Vienna's Viennese Journal

[Vienna]

Thanks Lizzeee

Here are some pics from our trip:
This is the view from the bar we went to on my b-day. It overlooks the cathedral St.Stephans

stefansdom.jpg

Cute little bakery in the town we visited Waidhofen an der Ybbs
waidhofenbakery.jpg

Castle Rotschild- not our hotel but a beautiful castle across the river
waidhofencastle1.jpg

Me waiting for dinner
waidhofendinner.jpg

Another pic of the castle Rotschild
waidhofenrotschild.jpg

I'll post more soon!

[Lizzzee]

Hey Vienna - nice photos! I love those euro castles and cathedrals.

[Vienna]

Thanks Lizzee!

Looking forward to the weekend!! It was a late night last night and just at the end I started talking to two Canadians- it was so nice. It's strange- when I talk to Canadians I suddenly get a Canadian accent even though I lived in Europe most of my life--

I'm making pancakes for the office this morning with real maple syrup- it's a great way to get rid of the syrup otherwise I would suck that bottle dry

[Kissa]

You look Hot! Slim, slim legs...great work.

[Vienna]

Thanks Kissa My legs have always been somewhat thin- but I am top heavy so I look a little out of proportion!

It was a really nice and quiet weekend. The next two weeks are going to be so hectic!! I have to make decorations for the DH's surprise party and plan the menu I am going to be sooooo busy!!

[SweetE]

Hey You,
I have been MIA, but hope everything is going great for you. Which by the looks of the pics you posted, things are wonderful and I agree with Kissa, you look super skinny! Go You!!!

[Vienna]

Hi SweetE!!!!! So good to see you!!

Last night was really a lot of fun with my friend- she's almost 5 months preggers and she's glowing- I bought a ton of baby clothes for her- I love shopping!! She is such a tiny person that it looks like she has a football under her shirt- she looks great!

I'm planning the baby shower- I am so excited!!

DH'S surprise 30th b-day is next Friday- I am stressed- my mother has also decided to visit the same weekend Un freaking believable- she's known about this party for months and then she decides to visit..

The party is going to be St.Patrick's day themed so I am making tons of decorations. I told Dh that I was making them for a friend who is "having a party in a couple of weeks". He said "can't she make them herself!" You do so much as it is!" He is a doll! I can't wait to see his face!

For dinner tonight I am making cheese and onion omelettes with a side salad and parmesan chips! I cannot wait!!

[Vienna]

AAAAAHHHHH! I had two cookies! What the h?!! Stupid me!!

[Vienna]

After my Cookiegate yesterday afternoon I ate clean for the rest of the day. I don't know what possessed me to eat them? Today I am going to be really good!

For lunch I am making sausages and for dinner we are having fajitas. Yummy! This weekend we are going to a friend's b-day and she hasn't seen me since I was about 130 so it will be fun to see her reaction! I have another paper due and I am totally struggling- I wrote my sister for help - she has an MBA so we'll see what magic she can make

DH and I are trying to plan our summer holiday- we are thinking of spending 3 nights in Paris and 3 nights in Euro Disney A trip for me (Paris ) and a trip for him (Disney )

I think we might go to Florida next winter to visit my grandpa and DH's friend. I would love to go!!

Other thoughts for our trip this summer would be Ireland (really pricey though) or the South of France (also really pricey). I kind of am thinking of Vegas but that would be kind of out of our price range too. Last year we went to Tunisia for 2 weeks at an all Inclusive place- it was a nightmare!! We were so bored by the second week- wake up lie by the pool, eat lunch, lie by the pool, eat dinner, watch football matches in the hotel bar, sleep. It was so routine we almost picked fights just to do something

Better get back to work!

[Vienna]

AAArghhh- I back up to 123.. But I knew that I would be because I am feeling a little bloated. I am so happy it is Friday- so much to do before DH's surprise party! Have to start printing pics of Leprachauns

Tomorrow we are going to a party out of town- it should be fun but I am sure I am going to be feeling a little on Sunday- these Austrians like to drink

Better get back to work!

[SweetE]

Hey, a surprise party for your DH sounds like fun! I'm sure he will love you for being so thoughtful. I love surprise parties!!
Don't sweat the three pounds, it will probably dissappear in the blink of an eye. You are doing so great!!!!!!!
Well, I need to go find some new recipes, I'm totally bored with the same old stuff I've been eating.
Sounds like you are going to be partying all weekend! Lucky Girl!!!!!!! Have a blast!!!

[Vienna]

Hi SweetE! Thanks for dropping by! This week I tried out two new recipes- I also was getting bored. I made baked fajitas- I used an egg crepe as the burrito and last night I first made a Sweet Onion Pie from Linda Sue and then topped it with browned ground beef with Taco seasoning mixed in cheddar cheese and then topped it with mozzarella- baked it for 20 minutes. It was yummy! I will definitely make that again!!

[Kissa]

To your DH. 30....I will be 60 in June.

Hope the party is a wild success, I am certain it will be. You are great wife, he is very lucky and I am sure he knows it.

Enjoy your weekend and don't worry about the little gain. It will fall off once you are back in control...you work, study, play and are a good friend and wife. You will lose it, never fear.

Have a lovely time.

[Vienna]

Kissa- that was so sweet! Thank you!!

Here are few more pics for your viewing pleasure

The first two are of me at the Palace Belvedere in Vienna- It is about a 15 minute walk from out apartment. I love it!!

The last pic is from last night (please ignore the red face- I had too much wine! ) In this pic I am chilling with Kaiser Franz Joseph. The last emperor of Austria

Belvedere.JPG

belvedere2.jpg

franz.JPG

[Vienna]

Monday Monday... 5 days until the party!! I spent Sunday cutting out Leprechauns and Shamrocks completely in the mood for whiskey now

My menu for today:

L: cheese omelette and strawberries
D: mini meatballs in pasta suace and baked with cheese

SO MUCH TO DO!!! HAVE TO FINISH WORK PROJECT AND PLAN PARTY AND FINISH PAPER!! AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

[Kissa]

Divine pink top, I want one!

[Vienna]

Thanks Kissa! I bought it at Zara a couple of weeks ago- I usually wear black

[Kissa]

I'll be in Zara asap! Though my arms will never look as good as yours do!

[Vienna]

Thanks Kissa- I'm sure you would look hot in that top!

Some sad news for me though. My mother told me that my grandfather is dying. He is currently in Florida and is suffering from pneumonia I am praying he gets over this- I was supposed to see him in May and now I don't know. Apparently he has mentally given up and that is what is killing me. I really hope he pulls through- he is a great man

[Vienna]

Still no news on my grandpa. I hate not knowing what is going on.

[SweetE]

I am so sorry about your grandpa. Grandpa's are so special, eh? Perhaps prayers will be answered and he'll pull through. XOXO Hang in there darlin'.
MEOW!!! Who's that sexy chic in the pink top? You look fab girl!
Thanks for the recipes. (above) I am going to try them.

[Kissa]

Vienna, so sad to hear about your Grandfather's poor health. Hopefully he will find the will to fight and make a recovery. How old is he?

My thoughts are with you. Be strong.

[Vienna]

SweetE- Thank you for your kind thoughts and thank you for the compliments too

Kissa- Thank you too My grandpa is 82 years old but has been fit up until now- still sailing alone

Well, I haven't heard an update so I am going to take that as good news. It is tough because he is all the way in Florida. He was supposed to be coming to Vienna this month but now he isn't

My grandpa is an amazing man. Born in Germany into a Jewish family. When the war started he and his brother escaped on a British boat. His mother stayed behind and was eventually killed in Auschwitz. My grandfather fought for the Canadian army and after the war eventually resided in Canada. He has always looked for the character in people and has relied on his faith to see him through. Although not a religious man- he is a spiritual man. When telling him I was marrying an Austrian I was worried that he would be upset- but I should have known him better because he wasn't. He loves my Dh. And although the DH and I are from differing faiths I try and maintain my faith to honour my grandfather and my ancestors. I am not religious but I believe in spirituality and humanity. To die for a faith is tragic (WW2) but the most important thing is to move on and to forgive. I once heard a great quote of a man talking to a rabbi. The man asked the Rabbi "Will the Jews ever forgive the Germans?" the Rabbi responded "The question is will the Germans ever forgive themselves?". I think it is a beautiful quote and that is part of my mission statement that I learned from my grandpa- Forgiveness, as well as respect, and equality. He also said "if you are going to get hit by a car, get hit by a nice car" I love my grandpa

Well, I just wanted to make a tribute to my grandpa. I'm praying for you grandpa

[Kissa]

A wonderful post Vienna.

from me too.

[Lizzzee]

Hey Vienna - just checking in and I see you don't have any new news about your Grandpa. Thinking of you. Have a good weekend and have fun at your party.

[Vienna]

Hi everyone!

Thanks Kissa and thanks Lizzee for dropping by.

The update:
It seems that my grandpa is getting a little bit better. He is being flown to Ottawa this week and will reside in a retirement home for a couple of weeks- hopefully he will recover So this seems like good news. It is such a relief!

The Dh's party was a big success- 23 people in all and it was a great party. I have never cooked so much food in my life

It's Monday and now that the craziness and chaos is gone I have stick my nose in the books and get this paper done!

[Vienna]

My Granpda seems to be doing better every day!!