Little Moments - creating more

SIMPLE LIFE

little moments – creating more

‘Your life is made up of little moments, little efforts, little changes, big smiles, and all your hopes and dreams.’

Ritu Ghatourey

A fraction of a second caught on camera, smiles….always smiles, but of course it’s not always like this. In fact right now, a few moments ago, an argument over nothing….hurt feelings and nonsense. I could tell you all we’ve achieved up till now, all I hope we’ll achieve this year, but really all I want these days is more of these moments…..more smiles and less tears, more embrace and less attack, more co-operation and less head butting, longer moments like these that turn into years to come.

I can live with less….but I want more.

Am I the only one that struggles, the only one that smiles for the camera no matter what….hoping to expand all these fractions of a second, expand them into a life here we all love.

This year is already a week in, lots of love, laughter, friends, tears and yes arguments…..we’re just a normal family doing an extraordinary thing. How about you, what little moments would you like this year, what dreams to fulfill, …..what will you create??

I’d really love to know, I hope your little moments of joy increase daily, here are some of mine, little Italian moments from the past nine months since leaving Australia xxx

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and the gang x

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Trisha Thomas says:
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Lisa, those are fabulous photos revealing a life filled with beautiful, memorable moments. Yes, we all have those arguments, misunderstandings, little tiffs and battles. I think it helps sometimes though to clarify, to recognize that things are not always easy, to realize again what is important. If I think of this past year, I’ve also had so many beautiful, memorable moments — and also some difficult ones. Like you, I smile for the camera, and I also try to laugh. That is what helps me the most.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  It’s all those little moments that I want to join together this year Trisha. Carina is approaching her teen years and I am approaching my menopause and I fear the two are going to collide. A friend of mine in Australia sent me a book this Christmas on this very topic, she’s already been through it lol x
  It’s easy to get caught up in feeling righteous, hurt and angry, and that’s just me arghhh x
  Keep laughing and hope to meet up this year when we get on the road xxx
  xx hugs
jann says:
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Lisa, what a wonderful photo album of your amazing year 2013!!! Blame winter–cabin fever and too much togetherness leads to cranky. Warmest wishes for a wonderful 2014. xxxxoooo
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Ha Ha that sums it all up perfectly…and lack of sunlight!! Hoping to catch up with you this year some time when we hit the road xxx
Catherine says:
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I love your little moments. Don’t worry I’ve already had a fight with the daughter and I’m exhausted. Want to crawl back into my writing hole. It’s always up and down, isn’t it? Lots of hard work and not always gratification. But I know it’s worth. And I know this year will be big for both of us xxx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Ahhh can’t wait till she reaches the teen years, she is gifted at pushing all my buttons even those I didn’t know I had. Such ups and downs here but our life has played that way since forever maybe it’s me who is creating the drama…your post resonates so much with me, I just totally loose it even when moments before I told myself I wouldn’t. We all then just build up and up until we have a massive fall out….then I beat myself up for loosing it in the first place!!
  
  My friend in Australia went through this with her daughter who is now in her 20’s and she sent me a book for Christmas called “I’m not mad, I just hate you!”…a new understanding of mother-daughter conflict ..surviving and thriving during your daughter’s teenage years. by Roni Cohen-Sandler.
  I laughed when it arrived it’s like she read my mind..I’ll post this comment over at your post as well in case you miss it…I remember thinking my Mum evil cause she wouldn’t let me walk to the shopping center with my friends…now I think good on her for sticking to her guns xx
  Hoping to catch up with you this year when we take Renovating Italy on the road lol
  
  xxx
Living in the Langhe says:
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What an awesome collection of photos… and you’re even in some of them!! Hope you guys have a really great 2014 with plenty more smiles, laughter and adventures (and maybe fewer arguments 😉 ). And, of course, we hope to see you some time soon!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  I know it’s a miracle right!!
  I can’t wait to see what 2014 brings our way, hopefully less stress Lol x
  You’ll have your hands full soon enough, and I was thinking we could all meet up maybe with yourselves and Pecora Nera and Mrs Sensible if you are up to it x
  ciao ciao xxx
Caren Di Brita says:
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Lisa, loving your collection of snaps featuring your time back in Italy. You are all “living” that simplistic life you craved and the kids are truly glowing. Looking forward to “simplifying” things ourselves in the latter part of 2014 and fulfil our own Italian dreams, May your blog and New Years adventures continue with gusto and your 2 lovely children continue to thrive. Well done to you all!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  We are slowly giving up the bad habits and finding new ones. I am finding our simpler lifestyle refreshing and relaxing. What sort of things are you looking to simplify this year, how are your Italian dreams coming along?
  ciao ciao lisa xx
Evelyn says:
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I remarried after 35 years of being single!! Yes, sometimes it has been difficult.
But overall it has been good.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Evelyn how wonderful, and what a challenge to adjust to a relationship after single life. You are an inspiration xxx
  love lisa xx
Pecora Nera says:
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A great selection of photos, you look like you are on a perpetual holiday.

Happy New Year from PN and the gang
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Ha Ha it still feels that way but we’ve done three major renovations back to back over the past few years, this one and two in Australia. Now we are working out how to create an income…..arghhhh xxx
  Happy New Year to yourself and Mrs Sensible xx
Val Smith says:
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I am so proud of you all. What an amazing nine months you have had, and look at all you have achieved. there are so many of us who would love to be living this idyllic life, in a beautiful piece of the country. The photographs say it all. The kids not only look as though they are having a good time, it shines out of their eyes. How wonderful for them to have parents who can share all of their achievements and not leave them like many kids in Oz to get into trouble because they are not supervised, or listened to. Can’t wait for the next twelve months, and hope to spend time with you during the year. xxxx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  It has been amazing Val, looking back we’ve done so much in such a short time. I often feel a need to be ‘upbeat’ as so many people have life in Italy as a dream. The thing that is the dream is a life that is fulfilled no matter where you are, simple, sharing and laughter.
  
  Our kids won’t be able to get into much trouble here as everybody knows us and it’s like having a very large extended family. Just today at the bar I went to the loo and left my laptop, coat and scarf on the table with complete confidence that it would be in the same spot when I returned, everybody knows each other and as people walk into the bar (coffee) she is already making the coffee for them. It’s a tiny world here.
  
  This year we are taking Renovating Italy on the road with a camper so I hope to visit with lots of people along the way… can’t wait to see you xxx
Francesca Muir says:
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Keep smiling and keep hugging – it helps! Love from Sydney xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  I am just the cranky queen Francesca, time to reign it in a little lol xx
Martha Smith says:
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So very glad to see that you are not perfect…..and simply human like all the rest of us!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Certainly not perfect Martha and happy to be human, thanks for reminding me that it’s okay to admit it xx
  ciao lisa