SIx on Saturday (November 19)

1. I think I've mentioned the What Should I Read Next podcast before, but if not, here is official notice that this podcast has become a must-listen for me. This week the podcast aired a 5-part series on kid and YA literature, and Camden and I both have enjoyed making a new list of must-read books. Camden and Rory have slowed down on recreational reading in recent months, but I think this will get them back on track.

2. Thanksgiving break could not come quickly enough. We are limping along, and I am looking forward to a break.

(after school Thursday afternoon)

3. Camden's official basketball debut was . . . uneventful? Uneventful isn't totally true since all 4 games were nail biters, but he didn't play. Not surprising since he and the 2 other 7th graders are low men on the totem pole. It was still fun to watch, and he looked official. I did not take a single picture.

(from tip-off last week)

4. My parents were here for a visit this week, and I did not take a picture. Again. Which means I don't have photographic evidence of the fact that Camden was *not* taller than my dad when they visited last month, but has now passed him up. I cannot get over how tall he is.

(notice where his shoulder is in relation to my face!) 

5. The Lewises have been passing around sore throats and colds this week. I spent 2 days with absolutely no voice. As a result, I canceled my scheduled activities for Friday and worked around the house completing all domestic chores so that we could have free time today. Last night we made pizza and watched The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings. All 1600 hours of it. Today, Camden is working on a team building community project planting 82 trees at his school; Brian is spending the morning at a local coffee shop working on lesson plans so he doesn't have to work during Thanksgiving break; Rory and I are having ourselves a little shopping trip so she can spend the birthday money burning a hole in her pocket.

6. We've been waiting for scan and bloodwork results, and when they finally came in late Wednesday night, they were not as good as we hoped. How *not good* they are remains to be seen, but the wording from the radiologist was definitely different and unfortunately included phrases such as "new spots," "increased size," and "lymph nodes." I see Dr. C on November 28 to discuss how we want to proceed. Big sigh. There's always something to be thankful for: I am feeling physically better than I have in a while and my mind has been at peace, even after the news.