Movie Night: Kiki’s Delivery Service

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August 24 2019:

Team TLC Movie Night – Lillian’s choice: “Kiki’s Delivery Service” – I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve seen this. About once a year since we first watched it years ago.

Lillian says, “Good, like the music and the songs, my favorite character is Kiki, liked the moral of keep trying and never give up, liked the story line, recommend 100%, my favorite part is the ending, and the animation is very colorful.”

I say, “Just adore this movie.” Quote from the movie, “Follow your heart and keep smiling.”

Thomas sat this one out.

News and Events: Cover Reveal for Words of Alchemy

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Book cover for Words of Alchemy will be revealed on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 1:00 pm PST! The reveal will take place on my Author facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CamillaDownsAuthor … I’ll be open to any questions anyone has and I’ll read a few poems included in the book.

You can pre-order a signed copy of Words of Alchemy using this link … WordsofAlchemy.com. The book debuts near the end of October, at which time it will be available on Amazon, and the signed pre-ordered books will ship as well.

One person will be chosen to receive a free copy of Words of Alchemy from everyone who comments during the event time 1:00 – 1:30 (if you are outside of the US, you will receive a digital copy). Join the fun and comment and you could win!

Book Blurb:

In Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs invites you to walk with her to share her love of Nature through a heartfelt free-verse poetry collection.

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. The Alchemy of Love and Healing is what happens.

Advance Praise for Words of Alchemy

“Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs heartfelt new collection, lives up to its namesake in numerous ways. Downs spans the broad range of nature, healing, love, and parenting, while making sure we have a little fun along the way. And the bridge she creates from the mindfulness of how we see the world at large to the poetry of everyday life is certainly worth a stroll or two across its borders.” – Thomas Lloyd Qualls, Award-winning author of Painted Oxen

“This poetry collection offers contemplative words, soothing thoughts and peace to the reader.” – Sue Bentley, Bestselling author of Second Skin

“Camilla Downs shares truth, vulnerability and wisdom in her Words of Alchemy collection, inviting readers to be inspired, contemplate and dive into her world of self-awareness and growth.” – G. Brian Benson – Award-winning author, actor and spoken word artist

“These poems take you on a calm and loving walk through the verses of the author’s thoughts. Alchemy is a perfect word for the title as Camilla Downs understands nature; connecting with its magical, medicinal qualities and beauty which she conveys throughout her poetry.” – Ailsa Craig, Author of The Sand Between My Toes

“Words of Alchemy is a chronicle of hope. Camilla Downs poetry is an encouragement, especially when we are feeling at our lowest, to keep seeking the light that is our way forward, and focus on the real. This collection is a walk through the positive nature of life. Camilla Downs is to be commended.” – Frank Prem, Author of free-verse memoir Small Town Kid

Walks of Love with Sun Angels as the Wind Blows

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August 20 2019:

Lots of love in last nights walk with Lillian. It took us double the time as we passed 4 neighbors, and I’m a wordy one!!

Lessons in leaning into the sadness of moving soon. After nearly 50 years on this amazing and beautiful Earth, I have learned (and am still learning) to lean into these times. Embrace them with open arms. For without this feeling, would not that mean that we hadn’t had a wonderful and beautiful 4 years of living here, of getting to know our neighbors, of sinking into the comfort of it?

I embrace this change as it carries with it much positive and good. Plus, we’ll only be about 10 minutes from here and can come back for walks anytime.

I felt a shift and lift today. Ahhhhhh ….. Gratitude returned to my heart and thoughts. Beautiful indeed. 🙏🏼💗💗💗🙏🏼 (We have about 3 weeks before we move …. we’re moving into a new construction community, so hopefully no more delays!)

August 21 2019:

Sunset walk for me yesterday. Beautiful sun angel in some of the photos and cloud angels in others. Magical ….

August 22 2019:

Sunset walk with Thomas tonight. Felt incredibly refreshing with a light breeze. Yum!

Nevada Humane Society Duck Races – River Rats

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August 18 2019:

Although Thomas and I haven’t been able to volunteer at the Humane Society in quite a while, he was adamant he wanted to volunteer at the duck races …. as a river rat. (The duck races are an annual fundraising event put on by the Nevada Humane Society. People adopt a rubber duck for $5 each and the winners, first ducks to the finish line, win things!!)

The river rat volunteers get in the river and line the “race” section so as to help any ducks that get sidetracked. 20,000 rubber ducks is a huge load of ducks!!! Once the race was over, we helped get the 20,000 ducks out of the river. That’s a lot of work!! Thomas is in the photo across the river from me. 😃

I’m so glad Thomas suggested this. I didn’t want to go. I’ve got so much to do and I’m not a fan of crowds. Yet …. I had so much fun!!!! Watching the kids and their excitement about it was heartwarming. And, I loved swooshing the water around the ducks who were headed for the side, to help them back into the race. Cool!

Throwback Post: Happy Mother’s Day Camilla 2012

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**THROWBACK POST**

May 13 2012

Yep, these two right here! They didn’t take me out to eat, didn’t fix me breakfast, didn’t buy me chocolate, flowers or jewelry. Don’t want that stuff from them …. What I do get from them is priceless …. their unconditional love and the lessons that each one of them teach me that help me grow and move forward in this amazing adventurous life of ours together.

Lillian’s Handmade Card: I love my family. But most of all, I love my Mom. Decorated with hearts and smiles and the three of us.

Thomas’ Handmade Card: Dear Mom: I like to play Uno with you. I like to run with you. I like to read with you. I like to go with you. Happy Mother’s Day. Love, Thomas … along with a ceramic wall hanger with his handprint.

Yep, I cried …. Happy, Warm and Peaceful Tears!! Hope EVERYONE had a GREAT day surrounded by those you love!

Thomas and Lillian May 2012

The New Place While Making My Way Reading

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August 12 2019:

Got to see the new place this afternoon .. styling with the orange vest and hard hat!! Less than a month now … We will lose a few great aspects of this place and community; yet, will gain great aspects that this one does not have. 🎉🎉🎉

August 13 2019:

Making my way through the “to do” list for this month and September. With Lillian turning 18 in September and our move in September, there’s much that needs addressed.

After two days spent educating myself about the qualifying aspects of SSI, I think I can check that one off the list. What a relief and weight off my shoulders for that one!

Now to address a call today that due to an agency losing paperwork that I followed instructions for submitting, and for which Lillian has received services for 2 months; they have decided she has to get on a wait list since they lost the paperwork the first time around. Tomorrow. I will deal with you tomorrow. I’m on a roll!! Bring it!

August 15 2019:

Currently reading. One is the second time around. I have different books for different times of the day. Two for early morning reading and one or two for before bed. How about you? What are you reading? Do you read different genres for different times of day? Or is that my special thang? Haha!

The Flame of Advocacy – Camilla Downs

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August 15 2019:

I know I am not alone in hosting in my heart a flame of advocacy for our children, and definitely our children with differences who cannot advocate for themselves.

My motto of “Love is the answer” was put to a true test this morning. In May I followed all directions, completed all paperwork for a service for Lillian; which was approved and we have used for two months now.

I was told a few days ago that since they did not process the paperwork properly (and actually lost the first set of documents I submitted, therefore making it overdue and Lillian not eligible) that Lillian would be put on the wait list.

I patiently waited for a reason for this from our contact person and only received, “nothing can be done”. So I asked for the supervisor’s name and email address. I sent an email yesterday to the supervisor with a time line of all conversations and emails showing that everything had been turned in and I can’t possibly control what someone does with it after it leaves my hands.

I received an email back this morning that blew me off and said that nothing could be done. After receiving this email, you bet there was huge anger rising. I absolutely had to concentrate on taking long deep breaths to create calm. HA!

I emailed back asking for this person’s supervisor and email address. I immediately received two phone calls and two voice mails and an email as the person I emailed thought that I was someone else, so she did not have the same tone and response had she had if she had known I was Lillian’s mom. I was okay with that since I know people make mistakes.

And, in that email where she said she was very sorry for thinking I was someone else, she also said she is asking administration to reconsider since everything was turned in and they lost it or misplaced it. And that we should not bear the cost of their mistake.

Well, thank you Ms. Supervisor. That is precisely what I thought too. I am so relieved you agree with me. I thanked her very much for stepping in and helping to right the situation. We shall see what they say. I may be continuing up the supervisor ladder … If it must be done, I’ll do it.

I am not posting this for sympathy. I am posting for solidarity, for strength, for courage … and just because that’s what I do. I share. Here’s to all who advocate for those who cannot. Whether they be human or animal.