Tag, I'm It

Two lovely ladies have tagged me in that eleven questions meme that's been wending its way about the blogosphere.  Given that I have a million things going on in my life and no idea how to begin putting them into words, it seems the perfect timing to just sit back and let other people come up with the topics.  I'm changing the rules a bit, but here's how it's supposed to go:

1) You must post the rules.
2) Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3) Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.
4) Tag eleven people and link them on your post
5) Let them know you’ve tagged them!

There, rules are posted, but in lieu of posting eleven things about myself, then answering eleven questions twice over, I'll just answer the two sets of questions.  And I'm not tagging anyone.  I'm in a rebellious mood.

First up from Kate who is 34 weeks pregnant and could probably still beat me in a race:

1. Where do you sit when you blog?
On my sofa with my feet propped up on our storage ottoman/coffee table.  I have a well worn corner of the sofa that necessitates flipping cushions around to disperse my butt prints.

 

2. What's your hot drink of choice?
Hot tea, preferably of the breakfast or chai variety, with a healthy dose of cream.

3. When did you get your driver's license?
Nineteen.  I chose to be chauffeured around by family and friends for as long as possible.

4. Which toiletries are you "brand loyal" in relation to?
I have a favorite brand or type for most everything.  I'm pretty particular about my beautification process. 

5. What accounts for the biggest proportion of your grocery budget?
Hmm... I actually have no idea.  Probably meat since it's so expensive, but I don't really eat it that often, especially when Colby is away.  Maybe cheese, actually.

6. Are there any authors whose books you will automatically buy?  If so, who?

I don't know that I would automatically buy them, but I would certainly automatically read anything by Carol Goodman, Kate Morton, Philippa Gregory, and Elizabeth Kostova.

7. Do you still read the paper newspaper?
No.  But to be fair, I never did.

8. Be honest- do you like McDonalds?

Yes.  I hang my head in shame.  I do love me a two cheeseburger or quarter pounder with cheese meal a couple times a year.  Those french fries, man.  I don't care if there's formaldehyde in there, they are fantastic.

 

9. Do you prefer crosswords or sudoku? Or do you hate 'em both?
I love doing crosswords, but I mainly do them when I'm at Colby's parents' house.  It's my morning ritual there.  Tea and a crossword puzzle at the kitchen table.  I have never been able to get the hang of sudoku.

 

10. What is your least favourite household chore?
Cleaning the bathrooms.  Loathe.

 

11. If I told you my birthday, could you tell me my star sign?
Not a clue.

And secondly, Melissa, who is adorable and never fails to make me smile when she posts.  If it is possible for perkiness to seep through a computer screen, she pulls it off. 

1. What are your biggest pet peeves, not including traffic issues? (We all have traffic issues.)
People talking in movie theaters.  Good LORD, I hate that.  Other than road ragey moments, this is one of the few times when I will openly glare at you without reservation.

2. If you could go on an all-expense paid vacation & take one person, who would you take & where would you go?
I would absolutely love to go to Russia, and of course I'd take my charming husband along.

 3. If you could do anything you wanted for your next birthday, what would you do? (Money is no object & everything is okay to eat!)

Dinner on Ile St. Louis in Paris, ice cream at Berthillion followed up by a midnight ascent of the Eiffel Tower with the twinkly lights on.

 

4. What is your favorite play or musical? If you do not have one, how are we friends? (Totally kidding. I don't watch football, it all evens out!)
Hmmm, this is difficult.  Wicked is a pretty strong front runner.  But Phantom is a much longer time love.

 

4. What are some of your favorite girl names? Favorite boy names?
My lips are sealed!  (There are two number fours!  Bonus points.)

 

5. What is the biggest lesson you have learned in life?
Never give up.

 

6. What is your favorite recipe? (Link please!)
My mom's spaghetti sauce... I'd tell you, but I'd have to kill you.

 

7. What is the last book you read? Did you enjoy it?
I just finished Philippa Gregory's The Lady of the Rivers, and I'm almost finished Pat Conroy's Prince of Tides.  Both are highly recommended!

 

8. Who is your favorite author or speaker?
Favorite author is either Margaret Mitchell or L.M. Montgomery.  I don't really follow any speakers closely.

 

9. Which bloggie friends do you hope to meet in real life?
There are so many.  I'd love to meet Melissa and think there's a pretty good chance of it happening some day since she's real life friends with my little sis. 

10. What is your nervous habit?
I bite my lips, fold my hands really tightly.

11. What do you hope will happen (that could happen!) in 2012?
Well, I guess the most obvious is a run in with a stork of the baby delivering type.  But other than that, I just really hope we find a wonderful house in Germany and that the move goes as smoothly as possible.