Subject: Weekend Update: May 11-13
Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 14:05:03 -0400
From: Mark Metcalfe <metcalfe>
Organization: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

Joy is making very good progress, even pitching in on several lighter
chores throughout the weekend.  She is being careful to build her
stamina a bit at a time but we are both very encouraged.  She gets her
6-week check up on Wednesday and we hope we're clear sailing from here
on out.

I took advantage of a lean schedule at work and the 5-star New England
weather on Friday to create a three-day weekend and catch up on some of
the chores around the house.  We made good strides towards getting the
Manor ready for summer visits.  Andrew has been after us to open the
pool but we were unclear as to how well he understand that undertaking.
Much to his relief, we began that endeavor, removing the green cover
to expose the green water.  Not to worry, though, because we're almost
blue already and will soon have it clean enough for crazy people to
want to jump into (and jump right out of) its frigid embrace.

The spa room is also nearing completion.  Jim and another worker came
over to build the stairs; it is excellent to have egress to the pool and
garden from the spa room.  He also laid down mortar board in preparation
for me to tile the room.  So, Joy and I visited the Home Depot on
Friday,
where we should be earning frequent buyer miles.  The van looked a bit
droopy in the drawers when we loaded the material into the back of it.
I hope to get that job done this week.  Tiling the floor and painting
the
outside are the remaining big jobs for the room and then we can cross
it off the list.

Jessica brought home her boyfriend.  (I suppose I can use that word
now, since she has been using the "dating" word for a while.)  She
was a tad concerned that it would be awkward for David Young (the
young man's name) because he and I would be sizing each other up
the whole weekend.  I put that fear to rest within a few minutes
telling David that we should just get the sizing out of the way up
front.  I produced a tape measure and reckoned his height at 69 inches.
When I started to measure his width at the shoulders, he extended his
arms.  I said, "No, no.  Fold your arms.  Your arms won't fit in the box
like that!"  I hope I broke the ice enough for my girl.  I asked
Jessica privately if he was treating her right and of course she
agreed.  I said "Good, because 'Jessica' means 'wealthy one' so you
are my treasure and he'd better treat you right."  (I was asking the
family where they might like to go for a family vacation.  David
suggested Virginia, which is where his home is.  Hmmm...)

Miranda also came home for Mother's Day and so it was a very good day
for us all.  She is working hard on wrapping up the semester at school
and making plans for summer work and the next task of student teaching.

On Saturday, Joy and I celebrated our 22nd anniversary by going out
to dinner before picking Miranda up at ENC later that evening.  We were
married on a Saturday with Mother's Day following, which made for some
extra keen rememberances as the day passed.  Better than wedding
pictures,
we'd say things about the day 22-years ago like, "Right about now I
asked
Faith, 'Now that we're married, what do we do?' [She replied,] 'Just
pretend you're single and it will all come naturally!'"  (She sent us
a card that I have a mind to implement and send her the picture!)

At dinner, I surprised Joy with a gift certificate.  She'll spend part
of a day at a salon or spa getting her hair done, a facial, massage,
manicure, and pedicure.  Revealing my plans to some co-workers one
quipped, "Which anniversary is it where you let some other guy massage
your wife for an hour?"  Maybe if I got paid like these people do, I'd
do most of these things myself!  Just kidding!  I wouldn't do most of
those things myself if you paid me!  Really just kidding, now.  I'd do
some of them for free.  So why am I paying for it!?  Well, because the
gift was very well-received.  In addition, Linda Magnuson got a
Christmas certificate to the same place so the "girls" will get to
schedule a time together.  Bonus!

I called Mom early on Mother's Day, to let her know that I love her
but I still didn't buy her a card.  (My own wife didn't get a card to
go with her gift!  Cards are really too commercialized, unless you're
FAITH who we know turns 50 this year!  You'll get yours, sweetie!)
Emily framed a picture of her and Joy for Joy.  Those are always a
good bet!

Mark
--
+---_-----------+ Mark Metcalfe, metcalfe@cadence.com
| c a d e n c e | Cadence Design Systems, Inc.    Phone: (978) 446-6451
+---------------+ PCB Systems Division, Technical Communications Manager