Tutto Un Sogno?

We've been home three days now and already the past two months have entered into that nether world of dreams and "were we really there?" I know we were. I can summon up views from Fattoria Viticcio, the visual charm of Sant' Antonio, the perfection of Genius Loci, the wild rides of Gardaland and so much more. But......it all seems so improbable. Is there really an Italy that we sometimes call home?

Casey is sick and has been since the last night in Italy where he awoke at midnight with a terrible stomach ache. He has slept almost non-stop since we arrived home Tuesday night. He has canceled play dates with friends he has not seen for two months and karate lessons. He manages about two bites of food before he pushes it away and returns to the couch and pillow. Drinking liquids is about all he accomplishes and not much of that. Yesterday we went to see the doctor who says it's a virus but I'm not too convinced of that as he is missing a primary symptom of a stomach virus. So, we will wait it out a little longer and hope it all goes away. If not, I guess a trip to the hospital is in store for this weekend. It is so hard to have a child hurting and not be able to fix it for him!

Then there is THE table--remember the one we ordered in Florence? The round one to match the rectangular one we treated ourselves to last year? The one we were so excited about? It was waiting for us when we returned and we were happy.

But, when we opened the crate on Wednesday, we stood and stared and cried--our beautiful table or, at least, what was meant to be our beautiful table. As you can see, if it were whole, it would be lovely. But, it isn't.

I e-mailed and sent the picture to Giotti Ceramiche in Florence, the creators of the table. They responded immediately and will be making a new table for us--no hassle, no fuss. They and DHL will figure out which of them is responsible. In this day and age it is so nice to work with a reputable business and people. If you are in the market for a lovely, beautiful piece of usable art, I can recommend someone to you.

It will be several weeks before we have our new table as the production department is on vacation until September 1 and then it will take 6 weeks to make it. Since these are individually designed tables, worked out between the artist and the buyer, there isn't a regular production line or supply on hand.

Lastly, time to share, I think that I may not have a complete mind--a thought I've entertained for a while now. Before we left for two months, it seemed like a very sound decision to have a barbecue/swim party for 40 people 4 days after returning. Now, the idea seems rather dumb; however, I would make the same decision again. We have dear, dear friends who are missionaries and this is their last weekend home on furlough. Typically we host a party for them and our friends and since we were gone all summer, this was the only chance.

And so tomorrow the grill will burn, the jacuzzi will bubble and the watermelon will drip and we will enjoy good conversation and fun. But, I do wish we had a lovely round table for people to admire.