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It’s Time for a Give-Away!

This September is overflowing with happy things and I’m about to pass it on to you!

It was not enough that I spent my big bad birthday lounging in a spa oasis, sipping lemon water and covered in red mud. Nor was it adequate that kid number five finally got his driving permit and can use his mended ankle enough to get himself to school – as a senior. Woot! Pumpkin Spice Everything is finally here. My nails are painted a fabulous combination of orchid and metallic glitter that we dubbed “Unicorn Farts”.

Life is good.

But wait. There’s more.

Yep, we are about to depart for our 30th Anniversary Trip to Italy. Meaning, of course, that I’ve got my five items packed and Hubby is still wondering whether four suitcases will be adequate for himself. It’s fun to watch.

But here’s the best news: you, my Blog Tribe, are coming along for the ride. You know who you are. Those of you who invite me into your email-box and sit for a chat and a cuppa. You won’t fit into my little suitcase, so we are going to switch up our blog game for the next couple of months.

Everyone listening?

Here’s how it works: If you follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook, you will see some photos coming through while we are tramping around the thigh-high stiletto boot of the Mediterranean, complete with witty hashtags (unless the jet lag wins, in which case you get what you get and don’t throw a fit). #italyplayshackysackwithsicily

Meanwhile, if you are one of the Tribe members who actually Subscribe to my blog (I love you so much), you are going to get the good stuff. After I return from galavanting, I shall sit myself down and blog all the adventures for you…and I am NOT going to post them onto Facebook, per usual. The photos are only a tease. #boohoo

Nope, only those of you with the secret insider club VIP super special Tribe status are going to Italy!

Yes, lovely friends, I am requesting that you stop everything right now and click in the little box up here with your email and Subscribe to the blog. You will love it. We have a secret handshake and everything. Only Subscribers will be getting the travel blogs and the posts will continue through October and November. Facebook will be hearing crickets. Nada. Zilch. #zippo

You important Tribe Members will also receive additional photos, recipes, and insider tips that no travel book will ever tell you! Where to go, what to see, which app on your phone most let you down….what Hubby might do if there’s no backseat driving available on the trains….

I will be tossing euros into the air and making it rain on the ruins of ancient civilization and you are coming with me.

They say Italian food in America is nothing compared to actual Italian food. Only one way to find out…

Your new Subscription goes into a drawing for a Prize From Actual Italy!

I will be scouring the duomos, canals, vineyards and metros for just the right thing. Don’t get crazy. I can’t fit a gondola in my carry-on. Or can I? There’s only one way to find out: Subscribe with an email address and start singing “O Sole` Mio” in the shower.

Don’t miss this limited time opportunity! Subscribe now! Even if you already Subscribe! Many of you have updated your email addresses without updating them in our blog Subscription list. Put another email into the box. Surprise your mom and sign her up. She always wanted to be in a Tribe. One she didn’t have to wash dishes in.

Now that’s a good Tribe.

If you are already in our Tribe, post a Comment below about the one thing you would love to see in Italy and I will add your name to the Drawing as well. Prize awarded in next blog (around October 6th)
Published inFun & GamesMarriageTraveling

46 Comments

  1. Annette Clarke

    I know you are back from Europe and will never be the same. You should be a professional photographer and journalists you make it so interesting. I will read all your Blogs because pictures don’t speak a thousand words we have learned that they can hide the truth and speak too many ilies.
    So Happy 30th Anniversary you were so right to jump into adventure while you still have all your faculties. Congratulations for a down to the last detail organised trip. You are a special family Thank you for your example to us all. Oh and Darius has a cousin living in Rome so we should go sometime.

    • Jolie

      Thank you, I would return to Rome in a heartbeat! I’m having so much fun telling our stories that it feels like I’m still there. *sigh* Glad you are enjoying them!

  2. Emily K.

    Your pictures have been beautiful! Can’t wait to read the blog post with all the dirty details! 😉

  3. Jerusha Foltz

    Eek! I know you’re already there, but if you happen to stroll into a shop and see some cool packaging, I love seeing packaging from other countries. I don’t care what it is. Tea, chocolate, a bag of frozen shrimp. If the packaging is different and interesting, I’m all over it.

    • Jolie

      Glad I finally peeked in here. Never thought of that, so will hunt some down and post. So far I’ve been laughing at interpretive typos on things…

  4. Stacy

    I have never been so for me……Anything and everything!!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it!!!

    • Jolie

      Well then, how am I doing so far?

  5. John MacDougall

    I want to see a kiss in a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs at sunset.

    • Jolie

      Oh my, that is very very specific. If the stars align, I will take one for the team. 😉

  6. Sarah

    Okay…I’m a member of the tribe but I want free goodies from Italy too…how about an Italian hunk? Can you fit one in your suitcase and bring him back:-)?

    • Jolie

      Italiano goodies….if it fits in my suitcase, I win. You win. The hunk wins. We are all WINNERS.

  7. LaDonna

    Jolie and Hubby we are so excited for you all going to Italy! Can’t wait to see ALL your pictures. Have fun and you two be Safe!!!

    • Jolie

      Haha, you should see all of Hubby’s “security measures”! Safety First.

  8. Chris

    Have a wonderful time

    • Jolie

      Thank you! Leaving in less than 24 hours! Yay!

  9. Andrea

    I want to see the Cinque Terre trails, and then the yummy, post-hiking calories!

    • Jolie

      And also the pre-hiking calories and the during-hiking calories and the just-in-case calories…

      • Andrea

        Exactly. You can never be too prepared. ALL the calories, ALL the time! 🙂

  10. Kim Floyd

    Piazzo San Marcos!

    • Jolie

      Q: Is it really good luck if a pigeon poos on you? Because this could be a very lucky day…

  11. Laura

    So excited for your trip! Enjoy!

    • Jolie

      I am taking you on a plane, a boat, a train, and a leaning tower, but Hubby is trying to get me on a chair lift on Mt Solaro. Now that scares me.

  12. Bettina

    Can’t wait to see it all, but my favorite… Vernazza! Have a wonderful trip and enjoy every single minute ♥

    • Jolie

      Ooooooh yes, they have a medieval castle on a cliff. This place looks so amazing, can’t wait!

  13. Jenni

    I’d love to see you at Piazza Navona! Enjoy!

    • Jolie

      I’m going to see SO many fountains! We hope to spend a nice lounging time in Piazza Navona!

  14. Becky

    I would love to see Trevi Fountain since it was covered in scaffolding and workers in white coveralls when I was there….not a drop of water in sight! Throw in a denarius for me!

    • Jolie

      Neither rude tourists nor fountain cleaners will stop me from pitching your coin in! We shall make it rain.

  15. Lyn MacDougall

    I would like to see photos of architecture. We studied much about this region in art history.

    • Jolie

      Although my daughter’s the photographer in the fam, I will do my best!

    • Jolie

      I shall raise a glass in your name. I believe Torcello is on our list, and Via Garibaldi sounds great (gelato? lion statues? I’m in).

  16. Melinda Flatley

    I’d love to see the Domitilla Catacombs in Rome where a large number of the early Christians were buried. I’d like to imagine that many of the people mentioned in Romans 16 are buried here and it will be that these bodies will be reconstituted at the Resurrection.

    • Jolie

      Tombs and crypts and catacombs seem to be everywhere. But if even one bone starts to rattle, all the photo you’ll get is the puff of dust from my mad flight outta there.

  17. Lynette Lange

    I have already seen a lot in Italy, but I am still hoping to someday see George Clooney!

    • Jolie

      Ooooooh! Movie stars! Maybe I can photo-bomb in a movie!

  18. Bonnie

    Everything you see. I’m along for the ride.
    Have a wonderful time!

    • Jolie

      Hop in and put on the seatbelt!

  19. Toni Richardson

    I will be in Rome next week! Maybe we will run into each other!

    • Jolie

      How fun is that?! We will be running around town on foot on Wednesday and touring the Vatican, Colosseum, and Forum on Thursday. I’ll be the lady in the yellow scarf looking dazed but extremely happy. 🙂

  20. Kiki

    Can’t wait to read about your trip!!!!

    • Jolie

      Thank you for being one of our Original Tribe Members! You’re the best!

  21. Abbie and Penny Thompson

    Grape stomping ala Lucy “soaking up local color” in the town of Turo

    • Jolie

      I love that Lucy went to Italy! I hope I meet a masher on the train!

      • Barbara Joan Abel

        Since Italy has never been on my bucket list, I would have to say just driving through all the quaint little villages around the coast! 🙂 Enjoy! 🙂

        • Jolie

          We will be at Cinque Terre, but not in a car. I will leave the Almalfi coast to James Bond.

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