October saw cooler temps start to set in very early, (we even saw some night time frost very early). I was working very quickly to get my garden cleared out, cleaned up, and ready for winter. I covered the beds with plastic the first week and a half to save my produce. I ended up putting boxes of tomatoes, tomatillos, potatoes, and onions in the garage to several weeks. We have our first killing frost on the 9th of October, and I was lucky enough to have all the produce cleared out of the garden by the 8th. On Saturday the 12th, Dave and I left for Orlando, Florida for a week. We spent the week just relaxing by the pool, reading, and visiting the area. On our anniversary, we had dinner at a nice seafood buffet place that we like to visit, (all you can eat lobsters - Dave's favorite). We returned home on Friday. We were able to take in a Broadway Across American play, (Miss Saigon), the next day. Autumn got to do Trick or Treating at school. She went as Little Bo Peep. It was a cool raining day, and I picked her up in the car, after school. We were talking about her day, and she said, "I love Halloween." I said, "Do you like it better than Christmas?" She said, "Nope". I asked, "Better than your birthday?". She replied, "Nope. But it's better than Ground Hog's Day." I had the hardest time to keep her from seeing me laugh as I was driving home. She has such a quick wit.
November, we started seeing snow, and very cold temps. It was as it winter decided to come early. On Friday, (the 8th), I watched Autumn for Trevor and Audra, (she was off from school). I took her with me to the Senior Citizens Center, for their Veteran's Day Lunch and program. In Riverton, we have 12 silver star recipients, (they are of course older veterans). Autumn got her picture taken with one of the heroes that day. Thanksgiving days saw a big snow storm, (12 inches over night). Audra, Trevor, and Autumn spent the day with Audra's family celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, (since they were all together). I made a pumpkin chocolate chip bundt cake with caramel cream cheese icing for her to take. She said it was a big hit, and she only had 2 little slices to bring home. Made my heart feel good that they liked it. I knew that cake tasted good, since I spooned out enough batter and baked 1 cupcake to taste test it, (and it was a good homemade recipe. Dave and I stayed home all weekend and just relaxed. We didn't even go out on the icy roads.
December came in with more snow, and really felt like Christmas very early. Dave and I went to a Christmas party with some friends, (a group of 12), for dinner and a white elephant gift exchange. We also saw our final BAA musical "The Christmas Story. Dave's company party was held the 13th, and it was very nicely done, but so bitterly cold outside. They had a catered dinner, with entertainment, and prizes. We have now entered the 7th month of Trevor and Audra living downstairs, and it looks like they will probably be with us for a couple more months. Trevor started a new job, (with a company the builds decks for new home construction) in November. Audra only works at her CNA job at Sandy Hospice a couple days a month now, and she started working at Starbucks a couple days a week. They are still trying to save to get into an apartment, but with the drastic cut in income, it's going to be a long journey. We still have a few bumps trying to mesh with 2 families under one roof. We've had a few bumps, but for the most part we have learned how to work around things, and are getting better at living together.
Here's hoping 2020 is a better year for everyone, (including our family and friends). I'm already starting to think about my garden and what I'll plant next year. I hope the best to come for our country, and the world as a whole. Dave and I have a big trip planned for next year, and we're now looking forward to his retirement in a couple years. So I guess things are on track.
