#Share Advent - Day 24 - carry out a family tradition

Dear Grandad,

You know, Grandad, there are some memories that stick in your head. Sometimes for good reasons, sometimes for bad, and sometimes for no real reason at all. I remember that time I cut my foot walking barefoot in your garden. I must have been about 5 or 6, and I wanted to go and ride on my bike. Instead I stepped on some glass. You and Aubrey held me over the bath, putting pressure on my foot, whispering to one another about whether I'd need stitches. A few weeks before, Davie had needed stitches and talked about how much they hurt. It was as if my body decided there and then that stitches were not an option, and it stopped bleeding. You bandaged me up, and sent me on my way.

Every Friday Dad would go down to the football club bar, and you and Mum would be there. Most Friday's I'd some how manage to come home with you, and sleep over, being taken to church on Saturday, when Mom and Dad would take me back home again. I remember helping you in the garden, growing to love how the soil feels under my fingers, how wonderful it is to watch something you and I tended grow. For 9 years of my life, you and Mum were there, centre stage, right next to Mom and Dad. The difference is, you let me get away with more then they did. I basked in your attention, with the smug knowledge of a child that I was very much loved.

A couple of months before we emigrated, you asked me what I would like as a present. In all the innocence of a child who doesn't understand, really, what money is, who had the thought that adults could buy anything they wanted, I said a porcelain doll. I know now that you and Mum never really had much money. But you went out and bought me a musical doll. Not quite a porcelain. She sits on a box, head and arms showing, and goes around in a circle to Silent Night. She misses the line "Holy infant so tender and mild". She's a bit bedraggled, and worn with age. She is one of the most precious things I own. You handed her to me as I came back from going to the bathroom, as they called our flight number, as we were about to leave for lands so far away. Mum told me she always bought presents for grandchildren, and that doll was the first and only present you'd gone out and bought. I never told anyone that as the plane took off I stared at the cars below, focusing on one I was convinced was you and Mum driving away. It probably wasn't, but it comforted me.

What followed was 8 years where we spoke on the phone once a month, and saw each other once in a while, when finances allowed. I never told you how much I missed you. When I got to see you on those few visits, I loved to just be with you, sitting next to you, listening to you. We all managed to get over for Christmas 2001. It was a wonderful holiday. We came camping again over Christmas, like we used to before we left. On New Years Eve you took out your accordion and Mum sang songs late into the night. A little quieter than usual, because Nanny was sick with cancer, and sleeping in yours and Mums place.

There is one memory that hasn't faded in the past 10 years. A year to the day after we'd last flown to South Africa, on Christmas Eve 2002, Dad called Alistair and myself into the living room. I can't remember where I was before then. I can't remember the phone ringing. I can remember looking at Dad's face, soft and kind, in a way I'd never seen before or really seen since. You had died, he said. I remember forcing back the laughter, the response that he shouldn't joke like that, because those jokes aren't funny. You'd been very ill in November. But you'd gotten better. You'd gone home from the hospital. You can't have died. Especially not on Christmas eve.

But you had. And Christmas has never really been the same since.

You and Mum were young enough to be my parents when I was born. Older parents, certainly, but still young enough. I thought you would be there at my graduation. I thought you would be there when I got married and had my first child. I thought I had time to tell you how much I love you, how important you were to me, how amazing a person you were. I thought I had time to just sit next to you and listen to you talk, to learn from you and ask you questions.

Everyone who knew you, whether for years or 5 minutes, talks of you with fondness. You were one of those people known to so many people, who made lives easier. You would give the shirt off your back if someone needed it. One person told my father how you drove out at 2 am because his car broke down and you came out to jump start it for him. Other people talk of your kindness, how you welcomed everyone. My mother grew up in a family that didn't love her, with an emotionally abusive mother and alcoholic father. You grew up with a father who thought it was acceptable to hit women. But the way you treated Mum, the way you brought up your children, and welcomed my mother into your family when she was young, showed my mother what family really was. Mum was your queen, and you would never, ever lift a hand to her. She adored you, and you adored her. You had to leave school at a young age in order to work for the family. I remember you telling me once how proud of your children's success you are, how proud of your grandchildren you are, how much more clever they were of you.

You were the most intelligent person I knew. You worked two or three jobs at a time to send your 6 children to good schools. You adopted a 7th child because he was a foster child and being moved away from his friends, one of whom was your son. You couldn't have him taken away from all he knew and all who loved him, so you brought him in as one of your own. Your wife went out to work, you never expected her to stay at home and have dinner on the table as wives were meant to in those days. You brought up strong daughters, and sons that knew to respect women. You may not have had a PhD, but your wisdom and knowledge came with something far more valuable: experience. I just wish I'd been able to tell you that.

You taught me to be kind and generous, to be happy to give all you have and more. You taught me that education is so important. You taught me that time is cruel and often more short than we think it is. 

So today, as it has been every Christmas eve for 10 years, the family tradition is to think of you, to miss you and remember. We will go to mass tonight, whether it's in the evening, or at midnight. A candle will be lit, a prayer will be said. A tear or two may be shed.

While Christmas is about the joy of the birth of Christ and the hope that it brings, it will also be forever tangled in the sorrow of your parting.

With so much love,

Your granddaughter,

Crysta

Stanley Campbell.

#ShareAdvent - Mulled wine

Bad habits die hard, eh? I initially started posting every day, and now I'm slacking, aren't I? To be fair, I've been hit with the tiredness train. This always happens around this time of the year: my body is probably currently fighting off the nasties around the office (a stomach bug and horrible cold) and succeeding admirably. It's also realised that in 4 days time, it's on holiday. It's decided it would like to go on holiday now, please, and is letting me know by making me feel absolutely shattered! I'm currently showing it who's boss, and continuing as per normal...sort of. While I haven't posted, I did make a hat (pictures next week once #ShareAdvent is done!).

I tried to find some mistletoe while I wandered around town on Sunday, for Day 15, but alas, I could not find some. I'll be off to the florist tomorrow to see if I can find some there. Anna mentioned Waitrose, but since the nearest one is about an hours walk away (and I have no car to make that journey shorter!) I don't think I'll be able to get it from there! Flower buying for Day 17...well, that was easy! My office did Secret Santa this year, and I was lucky enough to have someone easy to buy for. So off I went to Homebase and bought her some amaryllis to grow herself. I bought two kinds, as neither had the price on, and I kept the more expensive kind (it was over the budget of £5, otherwise I just would have just bought them for her). I also found some African Violets in the reduced section for £1.50...well...it would have been rude not to buy them! I should have taken a picture of the Secret Santa gift, but forgot due to crocheting something you'll see a bit further down.

I can't resist anything that's pretty and vaguely exotic. If I could live in a part of the botanical garden, I'd pick the rainforest area.

They're also such tactile plants. With soft, hairy leaves and velvety flowers.

I've got some African Violets in the office already. They're a little difficult to care for, but I hope I have the hang of it. Also, they're the plant that just keeps on giving! You can take cuttings from the leaves and grow a whole new plant. Or do what I do...accidentally break a leaf, stick it in the soil and check back in a couple of weeks. The leaf is currently growing new roots and as soon as it's good enough for replanting, I'll have a third plant!

Why did I forget to photograph my colleague's gift? Well, I was busy finishing this little dear off:

When I saw the pattern for him, I just HAD to find an excuse to make him!

Unfortunately it meant the second she opened the gift, she knew who her Santa was. It's been a long time since I blushed, but when she turned to me and said "Thank you", I think I may have gone the colour of beetroot. But she liked him just as much as I do. I'll be making a few more: one for a colleague, and perhaps a couple for my cousins/aunt. I've also seen a fair few Christmas tree ornaments to crochet, so I think I'll be using up some of my stash of wool on them after Christmas.

Anyway...The title of this is Mulled Wine and I've mostly talked about penguins and flowers. I'm off into town again this evening, and I shall be seeking out some mulled wine sachets. Failing that, I'll be heading to a supermarket to buy the relevant spices. And then I'll be making both mulled wine and mulled cider. Alcohol galore around my flat! I'll be unable to go to work on Wednesday and have to call in sick with a hangover.

I'll actually just get one bottle of cider and a half bottle of wine. I want to try out mulled cider as Corey isn't a wine drinker, but he likes his cider. If he enjoys mulled cider, we'll be having some of that on our New Years/Christmas evening (it's all rolled into one this year!)

#Share Advent day 13, 14 and 15

For day 13, I tried to make mini-gingerbread houses...and failed. You can read all about my attempts here. Day 15 is to hang some mistletoe in the house. I'm off to town tomorrow (after Church I need to get me some big knitting needles!) and I'll have a look for some then.

Day 14 is to make a recipe traditional to your family. There is only one traditional recipe my family has: my grandmothers sherry trifle. I couldn't make it on day 14, as the recipe ends up making a ridiculous amount of trifle. And I have no clue how to make it smaller. Plus I'm all junk fooded out! What with the gingerbread, and the sweets from the gingerbread, plus the office Christmas lunch yesterday, my body is currently screaming "GIVE ME FRUIT! GIVE ME VEGETABLES! PLEASE, PLEASE, NO MORE JUNK". It has this wonderful habit of stopping me from overindulging for too long.

I wont make the trifle, but I will talk about it.

My childhood Christmases were rather different to those of the Northern Hemisphere. As I was born in South Africa, Christmas didn't come with cold weather and the possibility of snow. Instead it's right in the middle of summer. Every Christmas day my family would head up the coast to a little place called Onrus, about a 15 minute drive from Hermanus (any wale watchers may know of that place). By my family, I don't mean my parents and a few others. No, it was my parents, grandparents, great grandparent, a few of my aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles, cousins, second cousins...Basically, it was a massive annual family reunion. We would descend upon this campsite for 2 weeks of holiday. Everyone seemed to have their little corner, and we didn't take up one single area. Instead, we were spread out, which was wonderful for us children as we were allowed to roam free (just not to the beach) with the adults knowing that there was someone, somewhere, not that far off. My parents would come for Christmas day, head home on boxing day, then come for a few days over New Years. Every year they intended for me to come home with them. Every year my mother would pack a bag for me, just in case. And every year, from the age of 1, I managed to stay with my grandparents. For two weeks of the year I was a slightly spoilt, ragamuffin urchin allowed to roam wild and free.

Christmas day would see everyone setting up their tents and caravans, with the children trying their best to get away from having to help, and failing. And then Christmas dinner would begin. Each person had their own dish, their own recipe and the feast would be laid out around my grandparents tent. I can't remember much of what we ate. Most of the food would have been cooked over the fire, in potjie pots (like witches cauldrons that get placed in the centre of a fire. They make delicious slow cooked meals.). I would have eaten my fair share of main course and promptly forgotten about it. Because, as I still know to this day, the most important meal of the day is dessert.

There was the traditional Christmas pudding, made  by my great-grandmother, that I only ate because "You have to eat some of Nanny's Christmas pudding". I'd still protest I didn't want any until someone reminded me that there was the chance I'd get some money in my piece. Even at a young age I had a mercenary streak.

Then there was my grandmother's trifle. I suppose it isn't anything special. There isn't a magic ingredient known only unto her and special people. Perhaps there's a bit more sherry in it than usual. What makes it special to me, to my uncle (who will make it every year and then leave it around my parents for me to finish it) is the memories. That trifle is every summer spent camping. It's the memories of family who we wish we could be with, of summer, laughter and happiness. Of my grandfather, who is no longer with us, and my grandmother, who has never been the same since he died. In my family, we don't care about what we eat on Christmas day. We don't need a special starter or main course. Turkey is rarely served up. We don't have a centrepiece and decoration is to a minimum. We'll have something special to eat (of course) but the menu changes every year. What's important is that we come together as a family, a smaller unit than that of my childhood, my uncle and father's childhood and early adult years.

And at the end of the day, when we're too stuffed to think about anything else, we dig into that trifle. There's always too much made, always plenty left over for us to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner the next day if we want. We joke about who will eat more of it, moan about there being too much or too little sherry, and as we eat, the memories come flooding back.

This wasn't Christmas day. This was for my 2nd birthday. My birthday was always during that 2 week camping spree. I'm the blond haired girl looking down in the middle of the blankets.My uncle is that very lanky boy scowling at the camera, right at the back of the blanket.

#ShareAdvent - Day 12

Today I'm supposed to organise my favourite photo's of the year and do something with them. I love photo's. I love taking them, and I love looking at them...once. I have folder upon folder of relatively well organised photo's. Thousands of them that just end up on facebook or in my pictures folder on my computer. I always intend to do something with them, but don't.

I've sorted my favourite pictures from this past year. I've also decided to frame some, and perhaps get some made into canvas.

There's a wonderful mix in there of family, animals and a few pretty flowers. Things that make me smile when I look at them.

And next year, I plan on going through all my old photographs, deleting the ones I don't actually really want, and printing out the ones I do. I love my parents photo albums, and feel it's such a shame to keep photo's in files for all eternity. I also like the idea of having a favourite photo of the month that gets put in a frame, or set aside to be put in a frame at a later date.

Here are a few of my favourite photo's from the year: 

From our trip to London for Corey's (very) late birthday present. Taken with my phone. The sunset was beautiful

During our 25 mile walk. Just love how he looks like an intrepid explorer!

After my brothers confirmation. He frames the two ladies so nicely

This is the last of a set of 3 I took while learning how to use my remote. I plan on framing all 3. This one shows the ridiculousness of my relationship sometimes!

The crazy three legged cat is gorgeous. I didn't have the correct white balance for this picture, but I really like the effect.

I could photograph her all day long. That is all.

When I cropped this picture it made the flowers look like a painting. I'm hoping it'll look good on canvas.

One of my twin cousins, Tyler.

The Olympic park in Barcelona.

#ShareAdvent - Day 11 - Subscribe to something

Day 10: subscribe to something that will enhance 2013

I, Crysta Campbell promise that in the year 2013 I will:

• Start and complete the NHS Couch to 5k program. 
• In order to continue running, I will undertake at least one 10k run next year
• I will undertake a course in belly dancing and yoga and relaxation classes
• Following on from my 2012 purchase of a Canon 550D, I will complete a photography course at the local college. 
• Remember to give blood whenever I'm supposed to and not 3 months after the first reminder letter is sent 

Along with all of this, I pledge to

• Be more grateful, thankful and kind. 
• Express my gratitude and thanks instead of only thinking it
• Be less afraid of change and new situations.

Signed

Crysta A Campbell

(Yes, I do know what my initials spell)

Anna then mentioned on twitter that last year she had a word for the year. She then asked whether anyone else has one. There have been some lovely words chosen.

I have chosen the word Challenge

I will challenge myself this year to

• Do some of the things I've always wanted to do, but put them off because "they'll get done one day"
• To get out more (hence the classes I plan on subscribing to
• To meet new people
• To keep busy
• To do those things that scare me, but really shouldn't (like meeting new people!)
• To keep exercising

And now the next thing to do is print this out and put it on my wall!

#ShareAdvent - Day 10 - Show Gratitude

What's that, you say? I missed off day 9? I know, I know, I haven't written a letter to someone. Partially because I just didn't have the time to write a letter over the weekend, but also partially because I can't think of anyone I could send snail mail to!

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” 

Marcel Proust

 At the start of the year, I began to feel pretty low. I often have a few days or weeks where I feel this way, but the feeling continued. Even though I managed to secure a full time job, was (am) in a wonderful relationship, have family and friends who love me and a roof over my head. My self esteem dropped, and I was incredibly lonely. We live in the same city we went to university in, which has meant all of our friends are now scattered across the country. Our social life consists of the occasional day out when a friend could pop up to see us, or nights out when Corey heads to St Albans for a weekend. Work colleagues either have their own outside life, or live too far away to have time for an after work drink. 

However, things have changed recently. I have found a community online, through blogs I read before, but was too nervous to comment, through twitter and finally having the courage to meet new people, and through #ShareAdvent. Over the past two weeks I've finally felt like I've been able to throw off the shackles that were tightening around me over the course of this year. 

So today I am grateful for you all. For the people I talk to on twitter, to those who read this blog and those who write blogs of their own. You have made me happier. You have given me confidence. I have a distant past where new people often meant name calling and ostracism. I now know differently. That there are so many more people out there who are supportive, kind and generous. It's hard to express just how different I feel since the beginning of the month, but I feel myself again. 

And thank you, Anna, for creating #ShareAdvent. Through it I've gotten to know others a bit better. I've been able to do tasks (even though they've sometimes not been successful), knowing that others are doing the same thing. 

Sometimes it's the little things that a person does that makes a big difference to someone else's life. Whether it's a smile and a good morning to a stranger on the street, or welcoming someone into a community you're already a part of.

Thank you to you all.

You make me happy.

#ShareAdvent – Day 8 – Go to a Craft Fair

I won’t be going to one today, unfortunately, as I’ll be in St Albans making cards instead. However, I went to a Christmas market (where crafts were sold) in Manchester on the 1^st December. I also met up with some lovely ladies from Any Other Woman. So I’ll be talking about that instead.

A few months ago, AOW posted an invitation to a Christmas party on the 1^st December. I have never managed to get to the London events that they’ve held, and this was during one of my braver moments, so I emailed and said I’d love to come. The closer it came to the time, though, my self-esteem levels weren’t particularly high and I was debating not doing. I spoke to someone on twitter and she reminded me that the worst that can happen is that I don’t have a good time, but that the chances are I’ll enjoy myself. So I booked my tickets.

Getting up rather early on a Saturday wasn’t too difficult, as my body seems programmed to wake me up at 8:30 generally, anyway. I felt alright on the train, but the closer I came to Manchester, the more nervous I got. I usually don’t come across very well when I first meet people. I tend to be quiet, reserved and can come across the complete opposite to how I actually am (loud, bubbly and friendly).

There really wasn’t any need for me to feel that way. Walking into the gift shop at John Rylands Library, I think I walked past Anna K, Mahj and Bella in my rush to find a toilet. Once I’d come back up the stairs, I noticed a group of women standing in a huddle. Unsure about how to greet them, I tentatively walked up. The welcome I got was an indication as to how the day was going to go: each one grabbed me in a hug and said hello. We wondered around the library for a while, before meeting Zan outside.

I feel I should say something about the library itself. In between two modern buildings is this Gothic style building that looks a bit cathedral like. It appears to have sprung up from the ground, and made me think of all those stories of magical buildings that appear from nowhere. Buildings that only special people can see and enter. Inside the stunning architecture continues. Swans are carved into the ceiling, and arch after arch stretches down the corridors. It reminded me of Harry Potter, of Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester, of the Unseen University. And the books. The books! Row upon row of old texts spread before me, for my eyes to feast on. There was a display based around A Clockwork Orange (the author is a Manchurian), which seemed surreal and out of place in this old building. If you ever go to Manchester, you should visit there. It’s a treat for the senses. I ached for my camera in a way I hadn’t for a long time.

Once we emerged from the library, we went off in search of items of food. The Manchester Christmas markets are immense. They are stunning, with lovely lights above your head, and German style stalls selling wonders and delights, with food and drink to keep you going. And obviously very popular as they were packed. I’ve never been to a market that busy. As we wondered around, sampling it’s various delights (mostly food and drink based), I slowly emerged from my shell. I had expected there to be more people, and was initially nervous at being the new girl amongst friends. But never once was I left out. Every time a story was told that the others knew and I didn’t, I was included, even if it meant retelling the back story all over again. I drank wine and cider. I never drink alcohol around people I don’t know. I came out of my shell far quicker than I normally do. And got a little bit tiddly.

I had such a great time that I was reluctant to leave until the last possible moment. And so I did. Which led to me missing my train. The last train back to Leicester. Normally I’d be 15 minutes early for the train. Normally I’d be in a complete panic if I’d missed it. But somehow, in the 7 hours I’d spend around these ladies, I’d gone into holiday mode. Holiday mode Crysta doesn’t panic. She realises something will work out. I knew I’d be helped, whether it was to point me to the nearest hotel, or the offer of a room. Mahj automatically responded to my tweet about my dilemma with the offer of her spare bedroom. I let Corey know I wouldn’t be back until the next day. Back I went to the restaurant.

I learnt so much that day. I learnt that I could listen to Anna talk for hours. She has this wonderfully expressive way of talking, of telling a story. I found Bella absolutely amazing. I turn 27 in less than a month, and I want to be her when I do. I was told before I went that Mahj was lovely, and I learnt that that was true. She’s not only lovely, but she’s generous and kind. And Zan is just like her sister. She is going to make a stunning bride next year. All of these women are intelligent, funny and generous. They are welcoming and accepting.

And Lara was right. I enjoyed myself immensely. I am so very glad I bought those tickets.

#ShareAdvent Day 7 - light a candle

Today's task is to light a candle, remember and give thanks.

I will be traveling somewhere tonight, and so I will light the candle at lunch time and spend a couple of minutes reflecting.

The things I will remember: those who are no longer with us. This year Corey lost a colleague he was very fond of, and an aunt to cancer. While I did not know either of those people, I will remember them, and all others who have suffered and lost the fight to any kind of disease. My great aunt Maureen died of a heart attack on Tuesday. She was a wonderful person, who I loved seeing once in a while when I was a little girl. Unfortunately, due to distance, I did not know her as well as I would have liked to.

Things I will be thankful for: my health, my family and my job. I may complain about the last two, but I realise I am incredibly lucky to have the people I do in my life (family includes the friends I've made into my family). I am surrounded by people who love me, and who would turn up at my doorstep tomorrow if they knew I needed them.

So thank you. Thank you to my friends, who are always there, even after I've disappeared and stopped communicating for a while. Who understand me better than I understand myself, sometimes. Who make me laugh and put up with my moods. To Beth, who may be in Luxembourg, but is still the sister I never knew I had. Thank you to Joe, who lets me try and "improve" him with good grace and the knowledge I really don't mean him any harm. When the truth is, I do love him just the way he is.

Thank you to my parents, who put up with me through a childhood of tantrum throwing, teenage years of arguing (and tantrum throwing of a different sort) and strops. You were right about some things (but not all!). Thank you for supporting me, for being there even when you disapprove of the choices I have made. For believing in me more than I believe in myself. I know that I am the person I am because of you.

And thank to Corey. For a man who is so patient and calm, when I am not. For a man who cleans the flat for me when I am away all weekend, even though he had to get up for work at 4 am (just because he knows how important it is I have a clean flat), who then comes to pick me up at the train station and holds me as I cry in the middle of the street. Who puts up with my grumpy moods, and appreciates my insane moments. Who encourages me, and reminds me I am so much more than I think I am. Even though others have the impression I'm "the boss", that I'm the stronger one in the relationship, he is my rock. He is my quieter, but nevertheless just as strong partner who calms me and helps me be the person I want to be.

There are so many things I have to be thankful for. As I go through today, I will make a note of them, to remind myself on the days when I complain, when I moan about my lot in life, that I actually have a lot to be grateful for.

#ShareAdvent Day 6

Day 6 is to do a Charitable Act. Anna in her post this morning says that we don't have to shout to the world whether or not we have performed a charitable act, and we don't have to talk about what we're doing. I will be telling you what I will be doing today. I feel, personally (and this is a very personal thing. I don't expect anyone to agree/do the same), that it's important not to tell you how much I give, but say why I give. A few years ago, an Oxford Professor came out and told the world about his idea of everyone pledging to give 10% of their earnings to charity. As he spoke, as he explained what a difference that would make if all who could do that did it, I was inspired to do so myself. That day I made a pledge to myself that the minute I get a full time job, I would start giving away 10% of what I earn. And so I did.

(I don't intend for the next part to sound at all lectury, I just want to explain who I give to and why. If it does sound lectury, read it in the voice of David Attenborough. That should help)

The first charity I decided to give to once I had a proper grown up job is the University of Leicester. Why would I give money to something that makes millions each year, and to which so many students are paying a fortune in tuition fees to? Well, for one thing, the tuition fees don't even cover teaching and the resources used by students, let alone the building of new facilities or student support. I was also lucky enough to never need help to get through my studies, but many people do. So I give money to student support, in order to help people struggling through sometimes quite horrible situations, both financial and personal. I also gave the rest of my "10%" to the new campaign to extend the disability arts centre the University built in 1997. If anyone is interested in that campaign, the link to support it can be found here: http://www.le.ac.uk/embracearts/about/fundraising.html

I also donate things like clothes and such to charities when I can, and often buy things from charity shops.

Today I will be donating to 4 places.

Firstly, I will be giving to Laura, who's blog is called The Mrs Makes. She's running for Cancer Research UK. Since Corey has lost a few people to cancer this year, and in the past, I'd like to give something back. Plus I find Laura amazing: not only does she run a million miles each week, but she's also part of a rowing team while undertaking a PhD. I feel incredibly lazy...

I will also be giving something to Wikipedia. Because, while not a traditional charity as such, the idea behind it is brilliant. I've used it for years and found it an incredibly useful way to get the background understanding on subjects, it's pretty useful for my job plus it's been the best source of procrastination over the years.

A girl who did my masters with me is off to Honduras to work for a charity next year, so I'll be giving something to her, too. I'm hoping that it'll lead to further NGO work for her in the future.

Finally, every winter, as the nights draw in and the temperature drops, I always think of the homeless who have to sleep in the most inhospitable conditions. I walk around from warm home, to warm shop, then back again, with my mountains of shopping I didn't really need to buy. As I walk past each Big Issue seller, each person begging on the streets, I always feel a pang of guilt. So I'll be giving to Big Issue as well as a homeless shelter.

Why so many people? Sure, I could just give to one place. But every year I go overboard with Christmas presents. This year is no exception, I've spent more than I usually do. So I've decided to go overboard with my Christmas giving (if you can actually go overboard with charitable donations).

As Anna also mentioned in her brilliantly written post this morning, a charitable act doesn't have to be monetarily based. I will try, throughout the rest of Advent (hopefully getting into a good habit for the rest of the time) to think before I speak, to try and be kind to others, and to be a good person, friend and family member. I will try not to judge others, and remember to be patient. When I fail, I will apologise, admit my fault and try and do better next time. 

#ShareAdvent Day 5

I'm really enjoying the #ShareAdvent challenge. Not only do I get to eat chocolate every day, and do Christmas related things, but Anna, from Skin and Blister has given me my blog topics for the month! December usually see's me becoming incredibly busy (note to self, I still have 4 presents to make before Christmas, and 15 cards to make before next week Friday!). I go slightly crazy and each evening is spent working late into the night making things, whether it's card making, baking or knitting. I love making things for people, and Christmas is a time when they are forced to smile sweetly and pretend they like them!

Today's task is to exchange gifts with someone you won't see on Christmas day. As next week involves me handing out my Secret Santa gift to someone in the office, there is only one other person I will be seeing before Christmas, but not on Christmas day. That's Corey. I couldn't exchange presents with him today as he's working late. But we did share presents on Sunday. He gave me the snowman (which is now sitting proudly on my mini Christmas tree at work! Picture will be put up on twitter now that my work account is working...) and I gave him this:

I think this is also letting me get the hang of bordering pictures!

This cheeky reindeer was grinning at me from the top shelf in Homebase. It's not a traditional gift, and it's not his main Christmas gift, but I couldn't resist him.

He sits, in between my gingerbread house and nativity scene. He just looks so happy to be there, and so excited by what's around him.

Some may feel it's inappropriate for a grinning reindeer to be stood behind Mary and Joseph, but I like to think he's just so damn pleased to be a part of it all. Corey tried to put him in place of the crib (which I don't put out until after Christmas eve), but that goes a little too far for me. I politely explained that the point is to keep that place empty, as the whole point of Advent is preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ (or at least, that's the point for me. I understand it's different for him as he isn't at all religious). He's not put anything there again...

Right, now I'm off to bake bread and mini gingerbread houses!

#ShareAdvent days 2, 3 and 4

I've been bad this weekend, and not been doing my #ShareAdvent challenges. Well, I have, but I haven't been posting about them. In all fairness, I wasn't online much. On Saturday I went up to Manchester, where I met some ladies from Any Other Woman. Anna K, Mahj, Bella and Zan were all absolutely lovely. So lovely in fact that I missed my last train back to Leicester. Yes, to those two of you who know me and read this blog, I, Miss Crysta "We need to be here half an hour before the train/bus/other form of transport arrives just in case we hit traffic/bad weather/piano's falling out of the sky" Campbell. Getting back to Leicester on Sunday was followed by a day and a half of Christmas tree decorating, furniture moving, furniture building and cleaning. I'll write a more lengthy post about my journey up North (probably on day 8 since it involved Christmas markets) some point soon.

Yes, Jack Skellington is peeking out there

So, Day 2 of #ShareAdvent is to make a Christmas playlist for someone else's journey home at Christmas. Unfortunately that leaves me with the choice of two people (since everyone else still lives with their parents). Neither of them would listen to a Christmas playlist I've made. It's sad but true (if either of you want me to make a playlist for you, feel free to ask!). So I'm going to cheat with this one...I'll be making one for me (ooooh, selfish!). It'll pretty much be from the Now Xmas CD, but with a few additions. When it gets closer to the time, I'll post the whole thing on here. Walking Through the Air will definitely be on that list!

Day 3 was to start reading my favourite book. I'm already reading Jane Eyre, but I'll also be reading The Secret Garden. Quite possibly my favourite book from my childhood (there's so many, though). It's the reason I love gardening and nature. I still wonder at what's hidden behind high walls in the gardens of big houses, imagining that it's a garden that no one has been in for years.

Day 4 is to either write Christmas cards or do a Christmas craft. Well, I need to make my Christmas cards first (have to start that tomorrow!), so tonight, instead, I will be making this:

Corey bought it for me, and I think I'll make it to go on my little Christmas tree I have for work!

(I promise to make more of an effort on posts through the month! Still recovering from the weekend!)

#ShareAdvent - Day 1

 
The first task on #ShareAdvent is to make or buy a wreath. I'd love to make one, I truly would, but currently the entire flat (it's very small) has been taken over by all the Christmas presents I'm making.

I actually bought my "wreath" before I'd heard of #ShareAdvent. I'm putting quotation marks around wreath because, well, it's not really a proper style wreath. It's quite small, and far more gold than I'd usually have. I bought it for two reasons:

a) It was cheap. I plan on making a wreath to keep in the future, so I didn't really want to spend a lot of money on something I don't plan on using forever. I'll probably use it for something else in the future (or take it apart and use bits of it), but it's not a "forever" wreath. I also don't want something really nice outside my front door. I don't trust one set of neighbours and am half convinced one day they'll decide on retribution for us calling the police on them...several times. I'd rather they trash something that cost me less than £2!

b) The bells. The bells seduced me! I love bells at Christmas. I love bells at any time of the year, but, for some reason, especially Christmas. I did realise yesterday that this means the wreath will have to be taken down at night when Corey has to leave the house at 5 am the next day, but it's worth it for the cheerful ringing I get every time I open the door!

The bells! The bells!

One day I'll have a lovely home made wreath to great me outside my front door. But for now, I'm pretty happy with the little wreath I have!

#ShareAdvent Calendar

I saw a few people on twitter had made themselves lovely calendars for #ShareAdvent. So I thought I'd make my own, as a reminder of what to do each day.

I don't know where my calligraphy set it...I'm thinking it's somewhere under the bed. Since I moved everything in the bedroom around yesterday, I didn't particularly feel like heading back under there to find it. I also don't have nice envelopes in the house (it was too cold for me to seek some out in town), but I do have origami paper left over from last years Christmas. So I thought I'd make an origami star for each day.

They aren't perfect (glitter glue pens don't dry very well on anything, I've discovered), but they brighten up a very plain piece of wall.

They took a while to make this afternoon, as I watched the West Wing and tried to keep warm. I used the tutorial from here. They were pretty quick to make, and after the first three I was able to make them without referring to the instructions. I'd love to try a five pointed star next time, or a different design, but as this was a brainwave I had this morning, I didn't have much time to try something more complicated out!

Oh, this doesn't mean I won't be having the traditional chocolate advent calendar, too...

#ShareAdvent

After the last three posts, I think I should cheer things up a bit. First up: I've not been slacking (too much) in the crafting department. I've just had two problems with putting my work on the blog

a) Tiredness, making me unable to really think about what to write, let alone getting down to writing about it

b) I can't put some projects on the blog as they're being given as Christmas presents to people who read the blog. (Yes, Joe, your gift is currently sitting on my lap. Very nearly finished.)

I have a 4 day weekend coming up. During which I will be busy, but I'm also hoping I'll recharge in time for Christmas. I'd quite like to come back and pay my blog some attention! In order to give it some attention, I'm going to join in with a hashtag challenge. It's called #ShareAdvent, set up by Anna at Skin & Blister.

Hopefully in the process I'll get to know some other fellow bloggers. Alongside that, I'm also looking forward to feeling a little more Christmasy. I love Christmas. The food, the smells, the buying and wrapping of presents (I'll confess...all my Christmas shopping will be done by the end of November) all somehow have this slightly magical quality that makes me incredibly happy.

I'll have to shift some of the Advent challenges around, and tweak others a bit, but I plan on doing them all. For one thing, I'm already re-reading my favourite book! To help Corey get to sleep, I've started reading Jane Eyre to him.

I can't wait until next week, when we can go buy the tree (and I can get my annual allergic rash to the pine needles. I'll stare at the dots as they gradually appear and get larger, while Corey yells at me to take an antihistamine. Does that count as a Christmas tradition?), put up the decorations, I can put the gifts under the tree and watch some Christmas films!

In the meantime, I'm going to try and get a few decent nights sleep, eat and drink properly, and try and recharge those batteries!