We made it to ITALY!!!

After the 10 months since Bryan got his job offer and all of the craziness in between, we FINALLY made it to Italy!!! I remember a conversation with Bryan back in early February when we were talking about how everything really fell into place with this move - "it was so easy that it feels almost like it was meant to be" - ha ha - little did we realize what was around the corner in February/March! Yikes - you really couldn't have made this stuff up!! In early September however, we FINALLY got our Visas back, which meant that even though Europe is still closed for normal travel, we were approved to go! 

With lots of finishing up of odds and ends and saying our very sad goodbyes to Bailey and Camden, we left in a rental van to head up to DC (where we had to fly out of because it was the ONLY flight that we could get Kiwi on). We had a great visit with Bryans' parents on the way up and then also with my Aunt and Uncle who live in DC. (It was a bonus that Mia was able to get a driving tour of the city - especially to see the Supreme Court and Capitol Building while Ruth Bader Ginsburg was lying in the Rotunda). 

I was a nervous wreck about flying with Kiwi and all that it entailed (final Vet appointment within 10 days of travel and then overnighting documents to the US Department of Agriculture for final approval and them overnighting it back and the drive up, and making sure all of her accessories - kennel, stickers, bowls, documents etc. were airline approved. It felt a lot like adopting from China! With every gray hair that it gave me in preparation, it was actually perfect (thanks to Covid only 30 people were on our long flight from DC to Frankfurt, and as a result, we had 4 airline staff helping us get everything set for Kiwi - I couldn't have asked for a better experience!) Bryan, Mia, and I each had our own row and the flight was on time - quick and easy. After 10 months of hiccups, I was expecting complete turmoil - so this was such a gift! 

So... the rule in Italy is that if you are coming from a "Red" country, you MUST quarantine for 14 days. We were picked up at the airport and whisked away to our "quarantine house" where we have been counting down the days (currently on day 11). The first 5 days were great - after the jet lag and catching up on paperwork, it was actually really helpful to be trapped with a full fridge....but now on day 11 - we are definitely over it! Our "sponsor" grocery shopped for us and other than to let the dog out and to "run" in our back yard, we haven't left the perimeter (definitely something to add to a list of "never have I ever" - been trapped 14 days in a house in a foreign country without leaving even once). The numbers in Italy are going up quickly, so the government has put a mandatory mask mandate for everyone outside - except those eating and drinking). The other rule is that if you are in a car with someone other than family - you must wear a mask). The penalty is a 400-1000 euro fine. It will be interesting to see if the numbers are able to decrease with this in place (they really don't want to have to shut down the economy again). Only three more days to go and then we are finally free - we are so looking forward to exploring our new town and surrounding areas!!

An exhausted Mia flying into Venice (we had to wear a mask for the ENTIRE trip)

The international terminal at Dulles Airport - completely empty because Americans aren't allowed to fly anywhere internationally (with a few exceptions)

Kiwi was a great sport the entire drive up to DC! 

Again, nobody was around - even during the counter check-in (which is unbelievable for such a normally busy airport!)

Not very happy, but not traumatized either!

We thought the trip would be long, but with great stops along the way - not too bad!

It was so nice to be back in Germany again (Frankfurt was our layover). I loved this picture of a bike (because why would you waste energy on a golf cart - makes perfect sense!)

Our sunrise on the way to South Carolina (back in Florida) 

People were congregated outside the Supreme Court to pay their respects to RBG

We were so glad to finally be able to take off our masks!

A completely empty plane (sorry for the wrinkles and gray hair - this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to fly across the Atlantic with only 30 passengers, so had to get a picture!! :-))

We were so excited to get our fed ex package back from the US department of agriculture with Kiwi's documents to fly to Italy!

And upon arrival in our quarantine house... I had never seen a cork quite like this - sooo looking forward to all of our new experiences (like seeing a crushed cork prosecco bottle) :-)

And more of all of the important stuff - olive oil, wine, and Grappa :-))

Venice flying was a beautiful sight after 10 months of waiting

The morning sunrise flying into Frankfurt was beautiful too!

I so love these 5 - even with all of the hiccups - so grateful for a fun summer together!

And this is upside down, but if you ever find yourself in quarantine for 14 days, this is an awesome way to pass several hours while having a great time - our friends gave it to us - an unsolved murder mystery - you can find them on Amazon :-) Definitely a fun time!

And while I got prosecco, Bryan was thrilled with his German beer :-)

And had to comment on our Lufthansa tray - ha ha! After 3 years of living in an area that doesn't even recycle - it was so nice to have real silverware, real glass, real napkin, and real plates!

Summer adventures

Wow!! It was an interesting summer for sure! All 5 of us were under one roof, Bailey and Camden took online classes and worked all summer, Mia volunteered at a non profit dog daycare/rescue facility, Bryan worked from home, Frank left for Utah to his new home with our awesome friends (we were so sad to see him go, but our friends give him fresh carrot stems from their neighbors garden and hooked him up with a new "rabbit mansion" - so we know he is in very good hands!!), and Kiwi had hours of entertainment lounging by the pool and getting love from anyone who happened to be around - oh and she LOVED barking at the golfers whose golf balls went anywhere near the house. We spent almost every Friday Night at our neighbor "safety meeting" where we would talk about the week events (personal, political, and everything in between). Boy are we going to miss our neighbors when we are in Italy!!! It was definitely a summer to remember!

We had a quick visit in June to Orlando to drop off our car to be shipped and we were able to squeeze in wonderful last minute visits with our friends/family while there. We also went to visit our neighbors up in North Georgia and had a great time! Hiking, boating, swimming, shopping - It was a much needed and appreciated getaway after not traveling for such a long time! Oh and did I mention we had 2 hurricanes in the midst of everything - again - you really couldn't make this stuff up!! I joke that the craziness of Covid has prepared me very well in the lessons of patience that will be required for everyday living in Italy! We honestly had one of the best summers that we could have asked for - one last summer all together in the same house. No one was killed and we all still pretty much like each other - ALOT ;-) I say it was a success for sure!!

Beautiful Lake Rabun

Kiwi was a trooper with all of the change!

We loved our summer accommodation sunrises - a step up from our own house - ha ha!

Did I mention flooding from the Hurricane - yikes!

Luckily no homes were flooded, but it came very close!!

A little turtle friend on my run one morning...

Because of our move, Mia has been doing virtual school - it was so nice for her to finally see her friends!!

We loved North Georgia - so pretty (reminded me a little of Maine!)

Mia's first day of 10th grade (the Mask was just a photo op for memories)

More of Lake Rabun fun...

We LOVED having Bailey home this summer!

It was all fun and games giving corn to the deer...until the Bear came (luckily it was after we left)!!

Love our walks on the beach! We will definitely miss it!

Anything to pass the time! 

My friend invited a few of us to her beautiful home - such an amazing view!

When we moved to the Beach, I wasn't really a beach person - I definitely "get it" now and it gives us happiness to know that we will move back here after our time in Italy.

Fun times with great friends! 

We celebrated our 25th Anniversary - we thought we'd be in Venice, but a morning walk on the beach was pretty nice too! 

I adore these guys!!!

Beautiful Destin!

Camden turned 20!! I can hardly believe it! He was so excited to get his scuba diving certification for his birthday. Lots of fun adventures ahead!  

A little excitement with a snakeskin outside the door - yikes!!

This epitomized 2020 - If you look close, you can see a small wedding. I saw this right before a storm rolled in. It is such a beautiful event with a dark and horrible sky in the background. Kind of like our summer! Lots to be thankful for - even in a storm!

 

Another little hiccup in our adventure...

Well, it has been a while since I last wrote and quite a bit has changed. After life opened up in Florida at the end of May, we were able to submit our Visa applications, schedule movers, plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, re-sign contracts for new tenants etc. We had been warned that the Visa's might take up to a month, so we gave ourselves plenty of time and scheduled our flight 2 months out (which would actually be today - July 18th). The logistics of everything has been quite a puzzle. We live in a tourist town, with Summer being the peak season (I know - who would have thought anyone would want to go to Florida in the summer -right?). Definitely not easy to plan with regard to skyrocket prices and everything. Our neighbors have become like family and offered us their house to stay at after our house got packed out and the new tenants moved in on July 1. 

Well, things took a turn for the worse last week when we were informed that the state department is about 12 weeks behind - yikes!! Oh and did I mention that once we arrive in Italy, we will have to Quarantine for 14 days (not just a fun little self quarantine, but a real quarantine, where they bring you food and you do not leave the house!) Our household goods and car are crossing the ocean as we speak, and we still have no idea when we might be looking to re-book tickets. Thank goodness our neighbors have been so amazing and accommodating and we can stay here a while longer. Oh and Bailey going to school in Canada has been a whole thing too with crossing borders and quarantining. She will opt for online this year and stay here with Camden. Never a dull moment! 

We still had some fun times this summer! Living at the beach is pretty great!

Way too much time on our hands :-)

We loved seeing part of our China family!

Great fun on the boat!

All packed up and ready to move...

My friend and I did an Italian Class all Spring/Summer (and I still can't speak a lick :-))

More Beach time!

More fun "safety meetings"

Boat fun!

Kiwi and Frank saying goodbye :-( Sadly, the airlines changed the rules since we came back from Germany and Frank is no longer able to fly to Europe. Our friends literally drove across the country to come and pick him up and bring him back to their home in Utah. 

Pool time

Mia's famous Chocolate Chip double decker cookie cake :-)

We had to stick this on the back of our car so we wouldn't get horn honks on crazy 98 when Mia was driving!

More safety meetings!

Good times with great friends

Poor Kiwi (look at that pitiful face) didn't even have her insert to her dog bed (it got shipped with the movers). We had to stick a pillow inside to fluff it up a bit!