Buon Natale

Christmas in Torri was a simple affair this year. A few candles and a hastily decorated tree is all we had time to put together, but that suits the situation. Our things are still in transit, Ronnie and Sammie are not in school, and none of us have adjusted to the local time; we're living bohemian all around.

Here are some common Italian holiday phrases.




l'albero di Natale












A lume di candela









il regalo di Natale - vino!












Babbo Natale








Buon Natale!

So where is Vicenza anyway?

Vicenza is in northeastern Italy on the southern plains of the Italian Alps.
Click on the name for a google map. Our home in Torri di Quartesolo is just outside of Vicenza to the southeast. It's like going to from Norfolk to Virginia Beach (for our Virginia friends) or Crafton to Elliott (for our Pittsburgh friends) or Kingston to Wilkes-Barre (for NE PA friends). If it wasn't for the sign, you'd never know you've changed neighborhoods.

It has been raining since we got here so we haven't ventured out into the neighborhood yet, but we're looking forward to checking out our neighborhood pizza place - Crazy Pizza - when the rain stops.

Observations about Italy that make us smile......





This is the key for the deadbolt on our front door.
It makes me think of living in a castle.








The oven tempeture settings are in Celsius.
We have a cheat sheet conversion chart.





The cabinet for the dishes has a rack and is located directly over the sink. It's bottomless! Wash the dishes and put them away wet.






The post exchange sells only American electric devices. You have to buy converters to plug anything you buy at the exchange into the Italian electrical grid.




Buona Notte, amici.

Buongiorno & Arrivederci or TSA hates children's toys

Hello Friends! We're in Italy, safe and sound. Except for the jet lag, we're no worse for wear.

On the way out of Hampton Roads, I won the TSA pat down lottery at Norfolk International Airport. It's a very public and rather unnerving, nothing like the SNL skit. We were also subjected to a complete bag search of our carry-on stuff and a pat-down for Ron. Samantha's friend gave her a set of playdoh to entertain her during the trip. DO NOT take playdoh in your carry-on luggage. It fails initial TSA explosive screenings which triggers a no holds barred search of your stuff.

A TSA agent took Samantha's picture with my camera while she was checking our bags.

The flights themselves were uneventful. Flying overnight to Europe is the only way to go if you're traveling with children.

The house Ron picked out for us is even better in person. I feel like a poseur in this house. It's so trendy and modern and I'm neither. A trip to IKEA should resolve the conflict.

Samantha and I seem to be suffering from the time change the most. We have both been awake since about 2:30am (8:30pm EST). Everyone else is sleeping soundly.

Buonasera my friends. We miss you.

Time is short

It's our last full day on US soil. The house is on the market. One couple came through yesterday with their agent while our painter/long time friend was there. Thanks to Jay for giving the couple a quick tour of the place in our absence. Next door neighbors Mickey and Mary have been super neighbors for the last 10 years. They've offered to keep an eye on the house for us. All the neighbors on this street look out for one another. It's just that kind of place, but they don't put that in the real estate descriptions.

Ron came home last Tuesday to help with the final arrangements and so I didn't have to try and manage three children on a 9 hour trans-Atlantic flight all by myself. Thank you!

Friday night, The Moaning Lisa's played at AJ Gators and a bunch of us went out to see the band. Three of Ron's friends from DC drove down to Chesapeake to spend a few hours with Ron. Thanks OldGuy, Mark, and Landsman for making the trip. Thanks to everyone else for coming out.

Tomorrow we'll be in the air and on our way. Don't forget the lunar eclipse overnight 12/2o and 12/21. It should look amazing from the airplane. I hope we're on the right side of the plane.

See you on the other side!