Avon eParty

Hey all!

I have so much to say, but for now, just this:

I'm hosting an Avon eParty from now until the end of July! Easy Online Shopping. Free Shipping on all Direct Delivery orders right to your door! Avon provides everything from skincare to cosmetics, from fashion to health and fitness. Order online 24/7!

Just be sure to accept ARISHA PIPER as your representative and put in the code LUV2HELP so that proper credit goes to the person. Thanks & Happy Shopping!

Here's the site: http://arishapiper.avonrepresentative.com/eparty/view.php?rep_spnsr_evnt_id=45343

Pics from our flood...One's really gross...

I am not sure if you can see it well but this is our sink area in the bathroom, to the right is the entrance where the toilet area is and shower. It's the open part in our bedroom:

This is the spot I stepped in, in the hallway that made me go WTF? because it is pretty far from the wall and my dumb self, looked up ha ha to see if something was dripping. Then that's when I noticed the dampness along the walls in the livingroom and the hallway. It was not a pleasant step for sure.   

This is what the little puddle in front of the hall entrance escalated into, the darker area is all water:

Ok now it gets nasty... This is what our shower looked like. There's noodles, that look like worms to me, and corn...  a whole bunch of crap, to say the least and it SUPER SMELLS!: 

This is the entrance to the bathroom area in our room and you can see the water in the dark spots; that's what I first stepped in before seeing the mess. I didn't even want to see the shower:

So, the tile is off of our door to enter the apartment. You can see the way they cut the carpet, which the plumber says they're going to put back, I can't believer that. After about an hour and a half of jack-hammering you can see where this has gone. I sent Will a text and said they aren't even close to the whole. Plus, the dude was there alone digging all the concrete out and putting it outside:

This is what it was starting to look like after all the concrete was up. There's a hose, which I think is random, they had to dig the dirt out as well to get to the actual pole. The hole is a pretty decent size and you gotta hold the wall to get in the hallway, but the plumber put a huge piece of wood so we can walk on it...umm we aren't staying there in the stench! That's just too nasty and bad for all of our health, especially Star, Matt's girlfriend, whom is pregnant:

This is the view from my hallyway area, you can see the hole and the big area of carpet missing. I still cannot get over the fact that they are going to put the carpet back, especially since they piled the concrete AND dirt on it on the grass by our front door. The jack-hammer is chillin in the hallway:

They wanted to bring this back in the house because he said it was dry. EWW!! You can see the water stains. I made him put this in our patio area because there was no way it was going back:

Man Oh Man

It's been a while since I posted on here and I only saw it fit to update with a venting... Yes venting! I must vent! Just a little background on the situation: In December of last year, Will was in Vegas and I was working at Miller Barondess, LLP.. One morning I saw that my shower was clogged, but thought nothing of it. I worked a 10 hour day and came home to a smelly apartment... Turns out my shower flooded my bathroom. I called the after hours number [which turned out to be the manager's cell phone #], finally got a hold of her and explained the situation, telling her it's an emergency and she told me it wasn't an emergency because we have 2 bathrooms with a shower in it. She said she would be sending a plumber out the next day; mind you the fumes were super bad and I was told by Candice that it's not healthy to be inhaling it. I had to work the next day, so I prayed they came early in the morning. The plumber said he'd come when I got off work...That wasn't working for me, it needed to be done first thing in the morning, and first thing it was. All was well...

HA HA HA!

Yesterday morning, I went to take a shower because my friend Matt was graduating. I noticed the shower was clogged and was knocked out, so I didn't know if Will had taken a shower before he left for work. I put that on my list of things to do: Call the management company to let them know what was happening, so that I could avoid what happened in December. So I took a shower in the other bathroom, since I knew she'd tell me it wasn't an emergency, plus it didn't kill me to take a shower in the other bathroom... I called the management company after we ate and the manager wasn't there, but the secretary said she'd relay the message and send someone out to check it out; she took my number and said she'd get back to me. Well I needed to go the mall and pick up a corsette type thing for my dress in Candice's wedding and I needed to get it done before today...being as they hadn't called me back I figured they just didn't care. There was a little problem at the mall and I needed to go to a different one. On my way to the other mall at 6:35PM a plumber called me, he didn't speak very good english and said he was on his way. I told him I wasn't home and he told me to give him my address and to call him back when I got home. Jeremy came with me, but was asleep most of the time. When we got home around 7:20PM, we smelled something really bad. I thought it was the trash...actually, I prayed it was the trash... I headed into my room and it smelled HORRIBLE! Like worse than DECEMBER did... Turns out my bathroom area was flooded onto our bedroom carpet. I couldn't believe it. Not again was all I could think. When I went in the living room to tell Jeremy what it was, I stepped in a puddle of water, THEN realized it was wet along the living room wall and along the hallway. Of course this was all happening with Will not home. I couldn't believe he didn't tell me anything about it. I called the after hours number once again and COULD NOT get a hold of her for over an hour and a half. This was a super emergency because the smell was 100 times worse than last time and it was more flooded than last time. Oh forgot to mention, I COULD NOT get a hold of the plumber that called me AND I couldn't leave him a message either. Seriusly, what plubmer doesn't have a voicemail????

Anywho, I told her that she always sends people who barely speak english to me and that's messed up and besides I couldn't get a hold of him. She told me another guy's number [the same guys that fixed it last time] and to give him a call in 10 minutes... Turns out he called me. I explained the situation to him and he says "Ok, I am not in my truck, but I'll come check it out and if it's bad, I'll go get my truck." ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! He also said it was going to take him 30-40 minutes to get here, this was at 8:57PM... Will got home a little before 10 and the plumber was still NOT there. Will couldn't believe what he was seeing and said it smelled fowl, which it totally did. FINALLY, at 10:20 the plumber shows up. Lucky him, he couldn't smell exactly how bad it was because he said he was getting over a cold or something. He also couldn't figure out why everything was flooded, until coming to the conclusion that something must've burst under the living room area to make there be a puddle before the hall. Actually, it was a BIG puddle. He also noticed my closet was damp...Great I was thinking about Will's dresser and my boxes being on the floor. He said there was nothing he could do that night because he needed some assistance or something. We knew we couldn't stay in that smell and that we'd have to go get a hotel, on management of course. I called her back and explained a little what happened and she said ok and for me to call the carper place... OH YEAH, forgot to mention that too... We got our carpet cleaned on JUNE 7TH... Yeah seems like that was for nothing too...ESPECIALLY since it's damaged and stinky now... BUT it's also in the room now. Will was heated.

Back to what I was saying...I told her we needed to stay at a hotel and she said that's fine "but not too expensive!!" Once again ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! I told her, "Well it's not gonna be cheap!" She said that's fine. Well, we're in a 2 bedroom 2 bath suite... YUP I said that. Matt and Star need a place to stay too...BUT she also had THE NERVE to ask me, "You don't have family you can stay with?" UMMMM NO!!! DO YOU FREAKIN' KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS??? LOL IT WAS AFTER 11PM!!! [Promise I didn't say that to her, but I sure was thinking it!!!]

So I had an appointment to get fitted for my dress today in Norwalk at 10 and told the plumber I wouldn't be available until after that. He said that wasn't a problem, to just call when I got home.  I made a small stop because it was down the street and it would make life easier on me. I headed home and called him when I got home, this was before 12PM. I also called the carpet cleaners and explained what happened and the guy told me he could send a guy out to do an estimate because there's no telling how much damage is done. He called back shortly after and said they were swamped and couldn't make it until Monday. I said ok and called the manager back. She didn't answer and I immediately called the plumber to find out where he was, he said he'd get to me in 30-40 minutes [he must love that number]. I talked to Will's mom for about a half an hour and still no plumber. He didn't show up until like 1:30PM. He came in with a huge snake and snaked out the shower and then came in with a jack hammer...yes jack hammer!! I was stuck bored while watching him cut up the carpet and make this GInormous hole in my living room. I kept thinking this can't be right. I called the manager once again and was finally able to get a hold of her. She told me she's been with the guy for 20 years and he knows what he's doing, not to worry about the mess they were making and that cost was being taken care of. GOOD because it's bad enough that we have to get 2 more nights here! There's no way we can stay in the fumes and everything SHOULD be done by TUESDAY...Yeah we'll see about that...

[A little note, I had something typed and it didn't save all the way. I wish you guys could have seen it, but this vent is good enough for now. I was trying to post pictures, but it's not allowing me... best believe you'll see them and think WTF? You'll be glad you can't smell it for sure!]

Have a good one...  more to come later!

Well....

It most definitely has been a while. Apologies. I feel like I have been one busy girl, when in reality I haven't. Let's see... I got a job with the US Census, however, I was let go because I had an out of town function that was already paid for. The job was a temporary one anyway. I am back on the search and so far, I have heard back from one place... I have a job interview Tuesday at 12:30. Hope all goes well. So while I was out of town, the girls in Candice's wedding went shoe shopping. Myself and another bridesmaid still need shoes. I have some I can wear, but I would like to buy another pair just to have... since a girl can NEVER have too many shoes ;-)

On that note [Candice's wedding], her Bridal Shower was yesterday and I must say it was GORGEOUS! Her sister-in-law [bridesmaid], mom, and MOH [Maid of Honor] did an AMAZING job! I can't wait until the Bachelorette party!!!

I don't know what more to say. SO I think I will just end here =) Have a good one!

It's only "FITTING"

I know I haven't posted in a while, and I don't have much time now.... BUT....

I CAN FIT IN MY OLD PAIR OF DICKIES!!!

There needs to be a little explanation... So I had these Dickies when I worked at the bowling alley, only I couldn't wear them to work because of the color... I bought them because I had black ones and figured I could bowl in these for turnaments... Anywho, I think the last time I officially wore these were 2 weeks before Will and I became official...ALMOST 6 YEARS AGO!! After doing the 30 Day Shred, I tried to put them on, but they didn't fit... I couldn't button or zip them up...What was worse is that Will put them on with no problem, but reassured me I was losing because all his weight is in his belly... I was devastated... Candice didn't know why he put them on, but I think it was motivation...I feel a lot different after starting the 30 Day Jumpstart and the Biggest Loser Las Chance Workout... Now I know it's paying off for sure. The pants are a little snug, but you can bet your bottom dollar I am rocking these today! Can't wait until they fit me like before. OMG I could cry <3

Another one...

So it has definitely been a while. I am still looking for a job, but I did get something with the Census. I am happy and grateful for it, but it is a temporary job. It will last for 6 weeks. But hey, 6 weeks is better than nothing. Especially since I will be getting a paycheck.

Lately, I have been unhappy with myself and confided in Jenalee about it. It's a mixture of things, but for the most part it's me not having a job and my weight. I can't say that I am not trying to find a job and the weight part, well she put it into the greatest word "you control your weight so do something about it." I have been working out but I felt highly unmotivated, EVEN with Candice's wedding being just around the corner. I was in Vegas last week and told myself to bring a DVD to workout. I decided to bring a DVD I hadn't opened since I got it for Christmas from my sister, The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start. I was browsing and saw that it had a workout plan. I became really into it because it has it mapped out: Week 1- 10 minute workouts for 6 days a week [**ALL DAYS VARY**]; Week 2 - 20 minute workouts; Week 3 - 30 minute workouts; and Week 4 - 40 minute workouts. I even turned my boyfriend on to doing this with me. I got even more excited when looking at the cover "Lose up to 3 inches off your waist!" it also said for MAXIMUM results combine with The Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout. I bought the Last Chance workout on Sunday =) We started on Monday, but he is only doing the Jump Start with me, the Last Chance one is 6 weeks. I don't mind though because it's baby steps. If he likes it he should continue with me. He even is going to renew his membership with 24 Hour Fitness [BTW - I saw that if you go into 24 Hour Fitness and mention the Biggest Loser Special, your initiation fee is WAIVED!]. This is great. We made a plan to do this and to eat better; well be stricter than we were. I cook out of the Biggest Loser Cookbook and The Most Decadent Diet...Ever book. As you can tell I am excited. I had Candice measure me on Tuesday and I am a little more happy with the measurements. I think I lost a little since the fitting, which is good. Now I have until the end of May to go for another fitting with, hopefully, dramatic results =)

On a sad note. I received news on April 10th that a very close friend of the family had passed away. I was pretty broken up. I didn't show it, but I was. I could only hear him whistle for his daughter Jenni. They lived across the street from my mom's house and moved. But we all grew up together. His funeral was yesterday [since it's now after midnight]. It was a sad but good time. God wanted him home and took him from us; he was 55 years YOUNG! I know he is up there CANCER FREE, shining down on us =) RIP FRANK DIAZ.

The bad news keeps coming though... I found out Tuesday morning, someone my mom bowled with lost his battle with Cancer as well. He had a brain tumor and he is no longer suffering. May Daryl Evans Sr. RIP as well.

I believe that is all, I thought I would update you followers on what's going on in my life. I get sworn in TODAY and fingerprinted [standard procedure for a Federal job]. Next week I start training =) Goodnight/Morning!!

Motivation

So I have been sick. Well trying to fight it, but it has been getting the best of me. On Monday I broke down and bought some NyQuil, since that morning I woke up coughing and my chest was burning. I also hadn't been able to sleep. What sucks is this all came from a stomach ache I had on Wednesday. Hopefully, I am at the end of that.

This past Saturday I was fitted for Candice's wedding. I was VERY disappointed in the measurements [It made me think of the fact that I didn't measure myself before doing the 30-Day Shred]. But the chest part is what's getting me the most. There's no way I am THAT big [sorry not sharing]. Anyway, that became my motivation. The woman making the dress said if we lose weight by the end of May to come back and be remeasured. I WILL make that number lower! HAHA. I also had an interview on Saturday. Actually, it was more of a waste of time if you ask me. It took me over an hour to get there. Parking was INSANE. I finally find a place across the street from the building and walk toward the lobby [at this point I am on time]. In the lobby there were at least 20 people, INCLUDING myself, who were waiting to go up to the 4th floor. Apparently, there was only ONE security guard to let people up. We finally just went in the elevator and prayed it would go up to the 4th floor. We get to the suite and there's AT LEAST 20 people in there! Seriously I was disappointed I rushed there. What made it worse, is that they weren't honoring our appointment times, they called us in the order we signed in... AND it gets worse...I paid $0.75 to park for an hour and I waited for over 40 mins...THEN when I got called into the room my "interview" lasted LESS THAN 2 minutes. It turns out there are 3 positions available and they were interviewing people in the same style from 9-3. My chances of getting that job aren't looking great. I wasn't too worried about that because I had an interview yesterday [Tuesday].

Mind you I took some NyQuil on Monday night. Tuesday morning I woke up feeling groggy as ever! Good thing the interview was scheduled for 4:45 AND it was near Miller Barondess =) So I was completely familiar with where it was. I showed up a little, ok an hour [when I parked] early. You can't chance LA traffic, I'm just saying. I met with 2 women and PERSONALLY I think the interview went well. Never have I felt this way about an interview, but as we were walking out she said they'll be calling for 2nd round interviews next week. I was pretty excited. Then I thought, I have been on one before and that didn't turn out too well. We will see.

Today was the day! I decided enough is enough. I got off my BUTT and headed to the gym. I took my phlemmy self to the gym. I did the elliptical for 45 minutes! I am so proud of myself. Man was I sweaty. I also weighed myself AND I have not lost OR gained anything. I guess you can say that's good because I did drop like a size and a half, so that's good INCH wise =)

My new plan is this: Mon-Fri Get up and go to the gym, rest and workout with Jillian or vice versa. When I get a job it will be gym first and Jillian after. I would like to lose 25 pounds by the end of May. The way I see it, that will be a good amount lost to get remeasured and then by the time Candice's wedding is here [July 3rd], well before then if it needs to be taken in, it won't be too drastic. I need this. Not only for the wedding, but for me. I am not too happy when I look in the mirror, but I am working on it =)

OOOOOOOOOOOOOH 1 last thing... I got a call int he last 5 minutes of my gym time on the elliptical I get a call from the Census. I got the job! I report on April 21st. The thing is, if I get anything before then I will call them and let them know. I am really crossing my fingers. The Census job will last for 6 weeks and I would have to work a minimum of 24 hours a week. That way if I have interviews, I can still make time for them. That's exciting if you ask me =)

That's all for now! Have a good one!

BTW - Congrats to Jenalee and her husband Joel, on moving into their NEW home! I am so happy for them =)