i got it figured out.
thanks for all the help.
Since I have all the minimums for a comm SE and then ME add on, I will just rent the 17rg, practice the maneuvers and schedule a check ride. No need for more XC's. I'll then schedule a ME comm add-on soon after.
This is not the fault of the instructor. My training started over 3 years ago and I took a break for 2 years. I've moved out of the country, then another state, and changed flight schools, instructors, and airplanes several times since the beginning. I though I had a good plan in my head; just turns out it wasn't. Not the instructors fault.
Thanks again,
Jeff