I know it's been WAY too long since I've sent an update. When I have time off, I'm usually trying to catch up on my running or trying to relax. These kids can be exhausting. They're really great and I've got the boys saying "Check ya later" and "Excellent!", among other things like "please" and "thank you" of course. I attempted to start a blog to keep you all updated, but it didn't work out. At any rate, I'm still here in France. I am very (VERY VERY VERY) excited that my cousin Elisa and I are going to travel during my 2 weeks off when the family goes on vacation. We have our trip planned and places to stay and I'm very happy for her to come visit! If only there were more time... *sigh* I've been doing well here and have been training to run in yet another marathon. Yes, I'm a bit crazy, but, ya know. After the first one I said I would never do it again, then after the second I said the same thing, yet here I am training for another. I'm going to be running from Marathon to Athens, Greece with some friends and if things work out, I'll be spending almost all of November in Greece backpacking with my SF marathon running partner! Life is pretty good.

I do have some sad news. Geronimo isn't doing so well. He's been sick for quite sometime and just recently has begun to eat less and less, and is coughing more and more, a result of his heart murmer and fluid in his lungs. It's been a LONG, long road and one of the hardest decisions I've had to make, but next Saturday the 8th I'll be taking him to his final visit to the vet. Luckily, Elisa will be here with me to help me through, and I have another week after to come to grips with it some more until I join her for our "Elisa and Angela take over Europe" adventure. He's an old dog at almost 16 years old, and I've had him since I was 8 years old when "Santa" brought him for Christmas. It's definitely going to be hard. He's been a good dog, and an amazing companion as we've quite literally grown up and old together. From the days when he used to chase racoons up into trees when we lived by the park, to when he used to run away and come back (a bit tipsy maybe??) at 3am. He's been quite literally from coast to coast in the US and across the big pond to Europe. He came with us to the top of Mont Blanc, well almost to the top. He was there for our Italian adventure to Venice, Rome and Pisa in 3 days, and to the south of France when we've gone with the family. He's quite the traveled pooch and most people can't say they've been to as many places as G. These days, I don't think he's happy, other than his travels, so I'm glad that he'll not be in pain and he'll be happy again when he goes to be with God. To those of you who know him, please keep him in your thoughts and send him (and me) some good vibes to help us through.