A cabin in the big woods.

We booked a cabin for the weekend of my birthday, back home in the Allegheny National Forest. We couldnt get one at our usual place because I waited too long and they were all booked up. This one looks really nice, though. Not nearly as rustic as what we usually have. The only bummer is its not on the river. We're going to have a bbq there on the 29th and on the 30th we're going to go canoeing and hiking, something fun like that. I havent spent any time in those woods during the summer in years. We usually go in October.

I sent out invites last night, but I doubt anyone from up here will be able to go- and I dont expect them to, its a long way. It will be mainly my family and friends back home.

Im excited, it should be much fun!

Diana Gabaldon at the Fergus Highland Games

I have been a rabid Diana Gabaldon fan for about thirteen years now. Her Outlander books are by far my favourite books ever. I'm really lucky in that she often comes to the Fergus Highland Games for book signings, and we go to the Highland Games every year.

She is coming this year, and I'm really excited because I'm going to see if I can get her to sign a photo that I took last year of some standing stones near Inverness, Scotland. I believe that these are the standing stones from her book, and I'm curious to ask her if they are. The location is exactly as described inOutlander.

I will take pictures again this year, and post them here for my fellow DG fans. ;-)

For anyone who has not read these books, here is a simple review that describes the first book in the series.

-Outlander
-Dragonfly in Amber
-Voyager
-Drums of Autumn
-The Fiery Cross
-A Breath of Snow and Ashes
-An Echo in the Bone (coming September 2009)

-You can visit Diana's website here.

Do not mistake these books for romance novels- they are absolutely not. They are historical fiction, and the best I have found as of yet. They are not just for women, Ive met men who really like them too.

A big part of why I like them so much is because of my fascination with my own Scottish heritage. I drink up anything to do with Scotland. But even if you dont have that attachment to them, they are truly amazing books.

Read, and enjoy!

Aye, it's a big one....

So, shortly and quickly approaches my big 30th (ahem... I mean, my big 25th) birthday...

I go back and forth between wanting to celebrate it, and hiding away in dread of it. I completely appreciate that I have made it to thirty in good health and happiness, that I have an amazing husband and wonderful life with him, and that I have pretty much done everything I have set out to do so far in my life.

It's just that there is something so damn depressing about leaving my twenties behind. I think this is probably very normal, but knowing that doesn't make things any better. However, I do realize that these big events are going to occur whether I want them to or not and so I am working on just getting over it. :-I

So, the question now is to celebrate or not? At first I said no, but I am thinking a little differently now that its getting closer. I really wanted to go to the Caribbean over my birthday but it turns out that is hurricane season. As far as I know, the plan is to go maybe in October or November.

I am thinking now of getting a cabin in Pa for that weekend and having a party there for whoever can come, and spend the weekend hiking and canoeing like the good old days. So, at this point that is the plan. I havent contacted the cabins yet, so hopefully one will be free.

I will let people know as soon as I get things a little more put together.

A very sunburned little yankee doodle dandy....

We went to Pa last weekend for a 4th of july family picnic. Even though I often hate being around the human population of Pa, I will always love Pa itself. It will always be home in my heart. I will be posting pictures on my web gallery as soon as I can.

We always end up eating too much when we go down to the states... but you cant help it. You are surrounded by so many wonderful awful bad for you, but so yummy, treats. I dont know if its because Ive been away for so long, but I swear the whole world revolves around food down there. You cant go into a gas station or convenience store without all your senses being assaulted by some sort of deliciousness.

The family thing went really well. Its always nice to see everyone again. I got a really bad sunburn playing basketball with the boys, though. Ouch.. second one this summer, and you would think I would learn by now. I dont know where my head is sometimes, but apparently not on sunblock. I hadnt even packed it.

There isnt alot else new at the moment. Im looking at getting another piercing, but not sure how well that will go on the work front. Its another facial one, so Im thinking- not very well.
Heather and I are going to see about our tattoos next week, so hopefully I can get at least one of them this summer.

Getting excited about Harry Potter coming out next week! This is the first sign of excitement Ive felt so far. lol I think we'll wait and see it on the weekend, though, because my early bedtime dictates everything I do during the week.

Will write again as soon as I have something worth writing aboot.