Joplin Journal Volume 8-11, Issue 2

From the Editor's Desk:

I don't know about you, but I am finding it very hard to believe it is the 21st of November. Thanksgiving is next week. Wait! What? Next week? I feel that I've been cheated of a few weeks. But hey, this whole year has been such a strange mixture of dragging and flying that I'm totally confused as to what the date should be.

Weather Report:

Right now it is chilly and rainy. Yesterday was lovely! It felt like spring. It was sunny in the morning and got up to 70º. Then it got cloudy, but never got cold. We've had lots of wind this week. Days of really strong wind.

"Genius Burns":

I wrote. It was only 133 words, but I did start the next Woodbreak book. And I have a sort of vague idea for it. :) I want to write, but at the same time I know I probably won't get much writing in now because of all the other things going on.

Project Prognosis:

Since Grandma and Grandpa moved to an apartment, and we have quite a few pieces of their old furniture, we are doing some reorganizing and cleaning out. It's been fun, but a little crazy at times.

I'm also working on things for the Christmas play. If it's not props, and such, it's talking things over with Sarah about what we need to work on, or figure out, or tell the kids. But it's fun.

Christmas Play:

Last week Dad and I took backgrounds, and other props to church, and then last Saturday, Dad, Sarah, and I spent around 2 hours at church getting a lot of things set up so we could practice with backgrounds, props, and such. It made practice a little easier since we could see where some things would be, and could actually work with props. It wasn't a great practice, but it was the first time we'd actually gone through the entire thing, and we were missing 3 members of the cast.

KDWC:

The King's Daughters' Writing Camp is still going on. The official camp has ended, but it's still open until the end of the month. Girls are still writing, chatting, and brainstorming. The other admins and I are trying to figure some more things out. We like using Slack, but we do have some things we'd love to change or figure out how to make them work better.

The Music Stand:

Tomorrow I'll be playing violin with some other musicians for church. And the choir is singing. I am hoping to get whatever music we are playing for Christmas soon so I can start practicing.

Bells have started! The kids are so excited. Especially the younger ones who have never gotten to do it before. We usually try to do bells twice a year, but this year we didn't get to.

With Paint and Brush:

Jimmy and Megan are painting their house. And since there was rain coming yesterday they asked if anyone could come help. So Sarah and I headed over yesterday morning. Sarah watched Kinsley and played with any of the younger ones who weren't on the roof. I helped Megan and Jimmy paint one full side of the house. It's looking really nice! Instead of a brown house with rustic barn red trim, it is slate gray with white trim around the windows. Very nice. And they're putting a new roof on it. The older boys were actually taught how to put on some shingles and were helping put them on the roof over the porch. Grant informed me that he needs a hammer and gloves for his birthday. :)

Little Ones:

Yesterday Sarah discovered that Drew and Kinsley enjoy playing hide-and-seek together. Drew will "hide" on a couch, beside a chair, or under a blanket in the living room, and Kinsley will crawl over and find him with a big grin on her face. It's not all 7 1/2 month olds who play hide-and-seek with their 9-y-o big brother. :)

Kailyn and Kinsley. Kinsley really wants to get Sarah's camera and chew on it.

Thanksgiving:

This year we will be doing something different. Since Grandma & Grandpa will be staying home, and since Jimmy & Megan are having Thanksgiving with her parents and siblings today, we'll go over to J & Co's on Thanksgiving Day and eat and play over there. That way the little ones can take naps as needed, and it's easier to send 4 people somewhere than 10. :)

Read Another Page Publishing:

I listened to and approved the first 15 minutes of A Crazy, Crowded Christmas audio.

Book Nook:

Reading. I do like to read. It's finding or making the time that can be a challenge. I have a few books I'm trying to get read before I dive into Christmas books. Since we don't have Play Practice tomorrow, I'm hoping I can get a lot of reading done. I did get some things read. I'm working my way through A Very Bookish Thanksgiving and have enjoyed it. Some stories I like more than others. I only have one story left to finish, and I know I'll like it since I beta read it. :)

Farewell:

Goodbye! I need to get to work on all the other projects that I didn't get done yesterday because of going over to paint. Mom is planning on working on organizing today. Dad has a prop to work on making for the play, some drawers to fix, and a shelf to take out so we can fit a dresser in. And Sarah is sewing. She's gotten more orders, so she's staying busy. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and a happy Thanksgiving! I don't know if I'll write a Joplin Journal next Saturday or not. I guess we'll see.