I Heart Faces Photo Challenge: 9th place!

I've been a lurker for about a year now, but when I saw the Pet Week Challenge, I figured I'd give it a shot. I've said it a million times and I'll say it a million more: Rocko is the most awesome weenie dog in the entire world.

Congrats to all the other winners!

Elena attempts to bake

I made cake balls! They're much easier to make than I thought. I was inspired by this post by Bakerella. There's no way I'm that talented with frosting though to make cute little reindeer. So I figured, maybe I can pull off some christmas ornaments. Here's what happened.

1. Bought all the ingredients yesterday while shopping at HEB. Unfortunately their sprinkle selection was not to my liking. Add to my list to buy sprinkles tomorrow at Target.

2. 2nd Quarter of the Texans game, getting bored watching the Texans run all over the Seahawks, decide it's cake ball time. Mix all my ingredients and wait for the delicious smell to wander from my kitchen.

3. Allow the cake to cool down, add a 1/4 cake at a time to mixing bowl and crumble to pieces until the entire cake is in the bowl. Mix in frosting. The smells at this point were almost unbearable. I confess, I saved myself a piece of cake. (=D)



4. Cool mixture in refrigerator whilst gone on trip to target. Make a mental note to use whilst in everyday talk. At target, get sidetracked and buy all kinds of crap I don't need. Sounds about right. Finally remember what I'm there for and buy sprinkles.

5. Back, prepared and ready to get on with these cake balls. my house still smells like chocolate cake and I'm getting hungrier and hungrier. Melt some white chocolate in a bowl and add the food coloring. Ok, what the crap did I do wrong? When I added the food coloring, it looked like a globby mess and wouldn't become liquid anymore? So I wasted HALF of my white chocolate candy coating making booger trash. Darnit.

6. Next I use the rest of the white chocolate to cover as many cake balls as I can. I get 7 done. And my are they ugly. Bakerella I am not. I'm not even close. Like I could be the worst baker of all time. Feeling like a failure, I shove my creations back in the freezer and pout to randall's for more chocolate.

7. About 10 balls in, I got the hang of it. I had a system of adding sprinkles and worked as fast as I can. I made 45 balls and only messed up 3. By mess up I mean broke in half while trying to cut off excess chocolate to make them look like cake balls not cake blobs.

8. I chose the prettiest, roundest cake ball to show you what I did. I'm telling you, they're much tastier than they look. But I had 2. One covered in green booger chocolate and another that broke in my hand. I ate them 3 hours ago and I am JUST now coming off my sugar high. These things could be dangerous.

I think I'll take them to work and pawn em off on the guys. =)

When I was younger, aside from wanting to be a tornado chaser, I wanted to be a cake designer. I now realize why that dream never came true. I suck at baking.

Happy holidays, y'all.

how 5 words can make your day...

Sitting at my grandparents house talking to my aunts and my grandparents about my recent trip to Italy, I look over and see my grandpa with a smile ear to ear. Then I saw him lean over and whisper to my grandma in spanish "look how beautiful she is. " Then my grandma smiled.

Aren't they the best?!

Everything...no really, everything.

Every time I have some free time I think, hey elena, you should post the blog about your fantastic vacation. oh wait! there's ice cream in the fridge! or hey elena how about posting about football season and how you're oh so proud of those awesome nephews? What? Colts vs. Patriots on Sunday night football?

sigh.

this is why my thesis isn't done. and my laundry.

but this evening I curled my hair and tried a new recipe.

So here's one big long post with everything in it, excluding pictures. I'll add pictures later. Maybe. haha

1. Claire's wedding.
I loved every single thing about it. From the minute we got off the ridiculous winding road up the mountain to Ravello, it just felt beautiful. Her family was amazingly nice, and everyone knew the week was about making Claire and Charlie's wedding perfect. And so it was. Tuesday night we had a hen party where we asked all the ladies to join us at a local bar for some wine. I think everyone had a great time. Wednesday we took a chartered bus back down the mountain to go see Pompeii. Wow. Just, wow. We had a great tour guide who showed us the highlights. Very very cool. Wednesday night was the wedding dinner- not technically rehearsal dinner since there was no rehearsal and all the guests were invited--and it was all you can eat pizza. umm delicious. Great speeches, good wine, and a shot of limoncello to make you sleep better. Oh and Claire gave us bridesmaid gifts--I fell in love with the pearl necklace and ring she gave us. Since I was robbed 3 years ago and my pearl ring was stolen, i've been on the lookout for a new one. This one has such a flair to it--love love love it. Thursday was the big day. We packed up our things and went to the hotel where Claire was getting ready. I snapped some "before the real photographer" pictures, and we laughed and enjoyed the moments. I love in Mario the wedding coordinator's photos, he labeled the one of Claire, her mother, her sister and me as "a family photo." There was a short walk from the hotel to the Villa Eva, where the wedding was taking place. We passed several tourists who were oh so excited to be a part of Claire's day. The ceremony was just beautiful. When Charlie's sister shared a poem, there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd. The ring bearer, Charlie's nephew, was absolutely adorable. After the ceremony, the musicians led the way down to the Ravello square where we had champagne and toasted the newly married couple. We did the pictures, ate a ridiculously rich and wonderful meal, and the wedding party danced the night away until 4am. Like I said, the whole wedding was perfection.

2. The rest of the trip.
I went back to Rome and spent a couple days by myself in Vatican City. I visited Pope John Paul II's tomb, which for me (and apparently a lot of other visitors), was a highlight. We weren't allowed to take pictures, but as soon as you got to that part of St. Peter's you could feel the energy change. People were praying to him, dropping off notes and flowers. It was just enough to make me think of the time we took a charter bus from Houston to Toronto, Canada to see him. That same energy from the crowd in Canada when JPII spoke was still there in St. Peters at his tomb. Amazing. I then went to London to spend the next week with Claire and Charlie. Poor Claire was sick but she was a trooper and took me out for sushi and a show (Avenue Q--anything that has a song called "everyone's a little bit racist" is a show for me). Charlie was great--we spent a day in Cambridge. I knew he was a great guy, but after that day I knew he was just perfect for Claire. We went punting (think sort of gondola ride in venice, but not really) and had fudge and played with our cameras. Good day. Wednesday I took a train through the chunnel! and went to Paris for the day. I saw just enough to realize I want to go back. Most of the sightseeing was done from the inside of a bus, aside from the champagne lunch on the 2nd deck of the Eiffel tower and the boat ride down the Seine. When I go back (notice I said WHEN), I must be in a relationship. It really is the most romantic city. All the lovey dovey bridges and art--it all felt like it needed to be seen with a significant other. And the Louvre? Worth every penny. Go see the art. Spend a day or two or three. It's wonderful. That's really the highlights of my trip. I'm sure there are many more stories, things I'm forgetting, but I think for this bullet, I'm done for now.

3. Football
I missed the most games I've ever missed of these crazy nephews this year. I hardly took any pictures and I never saw them win. Was I a jinx? Maybe. The 7yr old finished his last year of pee wee football and is looking forward to terrorizing the junior league next year. The 10 yr old had a rough year. New coaches, new teammates, and it was really a struggle. Once he figured things out though, he was great. Those kids are great. I can't tell you how proud I am that they're growing up to be such good kids. Sure they have their attitude problems but at the end of the day, I can't wipe the smile off my face after hanging out with them. They crave energy, attention and love. By golly, they will always get that from me. I'm taking them to their first professional football game after Thanksgiving--Texans vs. Colts. I'm actually really excited to be with them as they experience their first trip to reliant stadium to see real live football players (including the incredibly awesome Payton Manning!) They're going to love it.

4. What else was I behind on blogging about?
I can't remember. I cleaned my house from top to bottom this weekend and while it looks fantastic I know it won't stay that way for long. Plus I really hurt my back when I was scrubbing the tub. Take your own advice ergo lady.

5. Lovey Dovey ok really stop it.
I said a few months ago that if anymore of my friends got engaged or married, I was going to scream. Wouldn't you know, Mike, Clay, Laurance, and Justine all got engaged or are getting married in the next coming months after I said that? Like I've always said, I'm so happy my friends have found their significant others but come on! Is it my turn yet? I know I know, you can't rush these things...but does anyone have Shemar Moore's phone number? or Demeco Ryans? or a decent looking guy who will accept the following requirements:
* take out the trash
*walk Rocko when I'm sick
*pay half my bills
*maintain my car
*must be able to cook, or be willing to clean, not necessarily both
*slightly smarter than me, or at least smarter in a different way.
*respect and love me for who i am and think that even though we make blue, it's a GOOD thing.
I really don't think it should be this complicated to find that guy.

6. Coming Up Next
Saturday, the 21st- Clay's wedding. I can't believe Claybird is getting married. Mindboggling how much we've grown up since college...He got me through many chem tests by helping me study at the library. I'm excited for what his future holds.
20--something? When is Thanksgiving?
28th-Texans vs. Colts. Hopefully we'll see a good game.
December 1st: K-pat's birthday! I have to send her the BEST gift--something she'll never suspect! I need ideas!
December 5th: Faith's birthday. I can't believe that little girl is turning 1. She is soo adorable. Her blue eyes melt me.
December 10th: Keda, I won't say your age, but it's your b-day. I'm going to make you a bucket of devil's punch and a cake pan-sized pazookie. Deal? :)
dec. 25th: Christmas time already? Good lord.
Jan 2: Mike Drabs wedding! should be a boot scootin' good time! Seriously, I might wear my boots.
Jan 30th: Elena hosts her first baby shower. any tips? I'm not allowed to play "ridiculous games"

Aaaaaand I'm done for now. I think between getting ready for baby and finishing my proposal before the end of the year, not to mention all the other work things and holidays, birthdays, and weddings packed in, it'll be a crazy next few months. I hope I have the strength to do it. I hope I can maintain my exercise schedule and work on developing a sleep schedule (that puts me to bed before midnight--not making it tonight as it's 11:57pm and i still have to walk Rocko).

here we go!

wow I'm behind

Procrastination at its finest! I'm so good at this, I'm procrastinating the blog I made while I was procrastinating something else! AGH!

Blogposts I still need to post:

1. Italian Wedding-- At least I've posted the pictures on facebook, so i'm not *that* behind. But really, those pictures deserve stories.

2. The rest of the trip, including my conversations with a very grumpy french woman and a hotel connoisseur who didn't put down her cigarette to type. so awesome.

3. Football season. I missed 4 games this year, half the season. I feel terrible and I have very few pictures to show. Ugh. But the season ended well with a fun halloween party in our back yard. Post coming soon about the party, and i'm hoping to capture some great last games this weekend.

4. I dunno, just need to get back on track, start the monday questions again or maybe i'll change it up and do the 3 things about me thursday? grateful wednesdays? Hmmm something.

And the posts will start.....another time. It's midnight and I'm tired.

procrastinated yet again!

Here we go...

It's Time.

Time to pack my bags and get out of here! The plane leaves on Saturday. Holy cow. I'm so excited for the wedding. Claire and Charlie are such an amazing couple. I've known Claire for so long and she's just so much happier now that Charlie is in her life. I'm so happy for the two of them, and to top it off, they're coming back to the states in just a few short months! woo hoo!!

He's rather tall, but it works. :)

The wedding will be in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast. I don't know much about the area, but I hear we're going on a day trip to see Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. Being somewhat of a science nerd, that excites me. After the wedding, I'll be spending a few days back in Rome to really enjoy the sights of Vatican City. Last year when I was there we ran out of time and had to rush through. There were too many beautiful things to see that deserve time. So here we go!
Vatican City-The picture is dark and crooked. Must try harder to focus on this year's trip. :)

And Then...
Off to London to hang out with Claire and Charlie. We're looking at going to a theatre show, and I'm also looking at day trips to Paris since it's only 2 hours away by train. On Friday it's back to Rome to catch my flight back home. Fast and furious, but should be a wonderful trip.

I'll relax. Soon. If I can...
finish making accommodations for Rome
Buy a jacket since none of my winter clothes from last year fit
Finish my evaluation plus a million other things for work that can't wait until I get back
Get my straightener that I left in Port Lavaca
Clean my apartment and make Judy a key so she can check my mail while I'm gone
Take my dress to the cleaners to be ironed
I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting...ack...hopefully I'll remember soon.

about how i feel right now. Everything will be better on Saturday!!

hi neglected blog

Elena's life, stated in the most random of thoughts:

1. It's football season.
For me this means driving to Port Lavaca almost every weekend to watch the nephews play. Both the boys play their heart out and love the game. To me, this is exactly what football is all about. Hard work, open minds, and tough skin. Good lessons to be learned at all ages.

2. I'm going to Italy/somewhere in three weeks.
This trip is coming up so fast and there is so much unknown. The first week is planned, done--can't wait for claire's wedding. It's going to be so beautiful and awesome in a beautiful little town in Italy. But after the wedding I can't decide what to do. Should I go to London and stay with Claire and Charlie? or should I go to Scotland? Paris? Must make up mind very soon.

3. It's cold/allergy season.
Disadvantages of having a cold:

• feeling like crap
• thinking you're getting over feeling like crap, but the realizing a new symptom has started, for instance, "wow I don't feel like there's a 10lb weight on my chest anymore, but, hmm, wait, are those boogers running down my face?"
• the loopiness from the cold/congestion/sinus meds i've been taking. I seriously considered snorting a pixie stick tonight to clear my nose. I know that's not MY mind talking.

Advantages of having a cold:

• sleep, sleep, oh the sleep, how i've needed, craved, wanted you for so long
• eating chicken noodle soup and oreos, because i can never remember if you feed a fever and starve a cold or the other way around. But in my loopiness, I determined oreos and chicken noodle soup to be the only thing i'd eat for three days.
  
• The scale is being nice this week.
• cuddling with the warmest, laziest dog on the planet. Rocko has slept every hour with me. What a great dog.

4. Biggest Loser
My motivation, the reason why I got off the couch a year and a half ago. It's back and I'm so excited. This is the first time I've watched and not felt like I'm one of them. That doesn't mean I won't cry when they do or feel their pain, but I'm passed that point. I figured out how to make the changes and I know it can be done! They can change their lives! Just give up the bad and focus on the good. Really, I hope they have the determination to make the changes necessary to become healthier physically and mentally and stick with it. Jillian looks meaner this year! Putting it in the books now, my biggest loser winner is Dan.

5. 50/50
Those are the odds. Friday we'll get a glimpse. That's about all I can say on this blog. ;)

6. Shoot
2nd Shooting a wedding with Keda this weekend. Excited, nervous, can't wait. But really, someone buy me a shootsac.

7. pictures
I'd planned on posting football pics, but the sudafed kicked in. so you get one, of muddy joshua. I can't tell you how proud I was when he sacked the quarterback. in the rain. We've since had a talk, and he knows now his job is (besides looking so darn cute) is to get the ball! I foresee recovered fumbles in his future....he's the big scary #45