Staters had their annual turkey sale, where you can get a turkey for 57 cents per pound if you buy $25 in groceries.

I stocked up on items that were on sale that we use, like diced tomatoes, tuna, apples (we were out), and got some of the Thanksgiving specials like a frozen turtle pie and fancy coffee creamer that I rarely buy because of the expense but bought because it was at a much better price.

I got a 21 pound turkey and had a time of it struggling it into the cart. They said only one to a family, and I'm trying to decide if I should find another Staters and stock up on another turkey there.

My cupboards are full of tomatoes, flour, tuna, soup, and good things, and I feel a little like Laura Ingalls Wilder in the Big Woods at Harvest. Its Stock Up Time!

And then Nephew announces he might have to work all day on Thanksgiving. So I told him we would have Thanksgiving on Friday. Yikes.

I am making a goal to put more money on my mortgage. I have already paid down $10,000 on the mortgage from $92K to $82K but its not enough if I want it paid off for my retirement. Since I'm 59 and I'm hoping to work until I'm 66 and a half, I still won't have it paid off. I'm keeping a spreadsheet on my computer at home now tracking how much is on the principle and how much I have paid down. I am also thinking about putting most of my income tax refund into the mortgage as well. In the past I used it for home improvements, but I think I can put it into the mortgage instead until I feel I have defeated the mortgage dragon beast.

Take care you guys. I hope this holiday season is one of blessings and not of commercialism induced stress.

Life is good. Had a great Halloween and got lots of extra goodies at a work place halloween party to take home. Nephews doing well.

I don't usually cook pork, but I notice that the price of pork is coming down at times and roasts seem reasonable. Does anyone have recommendations for doing a good pork roast for my raving appetites?

This year I got $80 in Von's cards for groceries from car pooling - Got the money months ago and Von's was having a very rare sale on boneless, skinless chicken breast for $2/lb. I got 40 lbs of it and we just finished it off, so I'm keeping an eye peeled for inexpensive meats (and hopefully another chicken sale).

Of course, with Thanksgiving coming, I'm hoping for sales on Turkey and hams. I have a standup freezer that I have cleaned up and ready for turkey and hams, and other meats on sale.