My 6 Month Update!

mercoledi, 8 novembre

Today marks the end of the first 6 months in Italy.  Wow - where did that time go.  But when I think back on everything I have accomplished and experienced it does seem like I have been here longer.

My house is coming together - although much more to do.  My recent addition of a full wall armadio (wardrobe) is really making a difference as I am finally getting things out of plastic tubs and corners of every room.  To those following me on Facebook, apologies for some duplication here.  This unit was built by hand and installed by my cousin Antonio and his nephew Giulio,  (the son of my cousin Emilio).  The craftsmanship is fabulous.   Check out the pictures of the finished product and the wonderful craftsmen.

Cousin Antonio and Giulio - the craftsmen

My "furnace" is ready and I finally found a screen.  With the cooler weather I had to fire it up for the first time.  It keeps the main living/dining room nice and warm.  I will use a space heater for the bathroom.

This really keeps me warm on chilly days

I have a list of other projects that will most likely take me a few years to finish.  But isn't that what everyone has.  My next project after the holiday season will be a pergola (or gazebo as they call them here) outside and some landscaping work on the garden.  I'm hoping that will cut down on the dust/dirt that seems to get into every crack and crevice of the house.   I do love this house and see no reason to really do anything but to stay here and enjoy the view!!

I have met some wonderful friends outside of family - which I know is important.  In addition I am staying active not only by working out at the fitness center but now I am taking yoga and learning how to play tennis.  I am also planning a few golf get aways with friends.  The "good" golf courses are a few hours away at least.  But so blessed to have found people that enjoy participative sports!

The language is coming along. My cousins say I am speaking much better but I have such a long way to go.  I make small improvements daily yet I have little patience for "small improvements". I want to wake up one day and be fluent - haha- that ain't happenin' - darn!!!  Sometimes I amaze myself and other days I just want to bang my head against a brick wall as I can't seem to say anything correct.  At night my brain "flat lines" as I say.  It is so tired after talking or trying to talk Italian all day.  It just goes numb.  That is usually when I find a movie in English on TV or put one in my DVD player from my great romance comedy collection.   Oh and yes my DVDs work here BUT I had to buy what is called a non-region DVD player.  It supports DVDs from all regions of the world.  And I also found a small CD player so I can play all my music. It is not the great quality of my stereo system I left behind but it will work for a year or two until I decide if I want to invest in something bigger/better quality.  

Oscar has finally turned the corner after 6 months. It was a rough start for my buddy.  The summer heat and humidity was brutal for him.  And he has put on some weight - not a good thing.  We found a new vet - an hour away.  But the clinic is very large and has everything we might need.  I really like the new vet.  Oscar has a few problems we are addressing and unfortunately for him he is on a diet. I must get the weight off him for his health.  We've done it before when he first came to me at 4 years old - we can do it again!!  He has made friends with many of the dogs in Acquavella.  Lulu (a male dog that lives next door) is his best buddy. My house is completely fenced in so I can let Oscar run off lead and Lulu somehow gets inside our fence - and comes to play with Oscar. I am trying to get a video of them - it is so cute.  But here is a still of them when we are on a walk.

Lulu and Oscar - best buddies

Guess who claimed the one and only chair in the house

I have had some Minnesota friends visit already - and I think they have all recovered from culture shock!!  It has allowed me to explore a bit more and learn about all the things to do and see in southern Italy.  There is still so much more to uncover.  I also took a trip up to Tuscany with my cousin.  That will most likely become at least an annual trip.  Looking forward to next July and going to the Palio di Siena (the horse race around the Piazza del Campo).  From there I may jump over to the Umbria Jazz Fest - one of the best Jazz festivals in the world - held in July.  I'm liking this thing called retirement!!

A beautiful view just 10 minutes into a long trail called "Sentiero degli Innamorati"
in Ascea. The total time to hike the entire trail is about 2 hours and it goes much higher.
On my list of things to do - complete the hike

So with that I will close my update.  I'm getting ready for Thanksgiving and will post about that later.  I'm inviting a few cousins to celebrate the holiday with me.  Then it will be Christmas - oh my I can't wait for that.  Christmas in Italy is really something special. 

Hope you are all enjoying my Year of Firsts!!