~Smiles Magical Land~

New Website and Blog

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 02:42:00 +0000

Hey everyone :) I've created my 4th website and included a new blog into it. I'll be keeping this blog for my own reading and for others to read as well.

Please visit

My Life and Blog

Bring “Beyond The Chair” to theaters and DVD

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:51:00 +0000

Please read this letter

New Commenting Service

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:44:00 +0000

I was using Haloscan Commenting Service for my comments but Haloscan is closing due to hardware and software physically failing so I've now switched over to JS-Kit Echo. Thanks to a friend Alin who donated me a years subscription.

Please read this letter - Documentary “Beyond The Chair.”

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:52:00 +0000

Please read this letter

Support Drew's documentary “Beyond The Chair.” to be accepted into 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

While Drew was visiting New Zealand, he contacted me to catch up and this didn't happen due to time factors and some other things but he did say he liked NZ a lot.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:26:00 +0000

Christmas with Family

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:36:00 +0000

I spent Christmas day with family at Cornwall Park where we had a nice picnic lunch, went for walks and sat in the sun. The weather was awesome, nice and warm and little wind. We all had fun and enjoyed the day. Opened up our pressies too and we all got some nice stuff.

Merry Christmas everyone

I'm an Auntie!!

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:25:00 +0000

I'm an Auntie as of this morning!!!

My sister had her little baby girl this morning at 7.39am, weighing 7.7 lbs, named Elliott Louise (Ellie for short). Elliot arrived 10 days early, guess she wanted to arrive sooner than later.

7 Days Old
I'm so excited and happy for my sister and her partner. Elliott is my first niece so she is special.

My new Summer SHoes

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:24:00 +0000

I finally got my new custom made Summer shoes delivered and they look great, I've very happy with them. I have been given some Gel inserts to use for when I get heel pressure, I just remove the other insoles and replace them with the gel ones. I'm now wearing them as my Winter shoes are making my feet too hot now.

Sports

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:11:00 +0000

I had sports today and it was much warmer in the gym. Most of the player's were meant to turn up but some didn't turn up in the end making the team even smaller. We played hockey and scoccer today and it was fun. I had a look at Sean's new van and it was nice both inside and out. We have two more practices to go.

Apple's Updates

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:32:00 +0000

OMG Apple has released new iMacs, Mac Minis and a White Macbook. I was more interested in the iMac's and the Macbooks but omg the iMacs!!!

The iMac's can come in a 20.5" LCD now and a whopping huge 27" LCD *jaw drops*, that's just crazy!! The 27" iMac now had QUAD CORE starting at 2.66GHz Intel Core 5 and you can also choose the 2.8GHz Quad Core Intel Core 7, now that would fly. RAM starts at 4GB but you can upgrade that as far as 16GB RAM, who the heck needs that much hahah. Then there is the Hard Drive which starts at 1TB but you can upgrade to 2TB. It be awesome to have a 27" iMac but I think realistly for me a 20" or even 20.5" iMac is big enough for me for surfing needs. The other thing I really noticed was the drop in price for Apple now. I could get a 21.5 inch 3.06GHZ iMac for what I paid for my current iMac...dammm

I'd love a Macbook Pro with all the top specs hehe, either the 15 inch and upgrade to 3.06GHz etc or the 17 inch and upgrade to 3.06GHz too, so I can take it where ever I go or even sit outside and surf the net when it's warm. In the Winter it be great to have Macbook Pro as I could go sit in the warmest part of the flat, rather than sit in the cold part of the lounge freezing. I'd need a 24" Display with it too so I can hook up the Macbook Pro to the bigger LCD when I need to watch movies or do what ever. Maybe one day when I win lotto hahah

Waterfront and Devonport

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:11:00 +0000

My friend Richie, his carer and her husband and daughter and I went to the Waterfront for the day. We walked on one side of the Hilton hotel and noticed that the other side was blocked off due to a massive Cruise ship moored at the dock. It was a huge ship, taller than the Hilton hotel too, see below a photo.

I so wish I could have a look inside, I bet it's amazing! I counted about 11 floors but there might be more. I wonder how many swimming pools are on board etc. Going through the carpark area I noticed a Lambo, see below

We then had a very yummy lunch at the Maritime Museum restaurant which sits right by the sea. I had some Mexicon food this time and a coke and later a CC Dry (Canadian Club with Ginger Beer), it was nice and refreshing. We then went around to the ferrys and went over to Devonport. It was a bit more windy over that side as it wasn't sheltered. Richie and I wheeled to the other end while his carer's daughter went swimming and played on the sand. Below is a photo I took at one end of Devonport, the wind has made the sea a bit choppy.

We then went back to town by ferry and got some ice cream, then headed back home. A really fun day.

Opps I kinda forgot about my blog

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:55:00 +0000

Opps I kinda forgot about my blog but I'm here now updating again. A few updates are listed below since last time I blogged...
Work Status - I managed to sort out my transport to and from work with Dial-A-Ride, Workbridge were happy for me to stay usig them so it all worked out. There have been hicups where the person adding the jobs for the next day forgets to add me to the drivers list, so this meant I was forgotten some mornings. I still got to work just 10-15mins late. This has got better now so I've been on time and not late to work. Work itself is going great, I'm still enjoying it and know what I'm doing more each day. It never stops though, I arrive and it's all go till I go home, getting a bite to eat is hard at times.

I haven't been to another rugby game for awhile, but I might be able to go to a cricket game inthe Summer.

Winter has gone---->>YAY and Spring is here, soon Summer.

That's pretty much all the updates since I last blogged.

Yummmy Chocolate Cake

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:40:00 +0000

I just finished making this yummy Chocolate cake..

It has a cream cheese, icing sugar, coconut icing on top with more sprinkles of flaked coconut. Time to go taste my cake.

Tri Nations All Blacks vs Australia

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:29:00 +0000

I went to the Tri Nations, All Blacks vs Austraiia rugby game last night with my brother. It was very windy, cold and wet with heavy rain falls, which Ben and I missed so we didn't get wet. We walked to the staidum like we normally do to find it was packed. The wind was blowing into us from the field which doesn't normally happen so we got the odd cold wind coming in at times.

I had three layers on, trackpants, scarf, hat and gloves and I was still a little cold. I got the blanket out and put that over my legs to keep them warm.

The game started with the Aussies scoring the first tri. The All Blacks didn't do too much attach at the beginning, more defense. It was a tight game, 16 to 16 then the All Blacks got some more points and took the win with 22- 16 which was awesome.

Got to Work in School Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:45:00 +0000

As it's school holiday's I was able to get to and from work over the last two weeks, so this was great. Dial-a-Ride got me to work on time and were there waiting for me at the time I needed to go home and they tied my chair down way quicker than ERA Taxis. It was a much better service than ERA Taxis but it's a shame ERA Taxis had to be removed from the TM Contract.

As for work next week, I'm not sure what's going to happen, its all up in the air at the moment. My Co-Managers are flexiable and won't terminate my job. I did manage to contact a Taxi Company again, as I knew the driver may have recovered from his time in hospital, but he said to ring back in 2 weeks to get an answer if he can do my work runs.

Out Shopping with Dad

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:59:00 +0000

Dad came over mid morning and we went to the mall to get some veges and look around. The vege shop has changed into a big market type shop, selling all sorts of things. We then had a coffee in the mall where it was nice and warm then had a look around. We had some lunch at Robert Harris and that was nice. We came back to my place to pick up something then went to there place as we having dinner there. Ben brought over his new iMac and I showed him some things and put some stuff on his iMac.

Later we all enjoye a nice Roast Lamb, roasted veges and potatoes and gravey, yummmmm. We had some cake and ice cream after too.

During dinner I had setup the Nokia Software updater so it can update my Nokia phone firmware. That worked in the end. One thing I can't do on my iMac yet as Nokia isn't compatable with Apple yet, but soon I hear.

Town with Mum and Dad

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:54:00 +0000

I went to town with Mum and Dad yesterday as Mum wanted to go to a Camera shop to get her new camera. It was freezing too and I was cold and so was Mum and Dad so we had a hot drink and some food first. We then went to the Camera and Camera shop and Mum got her 2 yr Birthday present from Dad - a Nikon P90 camera!! It was very nice and I wanted one too but I didn't buy one. Later we went back to the van and went to the mall and did some things there. We also had lunch there too.

Worked From Home

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:28:00 +0000

After talking to T at WorkBridge and knowing my options for today I worked from home. I was able to do data usage and some other work, total hours I did was 2hrs.

Work and Taxis Update

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:25:00 +0000

Today was the last day for me to use ERA Taxis and I still haven't found another company to do my work runs. I took some work home incase I couldn't find a way to work on Thursday.

Work and Taxis

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:40:00 +0000

WINZ will pay another 6 months subsity for my pay which is great, normally they only do this for the first 6 months.

I was informed from Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) in late May that the ERA Taxis I use to take me 'To and From' work have now been removed from the Total Mobility Service Contract and have heard they have also lost there license. I have been in the process of finding another txi comapny to take me to work and home and it's been a nightmare.

I was given a list of Taxi Company's and most of them I had already contacted last year about getting me to and from work but most of them couldn't fit me in due to dam school runs. I even changed my work times and that still didn't work. Anyhow I found a company and they said 'yes we can fit you in, you contacted us at the right time', as others who were using ERA Taxis are also trying to find another company. I was happy that SuperCare4U.com Taxi's could fit me in and at the times I wanted, so I forward there infomation to T at Work Bridge so she could arrange the billing.

I got a phone call on Thursday from T (Work Bridge) saying that the guy from SuperCare4U.com Taxi's had emailed her to say they couldn't do my run anymore as they had a better job. Well that just pissed me off!!! as I only have till Thursday 2 July to have another Taxi company pick me up and the guy didn't even email me when I had contacted him in the first place. So now I'm in high stress mode trying to find another Taxi Company and I have now contacted Dial-a-Ride and no can do. I left Re-Li-On-Us last, as they are my last resort as they are not reliable (I use them with a friend of mine as he has an account with them). They will contact me back tomorrow. If they can't help me then I will have to ask the Volunteer Auckland for a driver, to drive my van.

Home Help Issues

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:34:00 +0000

On top of all the transport issues I'm having to deal with I've also got Focus 2000 problems as they can't find anyone to do the home help I need, at the times I need. The lady that was doing the home help and cooking is now just doing the cooking for an hour each night.

Focus 2000 want me to change my hours to suit them so they can find someone to come do the home help during the day, but it doesn't work like that as they are meant to work around me. I'm also not sitting around waiting for someone to come do my home help when I could be out and about. It's not that easy for me to get transport for me to get home so they can do the home help then go out again. If I go out, I make it a day outting to be worth the taxi cost.

Anyhow I've given them some time slots and still waiting to hear from them, been about two weeks since I emailed them. Might have to try a different agency.

Attitude TV - Jenny Independent

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:07:00 +0000

My story about living independent was shown on Attitude TV this morning.

Jenny Independent
Date aired: Sunday 21 June 2009, TV One at 10am
Episode#: 16
Although Jenny Smyth comes across as quiet, she is fiercely independent.

Still Here

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:21:00 +0000

I haven't blogged in awhile so here I am. I'm still enjoying work which can get really busy at times that I'm doing about 5 things at a time. It can be tiring at times too. I've been doing some training on how to do Usage Data and that's going ok.

I went our for Dinner with Mum and Dad at Bricklane which we like as the food is good. We all had Roast pork that night too hehe but it was so yummy. I had to take half of it home as I couldn't eat it all.

Ben and I went to another Rugby game at Eden Park and it was a good night. It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be, just a very calm night.

Still playing sports, but soon to have a Winter breakup as it getting to cold in gym.

A friend came over and we had a good catch up and some lunch. We talked about missing N. E.W.S (sports) in Australia and wondered how some of the teams were doing.

I got new tires and castors for my TDX as the tread was bald and had no grip left on them. My chair looks all new again haha

Finally I got some free tickets to go to the Bledisloe Cup match at Eden park, it be All Blacks v Wallabies..I can't wait!!!

Shoulder and Elbow Ultrasound Results

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Wed, 06 May 2009 03:52:00 +0000

I got my results back from my shoulder and elbow ultrasound and I've been told I've got thickening of the subdeltoid bursa/subacromial bursa and the infraspinatus bursa. As my shoulder was pain free at the time of the ultrasound, it is possible that I have long term bursa and it can get inflamed every so often, which normally has been treated with anti-inflammatory tablets. My elbow ultrasound came back as normal which was great.

I'm still currently struggling with lower arm muscle pain on both arms now and I think some upper arm muscle pain. I'm not really sure what is causing the muscle pain but it might be me overusing my arm muscles as I use my arms a lot or it's realated to the shoulder bursa. Ever since I got my sore shoulder (bursitis) in January I developed the lower arm muscle pain at the same arm which meant my whole arm felt weak and just made my every day living a little bit harder. I didn't take musch notice of the lower arm pain, instead I got anti-inflammatory tablets for my shoulder and that healed my shoulder. The muscle pain in my lower arm was still there so later I went on 2 weeks of Voltaren (Dr got wrong message and thought my shoulder was still sore) which didn't really help. I was trying everything including anti-inflam creams. I then did some google research and wanted to know if I should use ice or heat on my muscle and in the end a heat pack was suggested. I used my heat pack on my lower arm muscle for 15mins and BAM the worst part of the pain had gone!! It was great, it meant I could do a few things without pain. The muscle pain hasn't complelety gone though and is now in both arms and is annoying me, I want it gone.

I'm thinking about contacting my Community Physio and see if she has any ideas or treatments she can do. I can't rest my arms as I use them 24/7 really. The main things that cause the muscle pain are, getting my stockings, socks and shoes on and off each day, getting my legs up onto the bed at night and positioning my feet and legs in my chair throughout the day.

Congratulations Jenny!

noreply@blogger.com (smilesnzz) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:51:00 +0000

Congratulations Jenny! You are one of the winners in the Barry Cardno book competition.
From Attitude TV

This is a book about Barry who is embarking on his lifelong dream to become a pilot. But for Barry the thrill of flying soon gives way to pervading sense of unease as he confronts the solitary nature and constant danger inherent in aerial topdressing in rural New Zealand.
Unflinchingly Barry describes how at age of twenty one has ambitions are shattered in an instant. He candidly reveals the highs and the lows of his courageous rehabilitation, as well a the difficulties and frustrations of rebuilding his life as a paraplegic.

Goes off to start reading the book.

~*Smiles Magical Land*~