You Give Me Fever.

It's late. I'm awake. My right ear hurts.Can't breathe through my nose. Sinus pressure. Snuck out of bed to clean up Jack's toys in the living room and start the dishwasher. See? Productive even with a fever. Glancing occasionally at Sixteen Candles on TV in between browsing blogs and online shopping sites. Waiting for this week to pass so this sickness will pass. Jack has been home from school all week- he is the little monster who got me sick. But I don't mind. In the middle of the night, when your baby is coughing and crying for you, you hold him. You let him cough and breathe in your face. You don't even care when he sneezes on you. You repeatedly wipe a stream of snot away with something called a "boogie wipe." (i didn't think i would ever buy those things but i swear, they're pretty handy when you have sick babies.) Things that sound disgusting before you have kids are things you don't even think twice about once you have them. 

Jack started on medicine yesterday and today seems to be an improvement. Even though Jack is my best buddy, I think we both need to see a little sunshine and get out of the house. Maybe spend a little time apart even. We need adventure.

Jack was happy when Aunt Hannah came to town! 

We took Jack to Local for the first time a few weeks ago and he loved it. We checked him into "Localville" and it was a HUGE hit. Local is one of our favorite places to eat and/or drink here in Norman, Oklahoma. Localville is a fun place the kids can play and eat (supervised of course!) while you enjoy dinner with friends or a date night or whatever. It's the most brilliant idea. 

Husband had a birthday recently. We stayed in a suite at The Mayo in Tulsa. Can I live there, please?  My mom told me a sweet story about how my grandma and grandpa stayed there once when she was a child and they brought back stationary for her. She loved to look at it- there was a picture or drawing maybe? of the building on the paper. Thinking about my mom as a child (Baby Susan as I like to call her) is so adorable. I need to scan some pictures of Baby Susan so you can see what I mean. I swiped the notepad from our room to give to her but- there is no picture of the building. 

Also, I'm pretty sure that place is haunted. 

It's been a few weeks but I went on a little trip with my dad. We flew to LA to visit my brothers and sisters-in-law. We didn't rush around. Didn't stay out late. We didn't even get drunk once. We ate delicious food, went to a cemetery that smelled like dead people, took a tour of Paramount, drove to San Diego, and saw Django Unchained at Q. Tarantino's theatre. It was awesome. Of course I missed my boys- this was the first time I've been away from both of them at the same time for longer than a day. I will say- it was pretty relaxing not having to take care of anyone else though. I appreciate the little things, folks.

Ok, I think maybe I got a little buzz from drinking a flight of beer at this place.
(Pathetic, Brooke. Get your shit together, girl.)

This is my dad. His favorite things to talk about are art, traveling, history, and death. And his grandchildren.
And Facebook.

Ok. Time to raid the medicine cabinet for something that will make my fever go away.

Toodles.

♥ jp

cat power.

Lynx stealthily cruises the house, petting herself on pieces of furniture.  When I say her name, she runs at full speed from across the living room and dives her whole body up my leg.  OMG.  This cat gives running hugs like Jack!  This will prove amusing in the coming months.  Something about fall and winter.  Chili, butternut squash lasagna, delicious heavy beer, wine, soft throws, comfy sweaters, spicy vanilla and pumpkin candles, roaring fires, netflix, and cuddle cats.  Leo has just emerged from his hiding spot in the linen cabinet.  He walked by the table and gave me a nudge with the side of his beige-y amber head as he made his way to find the litter box.  He likes me, I just know it.

My friends, Dave and Devon, are moving to Japan and had to make the difficult decision to leave 2 of their cats behind.  I had offered to take them a while back but I was too late.  They already had a new home.  It's sad it didn't work out with the other family but I think they will be great here.  Jack told everyone at school this morning that he gets new cats today.  He's very excited, a little concerned though.

You may remember my dear Jackson kitty.  He was my best friend for almost 10 years and it's been over a year since he's been gone.  I still miss that damn cat every day.  Before the new cats arrived this morning, I got teary thinking about my Jaxie.  I started to worry that maybe I wasn't ready for cat friends, that it might make me even more sad because my beloved cat is gone.  No cat friend can replace him (especially because he saw me through everything in my 20's and that will never be replicated! thank the lord.)  but I'm hoping Leo and Lynx will be my happy little buddies.  I forget how it feels to have animals roaming the house-  it makes me feel calm, happy, and safe.  Why safe?  No idea.  I always feel safe when Jack is home with me too-  like if someone comes to break in again, he'll go all HELL NO on them.  Oh, giggling thinking about it.

-Re-upload Maddox photos for the 3rd time and hope it works this time.

-Work my ass off with Tracy Anderson.  (baby-food-like detox diet this week.  ugh.)

-Mat and frame Angela's piece for the art show.

-Clean the office.

-Pick Jack up from school and hope he's been a good boy all day.

-Call Grams.

-Order Husband's costume.  (whether he likes it or not!)  

-Work on my Sweet Action Paradise book.  I'm having the blog printed like a hardback book so Jack can have it when he's older.   I've been formatting and moving and tinkering and blah!  It's time consuming and a pain in my ass.

I've got lots of little things to do today so I'd better quit my ramblin.  

Call or text me if you feel like hanging out this evening/tonight.

♥ jp

busy.

Baby Jack goes to the new outlet mall with Mommy and Daddy.

Daddy forgot to pack the stroller.

Tantrum.

Baby rides the firetruck 2 times.

Tantrum.

Mommy, Daddy, and Baby leave 20 minutes after arriving.

He just looked so happy and cute on the truck though.

Friday, Jack went to my mom's for the evening.  Husband and I wandered around the local Friday night art walk on Main Street.  Met up with some friends here and some friends there. 

Husband gets serious at Steak 'n Shake.

Today is my best friend's birthday.  I don't think she reads this but HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANYWAY, ANNA HESTON.  I love you and you are pretty.  

The weekend was very laid back.  Jack started showing signs of sickness on Saturday but he was looking forward to going to my in-laws and I couldn't tell him no.  He was worse on Sunday and went to see Doc down there to get checked out.  He sounds like a baby seal.

Went to OKC on Saturday night to meet up with friends for a late dinner and drinks.  Ate too much and ended up going home early.  Husband was very grumpy but think it was because he was too full to drink beer.  

Spent Sunday with my mommy.

Today.

Took apart the high chair and fixed it all by myself.

Took the crib apart and turned it into a toddler bed all by myself.

Drinking lots of chai green tea with soy milk today.

Did something to my lower back and it hurts to move.

"did something" means carrying around a 35 pound baby.

Trying to eat healthy this week and Husband brought home red velvet cake last night.

Why would you do this to me.

Doing 30 mins of dance cardio and TAM iron man 2 videos.

Holy workout, it hurts.

Getting a costume idea on lock down for a 2 year old is very difficult.

Currently in the middle of a tea par par, watching Jack pour water from one cup to another cup.

Over and over. 

Water everywhere.

So busy this week.  Show Friday to look forward to.

♥ jp

big dreams.

This is the tart I made earlier in the week.

Jack ate 2 slices.

Maybe I put strawberries in it so I couldn't eat it.

Smart or obsessive?

Also made portobello mushroom fajitas and they were delicious and very healthy.

Anyone else looking forward to the release of Missoni for Target collection?

I love the blankets and scarves.

Must have.

I also love Kourtney Kardashian's hair and makeup.

Not fair.

Random post, I know.

Jack is watching Sesame Street so I'm wasting time until it's over.

What will we do today?

I would like to go make-up shopping but that's probably not practical.

Especially with a 2 year old.

I need a manicure.

Also not practical with a 2 year old.

Need a massage.

My girl doesn't work on Friday.

I guess what I need is a Special Lady Day.

(where your man takes you to do whatever you want to do all day without complaining?  shopping, make-up shopping, nail place, antique shopping, girl movie, whatever.   it's never actually happened in this household but i keep trying!)

Sesame Street is over.

Jack is dancing.

We're off to wander the town.

Watch this video and have a happy weekend.

This song has a serious Chris Isaak feel to it.

♥ jp

my my my.

We went to the zoo yesterday along with everyone else with kids under 5.

I learned to play Skinny Love by Bon Iver.

Yesterday, I made a blackberry & strawberry tart for husband to take to his friend's house.

He didn't take it.

Still allergic to strawberries so if you want the tart, let me know.

Today is major laundry day.

Today I am majorly sick.

(not contagious, just allergic to everything that ever existed.)

This morning I drove by a house I'm in love with AND IT'S FOR SALE!

Wanting to paint the bedroom this week.

Carpets are being cleaned on Thursday.

All so exciting.

Jack just wanted to see the giraffes. 

He liked the rhino and especially loved the baby elephant.

Jack waves to the animals.

"Bye bye, elephant mommy."

"Bye bye, elephant dada."

"Bye bye, elephant baby."

I hope you're enjoying this amazing weather.  Bye bye, people.

♥ jp

workin hard.

Delicious burgers at The Garage with the boys and my mama.

Unnecessary random shopping at Target.

Junk food on the couch watching movies.

Online window shopping.

80 degrees at 8pm is heavenly.

New Kardashians & Entourage tonight.

Husband picked up thai for dinner.

Thai Delight (where Thai Raja used to be) makes the ultimate red curry.

Eat there!

Chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert.

I used to hate Sundays.

I love Sundays.

I also love Alexa Chung and her fantastic hair.

I'm feeling a change coming on.

What do you think?  

Cut or grow?

Always torn.

Love doing the vintage-y swoop thing for playing shows.

It would look good on short hair too.

Marliyn did it.

Anyway.

When haircuts are what I spend my time thinking about, I know I have it pretty good.  

My hair is getting pretty long.

I have layers so I pulled back my hair and left the short layers hanging down to test out shorter hair.

I've been thinking for months that once fall was in sight, I'd go shoulder length, maybe a tiny bit shorter.

Or maybe I'll just keep growing it until I can pretend to be a Kardashian.  (a smarter, less annoying Kardashian.)

Well, I just don't know.  I get bored easily and I'm probably the most indecisive person you know.  

I have  headache now and it's probably the someone's way of telling me to quit thinking about my hair this much.  

Ok.  Tomorrow we're off to the zoo!

♥ jp

oh my darlin.

Jack loves riding the pony at Wal-Mart.

He's pretty serious about it and likes for me to take pics of him on it.

First OU football game of the season is tomorrow.

YYYYYAAAY.

What am I going to wear?

Husband's a part of a huge tailgate thing so that will be fun.

Jack is going to spend the day and night at my mom's.

Tonight we will watch Rio and keep it low key at home.

and I think I'll make one of Hannah's famous tarts.

I got the new-ish Levi's curve ID skinny jeans.

In love.

I am a "slight curve" in case you wondered.

I work out and I work out but some things will never change...

Sigh.

The Oh Johnny! Girls met up for an interview for Distinctly Oklahoma Magazine.

It was swell.

More about it when it comes out.

Reality show?

More on that later.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Too big for a binky.

I know.

The baby wants what the baby wants.

He only gets it when he's going to bed and in this pic, he's going to bed.

Had to get all of his trucks lined out first.

BOOMER you guys.

♥ jp

breathless in the daylight.

I received an email this morning about fitness and motivation for an app someone is working on.  I wish there were a specific recipe for fitness motivation.  One cup of peanut butter + maple syrup + snickers bar + chocolate ice cream.  Or something like that.  Anything from Rusty's, Victoria's, or Tarahumara's.  For real though, my motivation comes and goes.  Some weeks, I'm so into it and at least one week a month (go figure) I'm not wanting to move my ass anywhere but into a pizza parlor. 

This is what works for me:

My style Pinterest board-  looking at clothes and girls who look good in those clothes make me want to workout and be on good diet behavior.  I say "diet" but really, it's just avoiding some of the treats I let myself have.  Example:  Yes, I'll have one martini instead of 4 beers.  

Check out the tagged photos on Tracy Anderson's facebook page.  Tons of before, during, and afters and it's pretty damn motivating.  

I remind myself that I feel great, sleep better, and have lower stress levels when I'm being good. 

Making a new workout playlist!

Have something to look forward to-  this is my ultimate motivator.  I look forward to playing shows and going out on the weekend and date nights with Husband.  

Sundays.  I eat something bad and delicious on Sundays.  Free days are important to me.

If nothing works and I just can't get into dance cardio, I just don't do it.  I don't beat myself up over it, I just pick up where I left off the next day.  No big deal.  Some days I just don't have the time.

Any tips you'd like to share with me?

I'm drinking my first diet coke since Sunday.  SUNDAY, i said.  Wait, i did try a diet coke and cherry whipped vodka the other night.  It was a little tiny drink though.  Yes, it was good but a little sweet for me.  Like a melted cherry coke snowcone.  Total college girl drink.

Jack is back at school this week.  He's been a very sweet chicken the past couple of days.  Still waking up in the middle of the night and insisting on getting in bed with us.  Any tips on how to stop this would be greatly appreciated.  

♥

jp

oklahoma breakdown.

Friday:

Lunch with Hannah!

Had 2 drinks with BFF Dave and it was awesome.

Much needed, much appreciated.

We made up a new game called Conspiracy Theory.

I will never tell you how to play it.

maybe i'll tell Marisa, she'll get it.

A beer on the back porch with Husband.

Asleep early.  Low key.  Perfect.

Hannah (sister-in-law) flew back from L.A. for the weekend.  I can't tell you how good it was to see her!  I knew I'd miss them- but a couple of times a week it really hits me and hurts my soul.  I've never been this far away from my brother for this long in my entire life.  He's only a year older and we've always taken care of each other, had the same friends, and played music together.  Both of my brothers and their ladies sound like they're doing really well and are adjusting to life out west.  I really hope I can visit soon.  Hannah's 30th birthday is in October and I'd love to celebrate with them but not sure we'll make it out by then.  Sigh.  remember, you are always welcome to donate to the fly-us-to-LA fund.

Jack was very excited to see Aunt Hannah too.

Saturday:

STEP AWAY FROM THE GOLD SHORTS.  

Hey, I know.

Lunch with mom & Hannah.

Dustbowl Arts Market with my boys.

Jack went to play at my mom's.

Dinner at Blu with Husband.

A drink at the Library with Husband and J. Rider.

A drink at La Luna with Husband, J. Rider, Ty, and Ashley.

I met some new friends. 

Go Me!

Sunday:

We all sleep in!

Mama and I saw The Help.

It was good.

We had dinner with my father-in-law.

I did a little recording for no reason whatsoever.

Lovely weekend.  Can't wait for next weekend. 

♥  jp

there's a baby in there.

Ok, let's lighten the mood around here.  Taylor, my beautiful sister-in-law, is pregnant with her second child.  I CAN'T WAIT for this baby to get here.  They moved to Shreveport a while ago and are just moving back this week.  moving when you're pregnant totally sucks as i remember.  Last weekend I took some maternity photos of Taylor.  I think they turned out beautiful.  Especially considering we were in 100 something degree Oklahoma heat for 45 minutes.  I was sweating and covered in dirt like a little boy.  She was glowing, not sweating, and gorgeous.  

Jack is going to be so happy when he fully understands they are moving back for good.  He's going to be such a good big brother someday-  he looks out for his cousin, Peyton, and it's so rewarding to see the good character he already shows at 2.5 years old.  in case you're one of the only people my mom didn't tell-  i'll have you know, i have won more than one citizenship award in my day.

*no, these weren't taken with my phone.  Nikon D300.

Change of subject.  Funny thing just happened-  Husband's iphone just fell into a big pile of ranch dressing he had on his plate.  True Okies eat ranch on everything.  

Alright.  Jack is sleeping (on our bed) and I'm into my second glass of pinot grigio.  This means back porch time starts now.

♥  jp