Blog for Sunday 21st December 2025

Wow! 2025 is certainly drawing to a close and quickly too! Only ten days left of this year.

I shot out of bed as if scorched at four this morning and before my alarm thought of playing its monotonous ditty. I felt a bit like the white rabbit in Alice of Wonderland’s story, muttering, “I’m late … I’m late!” And I am sure I had the same expression of said rabbit too!

I hit the floor running! You know those sort of days, when you just got to move as fast as you can and get as much done as you can get done. Yep, that was me today!

After my Quiet Time I made up the three beds n the main section of the shed. I did not make up the double bed as I think Mich’ and Robert may want to move it, and it will be easier to move it unmade. We can make it up quickly when they arrive.

I unpacked and re-packed the dishwasher. I put on a load of washing. I swept and mopped the floors in our living area. I cleared the dining room table of all things not meant to be there.

Then I woke Ken up and I had a shower and got dressed for church.

We left the farm at nine o’clock on the dot and I belted it along the Highway as I needed to pop into Ritchies to buy something Christmassy that was edible for teatime at church before arriving at church. I managed to do that, and we still got to church on time!

It was a lovely Carol service and it was so nice to see that many people in attendance. Plus, it was good to see Marg’ (one of the ladies in our Bible Study Group) as she has recently been in hospital suffering from a suspected stroke, but it is some form of vertigo which is treatable, but she was still feeling very woozy, poor lady.

After church I dropped Ken at that little restaurant alongside the nursery in Timbertown, while I went into Ritchies and bought a few items that we needed.

Ken was not feeling well at all and during the church service I suggested to him that he sit down as he did not look good. In fact, he thought he was about to faint. But the heat today has been horrific which did not help him.

Mich’ and Robert said that driving up to the farm today, they frequently went through zones of 44 and 45℃ and 46℃ Shoo, so no wonder we were all feeling so washed out!

Mich’, Robert, Josh’ and Paulina left Terrigal a lot later than they had planned so sent me a text giving me an ETA of 6pm. I was glad as their vehicle has good air-conditioning and here on the farm, I felt like we were baking in an oven. So, travelling through the heat of the day in their vehicle was a good move.

And yes! They arrived at 6 o’clock almost to the second! It was so nice to see them all again even if it was still so horribly hot.

They brought in the food stuff needed to be put into the fridges, and then we all sat down for a brief natter.

I had our air-con’ on and although it is very old, it did help in cooling the room down.

Later as the sun slid down the sky (possibly melting!) we all sat outside around the outside table that Paddy had brought up to us from Mich’ and Robert’s home.

Because it was so hellishly hot, I made a large cold pasta salad with tuna, and for dessert I created an apple, banana and date dish topped with as much or as little of a chocolate sauce made with Tobblerone chocolate.

After supper Ken peeled off to bed, and Paulina opted to shower and get ready for bed, and Mich’, Robert, Josh’ and mwah played ten rounds of one of our family’s favorite card games – “Oh Hell!”  And I am in the lead! (I had to add that as it seldom happens!)

It was then time to retire to bed, and we all did that gratefully.

I had stationed fans at the ends of all their beds to try to ward off the stifling heat that was still around.

What lesson did I learn today? To do my best at whatever I am doing.

What am I grateful for today? The safe arrival of Mich’, Robert, Josh’ and Paulina here on the farm.

My saying for today is …