Am I allowed to get excited now?  When planning any type of far-off vacation you run the risk of getting too excited too early.  Inevitably this either leads up to a disappointing vacation that doesn't live up to over-inflated expectations, or you experience a huge post-vacation depression.   Having lived and learned I now try really hard to not think too much about any trip until a few weeks beforehand (aside, of course, from the planning that needs to occur to make that trip happen).  So, for the past month or so I've put Italy out of my mind and just lived in the normal summertime lazy days we've been lucky to have.  Already this summer has surpassed last year, and it's only half way through July!  The sun has shone, the sprinkler has been getting lots of action, and I'm happy to report that I have some fairly decent tan lines.  (Yes, I have turned from glow-in-the-dark white to a delightful shade of beige.)  My only regret is that my tomato plant is looking  so good and I think our neighbors will get to eat the beautiful bounty while we're away.   Accounting for the fact that they occasionally squirt water at our flowers I hope it's a fair deal.

Back to the trip - this weekend I spent some time looking over all of our accommodations and other reservations (trains, car) just to make sure everything was covered.  After doing that I noticed this strange tickle just under my diaphragm which I believe is related to anticipatory excitement.  I have now given myself permission to start the to-do lists and think about putting items aside to pack.  Now you'll have to excuse me while I go off to do a little "I'm going to Italy!" jig.  Hee!