Photoshop vs. Photoshop Elements

[deepounds]

This is kind of an offshoot of the thread about PSD's vs. TIFF's, but that whole topic got me to thinking about whether I should consider switching to Photoshop instead of PSE. Certainly I can't create actions, or text paths, or a gazillion other things in Elements - but I don't know if I'm ready yet for the "real thing", KWIM?

Although my graphic designer daughter is horrified by this fact, I knew NOTHING about graphics programs when I started dabbling in digi almost two years ago. That, coupled with the price differential between PSE & whatever version of CS was available at the time, made the choice a simple one for me. But since I got seriously interested in digi about a year ago, I've been wondering how difficult it is to make the transition. I can't imagine that I wouldn't be a lot happier with a more powerful program - so long as it isn't more than I can handle . . . I'm certainly no spring chicken, and my brain isn't as flexible as it used to be.

So, is a year's "experience" with PSE enough to allow me to work in CS5 without too much difficulty? I really hate to plunk down that kind of money if I'm not going to be able to put it to good use. Everyone here is so nice and so helpful, and I'd really love to get your advice/opinions . . . TIA!