Throwback Post: First Day of Fifth Grade and Tenth Grade

**THROWBACK POST**

August 8 2016:

First day of 5th grade for Thomas and 10th grade for Lillian. Field trip to Bowers Mansion park and pool after a morning of working. Thank you to Northern Nevada Home Schools, Inc. for organizing this. We had so much fun!!!!

Lillian is Graduating and I Have Butterflies in My Stomach

May 15 2019:

Just ordered Lillian’s high school graduation diploma and tassel. Now to get the announcements. If you’d like to receive an announcement, message me your email address or post it here. Why do I have butterflies in my stomach? HA! 💜🦋🦋🦋💜 Thanks to my daddy, Robert Downs, for helping with this part! 🙏💜f

May 18 2019:

Look what came in the mail today!! 😳😃 Shhhhh … Don’t tell Lillian. Although, she’ll probably see this post! June 1st is fast approaching! Take that you blankety blank blank geneticist! You don’t have to be highly intelligent and a math whiz to be successful in life and contribute to society!! And you don’t have to do it the way it’s “supposed” to be done.🖕🏻

Team TLC Jack-o-Lanterns and Fairy Princess and Charlie Chaplin – Halloween 2018

October 28 2018:

Team TLC jack-o-lanterns … 🎃🎃🎃

Thomas ….

Lillian ….

Camilla …

October 31 2018:

It was a great day for Charlie Chaplin and Princess Fairy Lillian. Whew! And a busy day for this gypsy mama. Now we’re watching our traditional Halloween night movie …. Arsenic & Old Lace.

Thomas participated with a homeschool group for trick-or-treating so that residents at the Monaco Ridge Assisted Living center could hand out candy.

It was an interesting experience as I assume quite a few have varying degrees of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Thomas had a great conversation with one fellow talking about Charlie Chaplin, amongst other talk.

On the way out I found a kindness rock. I’ll perhaps add a little something to it and then drop off at a different location. Fun!!! 🎃👻🧡

Smithsonian Magazine Free Museum Day – Bowers Mansion

September 22 2018:

Free museum day!!! After all these years, Thomas and I finally toured the inside of Bowers Mansion.

(Not Lillian’s thang! She loves the grounds but no interest in seeing the inside.)

Lots and lots of photos to follow as I love the grounds and trees!!

This is a group of accidental photos Thomas took after taking my picture. I think the blurr from the movement looks wonderful!

UNO and Car Wash and Swimming and The Guest House

August 5 2018:

UNO time with Lillian!

August 5 2018:

Sunday’s fun adventure!! The car wash!! We came. We saw. We laughed. We went through the worlds largest blow dryer. What an experience! Seriously. Who takes 14 pictures going through the car wash??!! Hahaha!! 😂😜

Rosey is incredibly clean now. I’m so blessed we still have fun doing this after all these years. She’s so clean, we could live in her!

August 6 2018:

Homeschool swimming fun at Historic Bowers Mansion. Plus one accidental photo. Thought it was cool as it shows Thomas’ haphazard flip flops, and the fact that he got more sunscreen on the concrete than himself, plus my wet leg and a refreshed me!! That water is cold, yet felt so darn good!!

August 8 2018:

Am I the only one in the Twilight Zone the past 2 months?

My brain is tired, my body aches, and the rug keeps being pulled out from under me.

And, I’m sure I’m the one pulling the rug. I’m the tormentor and I’m the holder of the key to freedom.

I keep getting the two confused! I’ve been trying to fit into the box and the Universe keeps squishing it flat and sending it back to me!

Holding on by my fingernails … Come August 21st I best have grown those damn wings cause that’s when the last fingernail breaks loose …

I think I’ll go with Rumi on this on …. This Rumi quote hangs on our fridge to remind me when I need it. Oceans of thanks Rumi …. xoxo

It’s time to be grateful for and honorably treat these guests of sorrows who are sweeping the house empty ….

Tomorrow, that is. I shall treat them honorably and be grateful tomorrow. Tonight, I rest …. and perhaps they will rest too … xoxo …. Oceans of love to any and all who be hosting a house of sorrows lately …. YOU are not alone! xoxo

 

Touring the TESLA Gigafactory – FUN

August 8 2018:

Thomas and I got to tour the Tesla Gigafactory this morning with a homeschool group. No photos allowed so here’s a lovely photo of my badge.

So incredibly interesting and our tour guide, Adam, was amazing!!!! Just WOW!!!! Adults sign an NDA before entering. So …. 🤐🤐

Thomas asked great questions and made some great jokes!! Thomas loved it!!

Rainbow of Emotions by Lillian Darnell – Fundraising

May 30 2018:

Rainbow of Emotions … Another from Lillian … She is fundraising to help attend the Chromosome 18 Conference next month. This is the 2nd piece she’s offering as a print. The first was The Egyptian Eye.

I’ve decided to sell prints or copies of Rainbow of Emotions once again to fundraise and help my family attend the annual Chromosome 18 conference. The print will be about an 8 X 10 size and mounted on foam board or similar ready to hang.

The Chromosome 18 conference helps me get over my fears and my emotions. It helps me feel brave, courageous, and enjoyable. Here’s an example: Last year in July when my family and I were inside the airport, I was fearful, nervous, tired, and afraid; yet, the view I got from the airplane was amazing and it was all worth it.

The really fun part is that YOU get to choose your own price! The base price is $25 to cover cost of printing, mounting, and shipping (US Only – Our overseas friends can email my mom at Camilla Downs @ gmail.com if you’re interested in purchasing a print).

Use this Paypal link and enter your own amount over the $25 base price. For example, if you want to donate $50 towards my fundraiser, then you would enter $75. Go here.

OR …. If you simply want a photo quality print, the base price is $15 to cover cost of printing and shipping. For example, if you wish to donate $25 to my fundraiser, then you would enter $40. Use this Paypal link. (Please note whether you want “Just the Print” or “Mounted Print”)

Here’s a story inspired by the Rainbow of Emotions:

Rainbow of Emotions Lillian Absract Art

A Flower’s Curious Emotions

Once long ago, there lived a flower named Rainbow who was always emotional. One day, the flower was very curious about why she was so emotional.

So the flower went to a wise flower named Emotions but liked to be called Lavender instead. When Rainbow got to Lavender’s home, Rainbow asked, “Why am I so emotional, Lavender?”.

Lavender laughed and said, “You are emotional because you are always inside any living thing but I can give you some wisdom if you think it will help”.

“Yes, I think it will help me better understand. I trust you and your wisdom.”, said Rainbow in excitement. So Lavender said, “The princess who owns the sky is sometimes called Rainbow of Emotions and she watches over you. Your emotions are actually inherited from the princess. I hope that wisdom helps.”

Rainbow said, “Thank you! That helps. Now I am very grateful for the princess’ emotions.” So Rainbow walked off happily. So if you ever see a rainbow or feel any emotion, chances are you could be experiencing either Rainbow’s emotions or the princess’ emotions.

That’s the end of the story.

Visit the link below to read further …

Fundraising for the 2018 Chromosome 18 Family Conference – Rainbow of Emotions

An Oasis of Love …… And ….. Chaos

May 21 2018:

Thomas and I got to have a special treat this afternoon visiting an oasis of love. Thank you Melinda Bourke Blackwell for having us. Seriously. Beautiful nature, beautiful views, and the absolute sweetest, most loving humans and critters. How did you have a heart shaped cloud grace us as well? Love in the sky!

Baby goat! Squeal!! I immediately picked this lovely up (little black and white one) and she cuddled right into my neck. Ahhhh ….

Thomas and Joey, the llama, discussing things. Isn’t Yoda, the alpaca, the cutest dude?? Gus came up behind me with a little nudge. Don’t forget about me!! Gus. The donkey.

This is Joey, the llama. Joey likes to put his nose right up against ones face and smell ones breath. This brought forth fear within me. Yet, I let Mr. Joey get to know and smell my breath! Ha!!

Thomas not only loves visiting to see the animals and lovely humans; he loves the chaos!!! Six or so horses, six or so goats, one donkey, four dogs, an alpaca, a llama, one momma cat, and three baby kitties, and seven humans. All talking at the same time!!!

Barbara Richmond Chastain: I’m so happy you and Bill were there too! You two are a blessing. I’m incredibly grateful to know both of you! So much love!!

Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #1 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #2 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #3 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #4 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #5 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #6 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #7 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #8 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #9Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #10 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #11 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #12 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #13 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #14 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #15 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #16 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #17 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #18 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #19 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #20 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #21 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #22 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #23 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #24 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #25 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #26 Thomas and Camilla Melinda's Property 5.21.18 #27

Swimming and High Dive Board and Chocolate Chip Cookies and Haircut and Elephant Love and Humane Society

April 23 2018:

Swimming Day!!! Thomas had fun using the diving boards this time. He even tried something new! The high dive board! Wheeee!!

Swimming 4.23.18 #1 Swimming 4.23.18 #2 Swimming 4.23.18 #3

April 23 2018:

I could eat the entire bag in one sitting …😋 … xoxo …. (Trader Joe’s)

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies Trader Joe's 4.23.18

April 26 2018:

Took Thomas for a haircut today. Spotted some love on a shelf! Isn’t this the cutest???

This was the first time Thomas knew exactly what he wanted for a cut. And, Roger nailed it!!! We are truly blessed!

Elephant Love 4.25.18

April 28 2018:

Humane Society volunteering for Thomas and I yesterday! We visited the small animal room. Full to the brim with rabbits and Guinea pigs. So many cats and dogs too.

It’s your lucky day if you were thinking of adopting. It’s Maddie’s Pet Adoption Day and it’s free to adopt today. Be sure and research though, as rabbits and guinea pigs are delicate and are very much different than a cat or dog.

Humane Society 4.28.18 #1 Humane Society 4.28.18 #2 Humane Society 4.28.18 #3