The Best Remedy: Drugs, Sweets, and Tina Fey
{I was sick as a dog last week}
I’ve gotta be honest. This past week sucked. My husband and son got sick and they in turn gave me the cold from hell, making me look and feel like a basset hound or a woman worthy of the title “death becomes her.” Then we spent a very scary morning with wild lawn mushrooms, Poison Control, and the ER (thankfully my son handled this incident in stride and with a sense of humor, his parents however were another story). And now we’re preparing to head East for a funeral. So amidst all the DayQuil, handkerchiefs, heating pads, and stress of the past seven days, I found relief in Sweetwell Coconut Cake Pops (my new addiction), grandma daycare (MILs really aren’t that bad), and my celebrity crush Tina Fey (it was a definite toss-up between the tall drink of water otherwise known as Alexander Skarsgård and the writer/comedienne, but us nerdy moms have to stick together…plus she makes me laugh out loud).
{Tina Fey and eye candy helped the medicine go down}
In April, I saw Live Talks Los Angeles Presents Tina Fey: A Conversation with Steve Martin, where Liz Lemon and The Jerk discussed her new memoir Bossypants. Lucky me. I just so happened to score an autographed copy of the book, too. Although it took me a decade to crack open the hilarious looking book (see book cover above), I finally had time to pass the hours reading in bed. So, I settled down with my imaginary BFF and dove right into her life as a child with—I hate to say it—horrible hair, on a burning cruise ship, at the Evanston YMCA, performing at Second City and later SNL, being Sarah Palin, and juggling motherhood + career. I guess there’s at least one perk to being sick.
Because the book is littered with Fey’s classic witticism, sarcasm, and call-it-like-it-is humor, I highly recommend it as a light and funny beach read. Through her candor, though, Fey also imparts a few relatable life lessons, which I think are worthy nuggets of wisdom. Do read on.
- Always agree and say "yes." Based on the rules of improvisation, Fey remarks how in real life it’s also important to say "yes" instead of always saying "no" and see where it takes you. By adopting this philosophy, as Fey points out, it allows you to respect what others have created and start from an open-minded place. If we start from a place of yes and are open to life’s possibilities, I’m sure we will be more fulfilled by living without limits, thinking outside of the box, and discovering what makes us happy even if it’s by surprise. It’s also a mantra I can put into practice with the Little Dude. I’ve always made a concerted effort to use the word “no” sparingly because I believe that overuse renders it meaningless and thus the word will be ignored when it really counts (i.e., when your son is reaching for a potentially poisonous mushroom, pushing a friend, or making a beeline for a busy street). By piggybacking on Fey’s rule, I can do away with “no” and “don’t” and recast limits in a positive light, helping me think creatively about giving my son reasonable alternatives that are both empowering and within the bounds of appropriate behavior (and I definitely don’t mean to suggest that one should never say no). By saying “yes” more often, I will let life in instead of shutting it out.
- Say "Yes, and." Now that I’m a WAHM, it’s a rare occasion that I interact with adults on an intellectual level. Because I no longer have a seat at a conference table where I discuss legal strategy, clients to call my own, or time to digest the latest happenings on Wall Street, I sometimes feel irrelevant. However, as Fey reminds me, this is not the case. Instead, we can follow another improv rule and adopt the “yes, and…” way of thinking because we shouldn’t be afraid to contribute. She writes, “It’s your responsibility to contribute. Always make sure your adding something to the discussion. Your initiations are worthwhile.” I think Fey’s latter point resonates the most with me—no matter my status in life, I always have something of value to offer. As moms, we often do but shouldn’t forget this.
- Self-forgiveness and self-love are important. Fey states, “We should leave people alone about their weight. Being chubby for a while (provided you don’t give yourself diabetes) is a natural phase of life and nothing to be ashamed of. Like puberty or slowly turning into a Republican.” So, it’s totally normal that I’m still dealing with unwanted baby weight 19 months later and that I have a secret crush on Alex P. Keaton.
- Women Shouldn’t Care if Others Like It. Inspired by Amy Poehler, Fey offers this unsolicited advice to women in the workplace: “Do your thing and don’t care if they like it.” I agree. I think that women often feel the pressure to be constant people pleasers or alter their personal goals for fear of disappointing others' expectations, even if it’s to the detriment of their sanity or, worse, self-esteem. Echoing Fey, don’t let any person stand between you and what you want to do. Do what makes you happy regardless if others like or appreciate it.
- The Best Moments of Motherhood Are When You Least Expect Them. Fey relates, “You can’t predict that some of your best moments will happen around the toilet at six A.M. while you’re holding a pile of fingernail clippings like a Santeria priestess.” So true. Some of the most fun I have had laughing with my son is just after he peed all over his bedroom floor.
~ The Other Sarah
First image via mytinyspot.blogspot.com.
5 Comments
Reader Comments (5)
I just got this in the mail yesterday and it's going to be so hard to save it for my Hawaii honeymoon in July. My fiance has a platonic crush on Tina, too, so I'm excited to be able to share Tina's witticisms while we loaf on the beach together :)
I've been saving it till I gave birth. Ms. Fey is an excellent companion at a 3am feeding. Can't recommend it highly enough!
We've been sicker than dogs over here, too. It's no fun! I wish I'd saved Bossy Pants to read - though I had to read it as soon as I got it. She's hilarious and surprisingly very wise. Hope you are all feeling better soon.
Thanks Courtney for the well wishes. I hope health finds your family, too.
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