought racing through my head for the past few days. I can’t seem to wrap my mind around these ideas, and to be completely honest, the contrast between these recurring themes is so extreme that at times I am embarrassed. 

On the 70^th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, I find myself comparing today’s issues to the issues faced during WWII. The U.S. is engaged in several conflicts across the globe today, whereas 70 years ago it I mainly isolated concerned with its own problems and issues. I think about the major conflict in the world today and my heart aches. Learning about the bombings on the Shi’ite holiday makes me wonder when we and if we will ever learn acceptance of difference and love for all people. I know this is an idealistic point of view, but have we not learned from mistakes from the past? We can read the horrific accounts of genocide from our history books, but then see it in action today. Many of the gains that were made with the Arab spring are being threatened by oppressive regimes and electoral problems, it makes me incredibly grateful to live in the United States where my freedom has not been oppressed and I am allowed to exert my basic rights because they are constitutionally protected.

I get on my blog with these types of thoughts and I see that yesterday I posted a picture of a hairstyle that I am lusting after and I feel extreme guilt. When entire communities suffer in depths of poverty that I cannot truly even fathom and I am upset because my short hair is limiting. Plus, by posting a picture of Katy Perry, I am contradicting another topic trending in my mind right now, and that is of the assault against women’s values and intelligence (see Miss Representation). I have been raised in a world that taught me my greatest value and worth is that of how I appear to others. While various lessons have taught me otherwise, I see that while my value isn’t based on these things many people will choose to judge me based on this skewed value system.

Congratulations to those who have taken a stand against this, see here and here. I hope for a world where my daughters are not raised under these conditions. I know that this will depend largely on the home I raise them in, the values I choose to instill in them. I am grateful for a mother who taught me and showed me what it means to be an independent woman. I read these great ideas

Simultaneously I see how ingrained these ideas are in my day-to-day life. I worry so much about what I eat, that it practically consumes my thoughts, then I talk about it with my friends who are also consumed with it. My best friend on the other side of the country calls me to complain about the weight she put on, while I feel terrible guilt for eating Christmas cookies a newspaper sent my department. All the while, there was a giant famine in Horn of Africa that put over 13 million people at risk. People in war-torn nations unable to know when their next meal will come as they are displaced in surrounding areas, and I worry about my inability to control how much food I eat?? I see a major conflict here. 

I don’t have a solution to any of these issues and I don’t suppose that I ever will, but I do know that I can take action now. Be the change you wish to see in the world. It doesn’t have to be a dramatic life pursuit to change the entire world but it begins in the entertainment I seek, the clothing I buy, the way I raise my children (assuming I’ll have some one day) and the example I set to those around me, along with the role models I seek.

These are just a few of my thoughts today.

Hair Envy

After months and months of begging, my roommate finally shaved part of my head. It's the smallest area above my right ear and I think it's awesome. The entire cut is done a bit differently, but let's be honest, my hair is so freaking short that you can't even tell. I'd say look at the photos below but you won't be able to tell because I'm wearing a hat, photo to come...

So, I have a case of hair envy. My friend Booke (see below) has the most beautiful long hair that she keeps parted down the middle. Her hair is seriously like the burnette Lauren Conrad.

Here is what I am currently coveting...

via

Parade of Lights

This weekend was the Parade of Lights in Denver. I love Christmas and didn't want to miss out on the festivities so I headed down to the parade with friends. A few things I learned on this Saturday evening adventure:

1. When the forecast predicts temperatures will be near 10 degrees, don't stand outside for several hours even if you're wearing layers.

2. Sneaking into a hotel to use the bathroom is great when you gotta go, just be prepared to get caught by hotel workers while exploring later. Also, men may walk into the bathroom too.

3. Hot chocolate is a great choice, and it's even better when you bring your own thermos so it stays cold.

4. I wish I could spend my winter weekend nights at the theater.

Parasocial Relationships and Fitness Challenges

I wrote a funny blog about parasocial relationships, Pioneer Woman and Angel Stone. Then Blogger failed me. I don't want to talk about it. Let's just assume it was funny, it involved witty commentary and a love of all things blog related, with a firm stance that I live in reality even thought Angel is clearly my friend... right?

Anyway, Check out Fit and Hungry for a December fitness challenge!!!!

One day I'll make up for Blogger's mistake.

There's So Much to be Thankful For

There is so much to be grateful for. My life has been richly blessed. I'm thankful for my family and friends, for incredible new opportunities to grow and change. I'm grateful to have the gospel in my life, and for my Savior.

The older I get the more precious all of my relationships with my family become. So at a time like this I can't help but be grateful for their support and love!

Also, I'm so glad I'm done with the GMAT!!!

Confession Monday

I LOVE the holidays, but my love of the holidays has taken some hits this season - consequence of working in retail advertising.

I complain about feeling stagnant in life, and then progress and change are heaped upon me in mass quantities and I have a hard time dealing. Irony?


Despite loving my short hair, I really miss having long hair. Hair that pokes out of hats, hair that you can put in braids, hair you can put in a ponytail or a bun. I miss it.

I haven't been very nice to my body, consequence of stress but only makes me more stressed?

I love the Pioneer Woman, and I have this in common with my grandmother. Does that make me a nerd? My granny sent me her cook book and I got so excited that I jumped up and down like a kid on Christmas morning. P-Dub is awesome and makes good food!

I'm so excited for The Great Gatsby remake! Also, please see Midnight in Paris.

I have a strong desire to simplify my life and it is effecting my wardrobe choices. I want effortless looking style with no effort (not easy to achieve...)

I can't wait for my family to come! Busy week - terribly,awesome week - of course!

Almost Time...

photo via

I'm ready to put up the tree and the Christmas decorations... here's hoping for some snow!

Occupy Denver

Over the weekend I had my first Occupy (insert any city name in the world here) experience.

I went to the 16th Street Mall to check out the new H&M (note it was way too busy for me to actually get any shopping done...). I did manage to make an amazing purchase thanks to some friends and family coupons I got...

While making my way over to the Denver Pavilions my friends and I hear a commotion, then we saw some police in the distance. Everyone around us had stopped what they were doing so we joined in. I saw a group of people coming toward us, with police lining the street. The next thing I know, a group of young people, with handkerchiefs over their faces started walking by, knocking the tops off of the trash cans, and in some cased knocking the trash cans over. A group of police officers on Motorcycles followed the group, urging them off of the main pathway.

Then a larger group chanting "We are the 99 percent," walked by. They were turning to us, asking us to join in on the protest, informing us that we too were the 99 percent.

On our way to dinner after the H&M disappointment, we saw the perimiter of Civic Center Park was surrounded by police, and police were everywhere just beyond the park.

It was very interesting.

Photo from the Denver Post

weekend

I don't think I can remember a time where I was more excited for the weekend than I am today. My roommate is graduating from cosmetology school and we're having a fun little gathering at our new place to celebrate. There's still a lot to be done, but it will be presentable tonight. Our rooms will remain shut because those are still a giant mess....

I'm excited to get all my DIY projects done and to get ready for the holidays! I'll share some photos with you next week, when a lot of the projects are complete.

In the meantime, please enjoy this song and a few links.




Planning on making this for our deck.

This might be my next project, I think it would look lovely in my room.

Have I confessed my love of StyleMint promo videos? Here is a new one.

H&M has opened in Denver, guess who is making a trip tomorrow.... me duh.

photo here found via pinterest

Breathe

After an incredibly exhausting weekend so much of my stress has been relieved.

Unexpectedly having to move for a type-A planner throws a big wrench into everything. The result is a lot of stress.

But with a lot of help (that I am so incredibly grateful for) Jen and I moved into our awesome new apartment. I will post photos when it is a bit more put together. We’ve unpacked a large amount of boxes, put up a few decorations and we’ve settled on how we want our furniture set up. There is still a lot of work to be done, but most of that will have to take a back seat to other life events. AKA the GMAT…

But it feels nice to breathe again, to be reminded that things have a tendency to work out. I’ve still got a lot of work to do, but everything will be ok.

Devine

I hope it will be said we taught them to stand tall & proud, even in the face of history & the future was made new & whole for us all, one child at a time.

          - Brian Andreas

 

Sometimes I worry. I worry a lot. About things that are completely out of my control.

Life is so much better when you let go of the worry around you and you focus on the good and the positive, and you find it engulfs your life. It’s just waiting there for you to allow it in. For your eyes to see it. I think it is usually found in those around me. In my family and my friends. In their courage in hard times, in their trails and heartbreak and mainly in allowing yourself to see the divine within them, what they can’t even see about themselves.

It can be a bit sad, to watch someone struggle to find these truths. But it is overshadowed by their goodness, by their hope and optimism. Even if they can't see or feel it yet. 

Weekend

I'm so glad it's Friday. I've got a busy weekend ahead of me. Halloween parties, prepping for moving. So much to do...

so please enjoy the following links and get pumped for the weekend.

Hipster rant (too funny please beware of the censored expletives.

Interesting commentary on being a young mormon, trying to be cool. My personal feeling is go ahead and have style, but perhaps you shouldn't measure yourself based on the standards of the world... Also, just because you show that you are different, doesn't mean that everyone at church is going to judge. While imperfect, most people are loving and accepting...

World Series, game six... did that just happen?

I think I might need this dress

Still trying to decide on a halloween costume, Jack and Jill?

English monarch evolution, first born of any gender will be heir to the throne. Reminds me of dreams as a little girl...

I really would like to see Like Crazy.

Moving

I got home to my condo on Friday with my hands full of bulk items from Costco to find a lovely FORECLOSURE notice on my door!!!! The condo I have been renting officially went into foreclosure on Friday so I had to scramble to find a place.

I had always wondered where I wanted to live, and I was leaning toward Denver, but I received a new calling at church that has a lot of responsibility and I felt like I couldn't abandoned the calling. So Jen and I found an apartment in Denver. Stephanie had already signed a lease at another place.

So we are moving on November 4, because we have to be out by the 5th. Advantage-moving assistance provided by the bank!

Ah! I'm now excited to move! I wish it was this weekend, but I'm glad it's not. We've got to do this in the most organized fashion that we can. A lot of people from my church are going to help us move and we have a moving truck.

Can't wait to decorate! Pictures to follow when projects and painting is done.

 Unrelated notes:

- I accidentally started listening to Christmas music yesterday (yep, I'm one of those people)
- I'm pretty sure Zooey Deschanel and I are supposed to be best friends, yay for parasocial relationships
- My boss brought in breakfast burritos today... amazing!

Hello Weekend

I am SO glad it's Friday! It has been a long week and I'm ready for the weekend. My goal is to take it pretty easy, I've got to fit in some good workouts and study time, but other than that I will spend the weekend relaxing.

Best way to kick off the weekend... Giant nutrition free for all at work. Check out the goods I managed to grab. There was so much stuff! Every single day I am happy to be employed, but some days I really LOVE my job.



Just a few things to note -

I love Colorado

I want to read everything this man writes.

Sick of people making drama around the world series. I just want to watch some awesome baseball.

I can't wait for listening to Christmas music to be acceptable and I can't wait for this album.

Planning on making these too.

Spoken Word Poetry

Thanks mom for sharing this with me.

I wanted to post the text from the poem that she closes with, but the power of the poem is in her performance of it.

I recommend you take the time to watch or listen to this.

Dear Life,

Growing up is not always easy. Being an adult, accepting responsibility and acting maturely is not what I always want. It’s rarely the easiest thing to do in any given situation.

Maybe I spent the better portion of my adolescents and young adulthood escaping responsibility, but I’ve found that a huge part of my growing process has come with the realization that I am solely responsible for my happiness and for my reactions to situations. It is up to me to process and respond to circumstances that are unpleasant and it is up to me to make decisions that will bring me success and joy.

Becoming the kind of person that I want to be is a bit of a learning process. Every time I feel like I’ve figured something out, you my dear life throw me another curveball and I find myself standing at the plate baffled at the pitch after I swung and missed.  

With this process, I hope that those around me are willing to employ the great gift of grace toward me, a certain amount of forgiveness and a lot of love. I sure hope that this gift is something that I am ALWAYS willing to share with those around me.

I find that I get frustrated with those around me that aren’t embarking down the road I’m on with me, that they too are not striving to become the same kind of person I want to become, or perhaps they aren’t sure what kind of person they would like to become so rather than become they stay at the same stage.

I had an awakening, curveball type of experience today that showed me I need to be careful with the expectations I hold those around me to. I need to be quick to forgive and slow to anger, quick to understand and slow to pass judgment.

Just do me this favor today, be quick to forgive, even if it is not completely deserved. Just give someone a break today, because they’re just trying to figure it out too.

Powder Keg of Emotion

I’m a walking bundle of emotions. So many emotions are swimming through my body.

I once went to a communication training course and the instructor said that we have a bucket of emotions in our body that we have to release every so often otherwise our emotions will overflow and we won’t be able to control the release of these emotions. Learn how to let some emotional water out of our buckets is what she was teaching… apparently that’ll help us communicate (Which I agree with at times, but we are emotional beings and sometimes we need to convey our emotions… off topic).

Today my emotional bucket tipped over because of the sudden emotional downpour inside of me. Too much is going on right now. Too much for me to handle all at once, and the result is an emotional wreck.

If left to my own thoughts for too long, I begin to cry.

If left to read the words of others for too long, I begin to cry.

If talking, I begin to cry.

If listening, I begin to cry.

Let’s just sum it all up by saying that there has been a lot of crying.

Tears of sorrow, worry, guilt, joy, peace, humility, gratitude… you  name, I’m feeling it.

Gosh, I hope this passes soon.

Lack of Cable is Ruining My Life

Guess what awesomeness went down last night. Walk-off... Grand freaking Slam...

And I missed it.

so sad.

So I have decided that when I sign a long-term lease (right now it's month-to-month) I will be getting cable. I miss watching Sportscenter, I miss being updated. Thanks be to twitter to keep me updated on the go. (follow me @jillian_will)

I live a very sad life now.

Marriage

My brother Jeff got married over the weekend.

The wedding was BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I had such a great weekend and congrats to the newlyweds.

Here are some photos that a few people snapped from the ones the real photographer was taking...

Sorry

I'm aware that this blog is typically used for communication about sports. So please forgive the fact that I  have ventured away from the norm for the past little bit.

It is caused partly by my lack of cable television so no sportscenter, and because of the quality of the teams that I support.

Anyway, don't hate me but I wanted to share the new MUTEMATH. I have hipster friends, this is what happens, I now get excited about music.

Can't Help but Smile

This song is so happy. You can't help but smile.

Love.

I’m grateful for the friendships and relationships that have endured the test of time. That my most dear friends will always seem dear to me, despite thousands of miles and oceans that separate us.

I strongly feel like there are reasons that people are brought into our lives during different times and why we remain close to them.

I have the best friends. The people I see on an almost daily basis, the people that I talk to just a couple of times a year and everyone in between.

My life has been shaped by their influence and by their love.

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about love, romantic, platonic and charitable love. I want to live a life where the people that I love never have to question that I love them. And I want my love to be a pure unconditional love like that of the Savior.

There will never be too much love in this world. I want to spend my life wrapped up in the love of people around me, and trying to share that love with them.