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. ☠️☠️☠️

First Dinner with The Romano Duo and Dark Chocolate

October 23 2018:

First dinner with The Romano Duo in their new place in Dayton. What a treat!!! They made me my own pot of vegetarian pasta sauce!

For fun, we drove through Virginia City on the way here. We’ll leave earlier next time so we can stop for pictures.

Next time we’re gonna have the ingredients so I can have a virgin Bloody Mary!!! It’ll be just like old times, but different! We all had a great time!!! 🎉🎉🎉

October 27 2018:

I walked in Trader Joe’s to get a few items and walked out with Dark chocolate heaven. Wow!! 🖤🍫🖤

Beautiful and Fun and Silly and Love and Beauties and Small World

June 11 2018:

Team TLC sunset walk tonight with The Romano Duo and Robert. Beautiful night. And fun being silly with pictures. They head back to Surprise, Arizona tomorrow morning. A few more pictures to follow. xoxo

Team TLC and Romano Duo and Robert Sunset Walk Vintage Lake 6.11.18 #1 Team TLC and Romano Duo and Robert Sunset Walk Vintage Lake 6.11.18 #2 Team TLC and Romano Duo and Robert Sunset Walk Vintage Lake 6.11.18 #3 Team TLC and Romano Duo and Robert Sunset Walk Vintage Lake 6.11.18 #4 Team TLC and Romano Duo and Robert Sunset Walk Vintage Lake 6.11.18 #5 Team TLC and Romano Duo and Robert Sunset Walk Vintage Lake 6.11.18 #6 Team TLC and Romano Duo and Robert Sunset Walk Vintage Lake 6.11.18 #7 Team TLC and Romano Duo and Robert Sunset Walk Vintage Lake 6.11.18 #8 Team TLC and Romano Duo and Robert Sunset Walk Vintage Lake 6.11.18 #9 Team TLC and Romano Duo and Robert Sunset Walk Vintage Lake 6.11.18 #10

June 12 2018:

I’m in love with the leaves of this tree. The little veins, the color, the blue shimmery speckles, and the shadows. I have probably taken about 15 pictures of them.

Leaf 6.12.18

June 12 2018:

Such beauties …. xoxo

Pink Tree Blossoms Vintage Lake 6.12.18

June 13 2018:

It’s like a small miniature world in there.

Leaf Up Close 6.13.18

June 14 2018:

Sunset walk with Lillian last night. It was a beautiful night and just what we both needed as we’re both experiencing “re-entry pains” from our respite from one another.

We followed this with a swim in the pool and a soak in the hot tub. Ahhhhhhh …. Just what we needed. xoxo

Sunset Walk with Lillian Vintage Lake 6.14.18 #1 Sunset Walk with Lillian Vintage Lake 6.14.18 #2

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Another sunset walk tonight with Lillian and I just had to give this one its own post. There’s just something about this one that pulls me In. Ahhhhhhh ….. xoxo ….

Sunset Walk with Lillian Vintage Lake Own Post 6.14.18

Sunset walk with Lillian tonight. I could not stop making pictures. So incredibly gorgeous and dreamy.

Sunset Walk Vintage Lake with Lillian 6.14.18 #1 Sunset Walk Vintage Lake with Lillian 6.14.18 #2 Sunset Walk Vintage Lake with Lillian 6.14.18 #3 Sunset Walk Vintage Lake with Lillian 6.14.18 #4 Sunset Walk Vintage Lake with Lillian 6.14.18 #5 Sunset Walk Vintage Lake with Lillian 6.14.18 #6 Sunset Walk Vintage Lake with Lillian 6.14.18 #7 Sunset Walk Vintage Lake with Lillian 6.14.18 #8 Sunset Walk Vintage Lake with Lillian 6.14.18 #9 Sunset Walk Vintage Lake with Lillian 6.14.18 #10

Ok. So, I had to give this one its own post too. Because I don’t think I’ve ever seen the sun make an arrow pointing directly back at me. Just WOW!! Thank you Sun. Thank you Nature.

Sunset Walk with Lillian Vintage Lake Sunshine Creates an Arrow Pointing Back at Me 6.14.18

Visiting The Romano Duo in Surprise Arizona – Lillian

May 24 2018:

Tomorrow morning is the beginning of the Team Member L and Romano Duo adventure! Lillian is riding back to Surprise, Arizona with mom and Frank for a vacation for her!! Which means respite for me!

It’s been nearly 3 years since I’ve had respite from Lillian. I’d be telling an un-truth if I said I wasn’t a tad bit excited. And, I know she is too!! May the force be with The Romano Duo … And all the Angels too!! Photo from September 2015

Lillian with Romano Duo Lillian's 14th Birthday Party Virginia Foothills Park 9.13.15

May 25 2018:

They’re off!!! Let the “almost” respite begin for me ….. As I have Thomas here with me. 😜

Lillian’s gonna have a great time!!! Yay for her to get a vacation!! She gets to spend nearly 2 weeks with The Romano Duo in Surprise, Arizona!! Wahooo!!!

Lillian with the Romano Duo Leaving Reno for Surprise 5.25.18 #1 Lillian with the Romano Duo Leaving Reno for Surprise 5.25.18 #2 Lillian with the Romano Duo Leaving Reno for Surprise 5.25.18 #3

May 27 2018:

Sent an hour and a half after she left on Friday!! Ha!

I am incredibly happy she’s getting this time with The Romano Duo and I’m getting a break.

After nearly three years straight of her needing me, talking to me constantly, and being me walking buddy; I’m bouncing back and forth between thinking I should be doing something, being relieved that I don’t have to do anything for her, feeling sad because she’s not here, and feeling free because she’s not here. Crazy stuff …. Yet, all good stuff!!

Text from Lillian 5.27.18

May 30 2018:

I’m as excited about this as Lillian. Well, maybe almost as excited. Turns out one of our Chromosome 18 friends, The Bakers, live near Surprise, Arizona!!!!! Katie came over to the Romano Casa and spent a few hours swimming and hanging out with Lillian.

The Bakers were one of the first families we became friends with at our first conference in 2009 in Vegas and every conference thereafter. Katie deemed herself honorary big sister to Lillian. One of the major reasons going to conference is so incredibly important to Lillian. So beautiful!!!xoxo

Lillian Visiting The Romano Duo Surprise Arizona Katie Visit 5.30.18 #1 Lillian Visiting The Romano Duo Surprise Arizona Katie Visit 5.30.18 #2 Lillian Visiting The Romano Duo Surprise Arizona Katie Visit 5.30.18 #3 Lillian Visiting The Romano Duo Surprise Arizona Katie Visit 5.30.18 #4

June 3 2018:

She’s been swimming and watching movies and eating donuts!! Lillian is having a great time with The Romano Duo.

Lillian at Romano Duo Surprise Arizone 6.3.18 #1 Lillian at Romano Duo Surprise Arizone 6.3.18 #2Lillian at Romano Duo Surprise Arizone 6.3.18 #3 Lillian at Romano Duo Surprise Arizone 6.3.18 #4

June 10 2018:

She’s back!!!!! And she’s cracking me up! “We stopped at the alien store …… “ Only driving through the Nevada desert!!! And, “Patty and Frank say a lot of cuss words under their breath.” And, telling on herself. “I stayed up all night long while I was there. I stayed up till 2:00 one morning.”

Lillian Home from Surprise Arizon 6.10.18

Visiting The Romano Duo in Surprise Arizona – Thomas

May 1 2018:

There goes a piece of my heart. Thomas is headed to spend nearly 2 weeks with The Romano Duo in Surprise, Arizona. He’s incredibly excited!! I love love love that young man. Gonna miss him!!

Thomas Headed to Surprise Arizona to visit Romano Duo 5.1.18 #1 Thomas Headed to Surprise Arizona to visit Romano Duo 5.1.18 #2 Thomas Headed to Surprise Arizona to visit Romano Duo 5.1.18 #3 Thomas Headed to Surprise Arizona to visit Romano Duo 5.1.18 #4

He made it!!! The Romano Duo met him at the gate in the Phoenix airport! Now for the 45 minute drive to Surprise. Yay!!! He’s gonna have a great time! So glad he gets this respite!! Lillian’s turn at the end of the month.

Thomas Arriving in Surprise Arizona to Visit Romano Duo 5.1.18

May 2 2018:

He’s having a GREAT time!! I’m so happy for him! Hiking on the Waterfall Trailhead this morning with Frank and swimming this afternoon. Thanks so much to The Romano Duo for the pictures and treating him to such fun! xoxo

Thomas in Surprise Visiting Romano Duo Hiking and Swimming 5.2.18 #1 Thomas in Surprise Visiting Romano Duo Hiking and Swimming 5.2.18 #2 Thomas in Surprise Visiting Romano Duo Hiking and Swimming 5.2.18 #3 Thomas in Surprise Visiting Romano Duo Hiking and Swimming 5.2.18 #4 Thomas in Surprise Visiting Romano Duo Hiking and Swimming 5.2.18 #5

May 5 2018:

Thomas is thoroughly enjoying his respite time with The Romano Duo (in Surprise, Arizona)! More swimming and a trip to the library (pictures are of the lake outside of the library). xoxo

Thomas in Surprise Arizona visiting the romano duo 5.5.18 #1

Thomas in Surprise Arizona visiting the romano duo 5.5.18 #2Thomas in Surprise Arizona visiting the romano duo 5.5.18 #3 Thomas in Surprise Arizona visiting the romano duo 5.5.18 #4

May 9 2018:

Thomas continues to enjoy his vacation with The Romano Duo … Lake Pleasant a couple of days ago. Looks beautiful!! Also, I think I may have been disowned as I have not heard from Thomas in two days. (My mom is keeping me up to date though … Whew!) xoxo

Thomas in Surprise, Arizona visiting Romano Duo 5.9.18 #1 Thomas in Surprise, Arizona visiting Romano Duo 5.9.18 #2 Thomas in Surprise, Arizona visiting Romano Duo 5.9.18 #3

May 11 2018:

The one called Thomas is on his way back to Reno via a car trip with The Romano Duo! Set to arrive tomorrow afternoon. On Wednesday, he got treated to a drive to see the Grand Canyon!

This Thomas vacation was a great and uncomfortable learning experience for me …. AND I didn’t even go anywhere! I have to admit I was a tad bit jealous and sad as we both have had the Grand Canyon on our bucket list for quite some time! And, I wanted to be the one he saw it with first. Yet, now he can be the tour guide when he and I get our chance to see it together. xoxo

Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #1 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #14 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #13 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #12 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #11 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #10 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #9 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #8 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #7 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #6 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #5 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #4 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #3 Thomas Grand Canyon with The Romano Duo 5.9.18 #2

May 12 2018:

He’s home!!! xoxo

Thomas Home from surprise arizona visit to the romano duo 5.12.18 #1 Thomas Home from surprise arizona visit to the romano duo 5.12.18 #2 Thomas Home from surprise arizona visit to the romano duo 5.12.18 #3

Gratitude for The Romano Duo

**THROWBACK POST**

November 10 2012:

I am filled with gratitude for the unconditional love of my Mama, Patty Romano, and my step-father, Frank Romano ….

They never openly judge or question my actions or inactions. They support me the best way they can and know how. I missed my Mama so much during all those years from 6th grade through the age of 20 years old. I’m happy for the times we saw each other during that time and am grateful and blessed we’ve made up for all that missed time in the last 22 years.

I love you lady with all my heart, body and soul and am blessed to pieces that you are my Mama!! Frank: I’m grateful that you came into my Mama’s life 26 years ago … You are a sexy, kind, gentle, giving, rockin Italian ROCK STAR of a man!!!!!!! Thank you for being such a fabulous step-father and grandfather to Thomas and Lillian!!!

Camilla and Frank and Patty Collage

Cheers to Good Health and Well Being and Gratitude and Art Fortune

December 25 2016:

Cheers from Team TLC and The Romano Duo!

We toasted to good health and well being. I’ve been incredibly sick since last Monday and not the best host. Grateful to The Romano Duo for their understanding.

Lillian is having her sleepover with them tonight! May the force be with them!!! xoxo 🙏💤

cheers-with-team-tlc-and-romano-duo-12-25-16

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December 26 2016:

Lillian says, “I don’t like it when their visits end. They seem too fast. I had a lot of fun with them and I always do”! Thomas says, “Seemed so short and don’t like it when their visits end.”

Today was their last day here …. and my first day to come out of the house since they’ve been here! So we could at least have a picture of all of us. This sickness has been kicking my booty!!

romano-duo-and-tlc-christmas-2016-12-26-16

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December 27 2016:

They left early this morning … Safe travels Romano Duo. Til next time!!!

Got a good shot of the sweater Thomas loves. Going on the 3rd day straight wearing it! xoxo

Lillian says, “I don’t like it when their visits end. They seem too fast. I had a lot of fun with them and I always do”! Thomas says, “Seemed so short and don’t like it when their visits end.”

romano-duo-and-thomas-and-lillian-12-27-16

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December 30 2016:

Oceans of gratitude to you Kathy Montoya Duncan for giving me a really good trim. I am grateful for this thick hair, yet it can get pretty heavy feeling being as long as it was. And, deeply grateful for trading my book for the cut!!! Blessings and love abound to you!!!

haircut-for-camilla-12-30-16

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December 31 2016:

My art fortune from Pan received earlier this month. Things got crazy busy with Biggest Little Photographer and this got buried in papers. Just came across it again.

I had just met Pan minutes earlier. He did not know the ideas that come to me daily nor that walking is so deeply intertwined with who I be.

Win the day, I have to say, forthcoming, will be the way. …… Walk With Me and Lessons from Nature ….. I AM Ready .… xoxo

art-fortune-for-camilla-by-pan-december-2016

 

The Romano Duo and Steve the Alien and Meals and Glow and Homemade

December 11 2016:

We’re getting to have a drive by quickie visit with The Romano Duo on their way to see Heather Schutzler and Brian Schutzler in Washington. They’ll be back here next week! Happy Thomas and Lillian!!!! xoxo

romano-drive-by-visit-12-11-16-1 romano-drive-by-visit-12-11-16-2
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December 11 2016:
Three Team TLC thumbs up!!! It was great seeing and chatting with you for a wee bit this afternoon Brian Benson. Thomas chose this for our nightly read. Hope you have a beautiful time visiting your son!
steve-the-alien-and-team-tlc-thumbs-up-12-11-16
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December 13 2016:
Made my salad into a meal tonight. One of the best salads I’ve ever had!

Sautéed onion, garlic, and potato salad with beets, cashews, raw pecans (from a Mississippi pecan tree – courtesy of The Romano Duo), raw sunflower seeds, sulfur-free dried apricots, sautéed broccoli, chopped pickle, olives, English cucumber, sprinkle of prairie sunset cheese topped with a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar. Potato mixture sautéed in coconut oil, Himalayan pink salt, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, and ginger.

Yum!!!!

potatoes-and-broccoli-salad-12-13-16

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December 16 2016:

Yum, Yum dinner last night!! Mixed mine with romaine lettuce, pickles, beets, English cucumbers, and aged balsamic. Thomas had his sans the salad.

Sautéed sweet onions, garlic, raw pecans, raw pistachios, and raw sunflower seeds in coconut oil with Himalayan pink salt, black pepper, and ginger. Mixing in gluten free Tinkada pasta and sprinkled with Prairie cheese.

dinner-12-16-16-1 dinner-12-16-16-2

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December 16 2016:
Thank you to The Vintage staff. They put together a Holiday Glow celebration for the residents. So grateful …. and what fun to meet and get to know the people in our community. I really, really like these two humans with whom I get to share this life ….. xoxo
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December 17 2016:

And then there was this ….

Vegetarian chili infused with fresh sage ….. With sautéed sweet onions and garlic, big pinch of unsweetened cocoa, dash of aged balsamic vinegar, Himalayan pink salt, black pepper, chili powder, paprika, and ground ginger. Needed quick so used 2 cans of Trader Joe’s organic vegetarian chili and 2 cans of fire roasted and diced tomatoes.

And …. it is soooooo good!! xoxo

dinner-chili-12-17-16

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December 17 2016:

Finally took time today to get caught up on some “love” details.

We had a party, cake, and gifts for Lillian’s birthday in September; yet, I had not made her card. I also finally made Thomas’ 11th birthday poster for his November birthday.

I love making homemade cards …. xoxo …. 💙💚💜

lillian-birthday-card-12-17-16-1 lillian-birthday-card-12-17-16-2 lillian-birthday-card-12-17-16-3