It's finally here! Tonight at 6pm, I will begin my Captain's Class. I am nervous, excited, anxious, curious, full of hope, and ready to embrace the challenge. I am looking forward to learning new things, meeting some new people, and to devote almost everything I have to this endeavor. Thanks again to all who made it happen and now it's up to me to succeed and make myself, as well as all my believers, proud.
I am also starting this new chapter as an engaged woman. It happened last week. Eric and I will be getting married on August 10. We decided to do it AFTER Lollapalooza weekend (I don't want to be downtown with thousands of suburban teenagers), and the 10th is fitting because August is the month in which we first met, and it is the day of Drum Corps Internationals World Class Finals. Eric introduced me to DCI and all things drum corps. We are going to get married at City Hall, then probably wander over to the Riverwalk and take some pictures with the water taxis, then join some friends and family for drinks/a light bite somewhere and end the day with the Wendella fireworks cruise. These plans are preliminary, except for the getting married at City Hall part, and I am open to any ideas or suggestions people might have.
The path to getting to this point hasn't been smooth and it hasn't been easy, but it has made for a very interesting and full life. Sure there have been tears, arguments, times apart, doubts and problems. Throughout it all though there has been laughter, happiness, adventures, and most of all love. This rings true for Captains Class and for getting married.
I'll be blogging more with class and wedding plan updates. I hope you'll enjoy following along as the story continues to unfold.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Monday, February 4, 2019
I Can Breathe Again
The polar vortex of last week is history, the snow is melting, football is over, the birds are building nests on the porch, and I finally feel like I can relax a little bit.
The cold last week really messed up my car again. It wouldn't start, AAA wouldn't come out to jump it, and the electronics were so messed up that my temperature display on the radio was either missing, or stuck at 8 degrees. Since the weather has been warmer for a few days, the car is back to being normal and I was able to pass my emissions test today and get my license plate renewed. I'm being extra careful with the car since the accident and hopefully, except for an oil change, the car has had it's adventures for 2019.
I'm also set for Captain's Class. The class starts in 2 weeks and I'm nervous and excited and ready to work extra hard for this. Thanks again for everyone who helped me out and who continue to believe in me. I'm doing this for all of us. It's also time to get ready for the water taxi season which should be starting soon. I need some new khaki pants, some new undergarments, and maybe some new footwear.
Wednesday it's supposed to be cold and icy so I may just battle my taxes that day. Like I said, I'm being extra careful with the car so any bad, iffy weather means I will probably not drive for Lyft. It's a catch-22 since that's when you can make more money, but I'm not taking any chances.
Just like the groundhog predicting an early Spring, I am ready for the change out of Winter and on to new things.
The cold last week really messed up my car again. It wouldn't start, AAA wouldn't come out to jump it, and the electronics were so messed up that my temperature display on the radio was either missing, or stuck at 8 degrees. Since the weather has been warmer for a few days, the car is back to being normal and I was able to pass my emissions test today and get my license plate renewed. I'm being extra careful with the car since the accident and hopefully, except for an oil change, the car has had it's adventures for 2019.
I'm also set for Captain's Class. The class starts in 2 weeks and I'm nervous and excited and ready to work extra hard for this. Thanks again for everyone who helped me out and who continue to believe in me. I'm doing this for all of us. It's also time to get ready for the water taxi season which should be starting soon. I need some new khaki pants, some new undergarments, and maybe some new footwear.
Wednesday it's supposed to be cold and icy so I may just battle my taxes that day. Like I said, I'm being extra careful with the car so any bad, iffy weather means I will probably not drive for Lyft. It's a catch-22 since that's when you can make more money, but I'm not taking any chances.
Just like the groundhog predicting an early Spring, I am ready for the change out of Winter and on to new things.
Friday, January 25, 2019
How I U-Turned My Way Into Captain's Class
First of all I want to apologize for bitching and complaining for most of the month of January. Those of you who have been reading, or who follow me on Facebook you know that I've been something of a "downer." I have 'Sadness' from the movie "Inside Out" on my car keychain.
It's kind of funny because it's me, but then again it's not because I've been personifying her for the past couple of weeks and that's not something anyone likes...especially me. So many people are going through things of their own, that I have no right to bitch about the little things. Not all molehills are mountains.
Secondly I want to thank each and every person who reads this, who comments on my Facebook posts, who message me, who text me, who email me, and who most of all...love me. The tears I cried today are tears of happiness. Tears of relief. Tears of realization that I am loved, in different ways, by so many people. So again, thank you for the positive comments, the suggestions, the recommendations, the donations, the friendship, and the caring.
Thirdly, I am going to be in the Spring Captain's Class. When I had my accident on the 13th, after just having my car at the mechanic for some expensive repair work, I was crushed. When Lyft said I was responsible for the $2500 deductible, I knew that this was the end of my class. That there was no way I could pay for the car repairs AND class, no matter how much I drove once and IF I got the car back. But thanks to Eric's Mom, Linda who believes in me and who loves me like I daughter, I got my car back and had gas money to start driving again for Lyft. Then I heard from my insurance company who said that they would actually pay the difference between the repairs and my deductible which was only $500. I asked Linda if she wanted the check from the insurance company and she said "no...you're family, you use that for your class." Then today, I got an email from my aunt. Apparently my brother told her that I was in an accident and was having issues paying for captain's class. She called me silly and that she was there to help if I needed it, that all I had to do was ask. She is also pitching in so I can achieve my dream. So it turns out that accident was actually the best thing that could have happened to me, instead of the worst. I am looking forward to February 19th and taking my friends on this journey with me. Let's replace Sadness with something else.
It's kind of funny because it's me, but then again it's not because I've been personifying her for the past couple of weeks and that's not something anyone likes...especially me. So many people are going through things of their own, that I have no right to bitch about the little things. Not all molehills are mountains.
Secondly I want to thank each and every person who reads this, who comments on my Facebook posts, who message me, who text me, who email me, and who most of all...love me. The tears I cried today are tears of happiness. Tears of relief. Tears of realization that I am loved, in different ways, by so many people. So again, thank you for the positive comments, the suggestions, the recommendations, the donations, the friendship, and the caring.
Thirdly, I am going to be in the Spring Captain's Class. When I had my accident on the 13th, after just having my car at the mechanic for some expensive repair work, I was crushed. When Lyft said I was responsible for the $2500 deductible, I knew that this was the end of my class. That there was no way I could pay for the car repairs AND class, no matter how much I drove once and IF I got the car back. But thanks to Eric's Mom, Linda who believes in me and who loves me like I daughter, I got my car back and had gas money to start driving again for Lyft. Then I heard from my insurance company who said that they would actually pay the difference between the repairs and my deductible which was only $500. I asked Linda if she wanted the check from the insurance company and she said "no...you're family, you use that for your class." Then today, I got an email from my aunt. Apparently my brother told her that I was in an accident and was having issues paying for captain's class. She called me silly and that she was there to help if I needed it, that all I had to do was ask. She is also pitching in so I can achieve my dream. So it turns out that accident was actually the best thing that could have happened to me, instead of the worst. I am looking forward to February 19th and taking my friends on this journey with me. Let's replace Sadness with something else.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Sometimes I Wish I Could Just Stand in the Shower All Day
Haven't blogged in a few days, but I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd start putting down some thoughts in the wee hours of the morning. And yes, sometimes the warm/hot water of the shower feels so good, it would be nice to stand there, without pruning or running out of warm/hot water, all day. Some days it's like a warm hug, washing the troubles away.
It's been an emotional few days, basically waiting to find out when I'd get my car back (still haven't yet), trying to sell some more stuff, and trying to juggle the bills I have to pay while I'm not making any money with my car. Once I get the car back, I have to have it inspected so Lyft will let me drive again. I also have to get my license plate renewed by the end of the month. So on top of the deductible, there's a couple of other costs to add in order to get driving again, while not driving. It's always something.
We had a bit of a snow storm and I went out and got my physical exercise by shoveling. Living on a corner lot is a blessing and a curse. More ground to shovel, but less neighbors. I am in better shape than I was last winter when I shoveled so this time it wasn't too bad. The snow was also light and fluffy so it was easier to shovel. An old shoulder injury from the boats kind of reared its ugly head and I was sore for a couple of days but nothing too serious. It's raining right now, we had ice earlier and snow is expected later and then it's gonna get really cold. Winter in Chicago has finally arrived.
I did do a little bit of baking. Made a birthday cake for Eric, yellow cake with Hershey chocolate frosting. He enjoyed it and I do like the smell of baked goods in the apartment.
I did walk a couple of miles yesterday too. Had to take the snow globe I sold to the post office to ship it out. It was during the freezing rain, but still early enough so that it wasn't too dangerous. Also felt good to get outside and move a bit.
Haven't read much except for things on Facebook and Twitter. I now cannot look at my phone or my computer without wearing my glasses, and when I do, my eyes start to water and my vision gets blurry. Sometimes getting older is not glamorous at all. Technology can also hinder as well as help.
I watched the football playoffs on Sunday. The teams I wanted to win ended up losing so I'm not sure I'm going to watch the Super Bowl. Football is my favorite sport and the Super Bowl this year ends up being on my Dad's birthday so part of me feels I should watch it. It's going to be a long off-season. Maybe I'll just watch for the commercials and not really pay attention to the game. Sometimes it's easier when you don't have a team to root for and don't really care about the outcome.
That's about it. I'm still plugging along, working on what I can and anxiously waiting for the day when I can sit in my car for hours with strangers again.
It's been an emotional few days, basically waiting to find out when I'd get my car back (still haven't yet), trying to sell some more stuff, and trying to juggle the bills I have to pay while I'm not making any money with my car. Once I get the car back, I have to have it inspected so Lyft will let me drive again. I also have to get my license plate renewed by the end of the month. So on top of the deductible, there's a couple of other costs to add in order to get driving again, while not driving. It's always something.
We had a bit of a snow storm and I went out and got my physical exercise by shoveling. Living on a corner lot is a blessing and a curse. More ground to shovel, but less neighbors. I am in better shape than I was last winter when I shoveled so this time it wasn't too bad. The snow was also light and fluffy so it was easier to shovel. An old shoulder injury from the boats kind of reared its ugly head and I was sore for a couple of days but nothing too serious. It's raining right now, we had ice earlier and snow is expected later and then it's gonna get really cold. Winter in Chicago has finally arrived.
I did do a little bit of baking. Made a birthday cake for Eric, yellow cake with Hershey chocolate frosting. He enjoyed it and I do like the smell of baked goods in the apartment.
I did walk a couple of miles yesterday too. Had to take the snow globe I sold to the post office to ship it out. It was during the freezing rain, but still early enough so that it wasn't too dangerous. Also felt good to get outside and move a bit.
Haven't read much except for things on Facebook and Twitter. I now cannot look at my phone or my computer without wearing my glasses, and when I do, my eyes start to water and my vision gets blurry. Sometimes getting older is not glamorous at all. Technology can also hinder as well as help.
I watched the football playoffs on Sunday. The teams I wanted to win ended up losing so I'm not sure I'm going to watch the Super Bowl. Football is my favorite sport and the Super Bowl this year ends up being on my Dad's birthday so part of me feels I should watch it. It's going to be a long off-season. Maybe I'll just watch for the commercials and not really pay attention to the game. Sometimes it's easier when you don't have a team to root for and don't really care about the outcome.
That's about it. I'm still plugging along, working on what I can and anxiously waiting for the day when I can sit in my car for hours with strangers again.
Friday, January 18, 2019
Waiting For The Storm
I don't remember whether or not my parents listened closely to the weather reports or that the weather people told of impending storms more than a week away. I do know that I have been hearing about how we're going to have a "big storm" this weekend for about a week now. It was a winter storm watch yesterday so I went grocery shopping. I was told this morning that it was a Winter Storm Warning starting at 3pm. When it started to flurry around 2:15 I thought, uh-oh...earlier than they predicted, maybe it's going to be more than they thought. However, it only snowed for about an hour and now, it's 8:15pm and it's only snowing lightly again. There were a few flakes around 6:30 but nothing that stuck and definitely not the "SNOWMAGEDDON" they have been warning us about. I'm happy it's not too bad and I know that things can change and I could wake up tomorrow to a foot of snow, but for now, I'm just waiting.
I remember the Blizzard of '79 where we got FEET of snow and school was actually canceled and our garage roof collapsed. I remember the Valentine's Day blizzard a few years back when I had to trudge through snowbanks to be one of the only people to go to work (and our heater died).
I like snowstorms. Or I like at least 1 snowstorm a season. I like how it makes everything clean and quiet. I like getting the exercise of shoveling. I like making the first tracks in the snow. When I lived in Florida, people didn't understand that I missed snow. I guess growing up with it, you have a fondness for it.
So I'm ready for whatever happens. I have food. I have books. I am watching movies and Blue Planet II on Netflix. The NFL Playoffs are on TV on Sunday. The cats are snuggling on the couch and in their beds.
I'll let you know tomorrow if I have changed my mind about the snow.
I remember the Blizzard of '79 where we got FEET of snow and school was actually canceled and our garage roof collapsed. I remember the Valentine's Day blizzard a few years back when I had to trudge through snowbanks to be one of the only people to go to work (and our heater died).
I like snowstorms. Or I like at least 1 snowstorm a season. I like how it makes everything clean and quiet. I like getting the exercise of shoveling. I like making the first tracks in the snow. When I lived in Florida, people didn't understand that I missed snow. I guess growing up with it, you have a fondness for it.
So I'm ready for whatever happens. I have food. I have books. I am watching movies and Blue Planet II on Netflix. The NFL Playoffs are on TV on Sunday. The cats are snuggling on the couch and in their beds.
I'll let you know tomorrow if I have changed my mind about the snow.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Downtime
I dropped my car off at the body shop yesterday and they said I should have it back in a week, depending on how long it takes to get the new doors. They're actually going to replace the entire driver's side of the car. I've talked with the insurance companies and I should be okay. Then once it's back, I just have to get it inspected again before Lyft lets me drive again.
So now I'm back to going through things across the hall and trying to sell stuff on different sites. I did confirm that I wanted to take the Captain's class starting in February so I'm gonna be working hard to make that happen.
I started another book last night, "The Last of the Stanfields". I only read one chapter but it wasn't too bad. I would have read more, but I was tired. I am tired of going through the emotional ups and downs, but that's part of life.
I was able to stop at the grocery store yesterday and pick up some things. I'll have to go out again tomorrow and pick up some more things, but I'm getting my first unemployment check so that should help. This weekend I hope to bake which always makes me feel better.
So lots of nothing going on, yet lots of everything going on.
So now I'm back to going through things across the hall and trying to sell stuff on different sites. I did confirm that I wanted to take the Captain's class starting in February so I'm gonna be working hard to make that happen.
I started another book last night, "The Last of the Stanfields". I only read one chapter but it wasn't too bad. I would have read more, but I was tired. I am tired of going through the emotional ups and downs, but that's part of life.
I was able to stop at the grocery store yesterday and pick up some things. I'll have to go out again tomorrow and pick up some more things, but I'm getting my first unemployment check so that should help. This weekend I hope to bake which always makes me feel better.
So lots of nothing going on, yet lots of everything going on.
Monday, January 14, 2019
When It Rains It Pours
What a messed up 24 hours it's been. I got up in the morning yesterday to drive for Lyft and was doing that until I got hit by someone on Milwaukee Ave. The damage doesn't look too bad, but it's body work on the car so it's gonna be expensive. Lyft will cover it, but there is a large deductible that I will still have to cover and it will probably going to raise my insurance rates. Yay! Luckily no one was injured in the accident and my car is drivable and I'm taking it in tomorrow so hopefully I'll be back on the road soon.
Today, I got messages from Wendella asking if I was returning to the boats in 2019 (Of course I am), and from my Captain's Class asking if I was going to be in the class starting on February 19th.
I've shed a lot of tears in the past couple of days. Embarrassed that I was in an accident (but they are called "accidents" for a reason), unsure of how I'm gonna pay my bills since driving was my "off season job", and the realization that I may not get to take the Captain's class this Spring because I can't pay for it. I've always been hardest on myself and once the tears stop, I do realize that things happen for a reason and I need to keep my chin up. This just gives me more determination to get to my goals, no matter how long it takes.
I have sold a few things and will continue to try to do that, and I should have my car back at least by the end of the week so I can go back to earning money.
I hate admitting that I need help and that sometimes I'm not as strong as I'd like to be. So, I'm going to sort of beg, because I don't really have any other options at the moment. I don't know how many of you read my blog on a consistent basis, but I'm gonna make a last ditch effort here and share my link to the GoFundMe page for my Captain's Class. Please share with anyone you know who you think might be able to help. Thank you!
https://www.gofundme.com/help-robin-ernst-earn-her-captain039s-bars
Today, I got messages from Wendella asking if I was returning to the boats in 2019 (Of course I am), and from my Captain's Class asking if I was going to be in the class starting on February 19th.
I've shed a lot of tears in the past couple of days. Embarrassed that I was in an accident (but they are called "accidents" for a reason), unsure of how I'm gonna pay my bills since driving was my "off season job", and the realization that I may not get to take the Captain's class this Spring because I can't pay for it. I've always been hardest on myself and once the tears stop, I do realize that things happen for a reason and I need to keep my chin up. This just gives me more determination to get to my goals, no matter how long it takes.
I have sold a few things and will continue to try to do that, and I should have my car back at least by the end of the week so I can go back to earning money.
I hate admitting that I need help and that sometimes I'm not as strong as I'd like to be. So, I'm going to sort of beg, because I don't really have any other options at the moment. I don't know how many of you read my blog on a consistent basis, but I'm gonna make a last ditch effort here and share my link to the GoFundMe page for my Captain's Class. Please share with anyone you know who you think might be able to help. Thank you!
https://www.gofundme.com/help-robin-ernst-earn-her-captain039s-bars
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