Starting to hyperventilate a smidgeon

Updated: The Romance Junkies contest has started this week. If you happen to see a historical that you like (Hint, hint), you can go vote for it. I can’t say which one is mine but it “might” be up this week.

So it occurred to me yesterday that I do not have 2 weeks before Atlanta and 3 weeks before Ireland. I have one week. Why? Because I’m going down to Macon to visit my grandparents the week before. Which, I’m very excited about since I haven’t seen them in a few years. But at the same time, I’m mildly panicked. Because I haven’t finalized my Ireland itinerary.

I discovered that Ashland Castle would not let us have dinner there. For whatever reason, when the castle is filled, they won’t open the restaurant to anyone else. :loser: Which leads me to wonder why we should go visit?? Maybe we’d be better off taking a day on the Dingle Peninsula.

You know, it occurs to me that I’m the strangest dichotomy of organized and disorganized. I have a binder subdivided by each date with printouts of every B&B we’re staying in with detailed directions. But then, when it comes down to it, I often like to make my plans and then let the wind pull me where it will. I like having a bed to sleep in at night, but there are some places in Ireland where I truly don’t want to have plans. I’d like to just drive around (okay, scratch that–I’d like my HUSBAND to drive me around), stop when I feel like it, and in general have a good time.

I’d like to go horseback riding and fishing. I’d like to wander through shops and maybe buy a sweater that is too hot to wear in Virginia. I’d like to listen to a 90-year-old man tell me stories about the war in a pub.

Maybe we’ll run into a herd of sheep, caught in a road somewhere. Hopefully they won’t become mutton.

I will try my best to hunt down a few Internet cafes, if possible, and blog about my travels. Now I’m just down to finding B&Bs in Sligo, Trim, Mayo, and possibly Dingle if we change our plans. I started packing my suitcase for RWA Nationals next week because I will forget things otherwise. Like, oh, I don’t know…maybe the books I’m planning to pitch! Agh.

If you’re going to Nationals and would like to meet up with me at some point, e-mail me! I’ll pass along some contact info and maybe we can get some folks together for a Blog Party (aka the Gathering of Imaginary Friends).

Who here is going to Nationals?