Joplin Journal Volume 11-9, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

Well, it's the middle of September and you are finally getting a Joplin Journal. Did you miss it before? Right now I'm sitting at my desk with the windows open and The Classical Station playing. The smell of a neighbor's fire is drifting in through the window along with a chilly breeze. It's cloudy and, depending on which weather site you look at, we might or might not get some rain this morning. I'm going to try to catch you up on things. Hopefully it won't take too long.

Weather Report:

We are heading into fall for sure! Most nights this week have been in the 50s and yesterday is the first day that got into the 80s all week. I'm loving it! Some trees have started to turn colors. Squirrels are running around with pecans in their mouths looking for places to bury them.

"Genius Burns":

I'm trying to get back into writing. I really am. I've gotten more writing done this week and am excited to say that my Secret Project is now at 15k words! I'm just hoping I can keep it going. This week I switched up my writing time. Usually I write best in the late afternoons and evenings, but this week I kept getting distracted with the school busses coming back, and kids outside, so I tried writing in the morning when things were quiet. It really worked and I got more writing in than I usually do in the mornings.

Project Prognosis:

How am I doing?

• Work on Blog Posts for 2023 – This month's posts are finished, I have 1 finished post and 3 drafted posts for next month. And most of December's posts done.
• Update Website – *crickets chirp*
• Write Christmas Play – Finished! Written. Formatted. Tomorrow I get to hand out parts! That's always so much fun.

New Job:

I didn't work this week as orders have slacked off, and Jimmy was waiting for a large order to be ready to pick up. But I've worked at least once every week since I started until this week. Hopefully I can work at least once next week even though it was really nice to have this week off and get some other things done. I'm getting faster at pulling and wrapping orders. I love restocking the shelves. It's also been fun to see the kids each week. And get a paycheck. ;)

The Net:

The volleyball games are going strong now. Mom and Sarah watch almost all the games the kids play, or at least a large majority of them. I went on Thursday and watched Kailyn play (and Krista coach). Today I'm going to go watch Drew & Lucas play, and then watch Krista, James, & Joel play on their co-ed team. And, since today is Krista's 17th birthday, they will all sing to her. :) After today, I'll most likely go back to staying at home and watching any who don't want to go to volleyball. (Usually Kins.) At least until near the end of the season. Then I want to go watch them all play again.

Babysitting:

Yep, I've had kids over. Last week we had Lucas on down from mid morning until around 8:30 pm since Megan was going to a huge consignment sale, the older ones were doing school at home, and Jimmy was working. The kids did lego, read books, went for a walk with me, and did other things.

Then last Saturday I had Grant and Kins from lunch time until almost supper time. We went for a walk after Kins had a nap and went to "the bridge and tunnel." (It's really just a cement drainage ditch down near the farmer's market and the tunnels go under the roads.) It was quite exciting. At least it is when you are 3 and 6.

Out of the Mouth:

Kinsley says some funny things, and she has a great imagination! She told me it snowed the other day at her house. (It was in the 90s that day.)

Last week she was telling about all her aunts and who they were married to and who their kids were. She had been doing really well until she came to Megan's youngest sister.

Kins: S– is married to . . . Ben. And de don't have any kids.

Me: They don't? I thought S– had a baby.

Kins: Oh, yes. De do. De have Joseph, Daw, Jed, and Jere. And the girls are . . . Let me think. (She gets a look on her face like she's trying to remember.) Oh, yes. It's Julia, and . . . Uh, what was de other girl's name? . . . Nikki. Dat's right. Nikki.

(S– has one baby boy, and she's NOT married to someone named Ben!)

On our walk she suddenly said, "BehBeh, I think you should carry me, cause that might be a bear." (It was a motorcycle covered with a tarp with a brownish rug thrown over the top.)

The Music Stand:

Sarah and I signed up to sing in the ladies' ensemble at church again. We'll be starting practice in October.

Invitation:

This will be on my blog and on at least 17 other blogs! Last year I only did one day of the party because things were too crazy. This year I'm doing it again, but not hosting.

KDWC:

Closed until October.

Awana:

Awana has started! Sarah is working in Sparks again. Jimmy & Megan are working with the teens again, and I am working nursery some, and helping out with Cubbies when needed. (I actually got a call the first night begging for my help as they had more kids than they thought they would.) I'm going to be working the next two Wednesdays in Cubbies filling in for the teacher. Kinsley is pretty excited I'm going to be in her class again. She said, "Then I can sit by you!" I told her that I would be teaching. Kins: "But what's Miss Molly going to do?" (Miss Molly is the teacher.) Me: "Miss Molly will be out of town." Kins was not so sure about that.

Sewing Room:

Sarah is staying busy as usual. She's going to make me a new fall skirt soon. I can hear the sewing machine going right now.

Read Another Page:

We've finished formatting and sending out review stories of Another Homewood Christmas. One thing I like about how these books get formatted is that each story has their own black & white "cover" inside the book. Here's what mine looks like.

Teacher's Lounge:

Closed for now.

Book Nook:

Oh, dear. When I don't send out a Joplin Journal each week my book stack here gets rather long. I can drop this section if you all want, but it does give you a glimpse of what I've been reading and maybe you'll find a book you want to read. Blizzard at Three Bears Lake (short fairy tale retelling), Chaos we Unravel (short but fun mystery), Through Forest and Stream (old book, fun), Dial W for Wrangler (liked it), The Title Wave (not bad), The Honor Girl (enjoyed this story), Winnie-the-Pooh (loved this reread!), Miss Billy (don't like being mad at characters most of the book), Nell Jenkins (not wonderful like I was expecting), You and Me (cute little romance), The House at Pooh Corner (loved it again), A Room for Cathy (fun story), Adopted Jane (enjoyed this).

Farewell:

And that's about it. Not sure there is anything else to say. Well, there probably is, but I can't think of it at the moment. I hope you all enjoy a lovely weekend and maybe I'll write next Saturday. But maybe I won't. I guess we'll see.