Tribute to Shelly

I can’t remember our first meeting – I feel like I have known her all my life. And yet after attending her funeral I realise I probably knew just a slice. We met online – which is where she seemed to live her life in the last few years. Here she could reach out to people, chat to them, encourage them, laugh with them. She wasn’t afraid to tell her story – she was proud of her story but never boasted. At her funeral they said she stole 46years of life - it wasn't an easy steal. Her mother had been told she wouldn’t reach her second birthday – but she fought for all 46 of them. She missed out on many opportunities offered to the children born today with congenital heart conditions such as hers. It is easy to say she was born with a hole in her heart – and yet it was so much more than that. Shelly was born with Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia.

“Tetralogy of Fallot has four key features. A ventricular septal defect (a hole between the ventricles) and many levels of obstruction from the right ventricle to the lungs (pulmonary stenosis) are the most important.”

Despite all this Shelly’s life was not about her physical heart. Today I learnt that she had a passion for music – especially the old stuff. I think everyone knew about her passion for the All Blacks. In fact, in lieu of flowers I wondered if we should make a donation to Heart Children, or the All Blacks!!! I know which one Shelly would choose! And Shelly was an avid Labour Party supporter with a direct link to Helen Clark via her personal email. Shelly made an impact on, it seems, everyone she met. And even Helen emailed of her sadness on hearing of Shelly’s passing.

Shelly and I began a support group for Adults with Congenital Heart conditions (out of date website now). We worked on a website, provided information, and made ourselves available for people to email. We had a small response. But in the end our dedication to this site dwindled. We had found our support group in each other. We met for coffee on and off in the early days, visited each other in hospital when able to do so, and emailed about our down patches and our recoveries. We had wider support networks – both with loving families and friends – but we offered each other something different. We just had to say – “Well…. Yeah… you know!” and we did.

Shelly – I’m going to miss our support group. You fought hard and you fought long. I will keep you close and remember. I hope I will be able to take on a little of your strength - the strength you showed the world – the strength you showed me – and ….. well….. you know! RIP or even better without the restrictions go enjoy a marathon or a game of rugby!

41 Question - Personality test

As a result of a discussion on BlogCatalog, Fiona and I took a Myers-Briggs/Jung personality test. Interestingly (but not too surprisingly) we both came out as personality type 1 - but with slightly differing descriptions.

Beverly
Quiet, reflective and idealistic. Interested in serving humanity. Well-developed value system, which they strive to live in accordance with. Extremely loyal. Adaptable and laid-back unless a strongly-held value is threatened. Usually talented writers. Mentally quick and able to see possibilities. Interested in understanding and helping people.

Careers that could fit you include:
Writers, artists, counselors, social workers, English teachers, fine arts teachers, child care workers, clergy, missionaries, psychologists, psychiatrists, scientists, political activists, editors, education consultants, journalists, religious educators, social scientists.


Fiona
Serious and quiet, interested in security and peaceful living. Extremely thorough, responsible and dependable. Well-developed powers of concentration. Usually interested in supporting and promoting traditions and establishments. Well-organized and hard working, they work steadily towards identified goals. They can usually accomplish any task once they have set their mind to it.

Careers that could fit you include:
Business executives, administrators and managers, accountants, police, detectives, judges, lawyers, medical doctors, dentists, computer programmers, systems analysts, computer specialists, auditors, electricians, math teachers, mechanical engineers, steelworkers, technicians

lion, buffalo, crocodile

We had a wonderful evening with my parents and aunt and uncle - the later who are here in NZ for a 10day holiday. We enjoyed champagne on the deck followed by a meal of fresh fish and salad compliments of Fiona's exquisite cooking. We enjoyed a Bailey's coffee in the evening along with entertainment from YouTube. It was great to share the different movies we have all explored on YouTube. We shared the Honda add and PaulPotts, while Janette and John shared the treadmill movie and the "lion, buffalo and crocodile" YouTube extravaganza - as seen below. This was not filmed by us - but found on YouTube - as one does - and well worth a watch.

Film photography and BlogCatalog

I have been enjoying my discussions on BlogCatalog. Most of the discussions I become involved in are to do with photography and photoblogs (see my 2 photoblogs 'Silverspikes' and 'A Photo from Tomorrow'.

A recent discussion arose about Film photography verses Digital photography (yes there are still people who pine for film). Thought I would share my memories and thoughts here too....


I remember my first day working in the Hospital Photographic Lab at Greenlane Hospital in 1990. I was launching my career as a photographer (as it turned out I went into computers instead and then packed it all in for a job with children - much more rewarding). It was my first day on the job and Darren (chief photographer) showed me how to develop film - which I mostly knew. My first task as a REAL photographer was to develop the film for the day. I was given a White hospital coat (looked so cool - if a little long [dont laugh!]) and sent into the dark room. It was so exciting. I was soooooo proud of myself. I went home beaming! A job well done. I was all set to step forward with confidence and delve right back into the dark room the next day. I strode into the Lad happy as larry until I took my White Coat off it's hook!!! You photographers guest it - brown (Developing) stains ALL over. It looked like I had swum in the stuff!!!

I did go on to enjoy my days in the dark room and have considered setting up a small dark room on our new property. Maybe I should purchase black coat though!! lol.
As for Digital verses Film - the dark room has memories - but right now I love just grabbing a shot and not having to worry about expense. Check out my photoblogs if you like...

Christmas in our coastal country home.

It was great to spend Christmas in our own - new - home this year. Mum and Dad joined us for the day and we had a wonderful, different, joyful time together. We thought a turkey would be much for four people - so we were offered a goose from a friends lifestyle block. Other friends offered to prepare it for us. It was different, but an honest way to prepare a Christmas meal - and we decided to go for it. Cooking Goose was a challenge and the internet by my side helped in the process. It turned our rather well and was quite juicy with a bit of a bite! Fiona cooked a half side of Salmon which was scrumptious. Fiona's Christmas cake has now become legendary in the Whangarei Heads. Mum supplied the Ham and the Hibiscus Champagne drink. Dad carved and gave advice on the Goose. The ipod provided endless christmas music. Unfortunately it rained - but the house was still enjoyable and a wonderful home to share. Check out the mood...

Work Bash - Helicopter Ride

Manaia Kindergarten had their annual end of year party at Headlands Farm Park beach. There was much debate about whether Santa would visit - in the end Tania and I were sent to help out. This meant we had to fly in on our 'sleigh' - and thanks to Dave Blakely a helicopter was brought in for the job. The first time on a helicopter. I waited for the moment to become nervous - but Dave was great - telling us every step of the process and not a nervous moment entered our psyche. It was an awesome experience and we flew around Whangarei Harbour - over the Kindergarten and School, across the Nook to Mt Manaia - hovering over my house. Fiona was inside with the music up loud and didn't manage to look up at the appropriate time - but the veiw from where I sat was amazing. Then off to the party and the kindergarten crowds. It was a great party too. Thanks to Dave for an awesome experience!

Birthday Retreat

Fiona and I had a magical time away in the Hokianga. We began our four day retreat- horse riding in Whananaki with Stewart. Stewart and his horses were great. The four hour ride through the river along the beach and through the forest was full of adventure. I'm keen to become more confident around horses though Chaquitta Banana provided me with some challenges, eventually I found it in me to ensure I had some of the control. Fiona's horse was called Chicko and he was a real gentleman. It has been over 20years since Fiona rode horses to school - she looked like a pro!! It is great that Stewart's horses are not the kind that plod nose to tail but will walk alongside eachother and you and your horse can have as much or as little excitement as you wish. The setting was magical. We also enjoyed Stewarts company and accepted an invitation to dinner for the evening. It was a great surprise to find Lobster on the menu.
The next day Fiona and I drove to Mimiwhangata - stunning! There are also cottages you can hire which we will find out about some other time.
Our final destination was Pickering Cottage in Rawene. A rustic, charming seaside bach - flooded with sunlight in the afternoon. An inside toilet would cost around $200, a shower $150, a simple life experience - priceless!! We enjoyed doing nothing - except a meander through the village, a walk along the broadwalk in the mangroves, and pleanty of magazines and sundowners. Here are some the the memories in slideshow format...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com