April 11, 1992

Bombed this weekend in 1223 theaters

For the first weekend in months, JoAnna doesn't have to campaign.  Somehow, though, the day can't measure up to my high expectations.  The weather is the biggest culprit.  We had planned to attend the Muskies home opener, but not when the sky is overcast and the temperature struggles to reach 40.  We decide to go shopping, first stopping at the credit union to deposit my Nuts and Bolts check and then at Larry and Martha's to attempt to formulate some plans for the evening.  We stay for a half hour, leave after making very tentative plans for dinner at our place.  On the drive to West Towne, we take a brief detour to look at the house Larry and Martha just bought.  Andy and JoAnna are hungry so lunch precedes shopping.  We consider burgers at the Village Green, but that's too far out of our way.  We settle for Upstairs Downstairs Deli.  I order a reuben and am served a very soggy, tasteless creation.  Andy's a bit hyper and spills so much ketchup on the front of his sweats we decide to go home after we eat.  He pleads with Mom to go shopping with her and promises to be good.  JoAnna relents.  Later in the afternoon, I take the boys grocery shopping.  Larry and Martha (with Michel in tow) and Barb and Chuck join us for dinner, Michael's frozen custard, and games.

Friday, January 17, 1992

After driving the boys to daycare, I cash my check at the credit union and return home a half hour past our scheduled departure time.  Not a problem.  Barb and Chuck have not yet arrived.  We pack the van and leave shortly before ten, stopping at McDonald's to pick up breakfast, which includes 9 orders of hash browns.  I only drive the first 50 miles; then Chuck volunteers to take over.  His driving makes me -- and everyone else -- so nervous, but I don't argue.  We meet the Blumenfelds and Cieslewiczs in Minocqua to eat lunch at Bosacki's.

The Rittenhouse bed-and-breakfast in Bayfield is an eye-opening establishment.  Beautifully appointed rooms.  Cozy, snowbound setting.

After unpacking, we meet for supper.  Maggie's, the only real choice at this time of year, has a long waiting list, so we walk 3 blocks in -20 degree cold to Marty's, a typical bar and while away some time.  We spend a half hour at the bar once we get back to Maggie's, waiting for a cluster of tables that will seat ten.  In the meantime, we continue to drink and jabber away.  Dinner itself is a wonderful group experience.  We have so much fun.  Back at the Inn, we gather in Barb and Chuck's room to play 60s Trivial Pursuit, and I dazzle the group with my answers -- notably the "Hog Farm" response.

Tuesday, December 31, 1991

JoAnna works, I take the day off, and until 3 o'clock I'm doing chores and keeping an eye on the boys.  Andy is especially rambunctious.  We do grocery shopping in the morning, and I take an hour's break to watch Perry Mason.  After the last of the laundry is folded, I fix myself a martini and return to the TV room.  JoAnna returns home at 3:30.

Jess watches the boys, and JoAnna and I spend New Year's Eve at Larry and Martha's with Chuck and Barb.  Martha prepares a great turkey dinner.  Afterwards, we sit around and talk and, after Chuck and Barb leave, play Trivial Pursuit.  Larry and I win both games.

JoAnna and I drive home at 2:00 on surprisingly deserted streets.

July 13, 1991

The Madison Club

The day starts out cool and overcast, but by late morning the sky starts to clear.  I do a little bit of yard work, nothing major, mostly a chance to be in the sun with my shirt off.  JoAnna takes Andy with her on a shopping trip to buy shoes.  She returns with a look on her face that immediately lets me know she had no success.  Andy acted up too much. 

We meet Larry and Martha at the Edgewater Pier, where we spend a pleasant hour.  Barb and Chuck's wedding is at 4 in the Senate Chambers.  The ceremony itself lasts a brief 10 minutes.  The reception is at the Madison Club.  We don't stay for the after-dinner festivities as JoAnna isn't feeling well.

March 30, 1991

A fine family morning. We go to Perkins for breakfast, then Andy and I go to the grocery shop.  I spent most of the afternoon outdoors, or mostly outdoors.  I tidy up the garage while Andy naps and JoAnna and Eddie are out shopping.  Andy joins me and is a big help sweeping debris into a dust pan.  I start edging the driveway, but Andy decides he wants to go to the park.

JoAnna and I enjoy a change of pace, an evening out.  A movie and dinner with Barb and Chuck turns out to be dinner and a movie.  Imperial Garden and Guilty by Suspicion.

January 26, 1991

JoAnna and I make the mistake of allowing Andy to sleep with us.  Consequently, I experience a restless night. I take care of Eddie's 5 a.m. feeding, allowing him to fall back asleep on my chest before returning him -- and myself -- to bed.  Around 8 o'clock I stretch my arm and discover that I'm alone in bed.  I then sleep peacefully for two hours.

Until our guests arrive, it's chore time:  cleaning the house, doing laundry.  I walk to Sentry to buy the ingredients for an appetizer.  It's a cold, blustery day, and my face is nearly frozen when I return.  Chuck and Barb, Larry and Martha join us for dinner, a very relaxing, cozy evening.  The one low point:  my sister's contribution to the conversation about nicknames.  Am I being overly sensitive or are certain embarrassing family-related flashes from the past truly inappropriate?