**THROWBACK POST**
August 5 2015:
Half price Wednesday! It’s been at least a year if not two. Awesome new fun since our last visit!
Half price Wednesday! It’s been at least a year if not two. Awesome new fun since our last visit! I have a lovely “Y” on my right hand. Left hand has an “H”. My veins prove it …. I’m HY on life and love!!
Half price Wednesday! It’s been at least a year if not two. Awesome new fun since our last visit!
**THROWBACK POST**
August 6 2016:
The drive back home …. Lake Tahoe is incredibly beautiful. Words and pictures simply cannot capture the grace and peace.
It was library day for Team TLC. We have wanted to visit Incline Village library for years! Today was the day!
Thomas and Lillian had a great time and Thomas said he never wanted to leave. Beautiful drive up and back down Mt Rose.
“To open a book, is to discover another world. To read a book is to explore those worlds.” ~me
April 3 2022
On February 26, 2022 I turned 52 years old. I seem to be behind in many non-urgent tasks these days. My body decided to get my attention once I hit 50, along with being extremely exhausted. I’ve had my hands full addressing some health issues, along with addressing urgent or deadline intense matters for Thomas and Lillian.
We had a low-key, mild celebration. The Romano Duo and my brother came to our place, with Frank kicking things off by making me a couple of virgin bloody marys. We had lunch together, opened gifts, and then enjoyed a vegan, strawberry rhubarb pie. Thomas chose a gorgeous flower bouquet for me. ❤️❤️❤️
We also celebrated a win for Lillian. She has pretty much conquered her fear of cats, so we lit a candle for her to blow out in celebration. There’s something to be said for exposure therapy. It absolutely worked magic when Thomas finally convinced me to allow him to adopt a cat. Chad Basil the First came into our lives in December 2021 for Thomas to care for and have as emotional support. Lillian has slowly warmed up to him, at about the same pace as Basil has taken to open up to us.
It’s been all I can do to keep …
March 22 2022
Thomas and Camilla March 2022 Date Day
A walk on a favorite trail, a place which holds many memories.
Ending with vegan sushi for dinner. The owner/sushi chef is incredibly kind, and knows her stuff. She made us a dish, not on the menu, just a make in the moment dish, according to what we had been ordering.
The Sweet Lover dessert roll was amazing, and I’m glad she suggested we split one, instead of ordering two rolls. She even made Thomas a complementary roll to go. I am incredibly full!
**THROWBACK POST**
August 9 2015:
Exploring after the swim yesterday. This entire property is incredibly beautiful!! Amazing trees and views.
March 11 2022
Lillian and Camilla March 2022 Date Day
First stop: Stone Age Quarry where Lillian bought a handful of beautiful stones, and we admired these huge amethyst Angel wings. Gorgeous!!
Next stop: Fries and dessert.
It was a lovely date!
March 5 2022
Exciting news to share!
I have been offered and accepted a very part-time position with the Family Navigation Network (FNN); which is a project of the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED). NCED is a part of the University of Nevada, Reno.
I’ll be working about 10 hours a week, with the opportunity to work 20 hours a week. I just don’t see the 20 hours happening any time soon, though. I finally hit 10 hours last week. Ha! I’ve been with them for about a month now, just have not had the time to make a proper announcement.
Family Navigators help connect families with resources that they may not have known about; while at the same time collecting resources and information that we can share with families. So far I’ve spent much of my time onboarding, attending webinars (to learn about more resources, and the like), and have stepped into researching what type of information and resources Nevada families need.
When I come across resources I feel would be of benefit to my Chromosome 18 family, I make sure to share them in the 18p- facebook group as part of my volunteer coordinator role.
Here’s a description from the NCED website:
News: Camilla Joins The Family Navigation Network – A Project of NCED
**THROWBACK POST**
August 11 2014:
Date day with Lillian! First stop … Swimming … And spreading love!! I made the big one. The other two made themselves! xoxo
Next stop …. Lunch! Salmon and garlic fries. Then a quick walk around! Cool!
Second stops were a couple of thrift stores to window shop. However, we did get a few items. So fun!! Then, home for some homemade dessert. Chocolate chip almond cookies! YUM!! Dinner will be a wee bit late since we just ate our lunch dessert! HA! Here’s the recipe for the cookies .. https://camilladowns.com/2013/06/13/almond-flour-cookies/
**THROWBACK POST**
August 10 2014:
Just put a big chunk of my heart onto a plane headed to Seattle. Some opportunities for learning are so challenging (learning opportunity for me as Thomas is going to visit his Dad and his Dad’s family).
I choose to be grateful for this chance to learn that Thomas is a sovereign individual and he will be just fine amongst those who don’t share my philosophies, our style of living and who don’t think very highly of me.
I’ll be back to retrieve that chunk of my heart on Thursday. I’ve wrapped that entire plane with so much love and blessings, I know everyone on the plane will have a great flight! xoxo
His skill at not being easily influenced is being heavily tested as is my ability to let it be ….
As unpleasant as it is, I’d prefer him be exposed to some adverse circumstances now while he is still young and respects what I share and teach. This is a good lesson for him in opposing views, teasing, criticism and confusion. He’s getting a full meal deal! He told me last night he’s ready to come home. Hopefully, he and I will process all this in a healthy way and allow us to expand and grow! Hugs to all y’all!
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Hung out all day with the girl in yellow … Read, ate dinner, played UNO and went for a walk. Got to Skype with Thomas and read our bedtime book via Skype too! Great day!
August 11 2014:
Spring 2014 …. Walk without Thomas … Miss that young man … and this life lesson can hurry up and be over. Is it Thursday yet? Connecting with some not so fun emotions. This calls for some heavy duty spreading of love tomorrow!
**THROWBACK POST**
August 11 2016:
Lillian and Camilla July 2016 Date Day …. July’s date day was delayed due to our travels to and from the 2016 Chromosome 18 Conference. So we did something different for this date day.
After dinner Lillian and I headed to Whole Foods to pick out a cookie from the “Cookie Bar” … cheapest dessert ever …. and made with real food ingredients!
Next up we took our cookies to Audrey Harris Park so we could eat with a lovely view. When we got there, we saw the park was closed due to an event down below at the Bartley Ranch stage. We decided to go for a walk around Bartley Ranch and have our dessert later.
We enjoyed a wonderful time looking at the old equipment and buildings, trees, sky, and sunset. After our walk we enjoyed a slow, quiet, and peaceful drive the long way back to our end of town. I just love this drive of taking in all the farms and older houses and simply how peaceful it seems.
Next up was to head to Geiger Way Lookout to enjoy those cookies with a view. It was dark by the time we arrived so the pictures are fuzzy, yet they capture some of the beautiful essence. So incredibly wonderful.
And, last we enjoyed another slow and peaceful drive back home. I’d rank this one up there with one of our most beautiful date days. Simple and wonderful. xoxo
