Coming Home

With  my first glance, I felt like I remembered this piece of art work.  I let it go (too much money and I want a new pair of tall boots).  Dejan did not.  He found this listed on Ebay by an artist that was a family friend.  Norberto Martini...the link shows some pieces on display and for sale... http://www.firenzeart.com/opera.php?id=572 ... who has since passed away from cancer.  I remember him well.  His face, his laugh, I knew he told stories, or were they dirty jokes (everyone was always laughing and looking at us kids sideways), and I especially remember the day he brought each of my sister's and I a painting for us to take home.  I remember the excitement I felt.  Did I say thank you?  I don't remember.  I do remember I wanted the green one.  I still have that painting, it sits on display in the bedroom.  Italy.  Aaahh Italy.  How lucky we were to spend summer's there as kids.  For some reason the painting sparked my memory. 

 These pictures are from one of our regular nights out in Firenze.  Norberto Martini sits at the end of the table next to my Nonna and sister's and the beautiful opera singer, Myra Cordell and her husband, sit by me.  I'm pretty sure Ava got her ability to cheese it up for pictures from me. 

We had to get this painting.  I told Dejan he needed to show it to my Mom.  He forwarded a picture to her to let her know what he found ( i believe he really just wants a painting my parent's have, and wants to use this as a bargaining tool... :-)  ).  My Mom's teary voice when she called brought tears to my eyes.   "DEJAN, that painting was hanging in my Mom's store (Mobili D'Arte)"  This may not be a big deal for the average person, but my Mom has had to say goodbye in a sense to her roots.  Her Mom and Dad...http://www.mariofilippeschi.com/ (click on Le Foto to see pictures of all of them)...are both gone; the store is gone, the apartment is gone, the second home with maids is gone (except for the maid bell. she still has that, and we ring it each time we are home), a lot of memories have had doors closed.  Opera, art, boarding school, maids, Firenze.  It's like an Italian dream.  My Mom may beg to differ, but when she was joining me during a yard sale, I couldn't help but chuckle with her, over how she ended up in Iowa having a yard sale, after such a ritzy up bringing.  One single word, Love.  Does it every time.  Oh how I would love to ramble on about the story my Mom and Dad shared about their meeting this summer, but I will save that for another time.

After a late night bidding war, Dejan won this painting and it now graces our home.  It makes me happy to look at it, and also makes me happy it's a piece of my Mom's memories. 

Now where the heck am I going to hang that thing?

Dinner is served...

My Mom, the dreamer, started the fairy business at her house.  She has real houses, fairies, lights, and this magical door.  The kids are captivated by the whole deal...to be honest, me too.  My Mom taught us to read, read, read, and to dream big.  Reading can take you places you never even imagined.  She has definitely continued that in her grandchildren.  Thanks Mom! 

After our last visit, I get some pictures in my email. One is a scene my Dad discovered outside, the day after we had left.  I have always found such humor in creative play scenes left around our house by Ava, and this one didn't disappoint...I'm still chuckling as I write this. 

In case you are looking at this squinting, wondering, what is that, well, it's fairy dolls lined up for dinner.  Each was given a roma tomato.  Quite appropriate seeing as they live in my Italian Mother's yard.

Too busy to blog is a good thing

and here is why...

Parades, lots of candy, and an Oktoberfest Parade gator ride with Daddy.

Fun with friends

Lots and Lots of silliness

Lots of dirt drug into the house

Road trips.  We took lots of them.  My Dad was a pro at the road trip.  I crave road trips all the time because of him, and, I also LOVE to stray from the usual route.  Only difference, he did it without a map, google, IPhone, or even road signs for that matter.  I panic without all of the above.

Corn maze and kitties...they seem to be every where since our cat passed away

 Trips to Camp Hamilton ...where Ava thanked mother nature, for all the beautiful weather she has blessed us with, by planting a tree...

and Camp Keokuk, where walking through the woods is a must this time of year.

Happy Harvest, Happy Fall, Happy Halloween...I'm too busy, I won't be back until November I'm sure.

AND Finally, the biggest event of the month...drum roll...

We took apart the crib and gave Ava her toddler bed.  How lucky are we that she just now started climbing out of her crib.  I was a nervous, slightly sad, wreck, Dejan was wondering what the big deal was.  As far as Ava, well, let's say she was "super cited" (that's excited for those of you who don't know this yet). We made sure to do this three hours before bed time. I just knew she was going to need to play on that bed. 
Ava picked out her bedding, toys, blankets, and stickers.  She was one happy girl. 

The big deal?  None.  She slept through the night (unlike me), but did wake up at 6am to apparently get dressed in her flower girl dress (from her uncle's wedding in arizona this summer) and couldn't find it.  She crawled into bed crying.  I was tired.  I said "WHAT!?!?"...and went to find it.  Every night since has been a success.  It really wasn't sad or stressful after all.  I love how happy she is, and her being more and more independent is a really good thing