It seems like I kind of rushed everything a hair in my outlook, and the early Dec warmup following the coolish Novie was more pronounced and protracted than postulated.
I never mowed again after returning from Africa, so while it wasn't a lot, some areas needed touching up. I have one oak in my neighbor's yard that haunts me into December, as they all blow to me on west winds, which is the majority of the time...its finally done.