Just made $15.00 on Amazon selling some CDs and a book! What great news. My sales have been stagnant for some time now; will have to go through my shelves and see if there are other items I can list.

Also endorsed a $20.00 check from Citibank. They've got this 30-day free trial offer for CC insurance with the incentive check. As far as I can tell, as long as I remember to cancel my subscription within 30 days, I've earned $20.00 for free. Unlikely I'll forget! :-)


Ok, back to the dissertation...

Greetings, Everyone!

Sounds like folks have been busy, but having a good time. Me too! Just got back from Florida and visiting my grandparents and parents. Very lovely down there: walked on the beach on Xmas eve, visited a bird sanctuary, and ate tons of holiday food...

Overspent this month, but with Xmas gift money, I'll feel no effect. Did have several charges from Amazon that I am contesting -- for some reason, they didn't use my gift certificate balance to pay for things. Needless to say, I would not have bought what I did if I thought I was going to pay $40.00 for them! Hopefully, they'll fix the issue.

My printer has run out of toner. Decided instead of buying a new cartridge to try those refill packets instead. I thought $15.00 as opposed to $75.00 was worth a try.

I've been idly thinking about my finances for next year, but won't sit down to really settle it until I have finished my dissertation. This week or bust!

Feeling a little stressed, but also energized. When there is so much to do, the frenzy can almost be fun...
But I'll be ready for a break next week!

Things here have been pretty expensive. I went $100.00 over budget for presents. I think this year will be the last for the large tab. I've been talking to the two different branches of my family, and some folks in each of them seem eager to do a "name from the hat, one gift for adults" thing. Something I both wanted and didn't want to do. I enjoy picking presents out or making them for people! It wasn't until I was in a great store earlier this week and saw a vase that my mom would have loved that I finally realized that the idea was all good: with far fewer people to gift, I could get or do things that felt really special. Lately, I haven't had the time or money to make or get the kind of gifts that I long to give.

I'm glad the semester is ending, but am sorry not to be teaching these same students next semester. One of my classes was a group of people I've worked with since last fall. Great kids and we have had a lot fun in addition to our hard work. Another class was a blast to teach: I've never had such a lively, thought-provoking discussion-oriented class before. And next semester I won't be teaching Greek at all, just Latin. (Latin's great, but Greek is FANTASTIC).

Haven't had much time for other things lately, but just started on the last book of the Children of Green Knowe series. Love her stuff. They're kids books, and so lovingly written.

I can't believe how close we are to being finished. Four more days of teaching left and then a week of grading and finals. It's going to be exhausting, but then it will be over.

Got most of my Christmas shopping done. Still need to find something for two of my nephews, but that is all. I hope! The next big step will be to ship things. Perhaps I'll wrap things tonight when I get home and then put them in the mail tomorrow.

Bought myself a Christmas gift as well: a small chiminea. I read a posting on this website about how helpful they can be at radiating heat if you put one of those large multi-wick candles in them. Since reading that message I have been lighting a candle by the couch most nights, which certainly has helped with warming up the room. I don't like the noise space heaters make, so the chiminea should work out well. I ordered it off the internet this afternoon. Can't wait til it comes.

We had our first bits of snow in the air today. Winter is finally here.... My apartment is old and drafty (but absolutely lovely!), so I look for all sorts of things to help. This year I've made 'curtains' by putting up throw rugs and put duct tape around the edges of the draftiest windows. When it gets really cold, I heat up a pillow filled with rice in the microwave for a few minutes before going to bed. Keeps my feet warm and toasty! And much less troublesome than a waterbottle. (In the summer I put the pillow in the freezer during the day and use it as a cooling pad.)

Things I have done today to save money:
brought my lunch to work
have been drinking tea from home and water from the water fountain

Things I will do today to save money:
finish writing my thesis Introduction