Take 2

"Restructuring" is a common word around the water cooler and in the household. She could very well be facing another very tight financial summer, looking for a new job for herself or her husband. Some of the unemployed have resurfaced somewhere within their industry, but for less money. Fashion design is changing with these economic times as well. In an attempt to service the low-budget consumer, high-end labels are producing more reasonably priced styles similar to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's new line at JC Penney. Summer camp enrollment is steady but not increasing as it has been in the past. Nationwide camps report that parents are taking longer to commit to camp and they are signing kids up for shorter periods. For many, it looks like a full house for the summer. She's adjusting daily: to the kids' new summer schedule, to her college kids being home for the summer, and to an increase in her workload in the new season.

She's grilling more than ever, featuring hamburgers, hot dogs and salads. Grocery shopping has turned into a sport for her, where the one with the most diaper coupons wins! Khakis, capris, sandals, and sundresses round out her wardrobe. Who knew a Vera Wang design could be so reasonable and cute from Kohl's? After-dinner walks and nights out for ice cream are a few of the regular summer happenings she enjoys, yet she's conflicted; she's embarking on what should be lazy, hazy days and really she's cutting and chopping all over the place.

She buzz words

• Bumper-to-bumper
• Intermission
• Clearance
• Pool noodle

She's likes it when

Warm summer nights are complete with a melty cone of something sweet

She can savor summer in her own back yard

She read...

The Dinner Diaries: Raising Whole Wheat Kids in a White Bread World by Betsy Block

She fact

• The average American consumes 157 pounds of sugar and sweeteners a year and drinks almost 55 gallons of soft drinks.
• 68% of parents communicate with their kids via text messaging.
• 922 is the average number of text messages teens aged 13-19 send and receive each month.
• 53% of teens say texting has improved their relationship with their parents.
• (Source: Samsung Texting Survey, March 2008)

She facts

A recent issue of Reader's Digest enumerates "13 Thing Your Waiter Won't Tell You." The first three would be enough for her to decide to eat in.

1. Avoid eating out on holidays and Saturday nights. The sheer volume of customers guarantees that most kitchens will be pushed beyond their ability to produce a high-
2. quality dish.
3. There are almost never any sick days in the restaurant business.... And these are the people handling your food.
4. When customers' dissatisfaction devolves into personal attacks, adulterating food or drink is a convenient way for servers to exact covert vengeance. Waiters can and do spit in people's food.

For the other ten, go to www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/waiters-share-restaurant-stories/article82785.html.

She's planning ahead

• June 21-July 4 is tennis at Wimbledon
• June 27 is HIV Testing Day. www.hivtest.org

• Get more She Prep at www.ShePrep.com