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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jann says:
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Wow, Lisa! How intoxicating! Doing it “rough” is just fine at first, because then later even “normal” things seem like great luxuries. (I’m still crazy about hot water cuz it took me 2 years to get…) Your lucky kids!!!!!!! Take good care of yourself now, OK??? Very best wishes.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  So true Jann, I remember how wonderful it was to get hot water in the house, and taking our first shower. I can’t wait to show the kids the big wide world, they are going to love it all, even the rough bits. ciao for now lisa x
Vicki Archer says:
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This was an exciting post to open Lisa… It will be hard and difficult and all those things you said, but it will also be exciting, rewarding and the most incredible time of your life… I look forward to sharing your journey… xv
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Thank you dear Vicki, I know you understand many of the complex emotions when moving country. I am so excited and have so many ideas for the house. We will be doing it “rough” short term till we get on our feet! Can’t wait for the kids to see the big wide world and my daughter thinks it will be fabulous to have Chocolate Eclairs in Paris for her birthday LOL xxx
lindyloumacinitaly says:
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You must take care of yourself and your family first and foremost and if a simpler life means less on line presence then so be it Lisa. Take Care. xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  It’s amazing what just a simple change like turning off my fb notifications has had. Now I just check once in the evening and my inbox is skipped by almost everything which now goes straight into the correct files for me to look at later. I was a slave to responding to everyone and everything LOL xxx
  sending love and thanks for all your support
  lisa x
jenny@atasteoftravel says:
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How exciting for you Lisa that the tickets are booked and the dream is now to become a reality. I’m a firm believer in saying if things are not OK…it seems to lift a small weight off your mind and hopefully you can share the load. A lot of the hard work is finished or nearly finished, your health is being looked at and you can start and plan the exciting future you will have. The future is bright and I look forward to living your dream with you! Take care and goodluck.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Yes exciting news Jenny and I have found that just sharing after RUOK day has helped. Such a wealth of loving wishes and offers of support. You are so right, the future is bright and will be here before we know it!
  sending love
  ciao lisa x
Olivia says:
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soooooo excited for you Lisa!! Can’t wait to read all about your new adventure!! xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  I know….can you believe it’s finally happening!! So next time you get to Italy you can come visit xx
Catherine says:
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Very best wishes to you and family. So true about knowing when to reach out. Health is SO important. Hope everything goes smoothly for you now.xxcat
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh thanks so much for that Catherine. I loved your latest post, I think I’ll have to reach out more often. I think all will go well just some good glitches to keep us on our toes x
  ciao love lisa
Lisa Wood says:
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So good to read about your move to Italy. And I totally get where you are coming from….life has its ups and its downs – that is what makes life interesting!
Please take care of yourself. Hey was wondering, have you been to see Don Tolman talk about healing with food? He is good at what he teaches – and he visits Brisbane on a regular basis to present a two hour talk about how to heal natually. Thought it might help with keeping everything healthy on the inside 🙂
Take care…looking forward to hearing all about your renovations. Here in Australia and Italy xxxx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh I must tell my friend Shivanii, she is a wealth of information with natural healing, and foods. She takes groups to India to help in a project she helped set up. How are things with you all, I see you on fb and the blog and you always seem to be up to something (unless swinging in that gorgeous hammock lol).
  sending love and thanks for the thoughts
  xxx
Caterina B says:
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Hooray, Lisa! I am very happy for you and your family! I hope your health problem will not delay anything and that you get it taken care of soon. That’s great that you will have two weeks in Thailand on the way to Italy.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  We have been saving a bottle of Moet for a long time and soon will be able to crack it and drink to Italy!
  I feel like I will have a plane full of great friends coming along with us for the journey!
  sending love
  xxx
Janine says:
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What can I say Lisa? I am so happy for you. I have a big grin on my face as I write this. Truly. I get so excited about anyone’s latest trip to Italy but your news is extra special. You are absolutely right to say the next 6 months will fly. and I hope I’m right in saying that you will really enjoy them too. Because everyday will have extra meaning. Anticipation, waiting, planning are all such pleasures in themselves. I wish you everything you wish for yourselves in this time. I know you’ll keep us posted. In the meantime, un bacio enorme. Jxxx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Janine one thing I am so excited about is getting the chance to meet up some day soon! I have so much to get done and I am one of those who leave everything till the last minute so thank goodness my husband is the opposite and super organized. See you soon
  ciao love lisa x
Annette Piper says:
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Wonderful news that it is happening at last. Hope your health issues get sorted quickly.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Yes at last Annette!! Funnily that is the title of the song we had played at our wedding. I’m sure I’ll be able to get the health sorted and am looking forward to that “rest” in Bangkok. It didn’t happen over night but YES it did happen.
  ciao love lisa x