November 12 2023
Chad Basil the First appreciation post.
We love you, Basil! Totally not a lap kitty, but he tolerates us. Plus Basil loves to be petted. We get a kick out the varied and funny noises he makes. There’s the I found a bug noise, the Thomas is awake noise, the noise accompanying a big stretch, and the I see a bird noise. Love my grand kitty to pieces! 🖤🐾🖤
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I sure had some fun moments during my 3 years of subbing.
October 23 2015:
My romantic life is now secure. Three of the 5th grade girls in Ruby informed me today that they are going to set me up on some blind dates. I asked who they have in mind and they began pointing out classmates. I said, “Um, it will need to be someone for which the date would not conclude with me being jailed. So perhaps someone nearer to my age.” Silly girls! I do have fun and interesting conversations whenever I sub. Now for fall break! YAY!!!
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October 23 2013:
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to Assistance League Reno-Sparks for the gift of Operation School Bell. I overflow with gratitude for the kindness of others! Your organization will be receiving a special Thank YOU from Team TLC. Thank you to HDMS for letting me know about this amazing opportunity today!
I drift into slumber tonight with a heart saturated with the kindness of others …. I am truly grateful to the volunteers that were there tonight. I gave one of them a big warm hug and thanked her as we were leaving. I wanted to hug more of them … but they had their hands full and were busy! Thank you to my awesome Momma and Frank for meeting me there and helping me out too!! xoxoxoxoxo
Bartley Ranch Spring 2014 … Trees and Clouds are so cool!
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October 23 2011:
Thomas so has my number!! This morning’s Thomasism: “These are the best grits you have ever made!” He sure knows how to warm a girls heart!
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Mr. Bones and Mrs. Angel!!
Huffaker Halloween Festival!
Whew!!!!!! Team TLC carving is now complete!! Now that’s an adventure!!
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October 23 2010:
Gettin more Halloween books with Thomas & Lillian. Gonna have a camp out in the living room tonight. Gonna read scary books and watch something really scary like Scooby Doo!!
November 11 2023
It’s not until the 13th, but we had our Team TLC-Roman Duo Celebration today. We had pizza and wings and Thomas chose a chocolate covered neapolitan cheesecake. Delicious!!!
Happy 18th Birthday to this amazing, wonderful, love-filled child of mine.
My favorite memory with Thomas:
It’s impossible for me to choose just one memory. My favorite times with Thomas have been when we have our once-a-month date days, going for walks in different places, going out to eat, going to the library, and window shopping at the pet stores and bookstores. I cherish the memories of our bi-weekly library trips. We had so much fun, making ordinary events into adventures.
Here’s a memory that stands out. When Thomas was about 12-years-old, we were on a walk. It has recently rained and a worm was crossing the sidewalk. Thomas gently scooped the worm, moving them to the other side so they wouldn’t get squished by walkers.
Being Thomas’s mom has absolutely changed my life. I often hear people say that their kids changed their lives. When I say it, I mean, it absolutely freaking changed my life drastically. I held many judgments against others, some I was not even aware of. Having Thomas in my life, made me aware of this, and also helped me to have empathy and compassion for others.
My favorite thing about Thomas. I can’t possibly choose one. I love Thomas’s sense of humor. They make me laugh so much, and I have a great time when we engage in conversation. We have had some incredibly amazing, deep conversations, and lots of fun ones too!
I love that I get to be Thomas’s mom. They bless me more than words could ever express.
Happy 18th Birthday, Sweet Child of Mine!!
**THROWBACK POST**
October 22 2015:
On our way to the Harvest Festival at the lodge. That was fun!
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October 22 2013:
Congratulations to Emma Auriemma McKay on winning some awesome awards for her amazing artwork!! It was so heartwarming to see you Emma this past Friday …. and Susan too!! Miss you ladies! Thanks for the GREAT picture Emma! Hugs and Love to both y’all!
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October 22 2012:
Update regarding the “30 Day Journey of Life” that I began last Monday … Have FUN Y’all! “First, let me clarify that this Giving Journey is not about neglecting myself and my needs and putting others first. This has EVERYTHING to do with taking care of myself.”
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October 22 2011:
Picking up 2 donated iPhones from Tara in Louisiana!!! Thanks Tara!!!
Just another adventure for Team TLC!! Halloween fun and free doughboy donut and yogurt!!!
Just more adventures! We like this place!!
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January 2 2016:
Summer 2015 – Beautiful Tree at Virginia Foothills Park … Next time you’re near a tree, walk up to it as close as you can get …….. and. look. UP. WOW!! Breathtaking. Then, if it moves you, give that beautiful tree a hug! xoxo
Done! 2016 theme words are Love and Mindfulness. The main focus is to write.
Quotes:
“You’re intuition knows what to write, so get out of the way.” -Ray Bradbury
“You are in concert with the universe.” -A Course in Love
“Looking at herself or another, she sees the same thing.” -Hua Hu Ching
There’s more and I’ll be writing a blog post to share with mention of last year’s also. Two theme words for 2015 were Love and Meditate. I meditated an hour, 6 days a week, for the entire year! I plan to continue this practice. It has been miraculous.
Team TLC movie night … Gandhi …. “The way of truth and love has always won.”
Thomas says, “a Really good, spiritual, inspiring, good feeling, amazing.”
Lillian says, “Good, amazing, emotional, cool, and shocking.” “Wonderful,” I say.
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January 2 2015:
The two loves of my life just drove off with The Romano Duo for a sleep over. I get to have a date night with myself and a breakfast and lunch date with myself tomorrow! Even though I look forward to the time alone, it feels like a piece of my heart left with them. It’s good stuff for all of us, cause they have a ball hanging out with The Duo. Plus, Thomas gets “new” ears and minds to ask his many questions of … Here’s a fun picture of The Romano Duo and Team TLC taken December 24 2014.
The Romano Duo brought one more gift when they came to pick up Thomas and Lillian. The toaster oven toasted for its last time around Christmas eve. I use it every single day. I not only make cheese toast and cinnamon toast and plain toast for almond butter; I use it to heat left overs. I haven’t used a microwave in about 2 years! I reheat food in the oven, toaster oven, or on the stove. What I learned this time around is that the oven toasts pretty good. Bake for a bit and then broil for a bit! Works great! Thank you Mom n Frank!
Another finished and hung on the wall! “Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” -James Barrie … One of the quotes on Lillian’s board. Her 3 words for 2015 are adventure, happy, and fun. She wants to learn to crochet, write in cursive, and ride the train to the Chromosome 18 conference this July in Salt Lake City. I love her!! xoxo
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January 2 2013:
It’s a beautiful day y’all!! I’m embracing this day and am gonna enjoy the heck out of whatever I’m doing!! Hope y’all do the same!!
Thank you Bonnie for such beautiful conversation. So much enjoyed learning about you and signing your copy of ‘D iz for Different’. Let the “Meeting People” Adventures continue!!!! Wooooohooooo!!
I kinda like this “To Do List” Y’all!
Day #2 of no furnace .. Anyone with furnace knowledge …. Before it shut down yesterday morning, it sounded like there was a dirt bike in our attic! HA!! A dirt bike with it’s engine being revved up over and over. Anyone handy with furnaces have an indication if this sounds like a possible “easy” fix or a “time to make the oil heaters a permanent fixture” kinda fix? I haven’t climbed into the attic to look at it yet. Ya have to get on the top step of the ladder and that darn furnace is way on the other side from the entrance to the attic!! I’ll get up there if I have to if someone knows what the heck I should be looking at!! Hahaha! WoooHoooooo!! Let the furnace adventure continue!
Just came across this on my blog and was moved to share it! Right on Mr. Thoreau, Right on! “I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” -Henry David Thoreau
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January 2 2012:
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” -Aesop
Started my day with thoughts of kindness and gratitude. Was welcomed with an unexpected day all to myself and I’ve been spreading smiles and happiness everywhere I go! Think I’ll do this again tomorrow . . . . (Thank you Kat for having both T & L over for the day!!)
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January 2 2009:
Lillian’s latest NewsFlash!
https://pinkelephantbooks.com/2009/01/02/fork/
Latest post on Pink Elephant Books Blog!
https://pinkelephantbooks.com/2009/01/02/guitar-playing-lillian/
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October 28 2011:
Awesome Halloween Fest!!!
November 7 2023
She did it!!! After about 6 years, she finally had labs done! You on fire, gurl!
I found a place that does mobile draws, explained that Lillian has a needle phobia, a pediatric size body, hard to find veins, and a traumatic lab draw 6 years ago. They said they had the perfect person. And they do! Patrick Go is absolutely amazing, and he did a wonderful job! So relieved to have this done. There’ll be more after the GI visit in December. But at least we’ve begun!! Stomach ultrasound next week. 🎉🎉🎉
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October 26 2012:
Date day with Lillian = desert first!!!
Date day lunch with Ms Lillian. It’s a French fry variety lunch!!!!
Next stop on our October Lillian n Camilla date. Using some of her birthday gift card from Kathy!!!
Happy Hour Adventures at the Romano Casa. Bwahahahaha!!!!! Dinner at the Romano Casa = Perfect end to the Camilla n Lillian Date.
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October 27 2014:
He sure knows how to have fun! And, he writes comments like this in Lillian’s “love note” tonight: keep on working on brushing those teeth and I can understand you more every day. He is such a blessing and reminds me of things I have forgotten about this life.