Category Archives: News and Events

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.

Reblog: Team TLC 2021 Valentine’s Day

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February 14 2021

Happy Happy Happy Valentine’s Day to my forever loves. Love you, Thomas and Lillian, forever and ever, always and always …

I made each of them a heart shaped crystal sun catcher (with crystal beads). Sending oceans of love to all of you, too …

 

        

Thank you to The Romano Duo for delivering Valentine’s Day gifts, too! Hyacinths and an adorable red monkey for me. I was today years old when I learned how much I needed a fluffy red monkey. A beautiful plant for Thomas, and a rose plant for Lillian. Thank you Romano Duo!!

Go here to see the full post …

Team TLC 2021 Valentine’s Day

Get to Know Me: Misheard Song Lyrics

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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 song lyrics have you misheard?

When I was very young, for the longest time, I thought it was “Hang on Snoopy” instead of “Hang on Sloopy” …. There have been many. This is the earliest one I remember. ….

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.

2021 Christmas Fayre – Books and Art by Camilla Downs and Thomas Darnell and Lillian Darnell

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Welcome to the 2021 Christmas Fayre hosted by the Meeting the Authors! Facebook Group!

Beginning today, Friday, December 3rd, and running throughout the weekend. Join us for great gift ideas. Each day will hold different and beautiful gifts. With books, candles, and handmade gifts, there’ll be something for everyone! Have a browse and invite your friends too. The more the merrier! 🎄🎄🎄

Follow the link to join us:

https://fb.me/e/2Kno9aVkk

Team TLC items being offered during the Christmas Fayre

Team TLC Books:

Words of Alchemy

Words of Alchemy is the poetry memoir of a single mom who travels life with reverence and reflection, reading at times like magic spells of love and good wishes. A book for those in need of uplifting, easy to read poetry that leaves one feeling comforted, inspired, with a different view of how life can be lived.

In Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs invites you to walk with her to share her love of Nature and Life through a heartfelt free-verse poetry memoir.

During her daily strolls she is mindfully present as she delves into life in the raw.

Camilla embraces what happens when she opens her heart and invites the written words to flow. The Alchemy of Love and Healing is what happens.

Link to buy:

mybook.to/WordsofAlchemy

Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories

Welcome to the radiant imagination of Lillian Darnell, a wonderful and unique human being, the kind who comes around only once in every 56,000 births, as she is missing the short arm of her 18th chromosome.

Leave this reality behind and enter enchanted lands awash in mysteries, happy endings, adventures, and inspiration. Come within and discover heartwarming and beautiful tales, woven with love and magic, brought forth from the imagination of a young woman with a different perspective. Lose yourself in wondrous adventures as you follow courageous, enchanting characters, kind animals and plant life, and graceful Mother Nature.

The delightful tales, legends, and poems within these pages were written by Lillian Darnell between the ages of four and fifteen. The stories and poems are mostly edited for spelling and grammar, yet the bulk of the stories remain as she originally wrote and published them to include a few grammatical errors and made up words.

Will a girls dream of becoming a princess come true?
How can sad, mischievous, fearful animals help humans feel emotions?
How did the world come to have color?

Link to buy:

getbook.at/WhereWouldYouFly

Biggest Little Photographer

Life is what happens from here to there, what happens between deciding what you want and receiving that which you want.

Who is the “Biggest Little Photographer”?
Why Mr. Minifigure?

At 8-years-old Thomas Darnell read an article about a professional photographer who had taken photographs of a minifigure taking photographs for 365 days. When inspired to begin his own 365 photography project, he bought a minifigure camera with his own money. A few months into the project, Thomas considered abandoning it. After considering how it would feel to finish as opposed to not finishing, he chose to continue.

Within this book you will find love, wonder, inspiration, and the knowing that whatever you dream, whatever you want to accomplish, it can be done. You will also find that life is what happens between asking, “Can I do that?” and “I did it!”

Link to buy:

mybook.to/BiggestLittlePhoto

D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance

In her early thirties Camilla Downs landed in a different place than she had planned; a place more different than she could ever have imagined. Five years into her marriage with a happy three-year-old daughter, a phone call with a diagnosis from the pediatrician changed everything.

This A to Z inspiring memoir recounts Downs’ journey to acceptance of herself, her daughter’s genetic abnormality of 18p- and becoming a single mom. Through Downs’ realization’s we learn that accepting ourselves and our situations is the key to being able to accept others, tap into our vein of courage and live in the present moment. Downs details her journey with the methods and thought process that led her to achieve true acceptance and genuine happiness. You’ll learn ways to redefine your thought processes and belief system by applying the practical, insightful “Tips for the Journey” at the end of each chapter.

Whether you need to decrease stress and worries, or increase self-confidence, this powerful book will help you make changes for the better and realize you are not alone. Begin your new journey today!

Link to buy:

mybook.to/DizforDifferent

Lillian’s Imaginarium – etsy shop:

Bio:

I am a writer and artist who loves rainbows, emojis, nature, art, Christmas, and music. I also have a rare chromosome deletion called 18p-. (My mom, Camilla, helps me with my etsy store.)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilliansImaginarium

A Throwback Merry Christmas Wish, from 11 years ago – December 24, 2010: (WoW! How I’ve changed??)

News: Books and Candles and Handmade Gifts – 2021 Christmas Fayre

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Beginning tomorrow, Friday, December 3rd, and running throughout the weekend. Join us for great gift ideas. Each day will hold different and beautiful gifts. With books, candles, and handmade gifts, there’ll be something for everyone! Have a browse and invite your friends too. The more the merrier! 🎄🎄🎄

Follow the link to join us:

https://fb.me/e/2Kno9aVkk

Throwback Post: Speaking Up and Speaking Out

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**THROWBACK POST**

July 24 2020

I’ve lived nearly all my life in fear of speaking up, speaking out for this reason. I’m done with it. My heart cracked open on May 25th and I will be silent no longer. Thank you to AOC for this powerful speech.

I grew up with a low self esteem instilled in me, thinking I was stupid, and that I did everything wrong. I’m still finding my footing. There are still things I don’t post, or speak up about.
I remember feeling similar when I began to post deep, spiritual content. I feared being thought of as crazy. I walked into that fear, and I’m still alive! Ha!

Now, I fear those who will shame me for what I say or share, or who will spew anger my direction. All of that stems from my childhood. I’m ready to walk into that fear. I know I’m not alone and I know I will not die from sharing my opinions, my views, and I will not die from being called a crazy woman. My ex-husband called me that enough times, my immunity is in tact.

It’s safe to say, I’ve had many unpleasant experiences. However, they’ve helped shape my heart and soul. That, and the last 15 years of deep diving to heal, have paved the way to trust myself, and to openly share my thoughts and opinions.

We don’t always have to be eloquent with our words. I rather like using the word fuck. It helps to channel the intense energy. Wait until you hit 50. Any remaining fucks will be on their way out the door!

When Lillian was 5 or 6 years old, I used to tell her that her differences would be to her advantage, that she could use her differences to stand out and for her benefit. I don’t know if she remembers any of this, but, I do know that she seems to have no fear in announcing to the world things about herself.

I feel I’m very strong in the areas of advocating for my kids, and certain areas for myself. Where I would like to improve is that I am incredibly thin skinned when it comes to criticism and being in the midst of confrontation and arguing. I’m aware that this comes from childhood and think the only way it will improve is for me is to walk into it. I’m game!

Now, I’ve been known to act crazy. That’s for sure. Seriously, though, from my experience, whenever someone resorts to “You’re crazy”, it’s because they don’t want to engage in a conversation, and in some cases gaslighting is involved.

**Update – November 29 2021** I have definitely improved with my ability to say “No”, to speak up for myself. One area I still continue to work, is not being concerned of what others think or say about content that I write, or other’s content that I share. 

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: What Would Your Warning Label Say

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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!

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

Warning: Do not tell this one what she can or cannot do. Don’t be fooled. She will politely smile, and then do what she was told she could not do.

This one has a solid BS detector as well as an intense aversion to spending time with anyone who attempts to manipulate or take “No” for an answer.

This one is also very clumsy. Beware of cherished items near her. You may want to wear ear plugs when in her company, as she laughs loudly, and swears very much.

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.

Hello There

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Hello there. Just me.

How are 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 15 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

Reblog: Shenanigans of the Insurance Variety

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January 2 2021

Mental Health and insurance shenanigans – I spent two days last week, with another full day the week before, trying to get an appointment(s) set for Thomas for 3 different issues. 1) Mental/Emotional Health 2) IQ Test (to apply for a local school) and 3) Autism Screening.

It would be helpful if all of these could be done with the same person (psychologist), and/or the same time. Unfortunately not. First, finding someone who takes Thomas’s insurance. The IQ test is not covered unless it’s done with the autism screening. The IQ test needs to be done by end of February. Those who take his insurance for autism screening are scheduled out 6 months to TWO YEARS! Quotes for IQ test: $525 – $650.

I probably sent about 20 emails and placed a handful or two of phone calls. Lots of responses of not taking the insurance, and then if they do, they are booked way into the future, or they don’t see his age group. I got on a waiting list for a mental/emotional health appointment that’s only 2 months out. Waiting for a call back to set an appointment for August for the autism screening. Waiting for an email response to set an appointment for the IQ testing for this month. Each. One. With. A. Different. Person.

Fortunately, I’ve had about 19 years of experience advocating for Lillian, and I’m grateful that we do have access and options. I’m up for it, and I can handle it. Honestly, I think I’m kinda weird in that when I keep hitting dead ends, it fires me up even more, and I WILL find a solution. I be like, don’t get in my way now. I’m doing this! Hahahaha!

I just feel sad for people who can’t figure this maze of sh** out, or who have no one to advocate for them, or who need mental/emotional health help ASAP, but aren’t in a state of crisis! (A photo of something beautiful to balance this post … HA!)

February 2021 Update – I put Thomas on two waiting lists that were about 2 months long. We should be just about there with the wait. We decided not to apply to the school so we didn’t need the IQ test right away, so we’re set for August for the autism screening with IQ test. Whew! 

Go here to see the original post …

Shenanigans of the Insurance Variety

November 15 2021 Update – Thomas has been seeing a therapist since March 2021, and it has been incredibly helpful. He had the autism screening and IQ Test in August. He was diagnosed with Level 1 Autism, depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Now we are moving forward with solid diagnoses and get can targeted therapies and coaching. What a whirlwind!

The Author’s Words Are Like Honey – Words of Alchemy

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Super soothing, this beautiful book of poetry really spoke to me and it was an utter joy to dip into it over several nights. So many themes are explored – from nature to healing to family to love to change to acceptance. The author’s words are like honey; uplifting, blissful and popping with Eureka moments! – Isabella May

You can learn more about Words of Alchemy by going here …

Author

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.