Friday, January 10, 1992

I meet with Donovan at his office in the morning.  With 2 1/2 months to go until our workshop, it appears to be in good shape as far as preparations are concerned.  We review our notes for each of the dozen or so sections of our 2-day presentation.

During the return trip to Middleton, I'm tempted to make a stop at Half Price Books.  I resist; I still have enough music to tape without adding to it.

The afternoon at the library is relatively quiet.

The family goes to Pizza Hut for supper.

Wednesday, December 4, 1991

Wednesday morning I drive Andy to daycare after a quick visit to the library and then return indirectly to investigate a possible problem with the cleaning service.  First of all, Ileen mentions that they arrived about the same time she did, and secondly, the man with Ting looks a little bit like David Farrington, the guy who was nabbed earlier this year for ripping the library off.  And what about that cleaning service contract, which is due to expire at the end of the year?  I drop the issue and meet with Donovan Kramer as planned, though later than originally scheduled, to review our planning notes for our spring workshop.  After cruising through the afternoon, I pick up Andy and enjoy my first evening off this week.  When JoAnna returns home, she offers Andy the opportunity to sleep in our bed, which he quickly accepts.  I sleep in the boys' room with an already sleeping Eddie.

November 13, 1991

Requesting a copy of "Moving a Library", which I never read when I originally headed up such a project, has provided a much-needed spur to my Nuts and Bolts note-taking.  Why do I picture myself carrying Donovan during these two days in March?

Midafternoon JoAnna calls to ask if I can pick up Andy.  She has a bunch of work she wants to get done before her San Diego getaway.

October 25, 1991

I drive JoAnna to her meeting at the Radisson on Odana Road, Andy to daycare, and myself to Durrant, holding off my arrival at the final destination after cashing my check and buying a few items at Pic-a-Book.  Donovan has adjusted the schedule, and I have no objection to his changes.  Sometimes though I just have to wonder how effective a presenter Donovan is going to be.   I remember so clearly how mealy-mouthed he was in front of the Plan Commission.

After a visit to Second Hand Books, where I buy some records and tapes, I make an appearance at the library.

Until it's time to leave, I pack the van and do some calendar squares.  I'm a little bit late leaving the house to pick up JoAnna and Andy on our to Two Rivers.  Eddie sleeps until nearly 4.  While I'm sitting at my desk, Barb presents Eddie to me as is.  His one-piece outfit is soaked around the middle.  Just one more reason to get Barb out of the house before Christmas.

Sitting in Larry and Alice's basement, I quickly turn invisible.  JoAnna's friends arrive and she neglects to introduce me.  I get the message and join her dad upstairs.  He's watching a couple romp all over someone's apartment.  We never catch the title of the movie, but it's obviously some Fatal Attraction clone.

At midnight I decide to go to bed so I'll be able to get up with the boys.  Somehow. though, I manage to sleep in.

August 9, 1991

Donovan and I meet at the Durrant office to review our notes-in-progress for next March's workshop.  Then I go out for breakfast and enjoy a leisurely meal at Original Pancake House.  Once again, there is a long wait from order to service, but calendar notes keep me occupied.

I work at the library from 11 to 2.  JoAnna and I leave for Tomahawk at 3 -- another weekend away from our boys, two in a row -- and arrive at Chuck's cottage at 6, making great time.  We follow last year's itinerary and have dinner at the White Stag, a 45-minute drive from the cottage.  The sliced heads of iceberg lettuce always get a laugh from us.  The steaks are great.  I opt for the "pound of pleasure" once again.  We stay up until midnight and chat.  Dave, Chuck, JoAnna, and I play sheepshead.

June 7, 1991

First I stop at the library to pick up my paycheck and photocopy newspaper clippings.  Then I drive to Durrant via the credit union.  Donovan and I spend about an hour reviewing our workshop syllabus.  Instead of returning directly to the library, I go shopping.  My itinerary includes Best Buy, Pic-a-Book, Lands End, and Apollo.  It's such a beautiful, bike-ridin' kind of day that I'm tempted to announced a quick vacation decision as soon as I get back.  I decide it's better to stay on.  Due to Joint Finance's weird scheduling, JoAnna's able to rearrange her schedule so that she can pick up Andy and play softball.  The boys and I accompany her to Orchid Heights park, but the three of us spend most of our time in the playground area.  Andy approaches some older boys who are playing basketball.  After her game, JoAnna returns to the Capitol, and the boys and I go home via McDonald's.

February 8, 1991

Donovan Kramer and I meet at the Durrant office to discuss the outline of the workshop we'll be team-teaching next year.  Back at the library, I read the latest issues of Library Journal and Booklist and talk to police chief Larry Fass about a response to the library's theft problem.  A plan will go into effect on Monday.

JoAnna fixes chicken for supper, and I throw caution to the wind and pour myself a martini.  I'm just in the mood, I guess.  I'm looking forward to some bedtime snuggling with JoAnna, but Eddie continues to fuss until his usual time.  The first two times he falls asleep in my arms only to wake up as soon as I place him in his crib. The third time I let him sleep in my arms for nearly a half hour before transferring him.  For the third night in a row, Eddie then sleeps through the night.  Yes, indeed, "a man of substance".