Since starting this blog it has been you my friends who have kept our spirits up, encouraged, shared and given our family a gift I never imagined that day I wrote my very first post.
This has been a long time coming yet now the time is here to finally share with you our great news I feel overwhelmed with gratitude. I’d love you’d like to know how I feel right now so please take a moment to listen to this track and know that I am sending these words to you.
A movie that has long been a huge favorite of mine, and although the context is out I hope you’ll get the sentiment. This song still has the power to move me to tears and is one of my special ways to say thank you.
On Monday our house sale went unconditional, it was also a day fraught with emotional overload around a family issue we’ve been working through. I found it almost impossible to share our great news with you all then, so now is our chance to sit back and take it all in.
This dream we dreamed is underway, we move from our home next week and head to Scarborough to finish off the units.
Then yes at last board that plane and head off into the unknown adventure that we have so longed for.
Our plans are to leave from Melbourne (where the tough part awaits…saying goodbye to my Mum, family and friends) late February. Which means our children will get to see out the school year with friends and we will miss an Italian Winter and go straight into Spring.
So I’d like to dedicate this post to all the dreamers out there who dream big dreams….without you all the world would be a dull place indeed.
with love Lisa x
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{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
Cara Lisa, Sam & Familia,
I can’t tell you in words how pleased your ‘ Dolce Songno’ is about to be realized!
Lisa , although we have yet to meet I feel a bond , a friendship which I hope will survive the tyrany of distance once you finally depart . I look forward to catching up here in Melbourne if you can make the time in amongst family commitments,
Tu amico,
Doug, Ciao ciao
How lovely it has been to create such an instant friendship Doug, I feel as if I’ve know you forever! Not only will this friendship survive but I’m sure will flourish! Looking forward to meeting you and your family in Melbourne and then in Italy.
ciao amico
lisa
Lisa Chiodo recently posted..Borgo di Vagli – a walk through time
Best wishes and luck in your new life! Keep us posted, with pics!
Lesley Peterson recently posted..Cruising around Albuquerque and Route 66
Oh yes you can count on it!!
ciao lisa x
I am SO thrilled for you!! What a wonderful day this is.
Wishing you much happiness as you enjoy these last months with your family. 
Krista recently posted..Winter Light in Queensland and Feta Root Veggie Pancakes
Oh yes a very happy day for us, can’t wait till everything is done and we sit for those hours on the plane!!
xx
So happy for you. I know you’ve worked hard to make this a reality. So enjoy keeping up with your blog and very happy to hear that you are now many steps closer to making this dream come true.
We leave for Italy this weekend. Unfortunately, not yet a permanent move.
Best wishes Lisa and Family. AUGURI!
Well you may be already in Italy by now how exciting! Love to hear about your trip.
ciao lisa x
Lisa that is such exciting news – Congratulations – at last a light at the end of a very long tunnel. SO well deserved. You have always been so positive and so optimistic it was only a matter a time to get the wheels in motion – and now they are in motion heading for Italy. Very excited for you. Looking forward to reading all about it right here. Ciao Bella F xx
Francesca Muir recently posted..The Art of the Geranium
Sometimes it gets weary being up all the time but it has finally paid off for us. Those wheels are about to speed down the hill singing “I knew I could”
xx
Lisa, That is incredible news and I can only imagine how happy you must be. You and your family has worked so hard for this dream and you should be as proud of yourselves as I am of you. I am looking forward to meeting you in Liguria or Umbria this spring. Big hug. Toni
Toni DeBella recently posted..An Italian Chef, Grazie!
Oh how exciting to finally meet up!! This will be the reward for all the hard work xx
Fabulous news – the journey is getting EXCITING!
Annette Piper recently posted..The Joy of Serendipity
YES!!!!! exciting at last!
xxxx
A huge congratulations Lisa, I am so happy for you that your dream to move back to your beloved Italy is finally becoming a reality. I wish you all the best and I am so looking forward to reading about your adventures right here.
Jackie Stenhouse recently posted..Heart Cookie Cutters
Well I can guarantee plenty of adventures that’s for sure!!
xxx
Marrrrvelous news Lisa & family! Not long now til you on italian soil with the rest of us. xxx
Susan Heslington recently posted..Rent A Tuscan Friend
YES yeahhhh to finally meet up with all the gang, can’t wait to give everyone big hugs xxx
SO GREAT! So great. I knew with time it would come and I’m glad your patience has been rewarded. I look forward to catching up at least a few more times before you leave and then sometime after, when we visit!
Melissa {Suger} recently posted..I’m proud right now, just to be clear.
Well you have the guest room tied up for sure!! So much to do so little time xxx
It is wonderful, where in Italy are you going? I also dream of going to Italy and living in Province di Parma.
Congratulations and look forward to hearing about the new adventures.
Oh Jo we’re going to Liguria and have a house waiting in Veravo to renovate!! Now I have to go and take a look at Province di Parma!
ciao lisa x
Lisa,
that is such great news! Can’t wait to catch up in Italy. We’re over for a trip next year so would love to stop by, say hi and see your dream in real life!
All the best for the next few months!
cheers
Leanne
Wow that will be great Leanne, maybe we can have a chat before we leave my hubby has some ideas to run by you!
ciao lisa x
Sounds great Lisa, I’ll drop you an email to get the ball rolling!
Fantastic Leanne I’ll keep an eye out for it. I will be off line for a day or two while we move x
Full speed ahead xxxx
Congratulations on reaching the next step of the great adventure.
lindyloumacinitaly recently posted..Fiat 500 Commercial – Immigrants – Italy to USA
Thanks so much Linda xxx
YIPPPEEEE – a massive congratulations to you all. I am over the moon excited for you and so very happy!
You guys rock ~ and your travelling journey is about to begin. Its going to be so much fun.
Bring on February for all of you xxxx
Lisa Wood recently posted..Explore the West End And Stay At The Luxurious Crown Metropol
Arghhhh I know, now I am freaking out trying to organize everything. February is coming fast!
xxx
Woweeeee !!! How wonderful !!! I am soo happy for you Lisa – would you believe I am shaking for you! . The old adage ‘Good things come to those who wait’ certainly put you and yours to the test. You have achieved so much already, and deserve this fantastic adventure you have been striving for and will achieve. My very best wishes. God bless. Susan.
Oh thanks so much Susan, we certainly tried it out that’s for sure! lot’s of fun to come
xxx
Awesome Lisa! I hope the rest goes smoothly and you are in Italy before long.
Anne
Oh yes I hope there are no speed humps that’s for sure!
ciao lisa x
I have tears in my eyes and shivers down my spine reading this Lisa….. I literally can’t say what wonderful news this is. I am super happy for you. Proud somehow. And full of hope for all us dreamers…. With love and un abbraccio enorme!!!!!! Jxxx
Janine recently posted..Shorts story
Janine you always give me such a warm joyful feeling! Thank you so much for your heartfelt wishes and kindness. You’re one of those filled with beautiful dreams.
xxx
That’s great news! I hope all your plans go well and that we get to catch up in Italy next year.
That song was popular the year I left school….how appropriate.
Debra Kolkka recently posted..Mary
Glad you liked the song Debra, I love the movie. It will be wonderful to catch up in Italia
ciao for now
lisa x
Congratulations Lisa! I’m so happy for you and your family!!!
I have my passport and will be ready to camp out on your lovely roof and sleep under the stars as soon as I get the $$ for a plane ticket.
Kelly recently posted..Sunshine Smiles Stained Glass Original Cross Stitch Pattern by stitchnmomma
Well start saving Kelly!! We might all end up camping out on the terrace.
xxx
Lisa, great news. You give us dreamers infinite hope. What a lovely way to say thank you with Lulu’s best song. I love it. You are showing us the way and we will follow you everywhere you go. You are taking us to the place where visions manifest. Blessings to you and your family; and thank you for sharing the beauty in your heart with us that is Italia.
Linda here’s to all of the dreamers! I’m happy you got the feeling i wanted to express with the song. Lovely to have you along on this grand journey.
xxx
lisa
HI Lisa,
Three cheers and a little tap dance for your incredible adventure ahead.. Yoohoo, I can only tell you it is like a rollercoaster ride, there is never a dull moment and you really feel like you are living – breathing giant gulps of life.. All my love and buon voyage e a presto!! Carla xx
Arghhh so excited now, things are on the go!!
I feel like I’ve been tap dancing for a while now.I am strapped in for that roller coaster and just waiting for take off.
Giant Gulps of Life – How fabulous
xxx love lisa
Wow! I just discovered your blog after see it recommended on Once in a Lifetime Travel and your family is doing something that my husband and I have talked of doing since we returned from a holiday in Italy in May 2011. I am really looking forward to following your journey and with any luck it will be a dream come true for us…one day.
sam recently posted..Collections – Google Art Project
Fantastic to meet you Sam, I’m off to check out your site as well. It has taken us a while but each day we get closer. One day we just stopped talking about how much we wanted to return and just decided that we are going. Don’t give up on that dream, perhaps one day a vino on the terrace at our house together xx lisa
We KNEW you would be on your way soon!! Great to hear all the baby steps have finally paid off!! Looking forward to the ‘arrival’ post!! Hugs xo
Ingrid recently posted..Eating Out In Abruzzo
Yes it’s still hard to believe that we are that close now! How cool is that arrival post gping to be!!
xxx
Each time I visit this page I feel as though I am walking through Italy. What a treasure you have gathered: beauty in its authentic essence. Getting lost in the dreams captured on the page is a journey of compelling pleasure like being in the midst of a well watered garden in full bloom. With reluctance each visit I leave, knowing I can return tomorrow. Thank you for all your time, energy and work in this marvelous accomplishment.