Ra-ra-ra-random!!!

I've been tagged by the one and only Vodka Mom! If you haven't checked out her blog, you really must. She's a hoot and a half.

And now I must list SEVEN random facts about myself. Up-front warning: these will not be anywhere near as outlandish as Vodka Mom's. Because, well, she is more wild and crazy than I am. Now, don't you really want to check out her blog?!

Okay. Here goes:

1. I've been engaged THREE times. To three different people. Each one was a different nationality. But they all had one thing in common: blue eyes!

2. I have Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. It's true. A doctor told me. This is a useful device at cocktail parties when you want people to move away from the snacks. While standing within sneezing distance of the food, I announce, "Hi! My name is Barrie, and I have ETD." (Okay. Maybe I haven't actually used this ploy...yet. But I just might this Friday when I'm at DH's big fancy schmancy company holiday party. They always serve really fine appetizers.)

3. My fave foods are: diet coke, red licorice, black licorice. Other than that, I'm a pretty healthy eater. Seriously.

4. A long time ago, in a faraway place, I worked in marketing for 7UP Canada. During this time, I met Wayne Gretzky who was our corporate sponsor. You're probably all wondering if he was one of the guys mentioned in #1. Keep on wondering, folks...

5. One of my kids has webbed toes. DH (Darling Husband) and I each have a great great great feathered grandmother with wings and a pronounced bill. Kidding. Although webbed toes do run in both our families. (Probably more in his as I'm loathe to admit to genetic abnormalities.)

6. Once upon a time, I dated a French Canadian who saved his ear wax for art projects. He was very definitely not part of #1.

7. Did you notice that Child #3 hacked into my blog? Check out my new-and-improved (?) profile!

Choose this award.                                   Or this award.

Or you can be like me and choose both. I'm just that way. Delightfully indecisive.

Here are the rules:
1. Do five jumping jacks
2. Balance on one foot.
3. Call a friend to say hi.
4. Take a hot bath.
5. Hug your kid or your dog.
6. Post seven (or whatever you have time for) random things about yourself.

Then, choose your award(s) and i.d. five people (or whatever) for the meme. Oh yeah, and let the people know you chose them. Oh yeah, and link back to me.

Here's who I'm i.d.'ing (in alpha order). Check them out. I think you'll really enjoy what these bloggers have to say.

Cheaper Than Therapy because we can all use some therapy at this crazy time of year! Her blog is grrrreat!
Don Mills Diva because she lives where I'm from. Plus you'll love her blog!
Eileen Cook--We're agent-sisters; she's really, really funny (no pressure there, Eileen); she's an American living in Canada, and I'm a Canadian living in the U.S. And she's the type everyone wants to hang out with!
Just a Plane Ride Away because she's far from home and makes all sorts of interesting observations. Not to mention her incredible photographic skills!
Laughing Wolf--He's a crazy blogger. You just never what strange bits of info he'll post up.

EXACTLY SIX DAYS (INCLUDING ALL DAY THURS) UNTIL THE RELEASE OF I SO DON'T DO MYSTERIES!

First off, BIG 2k8 news. It's Marissa Doyle's launch week. She's written a terrific historical YA, Bewitching Season. I'm reading it right now. Marissa's one of those people who writes well, knows a ton, is super fascinating, and you just know you'll click with in real life. I've really enjoyed getting to know her online. Anyway, here's a link to the Class of 2k8 blog where Marissa's posting all week long.



Second, I've been tagged by JaneyV at Whittering On. First meme, and quite possibly the last, I've ever done. I couldn't say no to Janey because she's so delightful and I love her blog. She tells it like it is. Plus, she's got a wicked sense of humor. I think I was also tagged for this meme ages ago by my good friend Maureen McGowan who is an excellent writer and does fab film reviews too. And lives two blocks from one of my sisters. Which is very weird considering Maureen and I met online and don't even live in the same country.

Anyway, here goes. Six random things about myself. (At least, they're not asking for six INTERESTING random things. I'd be up all night, racking my brains!)

1. If allowed, I will eat licorice until sick.
2. I don't like tea bags with strings.
3. I will never ever go whale watching on a boat again.
4. I'm not the least bit athletic, but my children are. Very.
5. I'm negligent about opening mail. This is not good for bill paying. Just ask San Diego Gas & Electric.
5. I'm going to Canada this summer for a long time. But it won't be long enough.

Okey dokey. That was less painful than I was expecting. Now for the fun part.

Rubbing hands gleefully, I tag:

the mystery starts here
doggybloggy
Deborah Dale
just another day
Nancy Viau

And, last, but certainly not least, I tag Brian-Ohio, who said mean mean things on his blog about my chameleons. (I really do forgive you, Brian.)

Here are the meme rules:

a. Link to the person who tagged you.
b. Post the rules on your blog.
c. Write six random things about yourself.
d. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
e. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.
f. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

I know how busy life can get, so meme if you have time, peeps. Except Brian because this is his penance. :)

In other news, today marks the release of two books I'll definitely pick up: Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr and One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.