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

Kick It Down

My Christmas tree is still up, folks.  

I've been playing with my new toy.

You can listen to some songs and download them for free!

Hudson Roar

I am going to record at a real studio when I have the time.

Later this month or early February I'm hoping.

In the meantime-  my makeshift kitchen MacBook Air Garageband studio it is!

I'm writing new songs. 

I don't want to sound all singer/songwriter-y.

I mean, I think I always will a little bit but I don't want that to be my "genre."

Sometimes I think I want to find people to play with me.

Other times I remember that everyone who has ever played in a band with me says I'm difficult.

I think I'm a little bossy sometimes.

Or all the times.

It's just that I don't like wasting time, I just want to get down to bizniz.

I'm currently figuring out how to set up to play these songs by myself with my computer, keyboard, and guitar.

I'm thinking my ukulele needs to make an appearance at some point.

Or maybe I'll just record all the parts myself and leave it at that.

No shows.

We'll see.

And hey, Haters.

I didn't get a new guitar for Christmas.

I posted a picture of my brother's new, awesome guitar and people thought I got a new Gretsch.

I can barely play the one I have.

So thank you for calling me a spoiled brat.

I am spoiled.

I'm not denying it or apologizing for it. 

I also appreciate everything I have and I'm more worried about being a kind human and a good friend than I am about the mean things you say about me.

I've been struggling with relationships lately.  Some of my friends have expressed their jealousy of my lifestyle and I guess I don't understand what the hell that means.  I'm 30 years old.  I'm not playing who has the better whatever with anyone.  I refuse to feel bad that I have a new car and, you know, whatever else it is that makes people mad that I have.  Husband, Jack and I try to enjoy our life everyday.  Husband works very, very hard everyday- it's 24/7 at his job- and on top of that, we are really, really lucky.  We go out occasionally but mostly like to stay home, play with toys, watch Thunder games, cook, watch kids movies, and hang out with a few close friends.  That's what happens when you have a kid, you guys.  We're tired all the time.  Dude, we have a mortgage, piles of laundry, busy schedules, and we're currently in the middle of a potty training crisis.  In no way do I think my life (life with a kid) is more important than anyone else's life (life without a kid.)  It's just different.  So realize that and quit treating me like I'm a stuck up asshole.  I'm not.  I've only ever tried to be kind, caring, and non-judgemental towards the people I love and admire.  Lately it seems I've been mistaken about other people's view of my friendship.  I'm always here when you have problems and jobs and boys and girls to cry about-  but you know-  I'm here when you aren't crying and sad too.  I clean up poopy Jack diapers, ok?  I'm not here to clean up everyone else's shit.  

Thanks for listening, guys.  The last thing I wish to say about this is-  I'm happy.  So be happy for me.  I won't be here for you forever, my sweets.  

I think I need to get out more and make some new friends.  

That reminds me-  Ashley, my dear -  we need to sign up for yoga!  (I'm thinking maybe if I put it out there, in publictheinternetwhatever, I won't back out of it.)  

I'll get back to making sweet music magic.

Have a lovely day and remember to be thankful and kind.

Because it's just nice.

♥ jp

Mr. ♥ Mrs.

This old Hallmark box sitting on my table doesn't look like anything special, it's hunter green with pictures of Christmas cards on the front.  Inside are 34 pieces of treasure.  I pick up the first one and it feels as if it may crumble in my hands.  I carefully navigate a piece of faded brown paper, which has been folded twice to make it the size of an index card, out of the torn edge of a tattered envelope.  There's a three cent stamp and two addresses on the front of the envelope-  Box 721, Dewar, Okla. and Mrs. John H. Work, Boswell, Okla.  

The ink that was probably once black in 1940 has settled into a deep navy, strewn in perfectly straight lines of magic.  It's not like bunny in a hat magic.  The kind that Little Girl Jaguar Paw daydreamed about finding someday-  I'm not talking about the last unicorn although I did daydream about that as well.  You know, the kind of thing the greats wrote poetry about.  The thing all of my favorite songs are written about.             ...shoot, the thing I write all of my songs about.  

Today I'm sharing two letters from my Paw Paw to his darling.  My grandma.  She misses him every day.  She still wears his glasses even though they're broken.  One of his shirts hangs in her armoire at the nursing home.  

Be thankful for the time you have with the people you love.

September 18, 1940

Dewar, Okla.

My Darling Hiahwahnah:

I'm so lonesome for you. Golly- It seems like I love you more and more every day. I want to see you so badly. If I can get any money, I will be down this week and I think mother and Robbie are both broke. I wish there was some way for you to come up here.

I went hunting yesterday afternoon with Peck and Monk. We left here about 3:00 and went out east of here about 16 miles. We walked the birds up until the sun started going down and then went to a pond and waited for them to fly in to water. We got 42.

Last night Peck and R. and I went to the show. We saw "I love You Again"- with Myrna Loy and Will Powell. It was a swell picture. If I ever get a chance, I'm going to see it again.


I'm going in to see a guy about a job in a little while. This afternoon I have to make some signs advertising R.'s football team. R. thinks they are going to win all of their games this year. I hope they do.


We are invited to Aunt Daisy's tonight for supper. She said she wished so much that you were here and could come too. So do I. Russell and Aunt Daisy all think so much of you. They say I'm a darn lucky guy to get a girl like you. I know I'm lucky. You are so sweet and beautiful and good. I love you bunches and more than anything on earth. Please darling, don't ever stop loving me.


Gee! I'm so glad that we are married. I will be perfectly happy just as soon as we start living together. Be a good girl and remember, no love scenes in that play.


                                                                                                            All my love,
                                                                                                            John

Paw Paw, Grams, and my Uncle John

(photo taken somewhere around 1944 I'm guessing.)

Dewar, Okla.

September 24, 1940

My Darling Hiahwahnah:

I was so glad to receive your letter this morning.  I was awfully worried about you.  Geepers-  I'm so much in love with you.  You are all I can think of.  I couldn't go to sleep last night because I kept thinking about you and wanting you bunches.

I am enclosing a clipping from the Okmulgee paper about our marriage.  I thought you might like to have it and show it to your folks.

It is now 10 min. until four o'clock.  I guess you are leaving school for the day or getting ready to leave.  I wish I was out in front of the building waiting for you.  Darling, doesn't it seem like a long time until Friday?  I can hardly wait to see you.

I'm so awfully much in love with my wife.  I think you are the most beautiful girl on earth.  You are so darn sweet and precious.  I wish you were here now.  It is cloudy and almost cold.  I have the fire turned on.  If you were here I would take you to bed with me and hold you close in my arms and kiss you bunches and be awfully fresh.  Do you think you would like that?

We are having supper with Aunt Daisy tonight.  Afterwards R. and I are going up to Mr. Lamb's to play bridge with Mr. Lamb and Pick.  He (Mr. Lamb) said that if we would come, he would serve ice cream and cokes.

R. just came in with one of his football players who he believes has a broken arm.  He wants me to take him to the doctor.  Guess I better hurry.  The darn kid looks like he's going to faint.  -Be a sweet girl and write me lots. 

                                                                                                       All my love,

                                                                                                       John

It's Thanksgiving and I'm thankful love exists in the world.  And that my Paw Paw told my Grams he wanted to get "fresh" with her.  Giggles.
♥ jp

don't be stupen.

Jack is eating eggs and cheerios while he watches a show about dancing potatoes.

It's "small potatoes" on a stage, all in costume, doing musical theater with english accents.

They don't have arms, duh.

Kid shows are so bizarre.

Lately there have been lots of rumblings about having babies.  Not from me-  from friends.  I've had a few emails and conversations about the pros and cons of being a parent.  Pro-  babies love you unconditionally and you'll have someone to do the dishes in 10ish years.  Con-  babies are expensive and they don't always listen to you or wear what you want them to wear.  Pleeeease wear this awesome sweater jacket, this hat, and these cool shoes.  Ok.  Fine.  Wear the spiderman tshirt, fireman rain jacket, shorts, cowboy boots, and your camo baseball cap with the deer on it.  This kid...

More pros-  They like to snuggle.  Babies smell SO GOOD.  They get excited about things like bubble wrap and play doh.  They remind you to have fun.  Your priorities change in a good way.  You don't care about the dumb drama that happens around you because you've got bigger problems-  like having a baby with a high fever who's puking in your hair.  Toddlers tell you they love you and give kisses and hugs.  You suddenly have a bond with every mother you encounter because she's had a kid throw down in public before too.  Kids are the funniest people you will ever know.  Getting handmade presents is the best ever.  Holidays are much more fun with kids around.  

More cons-  Public fits.  Eventually you get used to it-  when you have kids, you just don't feel embarrassment like you used to.  Potty training sucks.  They grow so fast that you're constantly buying clothes.  Learning to talk and communicate is frustrating for you and your kid and it can cause major baby (and mommy) meltdowns.  They talk back.  The other day, Jack told me that I'm stupen. Whew... at least I'm just stupen...  You constantly wonder-  where did they learn that?!

Things to remember-  Pajamas run small-  they're supposed to fit snug so the kid doesn't get tangled in the night but it's stupid how fast they outgrow their jams.  Bottle warmers are life savers.  Even if you breastfeed and pump.  We had one with a built in cooler to store 2 bottles for nighttime feedings so you don't even have to leave your bedroom.  Time out as punishment is a lot harder than you think.  Jack doesn't really care and they don't really work for him.  Try directing your kid's attention to something fun and constructive when they're being bad.  Remember when you're pregnant that babies sometimes want out early and unexpectedly. Also remember, if that happens, don't be in denial-  just go to the hospital so you aren't in labor for 12 hours at home- alone.  

Look, I don't care if you have babies or don't have babies.  I'm just saying if you decide to, don't be scared.  It's really, really hard but very rewarding.  It's a lot easier than i thought it would be and a lot harder too.  

It's so important for your sanity to keep some things for yourself.  Keep a shred of your social life intact.  Keep your friends close, you'll need them to cry to when you're crazy stressed out and zombie tired.  We let Jack stay overnight with his grandparents early on when he was just a couple of months old.  It's good for you and baby to detach from each other every once in a while if you're lucky enough to have a supportive family like we are-  you don't want to be a crazy mommy (or daddy) and you want baby to be around family.  I really feel like that's the key to our happiness around here- I still play shows with my band, Husband still golfs, and we still go out for nights on the town together.

"SNEEZE!!!" goes the baby.

"Bless you" goes the mommy.

"Yes, bless me" says the baby talking to himself.

♥ jp

Hiahwahnah loves John.

Grandpa.

My grandma says on the way home from the doctor's office, she pounded his chest, uncontrollably sobbing and yelling at him.  Grandpa later told my Great Uncle Robbie that he felt a great sense of pride when she reacted that way.  She had been telling him for a long time to go to the doctor, to get check-ups, to take care of himself.  Being a typical male, my grandpa put it off.  Now he had cancer that had spread all over and she didn't want to see him to go.  She was mad and hurt.  

During my weekly visits to the nursing home, she tells me how much she misses him every single day.  That she thinks of him often and wishes she could talk to him, wishes she could see him.  That she doesn't know how she found such a great man to love her, to be patient with her completely impatient personality, and wonders out loud what she did to deserve him.  

She asked me to imagine being next to someone for 51 years and one day they're just gone.  Tears pushed against the walls of my eyelids but I took deep breaths to push them back for fear I would upset her.  I know she's lonely.  We often daydream together-  I will win the lottery and build a big house with a nice, big room and wheelchair accessible bathroom.  She'll have private home healthcare and we'll catch up every day and eat Hershey's Kisses and drink root beer.  On special occasions, or just because, we would listen to music and she would do her cute shoulder dance, the one she's done for years.  

I always worried that in the years to come, I wouldn't quite remember her stories by heart or I would forget the details that make them special but then I realized when I can't sleep at night, I close my eyes and think of arriving at her house when I was a child.  I've done it for years without realizing it was a habit I guess.  

Grams.

The trip to her house in Durant in the back of a station wagon, mom listening to music on the way, pulling up onto the broken concrete driveway, our pretend "grenades" dropped from the big magnolia tree limbs hanging above, Grandma would be waiting on the front porch for us to arrive, the sound of the front door opening, the faint sweet smell of tobacco, walking through the dining room, past the nutcracker on top of the built-in bench with hidden storage and past the china cabinet, to the breakfast nook in the kitchen where Grandpa read the paper.  Eating potato chips out of a wooden salad bowl before bedtime was a ritual for me.  Small winding wooden staircase to the attic which led to dusty old games like chinese checkers and Don't Spill the Beans. Grams' and Grandpa's hats hanging in the hallway before you pass the pantry door and the buffet with the stained glass lamp and photos on top. I spent a lot of time sewing and making crafts in the back room.  Playing dress up with my cousins.  Got my first perm in that kitchen by my Aunt Merrilee.  Made candles out of crayons and holiday sugar cookies with my Mom.  Shaved my legs for the first time sitting on the edge of the green claw foot tub.  Piano and neat treasures in the study.  Always looked forward to people watching while on the porch swing with my brothers and cousins.  Swinging as high as we could and frequently getting in trouble for hitting the back of the swing on the house.  I remember feeling so safe and comfortable sleeping on a little fold out sleeper with crisp, fresh sheets and that big, fluffy floral and white comforter in the front bedroom, the walls covered in pink floral fabric.  It would be so quiet at night, we would whisper and giggle to each other until we fell asleep to the distant sound of the train.  It's funny how I remember wondering where the train was going and where it had come from and I still think the same thing when I hear a far away whistle of a train from my house.

Please don't forget what treasures your grandparents are.  Remember that they've lived through a lot, seen a lot, accomplished many things, had good times and bad times.  There's a lot of interesting things to learn about older people if you just ask.  Sometimes they get lonely because no one really talks to them about anything besides medical problems.  Just the other day, my Grandma told me a story about having a couple too many highballs at Grandpa's cousin's house and being sick all the way home.  Giggles...   

And I love that my son loves his Nana.  When I take him to visit, he likes to wheel her to the dining hall and then he doesn't want to leave.  Very, very sweet.

♥  jp

like lightning in my heart.

This room is by no means done but i finally decided on something for the walls.  I'd like to start hunting for a cool headboard, something with tufted velvet perhaps.  I love velvet, gold, vintage, sparkle, masculine with regal, feminine pieces, flashes of tiger, cheetah, or leopard print, chandeliers, charcoal and cream, displayed jewelry, fake fur throws, big pillows, and NO OVERHEAD LIGHTING.  I have always hated overhead lighting-  pendant, chandelier, recessed and track lighting excluded.  Can't wait to lay on the bed and watch HBO on a neatly mounted flatscreen on Sunday nights while eating popcorn and enjoying a completely finished bedroom.  (it's a lot brighter in the bedroom than the cave-like picture shows.)

Would I ever do the chevron print again?  You would have to pay me quite a bit to do that tedious measuring, taping, painting and painting again.  My back hurts, my hands hurt, my head hurts.

Yesterday I had a cut and color.  Just had a teeny bit trimmed because for now, I'm going to continue to grow it.  The cut looks and feels fantastic.  I like the color-  but i just like it alright.  I was looking for something a little more dramatic-  I mean, if you know me, you know I'm not scared of serious change when it comes to fashion and beauty.  Going in, my hair was already lighter at the tips, just a natural summer fade.  (pic above is after leaving the salon)  The gradient effect is very slight but very even, which shows skilled talent in a stylist, but soon I will probably try and do it myself.  Sometimes I don't communicate what I want very well I guess although I did bring pictures.  My weird medium-reddish brown natural color can be difficult to work with.  

Here are a couple of shots Husband took of me a week ago.

The Oh Johnny! Girls have been killing it lately and it feels good.  We had a great show last weekend.  A photographer came out to do photos for an article in next months Distinctly Oklahoma magazine and I'm excited to see them.  We've got a few things coming up, a show at the Blue Note on October 15th and we're playing on a moving vehicle at the Ghouls Gone Wild parade.  FUN.  

I'm excited for the weekend!  We're going to a movie tomorrow night and going to my in-laws on Saturday to watch the big OU/TX game.  They just finished a huge renovation/add on to their home and I'm super pumped to watch the game on a HUGE flatscreen, eat good fun, and play with babies.  Must plan Jack's OU outfit now.

I can't remember if I told you about my solo show thing.  It was fun.  It was weird.  I was nervous for the first time in years.  I had my PA system set up in my dining room and practiced here and there.  Jack loves the microphone.  He would sing his Night Night song before bedtime and look so satisfied and proud of himself.  My little heart feels so big when I see that look on his face.

A, B, C, D, Night night time!

Did you know you can make the alphabet song into a song about anything you want to?

Jack does.

♥ jp

oh wait.

Every day, Jack watches Sesame Street in the morning, gives a minimum of 5 "running hugs" throughout the day, names off all the people he loves-  one by one, wants pizza for dinner, watches Rio at bedtime with a snack, and lately has wanted to wear this pull-over hoodie every morning.  The weather has been awesome.  Much needed.  Stress relieving. Cool air goodness.   Hoodie it is, baby's choice.

He must wear a hat under the actual hood though.  His idea, not mine, but very cute.

Jack's first day of skipping school.  He asked what I was going to do while he was at school and decided that he wanted to go too.  Off to Gram's we go.  He carefully picked out and packed a baggie full of crayons, 2 coloring books, 1 marker, alphabet magnets to play with on Gram's mini fridge, sunglasses, a hat, and asked that we put together a lunch for him like I do when he goes to school.  Turkey, graham crackers, and a Kraft single.  He was pumped.

We visited, we made Gram's bed for her, we took a little list of things she needs (Hershey's Kisses), and pushed her down to the dining hall.  Jack gave her a big hug, said wuv you, and stuck out his plump little baby cheek for her to kiss.  We made it to the fish tank when he decided maybe he didn't want to leave just yet.  I told him he could stay and live with Gram's and he playfully told me he was going to.  I started to walk away and took the picture above.  He's staring at the dining hall, wondering if he really wanted to stay and if I would really leave him there.  "MOMMY MOMMY!  I CHANGE MY MIND!!!"  He ran to me and put his little hand in mine.  Off we go. 

Song HERE.  Part of a cover anyway.

Yes, I need to straighten these frames, I know.  I frame Jack's abstract work and hang it around the house.  Someday I hope to have a wall full of them.  Jack looks at them up on the wall with so much pride and satisfaction.

My hair hurts.  When you wear your hair in a bun all day for 4 days straight, it hurts when you take it down.  My laziness is making my hair hurt and that's just stupid.

Ok.  No game this weekend.  Nothing exciting really happening at all-  which, in itself is pretty dang exciting.  

Oh wait.  We have grandparent babysitters on Friday and Saturday night.  Not sure what we'll get in to just yet but excited to find something.  Jack is VERY excited to make the rounds this weekend.

♥ jp

no. really. kick me out.

Jack and I went to see Grams this morning.

Jack and I went to lunch at Iguana with our beloved Hannah.

While waiting for our table, Jack yelled "KICK ME OUT!" over and over and over.

Jack threw beans and rice everywhere, proudly and with enthusiasm.

Jack kicked the table and shoved it into Hannah- over and over and over.

Jack yelled at a guy sitting near us, telling him that he was going to pinch him.

Jack told Hannah the guy behind us was going to pay for lunch.

Jack threw a tantrum and I recorded it on video and played it back for him.

He did not appreciate it.

Finally got out of the restaurant.  (everyone probably cheered.)

Jack found the one spot of mud on the ground and dug his fingers into it.

I picked him up and he spit on me.

Buckled him in his seat and he fell asleep in 5 minutes.

It's really hard sometimes but could be harder.

Oh.  There we go.

My favorite shirt, already covered in spit and queso, just tore.

There's good news too though.

BFF Dave called and we're going to have a drink this evening.

HURRAY!

You will be happy to know-  I think the gross water thing works.  I've been drinking it for 4 days now and I seem to be much less puffy.  Or maybe this is all in my mind.  No idea.  I'm a girl.  I'm delusional. 

Jack is very serious about driving the grocery cart truck around homeland.  Man, that thing is kind of embarrassing to push around but it makes my chicken happy so onward we push!  I think we're way past embarrassing at this point in parenthood anyway.  

Beep! Beep!  Have a nice 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

whales are like goldfish.

Jack misses Uncle Herby.  He carried this old picture of us around and fed him smarties and whales.

The weekend went by fast, didn't it?  I played model on Saturday while the boys went to the lake.  I have an upcoming post on the designer so don't forget to come back and check it out-  hopefully later this week.  Behind the camera is where I usually stay-  posing makes me uncomfortable most of the time-  but we shot on a gorgeous location, had mimosas, and I got to catch up with my girls and make new friends.  Lots of photos of the whole experience to come!

Husband and I went to dinner with his parents on Friday.  It was nice to have a meal with them without the baby there for a change.  Real conversation instead of us all trying to entertain him!  I was going to wear the outfit above but decided to wear a casual black tunic-y type t-shirt and nude heels.   It's too hot outside to get too dressy.

This is a shot of me at the last show I played.  We opened for Dick Dale and I had a lot of drama happen that night so that's why I didn't post anything about it.  I'm very happy to say-  all is perfect now.  I can hopefully be anxiety attack free for a while.  The people I play with are my family and we fight and pull hair just like you do with your siblings when you're 6 years old.  Musicians are a very specific breed and we're hard to deal with sometimes.  We're a little vain, we love attention, we're a little wild, and frequently have tunnel vision.  We fall down a lot, help each other up and become stronger than ever.  Sandy, Timmy, Benny-  I love you guys.  (no, i'm not drunk, this is for real talk.)

I wrote a new little tune last week and recorded it in a hurry so I wouldn't forget it.
Click HERE for a listen.

Did you notice I finally got around to building an about me page on the blog?  I swear I'll get around to my Tracy Anderson post.  I know more than 12 of you read this because I've had a lot more emails about the method than 12!
cheers to Monday.
♥ jp