Subject: Weekend Update: May 11-14
Date:    Mon 5/15/00 10:22am

Last Thursday, Emily Pearl got the metal removed from her pearly
whites.  Always a ray of sunshine, now the sun is even brighter when
she pulls the corners of her mouth to the east and west.  She wasted
no time in eating popcorn, chewing gum, and biting into an apple.  The
dental assistant was amazed that Emily never cheated during her
teeth's incarceration.  Emily explained that her mom said that she was
allowed to cheat but that any repairs needed to the braces as a result
of their cheating would have to come out of their pockets. It was an
effective deterrent.  Emily is very pleased that the day finally came
as is evedenced by her ready smile.

At work on Friday morning, the VP came around handing out envelopes
like Santa Claus at a Christmas party.  Apparently, our division had a
very good quarter and inside each envelope was a fresh Ben Franklin.
Not the Porches that the Mercury employees got (if you saw that in the
news) but not a bad way to start off the day.

Joy and I celebrated our twenty first wedding anniversary on Friday.
We share the date with my cousin Kendra and her husband Dan (who have
an extra year of wedded bliss - at 22 years).  Joy elected the Outback
Steakhouse for dinner until we got there and saw the line of people on
benches outside the establishment.  Rather than wait, we took our
business to Chili's up the road a bit.  (I think a bunch of others did
as well.)  Chili's has an Awesome Blossom, their answer to the
Outback's Bloomin' Onion.  The difference Chili's recipe has is a maze
flour base to their batter giving a hint of tortilla flavor to the
onion; different enough to like both restaurant's recipes on their own
merits.

Afterward, that extra century bill was burning a hole in my pocket and
we headed up to Costco to discount an electronics gadget I've had my
eye on for a few weeks.  I can rationalize that the new DVD player is
*our* anniversary gift, but I do not think Joy really appreciates the
value of such things until after they've shown themselves to be
worthwhile or to be albatrosses.  Sometimes, I just have to take a
chance on which it will be when I make such purchases.  She was
wonderfully acquiescent. (By the way, just so you know, I did not
leave her without a gift, but I confess that I gave it to her early,
upon my return from Phoenix.)

Emily and Jessica motored off to the district teen convention in
Nashua that night, leaving Andrew home alone.  I don't know but it
seems that we had much more trepidation about leaving our firstborn
home alone at this age than we do about the boy being home alone for
several hours with his can of ravioli.

Saturday morning was Joy's final push before the production of
"Dr. Newhart's Neckup Checkup", a musical drama performed by the
church children on Mother's Day.  The rehearsal went pretty well and
Joy had only a few reminders to print out for the next morning.

Later in the day, we all picthed in to spread one of the two piles of
mulch we ordered to get the Manor ready for all of our guests (you!).

The lilacs have come in an abundance this year and I've only dented
the crop by bringing in enormous bouquets to home, work, and church to
give away.  The rhubarb is ready for harvest as well, so if you have
interest, please come get some (I won't eat it!).  Joy and I walked
around to see what else we might expect and, with the weather
cooperating, it looks like we could see good crops on all of our
fruit-bearing plants.  We have yet to till and plant the vegetable
garden.

I think we will be ready for the BYOM (bring your own meal) crowd by
Memorial Day weekend.  For those who are new to the concept, BYOM is a
way to invite your family over for some fun and fellowship at the
Manor. We are definitely "open for business" on Sunday afternoons
between church services, but other times of the week are okay with us,
too, with a little more planning; call us.  There are a bunch of
activities that you can enjoy or just laze around if that's what you
prefer.  And depending on what is in season, there are crops to give
away.  By the way, we also have a bunch of different plants that can
be divided and transplanted into your yard.  Naturally, quantities may
vary but check with Joy before you go buying plants at a nursery; we
may have something you can use and it won't cost you more than a trip
to the homestead.

As usual, the musical was well-played and well-received.  Joy makes it
look easy to those who haven't seen the work and the patience required
to pull these productions together.  Joy is taking a much-needed break
from directing the musicals, though.  While she hasn't returned to the
days when her health was a bit of a crisis, there are signs that a
sabbatical is due.

The kids made dinner for Mother's Day.  I had called my mother on my
anniversary so that we could trade our convival congratulations.  My
mother lamented that Joy had married me before my mother was finished
with me.  My father said, "Oh, Helen, you know she's done a better job
with him than we would have!"  This is perhaps the truth; it has been
a wonderful 21 years and I hope for many many more. But, I love you,
too, Mom!  Thanks!!

Mark
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 Mark Metcalfe                                       ..::''''::..
 Cadence Design Systems, Inc.              .:::.   .;''        ``;.
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 metcalfe@cadence.com        (978) 446-6451           ``::,,,,::''   .|\.