Well, mom picked me up yesterday from PA and drove me back. I got to spend some time with dad, but then went back to mom's to do laundry (for free! yay!). Got to talk with mom a bit.

Her and stepfather are trying to settle a dissolusion, so they're budgeting and whatnot, because my mom likely will be moving out of the house with my brother and sister. She cant afford to live in it only on her income, and I think she wants out anyway.

We were sitting down and figuring her budget, and it's amazing to me just how much she spends on things like groceries and utilities. Granted, my mom can budget really well (I learned everything I know from her), but I always forget that there are more people living at home. Also, her taxes are outrageous. She gets taxed about a third of what she takes home each year. I dont get it. She's a business owner (technically), as she owns her own insurance agency (though it's still a part of the larger insurance co.) Still, it seems like a lot, and when it all comes down to it, she really doesn't make a whole lot of money at all. It's kind of sad, actually.

So I'm going to help her out as much as I can-- with making meal plans and getting my sister out of the house more in the summer so she isn't sucking up so much electricity in front of that TV.

My parents have a LOT of debt. It's kind of ridiculous to me how they live life beyond thier means. Granted, I know that the bulk of it is my stepfather, who, for instance decided to buy a BMW when he had a perfectly fine mustang that was paid off. My mom drives an SUV that is rusting through (quite literally), seems to have little things go wrong with it all the time, and has twice the miles. It's also paid off. Mom's glad she doesn't have a car payment.

My parents do have a camper, and rent a campsite every year, they have multiple TVs, DVDs, my stepfather has a ridiculous amount of music equipment (which is fine if you play out, but why in the world do you need a whole PA system to play guitar by yourself in the basement?). I would call him the quintessential American consumer. He determines the quality of life by how much stuff he has. That probably explains why he never put any effort into having good relationships with his wife... or any of his children. He's the kind of guy that thinks because he puts a roof over our heads and buys us impressive xmas presents that he's showing "love." It's kind of repulsive, I must say. I'm SO happy my mom is leaving him. She should have so many years ago.

But she is going to have a rough time financially. I think she can handle it. She's a pretty smart lady. And I'll be there to help out as much as I can.

As for myself, yesterday was no NSD. It was so nice out, and I really wanted a rootbeer float It was well worth it. Today may or may not be. I'm at BF's apt right now and he's at work. He needs to go grocery shopping. haha. I had oatmeal for breakfast, but I'll probably get lunch out. I have some errands to run.

I have to stop by the university I'll be attending over the summer, and sort things out with them as far as my residency and scheduling go. Then there's a restaurant downtown I'm going to walk to and put in an application at. I need to find a job. I want to work day shifts mostly. My mom's friend is offering me an office job, which the hours wouldn't be bad, but I wouldn't make a whole lot. $8/hr, 20 hrs a week. I'd have to get something on top of that, and I really dont have the time. I think I'd make a lot more working at a restaurant or getting more hours. We'll see. If I can get a job at this restaurant, I dont mind working one or two nights a week. We shall see.

In other news, dad and mom both said they'd help me out with my books this summer! Woo! That's one less thing I have to worry about