Life list

With all the crap that is going on in the lives of some of the people I care about I LOVE this list and the instant perspective it provides. Sadly its not my original thoughts and I need to credit Regina Brett for the words, but I am going to read it constantly to remind myself to keep my chin up and 'keep on swimming' (wise advice from Dora in the Nemo movie!).

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

12. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

14. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

15. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

16. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

17. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

20. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

22. The most important sex organ is the brain.

23. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

25. Always choose life.

26. Forgive everyone everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Believe in miracles.

32. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

33. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

34. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

35. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

36. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

37. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

38. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

39. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

41. The best is yet to come.

42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

43. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

44. If you don't ask, you don't get.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

I love a book

So will you change from reading a real book or using a kindle or a nook or whatever the next new fangled invention is??


I personally still love a book and can't imagine getting the same satisfaction from reading a computer screen in bed. I have to admit however to having to print off any reports or research I have to do at work so that I can absorb it better and it doesn't hurt my old eyes (yes, not very environmentally friendly I know!). I can't see myself going down this path but am I just old fashioned and a techno-phobe? Am I alone?

Mouse - the click and drag advice worked - thanks.

Jodi's last book

I've been putting off writing about this book that my friend Jodi lent me because I was sick and miserable with pneumonia. However on Saturday night Jodi lost her amazingly brave fight with bowel cancer and passed away. I will no longer be lending her books, borrowing her books or talking to her about books we've loved - she was a special friend and has left a gaping hole in many hearts.

The last borrowed book is The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. The book is written confusingly (at first) in the present and the past but it is a fascinating story about a topic that I knew little about. The story starts off with the murder of a polygamist father in a small town of fundamental Mormons in Utah. The man's 19th wife is accused of the murder and the book covers the murder from the perspective of the accused's son who was expelled from the sect six years before.

It was a great book and I couldn't put it down - I think it would make a great book club book as it covers so many fascinating topics from quite different eras in history.

Thanks for everything Jodi - I hope heaven has a great library.

Holiday relations

Just finished this great book (present from my lovely friend Mouse) about the relationships between brothers and sisters - a series of short stories from a variety of brilliant Australian authors. As you can see mine is well read and loved. Its a great time of year to bring out the best and the worst in family relations and this book provided some fascinating comparisons across a whole spectrum of families. Sadly it doesn't provide any advice on how to perfect, maintain and enhance those relationships.....

Am getting through a great number of books (and crappy magazines) - its 43C (109F I think) outside today and I have pneumonia - how is that possible?? Feeling very pathetic and sleepy but am being looked after by the beautiful boy and the little boys.