Good Things

This is a good example of why I found Simmons such an empowering and supportive environment to learn in, not just academically but in how to be a good citizen:
http://alumnet.simmons.edu/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1331

The Creme Caramel tea from Upton is a perfect blend of sweet and strong. My throat is still scratchy but it seems a bit less sore. I took it very easy at dance class last night which was probably a good thing, since the teacher said I was looking a bit pale.

Our full Loreena McKennitt catalog is playing on random from my iPod, and its perfect music for a cold winter's day.

Brian and I are finishing the cooking of our large pot of turkey stew tonight (leftover from Thanksgiving). I see lots of nice homemade soups from the freezer in our future.

We are almost completed with our holiday shopping, save for a few things here and there. I've been trying to make more thoughtful purchases this year or to make things for people that would be much more special than just accumulating more "stuff".

Energy Use

Its been a month since our house was insulated (mind you, its been mild for November temperature-wise), but here's our gas usage for the last three years for this period:

Date Therms Cost
11/26/2008 124 $214.61
11/28/2007 197 $323.37
11/28/2006 136 $242.42

Our second floor bathroom and our den (converted porch) are the warmest they have ever been, and we haven't needed to supplement with electric heaters in there. Time of course will tell what kind of payback we get for this investment but I'm very happy that we finally went ahead with it, despite the pain to the pocketbook.