Small things matter

(This was forwarded to me. I think there is a lot that is relevant.)

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

• I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
• I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
• I would have talked less and listened more.
• I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
• I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
• I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
• I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
• I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
• I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
• I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
• I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
• Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist in a miracle.
• When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
• There would have been more "I love you's."
• More "I'm sorry's."
• But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it .. live it .and never give it back.
• Stop sweating the small stuff.
• Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
• Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Andre Norton died today at 93

Andre Norton died today at 93. She lived almost a century, which is more of a norm today than it was in the past, when she was born.

She is best known as the author of the "Witchworld" series. I finally had the pleasure of reading one of these novels. She was a skillful writer who knew how to hold your attention. The novel that I read was published in 1968, so I made allowances for the conventions that were typical of the 1960s-the cover art with the scantily clad sorceress, the whole "captured princess" scenario.

Though from the old school, Andre recognized the new media by having a website and an email address.

Admittedly, until I read about Marion Zimmer Bradley's untimely death, I thought that Andre was a man. I am glad to be proven wrong.

I hope to live to be 93. I hope also to be able to die with dignity as Ms. Norton did and with pride at what I was able to accomplish.

I am...that is

You could be described as...
Hopelessly romantic *sigh*
Quiet and observant... Sad but beautiful
The center of attention!
A loner Ultra-cool.
Damn straight.
Very.. uh.. eccentric
Totally easygoing Fun-loving, hoo yeah! Loud and bold, dammit!
Serene and peaceful

If you were a food, you would be...
Strawberries dipped in chocolate
Italian ice (lemon)
Dark chocolate truffles
Green tea ice cream
Chips and salsa or nachos Some sort of takeout Catered cheese sampler Steak, very rare Spicy Thai noodles Olives (with pimento)

If you were a drink, you would be....
Ice water Martini Coke Coffee Orangina Green tea Lemonade Hot chocolate Red wine Margarita Espresso

Choose that which is most important to you:
Freedom Sense of self Beauty Attention Solitude Personality Leisure Enjoyment Power PassionIndividuality

Pick your favorite movie:
Austin Powers
Moulin Rouge
Blade Runner
The Joy Luck Club
Almost Famous
Casablanca
Being John Malkovich

If you were to get a tattoo, which would you choose?
Your zodiac sign Something tribal Moon and/or stars Stylized cat Pair of dice Broken heart Skull (crossbones optional) Grinning sun Pair of wings Chinese or Japanese charactersRose

Pick a color (or set):
Warm golden yellow Sepia tones Black Shades of blue Slate grey Bright green Deep red Pale grey and white Vibrant orange Neon anythingIntense red

What negative personality trait do you most exhibit? (be honest!)
Weepy/moody, just to get attention Doormat syndrome - you don't speak up for yourself Too aloof/out of touch with reality Chronic apathy/lack of care Have to be the center of attention at all times Superiority complex Overly sensitive Shallowness Bossiness/bully-like traits Trying too hard to be different to the point of falsityPurposefully distancing yourself from just about everyone

Favorite item of jewelry:
Lots of gold bangles Gold ball earrings Vintage rhinestone choker Studded leather cuff Big ball-chain necklace Stacked thrift store beaded bracelets No jewelry, thanks Personalized gold necklace, à la Sex and the City Simple silver bangle Small silver hoop earringsThin gold chain with a pendant

Which is something you might say (or something someone might say about you)?
"Sometimes you wake up. Sometimes the fall kills you. And sometimes, when you fall, you fly."
- Dream, Neil Gaiman's The Sandman

"I don't run the show, I am the show." - Rachael, Blade Runner

"I can pretend that things last." - Destruction, Neil Gaiman's The Sandman

"Above all things I believe in love! Love is like oxygen, love is a many-splendored thing, love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love!"
- Christian, Moulin Rouge

"I do what I want. You have problem?" - Quina Quen, Final Fantasy IX

"In the brave new world of the year 2000, a kiss can still break your heart."
- Program from Cirque du Soleil's Alegria

"Make them laugh. They'll have a hard time shooting you."
- Program from Cirque du Soleil's Alegria

"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom." - William Blake

"Have you ever spent days and days and days making up flavors of ice cream that no one's ever eaten before? Like chicken and telephone ice cream? ...Green mouse ice cream was the worst. I didn't like that at all."
- Delerium, Neil Gaiman's The Sandman

"I'm so cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month! I'm so hip I have trouble seeing over my pelvis!"
- Zaphod Beeblebrox, Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

"He's gotta be the tragic figure standing in the rain, mourning the loss of his beloved. So down comes the rain, right on cue."
- Mervyn Pumpkinhead, Neil Gaiman's The Sandman

http://womenshistory.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fdrhill.tripod.com%2Fuwil.htm