The Mostyn-Thomas Journal has been nominated for another award!

Many belated thanks to fellow blogger Debbie Young, who nominated me for The One Lovely Blog Award. I’m very touched – thanks Debbie!

When you are nominated for this award, you have to a. thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog; b. tell others seven random things about yourself; and c. nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

So without further to-do, here we go:

Seven Random Things About Me

1. Following his assassination attempt in 1981, I wrote to Pope John Paul II offering to support him in his recovery. He wrote back with a typed thankyou letter and a signed postcard.
2. I visited three American states with one other school-friend when I was 18 – the first time I’d ever been outside Europe without my family.
3. I am a stone heavier than before I had children – and 1 1/2 stones heavier than before I met N. Go figure.
4. I once had a family doctor called William Shakespeare.
5. Both Miles and I are of Polish and Welsh descent – but we didn’t meet in either Wales or Poland. Instead, we met via the UK Deaf Community.
6. I don’t tan easily.
7. I have only ever been employed twice – as an arts project manager, and a retail shop assistant. I have spent the rest of my working life as a freelance.

My 15 Nominated Bloggers

Now that I’ve listed them, my pick of the bunch looks like a mix of deaf bloggers, mum bloggers, parents of disabled children and writerly types, but one thing they do have in common: they’re all absolutely lovely to read. Go on, you know you want to.

Deafauntie - practical, often witty, and on-the-nail advice given to deaf people and those who live or work with them

Just Bring The Chocolate – a beautifully written journal that aims to show you both ‘the beautiful and ugly side’ of extreme parenting

Cats And Chocolate – chocolate again! I had the pleasure of being interviewed by fellow deaf writer Lizzie Ward recently. This is her blog – and a great read it is too

Zoe Strimpel – well-researched and convincing polemic on women’s issues from a gender studies student, author and journalist

insanityofmotherhood – hilarious conversations between a mum and various members of her family that chime with reality

BabberBlog – sharp, common-sense observations on life from a first-time dad

Life Is Full of Contradictions - speaking on political and cultural issues like a true (lefty) Brit

The London Column - fascinating in-depth analysis of London 1951-2011 from writers, poets and photographers

BLOOM – a hidden gem of a blog by and for parents of children with disabilities

Klipps - profound, well-expressed thoughts from a published author working on another book 

99U – jam-packed with scrumptious ways to motivate your creativity

Jenny Rudd – articulate and funny British ex-pat mum living and working in New Zealand

Looking For Blue Sky – lovely title and a lovely blog from a mum seeking to place her and her three children – two who have disabilities – in the bigger picture

Artspip - tons of fabulous ideas for creative play you can do with your kids

Richard Downes on DAO - poetic lucidity is this man’s biggest pull, especially when exploring disability issues. Make sure you sign up to his blog too