Joplin Journal Volume 9-6, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

The sun is shining for the 3rd day in a row! You may think that's no big deal, but let me tell you it is. We haven't had more than 2 1/2 days of sunshine in a row since the first week in April! Yeah. Now you understand a little more about why 3 days of sunshine in a row is so wonderful. :)

Weather Report:

After rain and chilly weather that had us back in long sleeves and jackets, we are enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. As you can imagine, everything is very green here and growing quite well. The yard has gotten mowed 4 times this year. Twice by the boys and twice by me.

"Genius Burns":

It's not a blazing campfire, but it is a steady flame. I decided to join a 100 for 100 challenge to see if I could get out of this "I don't want to write so I'm not going to" slump. The challenge is to write 100 words (or more) for 100 days. You are allowed one day a week off and can have one "grace week" if something comes up and you just can't write that week. I'm 5 days in and have written more than the required 100 words each day. And yes, it has all be on Phil Wood. Now if I can just get certain people captured and could wrap up the story it would be good. ;)

Project Prognosis:

I do have all the blog posts for June done! Yay! Well, except next week's post because I want to change and add a few things. But that shouldn't be too hard.

Mom and I did a lot of organizing in the back room this week. It really needed it!

I know there are other things I need to work on but right now I'm drawing a blank.

Yard Work:

The kids were over again yesterday and I had told the boys to come prepared to mow if they wanted to. They did. I gave them all the tip Grandpa gave me about keeping a front and back wheel in the part you already mowed so you don't have any little pieces that don't get cut. They did much better this time and I think it went faster. Drew and Lucas, when they weren't helping mow, helped me rake up and move a whole lot of bark the squirrels have been ripping off the pecan tree. We have a wheelbarrow FULL of bark. So nice to have the yard mowed again.

The Music Stand:

We were originally going to play bells last Sunday, but we were going to be missing quite a few players, so we moved it to tomorrow. This meant we had one more good practice.

The instrument ensemble has a new song picked out. Don't know when we'll try to play it, but at least we can be working on it.

Christmas Play:

If you had wanted to see last year's Christmas play that I wrote and that Sarah & I directed, you can now watch it (and the rest of the Christmas program) right HERE.

Babysitting:

As I mentioned, the kids were over all day yesterday. They arrived around 8:15 in the morning and ate breakfast here. Then we went looking for the kittens (see Cat Corner for details). Next was mowing the yard and then getting the new swing put together and up. After they had tried it, I took the five oldest for a bike ride. Papa came home and took Kailyn's training wheels off and helped her learn to ride without them. She's getting good at it. And Grant is loving his "big" bike.

After we returned, Krista had the idea of putting the older round swing up above the new swing and having a double-decker swing. They had so much fun on that thing! Here are a few pictures.

Yes, there are handles to hold on to.

No, they didn't use the ladder to climb on. That was just to hook the top swing on. As you can see, we can fit everyone on. (Kinsley was napping so she wasn't there.)

We ate lunch, some people took naps, we played outside again, and had a good time.

Cat Corner:

If you know me at all, you know I'm not a cat person. I don't like cats really and I don't like them in our yard. Well, last week we discovered some kittens in the shed behind the empty house next to ours. (The shed can be seen behind the kids swinging in the second picture.) There were 4 of them. They were really cute, but since the mama was one of the many strays in the area, we really didn't want these kittens growing up as strays too. Mama Cat ended up moving 3 of her kittens down to our neighbor's shed. The 4th little kitten is the Shy Little Kitten and she stayed in the first shed. When the kids were over we looked for the kittens but the mama cat had moved them, so we didn't see any.

Sewing Room:

Sarah is staying busy. She had another order for several skirts that she got done. Not sure what she's working on now, but she's staying busy.

Birthday:

Sarah's birthday was Thursday. We didn't do much. But last Saturday when Grandma & Grandpa came down to Jimmy & Co.'s, we sort of celebrated it then.

Read Another Page:

I ordered my proof copy of Christmas Day Joyous! I can't wait to see the hardback book! For some strange reason Amazon decided it was going to publish it before I had even proofed it. Not sure why. It's not supposed to be published yet.

And I also ordered the proof copy of another Pocket Book titled Dancing with Fireflies. But I think I already showed you the cover for that.

And guess what!!!!!! A Very Bookish 4th of July is now available!!!!! Did you already order your kindle copy? If so, you should have it ready to read. If you were going to order a paper copy you can get it right HERE. What are you waiting for? Get your book!

Teacher's Lounge:

Only papers from one student left to grade. Then I'm done until . . . Well, until we decide to start again. :)

Book Nook:

I know I've been reading. Let me go see what I've read. I finished Ever Faithful, and reread The Mystery of Rawhide Gap, The Mystery at Blizzard Mesa, The Secret of Fort Pioneer, and read The Year of Miss Agnes, At Love's Command, and Oh, The Fallen. I also reread another Bret King book but I haven't reviewed it yet. And I have more waiting to be read. :) Are you reading any good books right now?

Farewell:

I think I've covered everything. I'm going to head outside and try out the new battery operated weedeater. Mom's at a used curriculum sale. Dad has a bat house to put up and some other projects to do. I'm sure Sarah is probably going to be sewing. And I should get going. I am teaching Children's Church tomorrow and need to get ready later, but I need to finish the yard work first. Have a lovely weekend!