Category Archives: News and Events

Throwback Post: Walks While Having a Spa Day and Swimming

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 8 2015:

Went for my first solo walk this morning at our new place. Now for some writing and more unpacking. It’s a great day!!

On Saturday we had the very first beanie baby birthday party in our new place …. For the one named September .. Isn’t she a beautiful blue?

____________________

September 8 2014:

Came across this great quote in a book I’m reading right now … “The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in a place no one has ever been.” -Albert Einstein … I would say woman or man … AWESOME book, by the way. It’s called “I Am That Girl” … xoxo

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

Thomas has been wanting me to lay upside down with him on this grassy hill. It’s about a 90 degree angle. The first time I flipped backwards while trying to get up!

This caught my attention as I was leaving Perfect Balance Therapies, LLC this morning. Must be some great energy leaking out the doors and windows! Got set up on the calendar, got a key to the place, met some of the other practitioners and fitness ladies. My services will be formally announced to current PBT clients in the next few days. Who’s ready for some relaxing, healing, nourishing Reiki?

___________________

September 8 2013:

Thomas and Lillian got treated to a morning movie with breakfast at The Romano Casa! They had one more sleep over and I got one more home made spa day before we say Bon Voyage to The Romano Duo as the leave on Tuesday for a month long adventure to Mississippi to visit family and an amazing Caribbean cruise packed in the middle of family visits! Good stuff all the way around!

This young man warms my heart and reminds me to stay focused on LOVE! Said he wanted to have a bath just to soak and read! xoxoxo

________________________

September 8 2012:

How could sweeping and mopping the floors NOT be FUN when doing it to this and feeling grateful and blessed that I’ve got floors to sweep and mop and a roof over our heads??? WoooHoooooo!!! Bring it on baby … I’m sweeping and mopping them glorious floors!!

Family swim time adventures for Team TLC!!! Thanks Silver Bear Swim School & thanks Grandpa Frank … Just a few more weeks left of swim lessons … Then …. New adventures …

Team TLC Saturday Night Movie Adventures … We are a go for …. Buttered popcorn … (Space Buddies)

_________________________

September 8 2011:

Ice cream and French fries adventures for team TLC!!!!

_______________________

September 8 2010:

Lillian is havin her 1st lesson on the Ukelele. She just learned her C chord. YAY!!!!

Throwback Post: Shadows and Bread While Swimming

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 9 2015:

Working in the mobile office this morning while Lillian is building those muscles!! I came across one of the most amazing poems this morning … about shadows. “Shadows are everywhere” … I’m confident you’ll like it too! Go here to join the shadow world for a moment …

Shadows Are Always There

… You can subscribe to receive her posts of poems, short stories, book recommendations, and research reports as they are posted using the link at the end of the post.

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

Even bread knows about hearts. Thomas was eating a piece of bread with dinner one night and noticed his bread had shaped into a heart! xoxo

It’s been a week and a half in the new place. Just finished the second blog post about this adventure. We are in love with our tiny little place … xoxo

Living in a Tiny Home Adventures – Week One

Just had the most amazing swim! Felt so peaceful and sweet!! YUM!! Now, we’re all hungry! Thomas wants to know why swimming makes you so hungry. xoxo

Apparently going for a swim not only makes one hungry. It also drenches one with creativity when making dinner. Thomas asked for something different done with the chicken this time. Couscous & Chicken in Pumpkin Cream Sauce and French Style Flat Bread with mushrooms, Emmental & Parmesan cheese and sliced bananas with cinnamon and coconut sugar. My body is relaxed and full. I am content and peaceful. So wonderful!


_______________________

September 9 2014:

Could there be anything more beautiful and love infusing as a tender kiss on the cheek from the one you get to call your son? Swoon …. xoxo

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

During our walk last night Lillian said she wanted to give anonymous gifts to people we don’t know and asked for ideas. She referenced the times that she and Thomas had been the recipients of anonymous gifts. I suggested we could paint inspirational words/messages on rocks and give to people. She liked that idea! She suggested we could write “Love Notes” (my term) and hand those out anonymously too! She was thinking and brainstorming during our entire walk.

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

Preparing for the annual Lillian Presentation! The FUN begins tomorrow at 9:00 am in the Stillwater classroom at HDMS. Lillian’s classmates get to have a basic, mini lesson on genes and chromosomes and a huge lesson about non-judgment, differences, compassion and supporting one another!!

______________

September 9 2012:

WHEW!!!! Dusting, cleaning floors, getting rid of piles ALL day with a little ole Family Swim Time Break this afternoon with the Team …. I’m tired y’all; but darn this feels GOOD!!! Nothin like some good ole cleaning and purging to give a girl a pep in her step and to clear the way for possibilities ….

_____________________

September 9 2011:

Happy Happy Happy Early 10th Birthday to my AWE-some Fairy Princess Lillian and Happy Happy Woop Woop to Mama for getting her book to the editor this morning!!! WooooooHooooooooo, YeeeeeeeHaaaaaawwww and Hot Da**!!!

Throwback Post: Sunset Walks While Reading and Cooking

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 10 2015:

Just WOW! Beautiful walk tonight. Plus a moving quote from the bedtime book we read last night … “Do the little thing that comes from YOUR heart and everything might change, in ways no one could imagine.” – The Brave Little Parrot


_____________________

September 10 2014:

What a great morning presenting to Lillian’s classmates about chromosomes, genes, DNA, differences, acceptance, non-judgment, patience, loving and accepting our unique selves, supporting one another, and that Different iz Good! Even had a sweet young man buy one of my books for his aunt. He has a cousin with 22q-. He totally got my presentation. I could sense it in his energy and his eyes! YAY! These kids are awesome! Will post it all to my blog later today for any interested in sparking a conversation with your kids or perhaps you want to give a similar talk at your child’s school. xoxo

__________________

September 10 2013:

Just back from a soul soothing walk. Overflowing with gratitude for the abundance of serenity and peace Mother Nature shares so freely and effortlessly. Full up of LOVE!! xoxoxo

“I feel, no, I KNOW we are at the beginning of something beautiful, magical and amazing coming into our lives! I choose to present this to myself and my kids as an opportunity for adventure. I shared the exciting news with Thomas and Lillian this past Sunday night … carefully worded and presented as a shiny new gift on a silver platter just waiting to be opened ……” Who’s ready to set sail with Team TLC? Thanks Luther for the play on words!

Allowing the Gift of a Situation

September 10 2013: Gonna enjoy as many of these sunset reading moments as we possibly can in the next month and a half …. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!


___________________

September 10 2012:

I’m so excited!!! Prepping for my annual “Lillian Presentation”. Every year I present to Lillian’s classmates about her differences. This year I’ll have a larger audience as all of the 4-6 grade teachers want me to present to their students instead of just Lillian’s class! WOW!! I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to have these little minds to inspire and educate … My desire is that I say just the right thing, in just the right way to inspire at least one of them, hopefully more, to accept themselves just as they ARE and to carry that forward to acceptance and kindness towards those with differences … The magic happens this Friday, the 14th … not just any Friday and not just any 14th …. It’s a very special inspiring little ladies birthday that day too …. Rock on Ms. Lillian … Keep on shinin girl

Makin dinner adventures for Team Member T … Fillin my boy with confidence and kindness tonight … Spaghetti and Meatball Stoup … And I was Thomas’ helper all the way!

A little poem inspired by Team Member T & L this past July 2012 …


__________________________

September 10 2011:

About 10,000 feet up on Southwest Air on our way back to Reno from Vegas!!!


_____________________________

September 10 2009:

Awoke with these thoughts this morning. 1st & foremost we must trust ourselves. We must trust & support decisions we make even if we don’t fully understand why we must make certain decisions! Liked it so much thought I’d share!

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

Had a ball at Vino 100 Supporting Danell & Lisa with their wine tasting fundraiser for the 3 Day Walk next month! Man, those red wines were yummy!!

Throwback Post: Family Love Notes

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 15 2014:

Love notes. We write a love note to each other almost every Monday after dinner. We’ve been doing it for a year or two and it’s a special quiet time all together sitting around the table. Family Love Note Night! Live alone? Write a love note to yourself. Most times that’s how I write my morning journal entry. A letter to myself … Give it a try. It’s all good stuff!

Throwback Post: Flowers With Sunset Walks and Reading

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 11 2015:

Seven bags dropped off at Goodwill and a bouquet of sunshine delivered to the kind ladies in The Vintage office. Now I’ve got almost 4 hours of respite while Lillian spends some time with Ms. Kat.

As we were walking tonight Lillian pointed out that this would be her last Friday as a 13 year old. Indeed. She’s getting ready for her 14th trip around the sun. Good golly! xoxo


________________

September 11 2014:

A boy, a book, lovely green grass, and his guinea pig, Lovey! The perfect picture of LOVE!

I didn’t realize it was suicide prevention week. Last night I inadvertently landed on an old blog post of mine from 2012. Now, I know why. Sharing with you as it seems meant to be … And to quote my friend Jenny Payne Howe, “I share this, not because I want pity or empathy or any kind of crap like that. I’m sharing because it’s suicide prevention week.” ( https://camilladowns.com/2012/…/30/footsteps-out-of-darkness/ ) The climb out and the clearing and releasing of some deep “crap” from childhood through to 2006 has definitely been streaked with sadness and despair. Yet, it has been worth every tear, hurtful memory, and dark moment. I still take a step back here and there but that’s called being human. I love my self, I love this precious, beautiful life and I have an internal joy that remains no matter outside circumstances … Oceans of love to y’all! xoxo

Steps Out of Darkness

Just picked up a VERY happy young man! His first day of computer programming with NCLab! Thomas’ 3 words describing the class: epic, awesome, and love! Thank you to Stephanie for ordering one of Thomas’ LEGO prints and Scott for paying 5 times what we were asking for a print. One month paid for AND he paid for it himself … With your help! Next month is 3D printing!

Oops! Forgot to post the picture of Lillian and I before the Lillian presentation yesterday to her class! Both showing our chromosome 18 love with our shirts!


_______________

September 11 2013:

So much looking forward to being on Wednesdays with Debbie Torres McCarthy in the second half of her show this afternoon (America Matters Media! We’re going to chat about the Reiki session she experienced with me this past Monday and some additional thought shifting goodness along with the other afternoon guests! Live on 101.3 from noon-3:00. I’ll be a part of the show from about 1:30-3:00 along with other fabulous people! I think this is the link to listen via live and streaming … https://krng.streamon.fm/

Thank you Natalie Gorden for your trust, love and kindness … ““This was my first time experiencing Reiki and it was wonderful. I was so deeply relaxed and comfortable I was in and out of sleep! During my session with Camilla I even got a …”

Deeply Relaxing: Reiki Testimonial

_______________________________

September 11 2012:

As I was driving through my neighborhood on the way home from taking Thomas & Lillian to school this morning I saw one of my neighbors standing in the middle of the street with a bucket and shovel. I slowed down, put my window down and said, “What are you doing?” with a big ole smile. Apparently I missed our wild horse visitors earlier. She said, “I’ve got two more flowers to plant and I’m gonna use this.” I said “What a good idea and that’s so resourceful.” She said, “Well, that’s what we did during the War and after the War too.” (She’s an older gal from Germany.) We chatted for a minute. I smiled and told her to have a great day. As I drove home I was thinking …. “And you were letting the worry bug start invading your thoughts ….” Served as a good reminder to give worry the boot and know that we are creative and resourceful people and that anything is possible!!! Here’s to creativity and resourcefulness and to not letting worry block our creativity and resourcefulness y’all!! 

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

Isn’t this woman gorgeous??? Love her to pieces … That is ALL! (Patty Romano, aka Momma, in Gulfport, Mississippi …. getting some sand to bring back to Team Member T & L)


__________________________

September 11 2011:

On this day I am grateful to have y’all on this journey with me . . . grateful, blessed, appreciative . . .

Purging, Weight Loss, and Writing a Book

Bounce house adventures for Team Member T!!!

Throwback Post: Dessert While Subbing and Dancing With Donated Books

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 15 2015:

Afternoon birthday dessert for Lillian Darnell yesterday! We got one for Thomas too! Yum!

I get to sub in Stillwater today. Look at the amazing virtue for today, shared in morning circle. Flexibility – Affirmation – I am flexible. I keep changing for the better. I use my creativity. I welcome surprises. Love … xoxo


____________________

September 15 2014:

Our daily after dinner walk had to be postponed tonight due to the smoke. So, we had a dance party instead! Dazz Band, Aretha Franklin, and KC and the Sunshine Band … and Team TLC! ♡


__________________

September 15 2013:

It’s blurry but this is an amazing and wonderful picture … Lillian has not been able to blow out candles in the past. She blew out ALL 12 candles yesterday on the very 1st blow!! That’s why it’s blurry! I thought I was gonna get a chance to take more than one! HA!!! Wish I had got all of Thomas in the background! He was so excited for her and jumping for joy! He ran over and gave her a hug … he was so HappY for her!! Here’s a video from January 2011 of her blowing out a candle for the 1st time …. You can see how difficult it was for her! Wahooooooooo Lillian!!

The purge before packing has begun! 11 bags of books to take to Grassroots Books! Suggested to Thomas and Lillian that we each get to pack one box of books taking the rest for credit at GB and they liked the idea! This feels good! Wahoooo!


___________________

September 15 2012:

There’s nothing like a good colorful fairy tale … Team TLC Movie Night … Time for underwater adventures …


___________________

September 15 2011:

“I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand” . . . Team TLC couldn’t take it any longer, listening to Halloween music and getting out just a few decorations . . . AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

___________________

September 15 2009:

Just back from Lillian’s bday celebration at school! I arranged for Ashton the Magician to perform for them! They loved it! I love being around kids when they are laughing so hard like that & completely in awe of his tricks!! Thanks Linda McLean for that connection!!!!

Throwback Post: Gratitude Art and Sunset Walks

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 12 2014:

Lillian often tells me I’m crazy. I say to her, “You’re right about that. Thank you for noticing!!”

I’m off to hang out with the cool kids in Candelaria this afternoon! Got a fun gratitude art project for them which kicks off with a little something to give those little imaginations a jolt! YAY!!

______________________

September 12 2012:

Sunset walk adventures … So good for the Soul …

Throwback Post: Best Day of My Life

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 16 2012:

Gosh! Yesterday was an amazing, blissful and peaceful day.

Bliss = At the end of the day your 6 yr old son says to you, “This was one of the best days of my life”, knowing that it was a simple day. Hanging out at home together until after lunch, then Thomas treating Lillian to a gluten free donut for her birthday at Haven on Earth Bakery, then the library and then the used book store. That’s all, and that’s all it takes.

Throwback Post: Painting Rocks While Going for Walks

Posted on by
Reply

**THROWBACK POST**

September 16 2014:

Lillian’s 13th birthday party was a rock painting party! Thomas made this cool car for his friend Max who loves cars. We collected bunches of cool rocks at Boca Reservoir a few weeks ago. Can’t wait til I get to paint some! Fun stuff!

Damonte Ranch Spring 2014 .. wetland bird preserve … one of my favorite places to walk!


__________________

September 16 2013:

Sunset walk with Thomas last night … He left a “Happy Fall” message for some lucky person to discover! xoxo

Facilitated deep calm and relaxation for 2 Reiki clients today … I so much enjoy doing this! I swear the one hour sessions only feel like 10 minutes! xoxo

________________________

September 16 2010:

Just finished giving my presentation to Lillian’s 4th grade class about Lillian and her differences! They asked such good questions and even gave up a few minutes of their recess time to keep askin questions. One student thanked me after wards and told me how interesting it was to learn more about Lillian ~ MADE IT ALL WORTH IT ~ if I inspire at least one child!