What a busy few days….FUN! February 25, 2009

Apologies for not updating the day I said I would..I have more news on the Baroness’ secret plan!

Firstly, I forgot to tell you(the day after I updated), Father has moved the party date forward. Its now in 1 week exactly. Brigitta thinks The Baroness made him move it forward…Don’t know why? Unless Because she has noticed Fraulien Maria is falling in love with Father!! Hmm….Suspicious, We’ll have to get Brigitta to watch out! It was raining so nothing really exciting happened that day.

3 days ago, we did our so long, farewell rehersal outside, as it was sunny(odd for a winter’s day) on the steps. Father and Uncle Max and the Baroness stayed inside as our routine is a surprise. Its for the party. The song is turning out nicely, I don’t know where Fraulien Maria got it from..? Maybe a song book, oh, I’ll have to ask her. Then, after that, we went to Salzburg(Fraulien Maria and us 7) as Father, Uncle Max and Baroness Schraeder. We went for lunch, looked around and went home. Later that day, Father did some more singing to us children again(we sang also) and fraulien Maria(The Baroness, Uncle Max..?? Business upstairs). We sang Edelweiss and also taught Father ‘My favourite things’. We had a laugh! He played guitar and sang Do-re-mi, then it was time for dinner and after dinner, we just went upstairs and did our own things…

2 Days ago,  Father(finally!)got a day off his usual business and surprsingly, took us 7 and Fraulien Maria..to VIENNA! Yes, i’m not lying! The Baroness and Uncle max were doing business in Vienna, scouting for Singers for the festival, I think! Oh my goodness, Vienna is beautiful(even though I went there not so long ago). We went for Lunch, looked around the sights and for a treat..THE SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL to see the Lipazzaner horses. It was wow amazing! Even Kurt loved it..and he usually hates things like this!!! We took a train there and back home, we got home at a good 10:30pm! Straight to bed that evening.

Yesterday, just a plain boring school day, We spent the morning studying and then a bit of the afternoon and after that, we wnt out(again) with Fraulien Maria biking round the lake, It was really fun and we biked for about 2 hours…Father refused to come with us(I wonder why..??), but the thought of him riding a bike is, well, Hilarious! He has never rode a bike in his life-He loved anythign to do with ships, not bikes!

And Today, well, same morning and bit of afternoon with school day. We then after that did some more dancing rehersals for so long, farewell. It was raining again today so we stayed indoors…But we entertained ourselves well, we snag, laughed and joked today! But an early bedtime tonight, 8:00pm on the dot lights out! Its usually 8:30pm, but Father had business to dp and make a phone call at 8:00pm, so thats why…(my evening blogs, I usually sneak out of bed and come to write them). And I hear Footsteps, so i got to go…

Me signing off…

~Louisa Von Trapp~

The last few days…. February 20, 2009

Have been hectic! I’ll tell you whats gone on!!

4 days ago, firstly, we had to go shopping for the party in Salzburg(nope, sight-seeing not allowed, The Baronesss  ‘did not want to!’-Boring woman)…SHOPPING! Wow, so fun..NOT! We spent 3 hours straight in one shop. Uncle max got fed up after 2 seconds…Baroness Schraeder just loved it! Everyone was moaning:

“Not ruffely enough!”

“Too Pink!”

“Not princess-y enough!”

“Too ruffley!”

“Not a nice dress!”

“Hate the dress!”

“I want a princess Dress!”

“Too short!”

“Not floaty enough!”

“Too floaty!”

“Not a nice colour!”

“Does not suit me!”

Friedrich and Kurt’s comments….”I HATE IT!”, “Shopping is boring…!” and endless things I do not want to say….

And the comments go on…1 million more. But I found a dress-its white. Yep, thats all I needed and wanted! Then, we went for lunch in a posh Salzburg Restaurant..We had to go early, though, because Stupid Kurt..again. He misbehaved..He moaned for more food..again! Then, we went home and had to do a bit of school work, which was more boring than Yesterday’s work! Then, the rest of the day went on as usual!

3 days ago, Brigitta’s birthday. She turned 11 and EVERYONE got her a book. I got her a book called ”The secret garden”(I read it when I was 12)-I think she is reading it now, I’m not sure, but she has been asking for that book. Then, the birthday meal, we had a cake for dessert and snitchzel with Knoudels…Mmm, my favourite!! Then we went outside for a bit, playing around and stuff..which was Fun! The whole day, Father and Fraulien Maria were smiling at one another and Father-no look at the Baroness, well, just false smiles, thats what Brigitta said! That day was fun..even if Brigitta spent half the afternoon in her room reading her books, she finished 2 that day! She is a quick reader.

2 days ago, nothing really happened. Uncle Max was trying to persuade Father to make us 7 sing in the Salzburg festival, again, father lost his temper a bit and shouted at him…Well, father hates us singing in public, I do nto know why though! He spent the rest of the day making party arrangements for the party in a couple of week’s time. So far, the guests are coming mainly from Vienna and a couple from Innsbruck and Salzburg.

And Yesterday,  Uncle Max took Father to Vienna, official business, The Baroness and Fraulien Maria stayed with us. The Baroness(Brigitta told me) was giving looks of Jealousy to Fraulien Maria when she was with us 7. Brigitta thinks She has noticed Father and Fraulien Maria are slowly falling in Love, but we don’t know! Father returned with Uncle max at 8:00pm that evening, when we were just going to bed.

Toady, Woah, The Baroness made a call to Vienna, Which Brigitta happened to overhear at teh right time, that She is after Father’s money(or the ‘Von Trapp wealth’ as we 7 call it) and wants to send us 7 to boarding school(which we knew about ages ago) so she can have Father to herself! Woah! This woman sounds pretty..errm…greedy! Father does not know! So after, we went outside and told the others, who seemed pretty shocked at it all! Especially Liesl, Friedrich and Kurt, as they understand like me and Brigitta. Marta ’sort of’ understood and Gretl did not, I don’t think. Ever since that Phone call she made to Vienna, she has been hanging around Father alot…Strange…?? Anyway, she vowed to go to bed at 7:30pm tonight, she said that she was  ‘tired’ and went to her room ‘halfway through the meal’. Then, she was talking on the phone after she made that vow, in her room. Friedrich overhead…She wants to send us to a boarding school in Innsbruck or Possibly Vienna! Now that is just wrong…Something must be done about it! Innsbruck is not far from Salzburg, but Vienna is!! But I refuse to go to boarding school, even if I was forced to, I would fight to stay at home! I love Salzburg and I vow never to leave this place!!

Right, I’m off for Dinner, I promise to update tomorrow with news on the Baroness’ ’secret’ plan…she is at it every day!

Me signing off…

~Louisa Von Trapp~

I think… February 15, 2009

Fraulien Maria and Father are in Love. Reasons why.

So, over the past 6 days on which I haven’t been able to update(Sorry!), things have been happening between Father and Fraulien Maria. Brigitta, noticing everything these past few days, Has told me it all.

Basically, whats been happening, Father, whenever he sees Fraulien Maria, he speaks(like most people do) and when he talks to her, she blushes, but Brigitta doesn’t point it out, no-one does. And When he sings, he is constantly, looking at her! Not the Baroness, her. He spends alot of time with the Baroness(still making time for us kids) and she is flirting(Baroness), but Father isn’t really, Its Fraulien Maria he is in love with and he does not notice it! Well, maybe he does, but I don’t know. 

Anyway, besides that, the party is in 2 and a half weeks,  I wonder what will happen then? Maybe the Baroness, who has noticed(According to Brigitta), Will tell all…But if that happens, well…We’ll have to wait and see…

And We have a birthday coming up in two days..Yes, Brigitta’s birthday. Unfortunately, If we don’t hint it, she’ll think of it herself…she’ll want to spend a day in the library(And what and exciting birthday that will be….). and Before you ask, yes, she has spent a whole morning in our house library(yes, we have a library and the last book I read? The Secret Garden. I was 12.). So for her present? Hmmm…A frog? No just joking….She requests books on ALL her Birthdays for presents! Ever since she turned 5, thats all she asks for. Books-for Birthday and Christmas. And its impossible to know what ones to get her. She has around 500 books and about..errm…200 times, we’ve ended up getting her the same ones, by accident. She just puts them in our Library. Oh, she’ll be 11 by the way.

Nothing has happened the past few days. Just usual stuff-planning for the party, etc..Father has been busy sending out invites for the party, there are loads of people coming, from Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg, etc…All over Austria. But unfortunately, he said us kids must stay away from the praty, because we “might casuse and accident”. Oh well..We’ll just have to watch from the balcony again. But still, great! Liesl way be allowed down but I do not think so…

Anyway, besides that, Fraulien Maria has planned a new song for us to sing. Its called So Long, Farewell,  it’ll be our ‘exit song’ from the party and up to bed. We all get solos and there is a dance routuine. We are rehersing it starting tomorrow, up in  the Nursery.  This should surprise Father on the evening, We’ll have to wait and see what he thinks, We are not telling him this, we are keeping it secret…

I’m off…Time for Lunch.

~Louisa Von Trapp~

A house now full of song… February 9, 2009

Layee odl laye odl oo…!

Yep..a new song in the path for us. Its called ‘the lonely goatherd’. Well, we had 4 days to practise it and thats what we’ve been doing the past 3 days. Its got some yodelling in it..pretty hard stuff, but I find it really easy, like the others. Uncle Max brought us a puppet show 3 days ago and we decided to use that. So yesterday, we spent all day practising the song with puppets, well, the afternoon, because yet again, it was rainy.

Today, we finally performed it! Father, Baroness Scraeder and Uncle Max loved it-Hard song to sing but VERY fun!! After the song, Uncle Max made us guess who he wants for the Salzburg festival..He wanted us but Father wouldn’t have it! Father made clear that “My family do not sing in public!”.

Then comes the touching part…Maria asked who we’d like to hear sing next, Liesl said Father, while playing guitar, but he refused at first, after seeing our begging faces, he did. He sang a song called ‘Edelweiss’ while playing the guitar, which he took! Its an Austrian flower. No one loves Austria more than my Father….and us 7 and Fraulien Maria, I guess.  He used to sing this to me when I was a small girl, when I was Gretl’s age. Liesl joined in harmony and it was beautiful…And I don’t know if Brainy Brigitta noticed this but Father was smiling the entire time at Fraulien Maria, not the Baroness, who sat there, drank wine and smoked. Eugghh! Oh Brigitta probably has anyway, knowing her.

Then, after, the Baroness suggested we have a party. We begged, and Father said he’ll wait and see. If we have a party, it would be in 3 weeks or so. We haven’t had one since Mother died, well, since I was 7. Mother would wear these glittery, beautiful dresses and father would wear his smart  suits. Me, Brigitta, Liesl, Friedrich and Kurt would watch from the balcony. Brigitta would comment on the dresses saying ”they are like angels”. She was only 4 when we held our last party. Marta was 1. Gretl wasn’t born. So she said as she ran out up to bed “It’ll be my first party, Father!”. Now I can see whats coming tomorrow….Baroness Schraeder says “Well, lets go shopping in Salzburg for the Children’s outfits!” and I’d say “No way!”. Ok, I love Salzburg for the outdoors and sights, but not for shopping for Clothes!! Friedrich and Kurt and possibly Brigitta would turn down the offer but would be forced. She’d(Brigitta) much rather spend her day in a book shop than shopping for clothes. And I won’t be wearing bright pink, that’s for sure…

Today, before we sang, I often saw the Baroness chatting to Father about Bording school…sending us there! Us 7, yes, to boarding school in Vienna. Father said, defending us “I am not having my children separated from their Father or moved away from their own house.”! I know why she is doing this-So she can Have Father to herself and get our money. Thats what it is, according to Brigitta. Its wrong and she is sneaky…I don’t like her at all. She calls me “Sweet girl”…she hasn’t seen what i’m like yet. She gives Brigitta this “Adoroble child” look, which Brigitta isn’t and the others sweet smiles and we forced a smile back, not real smiles, huge fake cheesy grins. Anyway, she is no fun at all(Baroness), she doesn’t even know how to look after or have fun with children! I know, silly.  I am no way going off to Boarding school in Vienna..to far from home and I would onlt see Father 2 times a year..Summer and Christmas…none of us would go if she forced us to go- thats if she is doing it for our family money, which she probably is anyway. Oh I would hate it if the Baroness Became our mother….Life would be boring! She wouldn’t know what to do with us! If Fraulien Maria became our mother, that would be fantastic..but she is only in her 20’s and nto that much older than Liesl, I don’t think, and her becominG our mother won’t ever happen anyway, But I wish it would! Oh well…

Me signing off!

~Louisa Von Trapp~

Today was… February 6, 2009

Life changing. Let me tell you why. Then I’ll tell you about the other days!

Firstly, Father came home today. Oh it was funny when we first saw him! We were rowing in a boat, singing an out of tune ‘do re mi’ and we approached our House gate, rowing in our boat, wearing our “Curtain clothes” and Father was standing there, with a strict frown and almost roared “Come out of that water at once!” when the boat tipped over from our weight(we stood up when we saw him and waved and screaming) Oh it was funny seeing Father’s face when we fell in, he had this shocked face for about 2 seconds and then turned all angry. As we swam out of the lake that Baroness Schraeder from Vienna came over and saw us, eyeing us carefully. She looks like a flirt and someone after Money. Then, the minute we are out of the water, we are made to stand in a straight line, Father, walked infront of us, stopped at me and yanked my bandana off, which hurt a little. Then, we were sent inside to change.

After we changed, back in to our sailor uniforms, we got the guitar, went into the lounge to see the Baroness and Uncle Max standing there and we just began singing, while Liesl played guitar ”The sound of music”. It sounded beautiful and the Baroness was impressed too! Uncle max liked it aswell. Then, surprisngly, Father, who was standing at the door, walked in and started…yes, you guessed, to sing. We stopped and were so shocked. We just stood there, while he sung, with these shocked, but happy reactions! After that, he smiled and we all gave him a hug! Its back how it used to be before Mother died!! Thanks to Fraulien Maria!! The best bit is, Fraulien Maria is staying now!! And after that, Gretl never left Father’s side! Well, after all, Liesl practically raised Gretl when Father was in his ‘distant’ years from us. We just sang and had fun the rest of today after that!

And yesterday, Fraulien Maria took us to the Austrian alps for one last time! We had a brilliant time and had a picnic up there too! We practised our singing with the guitar too! It echoed round the mountains, so the hills are really alive ‘with the sound of music’! It was sunny all day that day and we stayed up there playing and singing for  3 hours-its got to be!!!

The two days ago, we went to Salzburg and went up to the Fortress that dominates the town! Its was massive inside and Gretl nearly got lost, wondering off again. She kept thinking a princess lived in here, but we had to tell her no. But there possibly used to be. Then, we went for lunch and off to the Salzburg Dom cathedral with was beatiful inside. I have not been in here since I was 7 years old! Then, it began to rain so we headed home and had to do some studies(boring!). Then, we really got down to some real fun. We palyed the BIGGEST prank-well, me and Friedrich-ever on Kurt. We made him a cake(yes Fraulien Maria let us run all over the kitchen with her supervision!) and put some disgusting stuff in it, like spices. So when he ate it, he ran off to the bathroom and threw up. Us 6 died with laughter and Fraulien Maria found it funny, she knew it was me and Friedrich, but said she used to do that when she was my age with her class mates. But told us to not do it again!

So now, life is how it used to be and it hopefully, will be like this….forever! I’m sure it will be! ‘The sound of music’ was a song Mother sang to us when we were little and a tune called ‘Edelweiss’ too. We rememberd it when Fraulien Maria told us the song ‘The sound of music’ a few days ago. Only Gretl and Marta didn’t, because they were too young. I’m sure ‘the sound of music’ will live in this house forever.

Me signing off now!

~Louisa Von Trapp~

We’ll have to make the most of Fun… February 3, 2009

Because Father is coming back EARLY! He sent a telegram this morning. He is brining that Woman back with him(The Baroness) and Uncle Max-back from Vienna. They should be back in 3 days or so. Apparently, this Baroness is called Baroness Schraeder and she is a Viennese noble woman..From Vienna!

Off the bad news, The surprise 3 days ago was a horse and carriage ride through Salzburg, singing. The poor driver wondered what was going on, us singing, like a bunch of crazy people. But it was really fun!! And yet more play clothes for us! I wonder what Father would think…We spent 1 hour on that carriage singing and looking at the sights.

And 2 days ago, we were prancing around the Mirabell gardens(Gardens in the middle of Salzburg, part of Schloss Mirabell) singing Do Re Mi. We got to the steps that exit the gardens and we jumped the Do Re Mi scale. I think I missed a couple of steps though.  Then as we ran up and down the steps for the finale, Fraulien Maria went up TWO octaves to a high C! She has a crystal clear Soprano voice! Then after that, we went for lunch in the city. We had a truly delicious dish in a posh restaurant and the Most YUMMY Chocolate cake! I can’t remember the name. Then we went home and played outside for a little.

Yesterday, We went climbing trees, now, that is one thing I’ve missed doing. We had a competition to see who got the Highest and guess who won….Friedrich as usual. he ALWAYS wins climbing trees competitions. I’m always second and Kurt third. We then went back home as it had begun to rain, so we started to learn some songs. We got taught one called ‘the sound of music’ and Liesl played it on guitar…It sounded beautiful as we sang it. Fraulien Maria loved it too.

Today was just a normal day. We went out biking again around Salzburg. Then, after that we went on a walk round the neighbour hood and into the woods, then had a picnic in the Austrian country side. In new play clothes.  Yes, more! Then, we came back and did some more singing practise and it was beautiful.  Infact, its gotten more beautiful! Liesl sings it in Harmony and the rest of us just sing it. Whether Father will like it or not..we don’t know.

The Baroness might or Uncle Max(he would, he is looking for people for the Salzburg Festival and might pick us and if he does, Father would, well…). Well have to wait and see. Liesl seemed to pick up playing the  guitar quick! And thats surprsing for Liesl. Don’t ask me why, its complicated. I can’t wait for the results when we sing it in 3 days. I wonder, even, maybe, if he likes it, he will join in…Ok, I shouldn’t get my hopes up high because he might chuck Fraulien Maria out and it won’t be like this again..I hope it’ll go all ok.

Me signing off now

~Louisa Von Trapp~

Do re mi… January 31, 2009

“And that will bring us back to Doe, a deer, a female deer….”

You get it. We are learning how to SING! Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti! So it all started exactly 3 days ago. We went out for a picnic, and Fraulien Maria offered to teach us how to sing, thats how it all started(Oooh, Father won’t like that if we burst into song when he gets back in a 3 weeks!!). Over the past 3 days, she has been teaching us scales and how to mix notes up(like: so-do-la-fa-mi-do-re-so-do-la-ti-do-re-do). Its pretty easy for us though.  We have been given one note(since coincidencelly, there are 7 notes in ‘do-re-mi’):

Liesl: Ti

Friedrich: La

Me: So

Kurt: Fa

Brigitta: Mi

Marta: Re

Gretl: Do

Yesterday, we went into Salzburg to learn those scales and how to mix up notes. We saw people, as we were singing, looking at us with a “Why on earth are they singing in public look?”. But who cares, its really fun! We also had lunch in Salzburg too and went exploring the city!

So today, we rented out bikes and wearing our “Curtain clothes” went biking alonside a lake well…singing Do re mi. Yes, it was REALLY fun. We stopped off halfway through our biking day out and had lunch by the lake.  And also Because Marta hurt her knee. She was fine though.  The lakes in Austria are beautiful. We have one in our Garden.  But I haven’t seen all round Salzburg since I was 9 years old(when Mother died, Father made us go into a “Sailor marching mode”). And it was beautiful too see it again! We spent 5 hours biking with only 4 stops!

Tomorrow’s plans are: We are going back into Salzburg and Fraulien Maria has a small surprise for us..or so she says. She won’t tell us though. We’ll have to wait and see! I love every surprise Fraulien Maria gives us!  Its probably a singing lesson in the Mirabell gardens next since its Crazy Fraulien Maria! After we have learnt our singing techniques, we are going to be taught songs! Not anything to complicated, just some basic stuff, for now, Fraulien Maria said. So that means as we get better, more complicated songs with tougne twisters! And they will get faster too! I wonderw hat Father is going to say when he gets back and discovers we have been playing in curtains made into clothes and singing all around Salzburg! He won’t like it, thats for sure…

Me signing off now,

~Louisa Von Trapp~

The 12th Governess…. January 28, 2009

Came two days ago at 3:30pm…She loves a Challenge with Father! But one thing: She knows our names, off by heart. No EVER remembers our names off by Heart. Even when I did our First trick and said “I’m Brigitta.” She then said “You didn’t tell me how old you are…Louisa.”. Caught. Oh well. But the little ones took an instant like to her.

She gives us 5 oldest the  “Aww adoroble child” look, but she was shocked to find out what we were really like! But seemed to Like Marta and Gretl. When we gave her some “Advice” on how to be a Governess, she looked overall shocked..And she thought I was sweet? No. Then, Friedrich slipped the Frog in her Pocket, we then went for our walk and as we went out, the Frog jumped out her pocket and she left out a scream, we tried not to laugh, it was that funny(When we did the snake with Fraulien Helga, she screamed and darted up to her bedroom, never came out expect dinner!). She looked at us, shocked, we gave innocent faces and yet again, got away with it.

Dinner, wow.  The pinecone. I had been planning this one for ages. So before Dinner, I innocently sneaked into the dining room and put a pinecone on the chair, pretending I had dropped something. Then 30 minutes later, we came for dinner and Fraulien Maria…She was late(We told her to be late…), went to sit on the chair, and she  screamed, said it was Rhuemetisum, She covered for us but Father  figured out, judging by the look on his face(well he is used to it!) but said nothing at all. Then, she made us feel guilty but saying how ‘nicely’ we welcomed her and Me, Brigitta and the little ones burst into tears. So now, we feel guilty about the pranks, as of now.

A telegram then came for Father and he told us he is going to Vienna, Again. He always does in early winter! Its so unfair and he is never home long enough with us…Every holiday, its Vienna. Just too see some Woman, but he is coming back with her and UNCLE MAX!!! And either leaves us with our housekeeper, Frau Schmidt or in care of a Governess. Then, after the Vienna announcment, Liesl sneaked out..somewhere. I think it was to see the telegram deliver boy, Rolf. Still not told me in private if she did or not…oh well, who cares?

That evening, there was a thunderstorm. Gretl got scared and ran through to Fraulien Maria’s room . Then, Marta came dashing to mine and Brigitta’s room scared and we All had to go into Fraulien Maria’s room. I didn’t think the boys would turn up but they did(later on, I teased Kurt about it). Liesl wasn’t there So I suspected she was still out or asleep. Because of the Thunder, Fraulien Maria sang a song called ”My Favourite things.”!  It was a song  about all her Favourite things(and surprsingly ours!), stuff like Strudel, Cream coloured ponies, Snitzchel with Knoudels, Brown paper packages tied up with strings and Silver white winters that melt into strings. Then, Liesl came out halfway through the song, wearing an oversized nightgown and had wet hair. Where on earth had she been? Anyway, we got caught near the end of the song, while dancing around and having fun, by Father. Wearing his strictest frown, we had to stand in height/age line again and were sent back to bed. he told Fraulien Maria off and that was the end of it.

Yesterday, was Friday. So we had to do our boring studies. Then, the afternoon came and it was raining so we were stuck inside. Not so good. Father left at 7:00am, apparently, according to Brigitta, again, who was wide awake. She heard him go and saw him disappear off in his car.

Today, well, was alright, bit better with no Whistles or marching. We sang, sang and umm…sang! No, not really, we went outside, had a picnic in the garden and played “Hide and seek”-Well, That was kind of Gretl’s idea. So we had to play. Kurt was it and took ages to find me and Friedrich-who hid deep in the grounds. I climbed a huge tree and Friedrich lay down in the bushes. Oh it was funny! Kurt took 20 minutes to find us. Me and Friedrich know the best hiding places in our house grounds!

Fraulien Maria is planning a surprise for us, I think. She keeps going to her room with Liesl. According to Brigitta, anyway. We ask her what it is and she says this every time “Wait until tomorrow to find out.”. I guess we will just have until tomorrow. And I never thought I would say this…But, I like Fraulien Maria!!

Me is signing off now

~Louisa Von Trapp~

Oh no….Another Governess! January 25, 2009

Breakfast. Another normal breakfast..until Father says:

“You are going to get a new governess, she will be coming tomorrow.”

And apparently, she is a Nun, from a local nunnery in Salzburg. Oh, this should be easy! So right after that, before studies, Me and Friedrich met up in our ‘headquarters’-the old Nursery and discussed what pranks we were going to do to get rid of her. And we thought maybe we will put a huge slimy toad in her pocket. If that doesn’t work, we’ll do something else, we don’t know what, maybe we’ll do the crickets again!

Gretl stayed quiet all day. She gets nervous when new Governesses come.  Not after what Fraulien Hilda did to her 1 year back. I won’t mention it.

Marta insists this Governess might be nice and refuses to plan any pranks until she finds out.

Brigitta said she will do pranks with us, but if the Governess is very nice, she will stop.

Kurt agrees to take part in mine and Friedrich’s pranks.

Friedrich is in on these pranks, like me and Kurt and Brigitta.

Liesl, well, she is 16 and refuses to have a Governess, as she nearly old enough to be a Governess  herself! I don’t know about the pranks though-whether she wants to do them or not!

Later on toady, at Dinner, came the questions about the Governess, which Father did not really want to answer. We do this when the Governesses come! Questions like:

“Why a Nun?”

“Whats her name?”

“Will she be strict?”

“Will she be nice?!”

Were fired at Father. He wanted a Nun because they are strict, Her name is Fraulien Maria and yes, they are strict and yes, she probably will be nice. Gretl went all quiet again and put her head down and grabbed Brigitta’s hand. I gave a small knowing Grin to Friedrich, knowing we’ll be the ones guilty for getting rid of her….! Father sees me give this small grin but says nothing…he isn’t stupid, he knows what me and Friedrich are up to! He knows that look I give when we know we will try to get rid of a Governess.  

Right after dinner, bed. Father makes sure we are all ready and in bed by 8:30pm. We go up at 8:00pm to get ready but must be in bed by  8:30pm. But when he is back in his study, I sit up in bed, get our ‘prank notebook’ out and began planning pranks and when they are to be performed. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what the next day brings…with our new Governess. Hopefully, she’ll be gone by tomorrow evening.

Thats me signing off now!

~Louisa Von trapp~

Its a hard knock day…Again. January 24, 2009

Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right.

Thats it. Thats all we do. March, every single day, living like sailors on a ship-complete with uniforms.  Ever since our Mother died  a few years ago, its: Left. Right. Left. Right. Father calls us by WHISTLE!! Why can’t he let us go outside and roam free and have more fun?! No singing, Laughter, Dance, jokes or Pranks are allowed(all of which I do in secret).

 Alright, your wondering who I am. I am Louisa Von trapp, a 13 year old girl…who lives a strict life in Salzburg, Austria with my brothers and sisters: Liesl, 16, Friedrich, 14, Kurt, 11, Brigitta, 10, Marta, 7(on Tuesday) and Gretl, 5. Lets just say, I am the prankster of the family and the joker.  

Today, we got rid of our 11th Governess, Fraulein Anna, in 2 Hours! Our record! Thanks to me and Friedrich! We put a load of crickets in her room, she freaked out and ran from the house, screaming, while us 7 were laughing our heads off. Father figured out it was us and sent us to our rooms…to study. And it the end of our school day. So we studied 3 hours straight.  Then, came the task of cleaning up the crickets. Gretl hates Crickets and ran from the room, SCREAMING! So, the job was left to me, Kurt and Friedrich. After 5 minutes, Kurt went on strike. So just me and Friedrich were left to do the job and put them in the garden.  Then, we had to stay in our rooms, with nothing to do, I tried to sneak out, but I think Father heard me, as I heard foot steps coming up the steps.

Dinner. Oh what a bore tonight-infact, every night. There used to be laughter at the table and jokes but, no, not in the past few years. Quietness and no smile, chatter, unless Father makes an announcement, which won’t be any time soon, I expect.  Then, after dinner, its up to bed, at 8:00pm.  For all of us. Yes, all of us. even Liesl and she is 16 and me and Friedrich. So what I do, when I pretend I’m in bed for 10 minutes, then  I sneak into our ‘headquarters’-the old nursery-every night, with my siblings, and we think  of new pranks to play on our next governess. On summer nights, we used to sneak out to the Gazebo to do it, but no, we got caught 1 year ago, all because of Kurt doing a loud cough and Father caught us going outside. So we use the old Nursery instead. Father hasn’t caught us once sneaking in  the Nursery. Not once.  Thats because he is in Vienna seeing some woman called Baroness Schraeder half the time. Oh, And according to Brigitta, He wants to ‘marry’ her-thats what she thinks though.

If only someone could come along and change all this boring marching stuff.  Only our Uncle Max does, when he comes, He makes fun of the whistle and we love it when he comes, but he rarely does.  He lives in Vienna. 

Me signing off now.

~Louisa Von Trapp~