Wednesday, April 15, 2009

read-a-thon preparation checklist

1. Make book pile. CHECK. (And thanks for all the help on that one everyone!)

2. Make menu/snack list. CHECK.

Here's what we've decided on (based on ability to prepare beforehand/not have to prepare at all):

breakfast--fruit salad, coffeecake
lunch--fruit salad, cheese and crackers
supper--bean burritos

and the all important list of possible unhealthy snacks--
Rotel dip and tortilla chips (me)
Oreos (Annie)
Cheetos (both)

3. Buy food.

4. Prepare food.

5. Return books to library. (I have books due on Saturday, and I sure don't want to have to go then.) Try not to pick up more to add to reading pile. Forgive myself when I do pick up more.

6. Find my update template from last read-a-thon. Tweak if necessary. CHECK.

Since last post:

On the clock:

--Reading:

--On computer (blogging, commenting/cheering, mini-challenges):

--Other (pet care, cooking, etc.):

Between the covers:

--Number of pages:

--What I read:

Down the hatch:

--Food:

--Drink:


Cumulatively:

On the clock:

--Reading:

--On computer (blogging, commenting/cheering, mini-challenges):

--Other (pet care, cooking, etc.):

Between the covers:

--Number of pages:

--What I've read:

Down the hatch:

--Food:

--Drink:


Miscellaneous comments:


7. Pack for the boys' weekend out.

8. Catch up the laundry. Necessary to complete #7.

9. Clean bathroom, vacuum, etc.--so the thoughts of a dirty house aren't nagging at me during reading time.

10. Decide on charity. CHECK.

Annie and I will be donating 2 cents per page to CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy), and will probably tack on a set amount per book finished, too. Annie, of course, will be earning them far more money than I.

Hmmm. I suspect I'm forgetting something, but I can't figure out what it might be at the moment.

21 comments:

Amanda said...

I think I need to add some of these to MY checklist...great ideas.

Shelley said...

Great plan! I'm working on cleaning up the house really good this week, but I haven't figured out food yet.

chrisa511 said...

This post has me buzzing with excitement!!!! It's so close now! And you've just reminded me that I MUST make Rotel dip!! I remember drooling when you mentioned yours last read-a-thon. This is gonna be so much fun, Debi!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Sleep the night before. I'm starting to wear myself out I've been so excited--if things don't change I'm going to have to take a sedative until Saturday morning! :)

Great organization--I thoroughly cleaned last weekend so I don't have to worry about it this weekend. Been ironing, doing laundry all week. Still need snacks--I'm with Annie on the Oreos.

Oh I can't wait--isn't it Saturday yet??

Ana S. said...

Oooh...I should totally make a menu myself!

serendipity_viv said...

How thoroughly organised. This makes me want to join in and I can't!!!!!!

Grad said...

Love the Rotel dip. How can anything so simple taste so good? I'm interested in what you'll have to say about the Sharon Creech book. I picked up Chasing Redbird by her at the Big Book Sale and am going to start it this weekend.

Carl V. Anderson said...

Second breakfast is what you've forgotten, and all the other Hobbit meals and snacks!!! ;)

Debi said...

Amanda,
Well, I know you've already got some of the most important stuff covered! I've seen you're great book pile!

Shelley,
Oh no, girl! The snacks are one of the most important things! ;)

Chris,
Yes, it is!!! And of course, the best part is sharing it with friends! :) Well, yeah, the Rotel dip is a nice fringe benefit, too.

Trish,
So right--sleep the night before is a big one! And I totally blew that one the last time around.
You're so cute...I swear I can just picture you all fidgety with anticipation!

Nymeth,
You should...and make it full of absolutely everything you love! You soooo deserve it! Have I told you lately how very sad it makes me that you'll be working away making this fun for everyone else, and not getting to read yourself? It so very much does.

Scrap Girl,
I wish you could join in, too! Maybe next time?

Grad,
I know just what you mean about the Rotel dip! It is a serious weakness for me.
I hope you enjoy Chasing Redbird! My daughter read that one, and a couple others of hers, and has really loved them all. This will be my first, and I actually think it's a bit different from her usual, but it looks perfectly delightful!

Carl,
LOL!!! Yeah, but I guarantee wherever "the boys" are, they'll be having second breakfast!!!

Bellezza said...

Um, can I come join you?

Staci said...

Excellent Plan!!! I just may have to copy your outline there!!! This is my first time doing this!!

Eva said...

Love this post!! I can't believe it's three days away. :D Whoot!

I have a feeling that I'll be eating the same things that I've eaten on both the other read-a-thons I've done: bagel and fruit for breakfast, some kind of soup for lunch, and tacos for dinner. I have to decide on snacks though! Maybe I'll treat myself and splurge a bit at Whole Foods...

chrisa511 said...

I just checked the fridge and we have Velveta! Rotel dip here I come ;)

DesLily said...

sounds like you are ready! I hope you and Annie both have a great time!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I need to make such a list... OH! and I have to tell someone: find out if your library has 84,Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff! If you haven't read this, it will make an excellent R-A-T book because it is short, fast, funny, touching and delightful!!! You needed one more book on the pile, right? :)

Debi said...

Bellezza,
I'd be honored! And I'll make a double batch of Rotel...'cause I'm really a glutton when it comes to that. ;)

Staci,
Oh, you must be soooo excited! You are in for so much fun! I'm so glad you're joining in!!!

Eva,
Just take it easy on the salt and vinegar chips. ;) It's kind of hard not to just happy dance the next few days away, isn't it? :)

Chris,
You've got tortilla chips, too, right? Or do you just eat by the spoonful? ;) Sorry, I'm so excited, I'm downright goofy.

DesLily,
Thank you!

Care,
LOL!!! Okay, I'm going to the library today anyway...won't hurt to look for it, right? :)

Grad said...

Oh, golly. I just learned what the read-a-thon is all about. I only have tonight and tomorrow to get ready. I'll start housework tonight and get geared up for 8:00 a.m. EST Saturday. (Can I have the TV turned on to my favorite cooking shows if I promise to keep reading?) This will be fun.

Debi said...

Grad,
Oh my goodness...I can't tell you how excited I am?!!! I'm so glad you're going to join in the fun!!!

Stephanie said...

I'm so jealous!! I really wish I was able to join in!! One of these times I'm really going to do it!! I have to work this weekend, but I'll try to catch up and cheer you on!

Debi said...

Stephanie,
I so very much wish you could do it, too!!!! It never feels quite right that you're not there, if you know what I mean...part of the family is missing!

kreed said...

Hooray! You two are going to have so much fun! can't wait to read some updates and see how you like the books!

I laughed at your post about memphis! The heat and humidity are miserable. Problem is I didn't get to trade it for nice summers - KS is pretty humid and miserable, too!