O.k I have a 2004 kia optima 4cyl. Do anyone know the average cost to get my struts- allignment- and upper ball joints done? I know it ll be pretty high. but if not all do you know @ least the average cost for one of the repairs?

And what is the best repair shop to take it to? I don t want to go 2 just anyone- this is a cheap car so I want to keep up the maintenance to keep it in good condition.
Thanx in advance!

Ok- so remember the story I put on here about a girl named Alex? Well- here is the rest.

The Adventures of Crystal and Diamond
The Beginning Time
Book 1

“Hey.” Iris said smiling. “Hey.” Alex said with no emotion. “What’s wrong? When I talked to you last night- you said you were excited for the dance tonight.” “Yeah- but my kill joy mother just got me out of the excitement.” “How?” Iris asked curiously. “Because she’s so over sensitive. She wants me to go with her and my dad to the orphanage to go find a brother or sister. I told her I was never interested in a sibling- so I’m not going to go. She got mad and threw me out of the house.” “Well- what did your dad do?” “He just sat there cowering behind his newspaper.” “Whoa.” Iris said sighing and turning in her seat. “You’re telling me.” Alex said rolling her eyes and fixing her hair. “You finish your homework- Iris?” “Yeah- you?” “Yeah.” There was silence for about five minutes- and then Iris broke it. “So- what are you going to do when your parents go to the orphanage?” “I don’t know. I was thinking about going to your house and checking out that video game you got.” “Ok- oh hey- I forgot to tell you- I want to go for a hike in the woods tomorrow- want to come?” Iris asked. “Sure- that’s the day my parents are going out- so I’ll go. How many people?” “Well- just me- my uncle- and you.” Iris said. “Ok- I’ll go.” Alex said. In the hall at school- Iris and Alex were about to go to math class when Dillin- the most cute and popular boy in the school- walked up to them. “Hey.” He said leaning against a locker. “Hey.” Alex said- she was surprised a senior would come up to a freshman. “My parents are throwing a party- and they said I could invite two people I wanted- and- I want to know if you girls would like to come.” Dillin said in a cool voice. “Uh- Oh yeah!” Iris said. “Sure- but- I’ll have to check with my parents first.” Alex said. “That’s cool.” Dillin said. “I’ll send you ladies invitations. Later.” Then he left without saying a word. “Wow. He actually asked two freshmen’s to go to his party.” Iris said. “Yeah- he must really like you.” Alex said- with a tinge of jealousy. “Ha! Please! He obviously likes you more.” “What makes you think that- Iris?” “Girl- did you see the way he was looking at you? He thinks you’re fine!” Iris said jokingly. Alex just smiled and went to math class. The next day Alex ran down for breakfast and grabbed four bottles of water and a small box of Happy Snacks granola bars and trail mix. “Alex- what are you doing with all this food? Isn’t it only you- Iris- and her uncle?” Pat asked. “Yeah- but what if we get lost or hungry or thirsty?” Alex asked. “That’s true- huh- I guess I’ll just have to go to the store and get more of these.” Pat sighed as she lifted up only two granola bars that were left. “Thanks mom. I knew you’d be a good sport.” Alex said smiling- and she kissed her mom on the cheek. “Yeah- ok.” Pat said. “Oh mom- I forgot to ask you- there’s this guy Dillin at my school- and he’s throwing a party- can I go?” Alex asked hopefully. Pat was about to say something- but Devon cut her off. “Will there be drugs?” “No.” Alex said. “Will there be chaperons?” “I think so.” Alex said. “Well- that’s not good enough- you had better find out young lady. Oh- and just how old is this- Dillin fellow?” Devon asked. “He’s a senior.” Alex said. “A what- A senior?!” Devon was furious. “Why would you even ask to go to a party thrown by a senior?! You know we told you never to hang out with seniors!” Devon was so mad- his face was red. “Dad- I thought maybe you would change your mind!” “Leave this house!” Devon said- pointing at the door. “You always say no whenever I want to do something fun!” Alex was screaming. “This is not fun! It won’t be fun when you’re asked to do drugs!” Now Devon was at Alex’s voice level. “I-I hate you!” Alex said. She glared at her father and slammed the door.

“Whoa- slow down!” Iris said- running to catch up to Alex on the trail. “Sorry- I’m just so mad at my dad.” Alex said. “Well- can you stop for a minute? We left my uncle sitting down looking at animal tracks.” “What?” Alex said- looking at Iris. “What are you so mad about?” Alex told Iris everything that was said. “Well- my parents said I could- so come with me.” “I don’t know.” Alex said hesitantly. “Oh- come on. It’ll be fun. Just say you’re going to the movies with me- and then you’ll meet me at my house- and we’ll go to the party.” Iris said with a sly smile on her face. “Alright.” Alex smiled- and then she and Iris walked back toward Iris’s uncle. Alex leaned against a rock wall and was panting. “You ok Alex?” Iris asked concerned. “Yeah- just all that all that walking finally caught up with me.” Alex said. Then- “Ahhhhhhhh!” Alex screamed as the wall fell backward and she went tumbling down the dark hill. “ALEX!!!!!” Iris screamed. Iris tried to go down with Alex- but it was too late- Alex had already fallen and the rock wall went back up into place.



Alex coughed and dusted herself off. “Wow- what a ride.” Alex said. She was shocked- for inside the little cavern were little- faintly glowing purple candle leading down a curving road. Alex decided to follow it- for there was no other way out. When Alex came to a dead end- and a door- she thought she should turn back. “No- you’ve come this far- no turning back.” Alex said to herself. She swallowed hard- and knocked the door. BOOM! BOOM! The door-knocker was heavy to use- and when it hit the door- it made a booming noise. The door creaked open. Inside the small cave- you could see bookshelves on all of the cave’s walls- and a small- cluttered table. “Hello? I fell down here and- well- I need help getting back.” “I can help you.” A figure said. She made one motion of her hand- and the doors closed behind Alex. “Thank you.” Alex said nervously. “How do we get back?” Alex asked. The figure just stood there looking at Alex. Alex shifted nervously. “What’s wrong?” “You can’t be. You are! Oh you are!” The figure exclaimed. She smiled and swiped the table clear and pulled out two chairs and pulled Alex into one of them. “What am I?” Alex asked. “You are our hero!” The woman beamed. “Your what?” Alex asked- she was tempted to make a break for the door. “Let me explain to you.” The woman said calmly as she sat down. “You see- ten thousand years ago- there was a great battle between the grass people- wind people- crystal people- and diamond people. Well- the good people- the diamond and crystal people- won. But the wind and grass people were furious! They swore that they would return and kill the crystal and diamond people. You are a descendant of the crystal people- so you have special powers. For you see- each ten thousandth descendant has the powers of the people involved in the war. You can shoot crystals out of and place of your body- you can also put up a crystal shield- pull crystals- and float on them. Your real name is not Alex.” The woman said. “What is my name?” “Your name- is Crystal.” “Are you telling the truth?” “Yes.” “Wow! I-I can’t believe it!” Alex said with a huge smile on her face. “What’s your name?” “Me? Well Crystal- just call me- The Trainer.” “How do I use my powers?” “The war is coming soon. So I will train you. Come here everyday at midnight. I will show you how to use your powers. Do not tell anyone- for there will be grave consequences.” “What kind?” “You will lose your powers- and worse. Things I do not even know about. Now go.” “Wait- I don’t know how to go back.” Oh- always the easy way. Fine! Be gone!” Then- in a flash and a cloud of smoke- Alex was back leaning against the wall like nothing ever happened. I will now refer to her as Crystal. “What happened? Are you ok?” Iris asked concerned. “Ah- hoo- oh nothing. Never mind.”

2
_________________________________________________________
The Party

“I’ll be going to the movies with Iris mom!” Alex yelled from her room upstairs. “Ok honey. What movie are you going to see?” Pat called from the kitchen. Alex thought for a moment. “Oh- uh- That’s My Mermaid. It’s not that long- so Iris and I might hang at her house for awhile. Until nine. Is that okay?” “Absolutely. That’s fine. Just call me when the movie is over. Okay?” Alex ran down the stairs with a backpack and jeans and a t-shirt and kissed her mom good-bye. “Okay. I’ll call you.” When Iris and Alex walked up the drive way to Dillin’s house- they saw flashing lights and loud music. “Hello ladies. Thank you for coming.” Dillin said smiling as he opened the door. “Thanks.” Alex said nervously. They walked in and the popular girls were hanging out in an area by the stairs. Calico- as her friends called her said to Iris and Alex- “Is that what you girls are wearing? T-shirts and jeans?!” “We’re changing. Duh!!!” Iris said. Iris and Alex laughed and walked up the stairs. When the girls came down Alex had a spaghetti strap dress with crossed ties in the back and a small purse and red high heels. Iris had a purple long sleeve dress that showed the shoulders- and blue high heels. Calico and her possy just stared. “Wow girls. You look great.” Dillin said. “Thanks. You look good too.” Alex said. Dillin just smiled. “Alex- you look like you have a secret.” Iris said. “I don’t. What makes you think that?” “Well- the way you act.” “Iris- come on. I’m just shy around Dillin.” Alex and Dillin were sitting on the couch talking- and all of sudden she and Dillin burst out laughing. “Dillin- could you come over here please?” Calico called from across the room. “Hey Calico- what’s up?” “Oh- hey Dillin. I was just wondering if you could open this can of soda for me. I don’t want to break a nail.” “Sure thing Cali.” “Oh you gave me a nickname! You’re so sweet!” Calico said loudly. Dillin just looked. “You want to hang out with us Dill?” Calico smiled. “Dill?” Iris whispered in Alex’s ear. Alex tried not to laugh. Alex whispered back- “She’s just embarrassing herself.” Iris shook her head in agreement. “Uh… sure?” Dillin said. “Will you excuse me Dilly?” Calico smiled. She strutted off. When she got to Alex- she said- “Look- I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking Dillin likes you. Well- maybe he does- as a friend. But he likes me as a girlfriend. You try anything- and things will happen to you Alex Swarovski.” Calico saw Dillin looking and just smiled and waved. She turned to Alex with a glare and a shake of her finger. “Ah- I’m so scared.” Iris said to Alex when Calico was gone. Alex went away and walked up to Dillin. “Hi- what are you up to?” “Oh- nothing much. Calico and her friends went to get some punch. They’ll be back…sadly.” Dillin said as he looked down. Alex laughed and that little- quiet laugh caught Calico’s attention. “Hi Alex. Could you come with me for a minute? Over there by the table. I want to talk to you.” “I’m busy talking right now.” Alex said and looked back at Dillin. “No- I mean now!” Calico grabbed Alex’s arm and pulled her to the table in front of everyone. “I warned you.” She whispered so only her and Alex could hear. Then- without warning- Calico poured fruit punch all over Alex. “Oh no!” Calico said. Of course she was faking. Alex ran out of the house. Calico just smiled slyly. Iris shoved Calico and went to look for Alex.

I had a dealership look over my car recently to see if it had any major problems like say a cracked belt. Anyhow- they said the struts and shocks were bad on it- and they wanted 900 dollars to replace them all.
I am a natural skeptic- and frugal with my money- so I didn t want to get new ones as i heard that only the handling will be affected. Will it ruin my car or put me in danger if I don t get these replaced? It s a bitch to drive over my speed bumps in my complex every day- but nothing else seems dangerous....

Wife and I are taking cruise in Oct. 2008. We’re looking for a public nude/topless beach in Ocho Rios Jamaica or Georgetown Grand Cayman. Anyone knows of a beach that offers us the ability to strut our new matching thong bikinis. We would really prefer to try

Wife and I are taking cruise in Oct. 2008. We’re looking for a public nude/topless beach in Ocho Rios Jamaica or Georgetown Grand Cayman. Anyone knows of a beach that offers us the ability to strut our new matching thong bikinis. We would really prefer to try

where can i buy it from? thanks