RENOVATION
‘Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different…’
C.S. LEWIS
A new friend recently called me ‘Superwoman’ over at the Renovating Italy facebook page.
Yet I don’t feel like this cartoon super-heroine, I feel tired, cranky and ready to burst into tears at the slightest thing. Emotional overload, hormones…who knows, lets just say I’ve been a ‘biatch’ to live with.
Renovating a house in the mountains of Italy is incredible and I totally love this life and my family but sometimes I just want to scream! This last week has been one of those times and when I am like this I stop writing, I start blaming, and wonder how on earth we are going to make this work.
It’s moments like these that my husbands sense of humor and persistence keeps us together. We love it here, I can’t imagine living anywhere else and have shaken off the doldrums and seen the rainbow.
Although at the moment we have no income (Sam is waiting for me to be a best seller) I’m sure we will work something out. So many ideas and it just takes thinking outside of that box, we’d love to start a project here in the Valley to share what we are learning. A way to give a taste of this dream we are living, to share our dream and create something for others.
Our house will be finished before the end of Winter, and we’d love to be able to buy another here in the borgata to create a place for friends, family and those interested in this lifestyle to stay and experience it first hand.
Another big dream but one I know we could achieve, my husband looks ten years younger, the kids are about to start school and learn a new language, they now have rabbits, chickens and a totally new outlook on life, and I am lit up by this valley every time I open the shutters in the morning to gaze over the mountains.
Anything is possible…
Our lounge room floor is completed, the heater made it’s way into the house suspended on a huge tree trunk over the shoulders of Sam and Claudio….it weighs a tonne. The kitchen and lounge walls have been re coated and we now have hand made shelves and a kitchen bench.
Things are starting to take shape, the house is becoming a home and it looks great.
Next week we have old friends from Australia coming to visit, and more this Saturday….I just can’t wait to see them all and share the dream. Tomorrow we are off to pick up some matresses so that we will all have somewhere to sleep.
The bedroom upstairs now has a wall for privacy with the plaster going up today (pics to follow) now I have a wall to put the antique wardrobe against freeing up some space in the room for bedside tables. We have plenty of things to keep us busy through Winter.
The valley is full of sunflowers, berries and people making hay while the sun shines….I now see where this saying comes from. Our chickens are laying eggs, the rabbits are soon to be making more rabbits and our tiny chicks are now running about in the stable.
In such a short time we have achieved so much, discovered ourselves and created even bigger dreams….hmmm maybe I am ‘Superwoman’ after all.
and the gang x
Hi Lisa, amazing reading, I’m transfixed … my wife is telling me off for spending too much time reading your updates and wonderful adventures. We too are embarking on our own adventure but unfortunately I’m not as handy as Sam…. Looking to arrive in March and find a rental and take it from there. Any suggested places for schools, amenties and great times we’d love to hear. Good luck with you reno’s although I’m not sure if I’m reading out of sequence so I am not up to date on your lates conquests…. hope to see you when we get there…. Auguri! Matt
Hi Matt, so funny and I can just imagine your wife hitting you with a fry pan. As for places etc narrow it down a bit, thing about climate and what it is you are looking for re lifestyle. For us it was having a simple country life in a place that was as authentic as possible. How old are your kids? I’m actually working on an E-book right now about how we turned our Dream into a Reality and much of it was in the change of mindset. Feel free to email us directly at admin (@) renovatingitaly dot com
ciao ciao for now
lisa
Cranky, ready to burst into tears….boy can I relate to that. I think all of us mothers feel that way when we get overworked and are still trying to be good wives and mothers. You definitely are a super-woman though. I am so impressed at the amazing work you guys are doing. Keep it up!!
Thanks Trisha you more than anyone I know could be called ‘Superwoman’, your stories are so insightful and help to change the way we all see the world. I know you also have your work cut out with family as well as work and I have no idea how you manage it all!! xxx
sending love and give yourself a big pat on the back xxx
Hi Lisa , I am in awe of what you are doing . Your husband is amazing , what a great worker , and you , well what can I say, I would of done more than scream LOL Keep going , you are nearly there and what a super life you are all going to have. xx
Oh I often do more than scream Anne, sometimes I totally loose the plot! Sam is amazing but don’t tell him I told you so! Life is changing daily and it’s a talent to just keep up with it all xx
You know you’ll have to get over for a visit!! x
Hey Lisa is the place big enough to take guests? Down the track? I’m just wondering as a possible income source? Pleased to hear the kids have made their start at school – hope it’s going well and they’re settling in. You sound happy. In amongst all the busyness, you sound happy. Hope that’s so. x
Hey Margaret, not really unless we move to another room. We have had friends staying a few days at a time and given them our room. I’d certainly like some way to have guests staying perhaps in the next house if it comes up for sale. Kids are going well at school and yes always busy but deciding to start organizing my time a little better. Hope all is well with you and yes if you come you will get our ‘Honeymoon Suite” we’d love to have you both xxx
Lisa – I think you are where you were born to be….and what about turning your “Blog Posts” into a Book? That everyone can read your “Renovating Italy” journey together!!
I love the feel of your new home, you guys have done so much…enjoy your dream xx
Now Sam is quoting you constantly…yes a Book! I am loving this house and the valley, the kids seem to be settling in well at school and we are getting ready for Winter xx
Meanwhile you are eating ice cream in Bondi!! Love the kite festival and your guardian angel xx
Fantastic Lisa! What sweeping changes and having that beautiful mountain air outside must help in the taxing moments. How cold is it at night? How far are you from Torino? One day I’m coming up, would love to meet you all and see the finished product. Is there camomile around? A cup of calming tea? Xxxcat
Hi Catherine, yes the air here is certainly fresh and it is glorious to breathe in deeply first thing in the morning. It is starting to get cool at night and some of the locals have fires going but we are tough Aussies so just put on a jumper! Sam has just gone to order the wood, and we are still waiting for the guy who is doing our windows and doors otherwise we are told to just wrap ‘glad wrap’ around them.
We aren’t far from Torino, about an hour so if you are up I’d love to catch up with you somehow., Just let me know a little in advance, Sam drinks Camomile so we could brew up a lovely cup of tea lol xxx
PS I tried to leave a comment over at the site above but it didn’t give a name/url option, just thought I’d let you know xx