Ok I messed up the link so let’s try again
Month: November 2024
My birthday
What to read about my birthday, then go here; https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2024/11/it-was-my-birthday.html
Week 46 of 2024
I slept right through the night and woke up tired, what is with that, it’s so damn annoying when that happens.
It is 16 degrees this morn my BGL was 5.0
It did get pretty warm but with front and back doors opened it was nice inside. Although by 5pm it started to get pretty cool in fact I started to get cold and asked Tim to turn the fan off which annoyed him. I had to go and put some longer pants on.
Steps:9,558
I had a so so night was a bit restless around 11pm so got up for an hour or so, on returning to bed I slept well till the alarm went off.
It is 18 degrees and my BGL was 4.2
It is a coolish start to the day warmed up to about 22 degrees. I found myself real tired around midday so had lunch and folded clothes and put them away tried to do something online, it wasn’t working so gave up and exercised instead then I went to meet Sam now trying to decide what I want to do next.
The plumber came to fix Jessica’s toilet, it turned out that the problem was tree roots, he said he was putting a report into housing as the problem will return, he did say what has to be done but I don’t remember what he said.
Steps: 8,542
I had another so so night was a bit restless around 11pm so got up for an hour or so, on returning to bed I slept well till the alarm went off.
The temp is 19 degrees and my BGL was 4.5
I am starting to feel real tired and it’s only 6.15am, I am dosing off while trying to do stuff here at the computer.
Sam walked in at 7am she spent some time here before going home to get ready for school and returned at 7.40am. I walked up with Sam as it looked like it might rain again.
No rain till after Sam got home from school, so a nice day with a top temp of 22 degrees.
I had a good night, slept straight through till the alarm went off. A wet morning, it was raining when Tim left for work.
It is 18 degrees, my BGL is 5.0
By 9am it had warmed up and by midday it was 25 degrees.
At 4.30pm it came over real dark and there was some thunder and lightning followed by a downpour, it didn’t last long about 15-20 minutes.
It is 11.550pm and I am restless will use the powerfit then go back to bed.
Steps: 6,2450.
I had a rough night, when I went back to bed at 1.15am, I found it difficult to settle tossing and turning for an hour or so.
When I got up, I found Tim already up.
The temp is 17 degrees and my BGL was 4.9
Sue and I went over to Lake Fair and did some shopping, I bought a pair of denim shorts, some light weight pj bottoms which I will wear as house pants and a pair of black slip of dress shoes all fit although the shoes are tight across the toes but I will wear them around the house for a few minutes at a time to stretch them a bit.
It warmed up enough to wear shorts when I got home from shopping.
Steps: 11,044
I had a good night went to bed at 9.20 slept through the night till 5am.
Looking outside the ground is wet so I hope it doesn’t rain. The temp is degrees and my BGL was 5.6.
Sam’s phone went straight to voicemail, so I had to ring Jess to make sure Sam was up.
I walked down and posted my mail this afternoon.
It was a cool overcast day.
Jess is in for a long night she is doing OT and won’t be home till around 5am tomorrow.
Steps:9,983
MY BIRTHDAY I AM 62 TODAY
I had a good night went to bed at 9pm slept through the night till 5am. It is raining this morning, so I don’t want to go out. It was 19 degrees when I got up.
By 7am I had a headache
Tim left for work at 10.15am he will be home late.
I received many birthday wishes from my siblings and blog friends and pen friends via the phone and Facebook.
Kathy and the girls came over to see me and sung happy birthday to me, not long after they left Jess and Sam came over and did the same.
Steps:8,117
Insomnia Help List
Ok here were with that list of things that are supposed to help with insomnia, how many of then actually help I do not know
Create a sleep-friendly bedroom: Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. You can use curtains, blinds, an eye mask, or ear plugs. Yes, I sleep in such a room
Stick to a sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Yes, I do that as well
Avoid electronics before bed: The light from TVs and smartphones can disrupt your sleep cycle. Yep, do this too
Exercise regularly: Try to get at least 5 to 6 hours of physical activity during the day. No bloody way I am that active during the day
Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol: These substances can make it harder to sleep. Can’t say I do this, but I don’t have a lot of caffeine
Avoid naps: Naps, especially in the afternoon, can make it harder to fall asleep at night. I get this but sometimes I am so tired I have to close my eyes for a bit
Relax before bed: Try reading a book, listening to music, or taking a bath. Nope don’t do any of these things
Manage stress: Try writing down your worries before bed. I generally just hand my worries over to God when I go to bed
Check your medications: Some medications can contribute to insomnia. I am on top of this, and not an issue with me
Try relaxation techniques: Try meditation, imagery, or muscle relaxation. Yeah, I often meditate when going to bed
Use magnesium: Magnesium can help muscles relax and relieve stress. I do take magnesium
Try massage: You can try self-massage or have a partner or friend give you a massage. Nope never tried this
Get out of bed if you can’t sleep: If you can’t fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do something non-stimulating until you feel drowsy. Yes, I do this as well
Ok how many of these tips do you do?
Thursday’s Post
Thursday’s post can be found here:
https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2024/11/is-this-hodgepodge-under-appreciated.html
Newcastle Attacked 1942
This week we are looking again as Newcastle during the second world war, back then many incidents of the war remained unknown to most Aussies until authorities thought it was safe to discuss them.
Those running the country thought there would be fear and panic and damage to morale, so it was better the general public knew pretty much nothing.
A MINI SUBMARINE
However, when the Japanese attacked the east coast, it was impossible to hide that it happened. On the 31 May and 1 June 1942 mini submarine attacked Sydney harbour. This caused havoc in the harbour and cost 21 lives before they were destroyed, a few days later another attack happen of the Central Coast this time a merchant ship the Iron Chieftain was sunk killing 12 crew.
On the 8 June 1942 shells were fired at Sydney Harbour with just one exploding this caused defence authorities to fear a wider attack, so a message was sent to Newcastle to be prepared for an attack.
FORT SCRATCHLEY
Novocastrians heard the sirens and emergency personnel were put on alert, the all clear was sounded many hours later but the threat had not passed. Newcastle had shells fired at them from a position in Stockton Bight at around 2.15am.
Japanese records show that 34 shells from a position about nine kilometres north-east of Fort Scratchley. Eight-star shells burst one by one in the sky to illuminate potential same goes for two others that landed in the east end tram terminus.
As it turns out only two of the shell fired at Newcastle exploded on land one shattering against the sea wall just north of Newcastle Baths and one in Parnell Place which is at the top end of Newcastle. This hurled a shower of metal splinters towards near by homes and peppering walls with metal shards, damaging rainwater downpipes and blowing out house windows. The attack lasted around 20 minutes until just after the guns at Fort Scratchley returned fire.
FORT SCRATCHLEY GUN YES IT STILL WORKS
The guns at Fort Scratchley were built more than half a century earlier when an invasion was feared by Russia.
After the attack the ports of Newcastle and Sydney were temporarily closed.
In February 1943 the east coast of Australia was attacked again which caused the death of 36 merchant mariners many of whom were from Newcastle.
Grey Wolf
This week we are looking at the wolf, also known as the gray wolf or grey wolf, is a canine native to Eurasia and North America. This is the most common wolf in the world.
A Grey wolve is about twice the size of a coyote. They measure up to 6 feet(183cm) in length, including tail, and about 30 inches (80-85cm) in height at the shoulder. Female wolves weigh around 70 – 80 pounds (31-36kg), while males weigh around 95 – 100 pounds, (43-45kg)
The life spans of wild wolves vary dramatically. Although the average lifespan is between 6 and 8 years, many will die sooner, and some can reach 13. Wolves in captivity can live up to 17 years.
Wolves rarely act aggressively toward people, but there have been instances in Alaska and Canada where wolves have attacked people. The first case of wild healthy wolves killing a human in modern North America occurred in Saskatchewan in 2005; a second person was killed in 2010 in Alaska.
Wolves are carnivores—they prefer to eat large-hoofed mammals such as deer, elk, bison, and moose. They also hunt smaller mammals such as beavers, rodents, and hares. Adults can eat 20 pounds of meat in a single meal.
Pups are born in early spring and are cared for by the entire pack. They depend on their mother’s milk for the first month, and then they are gradually weaned and fed regurgitated meat by other pack members. By 7 to 8 months of age, when almost fully grown, the pups begin traveling with the adults.
In a grey wolf pack, it is usually only the male and female alpha who are allowed to breed, the pair mate for life as a way to cement their position as pack leaders, producing a new litter each year and ensuring the stability of the rest of the pack.
Wolves’ vocalizations can be separated into four categories: barking, whimpering, growling, and howling. Sounds created by the wolf may actually be a combination of sounds such as a bark-howl or growl-bark. Barking is used as a warning.
Next week we will look at the Red Wolf.
Ethiopia
Hi all, how is everyone doing, I hope all is good with and those you care about, this week we are still in Africia and the country is Ethiopia a county that many will have heard of in different commercials for UNICEF.
Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa, is a rugged, landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley. With archaeological finds dating back more than 3 million years, it’s a place of ancient culture. Among its important sites are Lalibela with its rock-cut Christian churches from the 12th–13th centuries. Aksum is the ruins of an ancient city with obelisks, tombs, castles and Our Lady Mary of Zion church.
In 1931, Emperor Haile Selassie formally requested that the international community use the name Ethiopia instead of the exonym Abyssinia, and the issuing Bank of Abyssinia also became the Bank of Ethiopia.
The capital is Addis Ababa, which is in the highlands bordering the Great Rift Valley, is the country’s commercial and cultural hub.
Located in the capital is a National Museum which exhibits Ethiopian art, traditional crafts and prehistoric fossils, including replicas of the famous early hominid, “Lucy.”
It has a population of around 126 million, this may be due to a very high fertility of 4.4 children per woman. The combination of a high birth rate and relatively low life expectancy means that Ethiopia is a young country. 41.5 percent of the population is below 15 years and only 3.3 percent is above 65.
The currency is the birr it is subdivided into 100 santims.
The national animal is the lion, and its national flower is the calla lily. The national bird is the Stresemann’s bush crow, also known as the Abyssinian pie, bush crow.
The Flag of Ethiopia consists of a green, yellow, and red tricolour with the national emblem, a golden pentagram on a blue disc, superimposed at the centre.
The star represents the unity of all Ethiopian nationalities, its rays the bright prospects for their future. Blue is for peace, yellow for hope, justice, and equality. Red represents sacrifice for freedom and equality, while green is equated with labour, development, and fertility.
Religion in Ethiopia consists of a number of faiths. Among these mainly Abrahamic religions, the most numerous is Christianity totalling at 67.3%, followed by Islam at 31.3%. There is also a longstanding but small Ethiopian Jewish community.
Christianity in Ethiopia dates back to the ancient Kingdom of Aksum, when the King Ezana first adopted the faith in the 4th century AD. This makes Ethiopia one of the first regions in the world to officially adopt Christianity. Various Christian denominations are now followed in the country.
This is not a country you want to go visiting in face a search online will tell you to avoid non-essential travel to Ethiopia due to civil unrest, violence, armed conflict and crime. The security situation can deteriorate without warning. This advisory excludes Addis Ababa where you should exercise a high degree of caution.
The government of Ethiopia is the federal government of Ethiopia. It is structured in a framework of a federal parliamentary republic, whereby the prime minister is the head of government and the commander-in-chief of the Ethiopian Armed Forces. The prime minister is the most powerful political figure in Ethiopian politics. The official residence of the prime minister is the Menelik Palace in Addis Ababa.
Week 45 of 2024
Had a good night, Tim came to bed at around 4am I remember him saying he had only been home an hour, that was a long day.
It is supposed to be 29 degrees today at the moment it is 16 degrees and my BGL was 4.8
Kathy and family arrived around midday, Tasha had asked Michael if he could come and put the new TV on the wall for her.
Sue sent me a message asking who the two girls on the calendar for November she thought they were her granddaughters and yes, they are but it was upsetting that she had to ask.
Steps:8,885
Had a good night once I settled down and slept till the alarm went off, a warm start to the day has both front and back doors opened. It is 23 degrees and my BGL is 5.0 at 6am
It is the type of morning that makes one want to stay in bed, but of course I am up showered, dressed and doing stuff. It isn’t warm nor is it cold but if shut the doors I will get hot but with them open I feel a chill.
I walked down and posted some letters off just before Sam arrived home, not long after returning home it started to rain and there was some thunder. It didn’t rain for much and only a little thunder.
Steps: 6,642
Had an early night last night was in bed by 8.30pm got up once to pee and straight back to sleep till the alarm went off. I woke feeling unwell
It is 19 degrees and my BL was 5.0
No school for Sam today due to a doctor’s appointment.
It has been a cool day, I have not felt good all day, I ache all over and just feel unwell.
It is 6.30pm and I am ready for bed but will try and stay awake till 8.30pm.
Steps: 8,486
Had an early night last night was in bed by 8.30pm slept straight through to the alarm went at 5am.
It is 19 degrees at 6am and my BGL is 4.8. I am feeling great this morning and so happy that I am able to do stuff this morning.
A nice day morning but a bloody hot arvo. I turned the air con on around 12.30.
I walked up to meet Sam, and the heat drained me and left me exhausted.
Steps:8,882
I overslept this morning didn’t hear the alarm, turned out I l left my phone in the lounge-room. I woke up when Tim was getting up. So, it was only 15 minutes after my get out of bed I, slept all night.
I am dressed in shorts and have both front and back sliding doors open, it is a nice 20 degrees and my BGL was 5.0.
The temp reached 32 degrees, when it was time to go meet Sam it started pissing down, I was pleased when Jess rang and said she would go meet Sam. She called in sick due to a really bad headache.
Steps: 8,257
Another good night don’t remember getting up at all, it’s wet outside but not raining at this time. It is 17 degrees and is supposed to get as high as 29 degrees. My BGL was 4.8
By 8.30 it was 22 degrees
The calendars came for next year they are A3 size so much bigger than this years but that is good this year is too small for my liking.
I got my Christmas cards out and over the next week or so will make a start on them.
I am having a restless night.
Steps:12,542
After six good nights, I had a rotten night, I got only between 1 and 1.5hrs of sleep, I didn’t even dose I was awake. I got up a couple of times, I used the powerfit which helped settled the movement part down. When I was in bed there wasn’t much tossing and turning, mostly I just laid there at 4.30am I needed to pee, so I got up and stayed up. I had a shower and shaved my legs, applied moisturiser to my legs, arms, chest and face. It is 19 degrees and my BGL was 4.7
I was not good when we went to the shops around 1pm I had a 1hr nap and felt better after that.
By 6pm though I started to feel not the best again.
Steps:6,367
Insomnia
This week I thought we would take a look at something I am thankfully I don’t suffer from, although there have been times when I felt like I do suffer from it. The condition is insomnia.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, even when you have the time and environment to sleep well. It can cause you to wake up too early or not feel refreshed when you wake up. Insomnia can affect your mood, energy levels, and daily activities.
Insomnia can be caused by stress, physical ailments, mental health problems, or poor sleep habits.
It can affect people of all ages, but teens may be especially susceptible.
In most cases it is related to poor sleeping habits, depression, anxiety, lack of exercise, chronic illness or certain medication.
Symptoms may include difficulty falling or staying asleep and not feeling well-rested.
Treatment for insomnia consists of improving sleep habits, behaviour therapy and identifying and treating underlying causes. Sleeping pills may also be used but should be monitored for side effects.
It seems that more women than men have insomnia in the United States, more than one in four women experience insomnia, compared with fewer than one in five men.
Also, a study found that women of all ages reported worse sleep quality than men.
Women are twice as likely to have insomnia than men.
This may be due to hormonal changes that women have during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can cause or contribute to sleep difficulties. There are also physical symptoms that many women deal with during these times such as cramps or night sweats, that disrupt sleep.
Caffeine can cause insomnia, especially if consumed in large amounts or close to bedtime, a study found that 400 mg of caffeine taken up to 6 hours before bed can significantly disrupt sleep, reducing it by more than an hour.
Caffeine can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to get quality sleep.
People with chronic insomnia may use caffeine to cope with daytime sleep deprivation, which can worsen insomnia at night.
The exact effects of caffeine depend on the dose and an individual’s sensitivity.
To minimize the risk of insomnia, it’s generally recommended to avoid caffeine in the hours before bed. People who regularly drink caffeine may be able to tolerate it better than those who don’t.
Next week I will post the list of things that so called experts suggest to help with insomnia.
Jo-AnneRamplings 