hugs, sarge.

get well soon!

Oh, what a blunder I made!

That Balenciaga gown was owned by BUNNY Mellon. She was the donor who gave John Edwards all that campaign money which he used to pay off his baby momma.

Polly Mellen was the sittings editor at Vogue.

Oh, my reputation was almost ruined by that error!

What would Carmel Snow think? The horror!


Thin

Thin - actually the rest of us didn't even notice.

I know you had to show financial means to get your elective residency visa.

Did you have to transfer any money to Italian banks as part of getting your visa? Or will you be able to just draw money from ATMs as needed?

I don't mean to pry but I'm curious about the nuts and bolts of getting the visa and what you'll have to do to get housing and so on.

Get well soon sarge, I'm enjoying your 'diary'.

Ciao Sarge,

Tanti auguri e buona fortuna!

How long will you stay in Venice?

Oh no, I just read about you feeling ill!

Please get better soon but dont push yourself.

Wow congratulations Sarge! I know you have been planning this for a long time, but I didn't realize you were going now. I hope you feel better soon and can't wait to read more of your adventures!

I just returned from Sicily and am sadly missing gelato, among many other things. Please have a few for me!

Buona fortuna,
Dayle

Sarge, I hope you feel better soon, it hasn't been the best of starts to your Italy experience. Have you read any of Marlena de Blasi''s books? A Thousand Days in Venice would be a good one to start with.

Well Sarge, it sounds like the fates are testing your resolve! I'm so happy for you and you are my "hero" for doing this. Please carry on and let us know everything little thing.

Sign me, Vicarious

Alas, my friends, severe food poisoning has laid me low in more ways than one. :(

I have suddenly realised how much more I want to be home than here in Italy. I have cried, tossed and turned, cried some more- suffering not only from the severe food poisoning, but incredible headaches and bouts of consciensce.

What the hell am I doing?

On my 3rd day of this (Saturday), my grandkids Skyped to wish me a Happy Birthday. That sure did nothing for strengthening my resolve. :(

Here I am on day 5 of illness and still cannot manage to put any food in my mouth w/o getting nauseus. Yesterday, I managed 6 crackers w strawberry jam and a banana. I tried tea and toast this morning. That made me nauseus and I returned to bed.

I've had a lot of time to think these past few days. I dont think I can stay, now. I have no family/friends here to assist if something happens to me or should I get ill again.

Was this a test from God? If I go home, have I failed it? Or am I passing it? Is it a question of not recognizing how much more my family means to me than my dream? Was I so ignorant?

Sarge, do nothing and make no decisions until you are feeling much much better. This is probably your lowest point, just concentrate on getting well without worrying about the future. You can go home at ANY point, no need to rush now when your judgment is distorted by feeling so weak and ill. Try to begin eating a bit and have lots of liquids, you will improve soon.

You are not alone, what about all of us who are wishing you well?

Oh, Sarge, I am so sorry that you are suffering! Five days of food poisoning distress would test anyone's resolve.

I know things seem bleak now, but I encourage you to wait until your illness has passed to re-evaluate your decision to relocate to Italy. You didn't make the move on a whim, and I think a lot of the homesickness you are feeling is completely normal. Right now, you are in a temporary accommodation battling ants, poor weather, and feeling physically and emotionally miserable. Anyone would want to throw in the towel and go home.

Things may be brighter when you get to your 'permanent' location and settle in a bit.

I'm rooting for you and hope today is the last day of food poisoning!

I doubt if God would use food poisoning to tell you what to do. I would have thought he would tell you directly. Like SugarPlum, wait until your body and mind is straight, find a sunny day, sit by the water and have a long think.

My father went through the same struggle, twice, and it took him months but he did it when he was well.

My daughter accidentally dialed me while I was writing the previous post. She was trying to call my grandaughter to wish her a Happy Birthday. Flood of tears.

She told me to take one of the Xanax my doc gave me for long flights. Done. Lets see if that helps my emotional ( SO unlike me) outburst.

Thanks and sorry to those living vicariously through me. ;)

PS DD suggested the same. And we are in Florence now. Thx friends.

You can't come home.

That would be daft.

You are going to Rome.

You have a roof over your head and money in the bank.

Your kitties are coming.

You will be fine.

Go out to Vivoli and have a gelato.

Go to Farmacia Santa Maria Novella and get yourself some almond soap.

PS
Xanex and Cabernet is a glorious combo. I highly recommend it.

Thin

Thin, thank you. The Xanax is helping.:) Unfortunately, the food poisoning still has me gagging at the thought of pretty much any food/drink. Its even difficult to swallow water, but I'm managing.

Note for those who can also follow their dream--take comfort food with you!!! I would kill right now for some peanut butter or Malt-o-Meal!! :)

Sarge, you've probably been to Florence before and know your way around. If you can get a copy of Dan Brown's new book, Inferno, let it draw you to explore some of the art and tiny corners of the city. I read it this weekend, iPad in hand googling masterpieces and alleyways. I seriously considered booking a ticket for this coming weekend.

I hope you feel better soon! What do you think it was that got you?

We were in Italy about 4 weeks ago and I'm pretty sure that I saw peanut butter in the local mom-&-pop.

Stu Dudley