Joplin Journal Volume 10-10, Issue 2

From the Editor's Desk:

Good morning! The windows are open and the wind is blowing. The sky is partly overcast, but the clouds are moving so much I'm not sure if they'll stick around. A train just went through the valley, and the leaves are rustling in the trees and crunching underfoot. It is definitely fall weather.

Weather Report:

This week temperatures dropped down into the 20s one night and a few nights they were in the 30s. That cold snap really started the rest of the trees changing colors. Yesterday it was windy and got into the mid 80s, and today and tomorrow are supposed to be warm and windy. Then we're supposed to get rain and cold again. Maybe not freezing, but 60s during the day and 40s at night.

"Genius Burns":

It certainly was last night! I had started a new Christmas story because the other one I was working on seemed like it would be too long for our Christmas Card story, and this new one just started going to town! When I finally stopped writing for the night, I had 2,500+ words written! But it's almost done, so I'm hoping I can write some more this morning.

I have also worked on my "Finding Home" story this week and on my other Christmas story. Nothing on "Kate & Kylie" yet.

Project Prognosis:

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

• Work on Blog Posts – Yes! I have all my posts for this year done except for a few links! It's SO nice! Now maybe I can start working on some for next year.
• Work on my Name List – I am almost ready to start reading through all my Christmas stories and writing those names down.
• Update Website – I didn't update it, but I did have to contact my hosting site because it was having problems. They fixed some things.
• Prep for A Homewood Christmas Release – That's done! It's actually published! You can get your copy HERE. Sorry, I don't have a link for the video promotion of it yet. I don't think she has it quite done.

The Volleyball Net:

Lots of games still going on. Last week I went and watched Krista's girl team play a game, and last night I watched Krista's co-ed team play. The co-ed team did a much better job last night then the first time I watched them.

Next weekend will be a crazy volleyball weekend.

Babysitting:

Last Friday all the kids came over for supper. Then Mom and Sarah took James and Joel to volleyball. They were both playing. Later Dad and Drew went to the game and then to Lowe's, and Krista finished her school and Megan picked her up to go watch. That left me with Lucas on down. They got their beds ready, and I had them in bed around 9. James and Joel came back with Mom and Sarah around 10. Krista thought she would sleep better in her own bed, so she went home with J & M. (She said she kept waking up because it was too quiet! :D)

The next morning the boys all got up early and went to the men's breakfast at church with Papa. Kinsley slept in until 8:30 (almost unheard of for her!), so Kailyn was kind of an only child for a while.

Krista got dropped off here later and had games in the afternoon and evening. Different people went at different times to watch different games. But in the evening, I had Drew, Lucas, Grant, and Kinsley. Dad was here part of the time. It was late when they all got picked up.

The Music Stand:

We have our second orchestra practice tomorrow.

KDWC:

Registration has been open since Monday and we have 91 campers so far! 21 of those are new to camp, so that's fun. We officially open the gates on Tuesday, so we're trying to make sure we're all ready by then. I think I am.

Sewing Room:

Sarah is making a really pretty birthday dress for someone right now. It's white with pink flowers and pink ribbon.

Backstage:

I almost have all my lines memorized for the play. One of the girls came over this week, and we worked on our lines together. (They are together in the play, so it was easier to work on them and figure some things out together.) We found the part that I kept mixing up, and the section that I can NOT keep a straight face in! I'm going to have to work on that.

Tomorrow Sarah will work with the four kids to see if they have their lines memorized yet. The official practices start on the 13th!

Read Another Page:

Here's the link to Summer Light.

And my new Christmas Collection story The Christmas Key.

If you didn't check it out before, here's the link for A Homewood Christmas.

Teacher's Lounge:

Closed until further notice.

Book Nook:

I've been getting back into reading. And while I have done quite a bit of rereading, I have read a few new to me books. Here's my bookshelf. Spines & Leaves (I mentioned this last time but didn't have a review, so this links to my review), The Invention of Hugo Cabret (different), The Boarded-Up House (just a fun read), Heads Up! (I liked it), Meet Kirsten, Kirsten Learns a Lesson, Kirsten's Surprise, Happy Birthday, Kirsten!, Kirsten Saves the Day, Changes for Kirsten (fun to reread these stories I grew up with), The Wild Dog of Edmonton (yes, it takes place in Canada), A Garland for Girls (another reread I enjoyed). I'm holding out on starting my stack of Christmas books until November at least.

Farewell:

That's all for now. I have a story to go write, and other things to do. I might have some kiddos here this afternoon during the two volleyball games (and the between games). I probably won't be writing a Joplin Journal next Saturday as I'm hoping to go walk 5 miles with my best friend in the morning, and then will probably have kids in the afternoon.