Subject: Weekend Update: May 18-19
Date: Mon, 21 May 2001 12:22:59 -0400
From: Mark Metcalfe <metcalfe>
Organization: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

I took another Friday off to begin the tiling of the spa room.  I
had spent quite a bit of preparation time on the computer, playing
out variations on patterns and found that I needed to change out a
12x12 tile for two 6x12s to acheive symmetry. (Cutting it in half
would not acheive the same effect.)  A run to Home depot Thursday
night took care of that so we were ready to go first thing Friday
morning.  I thought I could do it in one day, but not so.  The
specialty tile and patterning were placed and replaced, adusting
a couple of inches this way, a fraction that way, measuring, and
remeasuring to ensure proper installation.  It took almost two
hours to get the decorative tile ready for cementing to the floor.
But it was worth it.  I am only 2/5 done but we are pleased with
how it is turning out already.  The final 3/5ths is a matter of
mud and place, with a few straight cuts here and there.  I only hope
I have legs to stand on when I am through.  Spending the entire day
on my knees cut the circulation to my lower legs and they still
have not recovered.  I hobbled about all weekend like I was wearing
two prosthetic legs.

On Saturday, I arose early to get to the Xayachack house to videotape
preparations for Tammy's wedding later that morning.  It turned
out that it was good for me to be the supplemental videographer because
my legs would not have withstood the rigors of rehearsal-to-reception
chronology.  (Either that or I simply would not have gotten to the
floor this past weekend).

Tammy was very calm and beautiful. Her Mom did well, until
Tammy put on the dress, then her eyes began to leak -  for joy,
I know - Phonesay and Debbie have never been more proud of their
little girl and of their new son-in-law.  My job, as supplemental-guy
was to be where the official video-taper was not so I got footage of
the bridesmaids in the anterroom before the ceremony, footage of
the Bride and father in the limosine (they took the camera for a
"private moment" - Tammy's dress had so many petticoats that she
had trouble stuffing into her limosine) and video greetings from
many of the guests at the reception.  It was a great celebration,
but when I got home, Joy and I laid down for just a few moments
and two hours later we arose from our nap.

The college girls return home on Thursday.  Miranda will be working
again at UPS after all, and Jessica will be a part-time nanny and
looking for additional part-time work, so I understand.

Andrew got his first run at cutting the grass on the riding lawn
mower Saturday evening.  I did all the edges and set him loose on
middles. Emily was off to another baby-sitting job - always in
demand at this age.  The pool is nearly ready for "brave" swimmers
(if you like cold mountain water) after a vacuuming and chemical
adjustment. The garden needs to get planted.  Joy, however, is
still on the slow track.

Joy had her six-week checkup last Wednesday.  Her doctor told Joy that
she was not quite healed up internally, that she had ruptured a few
stitches. Joy thinks it happened early on with a sneeze shortly
after her surgery.  The doctor said that Joy would have to come back
in two weeks for another exam and then added with mock worry, "Mark
isn't going to let the air out of my tires, is he?"  We've come
this far... and Joy says she's feels better than she has in years...
so what's another two weeks? :-}

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