What's Today?

"I can't believe it's already August!" I guarantee you many a woman said those exact words yesterday or will be saying them today. The beginning of this final full month of summer puts her more than half way through her summer marathon. And you thought it was a vacation. Hopefully she's had one or she's about to. Even a stay-cation is something. Everyone needs time to chill, a break in the routine: dinner out or a ride on a water slide. Kids and relatives are the biggest considerations when planning a vacation. Kid-friendly vacations can involve a beach, an amusement park or a hotel room complete with indoor outdoor carpeting. Some relatives can provide a great escape like a beach house or time-share. Others may insist on a visit but may not be the most pleasant people to spend time with; yet, out of obligation she goes. Summer camp counselors have sung "Do Your Ears Hang Low" about as many times as Lady Gaga has been played (those poor kids) and high school kids are just starting their summer reading. Singles and couples travel to places they can afford, relax, have fun at. They have no clue or desire to lug around a diaper bag while waiting for a fast pass (lucky). Back to school circulars and fall items are popping up everywhere along with end of summer clearance sales as retailers try to get rid of all their lightweight fashions to make room for heavier denim and boots. I did pretty well this year and bought some shorts that I had my eye on for half price. Half- price is a beautiful thing and it makes you wonder how much the retailer is really making off its clothes. All of August is dedicated to this transition. Lakes and beaches will stay at their capacity, grills are fired up and pools stay chlorinated because she's no where near done with summer. Gardens are blossoming, bringing us some excellent pesticide-free food; so let's eat up and look at this as her summer is "half-full".

She Buzz Words

• Summer clearance
• water snake
• mosquito
• Fireflies

She's totally ready for...

• A visit from an out-of-town girlfriend
• One day with no whining from anyone in her life
• Relationships

She keeps telling herself...

"Enjoy this time, enjoy this day, and enjoy this moment."

She's intrigued...

She pet

Pets bring priceless memories and companionship. The cost of pet ownership could be surprising to first-time pet owners. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, here's what she can expect to pay per year. These rates are based on basic, not high-end, supplies:

• Food for a large dog: $225 (minimum)
• Food for a cat: $115
• Food for a bird: $75
• Fresh bedding for rabbits and guinea pigs: $415
• Litter for cats: $165
• Medical costs: yearly exams, vaccinations range in price from $160 and up. www.aspca.org/petcarecosts.

She Read

Encouraging her child to do more summer reading. The National Endowment for the Arts reports that kids spend a total of seven minutes a day reading for pleasure. Here are some websites that could help get kids more excited about reading:

• www.BookAdventure.com
• www.Guysread.com: geared towards connecting boys with literature
• www.Teenreads.com

Right now she could be...

• Going to the library
• Driving to the beach
• Putting a sleep-away camp care package together
• Studying

She Health

Camp Rock: Disney's original movie starring the Jonas Brothers

Preschool

• Handy Manny
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Elementary School

Modern technology is having an adverse affect on her kids' ears. Five million kids and teens have noise-induced hearing loss, with cell phones and headphones the supposed culprit. Symptoms of hearing loss can go unnoticed. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends testing at ages 8, 10, 12, 15, and 18.

She contest

The National Pork Board wants your best pork grilled recipe. It's the "Calling all Grillers with Groupies" contest where the winner gets to cook with the Food Networks Melissa d'Arabian. To enter, log on to www.theotherwhitemeat.com

She diet

Unless she's a nutritionist, it's hard to calculate the calories and fat grams in that juicy hamburger at a restaurant. She can get this info for free with a single text message. She can text "McDonald's Quarter-Pounder with Cheese" to DIET1 (34381) and receive a text back saying "Cal: 510, Fat: 57 grams." Thanks to www.Diet.com for this free service.

• Get more She Prep at www.ShePrep.com