I’m a monthly columnist at (in)courage, a new site for women from Dayspring, the Christian leg of Hallmark. My second post is up today — it’s about family news, stuff I haven’t shared here yet. I will soon… eventually. Head on over, and you’ll get a little taste.

Also, shock of all shocks — I updated Flickr, so there’s a few new family photos. Email me if you don’t have the link!

I’ve spent the past few weeks overhauling a site, looking at code till my eyeballs were spinning.  I also run a number of sites, including this little one.  As a web designer, may I ask a tiny favor of each of you?

Stop using Internet Explorer.

Pretty please?

It’s an awful web browser, yet most people still use it.  I think this is because many people don’t know they have a choice – IE is the default browser on PCs, and most people use PCs.  I know there are some people that don’t even know what a web browser is – they just click on that “e” that takes them to the internet.  That “e” is the symbol for Internet Explorer.

You’ve got lots of options.  Did you know that most sites look differently than how they’re supposed to in IE?  Most sites have separate code written just so that they don’t look horrible in IE.  And they still don’t look very good.

Far and away, my favorite is Firefox because of all the add-ons.  You can really customize your web browsing experience.  I recommended downloading and using it asap.

But there are other good ones, too.  You’ve got:

• Chrome
• Opera
• Safari
• Avant
• Flock
• SeaMonkey

There’s tons more.  I’ll still like you if you use IE, but you’re missing out.  Okay, I’ll step down and continue on my way…

I know this is all some of you’ve heard from me lately, but I promise to mention you by name in my acceptance speech, should I be so privileged to make one.

Simple Mom was nominated for Best New Blog of 2008 in the Bloggies.  The Bloggies are pretty much the Oscars of blog awards, so I’m very much shocked.

Now please go vote!  I’ll love you forever.