Servus from Austria!

We're into Week 2 and having a blast. Vienna is a spectacular city. I think one would need about a year to see all of the sites, museums, etc.

Here in Saalfelden (about an hour southwest of Salzburg), life is more subdued and closer to The Sound of Music version of Austria. We went on a 4-hour hike yesterday. Today, we're going for a run and then sliding at a salt mine.

Weighed in before I left and was down 3.6 so back in WW's good graces. It will be a miracle if I can maintain given the bread, cheese, beer and wine that we've consumed. I'm counting on the exercise to weave it's magic.

So far, haven't had any significant language difficulties. More later.

Gruess Gott, Susan. Thanks for corresponding from Austria. Hooray for the weight loss, but you're right that the food there could be a killer (what a way to go!)

Regarding the language; I have found that Europeans are well-versed in our language and want to talk in English.

Again, I envy you being there. Enjoy it!!

I didn't do too much this weekend. We had rain, rain, and more rain. I did get some shopping in.

How' everyone else?

Hiya Susan and Domina,

Susan, sounds like you are having a most wonderful and well deserved vacation. Thanks for starting us off the week!

Congrats for getting your self to a comfortable level before going to Austria!

How are the temps? I see that its a lovely 93 right now in London, I'm hoping this weather pattern breaks (70's would be nice).

I'm glad you are having lots of fun and communicating with the locals.

Keep us updated will ya?

tchcuss.

Domina - rain would be useful here. I guess we had a bit, I wasn't home, but the laundry had a nice rinse. Buy anything good ?

Well, I was soo afraid my weekend would be well, too LA for words. Wedding, wedding, wedding and it would be awful. It was wonderful, really. I guess I shouldn't expect the worst all the time.

It was very gracious, elegant and fun stuff. Very interesting people that we met there, some I may look up next time I'm in NY.

I must share with you something that the rabbi who was officiating the wedding said (It was pretty omni-denominational, really) -- He said there are four things that are very important to having a strong relationship (this could be said for most things really)


1. Be precise with your words
2. Don't make assumptions
3. Don't take things personally

Hmm. I think he was talking to me, right there.....

4. Always do your best

Wow. That was a take home message for me.

Anyways, I'm done being a glamour puss for the week.

Hope everyone is okay and keeping sane. I'm hoping to stay sane until COB today.

lala

lala: Thanks for the rabbi's thoughts--very apropos for life, in general.

What did I buy? I bought some shirts and shorts for golf!! I also bought a great summer bag on a super sale (It's a Liz.)

Hi again.

Domina: Doncha love getting a super deal on something you love?

lala: Temps are astounding - 30+ every day since we arrived. We try to take down time mid-day but somehow, it doesn't help that much.

Hi everyone!

I was having trouble posting on Friday--for some reason my password wasn't working and I had to get it reset and a new one for the forums. Grrr. In any case, I'm back up and running!

Susan: Good job on the weight loss! Keep us posted on how things are going on your trip.

Lala: Sounds like you enjoyed the wedding. Thanks for sharing the rabbi's thoughts.

The wedding we attended was really nice--I'm sure I ate way more than I should have and drank more than my share of wine but it was well worth it! The way it was set up was nice--they had an hour and a half of appetizers (cheeses, savory pastries, shrimp, champagne, drinks...) and then we moved into the hall. The meal was spaced out nicely--there was time in between each of the courses for dancing, etc. We had our main entree at 9:45 p.m. It was well worth the wait. I had ordered a grilled tuna with chervil sauce. We danced a lot and ended up staying until after the festivities. The ride to and from (6 1/2 hours each way) was a little long but all in all it was good.

I'm looking forward to a weekend at home. Hard to imagine that school starts back in a mere 2 weeks from Wednesday. Our summer here has been more rain than sun which is unusual for us.

hmm.

tuna with chervil sauce, i'm liking this.

The food at this wedding was unbelievable too.

I spent most of the weekend in a fine g&t haze.

Susan -- I'm going to London on Thursday night, it looks like the weather is supposed to break! I'm hoping for this.

Domina -- All these things you have to buy to hit a little ball with a oddly shaped stick?

lala

Hi everyone!

Lala: The tuna was delicious! It was well-worth the 6 1/2 hour ride. I'm definitely not used to eating the various cheeses and rich foods, wine and it played a little with my stomach.

I'm finally getting back to a somewhat normal routine. Last evening I did a quick run to the store--I bought the new Lean Cuisine Cafe Classic Pizza (vegetable) and can I just say it's wonderful! The crust gets nice and crisp and it tastes good! This will definitely be a keeper for me.

Tonight I've got laundry to do and my kitchen floor is in dire need of a good mopping so I'll be busy. Still have to finish unpacking as well. Oh well, it gives me something to do and keeps me busy and out of the kitchen.

How's everyone else doing?

Sounds like it's weddings, weddings, weddings everywhere!

I went to one on Saturday night. I was worried about my eating, but it turned out to be okay. The thing I've noticed about eating at supernice establishments is that their portion sizes are *gasp* normal!!! So while I ate several courses, they were moderately sized, and had quality ingredients.

And I weighed in the next morning and had lost 1.8 pounds from the previous week - which was good, because that means I'm back AT GOAL (well, okay, now I'm only 1 pound over) and have celebrated officially my 6th anniversary that way.

Melissa, that LC pizza sounds like something I'd like to try. How many Points does it have?

Scoutruns - welcome back! Good on ya for getting back to goal.

Melissa -- I love pizza, but I haven't tried that one. I'll keep it in mind.

Hey, we picked our first few tomatoes last night. We're off to Thai for dinner tonight, so it'll be insalata caprese the following night.

I also picked 10 lbs of summer squash (not even big ones). I am visiting my dear work pals and giving them squash. I think they'll start shutting their doors as soon as they see me.

Other than that, I hope everyone else is doing outstandingly.

lala

Scoutruns: Congrats on getting back to "freebie" status!

I agree, the nicer establishments actually serve normal size portions and that was the case for our wedding as well. I didn't come away feeling stuffed--maybe a little tipsy but not stuffed.

The pizza is 6 points for the whole thing...it's nice sized too and doesn't taste like cardboard. I've entertained the thought of using a little turkey pepperoni on it to get the flavor.

Lala: We've had a few grape tomatoes out of our garden but no tomatoes to use for sandwiches...I'm eagerly waiting for them. But then I know once they start I'll be up to my elbows with tomatoes and the canning will begin.

Wow. 6 Points for pizza, I'm definitely going to look for that when I go shopping this week.

Hi all,

Its a beautiful day here and I spent all of it inside...

grrr.

I am about to head out and see what the heck my summer squash is up to, I have never experienced summer squash on this level. I hate them when they get big, so I pick them religiously.

Other than that, I guess I'll go home and pack. I am leaving tommorrow night for London. It sort of snuck up on me. I see the temps will be downright pleasant by Sunday (low 70's as opposed to 95), so I'll be able to get things done.

How is everyone doing? I was attacked by a bag of doritos (6 pts )

lala

Lala The Doritos got you too??? I had a few and talked myself out of the rest...they're such a red light food for me. Glad to hear the temps are going to be nice while you're in London.

It's hot & steamy here and am so happy we have central a/c in the house now! We're supposed to have a cool down over the weekend so that'll be nice. Not too much going on here--no major weekend plans (thank goodness!). I'm working at WW on Sunday morning; other than that it should be on the quiet side.

Anyone have any weekend plans?