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Come on and join author Melissa Bradley as she sets off on her latest adventure...

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If you are not 18, please exit stage left. While there is normally nothing naughty here, I do write and review erotica so there are links to spicy stuff and the occasional heated excerpt.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Thoughts and Goal Check Time

This week has been a bit rough for me as I received a huge reality check. Someone I had known in childhood lost her fight with breast cancer. She fought so hard, for over a decade, and that enemy just kept right on coming back. Carrie fought on, no matter the odds, just like I remember her doing when we were kids. A couple of years older than me, I was always just a little intimidated by her. I wanted to be like her; confident, smart and indomitable in spirit.

I came home from her wake full of sadness and realizing my own mortality. So I took out my list of goals for 2011. Man, what was I drinking was my first thought when I looked at them. Holy hell, I've still got a long way to go was my second. However, I was pleased to realize that I did meet two of my goals. One in getting Byzantine Provocateur published and the other in being more active in social media.


I am losing weight, but I've stagnated some. Lazy is an art form for me on occasion and it is hard to get my ass in gear to work out. I have made no inroads on my monstrous caffeine addiction, which needs to be nixed. I have so much trouble functioning without it, though.

Carrie didn't get to live to a ripe old age with her daughters, but she did a lot in her life. I'm instituting a do-over and getting in gear. I plan on walking a couple miles today and as often as I can. I'm even adding a zumba class. Maybe if I work out with others, I won't be able to make so many excuses like it's cold, I'm tired and blah, blah, blah...I'm setting a limit on my caffeine intake and paring it down til I no longer need it. I only had one glass of soda today, not my usual outrageous number and absolutely no coffee. Needless to say, I have a huge headache, but it will be worth it.

The image at the top of my sidebar goes right to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer site. Please click for more information on how to help fight this disease and please remember Carrie and her two young daughters in your prayers. Thanks.

How about you? Any goals you've met? Need to work on? I'm a good cheerleader.
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26 comments:

  1. Rebecca BradleyMarch 27, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. I know how hard it is.

    Death is an immediate catalyst for us to look at our lives. It's good to have goals. I have goals. I set myself several in the new year. One thing to bear in mind though, is remember why you are doing them - because you want to. Cutting out or cutting down caffeine is definitely good for you, but for me, exercising is a step too far. I know I should do it, but I hate it with a passion.

    Remember it's about living your life and enjoying it. Good luck with your goals! - I'm also upping my social media output :)

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  2. George Beremov [Nebular]March 28, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    OMG, this is horrible! :( I'm so sorry for your friend and ex-classmate, Mel. RIP, Carrie.

    Yes, when someone we know and love dies.... it's always a 'wake up call'.... but a truly frightening one. :(

    I believe in you, and I'm sure you'll reach all your goals, Mel!

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  3. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 5:14 AM

    Rebecca, thank you for your kind words. I will definitely remember to enjoy myself as I work on my goals. That was something I had forgotten in the heat of panic when I took out my list and looked at it.

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  4. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    Oh George, here is a giant virtual hug from me. You are an awesome friend and thank you for always being supportive and encouraging of me.

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  5. JaccstevMarch 28, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    What a sad news, I'm sorry for hearing that.

    And I hope you reach all your goals, Mel! Believe in the impossible, hold tight to the incredible,
    and live each day to its fullest potential.

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  6. DEZMONDMarch 28, 2011 at 6:04 AM

    Sorry to hear about your friend, Melsy :(
    And you should know we are very proud of you, and we are proud of your recent achievements as well!

    When it comes to cancer, it's such a disturbing thing. COmes out of nowhere and takes away the ones we love, sometimes even healthy people.
    My country has a lot of problems with cancer, especially after NATO bombing of my country in 1999. According to research not only that the rate of cancer illnesses has risen dramatically after we were bombed by poisonous bombs for three months day and night, but the most disturbing part is that we now have three new kids getting cancer each week on the national level which makes me cry.

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  7. JulesMarch 28, 2011 at 6:40 AM

    I too am a creator of lazy art work. You are not alone. I also have a friend with breast cancer, so my thoughts and prayers will be with yours.

    But on a high note... I have an award on my post today for you :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  8. FilmMatticMarch 28, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Tragedy often begets proactivity. The fact that you're internalizing this loss to motivate yourself to be "better" is a very positive take. Keep up the good work in achieving your goals!

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  9. Julia Phillips SmithMarch 28, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    VERY sad to hear this news, Melissa - I'm glad you have been given a chance to take stock and look at what's now more important than ever in your life.

    My dad's death four years ago prompted me to start writing my blog. It was something I had wanted to do but hadn't got around to yet. And now I'm getting my vampire manuscript ready to shop around at the writers' conference in NY - and to publish it myself on Kindle in the fall if no one bites.

    No more waiting. And now, thanks to Kindle, my odd story that doesn't fit current publisher interests can fly and be free.

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  10. KC KendricksMarch 28, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    I'm sorry for your loss, Mel. I think you'll do your friend proud by taking charge and taking steps in your own life. Just listen for her voice giving encouragement. It will be there.

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  11. M PaxMarch 28, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. How sad.

    Small steps still get you there - regarding weight loss and the like. The key is to make permanent changes you can stick to.

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  12. KimberlyMarch 28, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Hi Melissa, I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I'm sending good thoughts your way.

    Those are great goals. You can do it. Just remember to take each day as it comes.

    P.S. I'm trying to follow you on twitter but I'm having issues. Or maybe it's them having issues??? Anyways, I'll keep trying. :)

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  13. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Jaccstev, thank you so much. Your supportive words mean a lot.

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  14. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Dez, my wonderful friend, big huge hugs to you for always being there with the right words when I need them.

    I'm very sad about those poor children and will pray for them.

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  15. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Jules, I will pray for your friend, too. Thank you so much for the lovely words and for the awesome award. It made my day.

    One of my goals is to stop being so lazy and really push myself onward and upward.

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  16. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Hey Matt. Thanks! Your support rocks, my friend.

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  17. N. R. WilliamsMarch 28, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    I'm very sorry for your loss. They say that cancer will be cured soon, or so a program I watched said that. But no one can bring back the dear ones we have lost. I am especially saddened for her children. I hope you do well.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.

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  18. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    Hi Julia, thanks so much for your thoughts. I appreciate it. My father's been gone nine years now and I feel for you. I wish you huge successes with your novel. Good for you for making it count and moving onward and upward.

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  19. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    KC, these are just the words I needed to hear. Thank you, my friend. :)

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  20. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    M Pax, thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging words.

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  21. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    Kimberly, I appreciate your words very much. Thank you.

    I've had some problems with Twitter myself, I think sometimes they have glitches and quirks that affect following, tweeting, etc.

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  22. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Nancy, thank you so very much for your kind thoughts and prayers for Carrie and her family.

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  23. Ellie GarrattMarch 29, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    I'm so sorry to hear you lost your dear friend. Big hugs.

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  24. Talli RolandMarch 29, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    I'm so sorry about Carrie. Something so tragic always reminds us how precious life is.

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  25. UnknownMarch 29, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Ellie, thank you so much. Your words mean a lot. hugs back.

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  26. UnknownMarch 29, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Hi Talli, how true it is that tragedy makes us see things differently and appreciate what we have.

    ReplyDelete

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