Take Two Chocolates and Call Me in the Morning: 12 Semi Practical Solutions for the Woman on Overload

by Emily Watts

Emily Watts is a wife, the mother of five children, a writer and editor, and a woman like you, with too much to do and too little time. She knows how it feels when you're on overload, with deadlines looming, and all you've got to bring to the task is a depleted store of energy. She knows, and she's here to help. Written in Emily's insightful, humorous, and self-deprecating style, Take Two Chocolates and Call Me in the Morning is full of what she calls "semi-practical" solutions to the woes of everyday life. A book for women of all ages, it will make you smile (maybe even laugh), help you sort out your priorities, and deliver you from the mindset that you have to do everything and do it perfectly.

Genres: Lds, Self Help, Nonfiction, Parenting, Womens, Religion, Christian

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Emily Watts is a lover of words. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Utah and has worked as an editor for Deseret Book Company for more than 25 years. Many of those years she spent working part-time from home so she could devote the lion's share of her attention to her two girls and three boys. Now that those children are all in school, she is back full-time and serves as a senior editor.

Reviews

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was exactly what I needed, and I think some of my other (Christian?) friends might all get something sweet from this one

Practical tips on how to help yourself get through stressful times, how to balance things like a family, job, housekeeping, volunteer work and taking care of yourself without feeling like a failure or overworking yourself.
I really really enjoyed this light read.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good "pointers" but nothing poignant enough to make me feel inspired or enlightened. Felt like an email from a friend, and read very quickly.

[Sandie Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Emily Watts she is so funny and so real! This book is a keeper! 🧡

[Sanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by this author. I was hesitant to continue reading once I realized who the author was because I didn't care for her first book.

She is witty and I'm sure in real life she is a hoot. But her writing just doesn't translate the humor to me.

I really liked two of her tips: Stop trying to finish the laundry and Negotiate a lasting peace with your body. I also liked how she referred to a stuffing 14 towels in a 10 towel washer. All it does is ruin the washer, the towels and you end up with only semi-clean towels. An overloaded washing machine is thrown out of balance and can't do it's job. Isn't it better to have 10 clean towels and a machine that works properly? She compares this to an overloaded, out of balance woman.

There were a few quotations that I appreciated:
"Don't let your fears of what other people might think keep you from doing what you came here to do."

"Worrying about a thing usually takes up more emotional energy than just getting in and doing it."

"We are supported in all that we do by forces we never see."

---------------
February 2019
Interesting. I just finished this book for the second time and didn't realize I'd even read it before. ;). After reading my first review, I can see I enjoyed it more at this time in my life than I did the first time. And I highlighted quite a few passages. Too many that I'm not going to include any of them here.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard about this book a few times from other members of my church. I found it at DI for a dollar and decided to give it a try. It was a very quick, easy read. The author is an entertaining writer not afraid to share her personal experiences. She gives a lot of practical advice for women. The tagline on the book is "12 Semi-Practical Solutions for the Really Busy Woman." Sometimes I qualify as busy, sometimes I don't think I do, but either way it has some good information and I would recommend it to others. The 12 solutions include:

1. Know When to Say No
2. Negotiate a Lasting Peace with Your Body
3. Quit Trying to Finish the Laundry
4. Recapture Some Pea-Shelling Time
5. Empty Your Recycle Bin
6. Look for the Answers in the Back of the Book
7. Swallow Your Fears and Just Get in the Pool
8. Stretch, Don't Snap
9. Watch Out for Crossed Wires
10. Play the Music Life Gives You
11. Don't Clean the Kitchen in Your White Pants
12. Read to the End of the Story

Some of the titles may seem humorous, because they are. But they stand for real issues that we all have to deal with. It was an enjoyable read that made me think about ways I could improve, which is better than reading yet another romance novel with no point. (though I do love those romance novels)

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading books like this about 12 years ago, when I had three little kids and thought I was really busy…
I LOVED stuff like this back then, all the wisdom of someone who had gone through more of the childrearing years than I had. All those great suggestions of trying to keep doing your best and things will work out.
Well, now that I am truly a really busy woman, I found that I knew everything this book was advising because I have been through the trenches. It's true, that if you try to do what you are supposed to, and do your very best with love and understanding, things will eventually work out. Easier said than done.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! It is funny, charming, entertaining and uplifting. I love the chapter titled, "Stop trying to get your laundry done". Everything in here is realistic. It is NOT a "how to be the perfect mormon Mommy/Wife with a spotless home and a knack for crafts and cooking" book. It is a "realistic things to remember so you can deal with whatever life throws at you and laugh along the way" book. Such a quick read - if you are an LDS mom (automatically making you busy) and haven't read it, add it to your "to read" shelf and read it soon. You will not be disappointed!

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. I always like anything by Emily Watts. This was a humorous, light-hearted book with some good reminders of how to manage a busy family life while keeping priorities straight and an eternal perspective. I love how "real" Emily Watts is and how she can add humor to so many situations.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously, it won't go down as a great literary work, but I don't believe Emily Watts intended that. What it is is a fun book that makes me laugh and feel a little less alone in trying to manage a household. I do believe that is what Emily Watts intended. Its one that I pick up off my bookshelf every once in awhile to just enjoy a small moment.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a genre of book that I would pick up on my own. I just don't do "self-help" well and I'm not a big reader of these type of Mormon authors. I read 25 pages and realized I wouldn't be at the book club, so I passed it along. It was nothing I hadn't heard before and she did have some good stories. That's about all I can say.

[JoAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a cute book- I liked it, it was not moving or life changing but it did make me think and reflect at times.
I liked how she shared here thoughts, and had lots of stories that really related to what a lot of stay at home moms feel. Although I did think a few of her stories were a bit dramatized. I enjoyed it.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and insightful. Written by a woman that knows what it is like to be busy and just can't do everything. She shares her mistakes and triumphs and helps the reader see that you are not alone and that you are still a great person even if you fail.
This is one I will read a few times at least. Only 149 pages.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great book. I just love this author and how humble she is. She has hilarious stories that perfectly illustrate her point.
This is a book I wish I had access to 15 years ago. Alot of her lessons are ones that I had to painfully learn, if I had read her book, I think
I could have avioided a few of them, lol! She's an adorable author!

[Katya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with stories from the author's life, some of which are hilarious. It's an awesome, inspiring, feel-good book. Sometimes it felt though like there were too many stories and examples but not enough application and analysis. But it did help me look at some things in my life through a different, better perspective.

[Kay]

I recently listened to a talk on tape by Emily Watts and enjoyed her perspective and self-deprecating sense of humor so much that I wanted to hear more of her. In Take Two Chocolates, Emily covers in twelve brief chapters issues of friendship, priorities, body image, and living mindfully. She definitely has the potential of being my new best friend.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every woman out there should read this! It's uplifting and funny. I love how she takes her own experiences and applies them to how to approach our own lives. It is a quick read and very very enjoyable!

[Suzy Jeffords · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how practical she is. It brings peace to my chaos and I realized my trials can be "enduring" like a diamond and not dreadful. To endure seems so hard but I think I can be bold and beautiful and bright like an enduring diamond! She is super funny too!

[Monna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to a Time Out for Women and listened to Emily Watts speak. She was great and I decided that I wanted to buy one of her books. She entertains, teaches, and helps women feel better about themselves. This is a great book!!!

[Codi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious! I read it about 3-4 years ago and I'm going to have to read it again. I went to some church conference and this lady was the speaker, she had everybody laughing and when she mentioned she had a book, I had to go buy it.

[Jamier1947 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great author, I wish she would write more, She is a chief editor for Desert Book and it shows. Very, very funny, uplifting and great ideas for just living life in a positive way. I found myself laughing hard...outloud. A very quick read.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is by a well-known LDS author. She has 12 practical pieces of advice for women that she has learned through her life experiences. She is easy to relate to and has some funny stories in her book. Good read to put things in your life in perspective.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty light read and a bit cheesy and overdone at times but I appreciate her frankness. I gained a few insights and it's always nice to relate to other busy moms who are trying to do a good job with a lot on their plates!

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, uplifting book. I didn't really come away with practical application ideas - I'm not an 'overloaded' woman at this time in my life. However, I enjoyed the insightful and funny style of the author. I think I'll read her mothering book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I honestly use this book as a stress coping manual. There it is on my bookshelf, I can see it there now. It sits next to my other book by Emily Watts, both are very loved and worn. You just cannot go wrong with a book by this author.

[Tasha Seegmiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just what I needed. It's very nice to find a book written for LDS women from the perspective of a working mom - I related perfectly, laughed out loud many times and felt like I found another woman who perfectly understood what I've been experiencing. Great joy!

[Corinne Apezteguia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a light, fun reminder for the stressed woman about which things are worth stressing over and which aren't. I had some great laugh-out-loud moments on my treadmill and some 'aha' moments as well.

[Jenette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Watts actually came to our stake Relief Society meeting and spoke to us. Most of her remarks came from this book. I later read the book. It was a very good reminder of what she had said and taught us that night.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books I need to keep rereading! I love Emily Watts. She's so down to earth and relatable. I keep telling other women things I read in this book--when I do that, you know I love it AND I'll remember it!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty fun read. She had some great practical ideas to offer. I enjoyed the authors sense of humor and the way she learned to roll with lifes ups and downs. She is very real, and has made some pretty dumb mistakes.....just like the rest of us.

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, loved this book. It will be one of my go to books when I need a reminder that life is really not as crazy as we make it out to be sometimes. I feel like this one was written for me! Highly recommend it!