Joplin Journal Volume 11-1, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

Good morning. It's sunny out here right now. A bit breezy, but not really cold. It's in the 40s right now. I feel like my to-do list for today should be longer, but at the same time I look at the few things on it and think that's enough for a Saturday. Of course there are many other things I could add or work on . . . I guess we'll see what happens. Perhaps I can talk Angela into walking later today.

Weather Report:

This week has been a mixture in the weather department. We had snow on Tuesday night–Wednesday morning, but it was mostly melted by later on Wednesday. It was cold on Thursday, and in the 50s yesterday. Today is supposed to be the last warmer (55º) day for a little bit. Next week is supposed to settle around the mid 30s or lower and stay there. There is even a chance for ice and snow one day. January has actually been a pretty nice month.

"Genius Burns":

I'm still writing. I was able to get 6k words last week, but this week I've hardly written. Of course I have the excuse that some of the kids were here two days this week. But also my story was being a bit slow. I don't know if it was a subtle brain thing because I was afraid I would run out of words, or what. (We have a word limit of 20k, but we have said we could use extra words if others didn't use all 20k for their story.) Anyway, I'm over 10k on the story right now, and I'm hoping I can get at least 1k written today.

Project Prognosis:

Let's see how my projects are coming this week.

• Work on Blog Posts for 2023 – I don't think I've done a thing with blog posts this week. I really need to get some done for February.
• Work on my Name List – Still haven't done this.
• Update Website – *crickets chirp*
• Design Two Covers – I did one! More on that later.
• Clean Out a Drawer – I actually cleaning out 4 drawers on Thursday! So nice to have that done.

In the Hoop:

It's another day of games. Only Mom is going to watch today. The rest of us have other things to do.

Babysitting:

Megan's grandfather (he was 100) passed away, and she and Jimmy, along with the 4 oldest kids, drove up to Nebraska on Tuesday for the funeral, and then back home again on Wednesday. We kept the younger four. It was different not having any of the older ones around, but it was fun. Kinsley is a very busy little person, and she is hardly ever quiet. If she's not talking, she's singing or humming. The only times she's not doing any of those is when she's sleeping, has her thumb in her mouth (though she does often hum with her thumb in her mouth), or is listing to stories. That girl loves to have books read to her, which is so much fun!

Sarah made cookies with Lucas, Kailyn, and Grant while Kins napped on Tuesday.

On Wednesday Sarah and I took the kids outside to enjoy the snow. We walked down to the path and they rolled snowballs down the hill and made a little wall.

Out of the Mouth:

You never know what Kinsley is going to say next!

A week or so ago, Kins turned to Sarah and asked, "Is my hair sticking up?" Sarah said yes, and Kins just nodded and went about her business.

In the nursery someone asked me if the kids still call me BehBeh. I said yes, and Kins looked up from her toys and said, "I not. I call you Bekah." Silly girl! She does not.

Sitting at the supper table this week, we were talking about middle names and said that Grant's middle name was Thomas. Kinsley looked at us like we were crazy. "He name not Thomas!" (She loves trains and Thomas the train is a favorite.) I don't know if we convinced her that yes, Grant's name was Thomas, or not.

The Music Stand:

The Ladies Ensemble practice is going well.

KDWC:

Graphics completed.

Sewing Room:

Sarah hasn't had as much time to sew this week as usual since the kids were here, but I don't think she has any rush projects.

Read Another Page:

I designed one out of two covers. I'll give you a glimpse of it. And no, those green lines will not be on it. :D

Now I just need to design a cover for "Tidings Bringing" and one for this year's Christmas Collection story.

Teacher's Lounge:

I taught the last Essay class yesterday. I have some papers to grade, but that shouldn't take too long. It was fun to teach again and to focus on something I don't usually get to focus on.

Book Nook:

Last week I read 3 books. And they weren't short books either. But this week I'm only on my 2nd one. I guess there are just weeks when reading happens more than other weeks. Or maybe I just make more time to read some days. But here's my bookshelf of read books. The Trained Nurse (short by good), None So Blind (first in a trilogy), Will Not See (more intense 2nd book), Ties That Blind (final book in trilogy), Eighty-Seven (reread this story), Courage for the Cowboy (rather boring–I gave it 2 stars), and now I'm in the middle of rereading The Hall in the Grove.

Farewell:

Wow! That really didn't take me long to write. Perhaps it was because I didn't have lot to say, or maybe I just forgot half of what I was going to tell you. No, I don't think it was that last thing. Mom will be heading off to "Backettball" (as Kins calls it) soon. Dad is running errands, Sarah is sewing, and I need to work on my to-do list. I hope you all have a lovely last few days of January.