Joplin Journal Volume 10-11, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

I didn't write last week because I wasn't sure what to say, and I had other things to do, and the week before I was getting ready to go walking 3 miles, so I didn't write then. But I decided I'd better write this morning or you'll start to think I've quit the business of reporter for the Joplin Journal. Which I haven't, but sometimes it feels that way.

Weather Report:

Today is winter. High in the low 40s and last night it was supposed to be in the 20s. I didn't stay up to find out. Wednesday and Thursday were warm with temperatures in the 80s on Wednesday and 70s on Thursday. It's not suppose to get above the 40s all of next week, and I think there is even a chance of snow. Snow before Thanksgiving? Crazy! Some of our leaves still haven't fallen. Our maple tree still has green leaves. I think it might be waiting until we've raked the yard before it drops its leaves. That's what it's done before.

"Genius Burns":

Yep. Things are still moving! I finished up Finding Home and sent it off to my synopsis writer, but since she's busy, I don't know when I'll get it published. You might have to read this fall story in January. :) But I've also been working on what started out as a story for the Christmas Cards this year but quickly grew too large. Now it's around 10k words and still not done. I haven't written a Christmas story before that is this long that is not a mystery, so it's rather fun. And I'm also working on Kate & Kylie. Between these two stories I'm always busy. It seems that if one takes a little break, the other one is begging me to write it, so I do until it takes a break and then the first story is ready to move on again. Such fun! I don't remember the last time I had two stories begging to be written at the same time like this!

Project Prognosis:

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

• Work on Blog Posts for 2023 – Well, no, not exactly. I mean, I did plan some, and I figured out what I'm going to do for my 5th Tuesday posts, but as far as actually writing them, that hasn't happened. Yet. I'm still hopeful that I can work on some soon.
• Work on my Name List – I need to start reading my Christmas stories so I can do that.
• Update Website – Well, I still haven't updated my audio shelf. Maybe I will soon. Maybe.

The Volleyball Net:

Volleyball is over. Championship games have been played. James and Joel's team won 1st in a 3-way tie. Joel, Drew, and Lucas placed 2nd, and Krista's co-ed team got 3rd. (By the way, they are all in different brackets so they weren't play each other.) I don't remember what Krista's girl team placed.

In the Hoop:

James, Joel, Drew, and Lucas have started basketball practice! The two older boys are on one team and the younger two boys are on another. It will be fun to see what Drew and Lucas think of basketball since they didn't play last year. Will they like it as well or better than volleyball? I guess we'll find out.

Babysitting:

Let's see, yesterday the kids were over from mid afternoon until around 8:30. Kinsley is really getting into reading and is enjoying new books as long as she can still read "Joe" (Train Coming) and "Huffin" (The Huffin Puff Express). It's such fun to read new stories to her. She did fall asleep last night while I was reading "Joe" though. She told me she wanted to get her jammies on and go to bed. Unfortunately, she couldn't go to bed since they weren't spending the night, but she did get her pj's on and then we read stories, and she just couldn't keep her eyes open.

Visitors:

Two weeks ago Grandpa and my aunt came down from KC on Friday. Grandpa spent most of the day over at Jimmy's helping cut up a large part of a tree that had fallen, and burning branches. My aunt hung out over here and sewed with Sarah, and visited. That evening we all went to a Volleyball game.

On Saturday my aunt joined my best friend and another friend on a 3 mile hike at Wildcat Glades. It was the perfect weather for it! Overcast, but not cold. After my aunt and I got home, she headed to the hotel to get a few things done and I hung out with Grandpa until Jimmy brought the little girls over. The three of us girls ate lunch, then Mom and Sarah came back and other kids came over. It was one of those days when kids came and went and I never was sure who was going to be around except Kins. :D She took a nap.

That evening everyone went to volleyball games except Kins and me. Later my aunt came over with pizza for us three. We ate and then cleaned up messes and Kins and I worked puzzles and she chattered, much to my aunt's delight. It was a very busy day, but fun.

The Music Stand:

Tomorrow the orchestra at church has practice.

Last Sunday the ladies ensemble had practice.

Next Sunday the children's bell choir has their first practice.

Lots of music! Christmas is coming! Orchestra and the ladies ensemble are both playing/singing on Christmas Day, but the kids do their performance on the 18th for the Christmas Program.

KDWC:

We are 12 days into camp and we have more campers than we've ever had before! It's a lot of fun having so many new girls. I have 16 girls in my tent. I think a lot of girls are trying to reach their goals and help their tent reach their tent goal. We'll see how many tents reach their tent goals.

Sewing Room:

Sarah has sewn two dresses for the Christmas play and has two more to make. They are going to make the play so much more fun. :) And yes, she's also still sewing orders.

Backstage:

Our first big practice for the Christmas play is tomorrow afternoon! Where has the time gone? But it will be fun! I'm pretty confident that I know my lines, and that most of the others know their lines, but we'll see.

Read Another Page:

I approved the final audio chapters of Hymns in the Hills and am waiting for Audible to get it finalized and released. This reader sings the hymns, so that adds an extra level of delight to listening to it.

Teacher's Lounge:

Closed until further notice.

Book Nook:

I have managed to get in some reading even if I've been busy with things like writing camp, and working the elections, and babysitting, and writing. Here's my bookshelf of read books. Chrissy's Endeavor (loved this reread), Her Associate Members (sequel to previous book, lovely reread), Reminisce Growing Up (I love these Reminisce books), Between Stairs and Stardust (pretty good for a fairy tale retelling), The Accident (liked it more than I thought I would), A Movie Star for Christmas (Hallmark style of story). I'm not sure if I'll finish the story I have started. Maybe I'll just move on.

Farewell:

I think that's all. Dad, Jimmy, and I all worked the election this week. It felt like a presidential election with how busy it was! No time to sit around and be bored. But now I need to get to work on the rest of things on my to-do list because for some reason they are not crossing themselves off. I hope you all have a lovely weekend! I don't know if I'll write next weekend or not. I have no idea what is going to be going on.