Thursday, July 22, 2010

Betcha thought I forgot...

Last week I showed you my disgusting recipe cupboard and lamented the fact that I have the supplies required to organize it, but never seem to make the time.

In case you've forgotten what the hellhole looked like, here's a refresher:

You may also recall that some of you accepted my challenge to pick a task you've been procrastinating and tackle it in the coming week.

Betcha thought I forgot.

Well, I didn't. True, I was distracted by my parents' visit and Pythagoras' triathlon and our impromptu trip to the Oregon Coast. But I uphold my commitments.

So here's what I did last night:
Getting organized at the dining room table.
Finishing up in the living room (much later, as you can tell by the lack of light, the dog's yawn, and the level of the wine remaining in the bottle)
The finished product. A well-organized recipe cupboard. Hooray!
And here's the funny thing: one of my excuses for procrastinating this task is that I've had too damn much to do. I'm finishing up the first draft of LET IT BREATHE (the third book in my contract) while also completing edits on MAKING WAVES and BELIEVE IT OR NOT (the first and second books, which are due on my editor’s desk August 1).

But taking those few hours to tackle and complete an unrelated project gave me a sense of accomplishment. As I finished tidying the cupboard this morning, I realized I was already itching to get started on the edits.

A far cry from the foot-dragging I’ve been doing lately.

So I guess the lesson here is that it’s not such a bad thing to take a little time away from writing to tackle some menial task that gives you a sense of accomplishment. As an added bonus, I uncovered some terrific recipes I’d forgotten about. Mustard Crusted Salmon, anyone?

Did the rest of you tackle an undesirable task this week? How did you fare? Tell us all about it in the comments!

On an unrelated note, I’d like to urge you all to check out a couple other sites today.

First up, Candyland (aka Candace Ganger) is doing an awesome fundraiser for the non-profit group Joy 2 the World, which generates micro-credit loans for the women of Ghana to encourage independence and empowerment.

It is a fabulous cause, and Candyland is giving away some truly incredible prizes for supporters. You could snag a 30-minute phone call with my amazing agent, Michelle Wolfson, some highly desirable books from authors like Sean Ferrell and Bill Cameron, or even a tag-team critique of your partial manuscript from yours truly and my critique partner, Cynthia Reese.

There are tons of other great prizes for writers and non-writers alike, so go now! NOW!

Secondly, Elizabeth Ryann (the lucky wench) got to attend RomCon recently, and brought back a huge stack of books she’s giving away on her blog. There are even a few in there from my own wonderful publisher, Sourcebooks, Inc. Want to win them? You’ll have to visit Elizabeth’s blog to get yourself entered.

Er, I didn’t mean it like that.

So that’s it for today – two great contests, one clean cupboard, and a whole lot of editing ahead of me today.

Life’s good.

15 comments :

Kelly Breakey said...

You are so right. Life is good. I am proud of you for getting the recipe cupboard done. On another note, I got all of the bills done when I was supposed to as well and I have made up a calendar to remind me daily when things need to be taken care of.

So your blog makes me laugh and now it makes me pay my bills on time. So many people are happy with you today.

Elizabeth Ryann said...

It looks so pretty! Also, thanks!!

And because I already know that I hate going to the post office, I have the box of books ready and packed, and I'm just waiting on who to make the label out to. So recently organized people unite, I guess. :)

LR said...

Intercourses is a gorgeous book. Got that for a friend's wedding and briefly considered keeping it for myself.
I still haven't cleaned my windows - complained to Linda G. about that one (cough, weeks ago) but she rationalized it away for me. Phew.

Candyland said...

Yay for organizing-wine wine no less. In true Tawna fashion. I wouldn't expect anything less. Which reminds me, I have some organizing and drinking to do...

Linda G. said...

Wow! I am seriously impressed. Hey, if you come and do my cupboards, I'll supply the wine. *switches to sultry, bribe-y voice* I have a nice Sangiovese with your name all over it, just waiting in the wine rack. In fact, my whole rack is at your disposal.

Génette Wood said...

I made a commitment to clean a few weeks back...Hasn't happened yet. Kudos to you, though. That takes some serious willpower! I may take your success and reconsider cleaning...tomorrow.

Kadi Easley said...

I managed to get half my basement completely emptied out. Yay!. I'm starting the other half this weekend. I feel so much better now that the biggest part of that chore is finished. Of course, the attic still holds about 40 years of mom's crap, um, I mean stuff that still has to be gone through, but half of my basement is beautiful.

Penelope said...

This definitely makes me want to organize!! Excellent point about menial tasks giving you motivation for bigger goals.

Also, might we get that delicious-sounding Mustard Crusted Salmon recipe??

Terry Stonecrop said...

Yes, I've organized some of my pantry shelves. I've been lagging behind in so many bigger chores. You're right, it does make you feel good and inspires you to do more.

Your cookbook shelf looks lovely:)

Lisa Miles said...

Looks awesome!

Jen Stayrook said...

It's..so....beautiful. See? It looks much better and now my heart isn't aching and my eyes aren't twitching at the lack of organization. (I'm psychotic. Leave me be.)

And I DID follow through as well. Hubs and I finally sorted through closets and donated a bunch of our old junk to people who can make better use of it. Woo. Good day all around for organization. (Yes, I said it. Pfft.)

Sierra Godfrey said...

Nice cookbooks....excuse me, I have to go to Elizabeth Ryann's blog to get entered. (titter)

TAWNA FENSKE said...

Kelly, yaay for you on getting those bills done! Want to deal with mine next?

Elizabeth, argh, the post office. I HATE going to the post office. You have my sympathies!

LR, definitely snag a copy of Intercourses if you can. It's a fabulous book with lots of lusty pictures :)

Candyland, you aren't suggesting some people organize without wine, are you? That would be horrid!

Linda G, what a nice agency sistah, just leaving that "rack" comment out there for me to grab. So kind.

LadyGenette, I don't know how smug I can feel considering it took me seven months to get around to it, but thanks! :)

kd easley, good for you on the basement!

Penelope, one of these mornings when I can't think of anything else to blog about, I'm totally going to start posting recipes.

Terry, thanks! I'm almost afraid to use anything off the shelf now for fear of messing it all up.

Lisa Marie, thank you! The most daunting part of the task was the fact that I had maybe 200 recipes on computer printouts, newspaper pages, and sticky notes. I had to sort through them all and figure out what to keep, and then get them all organized in those two binders on the left.

Jen, want to jump in there with your label maker now, just to make sure it's REALLY organized?!

Sierra, hey -- I'm still waiting on that espresso-rubbed pork recipe from you!

Thanks for reading, guys!
Tawna

Unknown said...

Oh, please. You call that a hellhole? If I could find my camera, I'd show you a hellhole!

Anonymous said...

GAH! I guess I'll be doing my cleaning out and organizing tonight.