May 6, 1992

#8 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week

After my chat with Jane Robbins, I'm all fired up about the Education Section's Friday program at the WLA fall conference.  Unfortunately, Margaret Myers, ALA Whatever, is not in her office, but I do leave an extended message, hoping that she won't be offended now that I've decided the program should be a panel discussion.  But what can I do.  The reports I hear is that Margaret is not a very dynamic speaker.  So how did I get myself into this shit in the first place?  Just say "yes" to whatever I'm asked to do.

I spend most of the afternoon on the road.  A simple washing machine repair turns out to be an extended exercise in frustration all because I don't bother to read the instructions carefully.  I make two trips to Madison Appliance on Williamson Street.  Myopia is my middle name.

The report on Andy is good.  Yesterday he was into choking his playmates.  Five times.  I'm thinking what kind of monster do I have on my hands here.  JoAnna and I both make an effort to speak with Andy directly about his inappropriate behavior.  I guess we make an impression.

Mother's Day is quickly approaching and all I've done so far is buy two cards.  At least Grandma Nelson has her flowers to look at.

May 4, 1992

I don't walk into the day with a spring in my step. but neither do I cower in a corner.  I call Jane Robbins and she helps me think through the fall conference program with Margaret Myers.  Now to locate two other panelists.  The Dane County Reimbursement Committee meets for a couple of hours during the afternoon, and my fear about undue tinkering with the cross-municipal use element of the formula prove to be unfounded.  If the county approves this formula, Middleton will receive nearly $200,000 next year.

Supper is supposed to be a break from the library.  I plan to return to check on the Mary Higgins Clark program.

Wednesday, February 26, 1992

JoAnna gets up early.  She had me set the alarm for 5 last night.  Joint Finance is meeting at 7, and Daddy is driving the boys to daycare.  I get Eddie dressed and encourage Andy to do the same on his own, but the bigger boys balks.  I say, fine, I'm gonna fix Eddie some breakfast, you do whatever you want to.  One Mundopie has chowed down a banana and is working his way through a pile of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, I decide to check in on Andy.  I find him buck naked in the bathroom ready to relieve himself.

"Don't look at me, Daddy," he pleads.

"I'm not lookin', I'm just makin' sure yer gettin' ready for daycare."

And he is.

And he does.

Lately Andy has been such a mature 4 year old.

At the library, I continue to make major progress on the weekly task list.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as my early responsibilities as chair of the Education Section are concerned.  I follow up on Jane Robbins' suggestion and call Margaret Myers at the ALA Program Office in Chicago for a program request. She accepts; I'm elated, even though I have no idea what the actual development of this contact is going to be.  Before the end of my workday, I've cleared off my desktop, reorganized my shelf space, realized that I've made such major progress toward the week's goals that I can treat myself to Friday off.

I pick up the boys at daycare.