Sunday, October 28, 2007

Sunday Treats

Papa & Sister Ochs spoke today in sacrament meeting. It is always great to see and hear them. The special music was Andrew Doria. I love his tenor voice. On top of all that excitement Russell, Sara and new baby Tyler came to hear the Ochs speak. They were also at the ward party last night. Do you want to know what baby Tyler looks like? Picture Papa Ochs...now you know. Same hair line and everything :-) Nancy Stubbs came to the trunk-or-treating. She said she didn't realized people got so fancy. So she will go really big next year. The car next to us had brains....but we had a skull with dancing flowers. (Thanks for sharing Julie) So yea!!!! for the Sunday treats...Papa Ochs, Baby Tyler, Andrew's song, family, my Sunday School class and on and on.

PS. Here's to feeling a little better too!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Service Rocks!!!

Today I got to serve 85 missionaries lunch. Afterwards they all sang as a thank you, Armies of Heleman. Then they quoted something by Joseph Smith. Picture me with a big goofy smile and tears running down my face. What a very awesome moment.

After being home an hour I got to go to a baptism and lead the music. Daddy got to do the baptizing.

The day has already been great. But oh yes, ther is more. Off to the ward party we go. To see all the cute little childrens. Who will have tears running down his face during the costume parade???

Throw in some house cleaning, Knotts scary farm for Kellie and friends and call it good.

Hip hip hooray for service day.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Bingo Wings

Some very fun costumers came into the store. We were having a great time visiting. They are from England. The gave me a new name for 'Relief Society Arms'. In England, at least in their neighborhood, they call them 'Bingo Wings', because the ladies that play bingo have the wiggly arms. From now on, I will refer to wiggly arms as Bingo Wings. It sounds way better if you say it with an English accent. Give it a try, it's fun.

We got invited to 2 parties tonight and went to neither. Very sad. I did take pumpkin cookies and gave hugs along with my 'sorry we can't come'. Jackie Hill showed me some really cool salad tongs that looked like skeleton hands. Her good buddy Sarah Hull gave them to her. So I am certain the Hill party is great and spooky!!

You can still taste smoke in the air. You couldn't really see any blue sky today. The sun rises and sun sets are kind of spooky and cool. With all the smoke it makes the sun super red with lines through it. I should try and take a picture with our new digital camera.

Yes, you heard right. We got a new camera. I will learn how to use it and hopefully start putting pictures on my blog. Any pictures of mine will pale in comparison to Sarah's. Aren't hers just too wonderful. I tear up with almost each picture. They are just too yummy.

In about 2 weeks you will be able to start talking about Harry Potter 6 and 7. Yes, I know I am a freak. Yes, I know the rest of the world finished 7 the day after it came out. With that said, I have started and it won't be long...give me about 2 weeks.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

School's out for summer.......

Oh wait, that is the wrong song. School is actually out for 2 days. We are on official fire days. The church parking lot is all new and black. It reminds me of when you drive on fresh snow and yours are the only tracks. Well instead of snow is was ash. So kind of a cool sight during this very bad situation. Oh by the way, Carlie and Kellie are NOT sad school is out. Although Kellie did not get to have her concert tonight. So sad.

On my way home from work tonight I counted 10 planes in the sky. I got a bit of a sense of what war time would be like. It is very interesting to see these big planes and helicopters do a water drop and turn around to get more water. one of the models of planes can do a fill in 30 seconds. Amazing! They get the water from the nearest, safest water spot available. Some helicopters are getting their water from golf course ponds.

With the new found freedom Kellie is staying with some friends tonight. Carlie and dad are having fun at dad's school doing stuff. Who knows what fun tomorrow will bring. As long as none of us breath in too deeply.

Girls, could one of you send this site to Sarah? She was my inspiration (plus you girls of course) for doing a blog. Thanks, you guys rock!

Be safe, count your blessings and say lots of prayers for the almost million people who have been evacuated from their homes.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Fires are HOT!!

Just in case you haven't heard... Southern California is on fire. Redlands is not on fire but all around us is. It is not snowing snowflakes here, it is snowing burnt flakes. (I'm not sure what else to call them.) It isn't so bad that they have closed our schools like they did a few years ago when San Bernardino was on fire. I have a feeling we could get to that point. Our tempatures for the next 2 days is going to be between 90' to 100'. Add some Santa Ana winds and you have an amazing blaze that will cover a bunch of ground quickly. Luckily only 1 person has died, but many homes have been lost. I pray for all of the people who have been evacuated or have lost their homes.

Thank you girls for sending me those great photos. I think it will make my Pinecone Press homework spectacular. Even dad let me take a picture of him.

Kellie's marching band got 1st place in their competition last Saturday. She is loving the band thing and all the people. Carlie is having a great time in Chambers and can't wait to go to Chicago.

Love to all!

Monday, October 15, 2007

The Flapper survived Bus Surfin'

First off, welcome Jen to my blog. I just hope it doesn't lead to concerns like...How could Rick be related to this wacky lady?

I went as a Flapper on Saturday for the scrapbooking bus tour. I had the long beads, the feathers, some really hot, red, shiney lips, some shimy and shack to go along with the fringe, fancy stockings and cool (comfortable) shoes. I am super relieved that it came together well. The costume must have worked out okay, because when I was standing near the lunch place some guys whistled. How funny is that!!!

We had 48 ladies and 2 gentlemen. Every one was so fun and kind. They wanted to take pictures with me and the other hostess Shelly. (It is funny because Shelly only has daughters and one of the names is Carly) So it is funny thinking that I am in other people's scrapbook. The tour was from 8:30 AM to 6PM. It was fun shuffling up and down the bus isle to hand out prizes, play games, smooze and other fun stuff like that. I came home just a little tired. I guess I looked a bit tired the next day to teach my Sunday School class. The youth must not be used to being calm. It was so great being around such wonderful, happy people all day.

I am extra glad, today inparticular, that my family is still alive. Holly was hit from behind while driving near BYU today. She is well and the car faired well too. Shelley is alive too. When a gravel truck hits you, it's a pretty big deal. Paul was in an accident with Kellie and Julie in the van over the summer. So yea!!!! for having my family alive. I think we have had our fun with accidents lately. Funny thing is, these are the only accidents pretty much our whole marriage. So a reminder to all; buckle up and say your prayers every day. What a healthy combination.

Brent Walker's homecoming was yesterday. I think he got taller. He definitly is more outgoing. He is coming over to make Navajo tacos with us. Very exciting. He can't wait to go to BYU Idaho in April. He also wants to see all of his Chatfield cousins ASAP. So with your Thanksgiving comes a tall dose of Brent. Super fun. His talk was great.

Happy Monday

Monday, October 8, 2007

Out of the mouth of babes...

Kellie just called me a dork. Aw, the loving words of my youngest. She thinks when I tell her friends on the AIM, "you're cool like that, check ya later," that I am a dork. So all of you loving darlings, bring it on. What else am I called? By the way, Kellie is such a babe!

So it is homework time at our house. I am trying to help Carlie with her Anatomy. It is much like when I would quiz Holly on her French. I would totally slaughter the words, but Holly would still be able to spell it and tell me what it means. The bones in your head have such crazy names. And did you know that Biology and multicellular organization is actually very cool. So this science stuff rocks. If I don't end up being a doctor I think I could totally handle being on Grey's Anatomy!!! (Kellie doesn't get it...so if I can't be a doctor, I could totally play one since I know all these cool words and stuff.)

It has been so beautiful here today. It is so clear, the sky is so blue and you feel like you could reach out and touch the mountains. I love days like today. Because it was so beautiful I spent some time out in our garden. I picked some zucchini for dinner (sorry Julie, it was yummy) The pumpkin is starting to turn orange. The raspberries are enjoying the cooler weather and the tomatoes are starting to blossom again. So yea! for the little garden. I am going to plant some winter squash and radishes this week. Might as well keep something yummy growing in there all year.

FHE tonight will include brownies, reading the Book of Mormon, discussing General Conf. and if all the homework gets done, watching Heros.

Check ya later, cuz your cool like that...lovingly from the big dork.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

A new lawn experience

Are you stuffed?

What a feast this weekend brought with General Conference. It is hard to say which of the talks was my favorite. Each of the talks were filled with the spirit of truth and beautiful testimony of our Savior. Through the weekend I was filled with such happiness knowing that all of my girls were hearing and being fed with the same spiritual feast.

Carlie and Kellie came into the living room and just hung out while conference was on. They made comments and asked questions. It has been a great weekend.

Something super great happened Saturday. I asked the girls who wanted to mow and who wanted to edge the lawn in between the conf. sessions. Carlie said she would do the edging and Kellie offered to mow. We got out there and before you know it the job was done. It was a beautiful day and it felt good to be outside. Kellie mowed the lawn like a pro. Carlie was doing a great job with the edging and then the blade fell off. I got the tools out, put the blade back on, and Carlie finished it up. I know this isn't as fun as the 'grass in the hair' story, but in so many ways it is a much better story.

So what should I be for Halloween? At work I am doing the bus tour again this Saturday. Any ideas are welcome. Just remember...I will be going up and down the isle of a bus.

Dad's new calling is hitting me in a different place recently. All the Bishop's wives interview with the Stake President once a year. I go for my interview this Wednesday. I am looking forward to meeting with President Carlson to talk about this feeling. On a lighter note, I got some advice from President Haws..."Sister Chatfield, remember you are not the one doing the interviewing." President Haws is a great man with a great testimony, and one who cracks me up...often.

Kellie and I went on a little walk tonight and we were looking at the stars. What an amazing world we are part of. I feel like my blessings are like the stars, too many to count.