Clean = Happy

I have cleaned the house on Saturday morning my whole life, starting from the time I was old enough to help my mom. It was a tradition that was new to Dave in the beginning of our life together, but he has come to appreciate what a few good hours of scrubbing can do. The kids have a list of chores that they need to accomplish by Saturday morning at 12, whether they think their bathroom needs to be cleaned or not. I clean our bedroom and our bathroom, and wipe walls, clean the fridge, and do any other special projects. I love the smell of the house after we have cleaned it.

The kids will thank me for teaching them this work ethic when they are older. I used to think that my parents were obsessive neat freaks when they made me clean and vacuum my room EVERY week. My mom would get up on Saturday and scrub the whole house (with a few coffee breaks) and if we were home, we were expected to help. I used to love to dust, but that was about all I wanted to do. My mom would tell me to clean the bathroom, and I would grudgingly comply. Now, I am proud to say that I know all the best ways to wipe the counters and scrub the toilet ( an old toothbrush is great for all the nooks and crannies). Like so many other things my parents taught me, the appreciation comes years later when I am raising a family of my own. I think I will go call my mom and thank her for introducing me to Mr Clean and Clorox bleach.

The working man, Little nothings and tales from the Ridge

It was a busy weekend. On Saturday we went to the annual CRFM summer party. It was fun to hang out with my fellow employees. Heather and Drew went with me, Dave had to work and Theresa was gone when we left. The weather in the canyon was perfect. And, did you see that I typed "Dave had to work"? He is loving his job at the Brian Head main lodge. He works from 1-6 or 7 pm every day doing prep work (chopping veggies, making sauces, etc.) and cooking lunch. He is also doing security work again at a mine in Milford. 2 jobs! What a relief!

On Sunday we made a marathon drive up to West Jordan to buy school clothes, have a quick lunch with mom, and then home again. I gave Theresa $150 and she was able to buy 6 shirts, 5 pairs of pants and some shoes, I love Ross and TJ Max! Drew bought mostly pants (his dad took care of the shirts) and mom bought lunch, so all together it was a bargain.

Here goes everything.................................

My "NEXT" move................I recently found out that SUU never sent in my transcripts for my application to the Mohave nursing program. That explains a lot. I spoke with the head of the nursing department at Mohave Community College to ask a few questions and that is when I found out that they had no information on my classes/grades at SUU. So, I am working on a new application; cover letter, transcripts and all. I also have tons of support/advice/ well wishes to get me through the application process.

Mohave is a community college in Arizona with a (small) campus in Colorado City. Colorado City is about 70 mins from Cedar. The program at MCC is for an associate's in nursing. I can always go back to school to get a bachelor's degree. And, since I already have taken most of the classes, I will need to only commute to Colorado City once a week for classes and to St George once a week for clinicals. I will still be able to work Monday-Wednesday. It seems like a good fit. So, here goes nothing. Or, more like.....here goes everything.

Book in hand

Nothing relieves my stress more than a good, thought provoking work of fiction, or non fiction, or any book for that matter. I usually read for about 1 hour every night, my way to unwind and settle in for the night. Sometimes I end up reading untill 2 or 3 in the morning, only the thought of going to work with no sleep makes me put the bookmark between the pages.

I love talking about the books, sharing them with friends, discussing the characters that are so real in my mind. The symbolism, the climaxes, the classic themes. I am in awe of the artist of the written word, the manipulators of imagination. I have a deep respect for their talent, a desire to be one of them.