March Madness

So March, what a wacky, crazy month. I always thought March Madness meant NCAA basketball, but this month it meant....let's see how freaking crazy we can make Kellye and see if she can survive. Well, damn you, you did your best to beat me down, but you didn't, I won. So suck it. ;)

OK, back to my 2013 plan.

1. Exercise more. I am getting there. Doing a little more each week.

2. Hiking. I got in 17 miles this month. Would have hit the goal of 20, but had to cancel a bp trip due to cold and rainy weather. With beginners with crappy gear. Right decision to cancel, but I really wanted to get out there.

3. Backpacking. Yay for me. Did a nice 12 mile section on the Pine Mountain Trail as an overnight at the end of the month. This made me very, very happy.

4. Read more. Oops. I meant to read, really, but I didn't read a single book or magazine.

5. Eat healthier. Unofficially down 28 lbs. I told y'all I can lose weight like a champion. Now I gotta figure out how to keep it off. The Atkins diet is really working for me.

6. Be more patient. Well, I think I did better at this, but I did quit Trail Dames when I was mad and impatient. But this is the right decision. And my patience won't be tested anymore by something that is supposed to be fun. Now if I could only extend my patience at work.

7. Financial. I have cancelled 2 trips that I was planning. I need NOT to add anything to the credit cards, so I'll be staying home doing cheap stuff. Like hiking and backpacking. ;) That should help a little. And it's tiny, but I finally have a savings account balance of 4 digits...not counting the decimal. So, progress is being made in baby, tiny, peewee steps, but progress anyways.

I think that is it for now. I definitely feel better at this point of April than I have been. So, change is good.
Right? Change is good.




You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through- Rosalyn Carter.

February recap

So let's discuss February. And my goals.

1. Increase my exercise. I have increased the amount of exercise. I'm not on a regular routine yet, but getting there. I have hiked, walked, used exercise DVD's, but not consistently. But there has been progress.

2. Get back on the trails. I managed to get in 16.7 miles this month. Getting closer to that goal too!

3. Backpacking goal starts in March. But I'm gonna meet that goal every month, for sure.

4. I read a book, and started another. I just checked out The Hobbit from our school media center. 48 years old, and I have never read it. I am looking forward to that!

5. Eat healthier. I would say this is going well. I am into week four of the Atkins diet. I must say, I have been very pleased so far. I am staying full. I am not craving bad food. And I have learned how awful carbs are for my body. (And I'm down like 16 lbs. so yay!!!)

6. I think I have made progress on the patience. People still tick me off, but I have decided they are just stupid. So there.

7. Finances. Nothing to discuss.

So I have promised new recipes. Here's one I found and changed a little to be Atkins friendly.

Chicken breasts stuffed with Asparagus (per serving)

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
3-5 stalks of asparagus (I use fresh)
Cheese (I have used Feta, Cheddar, Gouda, ...you get the point, almost any cheese will work)
Olive oil
Lemon pepper
Garlic Powder


Between wax paper, use a mallet to pound the breast as this as possible. On one half of the flattened chicken place your asparagus, and cover it with your cheese. Fold the rest of the chicken over, secure with a toothpick. Spray the pan, and the top of the chicken with olive oil. Shake some garlic powder and lemon pepper over the top of the chicken and you are done with the prep. Place in a pyrex type dish and cook at 350 for 30 minutes.

That's it. So easy, and sooo delicious.


You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through- Rosalyn Carter.