Sing it Sara...

I am loving Sara Bareilles' version of Beyonce's "Single Ladies!" Isn't it amazing how songs like this are heard at the right times in our lives? It's beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to hear the thoughts of other women. Thanks for the link Kat!

Apple Butter Festival Or Bust.

Yesterday I finally made it to the Annual Apple Butter Festival in Yucaipa.  A few of my closest friends have gone for the past few years and I was so excited to go this year!  We met up at my house in the morning and, of course, got our road trip breakfast at McDonald's, and were on our way for the hour drive.  (Yes, anything an hour or more deserves road trip food.)

When we first got there, all bundled up in our beanies, gloves and big coats, we went into the store for some shopping.  After $20 I came out with some Apple Butter (naturally), Apple Salsa, a stuffed mushroom mix, and a giant pickle for a snack.  They had some very delicious items!  I actually just ate some toast with apple butter on it for breakfast.

(Danielle, Stephanie and Jaime going down the trail.)

After shopping we went to the petting zoo and played with goats, a sheep, a sneaky food stealing llama, a donkey (pet at your own risk, but he loved me), and a horse.  My friend's 4 year old son had a blast with the animals but was so nervous walking around because he didn't want to step in animal droppings...

(I have always loved canopied trails!)

When we finished taking some fun pictures in the petting zoo area, we decided to walk one of the trails and go on a nature hike.  It is so gorgeous in there and just so peaceful.  I haven't done a walk like that in quite a while it seems!  We didn't see too much wildlife but we had fun...  Until we got lost.  We ended up on a road but luckily we all have a pretty good sense of direction so we ended up hiking uphill on a main road.  We finally made it up the giant hill and I spotted the petting zoo!  We had somehow come out the complete opposite side of where the trail began!  Of course, we documented by taking a hitchhiking photo, haha!

(A few Redwood trees on the trail.)

We continued on to the next area and ate some lunch, shopped some more, fed some deer (including an albino deer), and finally ended the day with hot apple cider and mini cinnamon doughnuts.  What a blast it was!  We piled back into the car to see it was 34 degrees and blasted the heat on our way home.  It was such a great day with great friends and I am so happy I didn't miss out this year!  Sometimes, you just need a girls day out to lift your spirits!

Something Good.

I would like to thank whoever the boy was that broke Ingrid Michaelson's heart because it lead to songs like this:

More Doctors.

Health Update:

I have been on a gluten free diet since the beginning of June this year.  It has helped tremendously and really isn't that difficult.  I've lost some weight, which is nice, but that wasn't my goal.  Since I've been on the gf diet, I've felt about 75-80% better.  I have more energy, my moods are much more positive than negative, and I can focus more.

That is until about a month or so ago.

My newest symptom includes extreme exhaustion within 10 minutes after I eat anything.  It used to be I'd feel this way after eating glutenous foods, but now it's whenever I eat.  Period.

And so the next step is going to my family doctor and finally getting referred to a GI Specialist.  Yippee...  This means, more procedures, including ultrasounds and lower endoscopy (which I am really NOT excited about).  Hopefully it means less medications though.  So far I'm on Prilosec twice a day, Carafate four times daily, and Vicodin as needed for pain.  These meds are just for my GI issues.  They do not include the 2 other prescriptions I take for allergies, or other meds I take for my back.

And so my hope and goal is to find out what exactly is wrong with me; why I am having so many GI issues, and at last, to not be on so many medications!  Oh, and most importantly: I REFUSE to settle for IBS, which is nothing but a non-diagnosis!

Happiness.

Every year for our birthdays, my Gramma and Grampa used to call on and sing the Happy Birthday Song. Since my Gramma got dementia and passed away last year, we now call each other up and sing the song.  It's very fun because we all sing the song in different ways, as I've mentioned before.  This year, for HollieFest 2010, I got quite the variety...

I had Traci and Chris singing very slowly "so it will last longer."  I got my parents singing in a peppy version, kind of how my Gramma and Grampa used to sing it.  I got Ashley singing in a mumbling manner (while on the toilet, btw).  My brother called and sang the his own version of the song to the tune of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance,"  His wife, Trudie, called me later with the kids (Jackie and Owen) with their cute little voices, which I ALWAYS look forward to.  My Aunt Sally and cousin Mimi also called and sang ending with "You better know who this is!"

But my favorite this year goes to my little sister TIffany, her husband Seanie and daughter, Jady.  They actually sent me a video song!  What a great idea!  So without further ado, here is my birthday video (Sorry the video is sideways, I don't know how to fix it):

OctoberFest.

October has always been my favorite month of the whole year.  October means the beginning of fall, my favorite season.  It also means Halloween, scarf weather, the beginning of all of the best holidays, Black Friday and, of course, HollieFest (which, in case you forgot, is November 13th).

This October was extremely busy!  I barely had any nights to myself, but it was all worth it.  Now, if only I can recover!

I went with my mom to get her Disneyland pass we bought her for her birthday.  (Got to love all of the Halloween decor at The Happiest Place On Earth!)

I celebrated my oldest sister, Traci's birthday.

I survived a whole day wearing my new 5" heels.

I gained a new hatred towards napkins, along with my cousin D'Arcy and our friend Michelle.

I reunited with my cousins (Nate, Michelle, Me, D'Arcy, April and Devin) in Utah.

I saw one of my bestie cousin's (April) get married.

I went to Texas for the first time and had a Texan BBQ as a rehearsal dinner for my bestie, Amanda.

(Joe, Steph, Jaime, Amanda, Jason, Me, Danielle, Lorretta.)

I helped coordinate our bestie, Amanda's wedding with my bestie Danielle.

I saw my bestie, Amanda get married to Jason.

I went to a reception with a 12 course Chinese meal.

(Here Danielle and I are trying Sea Cucumber.  It wiggled like Jello when the waiter put it down.)

I discovered Sea Cucumber is not my favorite.  (Think of eating fat from meat but without the gristle.)

I met up with a friend I haven't seen in forever at  The Chocolate Bar.

(Thanks again for driving down, Kellie!  AND for lunch!)

I went to Knott's Scary Farm -- Twice!  (Danielle with her monster bf.)

I met up with a new friend, Holly, at another TAPS event.  (This time in Beverly Hills at The Saban Theatre.)

I learned that 3 of the guys from the SyFy show, 'Fact or Faked' are Mormon and actually go to my friend's ward in HB.  (Btw, one guy served me rice at a luau I went to with my rents.)

I took another pix with my girl crush, Amy Bruni from Syfy's  Ghost Hunters (and apparently was possessed in the process).

I schooled my sister Tiffany on Buzz at Disneyland.  (Yes, my score is above her head for some reason.)

I was part of my niece Jaiden's entourage during her first time Trick or Treating!  (She was Minnie Mouse.)

So much stuff happened in October but unfortunately, I don't have pix of everything!  I know, right?!  ME?!?  Without pix to prove the other fun things?  I figured the 47 I just posted will suffice.  I hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween!  I know I did!  And now, on to November!