Joplin Journal Volume 11-10, Issue 2

From the Editor's Desk:

Two Saturdays in a row! Don't get used to it though because there are a lot of volleyball games next weekend, plus Sarah and I might be doing childcare for a ladies fellowship at church. But now things are quite. The games are in Carterville today, so no kids will be here. I have eight things on my to-do list for today, so I'm going to see if I can get them all done.

Weather Report:

Fall has arrived. We had a few days this week in the upper 70s and low 80s, but then it rained, and the wind was blowing. Today is overcast and still in the low 50s right now. Trees are starting to turn. We'll see if our catalpa loses all its leaves before November this year. Usually it loses them the days before we would have an election in November.

"Genius Burns":

This Secret Project is stuck! Not sure if I went off on a dead-end trail, or if I just don't know what comes next. I've been trying all sorts of things to try and figure it out on my own, and while I was able to get some things straightened out, I'm still puzzled by part of it. I may have to brainstorm with Mom or Sarah next week. Perhaps I can write on a different story today.

Project Prognosis:

How am I doing?

• Work on Blog Posts for 2023 – Just 1 November post to finish (when it is closer and I have links), and 1 to finish in December (link needed), and 1 to do in December once I have published a story. One January post is finished.
• Update Website – I'm pretending this doesn't need done.
• Prepare for KDWC – Everything done on my end except finalizing my devotionals.
• Publish last year's Christmas Card Story – Still haven't found the cover image for this.
• Christmas Play – Things are coming together. It's going to be such fun!
• Beta Reading – It's on my to-do list today to give feedback about one story. And maybe tomorrow I'll start reading my last beta story.

The Net:

Today Kailyn has 4 games to play. Mom and Sarah plan to go watch at least 2 of them. They are all back to back to back to back.

Babysitting:

Thursday evening Joel on down came over during games. The boys immediately got out the legos. I took Kins out to swing, and then took the three youngest ones for a walk around the block before we ate supper. Then once again leaving Joel, Drew, and Lucas to build legos, the younger three and set out "on an Adventure." We had flashlights because it was starting to get dark. We picked up 4 boxes and put them in a trash can, saw a huge bonfire that someone had, and picked up a few walnuts. We wished we had brought a bag along to pick up trash. Later, after we had gotten home, Dad noticed emergency lights down the road. It was a fire truck, so we all trooped out in the dark. They were putting out the bonfire. Don't know if it was spreading (it was a windy day), or if someone had just reported it. Either way, it wasn't anything big, and the youngest 4 all got fire hats from one of the firefighters. Kins was so excited about that.

Quilt Frame:

It's been fun to get back into quilting. I haven't gotten a lot done yet, but steady progress is being made.

The Music Stand:

No practice until the 22nd.

Stage Lights:

We had our first short practice with the kids after church on Sunday. I had the boys, and Sarah had the girls. Most of the boys had their lines either completely or almost all memorized. They might not be quite sure when they comes in yet, but that's okay. I will admit to laughing a few times. :) Tomorrow we'll have another quick practice, but only 3 of the 11 kids will be there. That's okay. The ones that will be there are probably the ones who need the most work.

KDWC:

I think we're just about ready. It's getting exciting. All the aunties love when registration starts because we get to see where girls are going and who is new, and all that sort of thing. Once I finish my devotionals I will be done and ready. My tent is set up, my info is posted on the Register, and even the camp map is shared. And just in case you want to see what this virtual camp looks like, here's the map that one of the aunties created. It took a bit of discussion among all the aunties about where their tents were, and where we pictured things. But the girls were so excited to be able to picture where things were.

(My tent is Tentalizing Tales. Can you find it?)

Sewing Room:

Sarah got some cute purple and white checked fabric to make a skirt for someone. She's also making some black skirts.

Read Another Page:

I finished proof listening to the last chapters of By Paths Unknown last night! There are a few corrections my reader will have to make, but soon I can approve it and let ACX do their thing before it is released into the world of audio books

Book Nook:

Well, this will be short. I've read 3 books. And one was one of my own and I didn't mark it or review it. The Middle Button (enjoyed it), Home Forever (Christmas story!). I did start reading Joy, but since there are 30 stories and poems in the book, I haven't finished it yet. I started another book, but didn't like it, so I quit.

Farewell:

And there you have it. I know it's a bit shorter this time. But after all, it has only been a week. Mom and Sarah are going to go watch some other volleyball games this morning, and then will go back and watch Kailyn play this afternoon. Dad is home from a men's breakfast at church. And I have that list of things to do, so I'm going to get busy. I got distracted for a few minutes because something for the play arrived.