Dear Sister Mary Ann: 1999-06-15
Hi there, Mary Ann.
Well, you got my address right. I just received your mail a few minutes ago.
Oh, things are gong pretty well here. I just got a 2.5% raise for taking on this Tech Lead position. That feels really nice because doing this work sets me up for the next promotion (which could be a 10% additional raise). Life is good. :–))
I just hired a new cleaning lady. She’ll give my place a thorough gong over (dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing, carpet spot removing, Etc.) once a month for $40. I’m tired of doing it myself and she’ll be a big help.
Working on setting up a personal web site. Just started playing with it yesterday. Looks fairly easy, although its complexity depends on how much you want to do with it. But I think it’s a good idea to have one. I hope to put my resume’ on it, a picture of me, and other information about myself. Will have to talk to Christine about it. She seems to know how to do it very well.
Really enjoyed the Memorial Day picnic at your house, although due to all that good eating, I gained a couple pounds. But it was worth it. Besides, I lost them already anyhow, and a couple more besides. The weight loss is going well. I’ve been walking lots of miles (about 50 last week), and learning about Philadelphia in the process.
Got a clean bill of health from the doctor last week at my yearly physical. He says that it would be okay for me to loose the 15 more pounds that I’d like to loose but recommends that I stop there (at 135 Lbs.). I have to go back and see him in a couple weeks to get the results of the blood work (cholesterol, sugar, Etc.). Not anticipating any problems.
Mom had mentioned about Jana’s party and how everyone enjoyed it. Sorry I missed it. But I can’t come home too often. I always gain weight when there. :–))
No, I won’t be able to make the friends’ picnic this year. I already have other plans for this Saturday. Going to an alumni picnic, dinner and dance at Overbrook School For The Blind here in West Philly.
Hope Tom isn’t negatively affected by the restructuring at his company. Most of them are harmless in my experience. But unfortunately, one never knows what will actually go down until, well, … it actually goes DOWN. :–)) Streamlining is a constant, never-ending process at companies these days, and will always be so as long as technologies are being invented that automate human tasks. I guess we just have to get used to it, although THAT may be impossible. No matter how many times I’ve been through a reorg, I still find myself feeling nervous about it just prior to it happening. The one redeeming fact about reorgs that seems to prevail at my company is that there is more work to be done AFTER the reorg, than before. I hope that neither of the reorgs at yours or Tom’s job hurt you.
Glad to hear that the kids are doing so well.
I will be away between July 17th and August 1st, 1999. You’re welcome to visit during any timeframe this summer, so long as it doesn’t fall within these days. The first 11 days of this will be spent at camp. And I will be at Mom’s for the rest of the time, from July 27th through August 1st.
Well, I’d better get back to work. Take it easy, and write back soon.