March 30, 1992

I finish the LSCA grant reports.  Sharon returns my Friday call, but there's really nothing I need from her.  She still can't work up much enthusiasm about her job and then reacts cautiously when I tell her how well Eve is fitting in.  We all like to hear that we're indispensable, I suppose.

Today's the first day in weeks, if not months, I've been able to work, walk back home for lunch, walk to the library again and then home for dinner.  We don't have a babysitter so I can't accompany JoAnna to the caniddates' forum.  I spend a brain-dead evening watching the Academy Awards presentations on TV.

Thursday, January 2, 1992

With Sharon no longer on the staff, I now have Thursday evenings to contend with.  I take the morning off, half expecting that my leisure time will extend into the afternoon.  Eddie's been fussy at time, his nose is running -- signs of a possible ear infection, but neither JoAnna nor I take any action.

It's a busy day at the library.  During the late afternoon and early evening, I spend a lot of time moving from the information desk to circulation, and back and forth again.  I walk home through a thick fog.

Thursday, December 27, 1991

Once I'm back in the saddle, it's like I never left.  I may not be leaving, but it's Sharon's last day, and after my glowing reference for Deb, she, too has an opportunity to leave.  Calumet City gets put on hold since Spokane is still in Deb's future.

I have a fairly productive day even though Liz's urging to answer the noise complaint is ignored.   When I return home, the house is full of relatives.

November 25, 1991

Sharon has no horror stories to tell us about Arlington, no second thoughts to convey.  1992 will be a year of change from day one.  Why does this observation resonate so loudly?  I seem to want to find a way out just to avoid what I strongly feel is going to be a major head-buttin' process next year.

After supper I attend a fundraiser for Chuck Chvala at the Weinstein's.  What a house:  wood, stone, glass, and open space in an architectural style that hearkens back to the late 1950s, the premier example being the Mount Rushmore chateau in "North by Northwest".  I'm a little nervous about making a solo appearance, but I see many familiar faces within minutes of my arrival.  I can then relax.

October 31, 1991

On my weekly calendar of things to do, Thursday is a blank.  And since it's Halloween, business is way off.  Shoulda woulda coulda taken the day off.

Susan McCarthy, from Arlington County Library, calls for a reference.  I say all sorts of wonderful things about Sharon, and the caller is pleased with my openness.  She must have previously dealt with some less than forthcoming people.

Bad weather reduces Andy's haul this year.  At 9 o'clock, I settle into bed to watch Alfred Hitchcock but fall asleep before the end of the opening credits.

October 28, 1991

Once again Sharon is checking out the job market.  She responded to an advertisement in Hotline for an opening in Arlington County, Virginia.  I begin to reconsider the approach to children's services at the Middleton Public Library.

Since tomorrow is a busy day, JoAnna decides to celebrate my birthday tonight.  She stops at Sentry to pick up a couple of rotisserie chickens, potato salad, and tater tots.  She also buys a peanut butter pie at Perkins.  I receive some nice presents:  a sweater from JoAnna, a blue chamois shirt from Andy (which turns out to be a size too small), and a coffee grinder from Barb.  Mom and Dad send me a hideous shirt and tie, though.  When they ask me how I like them, I halfheartedly respond, "Oh, they're nice."   I call them after supper since they had called yesterday as Andy and I were leaving for the grocery store.

TV is disappointing.  Murphy Brown is especially weak, Northern Exposure just plain dumb in its desperate efforts to be different.