Throwback Post: Respite with New Friends While Digging in the Dirt With Comfort Food and Tea

**THROWBACK POST**

December 5 2015:

Took Lillian to Ms. Kat’s place about an hour ago and now experiencing 3 uninterrupted hours of pure bliss and quiet respite. Now I shall write or read or take a nap or just sit. There’s so much I want to do … I’ll breath into the moment and listen with my heart ….. (Picture at little Washoe lake in October 2015).


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December 4 2014:

Here’s to new friendships! Had such a great time chatting with you Michaela Koenig! YAY!


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December 4 2013:

The other night I asked Thomas what the absolute, most spectacular and favorite thing that he got do at school that day was. His answer was that he got to dig in the dirt today and it was so much fun. They are making a garden area in front of the school and he got to be a part of the students cleaning it up and getting it ready for when planting time rolls around. Love this school!

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Dinner was enjoyed by all tonight! All 3 Team Members could taste the love! T & C loved the mashed potatoes made with sweet potato and russet potato… all smooshed up with 3 kinds of cheese and a little bit of butter. T & L loved the different colored carrots … red, yellow and orange. They still aren’t going for the brussel sprouts, but I keep trying! Meatloaf made with grass fed beef and some other goodies. Soooo yummy!


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December 4 2011:

Chromosome 18 friends … Vanilla Caramel Truffle … Celebrating Phantom Tea in spirit … Sending a donation in honor of Lillian later this week. Any of FB friends want to join? Research performed benefits all with genetic differences.


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December 4 2008:

taking Thomas on a date today – probably to the airport and then the toy store!

2023 Chromosome 18 Conference in Columbus, Ohio – Part 2

July 10 2023

Quick walk this morning before helping facilitate the New Family Orientation. Gorgeous weather and grounds.

July 11 2023

Beautiful spot for coffee this morning. I feel like a bit of relaxing this morning.

July 11 2023

Ladies night was so much fun!!! Talking, laughing, and drinking with such beautiful people. I sat back at one point just scanning the room, looking at everyone deep in conversation, laughing, smiling, hugging; and I thought to myself, “This is incredibly beautiful.” ❤️❤️❤️

2023 Chromosome 18 Conference in Columbus, Ohio – Part 1

July 8 2023

Team TLC is on board, on our way to the C18 conference in Columbus, Ohio. ❤️❤️❤️ Thomas is in front of us. By the way, Reno-Tahoe Airport is a cluster fuck right now.

Beautiful Reno sunrise as we left this morning.

July 9 2023

Just back from my first walk in Columbus. Stunning grounds. And it wasn’t too hot. Bonus!! Not sure these folks have experienced a tattooed woman walk-dancing around the grounds. Now they have!

July 9 2023

Photos from today. These people are so precious and amazing.

I absolutely love the photos of the Giggling Trio – Lillian, Macy, and Lauren. They light up around each other, and it is beautiful to experience. ❤️❤️❤️

Photos taken by Rick of Positive Exposure

Team TLC – Halloween 2022

November 1 2022

We had fun on Sunday participating in the C18 Halloween Zoom Dance Party. 👻👻🎃🎃👻👻

November 4 2022

I keep forgetting to post these. This was most likely Thomas’s last time hanging out with us for Halloween, so he took Lillian around without me this time. After about 20 Halloweens, I got the night off! 🎉👻🎃🎉

They both came back alive, and Thomas even took pictures while they were out. 🤣

The 2022 Chromosome 18 Family Conference – San Antonio

July 6 2022

Got here yesterday, but I was suffering from motion sickness from the landing. Thomas and I are waiting for some lovely vegan food to be delivered. Southern vegan food. Yes! Gimme some of that! We’ll go for a river walk later. (San Antonio Riverwalk)

July 7 2022

We finally got out for a short walk.

July 7 2022

Last night and this morning. The Giggling Duo have been reunited.

July 7 2022

Lillian and I went for a walk this time.

July 8 2022

I finally got photos of this trio!!

Lillian and Macy, the original Giggling Duo.

Lauren joined the duo a few conferences back, to make it a trio. Love this trio!!

July 10 2022

More of the trio. Their friendship makes my eyes sweat with liquid love. Thanks to Amy for taking some of these.

July 10 2022

Last day of conference, and Starfish Dance.

More photos taken throughout the event …

Photos taken by Rick of Positive Exposure …


(Entire Group)


(Siblings)


(18p-)

Photos by Others …


(Parent Panel)


(Volunteer Coordinators)


(Sibling Panel)


(Sibs Night Out)

Throwback Post: The Words Just Fly Out of One’s Fingers

**THROWBACK POST**

August 21 2015:

Just emailed the article for the next issue of The Australian Institute of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’ journal. Whew! 4,000 words in a week and a half. You know what that tells me? I can do it and I do have the time for that next book. YES! That felt great and I LOVED writing it! Completely and totally all from the heart … amazing how the words just fly out of one’s fingers when the mind is not allowed to give input! HA!

**December 2 2021 Update**

The article was published in November 2015. You can read it here …

My Journey With Intellectual Disability and Relationships – A Short Memoir

Zoom Dancing With a Secret Service Agent and a Rose Fairy Princess

October 31 2020

Thank you Michelle Dvorak for hosting the The Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society Halloween dance party!! What fun!! Everyone looked amazing and fun in their costumes!! 🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃

October 31 2020

First time over to The Romano Duo’s since December. A whole pot of vegan chili just for me … with a virgin Bloody Mary!! 🧡🖤🎃👻

We had a fun time getting to visit The Romano Duo at their place. All three of us haven’t been since Last December.

We ate dinner outside and then I took Thomas and Lillian around the neighborhood for trick or treating. It was great to see how creative people were with safely handing out candy. Thomas was a secret service agent (who forgot to tuck in his shirt until after photos … Oops!). Lillian was once again The Rose Fairy Princess. 👻🎃💀

Thomas and Lillian also got a surprise visit from their dad who they’ve not seen since 2014. He phoned as we were driving to The Romano Duo’s place and said he’d be driving through town in about an hour. He visited for about 20 minutes before continuing on. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Home now. Time for Thomas and I to watch Arsenic & Old Lace. ☠️☠️☠️

For Emarie Peters – We Are Family

February 29 2020

For Emarie … Wearing purple, red, and blue … blowing bubbles ….We love our Chromosome 18 family, we love you Emarie, we love you Peters family. I was lucky enough to catch a heart shaped bubble!! Perfect!! Strong winds made it a short celebration for you. Yet, that is perfect. As you were one strong human. Much power was packed within your tiny body. 💜💜💜💙💙💙 #WeAreFamily 💙💙💙💜💜💜

Photos of Emarie and her mom and dad from the Different iz Good archives …

 

All About Lillian – Guest Post

July 4 2019:

Guest post by Lillian Darnell hosted by Tracey Scott-Townsend Writer who lives in Kingston-Upon-Hull, East Yorkshire. Thanks tons Tracey for asking Lillian to write a guest post! We are deeply grateful!!

“Hey! My name is Lillian Darnell. I am 17 years old and live in Reno, Nevada USA. I just graduated from high school, have received a one year scholarship to Skillshare.com and am ready to put forth more writings, photography and art …. ” Visit the link to read the entire post and we’d sure appreciate if you “like” the post, comment and/or share it. Thank you!!!

All about Lillian