Lots Going On...

Where do I even begin?

Well, first let me say this: I will never, ever, EVER, EVER take 5 classes again during a semester while I am also working 40 hours a week. Ever. My life has been way too crazy this semester. Even last semester when I had 4 classes, it was too crazy. I vow to only take 3 or less from now on, even if that means my kids all finish college before I do. Ha. But seriously. I am making myself sick and it isn't worth the stress.

Moving on...

There was some car trading going on between siblings and my parents, etc., and I was able to "trade in" my van for a newer vehicle with much better gas mileage. It's an '09 Altima, which I already love. I had an Altima before and hands down, it was the best car I ever had. So, I am looking forward to driving this. Which brings me to the next item.

I wanted the better gas mileage because my daily routine has been changing quite a bit lately. I used to live, work and drive kids to school all within a 5 mile radius of each other. It was nice. Having a mid-sized van with a super-sized gas tank was never much of an issue because I rarely ever went anywhere. Even when I started driving to school twice a week, it wasn't that bad -- 11 miles each way. But this semester (with my crazy schedule) I've been driving to campus 5 times a week. Additionally, there is a huge construction project downtown ("Citycreek") and I have been asked to help the team that has that account. So, I've been busy-busy-busy and driving all over Salt Lake for that the past few weeks. It's been a lot of fun, though. I've been able to meet a lot of new people and I am part of something great, which makes me feel, well, GREAT! But -- the gas was killing me -- and my budget. So, again, the newer car will be fantabulous!

Only 3 1/2 more weeks until the semester is over. I still have a total of 3 more exams, 1 group project and 4 stories to crank out until then. And THEN a little, teensy, weensy break before summer term starts.

Speaking of summer -- can I just tell you how EXCITED I am for it!?!?!? I have lots of fun things planned with trips and reunions!

But in the meantime, if I talk and don't make any sense, or cry over "nothing" at the drop of a hat, just know that it's not you; it's me. Haha. At least for a few more weeks. I can do this, right?

Well, even if I can't, I am going to. And I'll do my best and laugh at myself along the way if needed!

I am Emma, hear me "roar"... tee hee.

My Love-Hate Relationship

This "relationship" of sorts has been weighing heavily on my mind the past few years. On the one hand I really want to move on, and yet on the other hand, I just can't seem to let go. But I fear I must. Because if I don't let go on MY terms, I fear the worst -- that it'll sneak up on me and leave me feeling stressed, anxious and out-of-sorts. I mean, although my relationship with "the Beast" has been fairly good for the most part, I see that in the long run, it's doomed to fall apart.

It's true - we've seen a professional about a dozen times over the past few years and it's certainly kept things going. But like I said, that day of reckoning, when everything falls apart or beyond repair -- that day is coming, my friends. And the Beast has a history of bailing out on me at the worst possible times. So -- I've been thinking that perhaps one day soon, sooner than later, I need to move on. Stop procrastinating. Move ahead, trade up so to speak.

It's time dear readers... It's time to introduce you to... the Beast....

Yep. My 1997 Chevy Astro mid-size van. It looks like this. I have a love-hate relationship with my van.

I love that I haven't had a car payment in over 7 years.

I hate driving a van.

I love that I have cargo room for when I get groceries or go camping or on a road trip.

I hate driving a van.

I love that there is plenty of leg-room for the kidlets when we travel, which adds to comfort and lessens the fighting (just a tad).

I hate driving a van.

I love that we can take friends with us places.

I hate driving a van.

I love sitting up a little higher than the cars and feel I can see better when driving on the freeway.

I hate driving a van.

I love being able to watch fireworks or a drive-in movie or a hot-air balloon race from the back, sprawled out with blankets and pillows.

I hate driving a van.

I love that my way-amazing mechanic keeps it in tip-top shape so I can do all of the aforementioned things.

I hate driving a van.

I love that I can hitch up a trailer (if I wanted to).

I hate driving a van.

Did I mention I hate driving a van?

It's not that I want a new (to me) vehicle because I am just plain sick of driving a van. But it would be nice to have something a little newer, that would require less maintenance. I would like to be able to take a road trip without the fear that I am going to break down in the middle of nowhere. The Beast is 14 years old now and has around 199k miles on it. Even though I've had to have a handful of repairs done over the years, it was still far better than having that monthly car payment.

In looking around at available inventory of pre-used vehicles and planning to use money from tax returns and from savings, I am hoping that sometime within the next year this goal of getting a new (to me) vehicle can be realized. I don't have tons of money, mind you. But here are my criteria in my next vehicle purchase:

1 - Not a van.

2 - Something that sits higher up than a car.

3 - Not a van.

4 - Something with plenty of leg room.

5 - Not a van.

6 - Something with plenty of cargo room.

7 - Not a van.

8 - Something that has 4-wheel drive for these nasty winters.

9 - Not a van.

10 - Something no older than 5 years old.

11 - Not a van.

12 - Something with less than 80k miles on it.

13 - Not a van.

14 - In my price range as I hope to pay with cash, eliminating need for monthly payments.

15 - Not a van.

I am hoping that I can find SOMETHING that meets these criteria, that - you guessed it - isn't a van.

In the online search I conducted mere minutes ago, here is what I have found.

The 2006 Chevy Trailblazer...

The 2006 Chevrolet Equinox...

The 2006 Saturn Vue...

So, I am wondering dear readers, if any of you have any insight to these vehicles, or if there are others you think I should look into.

I am open to suggestions as long as... it's NOT a van. :)