November 2021

November temps started cooling down, but they were still in the 50's, and still no rain.  We normally get our first snow around the 3rd week of November, but still no snow and the ski resorts, (which usually open on Thanksgiving weekend). turned off their snowmaking machines and decided to wait until Christmas, (it was just too warm, and the little snow they were able to make was melting as fast as they were making it).

Dave and I finished cleaning out the garden the 1st week, we had quite a few carrots, a few turnips, and a few potatoes left in our root bed to be dug up.  We shared a large bag of carrots and gave all the turnips to the neighbors across the street.  They were very grateful, and later the next week as Dave was cleaning up the leaves, their oldest son, (he's 13), came over and asked if he could help.  Dave was very grateful for the help and gave him some money for the help, (which he was very reluctant to take).

The first week of November, I got a call back from Honey Baked Hams, asking if I would come back again for the holidays to take phone orders.  I started back to work on the 9th.  There was pretty much a whole new crew of holiday workers this year.  Our unemployment rate in Utah is so low, (less than 3%), that those who are want to work are already working, and it's very difficult for employers to find help.  There were only 4 returning holiday workers, and the rest were all new hires.

Dave was one of those new hires this year  He worked the front of the store, (cashing, stocking coolers and shelves, and even training other new hires).  He learns so fast, and he's so good with people.  The general manager and he bonded so quickly.  They would go into the cooler to talk about store strategies and where to place products and which employees needed more register help, etc.  The assistant manager really appreciated Dave's help with training the other employees.

When the season was over, and we picked up our last checks, we were asked, "You are both coming back to help us out at Easter time.  Right?"

This year, I managed to finish an advent cross stitch calendar for our great-granddaughter, (Autumn).  On Thanksgiving weekend, Dave and I drove over and gave it to her.  She and her mom were so surprised.  Trevor remembered when I cross-stitched the same one for him 25 years ago, (the first Thanksgiving his mom and dad were married).  Autumn ran over to the living room wall, (where she had a little store-bought advent calendar, took it down and hung up the one I made.  Dave helped me during the final production, he cut and painted the dowel, and helped with the measurements.  I was worried I wouldn't get it finished, but Dave was a great help.

November flew by, and we were so busy with working every day and still trying to get the last of our outside chores done before winter.  We were so exhausted by Thanksgiving.  We just had a quiet day at home alone, (just the 2 of us).  I fixed a small meal, (we got a free turkey breast from Honey Baked, a fixed a couple sides, and we had a small pie.  It was a nice quiet peaceful day.