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Row80 Sunday Check In 10-8-11

My brother shared this picture on Facebook last night, and I had to spread the love. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have this in your yard?

In the spirit of Halloween (and because we had to spend $40 on Grace’s costume!) I’m sharing some funny and bank account-friendly ideas for costumes:

Tic Tac Toe – Glue a container of Tic Tacs to the toe of your shoe.

Paper Shredder – Get some sheets of paper or old bills and envelopes and punch a hole in them. Then put a ribbon or rope through the hole and tie it around your neck. When someone asks what you are, shred some paper!

Quarter Pounder – Carry around some quarters and a hammer. When someone asks you what you are, pound a quarter.

Freudian Slip – Wear a slip with a sign on it that says “Freud.”

Devil’s Advocate – Carry a sign that says, “Vote for the Devil.”

Cereal Killer – Dress in black and glue mini cereal boxes to your shirt. Stick plastic knives into the boxes and add some ketchup for “blood.”
*Naturally, this one’s my favorite!

God’s Gift to Women – Gift wrap a large box and cut holes in the top and sides for your head and arms. Add a gift tag that says “To: Women” and “From: God.”

None of these are my ideas—I stole them from here, and there are even more.

I might have to get this for one of my doxies…

On to Row80 Goals!

It’s hard to believe the first full week is gone, much less that it’s the eighth of October. After a slow start, I made some great progress on The Prophet this week. After reading some plotting advice from Jill Kemerer, I looked up the Snowflake Method, and it made more sense to me than a lot of other tips I’ve read. So I sat down and started with the logline of The Prophet and began from there. Before I knew it, I had all three major plot points, including the midpoint. I’ve never been able to do that before! I have the first act well worked out and a good handle on second and third, so I finally feel I have real direction with this book.

I also did some additional work on my query for Light and Dark and of course, moved Turning The Page from Blogger to WordPress. Despite the worry of losing followers, I’m glad I made the move. WordPress is a lot easier.

As for the personal stuff, I spent Thursday and Friday afternoons with my daughter, playing in the front yard in the leaves. That was definitely the most fun I’ve had all week.

And I’m lumbering along with my healthy eating battle. I do pretty good for the most part, but it’s not without some bitterness. I do get tired of having to watch what I eat especially when those around me can stuff their faces and not worry about it, but oh well. There are worst things in life, right?

What about you? How did your first Row80 week go?


40 comments on… “Row80 Sunday Check In 10-8-11”

  1. Thanks. I can’t take credit for them. I wish I was more creative so I could have done Grace’s. 40 bucks just blows my mind. Halloween was the cheap holiday when I was a kid!

  2. ROFLMAO – That gator costume killed me. LOL. My wife was like, “what’s so funny?” I showed it to her, and she liked it too.

    Great job on goals. Randy’s snowflake method rocks. Great stuff. Keep up the good work.

    • Me, too. If our doxie would wear it without freaking out, I would totally buy it.

      Thanks! The snowflake stuff just made a lot of sense to me. Glad you stopped by:)

  3. How about dress normal and when someone asks what you are, say “Best-selling author.” 😛 Don’t forget the pen to autograph random things. Sorry, I’m feeling a little loopy this morning. For Halloween, I’m going to be “sleep-deprived.” Now I gotta go do my Row80 check-in.

    • LOL, Angela, that’s a good one! I would totally offer autographs. Cause they’ll be worth something someday, of course;)
      Thanks!

  4. Hi Stacy,

    I noticed the blog change. I like it…but I’ve always been a WordPress girl. I also loved the dog halloween costume. I, like Kerry, laughed out loud. I didn’t think pugs could get any cuter, but this just proves they do.

    • Hi Nicole! Thanks so much. I should have started out on WordPress anyway, but I thought it would be harder than blogger. Should have done my research. LOL, I know. Pugs are cute. Someone had a puppy at Grace’s school the other day – tiny little thing.
      Thanks for stopping by!

  5. LOL. I love that Scarecrow picture. 🙂
    Well done your goal progress and thank you for posting about the snowflake method. 🙂

    • Laura
      So do I – definitely my favorite of the year so far. Thanks for the encouragement! I hope you like the snowflake method – it just made more sense to me.

  6. Loved the costume. I think our corgie would fit. 🙂 I’ve tried the snowflake model some time back and given your success with it I’ll have to hunt my for my notes and check it out again. Glad it is working so well for you. ~Kate

    • Kate
      Thanks. Corgie’s are so cute. The snowflake model is a lot like Larry Brooks and others, but I think the way he explained it just made more sense to me. Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!

  7. Adorable costume ideas, thanks for sharing them! Too funny.
    And welcome to WordPress. Are you loving it so far? The site looks great!

    • Thanks, Deborah! I definitely am and kicking myself for not having used it first. Just worried about the followers finding me. Glad you liked the post:)

  8. Oooh, thanks for the snowflake tip…I love finding new ways to consider writing and that one is a new one for me…bookmarked and I’ll give it a good read when I have some free time.

    • You’re welcome. It really helped me see things clearly. Maybe I was just ready for a breakthrough, lol. Thanks for stopping by!

  9. Omg, love the scarecrow and the puppy costume!
    Spending time with family is a must … it recharges the energies and puts us on a good mood!
    Now, I’m curious about the Snowflake method … I’m heading over there to check it out now … thanks for sharing!

    • Thanks, Juliana! I laughed so hard at the pumpkin. Yes, spending time with the family is so important – of course, it’s beautiful out so Grace has been all over the neighborhood today, lol. Let me know what you think of the Snowflake method. Thanks for stopping by!

  10. Sounds like you have been very busy in a good way. I’ve only looked a little into the Snowflake Method. I love it and hope to catch up on the rest before much longer. It is so encouraging when you find something as helpful as that. Very good check in!

    • Wendy
      Definitely give the Snowflake method a good look. I think you’ll like it. Thanks for the encouragement and for stopping by!

  11. Isn’t it lovely when you can figure out a good trick, especially where plotting is concerned? Wishing you many more weeks of great progress in its wake!

    And I’m totally with you on the healthy eating thing. My husband is one of those tall, skinny people who can eat total crap and be happy when he gains five pounds (that he never keeps) because he’s that tall and skinny… It gets easier with time, and don’t forget to splurge every once in a while.

    • Katherine
      Yes, it is. I’m not known for plotting ahead, so I’m pretty happy with this. Thanks for the encouragement.
      My brother and sister are both like that. I just have to look at food and will gain. Don’t worry, I’ve the splurging down, lol.
      Thanks!

  12. Oh my goodness, that pumpkin moon picture is hilarious. It sounds like you’re doing great with figuring out your book’s road map. I’ve never tried the Snowflake Method before, I’ll have to look into it. Good luck with your goals this week!

    • Erin
      Yes, it’s awesome. I just had to share. Thanks. I’m a pantster, but I wanted to have the major turning points figured out, and I think I’ve finally figured out how to do that. Definitely look into Snowflake. Thanks so much!

  13. It must be the psych background in me that made me LOVE the Freudian Slip costume. Great idea! Seems like things are going well, though it always feels a little hard to kickstart things like a healthy diet or (for me) an exercise program. Best wishes with all of your goals!

    • LOL, Julie. That was one of my favorites. I didn’t know you had a psych background-very cool. The diet thing is (and always will be) a daily struggle. Coming to terms with that is the tough part. Thanks for the encouragement, and hope you have a great week!

  14. Stacy, I’m glad to see that the switch from Blogger to WordPress has gone well! And thanks for the link for the “snowflake method.” I’ve been hearing references to it for the past few days, but it’s good to check out the link.

    Have a wonderful week!

    • Lena
      Thanks. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. You’re welcome, and I hope you like the Snowflake method. Thanks so much for stopping by!

  15. Woot woot – that is amazing Stacy – you are kick butt and taking names! Love how you’ve made so much plotting progress (and having never done that before…wow). I am off to research the snowflake method so thanks for the link!
    Love the Halloween costumes and the WordPress digs! 🙂
    Stick with the healthy eating – I know the bitterness – totally feel your pain but hang in there. It is worth it! You are my inspiration and motivation….

    • Thanks, Natalie. Let’s just hope I can translate the plotting into writing. Hope you like the Snowflake Method – let me know what you think.

      I really appreciate the encouragement. I’m just slowly coming to terms that I’ll just have to count everything. And good luck on your healthy eating – if I can do it, anyone can!

  16. I so needed a laugh today and your listing of the costume ideas did just that! I also love the Cereal Killer idea! Might use that one. 🙂 Great progress on your goals and the playing in leaves sounds divine. I’ve also heard of the snowflake method, but never tried it. Thanks for the article link.

    • I’m glad you enjoyed it, Barbara. I had fun writing it. Thanks so much. I hope you have a good week, and thanks for posting.

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