This One's For My Homies!!

Man oh MAN there has been so much going on in my life lately and I've been super proud of myself for really holding my shit together. I've actually backed off from posting on A Motivated Mama just because I had to put so much time and effort into setting some serious things straight in my life.

Those who know me already know all of this because, let's face it, I don't hold much back or hide anything these days. I'm a "lay it out on the table" kinda gal.. The good, the bad, the ugly aaaand the absolutely fabulous!

So to begin-- and I'll make this kinda quick-- my computer was recently hacked through a program called TeamViewer-- if you use it-- I suggest you stop ASAP. So they went directly into my PayPal account and just had a blast buying iTunes cards. Like, $3000 worth of iTunes cards.. They also logged into my Target account and bought cards through there-- as well as started accounts with places like Gyft(I know.. what the hell is that even??) and a few others that slip my mind.

It was a huge battle with PayPal that required multiple calls, getting denied MANY times to get my money refunded to me, a police report, a call to the BBB and a call to a lawyer. They did give my money back after a few weeks of being the squeaky wheel and they weren't very polite about it either. I was told I was being refunded the money as a "courtesy"... I didn't care-- I was just glad it was over with.

This didn't include what was negative in my bank account..

A few days ago, I receive a call from PayPal that was a response to my BBB submission (about 2 weeks after it was all settled). This woman went back and listened to all the calls I had made, apologized for everything they put me through and could understand how I would be so livid by the final few calls (because at one point, they said they would refund the money and denied it on the following call-- but that's all water under the bridge now).. Assured me that their people were going through sensitivity training in order to handle situations like this better and told me that the return of my money was a duty-- not a courtesy. And while I don't believe I'll use PayPal quite like I did in the past-- I am over it and SUPER glad its over as well.

Next-- Uber-- Oh dear Uber... What a mini nightmare you have been.. And it hasn't been the people. They've given me stories for DAYS-- like the mother of a family of 4 I dropped off a few days ago for their European Vacation--- who I'm pretty sure took a "healthy dose of Xanex" to keep the chill factor kicking. She was an interesting bird to chat with in the car for sure!

Or the guy who, literally, smelled like poop in my car on his way to church Sunday. I kept putting lotion on my hands that I keep in the cup holder... Then I'd hold my fingers across my nose-- almost like I was just kinda bored chilling there. Typically I'd hold my hair up to my nose if someone smells like they drank the whole bar-- but this guys was sober and I didn't want to make it too obvious. He tipped me $7 which was almost the entire cost of his 15 minute trip-- so no matter how bad he smelled 5 STARS FOR YOU BUDDY!

But anyways-- Uber is really quite a rip off if you drive in Houston. The wear and tear on your car can never be replaced by the little amount of money you make through them. I worked 52 hours.. 52, 1411 miles, 62 trips-- and after gas-- I'm taking home $487.95. That cant be right you say? Well-- it is.. I will even share a screen shot of my earnings this week to show you plus the picture of how the hellish week started for me. Had I not driven all of those hours-- I'd probably still be in the hole with Uber.

I started off this week -200 and something bucks because they said they forgot to pull gas out over the last 13 or some odd days... So, with the cost of insurance going up due to needing special insurance, gas going up a dollar, the price for the rider dropping AND (here's the REAL kicker) Uber's % that they take from each ride increased from 10% in January to (drum roll please!!!) 30%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is IMPOSSIBLE to make a decent living with this and I stress to EVERYONE I know.. TIP YOUR UBER DRIVE BECAUSE THE TIP IS NOT INCLUDED AND THEY DON'T MAKE SHIT FOR MONEY DRIVING YOU AROUND!!

Now, with all of that going on-- I came to a realization.. That I was not putting my feelers out there to get me out of Uber Hell. I was just spinning my wheels and quite literally, going no where. I was starting to feel that stuck feeling that I hadn't felt in a very long time.. "Gotta make more drives, to make more money, to pay for gas, to make more drives, to make more money, to pay for gas, to make more drives...." You get it..

So I put a little note on my FB-- and it went like this--

I really never imagined how much response I would get from this little post. I put it out there because-- well.-- its true and I figured no one would know that I was looking if I didn't say anything. So the rest of this is dedicated to everyone who believes in me-- seems like sometimes more than I do myself... This goes out to all who read my blog, comment, post, message and all that jazz to know that even though I might have a mouthful to say at times-- someone is always listening

So here we go--

I want you to know how much you all mean to me! I can't even begin to tell you how many people have reached out to me since I said enough was enough and decided to say--"I'm drowning and need some help!!"

It actually brought a tear to my eye a few days ago when I realized how many people care and believe in me :) There has been a lot of unexpected things happening in my life lately and I have been able to (sometimes through gritted teeth) take them all on with grace and gratitude because I have such an amazing support team..... Also-- with confidence that, no matter what, it will all work out in the long run.

Thank you so much for being who you are peeps!!

Now, with that being said-- I'm in talks with someone (that I'll wait just a little longer to mention) about moving forward as their first official employee with the potential to do great things with them! I'm REALLY excited about this and can't wait to dive off deeper into everything!

I do still have some offers that I want to look into that will be something to have my eggs in a few baskets (and could also help improve on my journey to a healthier lifestyle), so don't think I'm done with you yet if you haven't heard back from me recently. Between Uber, slipping in some work outs and my need to sleep a few hours a night-- my time has been VERY tight.

I don't exactly expect it to "free-up" BUT I do expect my time to be used just a wee bit wiser in the very near future!

So that's it in a nutshell straight from the heart of this nut!

I love you guys and thank you for always being YOU!!!

I'm definitely trying!!!