Joplin Journal Volume 11-10, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

Only one Joplin Journal last month? So sorry. Life is busy and Saturday's are often busy with kids here during volleyball games, so I don't have time to write one of these things. But today I decided I had too many things to do to have kids over. Besides, they are going to be heading to Megan's parents' later for time with cousins. So here it is.

Weather Report:

Last night got down to at least 40º and it's only supposed to be high of 61º today! Yesterday was sunny and in the 70s, and then the wind began to blow from the north bringing cold and clouds. While it's sunny now, it's not warm. That's okay, I'm enjoying a cozy shirt, long socks, and feeling motivated with the cooler weather. And it's supposed to be back into the low 70s next week.

"Genius Burns":

Well, sort of. I have made good progress on Secret Project, but now I'm to a point where I'm trying to figure some things out and wondering if I need to back track just a little. I may try jotting scenes down on little cards and then arranging them and see if things need to fit together a different way or not. I have written a little on another story. But it has been hard to focus with so many other things I'm trying to do and get done.

Project Prognosis:

How am I doing?

• Work on Blog Posts for 2023 – October's posts are done. November has 1 post that needs finished, and another post that can't be finished until November. December has 2-3 easy posts to do once some books get published. I'm actually thinking of trying to get some of January's posts done.
• Update Website – I'm pretending this doesn't need done.
• Prepare for KDWC – I'm getting there. Just have my 3 devotionals to write and graphics for them to make.
• Publish last year's Christmas Card Story – I still need to fine a cover image for it.
• Christmas Play – I need to figure out props and scenery, and help Sarah figure out costumes.
• Beta Reading – I have 1 book I need to give the author feedback on, and another book to read and give feedback on.

New Job:

My new job has come to a close. For now at least. It was fun while it lasted and most likely when he starts getting a flood of orders again I'll go back to work, but he doesn't expect that until next year.

The Net:

Like I mentioned before, volleyball games are going on. Krista is on 2 teams, James and Joel are on 2 teams, Drew is on 2 teams, and Lucas and Kailyn are on 1 team each. Mom and Sarah have been to almost all their games so far. I've only seen them each play one game so far. I do want to watch them play again, but when I don't know.

Babysitting:

This week I had kids last night and Thursday night. Thursday I had Joel on down except for Kailyn. The boys did lego building the whole time except when they had to eat supper. Kins read books, played lego people a little, wore the "officer's jacket" (as she calls the dress-up pilot's outfit), played with little dogs, and was just very Kinsley like.

Last night it was Kinsley, Grant, and Kailyn. Grant worked on the set that he's building. It's large. Over a thousand pieces, but he's doing a great job with it! The girls did a little lego, and then did duplo, and some other things.

Quilt Frame:

I may not have a job with Jimmy right now, but I got a job finishing a quilt for some friends at church. His mom and grandma had pieced the quilt and gotten most of the hand quilting done, but it hadn't been finished. Now his sister wants it finished, so I set up my quilt frame, made a pattern to match what was quilted before , and next week I plan to start the actual quilting. I haven't done quilting for years, so it will be fun. I'll be able to listen to music or audio books while I work.

The Music Stand:

The first Ladies Ensemble practice went well.

KDWC:

We open registration on the 19th! There's been a flurry of getting ready. We were planning on just having the 10 Aunties for this camp even though July was a record number, but something unexpected came up with one of the aunties, so she had to back out. This made us decide to ask a new person to join the Auntie Team. She was very happy to do it. I think she'll do great, but it meant that I had to train her on things, and make sure she was on the same page about this & that, and knew what we'd decided on different topics. But that's done. Half of us have our tents set up and ready to go. The others will get there. I have badges ready for Challenge Canyon. (Yes, you can earn badges for writing so many words in a day, or for so many hours in a day, or for writing for so many days in a row, or finishing projects.) And I have my Motivational Meadow prompts done and scheduled. Don't you wish you knew what they were? :D

Awana:

I'm done teaching Cubbies. At least for now. Miss Molly is supposed to be back at the next class. Both classes went well as far as teaching goes. There were some issues, but we kept things going. This week I was scheduled to work Nursery, but the one baby wasn't going to be there, so I got to stay home. :) That was nice. I usually have Wednesday evenings to work on things, or call and talk with Angela, but for 4 weeks in a row I was busy.

Surprise:

I had a very fun surprise on Sunday. I was reading in the afternoon when I heard the backdoor shut and wondered where Dad was going. Then I heard steps on the stairs and a voice called, "Anyone home?" I wondered what Angela was doing here, but it was Amber! Her family had come down from Canada for a family camp, and they decided to surprise me! I was surprised! It was so fun to see her. And to get to see her baby!

On Monday afternoon they all came down and we made ice cream in a can and the kids played. Tuesday Amber and Angela joined Sarah and I for a mile and a half walk before 8. It was sad to say goodbye on Wednesday, but I now have my passport so I can go up and visit them.

Sewing Room:

I'm not sure what all Sarah is working on. I know she's made a few skirts using a new pattern because she made me two. They are very cute.

Read Another Page:

KDWC released it's newest collection. The book is titled Joy. I have a short story in it, but aside from 1-2 other stories I beta read, I haven't read it yet. The cover was fun and easy to design. You can go look at the cover on Amazon.

I'm also working on proof listening to the audio version of my book By Paths Unknown. Not sure when it will be finished, but I'll let you know.

Teacher's Lounge:

Closed for now.

Book Nook:

And once again I have to give you a full shelf. And I didn't even mark two of my own books that I reread. Oh well. Since You've Been Gone (it was okay), Chasing Dreams (interesting to read), Counting the Cost (it was good), The Covenant Creek Kids (I enjoyed this), Team Up (fun part 3 of an ongoing story), A Five-Cent Investment (short but good). Wow. I thought I'd read more than that. Maybe not. I guess I was rereading some of Woodbreak. And I did beta read 2 books.

Farewell:

Well, that's it. Mom and Sarah are off to another volleyball game. Actually they'll be gone all morning as James & Joel play, then there's another game, then James & Joel play again, and then James, Joel, & Krista play at noon. Dad is off to get rid of some things in his truck. (I think that might mean he's heading to the dump.) And I have a long to-do list since I took a "vacation" yesterday and didn't try to be productive at all. I think I needed it.

Goodbye until next time!