Turkey Day - The Most Wonderful Day of the Year

Thanksgiving this year came too soon and felt too short!

Ani, Kirk, and myself made the 11+ hour drive to California (deja vu anyone?) and spent the Thanksgiving holiday with the Parkinson side.

The food was remarkable and the company was amazing. We chatted and chatted and chatted and lingered and lingered some more. I was so busy gabbing with my CDF (Crazy Dysfunctional Family as we so lovingly call ourselves) that I didn't even get to enjoy the dessert!

All the grandkids with the pops... or Poppi as we call him. Can you say estrogen much? Girls rule in this family. 

Calvin enjoying a nice beverage from his very own goblet. He was pretty proud of that thing.

And the scruffy turkey as I affectionately call him. I LOVE a little scruff on a man and it only took minor convincing - he ended up loving it more than I did! And it's red! Who knew?

I love this picture of my mom and great uncle Dellenbach! They look so happy.

After the feast and festivities, a few of us cousins decided to go see Breaking Dawn that night and drag our significant others to the movie - Kirk was a trooper. (I highly recommend movie theater going on Thanksgiving. You get the whole theater to yourself!) We had a grand old time pointing and laughing and cringing throughout the show. I didn't know honeymoons could be so awkward...  

On Friday, we decided we wanted to get our hit of Chipotle - a must if you are in the Fairfield area - and invited everyone and their dog to join. It wouldn't be a true family outing if every family member didn't attend. We couldn't find enough seats inside the restaurant to we took over the outside patio area and dinned like true Parkinsons do - burrito bowl style.

We spent the rest of the day hanging out, watching home videos, talking wedding, and eating sweets. I even made a batch of chocolate covered oreos thanks to the great mind of Kirk Ouimet. (I know, the chocolate covered oreo thing is getting a little out of hand. But they are so fun to make and so delicious.)

We decided that should head east back to Utah on Saturday. We woke up kind of late and wanted to say goodbye to our mama llama and Bebe and Dolly (our family has quite the nickname repertoire.) The early afternoon turned to noon and by then we thought we should probably eat before hitting the road, so we made a trip to In-n-Out with everyone in stow in the back of the van and retrieved the extremely large order of cheeseburgers, fries, and diet cokes. $40 to feed 11 people? Not too shabby.

After our feast, we lingered a little longer in hopes that maybe if we stayed long enough, the day would never end. But alas, 4pm rolled around and we thought we should probably get on the road before Monday comes.

Travis, Rachel's BF, even loaned us his radar detector in an effort to help get us back to mormon-town faster. It did help. We shed off at least 2 hours of the drive and made it back and snug in our beds by 2am. We are leaving at 4pm every time now... JUST KIDDING.

Sidenote: The drive always seems to work out nicely for Kirk. He sets up camp in the back of the car and "works" while I manage to drive the whole way... funny how that happens.

Now it's time for the Christmas festivities to begin! Christmas shopping, staring at lights, listening to holiday music and a possible musical or two!
Happy Holidays EVERYONE!

a dress story.

The time has come for me to knuckle down and do something important for the impending nuptials taking place in March.

I make it sound like the world is going to end. And so what if I am a negative Nancy about planning my own wedding? Have I ever mentioned that before? Are you sick of it?

I met with the oh-so-very talented Melissa Blackburn to whip up a wedding dress of the century. A wedding dress fit for a queen. Let me tell ya, when you see it, you will DEFINITELY think Kim Kardashian/royal wedding status. Only kidding.

Since she is working with probably the most indecisive person this side of the Mississippi, (that's debatable... I can't quite decide if I am...) Melissa has some wonderful and fabulous ideas to help move the process along.

The first meeting went something like this:

Me: I want it like this and like that and like this and like that.

Melissa: Ok, let's do this.

Me: Good. It's settled then. See you in three weeks.

She informed me that we don't have to make any hard plans at this first meeting.

I told her with every fiber of confidence in my being that I am "not afraid to commit to the plans."

Wait. What were those words spilling out of my mouth?

I just wanted to her to think that I wasn't going to be one of those "difficult brides." Or I suppose wishy-washy could also work.

I left that meeting feeling great about all things discussed... except for the sleeves, and the neckline, and the fabric, and the color... 

I waited a day to contact her in fear that my indecisiveness was only happening because she said I could change my mind and it would be okay. Don't give me options, I will definitely abuse them.

I finally mustered up enough courage to email her (I couldn't call her because I did not want her to hear my weakness through the phone.)

I told her of all the things that I was unsure about and how I didn't want to seem difficult but, I think I want to change a few things.

We had a second meeting.

Melissa: You don't have to make all the decisions now. We can conjure up an outline and work outwards from there.

Me: SIIIIIIGGGGHHHHH.

She just gets it.

And so we spent the afternoon brainstorming ideas and making me feel comfortable again. The stress of the wedding dress is no longer and I now I know that I will at LEAST have a dress for the day. If nothing else, it's all I need.

this is actual brainstorming at its finest.

this and that.

Well, as it turns out, this sicky is sick once again.

What the heck.

I'm not quite sure where I got it/am getting it from but it's getting a little old.

Today I had to cancel on my lovely friend Trudy and our outing to H&M today for fear of getting her and her little family sick. I am such a good friend.

Wedding planning is going... Everyone always asks me how it's going and that's just what I say. It's going. Who knew I would hate it so much? I think planning other people's weddings is fun, but planning my own is a whole other story. The one that I'm telling right now.

I am still on the search for a venue. I think I have decided that it will be in California for sure. I was going back and forth between a few ideas. And even considering a destination type wedding but in the end, I think I just should have a party for everyone, k?

Maybe.

I'm so back and forth with EVERYTHING. From location, to colors, to the actual wedding dress. My poor dress maker is probably wanting to strangle me.

However, moving is kind of fun. Well the actual act of moving is not. Packing, packing, organizing, packing and driving to the Golden State will probably not be a walk in the park, but I would rather move 10 times than plan my own wedding. HAHA!

I am moving down to California in January to live with my aunt and uncle (where my mom is) and staying there until Kirk and I get married. Kirk will (hopefully) find a place in the city to live in January and it will be the place we move into once we do get married! I have found a bunch of places that I LOVE and I am trying to convince the Turkey that they are all wonderful places to call home. He is not so keen on living in a loft apartment... He wants office space so he can work at home (which I am totally all for) but there aren't many decent spaces with 2 bedrooms. Well, there are. Just not with the San Francisco charm and architecture that I was hoping for. I mean, we will probably only live in the city once and not for that long... I want to soak up all that it has to offer!

I am seriously SO excited to live there. I have always wanted to live in a city and San Francisco is pretty cool with some awesome views. I have always felt like northern California had a piece of my heart and now I get to reunite with that piece of my heart very soon. I just can't wait to explore and find cool things. Don't you worry, I will document it all. Well, most of it. I'm still working on documenting my life now. But hopefully with new surroundings and basically a new life, I will be more motivated to do so.

We are going to California for Thanksgiving this year and it's a bitter sweet thing. I said this last year, but it's just not the same as having a place to call home. Holidays and family get togethers are always super crowded there (another reason why I'm excited to move there. Then I can just go home at night instead of drive the 13 hour drive back to Utah.) But I am excited to stuff my face with mashed potatoes and stuffing. Oh, stuffing.

Ok, I will get back to healing my sick nose and scratchy throat and finishing my online wedding registry (that part is fun. 1 point for me.)

Happy Friday!

animated.

Have you seen this?

I love it. 

I feel like the older we get, or rather, the older I get, the magic of life tends to be pushed by the wayside and I get caught up in the every day craziness of real life.

When I was a kid, I used to imagine my life and how it would be now. How different it would be once I became an adult. I used to make lists of my goals, my dreams, my aspirations. And although, I feel like this is definitely not the life I thought I would live, I wouldn't change it for the world. I still plan on doing all of the things that are on my list. But I plan on doing them with a partner. With my best friend.

I am so lucky to have someone in my life, someone who wants to be with me forever, who supports me and my dreams. Someone who wants me to succeed and someone who is there when I fall. 

That is what love is.

Sometimes I feel like there is a confusion about what true love is.

We live in an era when comparisons are made left and right and there is that constant knocking on the door to remind us of what we don't have; what we are lacking.

I am so grateful that I have waited this long to be with the man that I know I am supposed to share the rest of my life with. 

To be able to recognize true love and to be able to embrace it.

I have always been drawn to music and dance. And although I am no expert on either, I feel like I can appreciate the beauty and the expression of dance. And I can appreciate the ability that music has to move us. And the way a story can be told by both.

And this,

this is the perfect example of those two worlds coming together.

How amazing.

as luck would have it.

Today was the first day in 2 weeks that I did not go to the gym.
I am getting a sore throat and I am blaming the gym.
It is so hot and steamy in there (and not in a good way, or else I would be there regardless of my health status...) I feel like it's the perfect place for the common cold and flu to infest and grow and spread.
I feel like every time I start to go to the gym again I get sick.
What the heck is up with that?
I noticed the sore throat when I made the trek up to Anthropologie blasting the heat and singing my heart out to Celine... I couldn't make that last note. How embarrassing.
I cleared my throat and continued on as if nothing or no one was around.

Once in the glorious store, I was floored by the Christmas decor. I felt like I was in holiday heaven. I couldn't get enough. Then I saw the price. "I can make ALL of this," I thought. Possibly true. Probable? Probably not.

(Photos taken by me and my iPhone. HENCE the quality... I do not credit myself to be a photographer. And I probably won't ever. So don't judge, eh? Sorry, bad mood sickness kicking in.)
I went ahead and began shopping around, losing the purpose of why I was actually there. I needed some Christmas presents. Specifically, some Christmas perfume. But, I was lost in the overwhelming racks of clothing and suddenly my closet needed everything. Everything including skirts and dresses. "My skirts and dresses selection is getting pretty pathetic."
I made it to the dressing room with my arms full of dresses and skirts galore. I tried them on but much to my dismay, not a single piece of clothing was inspiring me to pay the big bucks. About halfway through my dressing room session, I started to feel ill.
But, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It was just a feeling. A sudden feeling of dizziness, headache, throat ache, nausea, confusion, hot flash, body ache... Do you know the feeling? The feeling before you get sick but you don't quite know what it's going to lead to.
The dressing room and I were not getting along so I walked out feeling defeated by Anthro's skirt and dress section.
I decided I would just get what I REALLY came to get which was perfume for some christmas gifts.
I needed two, they only had one.
I immediately asked one of the kind sales associates to check the back to see if they had any more. Since I  was not about to walk out with only ONE of the TWO things I came all the way to Salt Lake to get.
She ran to the back and within the 5 seconds she was gone, I thought I was FOR SURE going to lose my lunch right then an there in the middle of the holy Anthropologie bedsheet section.
No, no. This could not happen to me.
I fought the urge to purge when she came back out and informed me that the one perfume I was holding was the only one left.
At that point, I didn't care anymore. I just wanted out.
So I made my purchase and left the store, got in my car and vamoosed out of there faster than you can say, "Tossing cookies."
I had also meant to make a little detour to Nordstrom Rack to return an item or two but, made an executive decision to just head back to my home in the good old land of Provo.
What a waste of a drive to SLC.
Once home, I made another executive decision to ditch the gym.
And that is the abbreviated version of why I didn't do my work out today.
I started to feel a little better. At least not nauseous which I feel is the worst of the worst of illnesses.
But the sore throat is kind of staying around.
I am trying to fight this bad boy with all my might. Vitamin C and hot tea with lemon and honey. I even read somewhere that you can kick a cold by ingesting a teaspoon of honey mixed with a 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon every 4-6 hours. So I am doing that as well.
This always happens when I'm trying to get in shape. And then, when I am better, all of the hard work from working out was all for nothing and I have to start all over again.
No siree bob. This girl is NOT going to let a sore throat and stuffy head get in the way of her goals.

new news.

I have some news.

Something I have been wanting to share for quite some time... and I may have let it slip a time or two - not really knowing my audience.

You see, it wasn't really a secret. It was more of a technicality. A not for sure thing.

But now, now this is a for sure thing. Sure as the sky is blue and the poppies are orange.

Oh, poppies.

Kirk and I are relocating to the city by the bay.

That's right, 

San Francisco.

Source: kevindart.com via Alix on Pinterest

This will be quite the adventure to say the least.

Some people are even telling us not to do it.

But, you see, I have always wanted to live in a city. At least for a time, just to see what it's like. To feel the energy and the hustle and bustle.

I am a country girl at heart. Give me a cozy cottage and a quiet town and I am good. As long as there is a Nordstrom near by. Oh, that's not real country? Shoot.

The point is, I am excited. This will be a new chapter in our lives and I can't wait to start it!

And when I go, I'll be sure to put a flower in my hair as Scott MacKenzie so eloquently put.

To blend, of course.

selling clothes.

Hello ladies!

The time has come for me to go through my closet and part with some pieces that are near and dear to my heart.

I have decided to let everyone enjoy this momentous occasion and I have put these items up for sale!

A few things to know:

1. I am not getting rid of clothing that is worn or ugly. No, no my friends. These are simply items that I am just tired to see in my closet and are not being worn like the beautiful clothes should be.

2. I will ship anywhere within the U.S. A $5.00 shipping fee will be charged if such is needed.

3. If you live in Utah, we can arrange for a pick-up/drop-off sort of thing.

4. I use paypal and will give out the information when needed.

5. If interested, please email me at alixvanbuskirk@gmail.com

Let the shopping begin!

Gap Striped Long Sleeve Cotton Crew Neck

Size: M

Slightly worn 

$9

SOLD!

Old Navy Toggle Cape 

Size: M

Only worn twice

$10

SOLD!

Gap Striped Tee with Sheer Neck

Size: M

Worn once

$9

SOLD!

Nordstrom Sheer b.i.p. top

Size: L

Worn once

$12

SOLD!

Shade bow tie Tunic

Size: S

$12

Gap Dolman V-Neck top with gold buttons

Size: M

Worn once

$12

Forever 21 nude/grey sweater

Size: L

$10

Gap Dusty Rose v-neck with rouched sleeves

Size: S

Worn once

$10 

SOLD!

Anthropologie Odille top

Size: 6

$20

Anthropologie Odille lavender top

Size: 6

Small bleach spot on top left bust

$11

Xhilaration ruffle top dress

Size: XL (runs kid of small)

Never worn

$8

SOLD!

Shade Teal Pencil Skirk

Size: S (4-6)

Never Worn

$15

H&M black skirt with pockets

Size: 10 (medium)

Never worn

$12

the ultimate goal.

As previously mentioned on my blog, I spend a lot of time doing a whole lot of hanging out with Kirk.

And I admitted that I have gained x number of pounds in the past 6 months (a number that I will not share. I'm too sensitive about it.) I blame the relationship because as most of you may already know, relationships make you fat.

There's a whole lotta eating out and hanging out and not a whole lotta working out.

So my goals have shifted a bit and I am trying to reverse my bad habits.

Which is really hard by the way.

I can't quite remember what I used to do before I did the things I do now... to replace the bad habits.

I haven't ever been a really unhealthy eater. Except for carbs. Those are my weakness.

But I am excited to report that yesterday while at dinner, I did NOT eat my slice of bread. A major feat in my eyes as I never pass up a slice of bread.

Never.

I have decided to make my goals small enough to reach. And to give myself rewards for reaching my goals.

Hunter rain boots when I lose x amount of weight

A facial when I lose the next amount of weight.

Until I reach my goal.

However, I have also decided that the scale is not really something I will be using to track my success. I am choosing the way I feel and the way I look as a measuring tool of my success.

Yes, it is nice to see numbers that tell you how hard you have been working, but we all know that the scale doesn't measure strength or inches. 

It's not easy. I find that I get pretty hard on myself and sometimes I don't see the results of my hard work and I want to rip my hair out.

I also have made other goals that I feel are attainable for me and I can reward myself when I do them.

Drinking more water throughout the day. This is super hard for me because I love my diet coke. I have a hard time drinking the water here in Utah because it tastes funny to me so I have drink purified water or bottled water. I know I'm particular but listen, this is the only way for me.

Water allows the body to rid itself of the toxins you may gain from working out. It also helps the body rid of water weight AND makes my hair and skin nice and hydrated. In this dry Utah weather, there ain't nothing better than a glass of water to heal all dry wounds.

I won't beat myself up if I can't make it to the gym every day or if I eat something awful... I just need to remember that just because one mistake is made, doesn't mean I have to quit altogether. This is something that I want to do and change for the rest of my life. 

I want to be around for my children and show them how to have an active lifestyle.

And that, my friends, is my ultimate goal.