I’ve been intensively studying A1 French in my current camp east of Antwerp, as I’ll be entering Wallonia next week and then France soon after that. I wonder what French people sound like when they have a stuffed nose.

I got a flu shot last week and have been feeling sick since the day after the shot. It feels strange, all the annoyances of being sick without feeling like I’m oozing contagiousness out of every pore.

I’m more annoyed I am unwell enough to go on some hikes. The leaves from all the trees are falling real quick now and I wanted to enjoy the last bits of fall colours. I also want to gather some forest leaves to use as leaf little in my terrariums at home. Leaves far from pesticides. The things I try to do for my little gecko.

Speaking of her, it’s been just over a week now since she’s begun eating again and she’s hungry. I have her outside play area fenced off in my room but I have no idea if she comes out at night during this time of year or just chills in her hiding cave. During the spring and summer time she just wants to explore my whole room and hide under the couch but right now it seems she turned into a hungry little gremlin that just comes out for food. I’ve also noticed with her that she seems more comfortable with me year after year. Even if just a little bit. She still hates hands though so it’s still a struggle attempting to handle her. At least she has a cute little face.

Our 5 year old cat is experiencing kidney failure, and we have no idea why. We can’t think of a way he could have gotten access to any of the things on the list of substances that would cause that, and he’s so young. They have him on fluids right now, but we’re not sure if he’s going to make it. His numbers were really bad.

We live abroad and have family visiting. We are exhausted. I’m not saying it is bad it is just… Too much sometimes.

another weekend, another fast CAT event! jean did her two runs perfectly (no trying to bite the releaser), which solidifies my thought that the people the weekend before were handling her too roughly. she got to wear her fancy new collar with the handle, which may have helped, too. echo actually ran a couple of times (1/2 distance the first time), but she didn’t really know what was going on, haha. i figure i’ll do a few more practice runs with her before i start entering her “for real.”

echo also starts her first rally obedience class tonight! i’m really excited, even though its from 8-9pm (so laaaate).

i’m just about done with the border collie rescue website (pro-bono work), and i’ll be sure to share that once it’s live. lots of cute dog pictures there. :)