Mom and Dad visit California, October 2001
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Dad begins the huge project of removing the deck and reinforcing it, for the coming hot tub, by sawing some lumber used in the reinforcement.
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The redwood deck is opened up - quite a feat - Dad had to carefully pry up each individual 2x4 redwood plank.
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Dad stands next to the deck job.
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Never give up! Just because the sun has gone down, that's no reason to abandon the deck job.
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Dad unearths the gas valve - a vital step, since the hot tub is gas heated.
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On to the next part of the hot tub project: Dad pours the cement slab that acts as the base for the heater, pump and filter. Here he is preparing to mix and add a new bag to the existing wet slab.
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Dad waters the cement! I know, I know, it's part of turning it into gloop.
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A slanted shot - one of many - showing Dad mixing the cement with a hoe and wheelbarrow borrowed from a friendly neighbor, Moe. The hoe is actually a specialized cement mixing tool, I believe.
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Another shot of Dad mixing the cement!
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And another!
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The last shot of Dad mixing cement. I guess I found this a fascinating step of the overall process!
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Here is Dad filling the cement slab with another bag's worth of cement. It surprised him, as he didn't think he'd end up using as much cement as he did.
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Dad spreads the cement ...
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... and then smoothes it out.
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Mom is writing a friend, on a sunny day, in the dining room.
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Annikin puts herself squarely between the flowerpot and the watering can - nothing like a tight spot to see as a challenge!
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The base of the hot tub goes in - somewhere around Oct 12 or thereabouts.
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Philip, the main person who did the hot tub installation.
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The 3 workers: Dad, Philip and the other person whose name escapes me now.
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The hot tub is still under construction, but it is beginning to look like a hot tub!
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Esa Cate works at my iMac (for a liberal definition of work!)
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Steve Cate enjoys the skychair that they gave me a year ago as a wonderful birthday present.
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Evan Cate also loves the skychair.
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Evan is working on constructing his candle.
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Esa with her candle.
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Evan with HIS candle!
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Dad and Marianne inaugurate the lovely robes from the rest of the kids (birthday present in 2000) before inaugurating the hot tub itself.
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Dad standing (inexplicably?) in hot tub.
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The official inauguration of the tub, with both of us in - and by some odd coincidence, it's October 17, 2001!
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Miriam invited us to her Oktoberfest in Palo Alto, California.
Annikin, the most spoiled cat on the planet (I think.) Who else gets treats from the deli?!
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A busy workman in overalls also has to make many phone calls.
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Ian and Nika Woodfill, ages 2 and 4 - my good friends Karin and John's kids.
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Ian loves Annikin, although only Annikin can say if this is mutual.
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My good friend Karin Meyer, who I met in 1985, in grad school in Seattle.
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My next door neighbors, Mike and Nancy Lee, join us for a night in the hot tub.
Marianne Mueller
Last modified: December 14, 2001