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I have just linked up with Amy's blog:






 Amy is having a Linky Party that sees us all sharing a bit more about each other.




The Linky is called, Tell me More, Tell me More!
The question is, how much will I tell?



1. I am 36 and happily married to Andy, with no children.... yet. I kind of do have my baby, Cruz (pronounced Cruise), our Labrador. He is six but still our baby. We do everything together and I just adore him. He is such a delight and it helps that he is well trained now, not so much as a pup. 

 



2. My husband of 12 years had a high-speed water-skiing accident in May 2000. It was the most awful day because we lost him for 20 minutes as he lost his pulse and his breathing. There must have been a long discussion in heaven as to whether he would stay or go. I thank him and God for coming back to me. 
This day has shaped our lives and to tell more, means that I must share a large part of who I am, that means, this story.

This photo was taken by someone who was holidaying by the Hawkesbury River in NSW, Australia, in May 2000. We received the photo a year later. 

Andy was racing in a long distance, invite only water ski race here in Australia, called the Bridge to Bridge. He was skiing behind a boat that was going 105 miles per hour (over 160km). The race was almost 90 miles in distance and Andy was 3/4 of the way through the race. I was waiting at the finish line, many miles away. Andy was very lucky that day as a string of events, were magically put in place for us. Andy fell off and hit the water and somersaulted  many times. He dislocated his head from his neck. The spinal cord ripped and frayed. The spine should of severed the spinal cord, as it was but millimetres away. A paramedic was holidaying on the beach and gave Andy CPR. A friend of Andy's who was competing in the race, fell just a few miles down river, just before Andy. She had major injuries but none life threatening. The rescue helicopter that was meant for Julie, was despatched seconds before landing. If it had of landed, it would be unable to take off to Andy (procedure). Andy made it to hospital in record time. They were able to bring him back, however they told us to say goodbye to him that night. Andy was still with us the next day and the day after that and he is still here today. He was in a coma for 18 days and in hospital for 6 months, including rehabilitation. He can walk, but the doctors say that he shouldn't be able to. However, in the past 2 years, this blessing is slowly been taken away from him. After the accident, he only had the use of one arm, a whisper for a voice, he had to learn how to walk, talk, swallow and eat again. He has had several operations over the years and 3 in the past year. The doctors can't seem to stop the deterioration of his good arm and his legs. Andy has been in a wheelchair for a year now. He is able to get around in the house without it but it takes him around 4-5 minutes just to get from the sofa to the toilet. He cannot hold on to most implements and needs help frequently. I am his carer and is number one fan. If you knew us, you would know that we are the most positive and grateful people, despite our hardship. We have been through so much together. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encepholomyaloitis which is basic swelling and pain. I have been unable to teach for many years and miss it terribly. We make a great team! We believe that everything is about perspective and ours is simple, that are extremely happy. There is so much more to this story but I won't go into more detail. I will try to keep the rest of this post a little more upbeat for you!

3. I love taking photos and take my camera(s) with me wherever I go!


 



4. I am from Gerringong,(all the photos above are from our town) a small beach-side, holiday town on the south coast of NSW, Australia! We are lucky enough to have the moutains meet the sea. We are surrounded by farms to one side and the ocean to the other!







5. I love psychology, especially biological psychology and am currently reading a text book for pleasure!

5. I love all of the Housewives shows too, especially the Jersey one and OC! Although, I haven't been watching them as much lately. I just love documentaries, especially anything that David Attenborough does!


   


6. I love Anthony Robins, a life coach/motivational speaker. Both my husband and I adore him!


7. I believe that life is more about giving than getting. I aim to help people in all areas of my life. I try to do it spontaneously and some things I plan. Last week, I made lunch for our neighbors who are renovating and just looked exhausted. I made lunch and then afternoon tea for the whole family! I bought my friend some 'pick me up tea' a nice mug and a container for the tea! Just yesterday there was a beautiful rainbow at the back of the house and it appeared to drop right into our neighbor's house. I will print it off and send it over to them. I don't know them but I'm sure they will love it. I also left money in the vending machine for the next person to discover! I know that this impromptu ways of helping is moving towards fulfilling my spirit and who I truly was placed here on Earth to be. 



8. I detoxed from Coke Zero about 6 weeks ago and haven't had one since!

9. I walk each morning with my Labrador, Cruz along the beach. We are so lucky! Can you believe it's the middle of winter here in Australia and there are dozens of surfers out each day? 





10. I love life!!!



 You all may know me from Clever Classroom on Teachers Pay Teachers



17 comments:

  1. Your dog is soooo cute! Thanks for linking up!

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    1. Hey Amy, thanks so much, he is so adorable and I just love him to bits! Thanks again for the great link up idea!

      Emma :)

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  2. Emma, what a moving story about your husband. Those stories about waterskiing accidents have been far too many in recent years. Im glad the outcome was a positive one for you both. Sharing can be scary. How far is Gerringong from Sydney? maybe one day we can meet :)
    Brooke

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  3. Hey Brooke, thanks for popping by. Gerringong, is an hour and half, south of Sydney, just 10 minutes past Kiama and about 35 minutes before Nowra. Andy's dad lives in the same suburb as you. I remember from your TpT store that you're from the same area that we use to live before we moved down here almost 3 years ago. I would love to catch up. If you ever head down the south coast, let me know.

    Emma :)

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    1. That is freaky that you even know my suburbs name, let along have relatives that live nearby! My grandparents live down the coast, Dapto so we do venture south at times. Will definitely try to work something out for next holidays or if you come up for a visit, let me know :)

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    2. Hey Brooke, You may not remember me contacting you around the first time you started on TpT. I think I saw your suburb on your TpT store. We are originally from Milperra. Although, I should say that my husband is (Andy Farrell). You may know me as Clever Classroom from TpT! The world sure is a small place! We keep on bumping into each other on line. I also visited your store the other day, be sure to check out the feedback! Chat soon!
      Emma Farrell :)

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  4. I found you on TPT, I love Australia! i do a whole unit on OZ. My sister and brother in law were just there a few months ago travelling and sent me postcards from sydney (my daughter's name is Sydney) I turned all of their post cards into a part of my Writing center bulletin board.
    Stop by my blog and check it out--Postcards included post.
    Thanks for the great freebies,
    Jessica

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  5. Okay, choked up, chills, and moved! We have a beautiful yellow lab that looks much like your pics! His name is TUT! He's the biggest of all 5 of our doggies (physically) BUT also the biggest baby!
    SUCH a wonderful post, Emma!
    Life is good, isn't it? This post helps me remember that!
    Be well,

    Ann Marie Smith @ Innovative Connections

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    Replies
    1. Ann Marie, Oh, thanks so much for reading my post. Your response has brought a tear to my eye. Thanks so much for your comments. I just love my 'baby', he is just adorable. That is so cool that you have a yellow lab too. Do you have any pics on the net? Life is certainly great Anne Marie! See you in the FB room!!!
      Emma Farrell :)

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  6. Emma, You and your husband have been through many trials and tribulations together. You remind me of my parents. Those type of circumstances will either pull a couple closer together (like you and my parent) or pull them apart. I'm glad to see that you and your husband have learned to live with what life has given you. Cruz is simply adorable. My husband and I had a black lab our first 12 years of marriage. I think they are one of the best breeds. Cute and very smart!
    :) Michelle

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    1. Oh Michelle, thank you so much. You can see that we have been through so much and this is only one small part of our story that is still going. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment, it means so much to us. I just love the TpT community, they are all so supportive. Thank God for TpT!

      Emma Farrell :)

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  7. Thank you for sharing your story with us. You and your husband are truly inspirational in your attitude towards life and living!

    Your pictures are beautiful and make me want to go to Australia right now!

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    1. Thanks a bunch Michelle, you are too kind. I can't tell you how grateful we are to be living where we are! Thanks so much for your kind words, it was so thoughtful of you to leave such a lovely comment. I really value your words and have just read them out to my husband, who has a huge smile on his face!!!!!!

      Emma Farrell :)

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  8. What a beautiful story of love and God's goodness. Thank you so much for showing others that tragedy doesn't define who we are. What we make of the tragedy shows our true character. You and your husband are amazing people! Blessings to you both!

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  9. Thanks so much Deanna. God is great and we both feel so fortunate to have each other and our wonderful families. I rarely share personal stuff, especially not to the world. I like to also reserve my personal Facebook page for helping others with ideas and quotes etc. I am quite personal with our story. I am starting to understand the power of telling our story (there is so much more). It also fits with what I know my spirit to be, a helper. Thanks for your very well thought out words, I had tears reading it and all of the others. I just love TpT and the community it breeds, if it wasn't for my store, we would not be surviving! We are currently saving for a converted van for Andy, it has been my goal since day one on TpT and I push so hard each day!!! Thanks a bunch Deanna, bless you for reaching out to comment on my little post! Emma Farrell :)

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  10. Emma, I'm not really sure what blog I was on that actually brought me here...but I'm glad it did. Your story was truly an inspiring one for me as I am going through some issues with my husband right now...not health issues, but issues none the less. What I take from your story is the ability to stick it out in tough times. Life doesn't always hand you what you want or think you need. It's the hard times that make us stronger and make us rejoice when times are good. I guess we just have to trust in the Lord to lead us through whatever trials and tribulations come our way. Thanks for sharing your story and making me think about my situation in a little different light.

    Susan...polkadotroom@gmail.com

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  11. You and your husband seem like amazing people. The work you are doing as "The Clever Teacher" is amazing and I know that you will get that van before you know it!

    Teach With Laughter

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