Advice Needed

It has come increasingly to my attention that I have a problem. This observation is not a new one, I know but I feel compelled to share it in the hopes that someone can shed light on a solution.

I'm addicted to books. Seriously.

Yesterday, I was waiting to meet up with my cousin to go to dinner and (as is my norm), I spent the 20 minutes I had to kill in Barnes and Nobles. AND, as is also my norm, I left with a new book in my bag. 20 minutes. TWENTY MINUTES.

I'm at a loss. This happens every single time. I was once only running into a B&N I happened to be passing to ask a question and grabbed an interesting looking book on my way to the Customer's Service counter. I kid you not.

Any advice provided will be greatly appreciated. My bookcase has absolutely no room left. Not to mention that fact that as a non-profit worker, my bank account cannot support this addiction.

To prove my point. I include the picture below. I'm the 4 year old smiling like it's Christmas because it's time to go to school...

No, I love YOU!

Last night, Ylaria told me that she loved me. I don't think I could ever really explain what it meant to hear her say that.




It was so unexpected. We were being goofy at dinner and she started whispering "secrets" in my ear. It took me a moment to realize she had said "I love you". When it was my turn, I whispered the same to her, at which point she looked at me confused and said, "No, I love you." And I replied, "I love you too." Apparently, this was not acceptable because she turned to me and said in a loud voice, "NO, I (pointing to herself) love YOU!" (pointing to me). It was priceless. I laughed. And simply agreed with her, "Ok, Ylaria, you win. You love me."

But, I know I won too. And I still love you, Ylaria.

Yes We Can. Yes We Did.

All I can say today is: YES WE CAN...AND WE DID!

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.