Coffee Any one?

This morning about 10 my doorbell rang.  It was my lovely neighbor ready to give me a ride to a morning coffee in which my German teacher was giving a presentation about Austria Advent traditions. I had completely forgot that was today, oops! I Was dressed in work clothes, not ready to leave the house.  She left without me.  In approximately 8 minutes I walked out the door, dressed in a skirt, blouse and sweater, with tights and jewelry on!  Yes! score one for me the quick change girl.  I hurried to the public garage where we are allowed to park our car.  Put the year pass card we were given and bing, my card wouldn’t allow me in.

After 10 more tries of putting the card up to the reader I finally got someone to respond to the “call an attendant” button.  I was so glad my German brain engaged and I remembered how to say that my card wasn’t working.  the voice unlocked the door and I was finally running towards my parked car.  So glad I wasn’t wearing high heels, but my medium heeled boots.  Jumped in the car and headed to the exit gate.  Again epic failure the gate refused to lift and let me out.  No matter how many ways I put my card into the slot, or pressed my card against the pad nothing worked.  The sign said to call a number if there were problems.  Of course my cell phone doesn’t work in a underground parking garage!!!*** My frantic pushing of the red button got a recording.  Finally a voice came on.... in my I explained who had issued my card and that I really needed to get my car out of the garage....I was late for an appointment.

Sorry you cannot exit the garage. humffff!

I backed the car away from the gate.  Oh Joy a car was coming towards me.  Could I persuade them to let me follow them out or would the gate come down and smash the car?

Oops the slow moving car parked.  I watched in the rear view mirror as a little stooped old man slowly got out of the car.  Would he help me?  I walked back to him.  After some broken German and his very fast Austrian he finally nodded.  Slowly very slowly with the help of a cane the man carried his parcels and walked to the gate.  With me in the car he used his card to open the gate.  Joy! I was free! but it was now almost 10:30.

With the help of the GPS I drove directly to the house; no parking anywhere because the home was across from a university.   Finally I managed to park, fill out a parking card to leave on the dashboard, and headed back to the lovely home.  The gate was open, yes! and the Door left a jar!!  I silently followed the sound of my teachers voice to find the room where the presentation was being held.

Gabby was in the middle of explaining about masks worn to chase bad spirits away.

Fortunately as I left the apartment I had remembered to grab my Sunday journal out of my church bag.  I happily took notes of her presentation.

But where was my friend?  I look about me in the large pretty room.  No neighbor!

After the presentation I spoke to several interesting woman.  And enjoyed a few things from the “coffee” buffet.  The tuna salad was divine and the apple strudel ok. What a nice event.  Then I realized I was in the home where I get to sing on the 9th of December at a Christmas party one of the directors of the American Embassy is holding in his home.  Now I knew how to get here and how much time to schedule. :-)

After thanking my teacher for her presentation and thanking the women who had acted as hostesses I left for my car.

Well that had been successful!  Should I be more bold and drive to the nearest DIY store.  Sure!  And I did!  But I didn’t find five dollars.

The Power of One

<http://www.danoah.com/2010/11/small-side-of-numbers.html>

Yesterday I followed the link above that was posted on my Facebook friend's wall.  I read the blog and got goosebumps on my goosebumps.

First of all I know a lot about eating disorders and I really related to his comments about believing you are the one that can overcome.  I certainly put that principle into my life in regards to getting rid of an overwhelmingly bad phobia.  And I believe I have fantastic immunity partly because I believe I have good immunity.  I just believe in being healthy and recovering from anything that ails me as quickly as possible, and it usually, with faith and prayers comes to pass.  Though I did get really irritated when I was terribly sick in Moscow with a double infection of staph and strep- when my husband who is used to me bouncing back pretty quickly, got impatient when I was not cured as fast as He thought I should be. (how is that for a long sentence.)

My brother and sister-in-law and their children also are quick healers.  And they inspire me.

Second the blog really affected me with the impact of his numbers.... and graphs.  I love graphs.  I want to be a person who makes a difference.

Frankly though his excellent writing gave me writer’s block yesterday.  I had so much to say but started judging myself against his skill.

Oh, well, I can only do the best I am capable of now at this moment in time.

And I am sure I’ll think of more to say later--

Christmas in Vienna

A Night at the Opera

Vienna is a city of music.  Saturday we attended the Mozart Opera -The Magic Flute.

self-portrait

the boxes across from us.

view of the stage and orchestra pit

the grand staircase

the box held 7 people, our seats were on the 2nd row.

a ballroom in the building

Our seats were in a box on the 3rd tier.  The State Opera House is a lovely building.  Built after Mozart's time; so he did not actually play here.  The world renowned singers were sensational and the set was very unique.

Found a camera cord! well actually my husband did! before and after photos of our window.

Kitchen 

 Just sheers so I get lots of light.

We are thankful for the bay window
it gives lots of light.

I wasn't really a fan of the fabric, but it was the only swatch
that came near to matching the sofas they put in our apartment.

Closed the yellow backing shines through

Spare room closed

Spare Room

Sewing room

Making Progress*

I just counted 7 blogs in November which means I am hopping along in my goal of 22 blogs this month.
I wanted to post photos of the curtains that went up yesterday.  But unfortunately I have put my camera cable away some where safe....so Till I find it it will just have to be words.  
The men arrived at 8:40; 20 minutes early and they worked hard through till lunch.  Took about an hour off then worked steady till 3pm.  They left saying that they would be back another day to hang the rod that needs to be bent into a curve and stick the "frost" I have requested for the bathroom windows.  There are horizontal blinds in the master bathroom and they block out all the light.  If we leave them open then our neighbors get to see things they'd rather not ;-o.


As I watched the men work yesterday I remembered when we moved into our first home. And how hard I worked putting up curtain rods and curtains in each of the rooms.  I counted windows in my head, 10 in our townhouse in 5 of them I put up blinds as well as sheers or curtains.  Yesterday 2 men worked 5 hours and put up 7 rods and the curtains to go on them.  I had thought I was rather inefficient back then the project seemed to take weeks  But I never had 5 hours to work uninterrupted.  And I was working alone, didn't have someone else to hold while I drilled. etc.  I realize that I accomplished quite a bit back then with 2 little children to watch over and morning sickness to accommodate.
And I felt very grateful that my husband's employer had sent the strong capable men to mount everything while I worked on the Giant Jigsaw puzzle which is my kitchen. 


Yes, I am making progress there.  Have almost figured out where to put everything.  I've learned the hard way that you don't want to just fling everything into any cupboard that will fit.  It is better to go slow, make a plan of where you want to do which task then place the items where they make the most sense.  For example the pots and pans as near as the stove as possible.  the microwaveable dishes near the microwave.  Liquid measuring cups near the sink...etc.


The curtain men were kind enough to mount my knife board and magnetic strip on the kitchen wall before leaving so that freed up some drawer space.


Yes, creating a home is fun and a big puzzle.  I am liking the results so far.

Celebrating!

Robert and Dad playing

This week our family has something really wonderful to celebrate.  

My Dad's Heart surgery/oblation went really well.

I have always loved my Dad's silly faces.

Leisa took these fantastic photos this summer.

I love you Dad!

mom holding my oldest daughter

We are absolutely delighted that Dad's heart will soon be functioning normally again which will bring renewed energy and the ability to do things he enjoys.

Of course any celebration of Dad's recovery

needs to celebrate the loving caring concerned helpful Nurse Jane of his.....

MOM

taken December '06

Spring '86

at a Thanksgiving photo shoot in the '60's

mom making her fabulous fudge!

In front of the Tower of London

my first performance with the Danube Dreamers

Guy Faux day, 5th of November was my first sing-out with the Danube Dreamers.  I enjoyed myself immensely.  Nothing quite like stacking a chord just right and hearing the expanded sound go ringing off!  It is one of the most energizing things I know of. Combine that with meeting a group of diverse interesting people and fabulous food!  Can't be Beat!!

now please don't think too ill of me for glancing at the sheet music.  Without a teach tape and only 4 weeks to learn the songs I needed to cheat a little.

I introduced one of my favorite songs: Irish Blessing!

We changed the "stack" for Irish Blessing, which made the sound awesome.  And means you get to see  all of the group.

Three Generations

As soon as we go outside she closes her eyes.

Hayden actually captured her eyes open but she isn't looking very happy.

Lots of attitude.  complete cloud coverage meant it
wasn't really too bright for her.

Under the tree we commune.

Pretty Women

But no smiles still.

The Moving men were a little over anxious to empty boxes.
We are grateful that they carried all the paper etc. away.
These photos were taken after I had unpacked 40 boxes.
And Dean and the men had emptied their share.

Trying to organize the kitchen is a top priority.  Since we have to eat...though I supposed except for Sundays we could try out a different Grinzing Restaurant every night of the week.

Guess I won't be doing much sewing this week.:-(

The movers moved boxes into our apartment and unpacked from 9am till 2:30pm with one lunch break and a couple of smoke breaks.  Especially impressive is that they did not carry a single thing up or down the 3 flights of stairs.  But used the tiny elevator/lift exclusively.
Now we are faced with what seems like an overwhelming task..put it all away.  Just to make all of my friends who don't ever move house feel especially grateful I'll post these photos.