Getting Closer and closer… March 23, 2009

To the wedding day. The last few days have been Tiring! Firstly, Mother announced she ahs to go back to Nonnberg abbey for the last few days to prepare for the wedding in 2 days(the wedding is April 3rd) and Gretl won’t let her go. But she has to and to get confirmed permission to leave the abbey. I still cannot believe ‘Fraulien Maria’ is going to be our new Mother!! Neither can Liesl, Friedrich, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta or Gretl! Especially Gretl.

Day after I updated, We went to Mondsee for a wedding rehersal(not in outfits, just usual everyday clothes). I can see the wedding coming together now and how its all planning. Liesl is maid of honour. The ceremony is about 2 hours long. The Church is beautiful. Then, we went home and Brigitta, still a book-worm, has started reading ‘the secret garden’ and has nearly finished it. She loves the book now…I do too, I read it when I was 12 and actually, I finished it quickly-in 3 weeks.

The next 4 days were normal after that, just final preperations for wedding and stuff until…2 days ago. We heard some bad news. The Anchluss is happening. I’m not going into all of it, becasue its actually, shocking. Father told Friedrich and Liesl most of it as they are the eldest(why not me?). But I didn’t want to know anyway. But its still, shocking. Thats means Germany has taken over Austria. A sign war is coming. But I don’t know how long for. i don’t really want to write about it though, its pretty upsetting.

Then, Today, we went for a picnic in the mountains in Werfen(the hill we learnt to sing on). Honestly, it is my favourite place in the whole of  Austria(aside Home). I REALLY love it. Its just turned spring and it was boiling outside today(like a summer day) and so what did we wear? Our ‘curtain clothes’, Father has actually come round to liking them, weirdly enough-he hated them when when he first saw them. then, after the picnic, we went on a small train ride and then, back to Salzburg.

So, My 14th birthday is coming up and what do I want? Well, nothing. Just a day out and a picnic. It is exactly 2 days before the wedding and Mother has agreed To come back just for that day but MUST go back to Nonnberg in the evening. I want to go on a day out in Salzburg-Or to Vienna even! But I don’t really know what what i want to do. I’ll just have to see what is in store for me the day my 14th birthday comes. And I am very excited!

Thats me off!

~Louisa Von Trapp~

Busy, busy, busy, again! March 17, 2009

Its getting close to the wedding day. The reason why no post? Busy, again! So, I’m going to tell you all what happened!!:

Day after I updated, Uncle Max took us to Vienna while Father and Mother(Fraulien Maria saiud we can call her that now!!) were at a meeting together, I don’t know where, It was a private meeting I think. In Vienna, we went for lunch and round the sights. Its such a beautiful city, I was born here(I moved to Salzburg aged around…9 I think). We went to see our old house from the outside-Its pretty much the same, only more cars. Then, we headed back home and went into Salzburg, to meet Mother and Father. We did a bit of food shopping and went home and the day went on as usual.

And the next day, No arrangements happened(Sunday!!), so we went on a picnic, Uncle Max went on business in Salzburg, Festival business I think. Father and Mother came and we went to the hill where mother taught us how to sing(Do re mi fa so la ti-or ‘do re mi’) and we had a great time, singing, dancing and umm..eating. And guess who ate the most food?? Kurt. He ate 2 apples, 6 sandwhiches and lots of sausages. Brigitta saved the day by dragging him away from the picnic food and got him into playing a game. After 3 hours, we went home and did a bit of studying for a couple of hours and after that, we went outside to play hide and seek(Gretl’s idea.) Liesl was it. And I was found last. Marta was found right away, Friedrich was found up a tree and It took 10 minutes to find me. I hid in our treehouse(very high up) we built when I was 12. Then, it began raining and we went indoors and we palyed a couple of games indoors before it was dinner time.

The next day Involved more arrangements for the wedding and us mixed up in a pile of school work. Father gave us loads of it. It felt like a whole book(the work we all had to do) and took me exactly 4 hours, it was that much school work. It took Brigitta 2 hours-Why can’t I be as Brainy as she is? She is only 11 and WELL beyond her years. Anyway, After that, We went into Salzburg to collect some stuff for the wedding(yes, including the cake, which we hid from Kurt). The rest of the day was normal stuff.

Yesterday and Today, involved just normal arrangements and usual things. We palyed a prank today-A love note from ‘rolf to liesl’ written by Me(my handwriting is like hers). She was fuming when she found out it was me, but Father didn’t catch me luckily, phew!! And guess what? I have to learn a new language-Latin..and its not that easy!!

Right, I’m off, Upadte soon!!

~Louisa Von Trapp~

So, so busy… March 12, 2009

These past few days! Let me tell whats go on..

Firstly, the day it(The marriage news) was announced, we went to Mondsee for half a day. We firstly, went in teh church where The marriage will be taking place. Its huge inside…! Then, we went for a look around the area. The churches in Austria are really nice! We had lunch and then, went home for some…studying. Later on, we Then went outside for a bit and went rowing..and no, Father didn’t take us, Fraulien Maria did! And we did not fall in…! But It began to rain, so we had to sadly, go back after 1 hour(Friedrich and Fraulien took turns of rowing) of rowing round the lake. That boat is so old(its been around for 15 years, since before I was born), I am surprsied its not snapped to bits yet!! And that evening, Father took Fraulien Maria for dinner-by themselves, in Salzburg, so Uncle Max had to look after us. He thinks we should start singing hymms, not songs like we do with fraulien maria, so we can sing at the wedding! But none of us wanted to and then, to save the moment(for once!) was Kurt. He was Hungry.

The day after, we went to Salzburg, just to look at dresses and outfits for wedding. Fraulien Maria took us girls into a bridal shop-I know, boring, and Fraulien Maria made us try on these bridesmaid dresses…White dresses. And guess who just happened to walk in the shop? Kurt and Friedrich, who had their outfits brought. And they were laughing at us girls…Understandable why that is. Then, we were told we would get them delivered to our house in a few days time. So after that, we went for lunch somewhere and came home and we just stayed in-it was raining really heavily-the minute we got in, it began raining. It lasted the rest of the day…

And the next day, we got a wedding date set. April 3rd. That was the arrangements really. And That was it, and the guest list was sorted that day and the Baroness is NOT invited! Phew!! Just friends and some family, really. And Uncle Max is best man too..

Yesterday and today where just normal, Arrangements in secret, I think. Mother has to meet with the Nonnberg Abbey poeple so she can confirm her entrance to the ”realy world” as she calls it! Today, we just studied really and that was it and played a few games…

Thats me off!!

~Louisa Von Trapp~

YES! I KNEW IT!! March 8, 2009

Oh wow, Such a happy title? Well, I first start off with the boring stuff…And..the party.

The Party was great, yes! Everyone loved So Long, farewell! There were about 100 people there, all dressed nicely. And here Is the news…Father and Fraulien maria danced the ‘Laendler’-And Austria folk dance, its beautiful. But Brigitta’s face…oh you should of seen it when he said to dance with her, her mouth dropped open and I knew then, that they were in love, just telling by Brigitta’s look, I could tell. The Baroness came out in the middle of the dance with a jealous look on her face and hinted they’d make a lovely couple-hinting that they were in love! Anyway, after the party and song, we went to bed. It was gone 8:00pm when we went up. I share a room with Brigitta and we had a small chat…

 ”Did you notice something, Lou?”

“What, Brigitta?”

“When Fraulien maria was dancing, her face was VERY red..Then she looked into Father’s eyes and I instantly knew they were in Love.”

“Yes I did see it, but thought nothing..”

“Oh come on Lou-you know the look I give when I notice someone is in Love, I smile, My mouth drops open and my eyes widen. And I think thats why he smiles at her often and not the baroness,.”

“Oh, Brigitta, your so much like Father! Observant-wise!”

“I guess. But Its true. Bet you on my life Baroness Schraeder will spill all to Fraulien Maria!”

“She won’t!”

“Get real, she will.”

And she was right. The next morning, we woke up to find the Baroness and Uncle Max there, but no Fraulien Maria! So we asked Father where she was, he repiled “Upstairs, sleeping.” And I knew he wasn’t telling the truth, and Brigitta gave him a ‘Tell us’ look. Eventually, he told us she’d left and missed life at the abbey, then us 7..wow:

“Why did she leave?”

 ”We never got to say bye!”

“I want her to stay!”

“I miss her!”

Father couldn’t put up with it and so, sent us upstairs to start on some work. Then, we had to go into Salzburg while the Baroness did shopping and Father had to come…oh it was depressing. Father admitted it, by his looks. Then, we went home and played some boring ball game. Oh, so boring.

After that, the next two days were the same-boring, ball games and shopping, every day. She is rubbish at entertaining and amusing us! She doesn’t know how to handle children at all! It was funny seeing her trying her hardest, but we were not amused at all. Not at all.

So, fed up of it all, we sneaked off to Nonnberg Abbey-where Fraulien Maria stays and begged to see her. But they would not, and we left, upset and Friedrich threatened to start a fight if they didn’t let us see her. So we got back-only to be caught by father, Who knew where we had been. He wasn’t stupid. So we used our old ‘blueberry excuse’, but he said they were out of season, so stupid Friedrich said “They were starwberries! Its been so cold lately, they turned blue!” and all I could do was roll my eyes… and Kurt, Marta and Gretl sighed in annoyance! That caught us there and then and he knew we were not lying and when to see if we could see Fraulien Maria-and we had to skip dinner! So after that, he went inside and we began singing ‘my favourite things’ to cheer ourselves up and you’ll never guess who joined in…FRAULIEN MARIA!! Oh us 7 and she were happy when we saw eachother again! But when I announced she was going to marry Baroness Schraeder, she looked dead upset. Father saw her and went all seriosu and in the end, gave us kids dinner(yay!) And that day, Father was all quiet when he saw her, and at dinner-sign that he loves her, according to Brigitta.

Anyway, yesterday morning, Father announced the Baroness had gone and…WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW MOTHER!! Fraulien Maria! Father is going to marry her! words or looks could not express how happy we all were! I couldn’t believe this was real-we were going to have a NEW MOTHER!! YES! And today was spent having fun, we went on a walk and had a picnic, and Father and Uncle Max came too-Oh it was SO fun! I’ve got to admit, today was the best day of my life!! The Wedding is on March 31st! Lots of preparations over the next few weeks! I will try to update every single day about it! And you could imagine Liesl when Mother said she loved Father(after the announcement) she went all quiet-she wants to get married(To Rolf..The postman..!), thats what it is. The venue for the wedding is in a nice church in Mondsee, Austria.  I’ve never been there but we are going today to have a look…yes!

Right, Thats me off!

~Louisa Von trapp~

Busy… March 2, 2009

For the last few days, which is the reason while I have not been able to update, sorry!

The day after I updated, we went to VIENNA and stayed one night! Yes, Vienna, to see an opera(well, Gretl and Marta did not come as they were a bit young, so they went somewhere else instead…The Opera went on for about 2 hours, then we went back to the hotel as it was around 10:00pm! And went to sleep…

The following day, we returned home and Father found a letter from some man called Herr Zeller(don’t ask me who this is..?) and took it to his study to read. He would not tell us who he is..Father knows but us kids don’t. Anyway, Later on in the day, received a telegram from Rolf, but Father made Liesl stay inside when she asked “Who delivered it?!”. Father came ina nd asid it was a telegram from Vienna, so “Nothing to worry about”..what does he mean “nothing to worry about?”, there is nothing to worry about!! Odd..!! Liesl tried to find out for us but she couldn’t…oh well! I guess Father is protecting us again incase we blurt it out!!

The day after that, we went into Salzburg for a horse and carriage ride and this time, had Father take us with Fraulien Maria while the Baroness and Uncle Max were “on business.” at home(and thsi time in Salzburg, I thought I saw Father’s younger sister, Eleonore..? But i don’t think it was, just looked like her). We then went for a picnic up in the mountains, which was really fun! We flew kites and played hide and seek(again). Then, after that, went back home as Father said “He cannot trust Uncle Max staying at home too long on his own with the Baroness..!”.

The very next day, We had to do some studying…again. While us 7 were studying, Brigitta overheard the Baroness talking to Father…She has inquired to a Boarding school and IS GOING TO SEND US THERE!!! Father then said it again “No, I will not have my children go to boarding school! I want them to study at Home!”.  Friedrich for starters, would hate boarding school, So would I, well, we all would, Kurt especially. Friedrich joked he would start a Riot if he was forced to go! Anyway, later that day, Baroness Schraeder didn’t eat lunch with us she said “she had some important busines to attend to”…yeah right. I heard her on the phone chatting “To the boarding school” and judging by the look on Father’ face when we saw him, he didn’t seem to like the Baroness….! Well, if thats true, I agree!! She likes Shopping, sightseeing, impo0rtant business, shopping and did I mention Shopping??

The day after that, was boring. The Baroness had a ‘head cold’ so we all had to stay in and not go out, just because of her! Incase we spread it. Mind you, Gretl does not feel well(I’m sure she’ll be okay for the party though).  We went through our dance routine again for So long, Farewell and the singing..it went well. Lets just say, Kurt has a small surprsie in store for Father too during that song!! I cracked myself laughing as he sang it, so did Brigitta and Friedrich! We did the rehersal inside(while Father was upstairs in his study room. Then, Uncle Max came through and wanted to hear us, so we explained it was a surprise and he’ll ahve to wait for it when the Party is in a few days!

Finally, yesterday, the Otchestra came in for a rehersal and us 7 had to stay upstairs for a a couple of hours, but we just watched from the landing. It seems Fraulien Maria has arranged for them to play ‘My favourite things’ on the instruments…It sounds nice! And a couple of other songs which we don’t know. Then, when they went, we bombarded Father with questions such as:

“Will the ladies wear glittery princess dresses?” (Probably, was the answer)

“Can we join in?”(No, was the answer)

“I want to dance! Can Fraulien teach me?” (No, was the answer)

And lets say..about 100 more!

Today, was spent doing school work and final party arrangements, it is on in two days! Father said we can watch from the small outdoor bit outside the ballroom and not dare put a foot in the ballroom..And Liesl feels “She should be able to stay and join in because she is now 16 and not a little child anymore!”. But she cannot…none of us can! Adults only! Also, today, the Baroness went shopping..again! Unfortunately, we all had to go and I got bored stiff, as did the others and Brigitta wandered off into a nearby bookshop to look around and caused a bit of a panic(because we couldn’t find her for 20 odd minutes!!) and that was about it what happened today.

I remember these parties well, I would want to join in. When I was little, Me, Liesl, Brigitta, Kurt and Friedrich would watch these parties from the upstairs banisters and comment on how we wanted to be “princes and princesses”, Mother looking stunning in her beautiful ballgowns and her long blonde hair(exactly like mine but a bit longer!) wavy and Father looking smart wearing all his medels and many guests in the house waering ‘Glittery, diamond dresses’ as Brigitta used to describe them!! I hope this party will be okay..I will update that evening!

Right, thats me off!

~Louisa Von Trapp~

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~