Roll Call - time for you to say Ciao

Giuliana Gerace says:

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Ciao Lisa! Love your group and your stories. Me, I am a lawyer turned coach and retreat host ; my back story is on my webpage, www. Transformationstuscany.com; and I have several blogs posted there too. Our story was featured on an episode of househunters international last year. I moved to tuscany last year full time, and loving it! I did simple upgrades to my hundreds year old apartment in the historic center of a medieval town. My 21 year old son lives with me , he has been here for five years studying , and now we are together building next life chapters. Thanks for the shout out and putting together a nice community of apassionistas! Ciao for now ! Giuliana(aka JulieAnn)

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Ciao Giuliana, oh how exciting, House Hunters is great, I’ll have to look for your episode. Your site looks amazing, love what you are creating!!!
Such an inspiring story you share, our son is about to turn 18, what is your son studying?? So good to see you here!! xx lisa
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- Giuliana Gerace says:
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  Hi Lisa! Thanks for checking out my website! My son is 21 and getting ready for university , biology and medicine . Love what you are doing!
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Jenny says:

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Hi Lisa, I’ve been following you for a while, I can’t remember how long! We bought a town house in Molise 4 years ago, doing it up is slow progress as we’re doing it ourselves on a tight budget and we don’t get to spend much time in Italy at present!
I have a website, partially dedicated to doing up our house and partially dedicated to my love of solo travel and seeing the world!
Love your website and Fb page!

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Ciao Jenny, oh yes doing the house up is a slow process, we’re in a similar situation, tight budget and doing bits when we have the moolah. Hope you can get to Italy soon. Solo travel is a great niche!! We have a few friends that are living in vans and come and go, what freedom! thanks for saying ciao xx lisa
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Debbie Rein says:

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Hey Lisa
Well, I have been reading your blog and Facebook page – I have communicated on Facebook, but never here on your blog, and not sure why. Rectifying that now.

Where did we meet – you were my Landmark Education Coach! and I am still grateful for that.

I have just rebuilt my blog and have been slack – overcome by ‘stuff’ and things that had to be done (like completing my Diploma of Financial Services – and it is now done) I am working my way back to having my ‘life’ haha. I must get back to blogging as I do enjoy it very much – it is great to share what is important to you with others, who then let you know it is important to them.

Renovating – oh yes. We are fixing the old ‘run-down’ farm house we now live in and it will be a magnificent homestead in its own right in the near future. I love sitting for hours with my wonderful man and talking about – “What if we did this here” or “what do you think of this picture, do you think we could do something like that?”…….and they go on and on.

I have really enjoyed your blog, as to be honest, Italy was never on my list, but with seeing the images,especially of the old buildings, this may need to change.

Keep sharing, and I promise to be more vocal in future. Take care and love.
Debbie
http://DebbieRein.com

(hey, love this “commentluv” – is that a widget? I need to hunt for it)

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Nina Hansen Machotka says:

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Dear, dear Lisa. So glad this thread is still going! Been a rough month with a very sick kitty, but she’s recovered now just in time for her 3rd birthday yesterday! You know, tesora, that I adore your blog, your photos, everything you do. Am coming back into the fold with my blog and entering more and more photo contests, so I won’t be under the radar anymore. Can’t wait to meet up with you here one day (as I did with Janine, whom you would adore!!). xoxo, Neen.

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Nina there is no way you could ever fly under the radar, you are such a wonderful giving soul! I can’t wait to get together with you all, it will be the pinnacle of our struggle to get back to Italia. I’m so happy to hear that you’re able to get back to the blog, it does take some big amount of time doesn’t it. Hoping for some good news on Monday as they extended the finance times….trying not to be too hopeful in case but just want to celebrate now xxx
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Elisa says:

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Elisa here – I’m Italian by birth, though I moved away many years ago! Currently living in Zurich, Switzerland, and just found your blog through “An Italophile”.

I blog at Globetrotting in Heels, where I share bits about expat life, travel, photography, fashion, and bits about Zurich.

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Hi Elisa, great to meet you here, Switzerland is just stunning. I am Swiss background some generations back. I’m off to check out your site and say hi!
ciao lisa x
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Jill Pennington says:

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Not a blog but a book, plenty of renovating in here – http://www.amazon.co.uk/diary-single-parent-abroad-ebook/dp/B00871I0XS

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Andreana says:
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I read a small taste of it on Amazon and I’m hooked! Thanks Jill for letting us know about your book. Now I have to get a Kindle so I can finish it.
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Trisha Thomas says:

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Hi Lisa — We met when I dove into the blogging world last fall with my blog http://www.mozzarellamamma.com and you were one of the first people to comment. I was so pleased that you could relate to what I had written about being married to an Italian and raising three Italian-American children in Rome. Then I began reading your blog and couldn’t help admiring your wonderful, positive, loving attitude towards, Italy, your husband, your children….just about everything. As Andreana said in the comment above, you are an inspiration to us all!

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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I am so happy to know that i was one of the first to comment on your blog Trisha! I just read every word and was captured straight away. The stories you tell are just wonderful and so alive. It is a bit of a club being married to an Italian, I know you understand the intricacies! Also being a Mum in a different country and seeing your children grow and thrive. I feel all those emotions with you also, a confident positive creative woman!! Brava
ciao love lisa x
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Andreana says:

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Hi Lisa,
I’m one of your silent followers. I enjoy your blog and everyone’s posts so much that I forget to jump into the conversation. I literally ran into you and your blog one day while I was in my “happy place” maybe a year ago. You know, that place where we go when all we want to do is think of what life could be if it were perfect? For me it’s to type into the web any question I have about Italy and reading the info into the wee hours of the night. My husband and I have talked at great lengths about moving to Itay for one year with our 2 boys ages 11 & 13. We are Realtors in San Diego, California and have a big dream of buying small town homes in Italy, renovating them and then putting them up for rent. As a mom I have so many concerns about schools there, the language or even how we would know if we are moving into a safe neighborhood? Your blog is so real and sincere I feel as if I personally know someone there that is over coming the challenges and making her dreams a reality. Thank you for letting me live my Italian dream through your blog. I hope next year to be there and possibly even putting together a blog of my own. You’re an inspirational person Lisa!

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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OH how fantastic that you have found your voice and jumped in!! I do know that happy place and I also go adventuring via the internet and get lost for hours till I can’t remember where it was I was heading.

how wonderful to follow your dream and come to Italy with your family. I also had many concerns about the children when we first headed to Italy, especially coming through Asia. There are many strong expat groups who could give you information about places to live etc. That’s what I did as soon as we decided to return, and now I have the most incredible friends who are able to advise us.

Yes you do know someone now and I would always be happy to help if I can just let me know. be sure to let me know if you start a blog and I’ll be right along to read it! ciao lisa xx
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Carolyn - Holidays to Europe says:

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Hi Lisa,
I think I found you online via your great blog. Your passion for Italy resonates with my passion for all things European. I’ve been lucky enough to holiday in Europe on many occasions and I love sharing my knowledge with my clients and helping them to create wonderful European travel experiences. One of these years, when the kids have left home, my husband and I would love to spend a few months living in Europe, living like the locals. I’ll be following your tales of life in Italy with great interest. My kids have benefited so much from their European travels and I know yours will, too.
Wishing you safe travels and wonderful adventures in Italy.
Carolyn.

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Well Carolyn I’m so glad you did! I certainly know your passion it comes across so wonderfully. It would be perfect for you and your husband to be able to stay and live in Europe for a while. The best gift we can give our children is travel, i can’t wait to see the look on our children’s face.
Glad to have you along and please feel free to share your experience over at the fb page or here anytime. x
lisa
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Lisa Chiodo says:

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It seems far longer than that Krista and I always see your smiling face where ever I go! Between you and Tanya I get my daily kick of good cheer lol. With a name like Rambling Tart you’ll never be forgotten Brava xxx

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Krista says:

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I only found you a few months ago but I LOVE connecting with you on Facebook and your blog. 🙂 Your updates and comments never fail to cheer me up and help me keep going. 🙂 My name is Krista, I live in Australia and write at http://www.ramblingtart.com 🙂

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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and how fabulous is Rambling Tart!!! I just love the name and the fantastic outlook on life. We can cheer each other up…. and the cute baby goats you keep showing us are sending my daughter into fits of awwwww can we have a goat Mum? can’t wait, you can be honorary auntie along with Michelle from Bleeding Espresso xxx
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Elizabeth says:

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Hi Lisa,

I discovered you today after your lovely Facebook message. I’m so glad you got in touch, because I’ve spent the past half hour catching up on your posts! I’m a Brisbane/Melbourne hybrid too.

I think your kids are the luckiest.

Anyway, nice to “meet” you!

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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And I found you through Melissa at Suger Coat It, I couldn’t seem to comment on your blog but I prefered the first portrait…mystery and better composition. And us hybrids have to stick together! ciao lisa x
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- Elizabeth says:
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  Thanks, I think I agree with you about the photos! On Instagram the first photo was much more popular than the second.
  
  I’m sorry you had trouble leaving a comment. I haven’t heard of anyone having issues before, could you tell me what happened?
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  - Lisa Chiodo says:
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    I think it might be something my end as I use my husbands google account. Usually when I leave a comment on a blog it comes up with an option for Name/Url but every now and again that option isn’t available. I’ll see if I can comment now and let you know what happens. ciao lisa x
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  - Lisa Chiodo says:
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    Went through okay this time! x
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Caterina B says:

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Lisa, I think I found your blog while reading a travel Liguria website. I don’t remember, maybe
Beautiful Liguria? I read all the books by Annie Hawes and was looking around Liguria on the internet. I live on a little “farm” in Colorado. We are now having the worst wildfires in Colorado history. TEN are burning right now. In the biggest, around 140 houses have been destroyed. Most of them are far away from our little valley, though. We are very worried.There is only one way in or out of our valley. We would have to trek over mountains to escape if the road was blocked. We have the car packed with “survival gear” in case a fire starts below us on the road. We would just have to grab our two Westies, drive and pray.
We bought our little log cabin in 2001 and have put a lot of time and money into renovating it. But….not TOO much renovation. It is now perfectly comfortable and we are concentrating on the grounds. Just praying that we don’t have a wildfire, too, and see all our work destroyed. You can view photos of my farm on my Flickr page.

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Caterina it would probably be at Beautiful Liguria, it was the first blog I found when we bought the house in Veravo. I also love Annie Hawes, she describes life in Italy as an expat so perfectly especially the rustic side like we lived.
I am hoping that you are safe and your house remains untouched by the fires. A friend on the fb page Don Bell also updates me on these awful fires. They were just on the news, as an Australian I can totally understand the worry. I grew up in Victoria and we had bushfires as part of our lives. My brother and his family went through the Black Saturday fires in Kinglake and survived while so many perished. Don’t take any chances, leave before you have no options. Sending love and hope, x
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Lisa DeNunzio, La Dolce Villa says:

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Ciao Lisa. It seems the ‘thread’ that connects bloggers is so long that I cannot clearly remember how I encountered you and your blog. Most likely because, as I am a new blogger I try and see who is blogging about Italy. I feel that Italy is ‘under represented’ as there seems to be many more French blogs. Peccato. My desire is to spend more time in Italy, to learn the language once and for all and enjoy the Italian lifestyle. For now, I content myself with blogging about Italy and my home town of Coral Gables and living vicariously through other blogs like yours. A presto, Lisa

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Lisa that thread is indeed fine and connects us all in intricate ways. It’s wonderful to be a new blogger, seeing how things develop over time. I remember how excited I was at my first comments and had to pinch myself that anyone would read my ramblings. I found my passion.
All things French are the fashion at the moment and I love this also but my heart remains in Italy. I also should learn the language, another thing to add to my list.
ciao for now
Lisa x
PS I totally love how you created those coasters with the Grappa labels!
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Leanne - Getaway Guru says:

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Lisa, I can’t remember how we met but I know if was online and it was because of a mutual love of Italy and my interest in Australians in Italy (and France!)
I cannot wait to follow your renovating journey when your in-situ in Italy and one day hope that you have a self catering property for rental that you list on my site! That would be a wonderful circle!

Ciao Leanne

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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How wonderful would that be Leanne, I remember how impressed I was when I first found your website. It was clear that your love of both Italy and France had so many join you there. I am hoping to come full circle soon xx
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Cathy says:

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We ‘met’ via facebook. I’m an Aussie who has been living in Italy for the past six years and this has been my second time there, since I lived there for 18 months when I was first married. I have watched your site with interest, as I haven’t blogged about house renovation and stuff although we saw our dream house in 2005 and that made us decide to take the plunge and return to Italy. Then we have found out recently that we grew up in the same area of Melbourne when we were younger. That was amazing. You’re a special lady Lisa, who has touched many people. I love it when my inbox has a Renovating Italy post to go and read. 🙂

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Isn’t that a hoot Cathy, I feel like singing “Neighbors…” who’d have thought we’d grow up in the same neighborhood and then meet up years later. With you and Ingrid I have watched the development of our blogs with great joy. Thank goodness for facebook xxx
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jenny@atasteoftravel says:

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This is test of my memory Lisa even though it was only 3 or 4 months ago we ‘met’! Finding you on Pinterest started the journey but a mutual love for Sicily and Piemonte continued with your lovely comments on my facebook page. One day I dream of buying in either of these areas but in the meantime I live vicariously through your fabulous pages and blog about my travels far and wide at A Taste of Travel (www.atasteoftravlblog.com). Ciao Jenny

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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It’s such a unique way to meet these days, being able to connect with anyone with a similar passion. I have only just started to find my inner chef, my hubby usually does all the cooking. I do adore Sicily and saw it through my mother in laws eyes when we last visited and of course living in Piemonte for those years created a special place in my heart.
ciao and loved reading about your sumptuous luncheon in New York x
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lindyloumacinitaly says:

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Lovely family photo Lisa.

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Grazie Lindy…your images always delight me, I love the way you put them all together and how you have so many gorgeous ones to share in each post. sending love x
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Lisa Wood says:

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Ciao Lisa,

I love coming here! I love looking at your photos on facebook – they are gorgeous 🙂

We meet through blogging, and then had the most amazing meal in Brisbane with many other bloggers!

We have renovated our old Queenslander before selling it, now hubby is renovating our Motorhome. One day I want to travel overseas and will be adding Italy to our Bucket list for sure.

You have the most amazing blog/facebook page, and I love seeing what you come up with next! As love reading about your journey of reaching your goals. xxx

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Lisa I still remember that night in Brissie at that wacky place…I was sooo worried that you would think me mad. It felt like we’d know each other forever, and then to spend the day with the kids was just wonderful. I love reading all your travels and ups and downs, life is certainly full speed with your family. I am so sure that your bus will sprout wings one day so you can come join us at the house in Veravo.
You are ever an inspiration and such a beautiful heart which you wear with grace on your sleeve x
xxx
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Julia says:

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Not sure I can post on here as I dont have a website, although it has been suggested to me recently that I shouldI start a blog about the daily life of a chic and a labrador in the South Island high country of New Zealand, could be quite fun!!!!….But I am Just a Italian (and French) armchair travel dreamer who follows your wonderful blog and also your amazing pics on facebook…..I am pleased I have found your pages….many thanks for hours of entertainment and free travel…..Julia

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Julia you so should start a blog, but watch out it’s addictive. I’m so happy to have you along on that armchair, maybe we should call it the “Wishing Chair” who knows where it will take us.
ciao lisa x
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sally says:

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ciao Bella!! IRG is how we met! Have a nice Summer!
xxoo
Sally

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Sally every day you send out your loving personality to the world through IR, I always smile when I see those rascally kittens and gorgeous flowers (and pots LOL)….sending love to you and your family xxx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Sally I have problems leaving comments at your blog, need to have name/url option??? x
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Debra Kolkka says:

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I have been following for a while. We are building a house in Vergemoli, a beautiful village in northern Tuscany. We bought a ruin which was too far gone to renovate, so we pulled it down and started again. Our new stone house is almost complete……almost. I have been in Italy for the last 5 months trying to push it along, but I am now on my way back to Brisbane,Australia. I will return in September for more. You can read about the progress by going to Bagni di Lucca and Beyond (bagnidilucca.wordpress.com) and looking in the category New House in Vergemoli. There will be a post very soon on the completed bits of the house.
We also have a apartment in Bagni di Lucca (near Lucca)where I spend around 6 months
every year…..I love Italy!

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Yes Debra I know your apartment from your blog, and your house is looking just gorgeous, what a lot of work. What a perfect way to live 6 months in Australia and 6 in Italia…we must meet up when you’re here I’ll send you an email. ciao lisa x
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Sonji says:

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Hi! My name is Sonji and I only recently started reading your blog. I found your blog on another blog site (can’t remember which one – sorry). I wanted to follow your blog because I’ve always wanted to move to Italy and when I finally had the opportunity to visit in 2008, the desire became stronger. So, whenever I find someone living the dream I have, I’m always interested to see how their experience has been. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us 🙂

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Oh I do that as well Sonji, find amazing blogs I love and connect with the writers. Only a few weeks ago I met up with Tanya who is also “Chasing la dolce Vita” and felt like I’d known her forever. We are starting up a buddy system to keep us on track with our blogging and dreams. It’s a pleasure to meet you and share with you, hope to hear how your dreams progress love lisa x
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Kelly says:

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Kelly from Be A Fun Mum here! We live in the same city but we haven’t met yet! Will try and have to remedy that before you for Italy. Thanks again for sharing your story with my readers. xx

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Kelly says:

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Kelly from Be A Fun Mum here! We live in the same city but we haven’t met yet! Will try and have to remedy that before you for Italy. Thanks again for sharing your story with my readers. xx

Anyone who hasn’t read it, you can read the inspiration story here –> http://beafunmum.com/2012/06/moving-to-italy/

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Lisa Chiodo says:
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Kelly it would be fantastic to meet up, I’m on the Northside. It was a huge pleasure to share our story with you and your readers. I loved seeing the way you put it together and the quotes you pulled out to feature. It’s such an odd feeling seeing yourself through another eyes and what I love about blogging. ciao lisa x
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- Kelly says:
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  I’m on the Northside too!!! After the school holidays, if you have time, let’s email to see if we can meet up somewhere. Was a pleasure! And I do hope I sent some traffic to your lovely blog too. x
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  - Lisa Chiodo says:
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    Fantastic Kelly looking forward to meeting up. After holidays would be perfect. I’ll let you know about that traffic ciao lisa x
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INSPIRATION

Time for a Roll Call

It’s time for a Roll Call!

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INSPIRATION

Time for a Roll Call

It’s time for a Roll Call!

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