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Sunday, August 28, 2011
Hurricane Irene
So this week's big story of course was hurricane Irene. Luckily Danbury didn't see too much damage. Our biggest problem seems to be flooding. It will be interesting getting to work tomorrow. A lot of the roads around our office flood pretty badly even during regular rain storms. I bought some rainboots so I guess I am all set. :)
All in all the hurricane wasn't too bad for us. We didn't lose power (we live close to a big hospital so we are usually ok), didn't lose cable or internet. Our basement has some water in it, more than I have seen in the past. But it's still not that bad all things considered. It should recede within a few days hopefully.
Had a nice BBQ/dinner party at our friend Tim's house yesterday. Originally the plan was to sit and eat out on the deck but the hurricane changed those plans. Was still fun though. Had some great food and drinks. Today we are staying home, just relaxing. Will have some cheese and crackers later and watch the VMAs. And then tomorrow it's back to work and figuring out how to get around the flooded roads.
Mail Update: Sent letters to: Charles/TN and Celia/MA last week Monday. Received letters from: Jessica/DE and Carmen/Malta.
Posted by Hanna at 04:07 PM in Weather | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Weird humid weather
Today's goal was to get some more yard work done but the weather has been so humid and this afternoon we have had quite a few thunderstorms pass through already. Not really good yard working weather. Oh well.
Mike did put together my wheelbarrow I bought so whenever the weather does cooperate I can finally use it. It will definitely help with getting rid of all the unwanted vines, weeds and whatnot. Right now I am using a wicker basket and this will hold way more than that. So I will be able to limit my trips up and down the hill. Yay. :)
My goal is to try and get some more work done during the rest of the summer and fall so it looks a little nicer in the spring when my friend Anneliese is coming to visit me. It's still quite a while away but looking forward to her 2 week visit next April/May. :)
Work is still busy of course. Juggling a lot of different things (payroll, cashier/accounting, keeping an eye on my own department and new employee, school start ups) so definitely not getting bored.
Mail Update: Received letters from: Charles/TN, Jessica/DE and Celia/MA.
Posted by Hanna at 03:57 PM in Outdoors | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Dinner Party to finish off a busy week
It's been busy of course this past week catching up with everything that happened while I was gone and also setting everything up that needed to be done. Caught up with most of my school schedules. Most schools start in the last week of August or right after Labor Day around here.
Had a new employee start on Wednesday so been busy training her in addition to training myself on our payroll and cashier/balancing duties. It's never a bad thing to know more tasks but of course it can get challenging trying to get it all done at once. But as always I am sure it will work out one way or another.
Yesterday we were invited over to our friend's (John & Jana) place, along with our other friends Tim & Pat, for a dinner party. Had a great time hanging out with some friends, talking, eating and drinking. We were served a huge feast of food. So full afterwards. :)
Mail Update: All caught up with mail at this moment. :)
Posted by Hanna at 03:49 PM in Food and Drink, Work Stories | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Unpacking and back to reality
Made it back to the US without any real problems which was nice. My luggage arrived with me as well and already unpacked everything, did laundry, put things away. Sometimes jetlag can help with being productive, especially early in the morning. Got up at 7:30 today which would normally be unheard of for me on a Sunday morning. :)
Not a bad day though. Worked in the yard for about 2 hours, then started on things inside, unpacking (as you can see in the picture Mindy is helping), laundry, etc etc. Now it's close to 4pm and I am starting to drag. I guess I'll make myself some more tea and read for a bit to distract myself.
In a little while we are going to Mezon, the new tapas bar here in Danbury. Been there a few times now and really enjoyed it. Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere. Then tomorrow it's back to work and back to reality. (I did go in for a 1/2 a day on Saturday to straighten out my desk, file some things and generally get a feel for what was going on while I was away so that should help)
Mail Update: A letter is going out tomorrow to: Tiffany/OK. And believe it or not I actually don't have any other letters to reply to at this very moment.
Posted by Hanna at 03:54 PM in Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Time flies when you are having fun
And tomorrow it's already time to go back to the US again. No idea where the last two weeks went. Definitely doesn't feel like I have been away for two weeks already. But I guess that's always the case when you are having a good time.
Had a really nice stay despite the weird weather. Tuesday and especially Wednesday it was summer like and we had fun doing outdoor things, going for walks, sitting outside at the Heurigen sipping wine. What more can you ask for?
Tomorrow I have to get up at 2am and return back to reality and work. What a rude awakening. :) I am of course looking forward to seeing Mike and our three kitties. But not looking forward to everday life, getting up early for work every day and dealing with all the stress. Well, I guess it can't be all fun and play, need to work and earn money every once in a while too. It's been nice just relaxing, sleeping in, reading (almost finished 3 books while I was here), eating too much food, drinking wine and not worrying about anything.
As long as all goes as planned I should see my parents pretty soon again soon. They are visiting Canada for 2 1/2 weeks in September and Mike & I are hoping to meet up with them for a week. Still need to straighten out some things at work but hopefully all will work out. I guess it usually does one way or another.
Mail Update: Letters went out to: Carmen/Malta and Sarah/Canada on Wednesday. Still owe a reply to: Tiffany/OK.
Posted by Hanna at 10:22 AM in Austria , Food and Drink, Travel, Wine | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Monday, August 01, 2011
More rain but still having fun
The midway point of my vacation has already passed. Amazing how fast time flies when you are having fun. The weather is still pretty shaky. More rain than anything but we have made the best out of it. My parents took me to a bunch of cultural sights already (abbeys, castles, ..) where we could also do indoor stuff.
On Saturday we went to Klosterneuburg where we did a lot of different tours. The last one was a tour of the wine cellars which was really neat. We even got a glass of wine at the end. :)
Today I went into Vienna again and managed to meet up with three friends. Had lunch, ice cream and a snack & drinks. A very succeful day. Now I am kind of tired and worn out though. But it was definitely a good day. The weather is supposed to maybe get better tomorrow and Wednesday. Guess we will see.
Mail Update: A letter went out to Caroline/Scotland. Letters going out soon to: Saya/Japan and Nina/WA. Received letters from: Carmen/Malta, Tiffany/OK and Sarah/Canada.
Posted by Hanna at 03:44 PM in Austria , Food and Drink, Wine | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack