My contract will be extended another three months, providing me with continued employment into the new year. This news, combined with a couple of new and interesting projects, have made this a better week at work. Vacation was nice and re-entry was a bit of a jolt, but the work so far has been good.

This afternoon, Sandra will go with her parents to meet with the doctors who will perform her mother's surgery next week. After those meetings, there will be a family meeting with the surgeon, Sandra's parents and siblings, and sundry spouses. The family meeting will give folks a chance to learn about the procedure and recovery and to ask their own questions in their own words. Everyone is in a helpful and hopeful spirit.