Category Archives: News and Events

Throwback Post: Garden with Spa Day and Smoky Sunset

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

August 25 2014:

Just had a wonderful release this morning! Almost nothing like connecting with feelings, letting the flood gates open (aka eye sweating like crazy) and feeling the weight being lifted! Thank you to myself and to Dee Wallace!! Right after the eye sweating stopped, I received an email asking if I was available to sub a few days at HDMS. Did I tell y’all I got licensed to be a Nevada substitute teacher? Then I received an email that I’d been selected as a PAID writer for Smart Mom blog. Wahoo!! Bring it on! I AM that girl! Sending waves of love through the digital World!

**********************

I was whisked away to a beautiful, tranquil garden this afternoon. This is the amazing preschool/kindergarten garden at HDMS. Was my first time seeing it … WOW! What a beautiful space for kiddos to learn and grow!

_______________________________

August 25 2013:

Thoroughly enjoying my alone time! Having a home made Spa Day at the TLC Casa …. Long Reiki session, then a long soak in a hot tub with lavender and my coffee and water right next to me, then an amazingly refreshing Mudpot mask (100% natural clay from Black Rock Desert … Thanks Amanda Thiebaud Horn), then Fiji water and a lavender infused neck wrap. Last, the chef made me grits and toast with some almond milk! I give it 10 stars out of 10! Thanks to The Romano Duo for having Thomas and Lillian for a sleepover last night! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! I feel amazing!!!!

By sunset last night the smoke seemed to have cleared a tiny bit ….. Not so much now. Glad I stood outside for a few minutes last night during the short clearing!

____________________________________

August 25 2012:

Did y’all know there’s a video journey to accompany the “D iz for Different” book? It’s just 8 views short of hitting 200 views! I invite y’all to watch it … even if you don’t have the book or don’t even want the book … it may give you a little boost of motivation! Thanks tons and tons for everyone’s support!

Look where I got to have dinner tonight? Thank you Donna Holland and Phil … What a beautiful night, gorgeous view, yard and garden …. filled with delicious food & wine … and a night full of laughter and fun!! It was PERFECT … and Thank YOU Glenna E Smith for being there too and for bringing your niece over to hang out with T & L!! I LOVE y’all and am so grateful to have y’all in my life!!!!

__________________________________

August 25 2011:

Just had my Welcome Call from Lillian’s case manager for special education at her new school – Nevada Connections Academy! WOW! This just keeps getting better and better! We talked about Lillian’s strengths, weaknesses and interests. Lillian will have 4 Live Lessons a week with her regular ed teacher and one Live Lesson a week with her spec ed teacher! The adventure begins next Monday y’all!

***********************

Grandma is treating Team TLC to dinner!!! YAY!!!!

Throwback Post: Library Days With Soup and the Dentist

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 19 2015:

Team TLC library day! Bonus: Craft day too! Thomas and I picked out pieces to be a part of a charity quilt and they sewed them together on the spot. Thomas loved the loom! Oh my gosh. So grateful today was our library day and for the kindness and sharing of those who love what they do!

____________

September 19 2014:

And then I made this yumminess! Oh gosh! Its good! The little bit of fall weather had me craving soup. Fixed that!

No school today meant going for our library trip one day early! YAY!

________________

September 19 2013:

Relaxing and inspiring stop after Lillian’s dentist appointment. Shadow picture of mine and Lillian’s feet!

Picture of Lillian right before her dentist appointment today! She was so nervous cause she was getting xrays this time. I’m so grateful I gave myself the gift of becoming a Reiki practitioner … Gave her Reiki while we were waiting for the dentist so she was able to calm down. YAY Lillian! She did great!

Throwback Post: Subbing With Dishes While Going Back to School and Playing in the Water

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

August 27 2015:

Got to sub for the Creative Writing class again yesterday. We talked a little about judgments and then wrote about something beautiful and something ugly and what makes it so. Melt my heart to pieces with some of what they shared. One in particular, “Beauty in people is something you feel when around another person and not how a person looks.” I left a love note for Ms. Robin in her zen garden.

_____________________________________

August 27 2014:

My favorite part of “Back to School” night for Lower El (Thomas) was the mini nutrition education to the parents from another parent who is a nutrition/fitness expert! I listed that I wanted to come in and share with students how to read labels and ingredients on food items. What to avoid and what is okay, etc .. Favorite quotes from her, “Natural doesn’t mean anything. There is no 3rd party agency regulating the word natural on packaging.” And “It’s not do as I say not as I do. We have to show the kids by example when it comes to eating good nutrient dense foods.” I LOVE that lady!! YAY!! YAY!!! YAY!!!

________________________

August 27 2013:

Remember the dishes I unpacked during my purging this summer? One of the coffee cups decided this morning that it was done being a coffee cup. Jumped right out of my hand onto the tile floor! Decorated the stove, floor, my dress and dishwasher with pretty brown coffee …. and broke into many pieces! I’m still so HappY I unpacked them and use them every day …. think of my Mammaw Downs every time I hold one of the dishes. She gave me this set when I was about 17 years old.

Eye sweating moment for Team Member C … I stayed in the car while Thomas went inside Lillian’s therapy center to use the restroom. A beautiful young lady using a walker was headed in behind him. He stopped and held the door for her! YAY Thomas! He inspires me so much! Now he’s outside picking up trash off the street and sidewalk!

_____________________________________

August 27 2012:

“Doing fractions” … This was Thomas’ answer last week when I asked him Thursday what his favorite part of the day at school was … Hmmmm … Okay Mr. T … Rock ON!!

*********************

One batch of almond raisin cookies DONE … Now Team TLC is going for a walk … Yum and it feels so good outside!!! (gluten free if anyone wants the recipe)

___________________________

August 27 2011:

Fun event for Lillian’s new school – Nevada Connections Academy – just met the Principal!

Thomas is enjoying the food! Bowling next!! National Bowling Stadium

___________________________

August 27 2010:

WooHoo!!!! Thomas loves playin in the water plus there’s shade for ME! YeeHaw!

Throwback Post: Can I Interview You

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

August 27 2014:

Can I Interview You? … Finally getting caught up on some blog entries! This is kinda old news now, but I wanted to write a blog post about how it came to be. Plus, at the end of the article, I include a hint of what kind of project I’m working on bringing to the schools next. Have a phone call tomorrow morning for that adventure!

Latest News: Can I Interview You?

 

Throwback Post: Fortune Under the Moon with Mirror Writing and UNO

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

August 28 2015:

“Something special is coming your way.” The culinary teacher just walked by and gave me a fortune cookie. I thanked her and told her that I was waiting for my fortune to be told! Then, I opened it!! Thanks universe!! I knew it!! xoxo

Such a great walk tonight and then we caught the big giant moon playing hide n seek with a tree. Played a game of UNO on the front porch while the moon got brighter and higher. xoxo


______________________

August 28 2014:

Lillian says she has a talent and asks if she can tell others about it … Of course, Lillian! So Mama’s gonna share with y’all for her. Quite a while ago, she read a book about Leonardo da Vinci which talked about his mirror writing. Last night she told me that stuck with her and she’d been wanting to try it. Yesterday, during the brief time the teacher was reading to the class, she mirror wrote the alphabet and her name. She is so proud of herself. Here I am helping her tell others about her talent … Here’s a couple of websites about mirror writing … Any other left handers or C18’ers out there who can do this so easily? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_writing and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2117809/

I’m ready to spread some happiness! It’s a go! Just got off the phone with Seema from Project Happiness! It’s exciting to come across an organization whose mission and vision are so closely aligned with my own. They’ve got a 9 lesson curriculum for kindergarden through high school that teaches social, emotional and leadership skills. Now! Who here in Reno/Sparks/Tahoe wants this brought to your child’s school? … And, we’ll blog about it too! Here’s more: Project Happiness is working to help create a world where:

School bullying will no longer be a socially accepted behavior
Young adults will be taught to know and value their passions and personal strengths, and become more compassionate to themselves and others
Building one’s character will be as important as building one’s resume
Success will be measured by the degree to which we experience meaningful, fulfilling lives (not just by our job titles and credentials)

_________________________

August 28 2013:

Lillian has been home sick today … poor fairy angel! Thomas and I are playing UNO together on the floor and providing her some entertainment! Now, shoo shoo, whatever has her tummy upset and giving her fever! SHOO! We want our Lillian back!

_________________________

August 28 2012:

Thomas wants to know …. How do high winds turn over tall vehicles and trucks? I’m gonna start asking y’all some of his questions!!! (We passed the high wind warning sign for Washoe Valley and that’s what prompted this question)

****************

Just had to share this update from one of my Houma, Louisiana friends …. “With a hurricane bearing down on us nearly all the stores in town are closed, but the Daiquiri Shop and fried chicken place are open. Yep, I live in Louisiana.” Thank you Darrell ‘n Lois Solet for making me laugh!!! People cannot believe it when I tell them there are drive thru Daiquiri Shops …. Hey, they leave the straw out of the cup and in the paper y’all!!

***************

… and Lillian’s choice for falling asleep music … Zydeco …. Yep, that’s my girl!! I ♥ my Mississippi & Louisiana roots y’all

____________________________

August 28 2009:

BFF of mine (Lillie) just helped to bring back some awesome, innocent, happy, peaceful thoughts of childhood. Thought I’d share with y’all ~ seemed like a great way to start the weekend! Anyone else remember making home made ice cream with parents, grandparents, cousins? Fun of putting in the ingredients, excitement of waiting for it to get ready and then savoring every yummy scrumptious bite with family & friends

*******************************

Thank you Kathy LaCroix Buchanan for the awesome review of “D iz for Different” over on Amazon … Appreciate it times a million and appreciate having you in my life!! “An uplifting and honest book about facing life’s challenges. Teaches you that how you respond to adversity is within your control and that you can still be happy even when circumstances are less than perfect. As the mother of a child with special needs, I really connected with the author. A great read!”

Throwback Post: Fun Outside With Dried Peaches at the Beach

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

August 30 2013:

These two young people = Faith, Inspiration and Courage …. nice time outside at The Romano Casa tonight!

_____________________

August 30 2011:

Giving Lillian a spelling pre test . . . Called out “admire”, then the pre supplied sentence to use with it, “Whom do you admire most?” She turned around and said, “I admire you.” Awwww . . . made me stop being so serious for a moment!! Love that girl!

*****************

Thank you tons and tons Kimberly for the amazing veggies from your garden and the homemade dried peaches!! Lillian LOVED the peaches and I sauteed the veggies with garlic . . .my taste buds were in yum yum heaven!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

________________________

August 30 2009:

Just back from a minication with Thomas & Lillian to Incline Village/Tahoe. Left Sat morning & just back – what a beautiful place!! We had so much fun, Saturday at Burnt Cedar Beach & Pool & Sunday at King’s Beach.

Throwback Post: Blissful Day

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

August 30 2014:

Some beauty from our sunset walk last night. All 3 of us walked with our eyes towards the sky and Lillian and I were taking pictures like crazy! xoxo

Last night’s sunset had more to share than just stunning sky colors! Looked down just in time to see this! xoxo

Love, Love, Love …. The most amazing blissful day. And we didn’t go anywhere. Stayed home, read, cleaned, played a homemade LEGO game, wrote, helped Lillian with dolphin facts research, and went for our walk.

Throwback Post: Subbing While Swimming on a Panel With an Adventure

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 2 2015:

Got to sub last Friday for creative writing, this Monday for creative writing again, yesterday for Ruby, and today is creative writing again!! So blessed to help the teachers and grateful to get to share myself with the students. xoxo

We finally got to check out the pool tonight. Felt sooooo good! Awesome pool!

Thank you Jude Fourman Wolpert for capturing these pictures of Thomas participating in the sibling panel at the C18 Conference. What authentic people these siblings are … my eyes get all sweaty just looking at them and remembering what they shared …

_________________________

September 2 2013:

Adventure time! Late birthday celebration for Frank and early birthday celebration for Lillian at The Romano Casa! Team TLC is on our way!

I can see clearly now the smoke is gone. It’s gonna be a bright, bright, moon shiny night!!! Can you see the little heart shaped cloud? Just had to get out for a sunset walk now that the smoke has cleared …. Ahhhhhhhh …. Amazing and AWEsome!!

____________________

September 2 2012:

Been spending all morning cookin up all these over ripe tomatoes, peaches, plums and nectarines from my friend Kimberly. She brought us more yesterday. Thank you Kimberly!! Yum Yum!!

Quick little pretending to be tourist adventures for Team TLC …. Farmer T & L …

Finishing our tourist adventures with frozen yogurt adventures … YUM!!!! Thomas has root beer float flavor … He says root beer floats make cowboys go crazy … Um, okay Mr T!!

********************

That was one of the best dinners I’ve had in a long time made by my own hands …. YUM!!! Chicken with the fresh peaches I cooked earlier today and yummy toasted bread with the fresh maters I cooked earlier today …. Did I say YUM?? My tummy is so darn happy!

*********************

Just back from a walk on the trail in the dark with Thomas and Lillian … One of the best walks we’ve ever had!!! Nothin like walking in the dark with your kids, looking at stars, listening to crickets and just being together ….

________________________________

September 2 2011:

Last Friday night dinner with the very special Romano peeps {Patty & Frank} while they live in Reno before moving to Vegas!! Bittersweet . . . . looking forward to new adventures yet to come . . . happy, happy, happy about all the adventures we’ve had during the past 6-7 years . . . and a wee bit sad that our Reno adventures are coming to a close! Takeaway: Enjoy the darn pieces out of every moment y’all! Muah!

_______________________

September 2 2009:

She’s just a little nearsighted – was having issues seeing the board!

Isn’t she adorable with them on?

Throwback Post: Vaulting in a Wedding Dress with Handmade Stuff

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 3 2014:

Spring 2014 vaulting lessons for Thomas at Center for Adaptive Riding … Looking forward to next Spring and Summer so he can do it all over again!

The week I sold my wedding dress:

Reno/Tahoe/Sparks/Sacramento and surrounding area friends: Know anyone getting married next Spring, Summer or Fall? I had been saving this for Lillian but she doesn’t want it. Go me with purging! Here’s some info. Please feel free to share .. Ilissa Wedding Dress by Demetrios. Bought brand new for nearly $900. This is the magazine photo. I have the Summer 1996 “For the Bride by Demetrios” magazine with this photo also. The dress is no longer made so it’s likely you’d be one of a kind with this one!

It was cleaned and preserved by Merry Go Round cleaners in Los Angeles and is still wrapped in a special 100% cotton liner inside a Museum Quality acid-free coffer with a 100% cotton outer cover. I wore it for my wedding in 1998 and it was preserved shortly after that.

The back is sheer like the arms. The dress is a size 8, but there were alterations made to it to fit me perfectly. It was a tad too big. I am 5’7″ to give you an idea of the length.

$450.00 or best offer


___________________________

September 3 2013:

More creations for the Museum of Handmade Stuff …. made by Team Member T! A bull, a sun crawler and the egg beater … all army tanks! You go Thomas!


________________________

September 3 2012:

Being silly, reading, painting, reading, making oat bars, drawing, reading, water balloons, making memories, taking pictures and reading … PERFECT Labor Day for Team TLC!!