Camp is just 20 days away.
Time to make preparations. Many things to do.
Even though my kids are teens and can fend for themselves mostly; I plan snacks for them. I cut up fresh fruit, veggies and make yogurt dip up weekly. Putting them in airtight containers for easy grabbing.
For simple easy meals; I pre-cut & pre-slice up everything for subs, sandwiches & tacos. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, and anything else they want.
As normal procedure I make up freezer crockpot meals & cook all hamburger I'll need at the first of the month. Usually doing the following:
- Chicken & Beef Fajitas (1 each)
- Sweet-N-Sour Meatballs (2)
- Mongolian Beef (2)
- Taco Meat (3)
- Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs (1)
- Hamburger with garlic & onion for Goulash & Spaghetti (4)
- Chunky Beef Stew (1)
- Pepper Steak (2)
- Pineapple Pork Roast (1)
- Teriyaki Pork Chops (1)
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (1)
- Cheesey Broccoli Ham and Potatoes (1)
You can find many of these recipes on my Pinterest. FOOD! & Freezer meals! Below is a sample of my menus. Most crockpot meals can be frozen so all you have to do is thaw and toss in.
Then for quick grab breakfasts I make up tons of pancakes, sausage links & bacon. Freeze them on cookie sheets then place pancakes and a meat in a freezer bag or foodsave them. Kids just grab slice open and heat for 1 minutes 30 seconds. I also bake muffins on Sundays.
As for writing snacks and other kid snacks I make up spinach/artichoke dip, marshmallow treats, dill oyster crackers, and of course cupcakes, cheesecake, and brownies. My girl will make cookies at least once a month so we have those as well.
Writing Preparation
I do the following:
- Drag series template from last Scrivener project to a new project. Makes it so easy to be able to easily drag all character & place info and notes over.
- Plan plots and twists (until characters change it all up)
- Add an arc to Aeon Timeline for new novel in series (gives all series timeline in 1 place)
- Figure out a few new characters to toss in. Supportive one.
- Make up Writing Month Chore Chart for the kids. They are an extra help in April, July and November. I won't have to do much.
- Clean up all 3 of my writing spaces (my desk, kitchen table & my favorite chair).
- Read through the last in the series I was working on (so to remember small details)
- Chart possible emotions that will be displayed (I have a hard time with these)
After all that...
I write up a list of things I can manage in the writing sprints 10 minute breaks.
- Start a load of laundry
- Switch laundry
- Fold a load of laundry
- Soak dishes
- Wash a load of dishes
- Vacuum a room
- Sweep floors
- Clean toilet
- Dust half a room
- Scrub stove & counters
You get the idea. Quick chores that can done in minutes. Plus you get bathroom breaks and refill snacks & drinks time.
Now is the time to prepare! How do you get ready for a month of writing? Post in comments.
