Final Preparations!

David and I decided about a year ago that spring 2007 would be the ideal time to spend a semester in Italy. Carter, age 13, and Stephen, age 11, are fairly independent and old enough to remember the experience but not yet in high school, when interrupting academics and extracurriculars would be a more complicated affair. David was able to arrange time away from Penn but make up for lost salary with consulting work. Giovanna, with whom we stayed on our first visit to Rome 14 years ago, is in her mid-80s but eager to host us again. She had moved in the meantime to a smaller apartment and would live with her daughter and son-in-law at their farm in Perugia during our four-month stay. Since last summer, then, I have been immersed in preparations for this adventure (or should I say misadventure?!) The planning itself has provided fodder for a few good stories, but the time to depart has come! Today we said goodbye to friends at Tenth Presbyterian Church, who have graciously offered to pray for us (thanks especially to Jane Reimold for suggesting this blog). My family treated us to an entertaining, send-off lunch at Phil's Tavern, although this Rome escapade has them seriously questioning our good sense. Andrew Canavan will be encamped at our house while we're gone. We cleared the clogged drains and set a mousetrap in honor of his arrival and woke up this morning needing to remove a furry little body. Andrew may have an immediate battle on his hands! If all goes well, my next post will originate in Rome.