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Row80 Check In 11-9-11 Winter Wonderland?

Our front yard this morning. Yay.

Trust me, that picture doesn’t do the muck justice. It’s snow mixed with rain, and when it hits the ground turns into cold slush. It’s really windy, and people are afraid to drive. Welcome to winter in Iowa.

If you can’t tell, I detest it. Yes, snow’s pretty. Then the dogs go out and decorate the winter wonderland with brown and yellow, and the front yard is destroyed by Grace’s wanderings. Rob breaks a snow blower every year, and I wind up shoveling because he’s magically out of town on the worst days. No, he doesn’t do it on purpose but it sure seems like it.

And then there’s the moronic drivers. NEWSFLASH: your four-wheel drive SUV doesn’t do SH*T on ice or packed down snow that rides like ice. So driving 55 in an ice storm and slamming on the breaks is going to put you right in the ditch along with whoever you’re tailgating. All you people in the midwest know what I’m talking about: what types of cars do you usually see in the ditches? The SUVs. Again, morons.

My feelings exactly.

What does this have to do with Row80? Nothing, really. I just feel bah-humbugish this morning. But I have had a productive few days. Most of my agent research is done, I got the synopsis for INTO THE DARK down to one page (it needs some work, but getting there), and I wrote over 1000K on THE PROPHET. Oh, and tomorrow’s Thriller Thursday post is done, too.

Today’s supposed to be a writing day, but with physical therapy and then getting ready for my trip to Minnesota tomorrow, I’m not sure how much I’ll get done. That’s right, I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon to see my best friend and trusted writing confidant. I know some of you are probably shaking your head, but trust me, Kristine is the first person to tell me when something’s not working. She doesn’t worry about feelings, thank God.

Since I’m out of town, I don’t have a big list of goals, but Kristine and I are going to work on the synopsis and first three chapters of INTO THE DARK.

Goals for next check in:
*Finalize single page synopsis for INTO THE DARK.
*Get single page synopsis down to 3-5 paragraphs.
*Get first three chapters finalized.
*HAVE FUN!

What about you guys? How’s your week been so far? How are you NaNo-er’s fairing?

26 comments on… “Row80 Check In 11-9-11 Winter Wonderland?”

    • Yes, it is. And what we’re getting today is nothing like what we’ll have in the next few months.

      Thanks so much. I’m looking forward to getting away:)

  1. My mother hails from Ohio, and she does not miss the cold weather and snow shoveling at all. Meanwhile, my Texas born-and-bred children would LOVE to see snow.

    Up and down for me this week for my ROW80. I’m glad you get to see your friend and writing confidant. That sounds wonderful! Enjoy.

    • LOL. Your kids might want to see it, but would they want to drive in it and have to clean it? Or put up with the frigid temps? Up and down weeks are going to happen – we just have to keep moving forward.

      Thank you. I can’t wait!

  2. My children are always saying how fun they think it would be to live in the snow. I’m not buying it. Thanks for the confirmation. That fu winter pic was ROFLOL!

    Sounds like you’re doing really well though. Congrats! And you’ve got tomorrow’s post ready to go too. Yay!

    • Wasn’t it? I just stumbled across it and had to use. And no, it’s not fun. Grace and I battled this morning over going out to make a snow angel. She didn’t want to believe there wasn’t nearly enough snow to do anything but get muddy.

      Thanks for the encouragement. And I hope you feel better!

  3. Oh lord – snow! In New Brunswick we get TONS of the white sh*t. Our tourism department calls it “white gold” as snowmobiling is a huge tourist draw but it’s not gold to me. Likely the dumping will start in the next few weeks and we’ll be dealing with weekly snow storms through to the end of March. By then, we’ll have around 12 feet of the stuff. UGH. And I HATE the -40 degree celcius temps as well. Hubby and I really need to look at moving somewhere warm! LOL!
    Ok – enough grumbling – so far a great week for you! woot woot and your weekend ahead with your writing partner sounds ahhhmazing!! ENJOY and travel safe. Can’t wait to tune into tomorrow’s post…eeeeke…

    • Ugh. White gold. I suppose for the tourists but not for the people who live in it. 12 feet? Wow. I think our highest in the past few years was about 3 or 4 at one time. And yes, we get the really cold temps and the wind. That’s what makes it so bad.

      Thanks:) Managed to be productive:) Tomorrow’s post should be a good one!

  4. Much as I like snow, I can’t complain that we haven’t had any yet. (Although the predictions are for the Great Lakes to get socked this winter.)

    Good work on the synopsis. They’re so important and so hard. Good luck on getting it in perfect shape.

  5. Thank goodness most of our snow is dry. I just wish we’d get a bit more to insulate the ground so buried pipes and wells don’t freeze. Actually, we have a major blizzard hitting the west coast of Alaska this morning, but forecasts have it getting pretty wimpy by the time it gets this far inland.

    • This was a really nasty, wet snow. Then it stopped and the sun came out, so it’s just dripping and the yard is wet. I remember having pipes freeze when I was a kid. That was not fun. And wow, a blizzard in Alaska. I can’t imagine how rough that is. Hopefully the forecast is right. Thanks!

  6. I couldn’t agree more about the whole winter bit. I grew up in the Midwest and now live in Central Texas. I married a Texan who laughs at me locking myself in my room with hot chocolate when we do get the rare ice and snow. My reasoning is because I’ve seen enough to last me the rest of my life. That, and the locals scare the tar out of me when they try to “drive” in such weather. My hubby drives a 4×4 SUV. I have to say I laughed reading your post. I’m glad someone put it into words πŸ™‚ Oh, and have a fun and safe trip. Sounds great. Stupid snow.

    • LOL at your husband. It’s all the bad Midwest winter memories. I can’t imagine Texas locals trying to drive in the bad weather. Too many people don’t take it seriously. And glad I could make you laugh:) Thanks. Can’t wait to get going!

  7. I love snow…if I’m cozy and warm inside, looking through my window. I’m not a big fan when I have to be out in it. Slush and ice…definitely not my friends.
    Hope you have a great time with your friend.
    All the best…

    • Yes, if all I had to do was sit inside and watch it, I probably wouldn’t mind. But I’m always running all over the place, so I never have that opportunity. Thanks so much!

  8. I LOVED your snow/winter rant!!! I hate snow. I hate snow. I hate slush. I hate snow. I hate the idiot drivers in snow. I hate snow… and winter temps. πŸ™‚ See, I’m right there with you and the finger pic was divine.

    Kudos on your ROW goals progress! Seems like you are getting it done.

    • Thanks, Barbara. I’m so glad to have a fellow snow hater, lol. Thankfully yesterday cleared up. The sun came out and it was a fairly nice afternoon. Thanks!

  9. I’m loving the comments on this post, Stacy! I had a dating post in mind for next Monday guest posting (I just finished my Friday blog advertising it – WOOT!) but, based on this post, I might have to reconsider and discuss the need for both drivers and winter to FOCUS. (That’s a magic word amongst me and mine – you’ll get the definition either on Monday at your place or on the 21st at my place.)

    Hmmmm….

    • So true, Jenny. Way too many drivers are unfocused and don’t take the roads seriously. Ooh, looking forward to the definition:) Thanks!

  10. We get plenty of the white stuff here in the Laramie Mountains at 6,800 feet, but it’s great for writing and snowmobiling. But, after five massive snowstorms already this fall, I’m looking forward to spring.

    • Ooh, I bet. Living in snow covered mountains would not be my idea of fun. 5 already? WOW. I don’t even know what else to say. I’d go nuts, lol. Good luck!

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