This Christmas we will be doing something special; we will be traveling to Guatemala for humanitarian work. We are leaving Christmas day, but we are having a small Christmas gathering the night before. Although this is a different kind of Christmas, it is definitely one that we will remember years from now.
"The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things." - Thomas S. Monson
The running joke is that Calvin is a little accident prone.
This might actually be true. He was washing the inside of a glass cup when it decided to spontaneously shatter - on his hand.
Blood immediately started dripping like a waterfall, so I lifted our trusty first-aid kit down from above the fridge. By now in our marriage our first-aid kits looks more like a military triage kit because of all the accidents Calvin has been in. Needless to say, we are definitely well-stocked. I grabbed a box of gauze and applied it to the wound, but there was more blood. This process of applying more gauze on top of the cut lasted for over an hour.
Blood immediately started dripping like a waterfall, so I lifted our trusty first-aid kit down from above the fridge. By now in our marriage our first-aid kits looks more like a military triage kit because of all the accidents Calvin has been in. Needless to say, we are definitely well-stocked. I grabbed a box of gauze and applied it to the wound, but there was more blood. This process of applying more gauze on top of the cut lasted for over an hour.
Immediately we knew that we would either have to go get stitches (a costly endeavor,) or use, alternative methods.
I had seen my dad fix cuts and wounds with super glue, because as he says, "it's an old sailor trick."
Not wanting to make a trip tot he E.R. (because the Instacare was closed,) I confidentially told Calvin,
"Hey, I can totally fix your cut, my dad uses super glue all the time for stuff like this."
Not wanting to make a trip tot he E.R. (because the Instacare was closed,) I confidentially told Calvin,
"Hey, I can totally fix your cut, my dad uses super glue all the time for stuff like this."
I may have left out the tiny detail that I have never super glued a body part back together myself. Just to be sure, I googled "super-gluing wounds."
My results showed me stories from Vietnam, skateboard accidents, and hunting injures. It seemed, safe. As long as avoided superglue with a certain ingredient, Google told me we would be fine. I would never in a million years try something that would harm my sweet love. Calvin agreed we should try it so I was off to the dollar store to buy a tube of superglue.
After watching one more video on super gluing wounds, I played the role of "nurse" and glued the deep wound together.
The trick is to put the superglue on in layers, while adding a drop of water each time to set the glue. This is after the bleeding has stopped. The process is tedious, but it worked because the I was able to get the wound closed. Apparently super glue leaves less of a scar than stitches, so we'll see.
The best part was, we were able to skip a visit to the E.R.
* When treating your own injuries you are responsible for your own actions and results. We are not responsible or held liable for any information presented. aka we are not doctors.
Food, family, fun. That's what Thanksgiving is all about. My parents surprised us by flying us to San Francisco for a few days of family fun. And can we get a minute to look at that turkey? That is the most wonderful tasting turkey I think I have ever eaten. Thanks mom.
![]() |
| Angel Island outing with the family and cousins |
It's not every day you see someone choking.
It looks nothing like the movies.They don't hold their neck and make a lot of noise.
It's easy to miss.
Today I was feeding the residents in the dementia unit when, it happened.
Sweet Marilyn was choking and I was the only one in the room.
Her saltwater blue eyes rolled in the back of her head and she leaned back in her wheelchair.
She wasn't breathing.
Panic mode set in and I sprinted down the hall looking for someone, anyone to help.
"Help! Help! Marilyn is choking!" I shouted, my adrenaline was really pumping now.
Sadly it was a ghost town - I couldn't find anyone.
I didn't want her to die.
This wasn't my job! I wasn't trained in "abdominal thrusts in a wheelchair," I thought to myself as I sprinted to back to the dining room. I was only gone for a few seconds but it seemed like forever.
Marilyn's lips were turning blue.
Without thinking I leaned her forward in her wheelchair and thrust the heel of my hand hard into her back. Over, and over again until she spontaneously spewed banana pudding all across the nearby residents. Then she threw up on me. I have never been so happy to see vomit, because she was breathing again. After a coughing fit, color came back to her cheeks and she was talking within minutes. The nurse staff and CNAs magically appeared and looked relieved that I was able to help her. I hope no one has to go through that kind of experience, but if you do, be prepared.
Signs of choking:
- Person is not able to talk
- The person isn't coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
We took a drive along the Aspen Loop to see the fall leaves.
The air was crisp and clear.
Fall is definitely here.
mmmm my favorite.
The air was crisp and clear.
Fall is definitely here.
mmmm my favorite.
There is a little known saying among our friends that once you get married, two things happen.
1. You'll get fat
2. You'll disappear (meaning you won't have any friends because you will only want to spend all your time making googly eyes at each other.
Well, we are living proof that no, we aren't fat, and, we haven't disappeared.
We've had a beautifully messy year.
1 totaled car
1 surgery
1 skin cancer scare
1 graduation
4 camping trips
15 new friends
30 trips to Winco
50 tickle fights
For our anniversary, we decided to go to Zion's National Park and hike the Narrows. Due to the fact that we were up to our waists in water, I decided not to bring my good camera. Still, we got a few shots. I highly recommend this place.

1. You'll get fat
2. You'll disappear (meaning you won't have any friends because you will only want to spend all your time making googly eyes at each other.
Well, we are living proof that no, we aren't fat, and, we haven't disappeared.
We've had a beautifully messy year.
1 totaled car
1 surgery
1 skin cancer scare
1 graduation
4 camping trips
15 new friends
30 trips to Winco
50 tickle fights
For our anniversary, we decided to go to Zion's National Park and hike the Narrows. Due to the fact that we were up to our waists in water, I decided not to bring my good camera. Still, we got a few shots. I highly recommend this place.

If I have any advice, it's that time flies fast. I can't even imagine what our 50th anniversary will be like, but I look forward to it. Gray hair, saggy bottoms, millions of inside jokes, and trials - the whole marriage package.
















