AM: While I love the Subaru, I never wanted it in the first place! Prior to the Subaru, we had hubby's Eclipse and my minivan. Two years ago in December, he had had enough of chaining the van up to go up Mount Hood twice weekly (he and the boys are avid skiiers). So, he researched and decided he wanted the Subaru. However, you'll note that somewhere along the way I managed to lose MY minivan while he managed to keep his Eclipse AND get the Subaru. I'm still not sure how that worked out. I really do love driving it around town, but I really miss the space and extra seating of the minivan, particularly when we're making our regular treks up and down I-5. Mandie

When I got rid of my mini van I bought a Honda Pilot. It's the more economical version of the Acura MDX! I liked the looks of the MDX and the bells and whistles, but just couldn't pay $10,000 more for basically the same size SUV. The Pilot actually can seat 8 and not just tiny people in the back either. The 2nd row seat is actually able to shift forward just a bit so the third row has plenty of leg room if you have bigger kids back there. I don't know about full size males, but the average female or average 12-14 year old fits fine. The other great thing about this SUV is the third seat is totally flat into the bed of the car so if you don't want to use the third seat you have a full cargo area that is flat and very functional. We got the DVD player and the boys loved it. I have the navigation system in my current car, but my kids are older now and we don't drive on long trips very often anymore. It is a solid, dependable, zippy, easy to handle SUV. It's actually built on the Odyssey platform so you don't get the trucky feel of a SUV, but it's a sportier car to drive than the minivan. I also think the Volkswagon Toureag is way cool looking!

The first car I wanted to get was a '64 Ford Falcon. Not a lot special about it but I knew it was in good shape and should be economical to operate and easy to work on. I wanted to buy it from the estate of my great-uncle but my Dad wouldn't hear of it. "someone was saying 'dem Falcons are only good for about 50,000 miles!" That car was babied by my great-uncle and only had about 60k on it IIRC. It ran like new, was in perfect condition and sold for something like $660 at the auction. First, my dad didn't want me driving because my older brother had gotten into so much trouble once he got a car (which BTW, my dad BOUGHT for him! LOL) and his poor grades got even worse and he figured my good grades would suffer. I asked him how I was supposed to get to the vo-tech I was going to start in a couple weeks and he finally came to his senses (I was the only one to go to post HS education so he just didn't think I "needed" a car), but he decided I should buy the neighbor's Buick, which I did just to have something to drive and didn't have much time to look. '67 Buick LeSabre. That thing was huge, gulped gas, but was a nice enough car I guess but he had it repainted from sort of a gunmetal color to a hideous light blue and it was a terrible paint job on top of it. It would start when my dad's car wouldn't and I guess that means a lot. Drove it a couple years then bought a new Ford Courier pickup and sold the Buick. A friend of mine had a '62 Chevy II and I think it was the Nova too. What a great little car! And later I had a '62 Impala which probably was one of my favorite vehicles ever. I bought that from my GF and would be driving it today had I not been hit by some dumb b*$%# who didn't realize that ice is slippery. She t-boned me at an intersection doing about 50-60 mph. 40 mph zone, but the cops wouldn't come out unless there was a death or injury since there were so many accidents that day, they said we'd have to handle it ourselves. But that car was built solid. I still drove that car for a couple months after the accident! With the caved in side and the (what should have been a convex) B-post bent in concave! But that solid steel saved my life, no doubt so for those who hate me so, blame that Impala for being so structurally sound! Quiet as could be on the road, got 22-25 mpg on the road and just a relaxing, roomy vehicle.

1. Where is your cell phone? Right at my left side on the desk. Your significant other? Dean 3. Your hair? New Dark Brown Wedge Cut 4. Your mother? Viv, in Nursing Home 5. Your father? Deceased October 2004 6. Your favorite thing? My Motorhome 7. Your dream last night? I was in a clothing store trying on clothes and I was so thin and sexy. Wait? That couldn't have been me. 8. Your favorite drink? Coffee (I wish Crown/Coke was on my diet) 9. Your dream/goal? Live on a Lake. The room you're in? Computer Room. Your hobby? I dabble in all kinds of artzy stuff. Your fear? Snakes Where do you want to be in 6 years? Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. What you're not? Envious Muffins? Hot Zuchinni Muffin w/cream cheese One of your wish list items? Pontoon Boat or House Boat. Where you grew up? Small Town in Texas, where I now reside. The last thing you did? Trying to wake my left foot up. What are you wearing? Tee Shirt and Yoga Pants and flip-flops Favorite gadget? Computer Your pets? Pawle (Pug),Sammie (Affenpincher), Homey (Peekapoo) Your computer? Gateway and a HP. Your mood? Ready to get my Groove on. Missing someone? My Son and Grandkids Your car? Vet, and Ford Explorer Something you're not wearing? Bra Favorite store? TJ Max Like someone? I don't understand the question. I like most everyone. Your favorite color? Coral When is the last time you laughed? A few minutes ago at silly dogs. Last time you cried? 2 days ago, when I realize my checking account overdrew. But, the bank paid the check. I felt real stupid.