So, about that GiveAway??

Don't know if any of you remember this, but I work for a DNA company called GeneTree.

Sometimes when I say I work for GeneTree, people think is a clothing store..selling... jeans..


...at least people who can't spell think that............Genes??...Jeans...??

So anyway, we do DNA testing for deep ancestral lineages and may be able to connect you with possible genetic cousins from around the world. Just think....

"Where Has Your DNA Been?"

• Discover your recent and ancient origins
• Find new DNA cousins
• Verify or disprove suspected relationships
• Break through genealogy brick walls

We are in partnership with the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (try explaining that mouthful on the phones- I had to practice saying it and now can rattle if off quite quickly, thankyouverymuch..)

The realm of DNA testing in genealogy is amazing. One can literally see the migration patterns of your ancestors and how you came to be you. And you may even discover you have some long lost (and hopefully rich and good looking) relatives.

Well, I'd settle for rich..we Irish already have the "good looking" thing down ...hubba hubba..

Anyway, we are going to give one lucky person a free DNA test with all the fun that goes along with our site, www.genetree.com !

You can have your family tree listed, photos, new branches for your family to access, contacts of people matching your DNA that may hold valuable insights to your past, and many educational and fun links.

And, you may just get to speak to me in Customer Service..oww yeah! uh-huh, now you're talkin'..

The test can be for a woman to determine her maternal lineage (mtDNA or mitochondrial) or for a man to test his YDNA for the paternal side of the line. ( a man also carries HIS mother's mtDNA and you can choose that test as well..)

...women don't carry the Y chromosome, so we don't have the YDNA markers - only males - passing it from father to son all the way down. Bummer, huh? ..

So, it's your choice!

Well, not that you have a choice in DNA, but you get to choose who in your family gets tested..

That'd be cool to"choose" your DNA.."I'll have some of that Angelina Jolie DNA and a side of Merely Streep, please."

Talk about "Recycled Relatives"...

The kit's value is $179.00 and the rules are simple......

1. Go to www.genetree.com and look around (you don't have to join right then...although it's free to join..and well, the price is right..and it's free...did I mention it doesn't cost to join?? allrighty then..)

2. In the comments section of my blog, let me know what your very first impression is...and this is important...be completely honest. We are always on an improvement path and VALUE all feedback. (corporate speak)

As long as it positive..(corporate desire)

nah..I'm just messin' with ya...tell us how you really feel.

...or to be more exact...not how you feel as in "Gee I have this headache.."..no, more like.. what do you THINK about the site...is it user friendly? Does it make you want to know more? You know..boss-type stuff...for the boss....

( I had Nothing to do with that part, so you won't be hurting my feelings..and you know..how I feel is what it's all about anyway..)

3. If you win the test kit, you must pinky-promise that once your results are in, you will blog about the experience, good or.............?? OK.....just good

That's it! And then, you may be able to say..

Top 10 Reasons to Test Your DNA - David Letterman-style:

10. So you can tell your friends you are now an expert on DNA and have been asked to join the cast of.... CSI: Whereverrr...

9. Instead of asking "What's your sign?" in a bar, you can say, "What's your haplotype?"

8. Prove once and for all that you ARE TO related to the Queen of Geneovia , or France, or England, or the Queen of Mean..oh..wait..that was another Queen..probably don't want to be related to her..except at the reading of the will...if you were her dog..her kids? Not so much..

7. So you can prove that your compulsion to buy excessive amounts of shoes IS in your genes, therefore, you are not responsible.

6. The characters in Twilight/True Blood start becoming much more of a plausible theory due to genetic enhancement you are now becoming a believer in.....(that whole "a little bit of knowledge is dangerous" thing..)

5. Resting in the knowledge that no matter how messed up your family is at the Thanksgiving table, is it not due to in-breeding..

4. Becoming more and more confident that geneticists and geno-typers are the un-sung heroes of genetic genealogy..and that they were probably not in the principle's office for screwing around in biology class..and that "genealogist" is just another name for stalker.."we seek dead people..."

3. Can answer the question "What is: Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid" on Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader..

2. Will be able to explain the difference between the NRA , DNA and the ATF to crazy Uncle Earl with the plate in his head...

and finally..

{drum roll please.....}

ddadadadadadadadadaddadaadaadumdumdum..

1. To say with complete and utter confidence, that no, you are NOT descended from wolverines...even though you think your family has werewolves.....'cause Colleen in Customer Support said so...(from an actual call today..yeeeah..seriously..)

So don't wait! Enter today and on my 60th birthday on October 6th, (whew! I'm only party evil..) we will randomly choose a winner with a high-tech and extremely expensive, throwing all budgetary consideration to the wind.. drawing out of a bowl in the office lunch room..on the 7th..when I come back from my Chicago birthday present :-)

(no, I'm not actually getting Chicago for my birthday....a trip out there (and back) from my kids and grandkids..)

Have fun! I know I will...

-me
**anyone know of a good tattoo parlor in Chicago? It is my 60th you know...**