Viennese Ball weekend

Hello, friends! I had a super fun weekend dancing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Viennese Ball.

I’ll start from the beginning. I left on Friday to head over to EC with Dale.

I wore a necklace that Brian and I put together before I left so I wouldn’t miss him too much. It’s a locket from my mom’s charm bracelet, with our pictures in it <;3

I did my makeup in the car. I have to make an embarrassing confession: I watch the stupid show Toddlers and Tiaras. It’s a reality show that follows pageant moms and their little kids. My favorite most disturbing part of the show is at the end, when they show before-and-after photos of the kids. The ‘before’ shots are usually of the kids with frizzy hair and food on their face- and the ‘after’ is of them in a pageant dress with their hair and makeup done. Anyway, my in-the-car photos feel like they could be on Toddlers and Tiaras. 🙂

We met up with Dale’s friend, Jackie, and we went to dinner and the dance.

I wore a red dress and did an updo on Friday night.

We danced until late, ate midnight breakfast, and danced some more. I slept soundly, then got up on Saturday for a short run.

With each day that goes by, my bronchitis feels a little better. After a quick shower and getting ready, Dale and I went to the old downtown area in EC. He showed me his previous dance studio and we went to a really neat cafe for lunch- Acoustic Cafe. I had a delicious pita sandwich and coffee, of course!

Dale and I did some minor shopping in the afternoon- TJ Maxx (a new running shirt), Target (a poker set for B and a Kermit the Frog shirt for moi), and Best Buy (light scribe DVDs). Nothing too crazy 🙂 I did find a pretty awesome game, though…

I thought about buying it, then realized that Brian and I probably know all the answers, so if we tried to play against each other, it would be a boring game. 🙂 Does anyone own this game? Is it awesome?
After shopping, I started getting ready for Saturday’s dance. I wore my hair down and curly, and a blue halter-style dress.

We went to dinner at a place called Porter’s. Dale ordered the salmon, though they were out. He was crabby about that! 😦 Our poor server probably had the bad luck of delivering the bad news to their customers… but seriously- what nice restaurant runs out of salmon? I was luckier- I ordered a delicious teriyaki steak salad and a glass of merlot, and both the salad and the wine were aplenty!

After dinner, we headed over to day two of V-ball. We met up with our dance friends Thomas and Pat. I was happy to see other people that I know! This event is a very cool fundraiser for scholarships. In the main ballroom, they alternate between their orchestra playing mostly Viennese waltzes, and their jazz ensemble playing big band tunes. They also had a second room with a German band playing mostly polkas, with a few foxtrots thrown in the mix. I do love accordion! They had a room filled with German pastries, a little jazz club downstairs featuring student combos…

…a room with a cappella singers (like a pop chamber group), a faculty voice quartet, and solo piano works played by their piano studio. When we walked in the main entrance, we were greeted by a harp ensemble!

I love dances because I get to wear sparkly dresses and fun jewelry. 😀

All in all, I had a wonderful time. Thanks, Dale, for suggesting this event!

We came back this morning. Kermit + coffee + tired Heidi =

There were lots of Amish folks out today. I always worry about them on the highway. Those buggies move slowly, and some drivers are idiots who drive too fast and don’t move over.
As soon as I got home, I took a nap. Thanks to my sweet Brian for capturing my most beautiful side. 🙂

Post nap, we gave our puppies a bath. They both did so well!

Tacos for Brian, taco salad for me. I love jalapeños!

Now I’m finishing off the night by snuggling on the couch (thanks again, Mom!) with my handsome electrician.

Haha. But really. What a stud!

Miles this year: 175.2