December Diary (you made it)

Let's end the 2025 Diary on a high

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I am not too much into drugs, I'll just raise a glass on that sentiment ;)

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I bought my son a candy Christmas calendar today. This year I didn’t buy one for myself. I was thinking of watching the 90s Christmas calendar on TV, but I was really disappointed because it wasn’t shown this year.


I know this is not Christmas-related, but luckily a Finnish war movie from 1989 was showing on TV, which is one of my favorite movies. I guess movies are a bit like music, because they take you to a familiar and safe place. It really saved my day.

After the movie, I started wondering if there are movies in other countries that are always shown at the same time of year. One that comes to mind for Finns is the another war movie that is shown every Independence Day on December 6th. I watch it almost every year, and even though it’s in black and white, The Unknown Soldier is still a good movie.

I know that in the United States there is a tradition of showing an old movie at Christmas where an angel gets wings. I don’t know about the traditions in other countries.

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I rediscovered red paprika and I've put it on the monthly cooking plan. I had discussed my diet and it came out that paprika is top priority. Love the color. It lifts the mood sole by its appearance. Btw. red is the one for me (not yellow, not green). Li la lu. Live long, jam long. Jam long, live long. Li la lu.

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hartmut attached the following image:

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Edited by hartmut on December 3, 2025 at 12:59 AM

Friday 5th Dec - I haven't been able stay online for long lately. PC probs and foot probs :( I' did manage to add 3 Deadly sin songs however. Envy and Wrath next :) Thinking about Wrath, I'm reminded that I read The grapes of wrath many years ago and it made a big impression on me, it was the most depressing story but memorable.

I'll be looking after Sammy (Border Collie dog) for the next 2 nights for my Daughter, he's a big, lively dog and loves walks but he'll have to do without as I can't manage that. I'm not good with animals as I tend to treat them like people and constantly worry if they're hungry, lonely, sad, bored etc. But he's funny, plastic bags make him howl and jump... and if you throw a ball and he's not in the mood, he just shakes his head... maybe he is human :)

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They would show that movie all the time, It's a Wonderful Life. Although with all the streaming nowadays, not sure if people are seeing it as much. It's an older movie, and would be on public TV during this time.

I always preferred the Rankin/Bass cartoon movies during this time, as well as the Charlie Brown/Peanuts holiday movies too: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph's Shiny New Year, etc. I do like to re-watch them this time of year :)

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I like cartoons too. As a kid, we used to watch them in the mornings on Christmas Eve. It was fun, but after the shows ended, the wait for Santa Claus started. Santa Claus always came in the evening, so the day felt really long.

Maybe It's possible that Santa Claus would have come earlier, but at least once Santa Claus was so drunk that my dad threw him out and punched him in the face. I don't know if the story is true, but it's a story I've heard later.

(I don't know what was wrong with Santa Claus in the 80s, because even today, Santas still mention in their commercials that they are sober). 😂

Best Christmas cartoon was Disney's "From All of Us to All of You." It's been on TV on Christmas Eve evening almost every year since '79. It's really boring now, but I loved it as a kid.

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it's funny how we remember stories as a kid. when my kids were younger, we had this black Labrador, Sadie, and when i got up in the middle of the night to bring the presents from one room to under the tree, Sadie awoke and started barking loud. everyone woke up, kids included. i told them Sadie scared Santa and he left all the presents in the side-room. they remembered that story for a long time, and it kept them believing in Santa for a little longer too <3:)

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My kids grew up with Ren and Stimpy, my favourite cartoon. I got all DVD, and every Christmas we would watch a few episodes - still do it. Looking forward for this years screening :D.

I am waiting for my grandson to be old enough to watch it with me, too.

P.S. to this day, in our family when you do a silly thing you can hear someone say "you eeeediot" :D :D :D

[youtube]uynMyztqIiA?si=m8hqLbWHBga0VnxF[/youtube]

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I still laugh in my head at the episode of that show where the fart ran away from home.
I don't remember much about that episode, but it's always the first thing that comes to mind when that show is mentioned.


If I had to pick one cartoon to watch for a few episodes, I'd probably choose Wile K. Coyote.

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This will be my last entry in the December diary. It's been a great year, better than I imagined. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the lovely posters who have kept it going.... you know who you are.
After much consideration and personal reasons, I'm taking a break from online activity for a while and that includes wikiloops. I have met and worked with some special and talented people here and I wish you all a happy holiday doing whatever you enjoy doing most. Love from Shamika <3

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Have a great festive time, come back refreshed and relaxed. Don't be too long though, we need you :)

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Had a swim workout today and used the nose clip for the 2nd time. That helps keep the chlorinated water out of the nose. Getting used to it, while doing freestyle. Would wish to master the Rollwende "flip turn" but I haven't managed it yet. I'll continue practicing.

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Hello, for me, the year is ending on a difficult note. Cancer treatment, suspected stroke, and problems with my left eye. These are tough blows to my natural optimism, but I'm holding up.
But I want to thank you all. The musicians at WIKILOOPS have given me invaluable support through their creativity, kindness, and reactions to my contributions. I don't always have the strength or time to respond to their friendship. I have increased the frequency of my contributions, which are a blessing for me, and I dedicate them to all of you. Happy holidays to you all. Thank you again.❤️❤️

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Shamika tu m'inquiètes…Tout va bien?

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All my love to those who have a difficult end of the year, BluesyLucille, Shamika (and maybe others). Hang on my friends, if we can’t physically do something for you, KNOW THAT WE ARE THERE. 💖💖💖:)

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I went Christmas shopping with my daughter. It was a nice afternoon.
We rarely spend time together, so it was important to me. I got a big dose of Christmas spirit from that day.

I miss Christmas when my kids were still young.



I hung some Christmas lights in the windows of my apartment. I also decorated my old broken bass with lights. For some reason I haven’t thrown it in the trash, even though it was broken when I was still playing it.

Today I’m making a little chocolate house and decorating it. That’s the end of my part of the decorating.
Usually we make a gingerbread house, but this year we’re doing it a little differently.



Then I’m just waiting for Christmas Eve. The kids will come home for Christmas, that is the best thing.
I’m also waiting for the peace of Christmas and the moment when I can drink some glögi (with a little vodka to warm up my old body), read the new book I received as a Christmas present, and eat Christmas chocolate.


(I still haven't gotten the Christmas tree. I usually pull it home on a toboggan, but it didn't snow this year. Maybe I won't get a Christmas tree this year.)

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Thank you, Lazyprune. I am sharing my experience to connect with others who, like me, are facing some difficulties. But above all, I wanted to say that the music we can make here is a source of optimism. Your words are comforting. I wanted to emphasize the spirit that reigns here; in any case, it is a great help to express one's feelings through music.🥰
Rest assured, I haven't lost the sense of humor that I believe I have.

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Nicely said LP, my best wishes to anyone having a difficult time also <3

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I am already on holiday until the 5th of Jan :W So far I was busy busy busy, routing a new 3 phase power line to my workshop, restored an old table lamp as a present for my son, fixed the annoying popping noise in my car stereo, hand washed and waxed the car, had a good chat with my mechanic about upcoming repairs, tried for the first time ever to hone a cylinder, turned a large pulley from Aluminium, got a lot of presents ready, plus this and that. I am so happy....I could do this all year long. Can't wait for retirement ;)

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