Tag Archives: camilla downs author

Respite with a Lovely Dinner Followed by the Detention Center with Picard

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January 22 2020

First respite in our new place. Had a lovely dinner of salad and mashed red potatoes, alongside a soft, mouthwatering piece of garlic naan.

Lillian left this afternoon to spend a few days with The Romano Duo. Yay for her! Yay for me! Yay for Thomas!

I’ve helped Thomas hang a few treasures on his wall. Now I’m off to have a long hot soak in an epsom salt bath. Ahhhhhhh … 🛀💙

January 23 2020

Day 2 of respite – Toured the Washoe County Detention Center, bought toilet paper and bread, answered questions for a book blogger who will blog about me and the latest book, went for a walk, hung more treasures on Thomas’s wall, and signed up for a free trial on CBS Access just so I could watch this.

I haven’t watched TV or a television series since 2008. The free trial is only for 7 days so I won’t be watching further episodes …. for now. I think I’ve had a very interesting (weird??) day!! Ha!

March 8, 2020 Update – After the free trial, I got notice that Amazon was offering a free trial also. Signed up for that and got to watch the second episode. Due to a mix up and error on Amazon’s part (charged me during the free trial – so gave me a free week or two), I got to watch more episodes. I’m committed until the end now! HA! I think there are 3 episodes left for the season. It’s been nostalgic and wonderful to watch Patrick Stewart in this role again, along with the guest appearances by other cast members.

Memories and Treasures Sealed for Years

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January 11 2020:

Unpacking boxes that have been sealed for years. My mammaw Downs always made me feel good, a warm and strong energy she had. Even at 9 months old I was all smiles in her arms … (along with cousins Stephanie and Stacy).

Having left school in the 2nd grade due to her mother’s death, she did not know how to read. She was needed to help with the sharecropping and with the rest of the family. “Sharecropper’s Granddaughter” .. Sounds like a good book title, doesn’t it? HA! This beautiful woman knew how to grow a vibrant garden, can and freeze foods, bake and cook … With no fear of speaking her mind. Thank you, Elnor Key Downs, for your blood that flows through my veins.

January 11 2020:

Near the beginning of our reuniting, of sorts. After living about 7 states apart for 7 years, it was not too long after this photo that I packed my car, left Mississippi, and made my way to Washington state (where mom and Frank lived). Photo taken in June 1988 when mom and Frank came for my high school graduation. I feel one of the BEST decisions I have ever made … ❤️❤️❤️

Near the beginning of 30+ years as step-father and step-daughter. What a blessing you were, have been, and ARE, Frank C. Romano Jr! Photo taken in Summer 1988 in Gulfport or Biloxi Mississippi, when Frank and my mom came down for my high school graduation. ❤️❤️❤️

Christmas as a 2 year old – December 1972 … Jackson, Mississippi …

My great great grandfather, who I have been told was a full blooded Chickasaw Indian who left the tribe, taking the name of Robert Downs. Shown in this picture with my great great grandmother. It would be really cool to know his Native name.

January 12 2020

Found a 2012 letter from my Secret Admirer(s) while unpacking. A most special treasure, especially as the admirers get older. ♥️♥️♥️

January 19 2020

I have about 12 old albums with the adhesive type photo pages. I began by slowly peeling them, but that left the photos curled and left some of the backing on the page.

Last week I searched online and found that dental floss will work. Just tried that and it works! The photo came off perfectly. Although, it took lots of wiggling and removing 3 photos used one piece of dental floss. So … need to go buy cheaper dental floss before continuing.

Photo of me at 3 years old in the snow. Snow in the deep south is occasion for big smiles, no matter how small the amount. (Smithsonian video showing the technique … https://youtu.be/fcDlbNi-9D0)

 

First Two Shipments Have Arrived and Flying to the UK By Way of Cookie Heaven – Words of Alchemy

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January 4 2020

Guess what arrives next week? The first two shipments! Who else would like one?

January 6 2020:

Just received the first shipment! I’m ready to personalize, sign, and mail these beauties! Who’s in?

January 9 2020:

A bowl of tomato soup at GreatFull Gardens. The perfect lunch to accompany chatting with you Gerry Foster McCarroll! May you enjoy the book! Thanks for the support. 💜💜💜

January 13 2020:

It was a great day to mail a book to the UK. Along with getting caught up with nearly all books ordered to date. It’s funny how the really long, slow moving line at the post office doesn’t bother you as much when you’re mailing your book to readers!

I’ll be making another trip to the post office near the end of the week or early the following week. Let me know if you’d like to be included in that mailing. Overflowing thanks to all! 🙏❤️

January 16 2020:

Making a trip to the post office tomorrow morning. Got one headed to cookie heaven by way of Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies in Georgia, that’s some sweet alchemy, there! And bunches headed to warmer weather in Pensacola, Florida! I’ve got new material to create the fun little messages hidden inside the books, too. Can’t wait to be creative tomorrow morning! Let me know if you’d like a personalised, signed copy sent your way. ❤️❤️❤️

January 18 2020

Has anyone received your book yet? Hope they are arriving with the TLC they were packaged with!

Thomas and Camilla January 2020 Date Day

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January 16 2020

Thomas and Camilla January 2020 Date Day

First stop: We walked to Ike’s Sandwiches. I’ve been wanting to try this place as they have an abundance of vegan options. I mean, vegan Dutch crunch bread!! This is a photo of my sandwich, I think it was called a MacDaddy or something like that. Enjoyed with a side of fries. I was only able to eat half of it. Pretty good.

The almost all white photo is what we walked back and forth in. We had planned on going for a trail walk when finished with lunch, but, we were kind of wet (and cold) when we got back.

So … Change of plans, Thomas wanted me to play Deltarune. I did much better this time around.

Ended with a game of Monopoly. Love date days!!! ♥️♥️♥️

Going Ape with the Elephants While Being Worn Out

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January 5 2020:

Thomas helped decorate the open shelving in the kitchen. I put the elephant there, cause elephants. Thomas added the gorilla. He says I can look at him while I’m doing dishes. 🦍🖤🐘

January 16 2020:

They don’t look worn out, do they? I had a fingerprint live scan this morning. The tech had issues with a few of my fingers, commenting that my fingerprints were worn out. I didn’t know that was possible. Ha!

Kinda matches the rest of me, though. 2020 is the year, the beginning of a decade, of pressing the reset button, with focus on becoming un-worn out. I feel the relief in my bones, my cells, every breath I take. Here’s to unwornoutness!! 🎉❤️❤️❤️🎉

Here’s to Keys and Maybe Money with a Brand New Couch

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December 31 2019:

Anytime is a good time to toast with sparkling mineral water. Especially when you’ve finally, finally, finally been given the key to your new place. And when, after nearly 4 years, Anthem Blue Cross finally decided to refund the $50 that was overcharged, that you spent hours and hours and hours on the phone to get them to refund ….. nearly 4 years ago!

January 4 2020

Look what was delivered yesterday. I’m in couch heaven. Thank you to The Romano Duo!! So excited for movie night tonight!

Thomas and Camilla December 2019 Date Day

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December 30 2019:

Thomas and Camilla December 2019 Date Day

A lovely walk to Burger Me where Thomas had a Train Wreck burger with onion rings and I had a veggie burger. Then, more walking.

I’ve been preoccupied with getting the Meeting the Authors website back up, so our date day was cut short. Hours on the phone and much frustration. It will happen eventually. Everything is backed up. Just need to get it back on the site. Thanks to those who have contributed towards the recovery fund!

Placing a Second Order – Words of Alchemy

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December 22 2019:

Moving day approaching …. Again! We finally get to move into our unit on Friday, 12.27. We have definitely enjoyed the lovely view from this temporary place. Yet, we are more than ready to be able to unpack, put things on the walls, curtains up, and make our place into our home.

It’s going to be wild unpacking things that have been packed for about 2 years! I’m positive I’ll be doing a bit of purging! Maybe Thomas and Lillian will join me.

With that approaching, I’m placing a second order of books tomorrow and both orders should arrive not too long after we get moved. The timing is aligning perfectly, as we’ll be done with the final move and I can sit down and concentrate on personalizing and signing the books! Let me know if you want to be included in this round of ordering.

December 28 2019:

I’ve placed the second order and received the first pre-order for a personalised, signed book for a lovely person in the UK. Considering that it costs nearly double the cost of the book to ship to the UK, it is a wonderful compliment and show of support. Should be receiving the first 2 orders in the first 2 weeks of January.