Cars

Car shopping has taken up a large enough space in my head. It's a big decision, and something I'm going to have to live with for at least 125,000 miles. Consumer Reports says one thing, Edmunds.com states another and then my friends have opinions to share as well. Not one car seems to stand out, everyone has a different favorite. But my quest is narrowed down thanks to my need for better, it not great gas mileage. I'm downsizing, having only one child to drive around now; the rest can drive themselves.

For years I sought out the closest thing to a mini-van without having to actually break down and get one. Now, I need something smaller yet accommodating for a kid with lots of equipment: guitars, amplifiers, soccer balls, karate weapons, backpacks, yoga mats and ice skates clutter the rear of my car, easily resembling a sporting and music store. Add a cooler with snacks and drinks and bag of dry cleaning on to that...

I always forget to drop off something, along with library books and I am realizing as I write this that I should probably look for something with a bigger trunk.

She buzz words

• Miles per gallon
• Hockey
• English muffin pizza
• Hot glue

Right now she could be

• Taking down her Halloween decorations
• Volunteering at her church
• Scheduling year-end appointments
• Helping with homework

She Question

What subject can she not help her child with?

She Facts

• About 53% of Americans use restaurant take-out goodies as part of their Thanksgiving meal.
• About 48% of Americans believe a family game night is the most enjoyable form of family bonding.
• Nearly 60% play board games with their families or significant others.
• Coffee filters wipe those extra streaks and fibers from a clean window or mirror.
• In a recent survey of 12,000 teens, 59% re- ported they wore their seatbelts when driving. What about the other 41%? (Source: All You magazine)

She's in the know

Staying in touch with numerous loved ones is difficult during sickness and surgery. Free web pages are available where you can post updates and receive messages at the website www.CaringBridge.com.

She Fit

The Power Plate is the latest device to show up at her gym. She balances on

this device with a vibrating platform while lunging and squatting. A typical session lasts about 25 minutes (or until she falls off and says forget this thing).

She Tips

• Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. The date of manufacture is on the bottom of the alarm.
• Non-gel toothpaste cleans up messy oven stains. Baking-soda paste cleans stuck-on stains

She Mom

Here is a list of sites her younger children are surfing:

• Zookazoo at www.zookazoo.com
• Franktown Rocks at www.franktownrocks.com
• Handipoints at www.handipoints.com
• Woogi World at www.woogiworld.com

Here's a site she can use to help ensure a safe internet environment for her kids:

• Comparitech Best Parental Control Software and Apps at www.comparite.ch/parental-control

She can trade the books her kids outgrow at these sites:

• www.Bookmoch.com
• www.Bookins.com
• www.ReadersUnited.com

• Get more She Prep at www.ShePrep.com