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.

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.

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

Another Rough One

Ugh. Woke up today feeling really tired and down. Opened the door and the curtain and discovered it was snowing. The weatherman promised sun, but it never appeared. It did snow off and on all day. I know we're expecting a storm this weekend, but it didn't do anything for my mood. I made myself some breakfast and thought about going to the store. Also thought I might drive the PM rush hour for Lyft, but didn't do that either. I took a couple of naps which just made me more tired. Also developed a headache. That could be from the approaching storm, or my just general feel of malaise.

This weekend I'm gonna take pictures of all the things I plan to sell and put them up on eBay and Craigslist and maybe even Facebook. I think I'll feel better to get rid of some of this clutter. I also plan on driving for Lyft tomorrow night and Saturday night and Sunday brunch hours probably. Those were the times last year that I found to be more profitable for me.

I should be finished with one of the books I am reading tonight. I've also been cooking for myself a lot more which always makes me feel good.

I know this down phase is just a phase and it will pass. I usually get a little down after the holidays. After you take down the decorations, the house just seems so plain. The weather is dreary too. The older I get however, the faster the time goes and before long I'll be back on the water taxis and hopefully in captain's class.

For now I'm gonna go read my book and have a restful sleep. Ready for a busy, productive weekend.

Slowly Making Progress

Missed posting a blog yesterday, I think everything was finally catching up to me. I slept in until almost 9am which meant missing rush hour driving for Lyft, but obviously I needed it. Went across the hall instead and unearthed some more things to sell. I have 134 Beanie Babies left over from the craze in the 90's. I originally thought I might sell those to make a down payment on my first house. I was a lot younger then. I did post some stuff on eBay and I'll see how that sells. I also cleaned up the kitchen a little yesterday. I did read a few chapters as well so it wasn't a total loss of a day. I also went to the FedEx store and faxed some documents. I had no idea faxes were so obsolete these days that they have become expensive...$6 to fax 4 pages. It only cost me $0.42 to make copies.

This morning I got up and drove for Lyft. You do meet some interesting people. I met a young man from Seattle who was interviewing to get into medical school. He said he was going to tell them that it was because he watched ER when he was younger. I also met a man from New Jersey who was spending his second day in Chicago, he realized that he might want to get a warmer jacket. It has turned colder since yesterday, and the wind chill makes it feel like Winter. We are expecting a snowstorm on Saturday which might leave a couple of inches on the ground.

Just wanted to get something down today so I don't fall too far behind on the blogging. I realize that I'm basically just journaling and telling people about my day, but I also realize that some days I will have more things to write about and more things to share.

Thanks again for reading!

Let's Get It Started

I had the first week of 2019 "off", now I'm ready to get at it. I got my car back this morning and it's driving very nicely. I'll start taking passengers for Lyft tomorrow morning during rush hour. I also started unpacking boxes across the hall. Some of them I hadn't unpacked since 2005. I found some old friends, some things I thought were lost, and a whole lot of memories. The cats were a little scared, but they are dealing with the changes well.

One of my greatest finds was two recipe boxes.

One from my grandparents (on my Mom's side), and one from my Mom. It's filled with handwritten, typed, clipped from magazines, picked up in stores and other recipes. There is no way I am parting with those. I'm actually thinking of putting them together in a book of some sort. One day when I have more time to go through all of the recipes, I'll probably even try a few of them and compile them into some sort of order and see what happens from there.

I also found some things I didn't realize I had, including a set of Star Wars: Phantom Menace figurines, a Jessica Rabbit doll, a Cubs Barbie, a bunch of green army men in a jar, and a hatchet. Found some framed pictures as well. In the days before Instagram and Snapchat and Facebook there were framed photos and loose photos and photo albums. I also found a few Christmas ornaments that I'll be proud to hang on my tree next year.

This weekend we're gonna try and sell some things on eBay, Craigslist, etc. Just to see what happens and to maybe supplement my income even more. I am ready to let go of things, reduce the clutter. Share my enjoyment with others.

It's been a good day of memories and I look forward to unearthing some more.

What a Week It's Been!

I am glad this week is over and that basically, the holidays are over and things will get back to being somewhat normal. I get the car back from the mechanic tomorrow and will be able to drive for Lyft and make some money. I also get to certify my Unemployment claim on Tuesday so I should be getting a small, but helpful check from the state too. I also now have a positive bank account. All good things and although it took awhile, I am now ready to start the year. I am in a better place than I have been all week and it's nice to actually be able to breathe and relax just a bit.

I am sorry that the Bears lost, and I did probably post a "not nice" thing about Cody Parkey on Facebook, but that was in the heat of the moment. I do understand that it's a game and as a lifelong Chicago sports fan, I should be used to the ups and downs of our teams. The Bears had better season than anyone expected and it looks like they'll have a good team for a bit. Also, now I can enjoy the Super Bowl for the ads because I won't have a real interest in whichever two teams are playing in it this year.

I do have a plan for selling some things to help my financial situation as well too. One of the positive things about having as many interests as I do, means I have several different things to sell. Things that should appeal to all different kinds of people. I have some leather Harley-Davidson motorcycle jackets. I have a bridle and a tack trunk and other "horsey" things for equestrian types. I have some antique furniture. I also have a set of original American Girl dolls, and some of their accessories AND all of their Christmas outfits, and even a Christmas Tree (I believe). They've been sitting across the hall for years and I haven't looked at them or used them or worn them, so I'm hoping that they can bring joy to others.

I read a lot last night so I should also be finished with my first book of the year by tomorrow night or Tuesday.

So as it's been said before ONWARD & UPWARD!

2019 Starts As A Blank Slate...Can't Wait To See How I Fill It

I'm back! After taking 2018 off from blogging, I'm ready to get at it again. I should be able to take a few minutes every day to write something, thoughts, worries, hopes, dreams, insights and hopefully, many adventures.

As the clock struck midnight, ushering in a new year, I lay in bed watching revelers in Chicago kiss, dance, drink, cheer and whatever else happens on TV. Thankfully my neighborhood didn't erupt in the usual gunfire and fireworks. Then I thought about the year that had passed and how I was starting 2019. I am honestly starting with a lot less than I had hoped. I have a negative bank account balance, I'm off from my fantastic (but seasonal) job, my car is broken down so I don't even have the ability to do my "off season" job of driving for Lyft.  

However, I don't want to focus on what I don't have. I want to focus on what I do have and the prospects of what I can achieve in the upcoming year. I have a roof over my head. I have clothes to wear. I have food to eat. I have three cats that love to cuddle. I have the chance to advance my career to the next level. Captain's class is going to be tough, but it's going to be worth it. And I have the best support system around from my colleagues who have become good friends in just 2 short years. My mother used to tell a story of a determined look I'd get on my face when there's something I really want. I really want to pass this class so I'm hoping that look is planted on my face permanently (or at least until I'm done with the tests). 

Becoming a Captain is the big goal for 2019 but I have some smaller ones too. I'd like to read more. I think I can try for a book a week. Amazon sends me a free book every month and I'm a good 6 months behind on those to read. I bought a couple of books for a train ride sometime early last year, and one of them remain unopened. 

I'd like to write more. I'd like to blog/journal every day. It's a great way of getting down what happened, keeping me on track for my goals, and remembering where I've been. 

I'd like to take an actual vacation at the end of the year. I don't know if it will be a cruise, a trip to Vegas (which I've only driven through), a trip to somewhere I've never been, or even just renting a cabin up in Door County for a long weekend. I haven't been on a vacation in over 7 years, I think it's time. 

Other than that I just want to continue being the passionate, slightly wacky, intelligent, honest, loyal, creative, good friend, good cook & goddess that I am!

Thanks again for reading and thanks for joining me on my 2019 journey.