How was everyone’s Christmas, mine was ok nothing great, I just haven’t been feeling this year, in fact we have cancelled the siblings gathering as none of us are feeling it this year. Both me and Sue have decided that next year instead of going to Dave’s we all should go out for lunch at the Eastern Tiger and I suggested that next year instead of Tasha cooking lunch for us we should go to the Eastern Tiger and she liked that idea.
GIFTS FROM SUE
As for gifts well Tim gave me nothing, Tasha gave me nothing, Jessica gave me nothing. Kathy-Lee gave me some nice oils, Sue gave me2 dairies, a small calendar and a sister plaque.
KATHY’S GIFT TO ME
On Boxing Day Tim and I went to Kathy’s for lunch and Michael made his smash burgers which are so yummy, he also made homemade garlic bread that was also so nice.
KATHY’S GIFT TO TIM
Today the 27 Dec Tim and I went to the Eastern Tiger for lunch, Tim commented that I didn’t eat much but my appetite has been very low.
Today is Christmas Eve, so I am telling you a bit about what Christmas Eve is like here in Australia.
It is not a public holiday here, but it isn’t uncommon to find some businesses closed early, Tim went out to his favourite butcher only to find it had closed at midday due to it being Christmas Eve.
One of the most cherished Australian traditions is Carols by Candlelight. Participants light candles or glow sticks, creating a magical scene as the sun sets. The televised Melbourne Carols by Candlelight is a national favourite, watched by thousands around the country.
Another big event is Carols in the Domain which is recorded before the 24 Dec but televised on the night of the 24th
These big events often have ticketed seats with the money raised from the ticket sales going to charities.
Many local communities gather in parks, beaches, and public spaces to sing Christmas carols, often with live performances by local artists.
In my family Christmas pillow cases were left at in the lounge-room for Santa to fill, we also left out some fruit cake and can of beer for Santa.
Another bloody hot day, not like the weather in North Pole Alaska, which is the place we are looking at today.
North Pole is a small city in Alaska that fully embraces a year‑round Christmas identity. Despite the name, it sits about 1,700 miles south of the actual geographic North Pole.
It has a population of around 2,243 according to the 2020 census. It is located 20 minutes southeast of Fairbanks, its zip code is 99705 which is often used for letters to Santa.
The towns motto is: “Where the Spirit of Christmas Lives Year Round!”
The towns biggest attraction is Santa’s house which has a giant Santa statue, Christmas décor, reindeer and what feels like an endless number of ornaments and gifts.
The street names are Santa Clause Lane, Kris Kringle Drive, Mistletoe Lane to name a few.
The local post office receives hundreds of thousands of letters every year addressed simply to “Santa Claus, North Pole, Alaska”.
It’s a quirky, charming stop for travellers heading through Fairbanks — especially those who love Christmas or want a fun photo op with the giant Santa.
Good morning, everyone, here in my par.t of the world it is hot but not stinking hot, yesterday it was so hot you felt like one was melting, and the heat made me feel unwell, today it is a lot cooler at 29C or 84F compared to yesterday’s 40C or 104F.
Anyway, since Christmas is only a few days away, I thought we would look at where Santa lives.
In most English‑speaking cultures Santa lives at the North Pole, a remote, icy point at the very top of the Earth. According to holiday tradition experts, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves spend the year in a workshop there, making toys and preparing for Christmas Eve.
Did you know The North Pole has no time zone, which adds to the mystery, and it sits in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, covered in shifting ice rather than solid land.
No humans live there permanently, which makes it the perfect secret base for Santa’s operations.
However, in many European traditions—especially in Scandinavia—Santa is said to live in Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland.
There’s even a real place you can visit which is Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, right on the Arctic Circle.
This village embraces the idea that Santa has lived in Lapland “for centuries,” and visitors can meet Santa any day of the year, cross the Arctic Circle line and explore snowy forests and reindeer country.
It’s a blend of folklore and tourism, but it’s become the “official hometown of Santa Claus” for millions of people.
Tomorrow I will tell you a little about North Pole Alaska
Hi everyone, it is Sunday 14 December and after a rough night I managed 6hrs & 16 mins of sleep, I woke up at 5.35am. I don’t have an alarm set on Sundays.
It has been another stinking hot day, I turned the air con on at 1pm, the temp was 32C or 89F.
I have finished off the Christmas cards and Sue drive me to the post office tomorrow.
I had to leave the air con on when I went o bed as it was still 28C or 82F
Steps:17,142 = 8.7k’s or 5.3 miles
Monday has arrived and the start of another working for some and just another day for others.
Last night there was shorting at Bondi with 42 shot with 16 dead, including one of the two shooters which was a father and son.
Sue came over and drove to the post office so I could post things off. We then went over to Sam’s to drop off gifts for her kids, but she wasn’t home. So, we then went to Lake Fair as Sue wanted to go to Woolies.
Not as hot today.
Steps:12,974 = 6.6K’s or 4 miles
Tuesday, morning and I was up showered and dressed, the ground is wet and it is 16C orb 64F. I had a good 9hrs & 20mins of sleep.
I am not feeling good today, I have a headache and a sore throat and feel so tired.
A wet morning and dry in the afternoon, Tim arrived home around 2pm. As soon as he got home, he went to Tasha’s as she had to go out, and she has someone coming to fix her back door.
Well, the guy turned up and while he was there Tasha arrived home, she started going off at Tim for what reason we do not know anyway he rightly got annoyed and left.
Then Tim came home and tried to ring Booking.com after a while he managed to get to talk to someone who at first wasn’t very helpful but after a while she finally said they would contact the hotel and confirm we didn’t stay there and arrange a refund, we will see.
Steps: 9,015 = 4.6K’s or 2.8 miles
Another warm day, I did a load of washing and hung it out to dry.
I had a good night’s sleep getting 9hrs.
Jess came over at 11am and asked if I wanted to go with her to buy some cupcakes, I said I would. Sadly, when we arrived, they had sold out of cupcakes, so Jess went to the bakery in Cardiff on the way home.
Jess rang me at 3pm and asked me if I could ring the cupcake place and see if they had any available, I did they said they would be available by 4pm so I rang back then and was able to order what she wanted and when she returned home, she brought over one for me.
At 4.45pm I went and got the washing off the clothes hoists and that felt like a task and a half, but I managed.
Steps: 9,533 = 4.8k’s or 2.9 miles
I am up washed and dressed and ready for another day, the temp at 6am is 15C or 50F and we are in for another hot day with a top of 32C 89.6F.
My BGL is 6.2 at 5.30am.
Tim is still in bed as he doesn’t need to get up till 7am, his job today will take him to Sydney
Tim left at 8.30 and I think he said he would be home around 6pm, he has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow at m same time as mine. So, he will drive me there and Sue will meet me there so we can go shopping after my appointment.
It has turned out to be bloody hot but tomorrow it’s supposed to be even hotter. It reached 33C or 91.4F
I have had bugga all motivation today.
Steps:13,903 = 7k’s or 4.3miles
I slept well managed 8hrs & 35 minutes of sleep woke three times to pee and got up at 4.45am, I am showered and moisurised and dressed in house clothes but will change my top for a dress before going out.
Had a doctor’s appointment for scripts then Sue and I went to Sam’s (my niece) to drop of gifts from Mrs Claus as well ad gifts for Tom’s girls.
Sue said she spoke to Jeannie who said she would not be at the sibling Christmas lunch because it’s her partner Peter’s birthday of course he is able to attend but they never come and Sue said when she asked Jeannie if she would be there she got very angry going off and saying it’s Peter’s birthday last year we had it on a different date and she still didn’t come due to Pete’s birthday. So, I said I would take Jeannie’s gift to her daughter Sam’s place who will take them to Jeannie’s on Christmas Day.
It is really hot with a temp of 38C or 100.4F. Steps:11,337 = 7.4k’s or 4.5 miles.
I was up before my alarm this morning got up at 4.40am had my washed and dressed for the day, had to vacuum before doing anything else I do not like the look of a dirty floor. Opened the house up and tidy the kitchen before making my eggflip and start reading blogs.
At 5.30am it was 22C or 71.6F, my BGL was 7.4 and I had 6hrs and 21mins of sleep.
At 6.15 I fed the birds.
Tim left for work at 11.30am he will be home around 1am, he is doing a charter.
I wrote 4 letters so I will post them on Monday, hopefully.
I have had a good day been hot but ok inside. Reached a tope of 29C or 84F
I have had bugga all motivation and energy today, I have sat and thought about what I was to write about today and nothing came to mind.
In fact, this last week finding my motivation to do much of anything has been difficult on two days I felt unwell with a headache and sore throat and by 5pm I have either found myself struggling to stay awake or suddenly find myself in the mood to read blogs and check emails.
I have managed to write a few letters so I can post them tomorrow when I go out, I have sent all my Christmas cards and of course I have been doing my daily housework each day.
I have been thinking about what to get Tim and have decided I will see if I can get him a new computer chair for his office as he doesn’t like the one, he is using, so tomorrow Sue and I will go and check them out.
Tim said he will be off tomorrow, but we will see he has a habit of changing his mind about these things.
Anyway, even if this week has been a bit slack with my blogging, things should be better next week.
I have been thinking about how many countries do celebrate Christmas, so I asked Google and the answer is 195 countries, although the way it is observed varies greatly depending on culture, religion, and local traditions.
Most countries with Christian majorities recognize Christmas as a public holiday, although that could mean any day between 25 December till 7 January.
Even in countries where Christians are a small minority (e.g., India, Japan, Bangladesh), Christmas is still widely celebrated, often in secular or cultural forms.
Western Christian churches (Catholic, Protestant) celebrate on December 25, however, Eastern Orthodox churches (Russia, Ethiopia, Egypt, etc.) often celebrate on January 7.
Philippines: Known for the longest Christmas season in the world, starting in September with “ber months” and ending in January.
Japan: Christmas is not a religious holiday but a festive occasion, with traditions like eating fried chicken on Christmas Eve.
Ethiopia: Celebrated on January 7 with church services and feasts, followed by Timkat (Epiphany) on January 19.
Brazil: Christmas falls in summer, so Santa Claus is sometimes depicted in lighter clothing.
Germany: Famous for its enchanting Christmas markets, which attract millions of visitors.
Either 17 or 18 countries do not formally recognize Christmas as a holiday (e.g., Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Algeria, North Korea).
Over 90 countries have detailed, unique traditions documented, showing the incredible diversity of how the holiday is marked.
Christmas is one of the most globally recognized holidays, celebrated across continents in both religious and secular ways. Its adaptability—whether through church services, lanterns, feasts, or even KFC dinners—explains why it has spread so widely beyond its Christian origins.
Jo-AnneRamplings 