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