Newbery Honors

My friend, yes really, my friend was awarded a Newbery Honor yesterday for her book Rules. She was also awarded Schneider Family Book Award.

In case you were wondering, "The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences."

Now I must admit, I was not surprised at all. Thrilled, YES! Surprised, no. You may remember me telling you all about it back before it was even published. And again a month later when I had read the ARC's (advanced reader copies) she had sent me.

If you'd like to check out her blog, you can go here. She tells all about hearing the news. And, you'll be able to tell how fabulous she really is when you read her daily musings. She is not only a phenomenal writer but a cheerleader for other writers, a fabulous critiquer - insightful and kind. She is just a wonderful, kindhearted woman in every respect that you would all love to have as a friend.

So, go, buy the book and enjoy!

Mother Nature

The sun, the ice, the beauty of it all almost made me cry on the way home. And no, I'm not premenstral.

What did I do? Rush home, grab the camera, quick change of clothes and ran out the door.

As I drove down the street the clouds came in, the snow started flying and the world darkened.

I chased the small bit of sunlight in the distance. It was that beautiful. I had to capture it. As soon as I stepped out of the car? Clouds, snow, darkness.

So I went home. And 30 minutes later? The sun was back. I stepped outside with the camera and the clouds rushed in.

When the sun showed itself again I grabbed the camera and made due out the front door... then the clouds rushed in.

Damn Mother Nature.

Updated to add: Photos on the photoblog

The Poor Penguins

An article on MSN caught my eye this morning and I sent the link to my husband. I sent it to him because this type of thing always leaves me outraged and stunned. The world is so messed up and people just continue to surprise me with this type of behavior.

The ensuing IM was very funny and I wanted to post it here (even though in the past this type of thing has failed miserably) but my subconscious saved you all and I closed the window before copying it. That coupled with the fact I never have the computer save my conversations has put a damper on the whole thing. But! I will not be stopped (even though part of my brain is screaming to do just that).

So...

I may have mentioned that people are idiots and my husband may have mentioned that some people may think I'm an idiot. Then he brought up something about people's morals and how not everyone is willing to let things that go against their beliefs...

It was at this point that I interrupted him with something about people being morally against gay penguins. Then the conversation degenerated into him laughing and me making comments about all the gay penguins being sinners and how they were all going to hell.

It was funny. Trust me. Unless you're morally against gay penguins.

Sorry, it's all I got.

Where I tell all...

Ah ha! Someone asked and now I tell...

1. The worm farm: A friend was designing PR materials for a worm farm and needed photos of worms and worm poop. So that is the worm farm story. Odd and actually interesting (they sell to golf courses, landscapers & hotels and such). Worm poop - help your garden grow. Also, it is unbelievably hard to light worms and their poo. Really. Although, I must point out that lighting is not my strong suit and it's been about a million years since I was in school. It falls under the category of "I know it can be done - just not by me." That was really my mantra in college. I knew my visions could be realized and I knew people who could pull them off. I just wasn't one of them. Add this to the list of reasons I never made it in photography.

2. The wooden ax: For those not in the know (everyone but family and CursingMama), TJ threw a wooden ax at AJ in anger. Apparently they were playing war with some of the neighborhood kids and AJ "shot" his brother. TJ did not want to be shot so he threw the item in his hand. That happened to be a wooden ax from the Renaissance Festival. After turning and ducking, AJ got beaned in the back of the head. He now has 1 stitch (yes, just one) which I forgot to take him to get removed yesterday. I know, you are stunned by my superior parenting.

The punishment for that act was being my slave for a couple of days. The house was quite clean and the child learned to do laundry but alas, such slave owning is quite time consuming so it had to end. Also, the best punishment was when they both came into the house to tell on/defend TJ and AJ removed his hands from the back of his head. Head wound = horror movie amounts of blood. They both screamed as if they had lost an appendage at the exact same time. Here it should be noted that TJ's not so good with the blood thing. It took me longer to calm down his hysterical crying, dry heaving and hyperventilating then it did to calm the injured party. He is still visibly shaken when the incident is mentioned.

3. DKM: Anyone who has been around since last year my already know this one. Dropkick Murphys. We bought tickets this year. And - I am officially old. I loved the show but it was so loud that the lyrics were unintelligible and a couple of songs just degenerated into noise. See - OLD. But the bagpipes rocked and that is when I decided more men should wear kilts.

4. Knitting: This was not on the list but I'm putting it here anyway. I've been knitting. And frogging. A lot of frogging. My nonexisitent sock (see "lots of frogging"). And now a new purse. I love knitting purses. And I love this yarn. The warmth and felting ability of wool without the allergy medication needed to work with it.

All in all I'm horrifically stressed. Too many things coming up too fast and no money to smooth the transitions. GAH! Now to reschedule the stitch removal!

Best Lines Ever

Addison: "I need the day off."

Dr. Webber: "What for?"

Addison: "For drinking."

Made Me Smile*

The Violent Femmes doing a cover of "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" by Culture Club.

*subtitle: Yes, a HUGE grin. While driving myself to work this a.m.