Hi all,

Sorry for the huge delay in writing,  well we have just had our 6 month check up in chch, which resulted in Ben having minor surgery for Bladder stones.  Hopefully this will sort out a few problems that we have been having.  Other than the bladder stones that Ben had everything else went smooth.  We will be returning in 6 weeks although to get rid of the kidney stones that he has. 

We had a meeting with ACC last week in regards to getting our house altered which still hasn’t happened, they have assured us (after us writing a letter of complaint) that they will be looking into it promptly and we can start getting our kitchen drawn up.  I won’t skip with joy yet but hopefully it will move there little butts into overdrive.  Failing that we will be sending another complaint letter saying that our complaint wasn’t taken seriously. I have learnt to be pretty strong & not to back down when it comes to these subjects. 

 ACC has also put in an application for Ben & I to get funding for IVF, so there might be little sprogs on the way pretty shortly. Doubt it though, won’t hold my breath when it comes to ACC.

 Nothing much else has really happened lately so will try to keep everyone posted with the house and IVF.

 Thank you everyone for all your support over the last year, yes its been nearly a year!!!!!!!

 Cheers

Holly

Hi there everyone, just thought I’d let everyone know that every thing is going great at home. We finally recieved our house plans the other day, so it looks like the permanent mods should get started in the new year sometime. Got my first speeding ticket in the new car the other day, tried to blame on getting used to the hand controls, but they thought I should have been going under 100 in that case, so there goes another $80.

Have put our old bike up for sale if anyone out there is keen, I think it’s a Blanche frame with a 98 Rf900R engine with Keihin Flatslide Carbs and purpose built extractors. Can be sold at end of the season or if anyone really wants it we will part with it sooner. Have a few spare to throw in like extra sprockets and tyres. Looking around $3500, It’s the blue bike you can see at the top of the page, if you want anymore info just email me @ holly_ben@xtra.co.nz.

Well hope you all have a good Xmas and look forward to catching up with everyone in early january at the NZ’s up here in gizzy. 

Man I am a slack arse!!!!!!  Well so much to tell you.  We have been busy little beavers. 

About 3 weeks ago Ben got his new car a Toyota Altezza Gita.  It has all been converted over for him so he is as independent as he possibly can be considering the circumstances.  We were flown to Auckland  to collect it so we decided to pay Stubbs a visit in the Otara Spinal Unit.  He seemed high in spirits and more than eager to get home, we understand exactly what he is going through.  Anyways,  Ben has also received his new wheelchair which is pretty dam flash and within a couple of days of receiving that we got his new standing frame.  He can now move from room to room standing up, it is definately a cool contraption.  We also have just had a cleaner hired for us by ACC due to Ben & I not having enough time in the day to do all the housework.  Ben’s mum has been helping us out alot, doing the lawns every sunday. Thanks Wendy (Mum) heaps.  The house is nearly finished, still got to finish the window frames and get the curtains up but that is all we can get done until we get the alterations done to our room.  Ben is back at work most days doing the afternoon shift.  He is starting to learn the new truss & frame program and is taking on most of the quoting that is coming through.  He is definately finding it hard to sit still now, If anyone reading this new Ben before hand would know what I am talking about, because he is usually running around the yard.  Most of the builders are welcoming Ben’s return and can’t wait to give him more work.

On another note, Speedway has started here again in Gisborne.  Ben & I attended the first practice and both were eager to get back on the sidechair.  Didn’t get to see it but Ben managed to get on to the back of Dad’s (Deane Miller) sidechair (didn’t get a photo unfortunaty).  We are trying to come up with a plan of Ben jumping on the back for a parade on the first official night of Speedway.  We are extremly excited about it so hopefully it goes forward. 

The only other thing I have to report is that we had our first weekend away together since the accident and that was to Adrian and Natalie Friar’s Wedding (Ados & Nat). Congradulations to both of you, it was a well thought out wedding with every little detail covered.  I hope you guys have fun on your hunny moon!  Welcome to the family Nat. 

Anyways Christmas & my Birthday are on the way so get prepared to send all those pressies and hopefully a big party.

Have fun and look forward to seeing you guys all around at either Meanee & Gisborne Speedway.

Luv Holly 

Well howdy all, the gardening is all done and the lawns are mowed and Ben gets his CAR next week, YEAH! We are so excited.  We are being flown up to Auckland next week to pick it up and while we’re up there we will be going to visit Stubbs at Otara.  Oh yeah he gets his standing frame and wheelchair in a week or so as well, YEAH.  We are so excited that things are moving forward.  Well we are looking at having our house warming in a couple of weeks definately, I will post details soon. 

Work is going good, no idea when the lift is going to go in but oh well.  Anyways that is all for now, we will let you know if anything else changes.

Chio

Well hi there everyone, long time no hear.  Sorry about that.  Well the house is nearly finished just stripping back the window frame and polyurethaning the skirtings etc and we are all done for now until the alterations are done to the house.  We are both very well and living life to the fullest at the moment.  Ben has been a bit sick for the last week but is returning to work as of monday.  He is also bought a Alteza Gita and it is currently getting converted for him up in Auckland, so hopefully we will get the call this week that we are to go up and pick it up.  We will go and visit stubbs, who is now in Otara Spinal Unit and is doing well so I hear, while we are up there.  We got plans back for the alterations at work, small things to be changed but apart from that hopefully they will start very shortly.  Due to the urgency of the lift going into work our house has been put on the back burner for now, but that isn’t going to stop us having a house warming (prealterations party more like it).  Have to get Ben’s bar built first which should only take us one weekend, which will prob be in a couple of weeks.  So look out on the website for details of the bar unvailing and house warming details.  Not much else to let you all know,  keep the comments coming as they keep us entertained and connected with the word.  Oh yeah, Ben and Graeme have got themselves a car to turn into a rally car, Skyline.  Only needs a couple of things fixed up on it and it is warrantable so we will keep you all posted with updates of the progress with that.  Speedway season is lerking around the corner with only like 6 weeks or less to go until the first practice meeting so keep your eyes peeled for us around the speedway grounds, sounds like the sidechair numbers have grown and its going to be an impressive year.  Good Luck to all, and hurry up with building your bikes, cars etc!.  Catch ya

Luv Holly & Ben

Hey hey everyone,

 Sorry about not writing a post for a very very long time.  Well I have been back at work for going on 4 weeks now and not much has changed.  Ben has been bored shitless and driving himself insane but sky has seemed to keep him entertained for most of the day.  Nothing new has really happened except the house is nearly finished it new coatings of paint, just got to finish the lounge now.  Oh yeah next weekend if you want to volunteer I am going to be doing the gardens (theres plenty of gardening to go around)  so give me a bell if you feel like pitching in.  Then once that is done we can plan our house warming, YEAH!  Well we had a meeting with our ACC case managers and looks like Ben is going to get his car sooner rather than later, he has picked out some pretty cool cars but just got to see how much ACC are going to put towards it which will determine which one he will buy.  Well Ben is back to work on Monday (Part time for now)  which will be good for him and our  bank ballance.  Anyway that is all for now, keep the comments coming and we will let you know when the house warming is.  Catch up with you all.

Luv Holly

Hi all again,

Well if you all haven’t heard, Stubbs (Robert Stubbs) was flown to Middlemore hospital on Sunday after a horrific motor cross accident.  What I have been told is that he has brocken his back but can’t move his legs.   The reason I am letting you all know is that most of the sidecar guys should remember stubbs and most of you are all still friends with him.  I have contacted our contacts in the speedboating ring and have asked them to get together some donations to send to Stubbs and his wife Tanya  so I am asking friends and family of stubbs and the sidecar crew to put together something with us to send to them.  They supported us while we were going through this horrible time so we need the help to give that support back. I do not wish this upon anyone and hope that everyone else can see that.  Its not something they should go through by themselves.  So if you guys have any ideas of how we can raise money for Stubbs, Tanya and the kids please let me know and I will put something together.

Thanks

Holly

PS.  Best of luck with recovery uncle stubbs. 

Hi all,

Well we have been home for just over 2 weeks now and the holiday is now over for one of us.  I went back to work for the first time today and reality hasn’t set in yet, can’t wait till friday!  ACC is slowly getting the house in order but for now Ben is getting up at 6am with me until it is all sorted.  The dogs are settled in to their new palace of dog kennels (built like a **** brick house).  The painting is nearly done, well half the house is done.  Just got to finish stripping the skirtings and door frames in the hall and one of the bedrooms and then paint the lounge, toliet and bathroom.  Then I can have the weekends off, YEAH RIGHT.  Anyway the house is looking fantastic, just wondering when would be the best time to have a house warming before or after all the alterations are done, ideas anyone??????  Well we have sky tv on the way tomorrow to help entertain Ben throughout the day while I am at work and we will be getting broadband tomorrow as well (dial up sucks).  Anyway off to watch the rest of shortland street.  Have fun all.  See ya

 Holly

Well we have just about caught up with everyone although there will always be someone we have forgotten to go and say hi to.  Our home welcoming has been overwhelming and Ben has seen how much support he had back here in little old gisborne.  It is great to see how a community can get together to support one person whether they knew him or not. 

Well while we have got the time off, I have started painting, don’t know why I really started but got to make our new home ours so that was a starting point.  Ben went out and bought himself a lazy boy on friday so he will later on be sitting in front of the fire playing the play station, don’t think he is too keen on getting hold of a paint roller, oh well. 

Over the weekend we headed down to the local for a couple of burbons and all went smoothly.  A couple of friends turned up to join us while we watched the All black and the NZ Ferns playing.  Was just good to feel a bit of normality.

 Opus & ACC are coming tomorrow to assess our house to weither we get an ensuite or weither we get our house ripped apart, might be living out of a motel for awhile. 

 Anyway not much else to report on so you all have fun and we will organise a welcome home party and house warming at some stage and you all will be invited.  So hang in there and we will be in contact.  Thanks

Holly