Discovered the sheer magic of hoarfrost much to my delight and the amusement of everyone else in the family. Got schooled on the why’s, the how’s, and learned the hoarfrost of Brian’s childhood had the potential to be toxic thanks to environmental pollution.

Stopped for gas in the middle of nowhere and spotted a rather unusually worded warning sign. Immediately texted it to a friend seeking validation of its weirdness.

Waved my hands frantically after eating fries that were too hot resulting in a restaurant staffer soon visiting our table to check on us, and me being my truest, most awkward self, by exclaiming, “my mouth is hot!” 🤦🏼‍♀️

Brian received a sage suggestion, and I a compliment, (I think?) from the tech and sales support person while at Best Buy, “I like her. She’s funny. You should lock that down. I didn’t even look to see if you had put a ring on it yet.”

Actually laughed out loud when my mother-in-law warned my father-in-law that if he needed to return a phone call during the FCS Championship Semi-Final he would do so downstairs, because she would be watching the game disruption free.

Came home from said merry visit with the in-laws with too many quotes and pearls of wisdom to list. My favorite, however, was the very serious advice of, “You want to stitch something up, use dental floss; that’ll hold stuff together.” Need proof? Look no further than their newly fixed slippers. Call me impressed.

Chuckled when we realized we had lost track of our Elves and therefore could not rehide them for one another. A first-world holiday problem to be sure.

Listened in polite dismay as The Scientist recounted his experience watching the mandatory internet safety video which involved a soap opera style tale about one man’s moral about-face after a life of tech crime. A visit to his lab later in the week proved equally as sad, but nevertheless entertaining when you have a good tour guide.

Visited a loved one. Noted with curiosity the cases of water bottles they kept stored in their second (and unused) bath tub. Was tickled by this, and asked if I could document it for my weekly update.

Excitedly wore my new glasses having told Brian they were different, and a bit out of my comfort zone. Had them on for an hour before bed and he did not notice. They are red.

Heard a funny noise emanating from somewhere in the house. Realized it was our water alarm for the water heater which had begun to leak. Processed next steps which included some googling (First result? Keep Calm!!) and the calling of those in our lives deemed handy. Later contacted a plumbing service and cackled when Brian accidentally misspoke, telling the operator our water heater pan was “pooling with blood” instead of water. Was not surprised when they didn’t call back. Deemed myself the Water Alarm Queen thanks to insisting we have them in the first place.

Took a stroll while wearing sandals because it was almost 50 degrees in December. In Montana. Cue community panic and social media posts from various local government entities suggesting we dance for snow because our 2024 drinking water levels aren’t looking so good.

Gave up on going back to sleep in order to ‘Ooo’ and ‘Ahh’ over the snow we woke up to. Was rewarded as we saw a group of partridge crossing our street. <insert why do partridge cross the road jokes here>.