CARS

Car shopping has me looking at everything with four wheels in a different light. Instead of driving behind a silver car I deem "too slow because it won't drive the limit in the fast lane, my view has changed to "I like the styling of that slow Acura." I've opened my eyes to different makes, models, colors and owners. I see Jeeps's that change lanes without a signal next to cute, zippy Volkswagens that have fun floral decals. I'm almost afraid to purchase a Honda CRV for fear of blending into the background. Seriously, every five cars I see is a Honda, usually a CRV, meaning it must be reasonably priced and get great gas mileage. This is a boxy car, and after a test drive I felt it steered too light for me. Unfortunately, most cars I try just don't match up to the BMW X5 I've been driving for the past three years. It was a certified pre-owned vehicle when I bought it, and it's the best car I've ever had, but it's time to do better than 15-18 mpg. Even though my BMW had a warranty up until 100,000 (Currently I'm at 97,000) it did not cover a battery that needed to be replaced, which cost $450. Hence the need for another car; I easily drive 300 miles a wee, so better gas mileage is a necessity.

In spite of all the recalls I see a ton of Toyota's on the road; others like the RAV 4, Ford Escapes, Minivans and Lexus luxury cars dominate. I don't see many Porsche's or Volvo's.

BMW's still catch my eye however, they are not conducive to this girls desire to pull up to the pump a little less. There's a sweet little Mercedes I swear has my name on it too. Getting my name on the title is another story.

She Buzz Words

• Tumbler
• Bootie boots
• Hand warmers
• Preserves

Right now she could be

• Canning tomatoes
• Carving a pumpkin
• Planning a wedding
• Dusting the woodwork

She Tech

Phone providers know that parents use cellular products as a safety device for their kids. Here are a list of providers and some services. Most providers offer these services free of charge.

• AT&T MEdia Net Parental Controls; blocks mature internet content games and downloads. www.wireless.att.com
• AT&T Smart Limits allows parents to specify when show can be used. It blocks texts and sets a dollar limit on downloads.
• T-Mobile Web Guard blocks access to mature themes.
• T-Mobile Family Allowance gives and takes away extra minutes, downloads and texts.
• Verizon Content Filters: allows different levels of internet access; teen, young adult and child.
• Verizon Usage Controls: sets limits on when phone can be used including who can call.
• Verizon Chaparone 2.0; locates subject through a text message.
• Radar: mymobilewatchdog.com monitors who is communicating, seeing pictures and texts that are being transfered is also available.

She can turn an old cell phone into a starter phone with a prepaid plan by calling her carrier and asking about a SIM card.

She questions

If her life was a movie what would it be called and who would star as her?

She's not so sure

Kabbalah Water at $5.00 a bottle is specially blessed water that supposedly healed diseases and prevents illness.

She site

She can bid on celebrity owned clothes and support children's charities at www.ClothesOffOrBack.org

She can create her own signature coffee bytaking a short quiz and logging onto www.theroasterie.com

She travel

• She can find a bike whenever she's traveling at www.rentabikenow.com
• She can find what's happening in certain cities with the hyperlocal news report found at www.everyblock.com
• Spirit Airlines has a nine dollar fare club which sometimes offers fares lower than nine dollars for a small initiation fee. www.spiritair.com

Staying healthy why traveling is crucial. Here are a few tips to stay well while away from home thanks to Yahoo Shine.

Be careful with the hotel's free breakfast as many options offer lower cost foods.

Find a grocery store and stock up on healthy essentials, especially probiotic yogurt and water remembering to drink lots of it.

Stay consistent with bedtime and wake up time.

Remember the lighter the suitcase the less back pain you will have so pack light.

• Get more She Prep at www.ShePrep.com