Joplin Journal Volume 10-3, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

Oops, I didn't realize it was February 19th when I last wrote one of these! I think I could have written the last Saturday in February but I was busy with other things and forgot about it. The last two Saturdays I was gone. And next week I'll be gone too. I feel that my weekends have been so full and crazy that the idea of not having to go anywhere today is really nice! But let's get on with more interesting things than me rambling, shall we?

Weather Report:

Spring is here! And Winter is having a fit about it. ;) Tuesday was in the 70s and sunny, and it was sunny and 82º on Thursday. Then came Friday and it was cloudy and rainy and cold. And this morning we woke up to frost on the ground. But we do have daffodils and crocuses blooming. Today is sunny and is supposed to reach the mid 60s I think. And we are supposed to have sun and 70s tomorrow before we get more rain on Monday and Tuesday.

"Genius Burns":

I'd say it was burning. Just not on the story I thought it would be on. You see, I was hoping to be finishing up Lawrence & Lenexa, but while Mom and I did figure out part of the problem for that story, I'm not sure yet how to fix it. So I was working on a few other stories. Then . . . Mom and I were talking and she suggested the perfect plot for the next Woodbreak book! I was so excited because I really wanted to write the next story. Well, I started and fairly flew through the first 18k words of it. Then it got a little slower, but things are starting to pick up again. Since my goal for each of the Woodbreak books is to have them at least 30k words long, and I'm now just over 20k with this one, I think I'm doing well.

February's total word count was just over 25k.

My goal for March was 20k, but I'd like to get 25k or even 30k if I can. We'll see if Don Wood continues to move forward without causing problems.

Project Prognosis:

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

• Work on Blog Posts – I'm almost done with my final post for March, then I need to start work on April's posts. I just keep forgetting about them.
• Catch up on things – I actually got some things taken care of that have been waiting since January! And that's thanks for an Anti-Procrastination Day we had a KDWC. If you have trouble putting things off, get some friends and declare your own Anti Procrastination Day.
• Organize things – We haven't done much of that lately.
• Direct KDWC – Currently doing that.

Spring 100:

Have you ever heard of the Spring 100 walking challenge? It's a challenge to walk 100 miles in spring. I had never heard of it until some girls at KDWC mentioned it. I signed up. You have all of spring to get your 100 miles in and people do it from all around the world. If you are interested in signing up and joining the challenge, go HERE for more information. And if you sign up, let me know!

Birthday Party:

Way back in February, we had a join birthday celebration for James, Jimmy, and Lucas out at Jimmy & Megan's after church on Sunday. Their new addition is wonderful! It's a nice big room were everyone could eat and play. Megan's parents came down along with one of her nephews (Drew's almost birthday buddy and best friend), and Grandpa Athey came down from KC too. Grandpa played some ping-pong with James and even joined in some doubles with James, Krista, and me. Jimmy & I got a game in and I won. Those games were after lunch. Then we had dessert (pie and ice cream and cookies), and then presents.

Saturday, March 5th:

Sarah and I provided childcare for a Ladies Fellowship at church. We had all Jimmy's kids (Krista spent most of her time sitting in the kitchen working on school so she'd be free later for something), and six others. Thankfully it was nice enough that we could let them play outside for part of the time.

Babysitting:

That same day in the evening was the Lincoln Day's Dinner (political dinner with speakers and such). We babysat all the kids except Krista and James who got to attend the dinner with their parents. We made home made pizza and had a peppermint oreo cake for dessert just to celebrate Lucas's birthday since his birthday was that day. It was a late night and the kids didn't get picked up until 9:30 or after.

Saturday, March 12:

Last Saturday was Super Saturday! Basically it's a day of camp. :D It's held at church and a group for Whispering Winds Bible Camp come down and host it. Sarah and I have helped with it for several years now and it's always fun. We got to spend abut 8 hours with 63 kids. :) Yep, it was crazy. Yep, it was fun. Yep, we were tired at the end. I helped with games and Bible memory time for a group of younger ones. Sarah was the photographer and listened to verses for the teens.

The Music Stand:

Our instrument ensemble is growing! We added a French horn the last time and now we've adding a trombone. We'd love to get a trumpet, but are not sure we can convince him to join us. Right now we're working on two songs for specials. We had our first practice on the 6th, and we'll have practice again tomorrow.

The ladies ensemble is supposed to practice next Sunday. We've had a lot of practice days that have gotten cancelled for some reason or another.

KDWC:

Last time I told you we had 43 campers signed up for camp. Well, we're over half way through writing camp and we have 110 campers and 7 aunties. Sometimes I love this writing camp and all the interactions between the girls, and then something comes up and it's hard and stressful. We had a secret club form that none of the Aunties or admin were aware of. This ended up causing hurt and we had to ask them to remove it from camp, which caused more problems. I'm not sure everything is all settled or not. Praying it is and that if we still have issues below the surface, that they will get resolved. I'm so thankful to have the six other aunties at camp to bounce ideas and problems off of. To get council and prayer from, and even just to laugh at things together. This camp has challenged me, grown me, and given me a different look at others.

Sewing Room:

Once again Sarah is in the midst of orders. Spring is one of her busy times and right now she's making maternity skirts for someone. And she made some really cute jumpers and skirts not long ago.

Read Another Page:

Nothing to announce. I still haven't attempted to design a cover for Lessons from Liberty, and I haven't finished any story. And there is no update on either audio. Neither of my producers is good at communication so I'm not sure if we're canceling our contracts because neither book is done yet, or what. (One was supposed to be done last August, and the other last October.)

Teacher's Lounge:

Classes have started! We've actually had 3 classes. We had the first two in a row since we'd missed several, and then one this week. It's different, but in a good way, teaching just two students who are brothers. The younger one is very motivated to do his best and the older seems determined to get as good of grades as his brother. :)

Book Nook:

Since it's been several weeks, I have a whole shelf of books to share with you. I know I mentioned this first book last time, but now you can go read my review of it. The Myth of the Robber Barons, A Heart Unseen (very short but so sweet), Love at Eagle Station (this was a 2 star read for me), The Heir of Redclyffe (if you want a rant about this book, go read my review), Their Opportunity (refreshing), Heart of a Samurai (very interesting and fun to read), White Orchids (enjoyed it), John D. Rockefeller: Boy Financier (interesting). And that's my bookshelf for you today. Have you read anything good lately?

Farewell:

And now if you've made it to the end, I'll say goodbye. Next Saturday I should be in Kansas City with family. And the Saturday after that I have no idea about!