Light Refreshments Served

I consider myself lucky to be Lisa’s friend. I can talk to her or hang out with her pretty much whenever I want. If you know Lisa, you know she loves babies. She’s one of those people who loves babies. She talks in terms of eating them and squishing them. There was another woman like this in my old ward who loved babies and even admitted to fantasizing about taking people’s babies because she was done having her own babies–a phase that came to an end ONLY when her husband “surprised” her by getting a vasectomy while she was away for a week serving as a leader at Girl’s Camp. I really love my own babies, but I’m not an indiscriminate newborn holder. I will hold your newborn, but I don’t crave it. I can see myself missing babies and wanting to hold newborns more as my own children get older, but for now I just don’t have that hunger.

I was thinking that maybe I feel about toddlers the way Lisa feels about babies. Again, I do love babies–don’t get me wrong–but there is something so appealing and irresistible about toddlers. Their clothes hang better, they can’t talk that well but they try and they think they are big and competent even though they aren’t. It is so funny to imagine that Ellen, my toddler, puts on nothing but my red shoes and her little purse and yells “Let’s go,” thinking she is ready for the day. She eats like a pig and bosses her older siblings around. She isn’t self-conscious. She “rocks” her doll by making an incredibly awkward and exaggerated motion from side to side. She thinks she can fix herself some food so she pours cereal into a cup or puts an M&M on a plate. It’s funny and cute.

Today my toddler screamed at the top of her lungs for about an hour in the car because she didn’t have “Bea,” her blanket that was in the wash. My husband asked me if I still really loved toddlers and I said “No.” I guess I don’t love any age or phase of growth unconditionally.

Over Christmas I gained a new appreciation for my older kids who, while too big to dress and cuddle and carry around, are finally old enough to give really thoughtful Christmas presents. My 11- year-old son bought an ornament for me–an old fashioned-looking clip-on bird with a feather for a tail. Christian and I get a new ornament every year for Christmas. One year before we had kids, we bought an antique clip-on bird with a horsehair tail. Sam broke it when he was little and I made a point of explaining to him that the ornament that was perhaps 80 years old couldn’t survive for even a few years in our house. Because of him. (I’m mean like that and like to drive home the point.) Well, years later I am finally reaping what guilt has sewn. He replaced the bird. It was so thoughtful–I wanted to eat and squish him!

Though it’s hard to imagine anything cuddly or satisfying about angular and moody tweens, I’m starting to see the light. What did a baby ever do for me? Sure I have to put up with my older kids’ messes and occasional sass but they pretty much take care of themselves and they feel so delightfully guilty when I want them to–Ellen couldn’t care less!

And even though I miss out on the intense glee that babies bring to Lisa, I also miss out on the grief she feels as they age. So, I suppose it all evens out in the long run–which is to say, Happy First Birthday to Lisa’s baby, Margaret. She’ll be clomping around in your shoes in no time. . . and screaming for hours in the car. . . and buying you really wonderful presents!

They are so lucky. Joshanoosh, Mommyoffive, and Amylouwho won leg warmers and lids from Snuggle Luv. Hurry and send me your addresses, guys. And Snuggle Luv will send you your prize.

(These lucky folks won and were contacted on Christmas Eve Eve–Can you imagine? A Christmas miracle!)

As you may recall, I keep a list of every book I have read since 1999. Yes, yes, I’m lots of fun at parties! What follows is an annotated list of books I’ve read in 2008. Just to be clear, sometimes I start a book and never finish it. Those books don’t make the list. Also, I just finished my 35th book today but it’s entirely possible that I might read a book tomorrow before midnight. In which case–please do not worry–I will IMMEDIATELY add it to this post with an explanatory note. Here goes. Recommended books are in bold. (As in, you have to read this one.)

1. Confessions of An Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield

2. How to Organize Everything by Peter Walsh (These organization books are all the same and yet I have a compulsion to read them.)

3. Life Skills for Kids by Christine M. Field (I’ve read this before. It’s good.)

4. Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt

5. A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver Demille

6. You: The Owner’s Manual by Mehmet Oz

7. The Warmest Room in the House by Steven Gdula (A history of kitchens.)

8. Cesar’s Way by Cesar Milan

9. Take Two Chocolates and Call me in the Morning by Emily Watts (She might even sign it for you!)

10. Project Organization by Maria Ricks (This is worth reading.)

11. Born Standing Up by Steve Martin

12. The Eyre Effect by Jasper Fforde

13. The Ultimate Career by Daryl Hoole

14. Father Knows Less by Wendell Jamieson

15. Litttle Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish

16. The Art of Tasha Tudor by Harry Davis (She’s kind of a weird bird.)

17. Amphigorey Also by Edward Gorey (Talk about a weird bird.)

18. Gifts From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (It’s weird to go back and read it knowing she was unhappy in her marriage.)

19. To Hell With All That by Caitlin Flanagan

20. Confessions of a Happily Organized Family by Deniece Schofield (Haha! I read it twice without even noticing.)

21. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

22. Is There Life After Housework? by Don Aslett (Short version: Nope.)

23. Why Do I Love These People? by Po Bronson

24. The People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

25. Tiptionary by Mary Hunt

26. The Joys of Homemaking by Daryl Hoole (While I don’t necessarily recommend it, you should read Daryl Hoole for anthropological reasons.)

27. Little Things Long Remembered by Susan Newman

28. Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell

29. In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan (Could change your life.)

30. The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

31. The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley (Could save your life.)

32. The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

33. IV by Chuck Klosterman (Is there anyone better suited to being my pal?)

34. Wonderful Tonight by Pattie Boyd

35. Clapton The Autobiography by Eric Clapton

I know that was a long list, but while I’ve got your attention may I say something about the last two books I read? I was excited to read about the woman who inspired George Harrison’s “Something In the Way She Moves” and Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.” I mean, their fight over Pattie Boyd is the stuff of legends (VH1’s Legends, specifically).  What would this woman be like to inspire such beautiful music and passion? (Eric Clapton also wrote “Layla” for her.) As it turns out, she’s fairly shallow. And everyone’s a major drug addict. It’s really disappointing and uninspiring. I know a little about having a song written for me and the pressure involved with being someone’s muse (Check out 1,000 Dreams’ Beautiful Brown circa 1988) and, frankly, it’s not such a cross to bear. Compelling reading though.

Eric Clapton, however, sees his way out of the debauchery to the other side of addiction. The first half of his book was getting me down–the quantities and logistics of drug and alcohol addiction are shocking. I guess I’m pretty naive. At around age 42 Eric Clapton finally gets it together. His story is quite moving and if you’ve ever heard “Tears in Heaven,” written about his little boy’s tragic death, you may have some idea of how the story unfolds. It’s worth reading to see the contrast between Eric Clapton hiding booze under the rugs in his car by the gas pedals and Eric Clapton recommending The Baby Whisperer and evaluating the success of a tour based on how well his children traveled. Pretty interesting. I’m sort of obsessed with it right now.

Any questions?

*Addendum: I forgot that I also read The Splendid Table’s How to Eat Supper by Lynn Rosetto Casper and Sally Swift, Carmindy’s 5 Minute Face, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney which is probably the funniest book I’ve read in a long time. I highly recommend it.

Here are my nine photos for the ninth day of Christmas, too. Lisa’s kids obviously had more patience for the photo session than mine, as we did not even get one decent shot. (And her husband was WAY more cooperative–mine wouldn’t even put on the beret.)

I think everyone should post nine holiday pictures on their blogs and tell us in the comments–or at least post your failed Christmas card photo attempts.

And if you’re wondering about my oldest, Sam–he’s not available for at least ten years but I am reviewing dowries now. He even writes his own talks!

PS When I was a kid I would ease the pain of waiting for Christmas today by saying, “Tomorrow I can say tomorrow is Christmas Eve.” It helped. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve Eve so don’t forget our Give Away!

Oh. My. Gosh. Are you just like totally busy with the holidays? I am. That’s the one bad thing about technology–not only are we expected to do more, we can do more. It’s exhausting. I wish I had more time to just read to my kids and bake or ponder. And don’t even mention exercise. I am so behind on all that junk, too. How do people fit so many productive activities in a day? It bewilders me.

I barely had time to work on this.

Do you think the wings are too much?

Gotta go–busy, busy!

We all know babies in leg warmers are cute. But Snuggle Luv gave me the idea to have my 8-year-old wear her little sister’s leg warmers on her arms. It’s so Avril–I love! Another Snuggle Luv revealation: Boys can wear them too. These suckers sell themselves.

Legs are for legs and lids are for heads. You need each of these in every color. And so do I. Snuggle Luv is givng away three legs and three lids to three winners so leave a comment and you might win. How ’bout them odds? You have until Christmas Eve Eve (that’s Tuesday night, people).

See? Christmas is about presents.

This Give Away is now closed.

Congratulations to Talitha who said in her comment, “I commented. So there.” See? It doesn’t take much to win something here at Light Refreshments Served. I need your address, Talitha, so we can send you your planners. Sorry to those who didn’t win. Please don’t get bitter and stop believing in Santa Claus over this.

Remember, our special coupon codes are good until Dec. 31 at The Success Choice.

5LRS8 ($5 dollars off 25.00)

10LRS8 ($10 dollars off 50.00)

I’m not having a totally handmade Christmas. In fact, most of my gifts are store bought. However, I did kind of get into buying 100% wool sweaters at DI, shrinking them by washing them in hot water, cutting them into 8×8 squares. . .

And sewing them into a blanket for my 11 year old son. You like? Don’t tell him. It’s a surprise.

And, as if I lived in the depression or something, I’ve been saving sour cream containers, lint, and egg cartons so my daughter can make presents for her brothers. She loves making things, but they rarely appreciate it. So this year she’s making Kool Aid Play Dough for her 5 year old brother, Ben. The sour cream containers are to hold the Play Dough.

It’s hard to think of something an 8 year old girl could make for her 11 year old brother that he would actually like. I had to turn to the industriousness of my mother for the good old standby, FIRESTARTERS! What enthusiastic scout could resist firestarters to take on campouts? Melt some wax, throw in all the lint you’ve been saving for a month and stir it around. Plop it into cardboard egg cartons and let it harden. Cut them apart and you seriously have awesome and handy firestarters. Just so you know, I know this is a crazy thing to make and I don’t really expect anyone except me and my mother to ever make them. I just wanted to broaden your horizon and let you know that such a thing exists.

And while I’m at it, here’s the teacher gift I’m giving this year. I found some huge (wand size!) candy sticks at the store for 25 cents. 25 cents!

These gifts are also a private joke with myself about how hard and demanding my kids’ teachers are. The tag says, “Spare the rod, spoil the child.” HAR HAR HAR!

Keep on shopping/making/wrapping/shrinking–only 12 days left.

A few months ago I was visiting my sister in law and just, you know, nosing through her stuff when I came across her planner. Which I began to read. Because I do that.

I loved the layout of it and all the little dealios and reminders. Apparently, the woman across the street from her created The Success Choice Planner.  I wanted a year’s worth. I ordered them online but then I called Pamela (the inventor) to ask her if I could pick up my planners at her house because I was so excited and because she lives a couple blocks away. Her house was neat and orderly, as one would expect.

I’m totally into Give Aways now so I asked Pamela if she’d do one for us. It’s the new year–you need a new planner. Try to win one by leaving a comment. You have until Tuesday, so hurry.

And if you don’t have the patience or luck to enter a Give Away, just order one online. Pamela is offering Free Shipping on her planners right now plus she made a coupon for all of us Light Refreshments readers. Can you believe that? I’ve never had a special coupon made for me. Too bad I already bought (and paid full price for) a year’s worth of these planners. Use these coupon codes if you order:

Save $5.00 on purchases over $25.00  Coupon code: 5LRS8
Save $10.00 on purchases over $50.00  Coupon code: 10LRS8

Thanks, Pamela! Here’s to a neat and orderly 2009.

I hope you win.

WE HAVE A WINNER! THIS GIVE AWAY IS CLOSED.

Basically, I decorate for Christmas by putting bows on things.

Congratulations Katie B! You won a custom tutu from Zeelightful. Hurry, Katie B–E-mail me at kacy@lightrefreshementsserved.com so Lindsey can make a tutu for you in the color, style, and size you want. I’m sorry to all the people who wanted a free tutu but didn’t get one. I know how it is. I never win give aways. It always makes me feel better to just buy whatever it was I didn’t win.

Give aways are fun, no? Feels like Christmas. Well, for Katie B. anyway.