I've been in a rut lately, where I know I want to go back to school (fingers crossed for August!) ... but I didn't know what I wanted to do.

Finally, I have figured it out!

I will be going to the local community college starting in August (as long as I can save up $500 or so for books this summer) ... to get my AA. After that, I will transfer to one of the local schools (though I am not sure, there might be a relocation in sight for a different Florida school) for my BS.

I am going to go into a career as a Child Life Specialist, with a concentration in Pediatric Oncology.

I don't know if I have mentioned her before, but last summer I met a three year old named Peyton who is fighting a very brave fight against Leukemia. Needless to say, this little girl touched my soul. From the moment I met her, I knew I wanted to do SOMETHING to help children with cancer ... I just didn't know what.

Pretty much, what my job will be ... I will be there to help the kids and the entire family. You're in the hospital working with these kids, something to me that's so extremely important.

I was talking to Peyton's mom about it ... and she told me I would be amazing at this. I got pretty excited getting the "thumbs up" from a cancer mom. I'm pretty sure she has some insight in this.

So ... I can't wait to start school. I haven't been this thrilled with a course in my life ... probably since finding out I was gonna be a momma.

So, if you all that pray could say a quick one for my friend Peyton ... she's such an inspiration ... and I'll always be thankful for meeting this little girl.

Warning: This is going to be a sarcastic ride!

So ... I've found an amazing way to save LOTS of money. I mean, just oodles!

While you're driving home from picking your daughter up school ...let your brakes give out. Completely. Oh yeah, it's a thrilling experience. Luckily, we were on my parents street when I lost them ... and I don't know how far away, but it wasn't "life threatening" ... though I almost took out their trash can.

Let me say though ... I'm saving boatloads of money! I've been carless for about 4 days now ... and other than the cost of parts I am going out to buy tomorrow ... I haven't been able to spend any money lately. YAY! There's no way to "run to Wal-mart for a couple of things" that I just "have to have!" Darn.

I'm also on the same tank of gas from two Fridays ago ... and with half a tank left in it. Of course, that doesn't hurt that I am now living at my parents, maybe a mile or two down the road from work. Yeah ... it doesn't get any easier than this.

My friend and his brother and law were going to work on my car tomorrow ... but his dad was put in the hospital this morning for a possible heart attack. We are all very worried, since the man keeps saying things like "If something happens to me ..." or "You all know you have to take care of your mother ..." Of course, we're all hoping he's just worried, worried about being in the hospital, worried b/c he could be sick ... you know, not that the doctors have told him something and he doesn't want to tell the family. His wife had a stroke last year ... and he's obviously very worried about her. These people aren't "old" by any means ... but it's shocking when you see the mortality of your friend's parents up front.

Needless to say ... I am ready for this week to be over!

Oh, and the new Bank of America ATM's SUCK for deposits. UGH!

Ok ... for the first time in a really long time, I was able to get my tank all the way down to pretty much empty. I was coasting in on fumes (probably not that extreme) ... but you get the point.

It took $45 to fill up my tank.

OUCH!

That's really not all that bad though, and now I know what to base my gas budget on. I don't think I have to add any to it quite yet ... right now I budget $40 a week, and that is usually more than enough, but I know in the near future I am going to have to up it to $45.

I won't complain though .. my mom's tank takes about $70 to fill, and that lasts her about a week. Luckily, she's a teacher, and summer vacation is nearing ... none too soon, I might add. For the first time the entire time my mom has worked for this school system (10 years) they are offering "hard ship" moves for teachers. Letting teachers move to schools closer to their homes, even in the middle of the year. My mom only has one year left where she wants to stay at her current school, but after that, she is going to start thinking about moving to a closer school. She told me she passes seven elementary schools on the way to work, but my sister is about to enter the 5th grade and my mom wants to keep her at the same school for the whole time. Admirable point, but an expensive one in this day and age.

BTW, my goal last week was to wait until Wednesday to get gas, and I was able to (somehow) squeak by until today ... that's pretty awesome in my book!