Joplin Journal Volume 10-9, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

Happy September! Are you as confused as to how it could possibly be September as I am? I mean, we just started this year, didn't we? But I am loving the changing temperatures and the thoughts of fall. Fall is my favorite season, and so often I'm too busy to really get to enjoy it fully. Well, let's move on before I get too side tracked thinking about autumn leaves and colors and stories and . . .

Weather Report:

This week has been in the low 90s or in the 80s during the days and the 60s at night. We've had some rain. This morning it is foggy and lovely. Sarah and I went out and walked a mile before breakfast. I mowed the yard on Wednesday for the first time in quite a while. Most of it wasn't bad, but some parts that get more sun were really bad.

"Genius Burns":

I have actually gotten some writing in this week! I wrote some on this year's Christmas Collection story, but mostly on The-story-I-shouldn't-be-writing. I've got to come up with a different working title as that one is rather long. :) So many stories that I want to work on right now! I'd really like to finish the Christmas Collection story. It's just being slow. But other stories just want me to write them. Here's a glimpse of my current working on stories:

• Monday's Mystery
• Kate & Kylie
• The-Story-I-Shouldn't-be-Writing
• The Christmas Key
• A Thanksgiving Story (no title yet)

Project Prognosis:

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

• Work on Blog Posts – I have all except one post done for this month. Except I might change something and do a different post next week. We'll see.
• Correct Lawrence & Lenexa – Corrected! I sent it off to my synopsis writer as well as to another friend who said she'd try to think of some possible cover ideas.
• Work on my Name List – My short stories are finished. I only have the Graham Quartet, Home Fires, and Woodbreak left to read. Besides my Christmas stories. I have one name that has been overused! I've used this name 7 times, and variations of it 4-5 more times.

On the House:

After over a year of working on the house, we can say we are done. For now. We haven't redone the stairs or put in a ceiling in the kitchen, but the rest is done. Dad and I painted one wall of the living room last Friday (it had gotten messed up since it's against the sewing room), and Dad got the trim up on the door into the sewing room and the baseboards too. It looks so nice! Dad also got all the trim in the hall done and the caulking done. I painted all the nail holes and the caulking and such on Monday. It looks so nice! Sarah is going to make new curtains for the living room and the hall. It's fun to just walk through the hall and look at things.

The Volleyball Net:

This year Krista, James, Joel, Drew, and Lucas are all playing volleyball. And all their games are played at the Boys & Girls club which is only a few blocks from our house. This means it's easy for Mom and anyone else to go over and watch. I've gotten to see everyone except James play. Lucas is actually really good. And Joel has a powerful serve. Drew can also do some great serves. I think all the moving boxes and stuff for Jimmy has helped them all.

Babysitting:

The kids were all over last evening so Jimmy & Megan could have a date. It was fun having them all over. The boys got to finish building a train Lego set I had gotten. The younger three enjoyed playing with it too because the train actually runs with a little remote. So much fun. Kinsley and Grant also got to go swing with Papa.

Last Saturday we had kids here off and on all day. James and Joel came over in the morning between volleyball games to finish up some school. Kinsley wanted to come play with me while Megan went shopping with Kailyn. They were here around an hour or so. Mom and Sarah went to watch a game. Then the older three came back around 1:30 to work on school, and Kailyn came too. Kinsley wanted to come play with BehBeh, and I said that was fine, so she came and actually ended up staying all afternoon. She took a nap here, played with Papa, ate supper with me, and then got picked up around 8.

Out of the Mouth:

Kins is a chatter box. You never know what she is going to say. Last Saturday, she had been playing with Papa and came running into the kitchen where Mom, Sarah, and I were. She stopped in front of me and said, "BehBeh, Papa not being bery nice ta me." I had to laugh.

Little League:

We watched the World Championship game on Sunday afternoon. Hawaii won, which was no surprise, really. Now we are back to normal life with no games on.

The Music Stand:

Practices are going well. We have another tomorrow before Sunday School. I'm not sure when we will play. And the Ladies Ensemble sign up is out, so we'll start that soon.

KDWC:

Closed until October.

Sewing Room:

Sarah just finished sewing some skirts for a girl at church. And she's made some cute jumpers with bright sunflowers on them. She'll make curtains for our house, but she is still making things and shipping them out.

Read Another Page:

Like I mentioned before, Lawrence & Lenexa needs a cover and a synopsis. I wish I had any idea for a cover. I'm stuck. Once I get that, it will be easy to finish the formatting and such.

Teacher's Lounge:

Closed until further notice.

Book Nook:

A very short list of books this time. A Slip on the Ice (my story), To Give Hope (possibly my favorite of my short stories), The Unexpected Request (my book), Sensible Kate (so much fun!) I did beta read two stories this week. One is a Christmas story that goes in A Homewood Christmas, and the other is a story by one of the girls in my KDWC tent.

Farewell:

Once again we've reached the end of a Joplin Journal. I don't know if I forgot anything or not. I need to practice the violin, and get ready to teach tomorrow, and write, and maybe some other things too. I think Sarah is sewing, Mom is doing the dishes, and I don't know where Dad is.

I hope you have a lovely weekend! I'll write again another time!