Category Archives: News and Events

Praying Mantis – Making Himself Huge With Sushi and Eternals

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November 2 2021

We’ve had a lovely visitor at our front door for the past few days. Thomas was going to move him, as we were afraid we might step on the little fella. He wasn’t having it, making himself look huge!

November 5 2021

This afternoon was veggie sushi, followed by a matinee showing of Eternals with Thomas.

I have to share this wasabi powder. It is amazing!! It’s 100% freeze fried wasabia japonica (wasabi). Mix it with water, let sit for 10 minutes, and wow! 💥💥💥 It’s strong! Also this sushi ginger. Incredibly tasty!

The sky was gorgeous when we exited the theater, with both of us agreeing that we liked the movie.

Happy Birthday to Patty Romano – A Fun Photo Book

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November 3 2021

Completely forgot to share the photo book I made for my mom’s birthday last month. I’m finally doing something with all these photos I take!

Follow the link to see the full photo album …

https://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/interests/blank-canvas-25815708?vk=S6gTco51G2tlogjTLPVZ

Great Day to Mail Words of Alchemy and 2016 TLC Letters to Our Future Selves

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November 1 2021

It was a great day to mail a signed book with a surprise inside. (When I mail signed books, I include a short found poem, created using books destined for the trash, rescued from the library.) Your book is on the way, Renee.

Also a great day to mail these letters we wrote to ourselves in 2016, five years ago. We wrote them, sealed them, and I hid them in my fireproof safe box. I put a note on my calendar for 5 years out to mail them. Can’t wait to see what I wrote to myself! I absolutely do not remember!

November 3 2021

This was such a moving experience. Today we received the letters we wrote to our future selves five years ago, November 2016. Thank you 2016 Camilla. ❤️❤️❤️ Thomas likes his, too. Lillian likes the advice she gave herself.

News: Camilla as the Volunteer 18p- Coordinator

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October 30 2021

Some news to share. I’ve taken on a volunteer position with Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society.

Hi. I’m Camilla Downs and I’m looking forward to my role as the new 18p- Coordinator. My name is Camilla Downs (pronounced like Pamela but with a “C”), and I’m a mom to 20-year-old Lillian Darnell and 16-year-old Thomas Darnell.

Lillian has 18p-, being diagnosed when she was 3 years old after the pediatrician suggested genetic testing, due to Lillian being behind in more than three areas of development. The pediatrician called me as soon as she got the results, letting me know over the phone, rather than postponing until we could get in to see her. After pulling myself together, I found the Chromosome 18 Registry that night while searching online. This was before Facebook, and social media groups and I joined The Registry shortly thereafter. I spent time observing the conversations in the Yahoo listserv before jumping in, introducing myself, and asking questions.

The main ways 18p- has manifested throughout the years for Lillian are speech difficulties, chronic stomach pain, proprioceptive issues, balance and depth perception, difficulties with executive functioning skills, and inability to process emotions. In hindsight, I can see she exhibits many symptoms of autism. That is currently being addressed. In the past, she has done speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Currently, she receives craniosacral therapy and just began seeing a therapist begin work on her phobias. All of these issues are still with her.

I divorced in 2007, moving to Reno, Nevada from … Follow the link to read the full announcement …

Latest News: New Role as 18p- Volunteer Coordinator

Throwback Post: Just for Today With a Sleepover and Chutney While Celebrating With a Book and Picking a Winner

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**THROWBACK POST**

August 24 2015:

Got to sub in Stillwater today. After reading the virtue card affirmation this morning, I had them repeat this with me 3 times. Usually there’s lots of chatter to accompany morning work period. However, this time it was interestingly completely quiet for almost the entire morning. WOW!


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August 24 2013:

Team Member T and L got to have a sleep over at The Romano Casa tonight! They are getting ready to watch a movie now! Gonna miss my other team members tonight. Been a long time since we were apart on a Saturday night. However, I plan to thoroughly enjoy my time alone! And we will have our movie night tomorrow night! YAY!


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August 24 2012:

Straight from the garden cucumbers, tomatoes and onions … Fresh peaches, nectarines, cherries and homemade fruit leather and even a special spicy fruit leather for Team Member C … Spicy Peach Chutney!! AND homemade raw tomato and herb juice (that will be so darn yummy in an adult beverage later this afternoon!!) You bless my heart to pieces Kimberly Phipps-Nichol!!! I’m so grateful to have you as a friend and in my life!!!


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Celebrating a successful first week of school with tots, fries and ice cream … Here’s to LIFE y’all!!!

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It’s a GREAT day to mail a ‘D iz for Different’ book and a Different iz Good t shirt to a celebrity!!


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August 24 2011:

Extended Studies open house!!!! Thomas and Lillian drew the winners of the raffle!!

Dune with Thomas – Excellent Movie

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October 22 2021

Thomas Darnell and I walked to the theater this afternoon for a matinee showing of Dune. It’s about a 5 to 6 minute walk from our place.

Thomas loved it! He said it’s in the top 3 of his favorite movies to date, adding that with Hans Zimmer composing the soundtrack, of course it was great. He also thinks Leto I Atreides resembles Haile Selassie.

We’ve been talking about it on and off since leaving the theater. If you’ve followed our movie watching journey, you may know Thomas is a skilled critic of movies and when he is this excited about a movie, you know it’s damn good.

I definitely enjoyed it, too. I’m just not a fan of theaters anymore. It’s way too loud for me, to the point that I wear ear plugs during the movie. I can’t stand the previews and ads, and can’t pause the movie if I need to go to the bathroom. Hahaha!

Throwback Post: Pancake Dinner and Hello Fifth Grade for Lillian

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**THROWBACK POST**

August 29 2013:

A different dinner for a different kind of family! HDMS is having a pancake breakfast tomorrow .. we won’t be there so we had pancakes for dinner ….. with french fries! Now that’s just magical! Hahaha!


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August 29 2011:

1st Day of School for Lillian – 5th Grade Adventures here she comes!!

Vegan Eats: Jackfruit Tacos With Curry Butternut Squash and Steamed Vegetables

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October 8 2021

I made jackfruit tacos yesterday. They were so pretty, I had to take their photo. Had them for lunch and dinner.

October 13 2021

And then I made a curry, butternut and honey nut squash soup. Good stuff!

October 15 2021

One of my absolute favorite meals. Steamed vegetables over a huge serving of basmati rice, with a few dollops of vegan butter and a few shakes of pink Himalayan salt. 😋😋😋 (and heavily seasoned with my “everyday” seasoning.)