The Italian Dream - we book the tickets

INSPIRATION

we are moving to Italy!

‘Do one thing every day that scares you’

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

We are moving to Italy.

At last the Italian Dream is coming true.

This is the post I have waited to write yet funnily enough it is the hardest one to complete. I have sat on this news for a few weeks both excited yet incredibly flat. And you know what, as my friend Diana Baur would say…I am letting myself be at peace with that.

We have at last booked our tickets, all our struggles now have an end date. We are now able to work backwards from the future, which is an idea I love. So within the next six months we will have our Italian dream, we will finish the renovation of the units, sell everything, pack away my treasures, finalize the kids school, and say goodbye.

We fly out in March to our Italian Dream via a two week stopover in Bangkok. Everything is booked so we have no option other than to be ready to go. This year we will be spending our last Aussie Christmas in Melbourne with my family which we haven’t done for many years. Our kids hardly know my side of the family, or our traditions. I can’t wait to show them how we celebrate Christmas.

It has been a hell of a year, in so many ways... some I can share, others I can’t. Life became complicated this year, our health has suffered as a result. Luckily in a way, because I have developed anemia which led me to being tired, dizzy, out of breath with heart palpitations. I say luckily because this has led me to discover a problem with my heart which I need to sort before we can go anywhere. Both my brothers, my Dad and my Grandmother have had heart problems so I am taking this seriously, yes a bit worried.

Normally very upbeat, enthusiastic and positive I am struggling temporarily.

One thing I have learned is that it is okay to reach out for help, that we don’t have to work through this alone. It seems we still have one more mountain to climb before flying down the other side to our Italian Dream.

With such a lot to complete in the next six months it’s not the best time to go into “overwhelm” or to suddenly realize that we are not invincible. So I hope you will forgive any glitches or forgetfulness on my part temporarily here online. I must put my family and health first right now.

We are endeavoring to create a less complicated version of life.

Yet I only have to say the word “Italy” to start dreaming, it’s going to be incredible. We have so many places and people to visit, friends to meet in person at last.

Oh yes and another house to renovate!

and the gang x

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57 replies

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Alison says:
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Wow. Thanks for sharing. I can’t WAIT to write my post headed “moving to Italy”. Enjoy.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh that will be fantastic Allison, keep taking steps towards that heading!
  ciao for now
  lisa x
jan says:
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The flights are booked. I quite often feel flat when the deed is done. You have six months for it all to fall into place and then two weeks in Bangkok. Yay! And then your new life. Lucky you found out about your heart problems now – am sending positive vibes your way.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Yes Jan it is so true and I know the next six months will just fly by now we have booked. It’s good to be able to work backwards from a date at last. Thanks for those positive vibes I am feeling them all
  love lisa x
Krista says:
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Dear, dear Lisa, it’s OK to be weepy and scared and exhausted and overwhelmed. XO You have had such a rough time and you are AMAZING to have come through it with your head up and your honesty intact. XO Wishing you true rest, peace of heart and mind, restoration of your battered body, and truly wonderful moments with your family. Wish I could pop over to help you pack/clean/cook, ANYTHING. Know that so many of us are cheering for you, supporting you, wishing you nothing but good. XO
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Krista you made me cry!! With good tears, how wonderful to have made such a friend that can give me a great big virtual hug over the line. It has made a huge difference just being open about the struggles we are going through and the support of so many friends makes me smile! You know you will have a place to stay when you get to Italia, hopefully we will have some goats baaa baaaa.
  sending lots of love to you
  ciao lisa x
Paola says:
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Wow Lisa, I know how much you have been waiting for this moment. All that hard work and perseverance have paid off. You have your eyes wide open too knowing that the road ahead won’t always be easy. But you have done it! I am very happy for and look forward to reading about the journey in your blog.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Thanks so much for that Paola, as you say we are now aware which makes all the difference. Can’t wait to start blogging about the next stage of our lives and the adventures we will no doubt have. The blog is about to ramp up!!
  sending love
  lisa x
daniela says:
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x
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  and right back to you Daniela,
  sending love
  lisa x
Shivanii says:
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Hi my dear
What a wonderful post. Thank you for your openness and vulnerability. I agree that you must put your family and health first! including taking it easy during the renovation if needed. Knowledge about health is important, and I hope you enjoy your journey of coming to terms with this condition you have just found! Sending you all love, and I hope you can remember to run a hot bath with some essential oils, or call a friend, when you feel the overwhelm threatening!
sending you big love, Lise,
xxx Shivanii
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Shivanii my dear buddy what a great source of strength and peace you always are for me. Thank you dear friend for that gift of sending tranquility through the line. xxx hope to catch up with you when you get back up this way xxx
Cathy says:
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Congratulations Lisa. You must be so excited. You have waited for this moment for such a long time. I wish you all the best on your upcoming adventures 🙂
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Cathy it’s hard to believe it is actually going to happen at last. Can’t wait to board that plane!
  sending love
  lisa x
Doug Porter says:
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So pleased you are to realise your dream, please take great care of yourself & family.
Hope to see you here in Melbourne before you depart for ‘ la dolce vita ‘ and some seriously hard but enjoyable and exciting work.
Ciao ciao,
Doug.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  How fantastic that will be Doug! It’s all systems go here, just on slow motion!
  see you all then
  ciao lisa x
Francesca Muir says:
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Oh I am so happy that at last you have a date Lisa – congratulations. Italy here you come. Please take good care and look after yourself. Thinking of you and sending this with love and light. F xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Yes here we come heaven help them all! Thanks for your love and kind wishes!
  xxx
Ingrid says:
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Congratulations!! It is wonderful you have your dates locked in and a holiday on the way there will be just what you need!! I hope all the health worries are sorted quickly so you can all enjoy the prospect of 2 summers back to back as well as Christmas & New Year festivities!!
Chin-up you are on your way!!! Hugs x
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh yes Ingrid two summers that will be nice, give me time to loose a little weight, get a little tan and sort out the health. Now the dates are locked in it’s funny how it has moved us to be “in action” and get things done! Can’t wait for Christmas and NYE with family and friends in Melbourne. Thanks for your “chin up” we are getting sorted slowly xxx