(my wine)
To know me is to be aware of my fondness for the television.
To have seen evidence of my complete and utter adoration of the trashtastic TV shows.
For me the consumption of popular culture is virtually the same as snacking on processed foodstuffs:
Some, in moderation, is fine. Making it forbidden only sparks binges and obsession.
To know me offline (or on the Book of the Face) is to have been on the receiving end of my overuse of the hashtag/phrase:
#BravoIsMyWine
They say more truth is said in jest and they would be spot on with this one.
In the same fashion many look forward to a glass of wine at the end of the day—I maintain my sanity (during homework time especially) only because I knew when these two were asleep it was time for Patty, Reza, and Abby.
Lately, however, I’ve consumed all the Bravo shows! discovered a new show.
Something which fits with my always the FIRST to discover something!! unless I’m the last!! personality trait.
I’ll spare you the rant about how I repeatedly watched the pilot *last* time I lived in Austin, didn’t get sucked in, and will cut, instead, to the chase.
To my point.
To how I’ve been so inspired by Tami Taylor’s strong, supportive, flawed, raw, unflaggingly honest approach to life I now live each day with the backdrop of:
What would Tami Taylor do?
My W.W.T.T.D. answers (& subsequent behavior choices) fall into five categories.
1. Tami would kill with kindness. Or, if you live here, practice the notion of if you cant find one–be one. T.T. isn’t filled with bless your heart (Southern women’s equivalent of calling someone an idiot while still superficially sweet) she’s consistently kind, yet concurrently masters the ability to convey the message do not mistake my kindness for weakness.
2. Tami would face life head on. I can be a woman who longs to shove her head in the sand. Not T.T. My fave illustration of this was when her daughter, Julie, began dating the quarterback. Tami didn’t panic. Tami did immediately inform her husband (That thing you were afraid of happening—it’s happening right now!!). Her head did not immediately meet sand. Tami paid attention. She watched. She was available. Which leads me to…
3. Tami would trust in the wings she’s created. This is something I work on daily and my girl is only nine! The following scenario terrified me & sparked me to realize T.T.’s approach is how I, too, want to mother. With trust. Tami spies her daughter’s boyfriend buying condoms. She doesn’t call friends & gather 80 different insights on how to handle (<—me me me) she calmly and plainly says to her daughter:
The viewer can see she’s terrified with a twinge of sadness, yet she trusts in the roots she’s created enough to lovingly confront her daughter, not dig up in doubt what she planted in faith, and trust she knows how to handle the situation.
4. Tami would remember there’s no weakness in forgiveness. In the first season Tami tells Jason Street (a boy injured playing football and paralyzed from the chest down) precisely this. She reminds him–and reminds me daily–forgiveness is a choice. We humans can *choose* to move through and past anything. Forgiveness is not a weak act, but one of release.
5. Tami would let it go. T.T. is my role model with regards to my goal for the year. She gets annoyed with Coach, she believes he’s made a poor decision/not placed the family first, she butts heads with her daughter—she picks her battles. She lets some go. She recognizes one cannot choose every “fight.” She manages, again, to simultaneously let it go and still be viewed as strong not passive.
I know (this is a lot).
I know (this is a little creepy).
I know (Ill be sporting this tee for while as I amble the streets of my new Austin ‘hood).
Yep. I had this made.
And now you.
- Have you been sucked into the WINE, err, fantastic TV which is Friday Night Lights?
- Do you ever ask yourself: What would Tami Taylor do?
Runner Girl says
February 11, 2015 at 4:02 amOMG Carla you got me hooked on this too.
Angela @ happy fit mama says
February 11, 2015 at 4:26 amSo many people rave(d) about this show. It’s sounds really good. Especially now that there’s a hashtag for it. 😉
Lizzie says
February 11, 2015 at 4:59 amThere’s a hashtag??
Lizzie says
February 11, 2015 at 4:51 amYes! I love Tami’s balls to the wall approach and want that tee.
Tina Muir says
February 11, 2015 at 5:28 amI wondered what that shirt was last night, glad I have an explanation now 🙂 I do not ask myself what Tami would do….but I do find myself watching parenthood and thinking about being a mom…..like sooner rather than later……does that count…….? 😉
Lindsay says
February 11, 2015 at 6:33 amLOL! yes, you read my exact same thoughts Tami. And now i’m off to find that show. Netflix?
Christy @My Dirt Road Anthem says
February 11, 2015 at 5:58 amI love Tami Taylor, I was so sad when the show ended.
Joanna @Makingmine says
February 11, 2015 at 6:02 amOh, Tami Taylor how I love you! She was my favorite character in FNL, and I think you’ve nailed down her greatest qualities. Now excuse me while I go watch the entire series again…
HappinessSavouredHot says
February 11, 2015 at 6:15 amDon’t try to get me hooked to TV! It won’t work! LOL I am not a TV watcher. Don’t know why, but I’m happy this way. However, I do love my wine… occasionally.
I like the concept of asking ourselves what an admired person/character would do. 🙂
Valerie says
February 11, 2015 at 6:22 amLooks like I’ll have to give this one a go, too. Because this sounds a little healthier than, “What would Lorelei Gilmore do?” Love Lorelei, but she doesn’t always make the best decisions. I could use a wise TV role model. 🙂
Coco (@Got2Run4Me) says
February 11, 2015 at 6:26 amNow you HAVE to come see me! The local high school is ^that^ school!
Jennifer F says
February 11, 2015 at 6:30 amYou gotta love the grits of a Southern woman. BTW, read the book but never seen the show . . .and hubby played football for Mojos in the 80s!
MCM Mama says
February 11, 2015 at 6:40 amI don’t watch TV, but now I feel the need to check out this show. I guess that’s your revenge for the ear worm I planted this morning…
Kim says
February 11, 2015 at 7:08 amI LOVE that show and think Tami Taylor rocks!!! She really is a great role model.
And, I might be sucked into both Bravo and a glass of wine in the evenings:)
Maureen says
February 11, 2015 at 7:18 amI told you yesterday that Tami Taylor is now my inner voice. You nailed it with her attitude of “do not mistake my kindness for weakness.”
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
February 11, 2015 at 7:29 amI adore this show and Tami Taylor especially – “don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.” Even more, I adore that you wrote this post and made the T-shirt.
misszippy says
February 11, 2015 at 7:46 amUnquestionably a fantastic character to learn from and emulate. Perhaps more so than our favorite Bravo characters, huh?
Jody - Fit at 57 says
February 11, 2015 at 8:42 amI watch trash but just not on Bravo, 🙂 Never heard of this show or Tami but love the message – especially pick the battles & let go of others and kindness should not be mistaken for weakness!
Elle says
February 11, 2015 at 9:23 amThis all just Greek to me! The only thing I am familiar with here at all is WINE 😉
Caitlin says
February 11, 2015 at 10:46 amI started watching it a couple of months ago and like you, I am HERE for Tami Taylor. She’s pretty much everything I want to be in life, from the y’alls to the magnificent hair. Love. Her.
Ash Diamond says
February 11, 2015 at 11:05 amDo you watch Nashville? She brings a lot of the same to that character. So 1) How many seasons are there of FNL? I can’t tell whether the final 1 or 2 are real seasons or brought back phony ones. (random I know). 2) I love her too! I want to be a mom who can trust the hard work I’ve put into my children and family. 3) Don’t forget about COACH. They make such a gerat partnership!
Carla says
February 11, 2015 at 11:08 amI think there are five seasons total. I’m almost done. I’m so sad 🙂
Apparently, however, I have Nashville to look forward to? You are not the first person to point me in that direction!!
Colorado Gal says
February 11, 2015 at 11:33 amI’ve never seen this show! I was a big fan of New Girl but we ran out of new episodes on Netflix so now I’m onto Parenthood (yes, like the last person on the planet.) So good!
AdjustedReality says
February 11, 2015 at 3:56 pmI <3 my bad TV to unwind (though I prefer pulpy sci fi or fantasy to Bravo fare) and could probably write out a similar post on how I learned all I know about management from Jack O'Neal of Stargate SG-1. 🙂 I also need to just start FNL since, ya know, Austin and all…
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's says
February 11, 2015 at 7:50 pmLOVE LOVE LOVE
And Tami is not your typical TV housewife, love that too!
mimi says
February 11, 2015 at 9:03 pmNo TV here, so i haven’t seen this, but i do have a few IRL heroes i look up to, and sometimes ask myself what they would do.
Sarah@creatingbettertomorrow says
February 12, 2015 at 4:51 amI am so glad you love Tami too – I told my husband if I could be any tv character (modern day ;)) I’d pick Tami I LOVE LOVE LOVE her…her hair, her accent, her attitude and sassiness, her parenting – just pretty much obsessed – will you be selling shirts? ha ha but in all seriousness I’d buy it 🙂 Im forwarding link to my hubby so he won’t think I’m so crazy!
Lola says
February 12, 2015 at 6:35 amGosh I loved that show. I loved Tami Taylor and the Coach and Julie and Smash and Tim Riggins <3. I was so sad when it ended. Everyone else was really happy about Nashville and it just made me more sad knowing Tami Taylor was really gone. 🙁
Michelle says
February 12, 2015 at 5:16 pmI have not watched Friday Night Lights…but I am intrigued…and I love the picture of the tornado and the chairman.
Aven says
February 16, 2015 at 11:29 amI just started FNL two weeks ago and I am obsessed! I started season 2 last night. Hollyyy cow, I am so invested in this show it’s ridiculous.
Anne @fANNEtasticfood says
February 16, 2015 at 2:31 pmOmg. I FREAKING LOVE THAT SHOW. And Tami. Awesome post. 🙂
Dr. J says
February 16, 2015 at 2:56 pmIt’s amazing where we can find wisdom if we just are open to seeing it!
cheryl says
February 17, 2015 at 12:18 pmI have no idea of whom you are referencing….which is probably a good thing.
I