Joplin Journal Volume 9-9, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

Happy Saturday! It's cloudy, wet, and probably muggy outside. Today Dad is planning on starting work on figuring out how to level the floors in the two rooms. I'm not sure how much I'll be helping, but if I'm not working on the house, I have plenty of other things to keep me busy. It's hard to believe it's September already. It should still be July. But I am glad that cooler weather is coming.

Weather Report:

Still summer. Hot, humid, but no rain except for very brief showers once in a few weeks. Last night we got rain. A good soaking rain. We could get more rain today and tonight.

"Genius Burns":

I am still writing my 100 words a day. On Thursday I wrote 101 words. Such a lot, I know. (I said that sarcastically!) I just don't have time to sit down and really think about my stories and what comes next and everything because I want to make sure I get my 100 words written in the short time I have. But the challenge ends on Wednesday! Yay! I don't think I'll do this challenge again.

Project Prognosis:

I've gotten something done, but I have more things I need to do. Some things can wait a little, but others need work done on them soon.

• Update Website – This one will have to wait.
• Blog posts written – I've gotten some done, but there are always more that need written.
• Five Fall Favorites – I have my books picked out, my posts scheduled but not done, graphics done, and have even gotten links from one of the participating bloggers. Still more to do.
• Work on the house – More on this project in On the House.

Nature Corner:

Our last chrysalis opened on Thursday and our last monarch butterfly came out. We got to see it come the last of the way out and watch its wings inflate. (Inflate? That sounds like the wrong word for a butterfly.)

On the House:

Where to start! Both the sewing room and Mom & Dad's room have been gutted. The ceilings knocked down, the carpets ripped up. No lovely wood floors under the carpets. Just ugly yellow linoleum with brown and mint green splotches. Found lots of square nails. And . . . I found an old invitation to a ball at the "New Joplin Theater" for Nov. 24th, 1885! Yeah, pretty neat! Sarah's going to take pictures of it. And I want to go to the library and see if I can find any information about it.

I've taken wallpaper off the hall, dismantled the two heavy wooden bookshelves that Dad had put in the hall, taken Sheetrock off some walls because we either wanted to see what was behind them, or because we are taking the wall down.

Next step: level the floors in the sewing room and M & D's room. That could be interesting as they are nowhere near level now.

Here are some pictures of the progress.

Lucas and I taking the trim off the wall in the sewing room. (That wall is the back of Mom & Dad's closet, and there is a chimney behind the shelves.)

James taking the first piece of paneling off in the sewing room and revealing the "lovely" wallpaper.

Joel taking a break and watching something on the other side of the room. (The plastic covered doorway behind him goes into the living room.)

Drew taking off lath. There was a lot of that to take off. The boys took some lath home for their forts.

I am taking the paneling off in Mom & Dad's room. Isn't that "lovely" wallpaper?

Standing on the east side of the sewing room and looking all the way to the other side of the house. The floor is so ugly.

This is a 2x4 that was in the wall holding lath up. As you can see, it's just a wedge of wood that still has the bark on it!

A few large square nails we found.

Babysitting:

Last night we babysat all the kids so Jimmy & Megan could go on a date. The kids were excited to see the house and what things looked like now. I think Grant decided that it was okay at our house now since it wasn't all dirty and messy like the last time he had come over. He even got the help Papa take down some of the plastic on one of the doors.

We had pizza for supper and some people played games, others read, Sarah took the younger three on a walk around the block and they picked up acorns.

The Music Stand:

I got asked by my best friend's youngest sister to play the chorus of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" at her wedding later this month. I said yes. :) So, I'm practicing that.

I'm also have music practice on Sunday. We were going to be playing this month, but not everyone could be there, so we're going to start a song for Thanksgiving.

KDWC:

Closed until Sept. 14.

Sewing Room:

Even though the "sewing room" now is very packed and crowded, Sarah has managed to get a lot of sewing done. She's mailed orders and always seems to have something else to sew.

Read Another Page:

I have a story that has a cover (designed by Krista!) and a synopsis, but the book isn't formatted and published yet. Hopefully I can do that soon, but I'll share the cover and synopsis.

(Didn't Krista do a good job?)

What will she find beyond the border?

When Jessica signs up for a mission trip to work with orphans in China, she knows the experience will stretch her beyond the limits of anything she's experienced before. But she has no idea of the lasting impact the trip will leave for more than just herself. How many lives will be touched when one girl dares to reach beyond comfort?

Teacher's Lounge:

I don't know if I'll be teaching this fall or not. It will depend on how long it takes us to get the house done.

Book Nook:

I have read a little. Four books, but one of them I gave 2 stars to, so I won't share that one with you. The Wife's Dilemma, Chief Joseph, boy of the Nez Percé (this was requested by Joel who wants to read it), The Little Card. The last is by far my favorite.

Farewell:

And there you have it. A Joplin Journal on Saturday with pictures! I hope you enjoyed it. Now I need to get something else done before breakfast. (And in case you were wondering, I wrote most of this yesterday.)

Until another time!