Category Archives: News and Events

The First Week of Stay at Home Vacation

Posted on by
Reply

August 9 2020

The First Week – Stay at Home Vacation and Social Media Break

I was moved to write about the first week (July 26 – August 1, 2020), and now I know why. I feel so much better having simply gotten my thoughts out. I already know writing is therapeutic for me. However, that does not mean that I don’t fight it like mad sometimes.
Although I called the time away a vacation, if felt like anything but a vacation. The first day was fine. I read nearly the entire day. It’s been like a roller coaster ride of peaceful moments, moments of boredom, periods of sadness, and times of just not knowing what to do with myself.

I’m aware that each of these moments had an underlying cause. I’m still working through the why of all of it. Most times, I simply tried to let myself be with whatever I was feeling, as uncomfortable as it felt.

I really did not expect this to happen. I assumed I would have a lovely time, getting caught up on other tasks, and just taking it easy. For this reason, I am going to continue the break for the full two weeks. I popped into social media on Sunday the 2nd to respond to notifications, and did that a few more times throughout the week. However, I put off posting anything new until I returned fully on August 9th.

I did get much done that had been … Go here to read further …

The First Week – Stay at Home Vacation and Social Media Break

 

Bucket of Blood Saloon and the Sound of Wild Snails Eating – Camilla on A Little Book Problem

Posted on by
Reply

July 17 2020

I’m having Friday night drinks with Julie in the UK! Plus, we’re chattin’ about Mark Twain, Bucket of Blood Saloon, Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, Garden of the Gods, Lake Tahoe, and the sound of wild snails eating … Grab your drink and join us …

Friday Night Drinks with… Camilla Downs

 

Completion of the ABLE Account With a New Wall Switch

Posted on by
Reply

July 14 2020

Look what arrived! This completes setting up the ABLE account!!! Lillian now has her first debit card in her name!! Done! YAY!! Now. Time for a look at my estate planning and creating a Special Needs Trust.

July 25 2020

I’m so excited! They finally installed a wall switch to control the fan, instead of the remote control. (Too many folks on the same frequency. Which meant the light and fan speed would change randomly.) I was able to sleep with the fan on last night. Plus, complete control over the speed of the fan and the light. Woohahaha!! Yay!! Bonus: Now we have a dimmer option and an extra fan setting.

Oh, and I got distracted for about 15 minutes taking fan photos. Yep, I’m like that.

Night Angel With a Library Visited by an Orange and Colorful Bouquet of Sun

Posted on by
Reply

July 21 2020

Walk with Lillian last night. We’ll have to take this again in daylight. She and I have been taking our walks together after dinner once it’s cooled down.

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

Just back from the library. It’s been a little over a month that we’ve been able to pick up books from the drive-through window at the library. Thankfully, the line has gotten shorter, the wait not as long. The first time it took an hour.

We sure do miss our volunteer time. We used to be here every Wednesday afternoon shelving books and pulling holds. Last I heard, volunteers would not be returning until January 2021. We miss the library and especially the folks at South Valleys Library. However …. YAY for library books!!

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

Lillian looked outside and said the sun was shining orange. I’ve lived here long enough to know what that means. Fire about 4 miles from us in one direction. Dark cloud in the other direction, bringing about 5 minutes of heavy rain. More rain please!! Seems to be small. Confident they’re getting it under control.

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

Sunset walk with Lillian. Took some photos before it got too dark. Great walk!

July 24 2020

Another wonderful sunset walk with Lilian yesterday. Not a fan of all the lighting, but sometimes it looks cool.

July 24 2020

Bought myself a bouquet of colorful flowers.

Outrageously Determined Warrior Woman – Camilla on the JQM Spotlight

Posted on by
Reply

July 13 2020

Much thanks to James for having me on the JQM Literary Spotlight today! We’re chattin’ about an outrageously determined, trailblazing, heartfelt, warrior woman and how I became an accidental poet. Join us …

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS Words of Alchemy by Camilla Downs

Throwback Post: Sparks Hometown Parade

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

December 6 2014:

Thomas really got to infect people today …. With his smile. He got to be in the Sparks Hometown Parade with his High Desert Montessori buddies. They handed out candy and $1 off coupons for Kids on Big Rigs which is a fun event for kids in April that’s also a fundraiser for HDMS. Thanks Stacey Perez for putting this all together!

**August 2020 Note – Thomas attended High Desert Montessori school from 1st – 4th grade. It was the perfect fit, the perfect situation, the perfect school for him. We LOVED our time there!! From fifth grade on he has been homeschooled. He’s now in the 9th grade.

2020 Chromosome 18 Virtual Conference

Posted on by
Reply

July 13 2020

The Chromosome 18 Annual Family Conference that happens every summer got postponed this year. We would have been in San Antonio last week for it.

However, they put together a virtual conference with one live session every day this week. Plus, a live virtual dance party on Saturday!

My head is spinning after this session. Incredibly grateful for the abundance of information from Benji!

July 14 2020

Today it was the self-advocate (Club 18) Panel

Two amazing hours hanging with the self-advocates. Getting to hear them answer questions about living on their own (or not), driving (or not), how things have changed for them due to Covid-19, their jobs, and their lifestyle. So wonderful!

The Chromosome 18 Annual Family Conference that happens every summer got postponed this year. We would have been in San Antonio last week for it.

However, they put together a virtual conference with one live session every day this week. Plus, a live virtual dance party on Saturday!

July 15 2020

Another great one for planning purposes. Overlapped a tiny bit with Monday’s session (in a good way), but covered many different topics. Worth it to watch the recording.

The Chromosome 18 Annual Family Conference that happens every summer got postponed this year. We would have been in San Antonio last week for it.

However, they put together a virtual conference with one live session every day this week. Plus, a live virtual dance party on Saturday!

July 16 2020

Today was the Sibling Panel!

Thank you so very much to all the siblings. It’s wonderful and enlightening to hear your perspective. Huge thank you to Thomas for your honesty, and balancing out the panel as someone who doesn’t have a shining relationship with their sib. I AM incredibly proud of you!!!!

July 18 2020

Blurry photo, oops! Last session of the online conference. Look at all the beautiful faces Neale Parker has as his background. Looking forward to the dance party at 5:00 PST. 🍀💐🍀

The Chromosome 18 Annual Family Conference that happens every summer got postponed this year. We would have been in San Antonio last week for it.

However, they put together a virtual conference with one live session every day this week. Plus, a live virtual dance party on Saturday!

July 18 2020

The finale of the annual Chromosome 18 Family Conference. A fabulous dance party! Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society

Oh my gosh!!! That was so freaking fun!! It was amazing to see so many C18 faces!! YaY!!! WE ARE FAMILY!! 💃🌸🌸🌸💃 I was cooking dinner and dancing! Ha!

The Chromosome 18 Annual Family Conference that happens every summer got postponed this year. We would have been in San Antonio last week for it.

However, they put together a virtual conference with one live session every day this week. Plus, a live virtual dance party to end the conference!

S’mores with Crispy Crunchy Okra and Some Other Stuff

Posted on by
Reply

July 14 2020

S’mores!

July 16 2020

I felt like having this for lunch today. So, I did. Ha! Crispy crunchy okra, Miyoko’s cultured farmhouse “cheddar”, tomatoes with Himalayan pink salt and pepper, kalamata olives, marinated artichoke quarters, pugliese artisan bread with milkadamia buttery spread, sweet cherries, truffle Marcona almonds, and sweet & spicy pecans …. Can you tell I had just gotten back from grocery shopping? This was incredibly satisfying.

Powerfully Personal and Enlightening – Words of Alchemy

Posted on by
Reply

July 12 2020

What a gift to receive this morning before leaving for my hike! I was in tears. Thank you, Bill!

In Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs invites you to walk with her to share her love of Nature and Life through a free-verse poetry memoir. During her daily strolls she is mindfully present as she delves into life in the raw and experiences her heart’s observations. Camilla embraces what happens when she opens her heart and invites the written words to flow.

Camilla Downs is a powerhouse – a one-person publishing house, selfless promoter of fellow authors, bestseller, blogger, photographer, and mom – the order of which is not prioritized. I met Camilla through online authors’ networks. We swapped books, as you do. And I immediately fell for her story – relatable, inspiring – facing challenges, overcoming obstacles, and being a role model. In other words, a good person. A person who, among other things, fuels her creativity and capacity to give by immersing herself into landscapes – communing with the outdoors, shooting photos, and writing about all of it.

Go here to read the full review …

Words of Alchemy by Camilla Downs