So by now we've all experienced the crazy gas prices and unless you're driving a hybrid or riding a horse to work, you're hating them too, but I bet not as much as me!! So I work in Plant City...soon to be Bartow since the company bought a much bigger building...and I live in New Port Richey! Yeah, WOW! So it's not the drive I mind....I love driving because I get to jam to the radio and sing as loud as I want. But seriously, I just spent $70 to fill up my tank and add some mileage booster/cleaner additive!! Now if I had a little car I probably wouldn't be complaining soooo much...However, I drive a 2000 Toyota Tundra that gets maybe 18mpg on a good day. Now, compared to my previous truck (1993 Chevy Z-71) that's almost twice what I was getting!! But still...

I know what you're thinking...DUH! This is a no-brainer (with options)

1) Find a new job

2) Get a car

3) Move closer to work

So here's my dilemma...

1) I've looked for jobs closer, but haven't found anything quite like the job I have now. I have paid vacation time, paid benefits (yeah, they pay for my health insurance...sweet, huh), 401k and matching plan, time for school, and it's kinda sorta family. And I really really really like it there!! The people are absolutely awesome and so nice to work with (a real plus) and all have lives outside of work too, so they are well-balanced!!

2) I've never owned a car. I'm on my 3rd truck and just love the versitility. I'm now on what I call my family truck because it has a backseat with access doors...but at the same time I can still tow just about anything/move friends/tailgate or whatever. I love my truck! And besides, my bf has a car if we need to go anywhere fast...lol. And it's not like I could trade it in because it's technically not in my name...don't make me go into that whole ordeal. I am considering trying to save money (ha) and get an el cheapo car...but that seems highly unlikely in the next couple months. :(

3) Yeah, so I've looked around different websites trying to find a decent rental that I can afford near there that fits my needs...no such luck. Like I said, I'm a student and I also work FT but I'm still pretty much living paycheck to paycheck, and it sucks. I was thinking about using some of my stundent loan to get a place, but it looks like that is going to mostly school and books this coming year (stupid effing $400 just for books...used!)...I'm almost done too...yay! Plus, I have a dog...a 55lb dog, but she doesn't look like it! She is a basengi and hound dog mix...a little bigger than what the vet said she'd be at full size (35 pounds...HA!) but she is very loving and pretty. She's my baby and I wouldn't give her up for ANYTHING period! I don't see how people can say they are so attached to their animals and just give them up like it's nothing. She is my miracle baby!! I rescued her from the pound Another bummer is most apartments/townhomes/rentals would require a crazy huge deposit and more because I have a dog. Seriously? Sheesh! Who has almost $2000 to throw down on a place? Sure as heck ain't me!

I'm just turned 23 and it sucks to be me right now....I still had to use my parents on my FAFSA even though I haven't lived there since I was 18! They can't help me since they are too busy helping out my loser step-bro and step-sis who are around 40 and can't take care of themselves for whatever reason (divorce, laziness...lol) and yet here I'll be the first from my family to finish college and it seems like I'm the one who gets the shaft....Why?

Welcome to MY PIG PEN!! Nice to meet ya ;)

I'm Kristin...I'm 23 and from the Tampa area.

I'm all about enjoying life and making the most of things!!

Take a look around...I hope you like what you see.