450th post.....

that deserves some sort of reward...does it not?

I wish I had something spectacular to share with you. But I don't. I'm sitting at home after a lovely lunch date with my bestie, awaiting my nice little trip to the gym...so I thought I'd blog. Normally I'd watch tv. But I'm all TV'd out.

So here are some random thoughts:

-My dad is really sick right now, which makes me wish I had stayed home a little longer. He usually gets really sick around this time of year, so it's to be expected, with a little R&R, some IV antibotics he's usually good as new...but each time it's still scary.

-I just had the best lunch date ever with one of my co workers I haven't seen in 6 weeks. Our reunion was full of squeeling, giggles, and filling each other in on all the gossip we've missed.

-Some big things are going to be taking place in the next 6 weeks at work. I'm super excited about it. A pilot project we were working on before my surgery got approved and so within the next 6-8 weeks we'll start implenting it. I've got a feeling I won't be so excited once I'm transitioning. Oh well.

-I'm really embarassed of the scar on my leg. I didn't think I would be. But I am. It's not attractive for girls to be full of scars.

-I really like to take my pants off the minute I get home. Sweats, scrubs, jeans, you name it. I hate wearing pants. I took my clothes off a lot as a child. ha.

-I am constantly on the go, and so I have like 3 difference changes of clothing in my jeep at all times. I change while I drive. At stop lights. So if you're ever in Calgary, at a red light and see a girl removing her clothes. It's just me. It saves me time. BUT, I found out, that...that's kind of illegal. I'm not sure how illegal it is. But who knew I was so good at breaking the law(cause I'm dang good at changing in the car)

-I bought some creamcicle iso whey from GNC- I normally hate protein drinks. But this.is.to.die.for. Tastes just like the jamba/booster juice creamcicle. I'm in love.

-I've been cruising around the city with my windows rolled down, blarring music. Welcome Spring. I've been awaiting your arrival.

-I'm not going to Utah this weekend for conference. First time in YEARS I won't be there. You bet your bottom dollar I will be there in October tho, so get ready to party(ps. Ryan get ready to battle.)

-I've been having dreams(scratch that. NIGHTMARES.) about going back to work. Trish, told me at lunch today she had a dream I came back and I was WAY prego. The way she described it was hilarious. However. I promised her I was not pregnant. Thank goodness. How would I explain that one?

-I hung out with my other bestie yesterday. Her daughter is my favorite little girl, and she absolutely LOVES me. Except that one time yesterday I made a funny noise(I thought it was funny) it scared the living hell out of her and she started screaming the "this girl is trying to kill me" scream. I felt so bad. We took her to the mall. She got to experience what most people don't get the pleasure of experiencing in this life. I can't even experience the shenanigans that go on when we're together but I love it, I'm pretty sure she's going to fit in well with us. Which is good, cause she'll be the 3rd wheel with us for the better portion of her life. ha.

-I never leave the mall empty handed while make up shopping with Saren. Sephora hates us.

-I was too cheap to buy a huge bottle of tinted moisturizer so I got 5 different samples of 5 different brands that will last me a year.

-I'm listening to backstreet boys right now as I type this. I'm the only one home, so it's turned up super loud, and I'm singing at the top of my lungs. Pretty sure the mailman just heard everything.

-My lower back is killing me.

-I love my bed. It was the best feeling ever sleeping in my bed for the first time in 5 weeks.

-I've been on the go every since I got home. It's so refreshing to fall into bed at night knowing that I deserve to be tired. *however, I am hear to declare that sitting on your butt doing nothing all day is tiring.*

What are the random things on your mind?

xo.

L.

And so it begins....

** You know what I don't like when I blog stalk. When people don't post for like a week, then post 3 at once.** I mean give me a little pleasure throughout the week, instead of just bombarding me.

Ha. Pretty sure I had my own blogging style. Whoops.

Anyways, I'm home. I've been dreading unpacking my stuff. [The only thing in the world I hate more than animal cruelty, is having to do laundry, fold it, put it away, and/or packing/unpacking] but my dang suitcase was starring me in the face. Every morning I'd wake up and it'd still be there. Remember when you were little. Your mom would bring you your clothes to put away, but you didn't and when you came back they were magically put away?) well that doesn't happen when you're 25. Dang it. So this morning I tackled that. Now I feel like I'm really home.

I went to the gym yesterday for the first time. Everyone was excited to see me. I stretched(I've still got a slight bend in my knee which makes me limp, so I'm working on that) then I rode a bike. Best feeling EVER.

Today I flutter boarded(swimming) and aqua jogged. I'm going to ride tonight. Then hit up institute to see how many more people will be excited to see me this week. I guess you can tell I love it when people are excited to see me.

I use to do this magic trick where I'd disappear for copious amounts of time and then reappear. I'm surprised people aren't just assuming I went into hiding again. But since I'm rockin the whole 'no knee brace' thing for the first time in 6 months they get pretty excited to see me. YAY. Nothing feels better than flattery. :)

This week is full of tying up loose ends, visiting friends I haven't seen in a while, playing with my best friends adorable baby that I haven't seen since my birthday before she moves to Winnepeg for the summer, and going to the gym. I've gotten back into a routine. It's been good. I haven't been eating as much(or as much bad food) I actually think I've eaten my weight in green beans since I've been home.

Oh how I love green beans.

Happy Tuesday Everyone.

xo.

L.

I'm alive!

I got home safely and I am indeed alive.

My mother hadn't heard from me until she called me yesterday to verify I was still alive. Actually. I called my dad when I got home so I'm pretty sure he gave her the message I didn't die.

Thanks Dad.

I've never been one to get homesick. I went to Japan for heavens sake and didn't really think about Canada or any Canadians in the slightest(sorry Madre/padre) I lived in Utah without seeing my parents for a whole semester when I was 18(and p.s. I thought I was sooo old and mature) Boy, was I wrong--That deserves a whole post in and of it's self. The 18 year olds today make me cringe. I don't think I was like that, but I can't be positive.

Anyways...

Since I've been back in the city. I've missed Taber like crazy. I've missed my mom, my dad, my sister, Pita(pain in the ass) remember him. He got his own post. And, even the dog. Maybe it's because I came back home to do a few things before I had to start work next week, but I almost wished I would have stayed there for a few more days(however, I wouldn't have gotten to enjoy the dance party with Jay and Layla til 3am Friday night, then have to get up at 7 to go to the Temple) or be at the BEST birthday party ever(that needs it's own post too) or had everyone dote over my Sunday when they saw I had returned.

I just really miss my family.

xo.

L.

Eat Clean

This book is amazing.

I've had it for a really long time. I highly suggest you pick it up. It teaches you alot of correct eating principles. Portion sizes. Workout to Eating ratios. It's fully of alot of good infomation. Gives you ideas on how to make meal plans that work for your specific goals. I haven't felt better than when I was applying these prinicples.

I'm sure most of you knew this. But I didn't til last Christmas. Exercising is only 20% of the weightloss science. Nutrition is the other 80%. Who knew. Not me. I thought I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I worked my butt off.(ok, well it worked in highschool.) I know... I know. I'm highschool anymore.

This is actually good news for me. Since I'm not able to do any cardio right now(I haven't tried biking yet. Monday. Wish me luck.) I need to rely on my diet.

Weight has always been a tender subject for me. Show me a girl that doesn't think about her weight, and I'll give you a high five. I think that because this has been touchy for me, that not working out has been harder for me. I've always had to work hard to stay in shape. *Mainly because I love food*

I love this book, and I love the reminder it gave me to eat clean. I hate getting personal on here. I like being the light hearted, go lucky girl who blogs about the random fun things. But to be honest. This has been on my mind alot lately. So I will blog about it. I've always been jealous of my friends who blog about the things they think. I blogged last week about the best friend. *who's letter I still haven't sent* So why not blog about exercise and eating properly.

Oh....wish me luck.

I always feel better when I put these good principles to use. Making them a habit. Falling off the bandwagon is so hard. The next 3 weeks are going to be rough.

xo.

L.

Hi, My name is Lachele....

....and I like food.

Seriously I love food. I think I've gained a good 4 or 5lbs since being off work and at my parents house.

I'm going home tomorrow. I'm going to miss mi madre and mi padre. But I'm not going to miss all my aimless eating. My boring binges.

When I'm in my 'city rountine' I'm usually on the go alot. Going from home to work, work to the gym, gym to one of my many meetings, or to chill with friends so I have to take every chance I have to prep my food, and eat it. When I'm constantly moving I don't eat alot. Which is good.

My mom can eat whatever she wants and not gain a lb. I got her great skin, but I didn't get her great metabolism. Thanks alot. However, I love my skin.

Yesterday, I went out with a way good friend to Lethbridge. Amanda(I love you) has been kind enough to take my out with her when she's needed to go run errands. I was telling her how much I thrive on routines. I wake up at the same time every morning, I take breaks at the same time, I eat lunch at the same time everyday, I take the same route to work every morning, I get to the gym at the same time everyday, I see the same people. I like doing things in a way that I know work. I like doing things that I know I like.

I hate being bored. I eat alot when I'm bored. I don't really eat alot when I'm busy. So busyness please come soon! My waistline misses you.

I read somewhere that you shouldn't eat when you're FLAB:

F-frusterated
L-lonely
A-Angry
B-bored

I've been flabbing alot lately.

And. I miss the gym. Yesterday Amanda and I were talking about how I would need to work out 10 hours a day for the next 10 days before I go back to work, to equal the workouts that I've missed for the last 5 weeks. I'm slightly crazy from the medication I'm on and thought I could do it. Until I woke up this morning and was sore from walking around the mall, walmart and costco yesterday. I think I'm mentally prepare to get back into the game, but not physically.

HOWEVER, In November one of my goals is to take a week off work(I have tons of vacation time) and work out all day everyday for that 10 days. Is it doable? Yes, because I love the gym, and I love working out. I'll feel like I'm on the biggest loser ranch(ps-I love the biggest loser. I cry every week) One time I told my mom I'd gain 100lbs just to weigh enough to be able to go on BL and work out with Bob and Jillian. I'm pretty sure she was ready to disown me at that point. who wants to weigh 250lbs? *sorry to anyone who weighs that.

I'd love to say that this is a random post. But it's not. All my posts lately have been random. All I know is I'm excited to get back to the city, get back into a routine, hit the gym, start eating like a rabbit again(although I've enjoyed being spoiled by all the presents/treats people have brought me) However I'm sure my clothes will thank the little bit of give the gym will give them.

I'll probably be blogging alot about the gym, working out, eating right and posting recipes. *I've got alot of stuff saved in my edited folder, almost ready to post* My first stop when I get home is to GNC to get more protein and supplements. Mmmm I think my body will be happy to be back on all it's healthy goodness. Amanda bought creamcicle protein yesterday and now I'm jealous and crave it.

What are some of your favorite supplements/protein drink flavors.

xo.

L.


Disclaimer: I re-read over this post and made it sound like my mom doesn't feed me good food. She does. OH boy does she. I just snacked alot, on the treats people have broughten me. However. Did you know that no where in the Town of Taber do they have bulk green beans? No where. I've really been having withdrawls.

like I said.....

I have the worlds best friends.

My bestie living in the Netherlands sent me a little care package that arrived in the mail today. Can I just say that I love getting old fashion 'snail mail'

She sent me an adorable card of an old school town, as well as stroofwaffles, some chocolate and other good treats! I love stroofwaffles. They're very tasty. Especially the ones specifically from the Netherlands.

Laura doesn't get the opportunity to come to Canada to visit very often but she was here last June(I can't believe it's been that long already) visiting her parents so I got the chance to meet her adorable son Atticus and spend some time with her. Nothing changed. Except there were kids involved in our shenanigans. I love it!

I can't wait to see you again. Thank you for the treats. Your package is on it's way. Love you long time.

xo
L.

...Insecure much?

Umm yes. I am probably the most insecure person ever.

FYI- Pretty people, skinny people, people who look like their lives are well put together. Can be insecure.

Also, just because their pretty and they don't talk to you. Doesn't mean their snotty or stuck up. Maybe their just shy.

There aren't enough fingers and toes in my family to count how many times people have told me when they first met me they thought I was stuck up.

Then they meet me, get me in my element and they absolutely love me.

I'm guilty of this. We all are. I'm insecure because I'm guilty of judging other people for not talking to me. I think they're not talking to me because I'm too loud, I'm too quiet, I'm not pretty enough, I'm too tall, I like to wear my sweat pants out in public,etc

I spend all my time at the gym because then I don't have to worry about all my friends doing tons of fun things without me. Because I'm already busy.

Example: I just looked at 82 pictures of my friends on facebook. They're all having fun, and I'm not in a single picture! I'm slightly sad, and really insecure.

How do I become secure? There is 25 years of insecurities built up and I've decided I'm not going to let this ruin any more relationships I have.

Here's to becoming more secure. Ugh.

xo.

L.

P.S my first healthy recipe post is coming up. I'm headed to Calgary tomorrow for a Dr. Appt and some much needed shopping with my mama.

..

We didn't talk until the day before he left. We fixed everything(as good as we could have fixed everything before he left on a mission) Now I am going to spend the next two years learning not to be insecure. Then showing him that I'm not insecure. I didn't realize how hard this was going to be.


So I wrote him in December. Sent it. I wrote him in Janurary. Didn't send it. Wrote him in Feburary. Didn't send it. Wrote him Friday. Haven't sent it. I did something tonight. Something that scared me just as much as the first time I put that sealed letter in the mail dropbox at the hospital(p.s-did you know that the minute that you drop a letter in to those slots it becomes federal property and if you try to get it back you could go to jail.) Well, after finding this out I got nervous. So I texted his brother(who happens to be a good friend) and asked for his email address. I thought email would be a little bit easier for me.


I know most people are probably thinking... If this missinoary is this girls only problem in life, she must have it pretty easy. To those people I say SUCK IT!

I just miss him. You know that saying.... You don't know what you have until it's gone. Well I didn't know how awesome he was, until he left me.

Everyone asks me how he is. I don't know what to say. Do I tell them I haven't written him in 3 months so they can talk more, or do I say he's 'good' (PS- Kyle told me he's good, he likes his trainer, and his spanish is coming along) Who knew those three things would make my day.



xo.

L.

.

Have any of you read Ashleys blog yet? Read the previous post. She's a really good writer. She's serious. My blog is not serious. I am a horrible writer with the worst grammar(I sercretly plan to have awful grammar, so that I sound funny...hmmm whatever just go with it.)

Well, she is really open in her blog. I'm not open in mine at all. All my posts are superficial. I use to write in my journals EVERYDAY. Now that I have a blog I don't. I don't even write all the same things in my blog vs. my journal. Sad.

Anyways. I thought I'd give the whole serious post business a try. I've got some things I need to get off my chest. I told Ash I was slightly nervous. She told me to just do it.

...so I'm just doing it....

My first(and maybe last) seriously blog post starts.....now


Remember how I use to blog about a best friend that I had? T? Well...he left 3 months ago(today actually) to serve a mission in Texas. He's been in Houston for the last 3 weeks. I miss him alot. I miss him even more than I thought. Why? Because I haven't written him in almost 3 months. Who misses someone but doesn't write him? Oh that'd be me. Hi my name is Lachele Wickens, and I'm a horrible best friend.

The last month or so before he left was pretty touch and go with us. It was rough. We argued. Okay, I picked fights and he sats there and took it. People talked. We went from sitting together in Sacrament meeting, and Sunday School to sitting on opposite sides of the Chapel(don't tell me you've never secretly whispered to your neighbour when you see two individuals who are ALWAYS together sit apart. You might even make up senarios as to why they aren't sitting together), going to Family Home Evening together. Whereever you say Troy you probably saw me. Vise versa..

I am very insecure. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't fun enough for him, or I wasn't athletic enough, or that I embarassed him at football with his friends. He always use to tell me I was random I was for thinking these things, and that he didn't think any of these things. Of course I blew it all out of porportion. That's where the fights would start. I'd give him a peace of my mind. He'd sit there and take it. Tell me I was awesome and that he loved me. Then we'd be good to go by the end of the day. This same senario happened atleast once or twice a week.

That kid is seriously the most patient guy I've ever met in my life. So being a spoiled girl. I took advantage of that. I am here to tell you that no matter how patient someone is. There is always a breaking point. I pushed him to that point about 6 weeks before he left.


The same things have been running thru my mind lately. Can I fix this? Did I ruin a good thing? Why do I have to sabatoge all my relationships? Why did I have to pick that 'one' last fight? Ugh.

That little orange post button is taunting me. Post. Or not to Post.

Xo.

L.

This girl Rocks.

This ladies and gentlemen is Ashley Hart. She's cute. She's my friend.
Both of those are given. Just look at her.

She fixed my blog for me. She put pictures on my header, she added all the lime green and purple. This makes me like her even more. Who doesn't like someone who does things for you. I sure do.

This girl is my go to girl. She has heard some of the most craziest things that have ever come out of my mouth. She's the first person I text when something funny, happy, amazing, sad, depressing or insane happens. Just ask her.

The funniest thing ever. We've never met. Check this out. She was married to one of my good friends. Her ex husband served his mission in my ward for the longest time. He sent a bunch of pictures home to her. She put them up on facebook and I saw them. We started facebooking, texting then I'd randomly call her. I've known her for over two years. But everytime I headed to Utah/Idaho she was always gone. The stars have just enver aligned for us. But they will soon! Yay!

Go to www.divorcedand20.blogspot.com to check out her story. She's just as funny as me(okay not as funny, but she's still really cool) Ugh. I wish that I could learn how to link other websites to my blog. I think I'm secretly a 72 year old woman trapped inside a 25 year olds body. I need to take a computer class.

xo.

L.

Awkward....

The most awkward award goes to none other than me. Lachele Daisy Louise Wickens. ha.

Okay, so last week I was looking thru all my friends on facebook. I had over 1,100. I did one of those fb purges everyone raves about. I deleted people I hadn't talked to in ages, people that I went to elementary school with, highschool with, people I went to college with in Utah, people in my old wards(people in my current wards). <--- let me explain. Some people add me to facebook. I accept if I know them(gracious I know) but then they never talk to me at church, fhe or firesides. Instead they write on my wall after event saying "I saw you tonight, I was going to come say hi, but then I lost track of you so I didn't. You looked adorable tonight" FACT: you did not lose sight of me. I saw you hover over my friends. Thanks for the awesome comment. So those people got deleted. Now I am down to 835 friends. I should probably delete even more. However, there are a few of 'those' people on my friends list I'd like to keep tabs on from afar. Everyone does it. I'm not the only facebook stalker. I could probably put it on my resume these days tho. I blame all the added stalking on the fact that I can't drive, or really leave my house during the day.

Well last night I saw on my newsfeed. Courtney comments on Brians photo. So I clicked on it to see what photo she commented on. It was way cute. So I clicked on Brians facebook. Lo, and behold...dun dun dun. It says "add as a friend" WHHHHAT. No way. Mistake. I didn't mean to delete him as my friend, he's super cute. Shoot. How do I get around this one? *wait.... did he delete me?... oh damn that's way awkward.* Well what do I do. Do I add him back thinking it was my fault. Or do I add him backing thinking it's his fault only to have him say "creep I just deleted her."or do I just leave it and sulk because he deleted me. ha.

Well, I was over it until I woke up this morning and saw that one of my blog followers deleted me too. Rude. I'm sorry I'm boring. You're missing out. (or not) whatever.

I never use to think deleting people off facebook was a big deal, until last night when I saw I got deleted. Or I deleted. Either way. I texted Amanda and said I hated facebook. ha. Drastic I know. To all those people I deleted(that I still see, I hope and pray that it's not awkward between us when you find out I deleted you.)

I'm over it now. Brian was a missionary here when I was like 19. I hadn't talked to him in probably 5 years. He's not married, living in Utah, he's weird...so I'm probably not really missing much.

So. Deleting people off facebook. Thoughts? Do you do it often? This was my first time. When you see someone has deleted you do you get all offended(Like I did..which ps. I'm way embarassed about) I'm curious.

xo.

L.

Motivated....

So one of the last posts I wrote about was how I was super unmotivated.
Well right after I wrote that I got way motivated.

I've been on a cooking/baking kick. My family sure loves it. It takes me a little longer because sometimes when I'm standing too long my left leg starts to hurt.. Ha.

But I've recently hunted thru a bunch of family favorites, my personal faves, and recipes that my friends and I make(I've blogged about Holly and Cora. We have the best cooking dates EVER)and I've made them cleaner recipes. Then I've calculated all of the calories in the whole dish, and made out the cal count for each individual portion, as well as fat content, carbs, fibre, etc. It's alot of work. But dang I am so proud of myself. I'm making myself a dandy little cook book. *For those of you know know me, know that I am not at all a cooker or a baker. Looks like there's hope for me yet*

I've been cooking dinner this whole week for my family. My mom says she's not sure she's going to let me leave if I keep cooking like this. Whoops, sorry mom. I'm leaving but I'll be sure to come back more often.

So this is where my blogging buddies come in handy. Over the last few weeks/month I haven't been getting alot of comments on my posts(none actually) but I know you read my blog. I have a blog counter ;) so do me a favor. Comment. Comment with your FAVE recipe, clean, or unhealthy and then each week I will post a recipe that I've made clean, and done the cal count on. We can share. Ha. I wish I would have taken advantage of all the times there were fabulous recipes out there that I could have taken a copy of. I was a lazy little cook before. But now I am having so much fun with this. I'm looking for ALL sorts of recipes. Side dishes, main courses, appies, desserts, drinks. Anything! And maybe once everything is all said and done I will send you a cute little box full of all the faves.

Please please PLEASE help a sista out!

xo.

L.

Motivation....

I need some motivation.

I'm so bored. I'm.slowly.going.crazy.

Things are starting to go down the drain. I'm really excited to get back to the gym. Or am I? Am I just excited because I can't do it. But once I can do it. Will the novelty wear off?

I think so. As things are going right now. It will.

Will someone motivate me. Please. Pretty Please.
Usually I'm so good at motivating people.
But I suck at motivating myself.

I'm sleeping more. Eating WAY more. WAY bad things. I'm not burning ANY cals. That equals trouble. Sorry Brett. I'm undoing everything you've helped me do.

Hopefully someone motivates me soon because I become 200lbs.

xo.

L.

Taber's not so bad after all.

https://lds.org/new-era/2010/11/he-wanted-to-be-a-missionary?lang=eng&cid=facebook-shared

Okay this link doesn't look proper. I'm soooo technologically challenged. I've even enlisted my friend Ash to help make my blog look cute, so please excuse the look of this link. Take a few minutes to copy and paste this link or go to www.lds.org and read this article in the Nov 2010 New Era and at the end watch the video. This video had me in tears.

This is about a tragic event, that has brought many people closer to the Lord. I have the privilage of knowing all of these individuals personally, and I love them, and have a very deep respect for their families.

I am very close with the Seminary Teacher in Taber and I ran into him a couple days ago. He asked me if I wouldn't mind teaching his seminary classes for a few days. How lucky am I to have the opportunity to teach in a classroom where I learned from for so many years. To work with such solid Youth.

Oh how I love the little town of Taber. As much as it drives me crazy I love coming home.

Darren is currently in the MTC waiting his visa to head to Mexico to be a missionary, and Chris(the kid who was in a coma for MONTHS, and who I had the privilage of visiting while he was in the hospital) is leaving for his mission in California. Both of these boys hold a special place in my heart. I'm good friends with all of their older sibblings, so I've watched them grow. They're going to be fantastic missionaries and the people of Mexico and California are so lucky to have these two, and I hope they take good care of them!

Ejnoy the blurb and the video.

xo.

L.

Pictures at last.

So I finally got a few pictures that I can post of my knee.

I am slowly going crazy. I took pictures of myself making horse faces, making the random smile game...and texted them to Kait. She called me a nerd. Total Nerd.

I'm only a slight nerd. I however am slowly going crazy.

I asked my mom to take me to walmart today. So I could go for a walk. I'm so bored. She took me for a walk.

I hate my crutches. These things are not coming home with me.

Here are some pictures. In no particular order.

**Please note. The massive YES I had to write in huge black letters. With a black marker. So the surgeon knew what knee to operate on. That should have been a huge red flag. It was not.I had a bet going with a blogging friend( I say blogging friend because I met him thru my blog. He's a stalker. ha. We've never met in real life) that I was going to be able to run in a race in the middle in April. I'm still on crutches. I won't be running any race. I forget if we cybershook on it. Or if we had anything riding on it. Therefore, this is one bet I don't mind losing, because I'm not out anything :)

Enjoy... or not

xo.

L.