Latest News: Top 10 Blog Posts for 2021

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(April 2021)

Top Ten 2021 Blog Posts With the Most Views (Culled only from 2021 blog posts)

1. Pride Month 2021 – I Support You and I Am With You 

2. Asking for Help is the Hardest Part

3. Get to Know Me: What Weird or Useless Talent Do You Have?

4. Why Writing is Important to Me – An Interview with Clare Rhoden

5. Throwback Post: It Was A Crummy Day

6. Exciting News – Lillian’s Imaginarium is Open and Get to Know Me – How Handy Are You When It Comes to Fixing Things?

7. Get to Know Me: What is Your Favorite Season and Why

8. Dear Anyone Who Feels Like They Don’t Matter

9. The 51st Birthday Celebration – Camilla Downs and Throwback Post: Compassion Has Replaced Judgments

10. Get to Know Me: What Do You Do On the Weekends? and Get to Know Me: Choose Anything for a Day

Top Ten 2021 Blog Posts With the Most Views (Culled from all blog posts)

1. Recipe: No Powdered Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

2. Pride Month 2021 – I Support You and I Am With You

3. Asking for Help is the Hardest Part

4. Olive Oil as Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer – Oil Cleansing Method

5. Trees Preach the Ancient Laws of Life

6. Get to Know Me: What Weird or Useless Talent Do You Have?

7. 17 Easy and Free Ideas on How to Rejuvenate Yourself

8. Why Writing is Important to Me – An Interview with Clare Rhoden

9. Happy Birthday to Me – Reuniting With Someone Special

10. Throwback Post: It Was A Crummy Day

Top 10 Blog Posts of All Time With the Most Views

1. Olive Oil as Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer – Oil Cleansing Method

2. Recipe: No Powdered Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

3. Recipe: Almond Flour Cookies

4. Help Team TLC With A Christmas Miracle

5. 17 Easy and Free Ideas on How to Rejuvenate Yourself

6. Oil Cleansing Method – Update

7. Taste the Wind

8. A Moment of Defeat

9. I Wish I Wasn’t An 18p- Girl: Moment of Defeat – Take Two

10. Lillian and Being Different Presentation

Top 3 Countries With Most Views for 2021

Top 3 Countries with Most Views for All Time

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here. 

Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

Get to Know Me: Do They Read Your Books?

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I’m a member of an author/book reader facebook group, and the admins ask great questions. I decided to turn some of the questions into a “get to know me” series. I would also love to hear your answers to the questions posed in the series. Thanks Helen for asking such fun questions!

Do family and friends, spouse read your books?

My kids have read my first book (memoir), many times when they were younger. I think they liked reading about themselves!

I was divorced when I wrote it, so I don’t know if my ex read it, but my ex mother-in-law did (we are still friends). He did tell me that he should get half of any money I make from it, as for some reason he thought he had contributed money to its publication. Actually, everyone donated their time and talents to making the book happen, the cover, editing, book layout, proof-reading, etc.

I’ve had many friends and acquaintances read all four of our books, which has been incredibly encouraging.

To learn more about our books, go here:

Author

What about you?

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 21 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here. 

Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

Latest News: Pernicious Anemia Update

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August 27 2022

I cannot believe what I had accepted as my new normal over the past few years. I didn’t feel like I had the time, the energy, or the brain capacity to figure out what my issue was. My personality type is just keep going, no matter what.

To say I feel much better is an understatement. Two weeks ago I received a B12 injection every day for a week, plus a 3 hour long iron infusion (as I also had iron deficiency anemia). I had one shot last week (yesterday) and will have one a week through mid-October, then switching to once a month.

Pre-diagnosis it had gotten to the point that I could barely do anything. I forced myself to do the bare minimum, especially the last 6 months. My hand strength had gotten very weak, my feet hurt, my hands hurt, everything hurt, severe brain fog, I was having difficulty with word recall (couldn’t remember the word for things in conversation), I was out of breath after doing the slightest task, light headed.

Last week I had a 20 minute dance session every day, went for a 30 minute swim every day, took Thomas back and forth to TMCC 18 times, went to back to school night at TMCC, volunteered at the library with Lillian, ran many errands, and did not get light headed or out of breath one time. My hand strength has returned, almost everything that was hurting or bothering me has stopped. I may stil have a GI issue and a neck issue, but those are feeling better, too. I will give that some time.

It’s hard to describe what if feels like to feel like yourself again, after many years of not feeling like yourself. I’m extremely excited, happy, motivated, and I wanted to share this with all of you. xoxo

Here’s a great 3 minute video about pernicious anemia:

More information: This from the Pernicious Anaemia Society

Pernicious Anaemia

People who have been diagnosed as having Pernicious Anaemia will be unable to absorb Vitamin B12 from food.4 Until the 1920’s when it was discovered that feeding patients raw, or very lightly cooked liver could keep them alive patients died from the disease. Injectable ‘artificial’ B12 became available after the Second World War and now, as long as the diagnosis is made, people seldom die of the disease. Once the Vitamin B12 Deficiency is corrected patients can live a more or less normal life. However, a great many people still have problems with symptoms after the deficiency has been corrected though doctors don’t know why this is so. When a patient has been treated with replacement therapy B12 then he or she should have their anaemia corrected and therefore will not have any anaemia that will prove ‘pernicious’ (fatal). So therefore they will not have Pernicious Anaemia any more. But the fact is that they will need replacement therapy B12, preferably in a form that by-passes their stomach, for life. They will always need B12 and their treatment should never be stopped. Here’s what the latest Guidelines from the British Committee for Standards in Haematology state:

(testing positive for Intrinsic Factor Antibodies)…
identifies those with a need for lifelong cobalamin replacement therapy.

Cobalamin is the scientific name for B12. Whilst B12 will correct a patient’s anaemia and therefore save his or her life, the patient will still have Autoimmune Metaplastic Atrophic Gastritis (AMAG) and so perhaps it is time to replace the diagnosis of Pernicious Anaemia with this more accurate description of their condition. Note whilst AMAG (or Pernicious Anaemia) can be treated, there is no cure for the condition yet.

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 21 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here. 

Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

Get to Know Me: Best Memory from School

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I’m a member of an author/book reader facebook group, and the admins ask great questions. I decided to turn some of the questions into a “get to know me” series. I would also love to hear your answers to the questions posed in the series. Thanks Helen for asking such fun questions!

What is your best memory from school?

Mine would be 7th-9th grade. I have such fond memories of my group of friends (many of us are still connected). We were so silly, and had such fun. I was sad when we moved at the end of 9th grade, having to start high school at a completely new school, in a different state. Four of us got together in 2009 for a mini-reunion. Such fun!

What about you?

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here. 

Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

TLC Custom Portrait – Gift from a Friend

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**THROWBACK POST**

June 4 2022

I must show off this custom portrait of Team TLC, made and gifted to me by my friend Jessica.

Jessica and I met through a facebook writer’s group about 6 years ago. She lives in The Netherlands, and we met face to face in 2017 or 2018 when she came to visit her dad in California.

It’s been inspiring to watch her grow her artistic skills and making custom family and pet portraits. I’m so happy we’ve stayed connected and we’ll get to see each other face to face again this coming December when she comes for another visit.

Oh my gosh! This made my eyes sweat. Love that Jessica captured her creation process.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jessica Araus (@jessaraus)

Camilla Update – Pernicious Anemia and Iron Deficiency Anemia

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August 17 2022

I’ve not been posting as much as I did in the past. I’ve not been writing, not keeping up with my favorite fb groups, and haven’t even been able to go for walks since June. I have been utterly drained and exhausted for the past few years, with it getting progressively worse.

For the past year and a half I’ve been traveling a path of lab visits, MRIs, CT Scans, ultrasounds, colonoscopy, endoscopy, an EKG, visits with the GI doctor, heart doctor, and now a hematologist. I’m thinking the (hopefully) last stop will be a neurologist.

About a year and a half ago I visited the doctor with a list of symptoms, and asked her to please help me figure out what the hell is going on. I knew I did not feel like myself, with a drastic change in my energy level. I had been feeling like this since mid 2019.

Pernicious anemia (a B12 deficiency) and iron deficiency anemia – that’s where I’ve landed, and I’m hoping when this is addressed it will address all of my symptoms. I do not like the hematologist, or where he practices, so I’m most likely going to seek a second opinion. Or at least a doctor who is interested in discussing the diagnosis with me and educating me. Once I find another doctor, this current place can pack it! 🤬🖕🤬

It’s looking like I will require monthly B12 injections for the rest of my life. I’ve been telling the doctors that I felt like I was dying, my legs felt like lead, with me consciously having to tell myself to move them when walking! It turns out when half your red blood cells are misshaped and messed up, you do feel like your dying!

I’ve been getting B12 injections all week, with an iron infusion coming tomorrow. I’m already feeling a little better, and just know by next week, I’ll be on my way to feeling like myself again. After this week, I’ll have weekly B12 injections, and then eventually monthly.

Definition from National Organization of Rare Diseases – Pernicious anemia is a rare blood disorder characterized by the inability of the body to properly utilize vitamin B12, which is essential for the development of red blood cells. Most cases result from the lack of the gastric protein known as intrinsic factor, without which vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed.

Thank you to an astute, compassionate GI Nurse Practitioner, and Cardiologist. The GI Nurse Practitioner is the one who ordered extensive labs to include many conditions. They both encouraged me to advocate for myself, encouraging me to stay on top of advocating until I made my way to the hematologist.

I’m sharing now to encourage anyone else in the midst of advocating for themselves. If something doesn’t feel right with your body, your health has drastically changed, find those specialists who HEAR you, and encourage you to stand your ground. I feel you, and I see you.

August 20 2022

Today was the first time in a very long time that I did not have to rest after having my shower. Yes! For the past couple of years, I had to sit down and rest for about 15 minutes as I was out of breath and light headed.

I’m finished with the daily B12 injections, and the iron infusion. Can I be Iron Woman now? On to weekly B12 injections next week.

A bit more about Pernicious Anemia from The Cleveland Clinic:

What is pernicious anemia?

Pernicious (per-nish-uhs) anemia, one of the causes of vitamin B12 deficiency, is an autoimmune condition that prevents your body from absorbing vitamin B12. Without adequate vitamin B12, you have fewer red blood cells carrying oxygen throughout your body. You can have pernicious anemia for several years before noticing changes in your body. Left untreated, pernicious anemia can cause serious medical issues, including irreversible damage to your nervous system. Healthcare providers treat pernicious anemia by prescribing vitamin B12 supplements.

August 25 2022

I am feeling so much better, with more energy than I’ve had in a very long time. I’ve danced every day this week, gone for a swim every day, and it is wonderful.

I’m still having issues with my GI; which is why I was seeing the GI to begin with. Hopefully we’ll get those sorted out soon. Whew!

Hallelujah!

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here. 

Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

Latest News: Celebrate with a Love Train – I Did It!

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(Photo of me at Washoe Lake – 2016)

June 25 2022

I just paid off the last of the debt incurred during the 8 years of financial struggling we went through. 🎉🎉 The financial struggles finally came to an end in the beginning of 2020.

I look back at myself during those times, living with heaviness like a storm cloud that never dissipates, with awe and appreciation for how I managed.

It all began in 2006, with a separation, followed by divorce in 2007. Absolutely everything was in my name, as the person I married had poor credit. I had excellent credit. I paid for things as long as I could, using all savings, all retirement money, giving my car back to the bank, until I had to file for bankruptcy in 2009.


(Photos of us having a “going away” party for the car)

With poor credit, I could not get approved for any type of credit. We lived off of what money I earned, Lillian’s SSI, and about $300 in child support. Then when I finally was approved for credit, we lived off of credit, paying the minimum each month, just to borrow from it again the next day or so. It was an incredibly draining time, emotionally and physically.

My way of dealing with much of our experiences during that time was to make everything an adventure. For my sanity, I had to do this. Living as a family of 3 in a 1 bedroom, 1 bath 800 square foot place for a little over 4 years began as an adventure, ending with feeling like a caged bird set free. Not having enough money to pay for food, rent, utilities, with a constant thought stream of “How am I going to pay for this?” is exhausting.

Having this experience, along with being a parent to Thomas and Lillian, has been absolutely life changing. The Before Camilla was a judgmental, stuck-up, non-empathetic, it’s-your-own-fault-you’re-in-this-mess, take-care-of-it-yourself person. I mean, I was still a nice person, but I cringe at some of those old beliefs. Life took me by the hand and said, here, have these experiences and see if you feel the same.

This melted the hard shell surrounding my heart, causing it to expand with empathy, love, and understanding for my fellow humans. I wish I could have gotten to this place without having to have had the harsh experiences. Yet, for some, this is what it takes.

I do not share this for sympathy. I share as that’s what I do. I share so that you can celebrate with me. Celebrate for yourself, too. Celebrate your own resilience with me as I celebrate mine.

I hadn’t intended for this to be so long! Once I get going, I can’t stop! May we all shed the hard shell surrounding the heart. 🥰🥰🥰

I don’t know how I would have made it without the help of my Mom and Frank, my Daddy, and many loving friends. Thank you all so very much!!

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here. 

Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

 

A Truly Wonderful Adventure – Where Would You Fly Review

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Oh wow! What a wonderful world Lillian transported me to. What a beautiful soul she is!
I loved the beauty, the innocence, the depth and the magic of Lillian Darnell’s writing. This was truly a wonderful adventure into her amazing world and I enjoyed reading every story and every quote. Such beautiful quotes that really touched my heart. – Jennifer Jansen

For more information about Where Would You Fly, go here …

http://www.WhereWouldYouFly.com

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here. 

Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

Get to Know Me: Bizarre Happenings in Nevada

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I’m a member of an author/book reader facebook group, and the admins ask great questions. I decided to turn some of the questions into a “get to know me” series. I would also love to hear your answers to the questions posed in the series. Thanks Helen for asking such fun questions!

What happens in your country/town/area regularly that people in most countries would find strange or bizarre?

I don’t support or condone it, but there’s a yearly Camel Race in Virginia City.
Nevada is also the home of Burning Man; which I’m sure some think is strange and bizarre. I’ve never been as I’m not into suffocating in the dry heat of the desert, with being devoured by the sand on top of it. We do get the benefit of receiving some amazing art pieces that are put on display throughout Reno, after the event.

What about you?

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here. 

Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

Throwback Post: Reblog: Ninety Minutes of Pure Bliss With New Additions

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**THROWBACK POST**

May 21 2021

Have you ever had your face, jaw, and ears massaged? I highly recommend it. Home from 90 minutes of pure bliss by way of a massage. I shall now melt into the kitchen to make dinner. I’d rather melt into a hot shower and soak, followed by melting into the couch. But that will have to wait until after dinner.

…. And scalp, and fingers, and toes, and butt …. That was such a glorious massage ….

June 3 2021

Lillian and I are just back from a walk. We found a ping pong table! I love ping pong! It’s been years since I’ve played. Bocce ball court is finished, too. And I took a photo of the chess table that Thomas and I discovered Tuesday night.

Go here to read more …

Ninety Minutes of Pure Bliss With New Additions

 

Celebrating the 52nd Birthday – Camilla Downs

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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.

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 up with these matters, with my precious walks growing less frequent. I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to resume the frequency soon. For a while now, I’ve not been posting as much on social media as I have in the past. I’ve also not written anything for a couple of years. I’ve been, and am, numb and exhausted. I am in the midst of addressing the health issues, with hopes that this helps to lift my spirits.

I have just completed four weeks of physical therapy for my neck, with four more to go. This being an initial step before having an MRI. I’m seeing a GI doctor to address gut issues. I’ve done a SIBO test, and am awaiting the results. I’ve had a full gut ultrasound which indicated a dilated (enlarged) bile duct. I’m now scheduled for an MRI of my pancreas, gallbladder, and all ducts to determine the cause of the dilated bile duct. I’m also scheduled for a colonoscopy and endoscopy in May. The colonoscopy is just routine as I’ve never had one. But the GI doctor added the endoscopy to see if we can determine the cause of some additional pain and discomfort. Additionally, I’m scheduled with a cardiologist to have an echocardiogram performed.

We continue to have many beautiful and exciting events and wins come into our life, too. I’ve posted about those as they happen. I’ve always been one to keep the unlovely moments of life to myself until I’ve had time to process it and/or I’ve determined the solution. This is the Way (for me). I love The Mandalorian, by the way!

Team TLC is looking forward to attending the Chromosome 18 Family Conference this summer in San Antonio, after it has been held virtually the past two years. Our future is bright, with many lovely moments, trips, and celebrations on the horizon. The time I currently find myself seems to be a grease-the-wheel, fill my cup moment as we prepare for the exciting times that await us.

I share with all of you, as that’s who I am, and who you know me to be. This is my path, to be authentic, vulnerable, and to let others know they are not alone. xoxo

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here. 

Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.