The Poorly-Read Librarian

I don't have much to say. I'm overwhelmed by life most of the time, but I am so grateful for this season of the year. It's my favorite. It snowed so much yesterday and, even though I had to work and have no season-appropriate footwear, I actually had fun rescuing my car from ten inches of snow after working all day. Cowgirl Paris loves her new hat - she is growing up way too fast! We've only recently rediscovered the marble shooter; it brings back so many childhood memories. It helps that Paris loves it - I'd feel kind of funny being a 27-year-old playing with the marbles all by myself.

Every time I think of New York City, I automatically start singing, "Give my regards to Broadway", and the reason why I'm thinking/singing of New York is because I was just there on Saturday, 5 December 2009. It was rainy, then snowy, and cold, so cold, but absolutely wonderful. I loved seeing the city in snow! This was the first time I've been to NYC at this time of year - I'm so glad it snowed so I got the full winter experience. The main purpose of the trip was to visit the Manhattan Temple, which is absolutely amazing. The temple is a true place of peace in the middle of this bustling city. I've been told of what it's like to be in the temple but hear none of the city sounds from outside. But, it is even more incredible to be there, standing just inside the doors of the temple, looking out to the foyer and the street beyond, and experience it for myself. People shuffled past on the sidewalk and cabs blared their horns in the street, but there wa...

A few weeks ago I felt the need to drive nearly 6 hours to Washington Depot, CT and see the town that inspired Gilmore Girls' "Stars Hollow". Of course I had to request off work, wait 3 weeks for those scheduled days to arrive, and hope that I still felt adventurous. It seemed to work out nicely since Utah didn't happen and with this weekend's events, I needed a break from life right about now anyway. I chose a hotel in the Danbury/Bethel area of Connecticut which is only 20+ miles from my dream destination, but once I got there, my desire to see "Stars Hollow" waned and I didn't feel like driving an extra 40 minutes out of my way. I figure, you see one New England town, you've seen them all. I'm sure that's an incorrect assumption; I'll have to adjust my worldview for next time. I did, however, enjoy these two days of scheduled spontaneity. In honor of at least one favorite TV show, I spent a "scrantastic" 20 mi...

Surprise event of the weekend: My newest niece was born Saturday morning at 5:41, and guess when she was due - November 5th. Just in case you're confused or a little out of touch, Saturday was not November 5th. It was, in fact, October 17th, meaning she was in such a hurry to reach the world that she came three weeks early! Crazy kid. Needless to say, she's tiny. 4 pounds, 11 ounces kind of tiny. But, she is absolutely beautiful and has one heck of a big sister: "Psy'renee Alayna Dennis" - I'm pretty sure her name is bigger than she is. Paris holding her baby sister's hand. Tender. Paris told Psy (pronounced 'sigh', as in psychology, psychotic, psychiatrist, etc): "It's going to be alright." I almost cried, it was that adorable. Paris holding her sister for the first time... ...and Paris being distracted by a Barbie commercial on the TV above her. Paris found an awesome hiding place for her solo game of hide-and-seek. Lo...

I'm done being stubborn. I'm doing being selfish. I'm done being needlessly apathetic. I hope that f.y.e. will make it without my business this week. I don't have the money to shop anyway, and my dad's health is infinitely more important than a used copy of The Office. There is the whole "non-refundable" aspect of traveling to consider, but apparently the powers that be were willing to overlook it this time. Dad was able to cancel everything (flight, hotel(s), rental car) without a significant monetary loss. I think that was part of my selfish concern, even though I wasn't paying for the trip anyway. I truly was prepared to grab Paris and go - I like to think we could have survived a trip to Utah and back together. However, I would've felt like a callous jerk if I went, but I'd rather not sit at home when I could be elsewhere, so here's hoping Walmart lets me work when I'm not scheduled...

So, my dad is in the hospital and I probably should be more concerned than I feel like I am. But I think I may actually be more concerned than I can handle, so I shut down my senses instead and not-so-subconsciously decide not to handle it at all. The trip to Utah that I was so looking forward to and that was supposed to take place this week is, obviously, no longer happening. And you know what upsets me the most? I won't be able to shop at f.y.e. like I planned. You think I'm kidding. Nope. I am as heartless as they come. I am a spoiled little child who didn't get a pony for her birthday and may actually throw a temper tantrum because of it. Paris, my 3-year-old niece who was going to fly on an airplane for the first time and see her cousin Kora's house also for the first time, is handling this better than I am. Apparently, hospitalization, in my mind, is no excuse to cancel a trip. I'm a jerk. My "suck it up and deal with it" mentality just i...

Apparently, I'm no longer tired. Second wind? Ready? Go. Here are a few more favorites: At Little Round Top. Paris was still waking up from her miniature nap in the car. Brea and Paris at Devil's Den. Paris, struggling with a mozarella cheesestick at Friendly's. So good. A potentially artsy picture at the Letterkenny Reservoir (less artsy when you look at a larger version), which is near.... ...my uncle's wonderfully creepy cabin, which I love. (It's mostly only creepy because we were there alone; it's much better with family and food.) A cool sign in New York, in honor of my niece Paris, who is learning that her name belongs to more than just her individual self. It was a good week.