Category Archives: Musings

Library Day and Romano Duo and Long Lasting

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November 28 2016:

Library day for Team TLC!! So beautiful when we stepped out of the library …. with our 7 bags of books! Yes. A family of book and nature lovers. Yum! 📚

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November 30 2016:

We’re so excited! When The Romano Duo visit for Christmas they get to stay in the same condo complex where we live!! Wahoooo!! (Picture from this past July when we got to cross paths in New Mexico)

Oceans of thanks to Happy’s human companion, Debbie, for letting The Duo stay at her place while she and Happy go home to Florida! Plus, they get a view of the beautiful wee lake from her place!

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December 1 2016:

The strap on the Coach purse I’ve used for the past 17 years broke. It was given to me as a gift by Drew Henke; one of the prosecuting attorneys I worked with as a paralegal.

We worked together in the Civil Division at the Pierce County Prosecutors Office. My last stint before I left all that behind and began a different journey. Rest in Peace great little purse!!

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Gratitude Letter and Paper Strip Pumpkin and Cheers

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November 22 2016:

For the past 3 years we have created a daily gratitude poster for the month of November; with each day adding an expression of our gratitude to the poster. I was moved to do something different this year.

This year we are working on three separate activities:

#1 – Writing a letter to our self telling our future self what we are grateful for now. We used dice to determine when we will mail this letter to ourself. These will be mailed in 5 years … November 2021.

#2 – Writing a letter to each other explaining what we are grateful for, enjoy, and love about the recipient of the letter. Again we rolled dice to determine the mailing date. These will be mailed in 6 years … November 2022.

#3 – Write a letter thanking someone for something that we neglected to thank them for previously. Meet with the person and hand deliver the letter.

I plan on adding the mailing of the letters on my calendar with a very important note to self. What’s the note to self? The location of the letters; which I’m sure I’ll place somewhere safe! HA!

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November 23 2016:

Paper strip pumpkin …. by Lillian Darnell …. with a little help from me. Pretty cool!!! YAY Lillian!

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November 24 2016:

Thomas and Lillian are still asleep and I’m feasting on a piece of pumpkin bread and dark French roast. So incredibly thankful … and …. yum!

Next up … Reading and getting The Team TLC blog caught up.

Abundant blessings, love, and peace to all.

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November 25 2016:

Hope everyone had a warm and wonderful time yesterday. We enjoyed a quiet, relaxing, and comfy day at home. Cheers! Here’s to a great weekend, blessings, and a grateful heart. xoxo

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Pumpkins and Blessings and Adventurous Eater and Sibshop

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October 30 2016:

Playing with pumpkins time 🎃 ….. xoxo

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October 31 2016:

What a beautiful night! The hills and mountain in the distance were magical with a dusting of snow. Plus, there was a huge bat shaped cloud over the mountain. So incredible!!! These two blessings had a great night. 🎃

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November 1 2016:

Thomas made a vegan coleslaw to go with dinner to night. So yum!!! I enjoyed it with sweet potato noodles and he enjoyed his with wild shrimp. So happy he’s an adventurous eater.

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November 5 2016:

Sibshop day for Thomas!!! He really enjoys these and especially today as Don Meyers was facilitating! Thanks Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN) and JUSTin HOPE Foundation for hosting!!

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South Valleys Library Art Gallery and Incline Village Library

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October 23 2016:

…. And, coming in 2017 at the South Valleys Library’s rotating art gallery ….. a Team TLC showing. I think it will be their first family showing!! The date will not be set until we reach 2017 so we’ll share when we know.

Featuring a few of Thomas’ photographs from his book, Lillian’s abstract art (and her book if it’s ready by then), and we shall see what appears from me.

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October 26 2016:

Field trip today!!! Incline village library ….. Beautiful drive up and down Mt Rose. Such a great library!!!! Books … for the Love of it! xoxo

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Walking Happy and Oktoberfest and Morse Code

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October 21 2016:

Thomas and Camilla walking Happy this morning. Enjoying being Happy’s dog nanny …. as his human calls us. 💙💚🐾 …. xoxo

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October 21 2016:

So fun tonight at The Vintage Oktoberfest!!!! We love where we live!! Check out the cool Polaroid picture Chrissy took of Team TLC!

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October 22 2016:

Walking Happy yesterday afternoon. As I walked past the trees this greeted me. Oh yes, Happy, we must stop a moment so I can soak it in and capture it. xoxo

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October 22 2016:

Thank you Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN) for treating families to a day at the Discovery Museum! Thomas and Lillian loved it! Last visit there was summer 2015!

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Lillian’s name in morse code … via Thomas ….

Walking the Aisles

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September 3 2016:

Library day! One of my most favorite days! I just love walking the aisles, having my eye caught by a title, pulling it from the shelf, opening it, and the feeling of excitement when it’s the one. Love, love, love. xoxo

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Sibshop and Smores and Halfway Point

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August 21 2016:

Thomas got to enjoy a Sibshop yesterday!! Something different this time … Hiking! Thomas has hiked this area for about two years now and they enjoyed that he was so familiar with it! Thanks Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN) and JUSTin HOPE Foundation for hosting!

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August 22 2016:

It was a s’mores kinda night. YUM!!

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August 23 2016:

Today I reached the halfway point before getting this to the publisher! Should go much faster now. By this Friday or next Friday at the latest, Biggest Little Photographer is leaving my “hands”!! I’m so happy that we back-tracked and decided to group the photos into themes. Looks awesome!

There won’t be a ton of content in the book. It will mostly be the photos Thomas took, with a tad bit of imagination thrown in, a couple of bloopers that happened during the process and some quotes.

Here’s a sneak peak (unedited): “Hey friends! I’m Mr. Minifigure Photographer, also known as The Biggest Little Photographer. One day in March 2014, 8 year old Thomas Darnell, was inspired by an article his mom shared with him. He bought me a minifigure size camera and I travelled with him everywhere he went for 365 days straight …..”

Our continued gratitude for those who continue to pre-purchase, share, comment, like, and watch the book trailer. xoxo

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Doing It Different

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August 25 2016:

Doing it different takes incredible faith and trust. It brings forth drastic contrast. Sometimes on a daily basis. Love these quick moments we think to capture in the midst of the contrast. xoxo

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Love,

Thomas, Lillian, and Camilla

Shining Moments and Another Milestone and Library

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August 14 2016:

Some of the best learning and teaching moments simply sneak up on us and happen! xoxo

A couple of Shining Moments from last week – Sent with love and blessings that you be in the moment and aware of the shining moments that happen in your own life in this upcoming week and always … xoxo

I took Thomas with me to the post office on Thursday and let him do the talking and paying. The lady behind the counter said at least 3 times how awesome she thought it was that I am teaching him how to mail something.

She said so many of the teens and young adults don’t know how to mail something. I had not really put thought into this. I had not pre-planned this post office trip with him so that he could learn something. It just happened naturally as we were standing in line. What a blessing!

We went to Trader Joe’s on Wednesday. I told Thomas and Lillian they could pick out a cheese while I got some other things. They spent a long time looking at all the cheeses and they know we don’t have much money right now.

I could hear them discussing it and in that moment time stood still and I knew everything is perfect, happening perfectly, and that everything will be okay and perfect! They chose one that was inexpensive but also a cheese they wanted. xoxo

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August 18 2016:

Reached another milestone today for Thomas’ book, Biggest Little Photographer! I had intended to be further by end of day tomorrow, yet, it’s great progress! We tremendously appreciate the shares, likes, and comments whenever I post about it here or on one of our blogs!

It helps us incredibly when we receive pre-orders. If you were planning on getting a book, come on over to Thomas’ website and check it out. There’s a cool 2 minute book trailer too! xoxoxo

(Here’s one of the photos in the book in honor of Library Day this weekend!) Due out mid to late Fall 2016 and will make awesome birthday or holiday gifts (or even Thank You gifts if you want to order in bulk). Here’s the link:https://thomasadarnell.com/author/

And here’s a bit about the book … ” …. This is not simply a photography book and not a photography book by a professional photographer. This book is about an 8 year old boy, with a passion for LEGO, and a huge heart.

An 8 year old boy who read an article about a professional photographer who had taken photographs of a mini figure taking photographs for 365 days. An 8 year old boy who then asked, “Can I do that?” and then bought a mini figure camera with his own money.

An 8 year old boy who used what he had, a donated iPhone 3G, mini figure pieces already owned, and spent less than $2.00 to purchase the camera piece. So, while you won’t find photographs of the highest quality and clarity within this book, you will find love, inspiration, and the knowing that whatever you dream, whatever you want to accomplish, it CAN be done. And you will find that life is what happens between asking, “Can I do that?” and “I DID IT!”

It’s about an 8 year old boy who, with determination and fun, completed a ONE YEAR photography project from the time he was 8 years old and ending at 9 years old.”

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August 19 2016:

Field trip included library day. Now up there with our other favorite library!!! Second time here and we love this place!!! Lillian was absolutely there … somehow I missed getting a picture of her! xoxo

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The Beauty of Blossoms and Investing and Another Step and Meteor Shower

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August 7 2016:

The poem is finally finished that goes along with the tree blossom painted rock.

I delivered the rock at the conference, yet, simply had run short of time and the heart space I wanted for creating the poem before conference. Thank you Steve Poteete-Marshall for your support!! Will mail it to you next week.

A friend posted the other image one day last week and it moved me to tears. Oceans of thanks and gratitude for all who support and encourage the creations I put forth … whether with my writings or other artistic creations! It truly means the world to me and my little Team TLC … xoxoxoxo

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August 11 2016:

Thomas wants to learn about stocks and investing so we went to the library today and got him a few books. I also gave him a couple of websites to visit. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a book, website, or class for beginners? I was really on top of it in the early to mid 2000’s …. yet, life kinda took a drastic turn! Thanks!

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August 12 2016:

Just finished one more step for Thomas’ book! Actually took a step backwards as we decided to group the photos into themes. Now we can continue with the layout. It feels wonderful to be one step closer!

Want a little burst of inspiration? Watch the 1 minute trailer. Even if you aren’t interested in the book, you might get a shot of “I can do it” from the trailer. Oceans of gratitude for those who continue to pre-purchase, share, and comment!

Here’s another of the photos to be included.

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August 13 2016:

Thomas and Lillian wanted to get up in the wee hours this morning to see if we could catch a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower.

My alarm went off at 3:00, yet I turned it off and went right back to sleep. Woke up again at 4:00, got them up and we walked to the lake. We didn’t see as much as we could have further out from city lights or if we’d done it yesterday morning, yet we each got to see at least one! It was so cool! Then home and back to bed!

These are pictures from our day yesterday. Working in the morning, found a heart shaped chip while making lunches, and then Thomas and I went for a swim. Shared an online business idea with each of them and they liked it so took the first step with that.

Lillian wrote and published her next “Emotions with Animals” blog post. I worked on Thomas’ book AND I found a website where Thomas can practice buying stocks in a simulated environment. He’s pretty excited about it! Busy day!

After receiving the extremely sad news about our C18 friend, Heather, we ended the evening with lots of discussion and writing compliment cards for each other and for ourselves.

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