Product Review: Emliviar Mini Pendant Light

 

I got two of these when I had my kitchen remodeled back in 2020 to put over the newly installed kitchen island. I was looking initially at a slightly different light which was sold out and decided to go with these. I am not sure how easy they were to install, I had an electrician install them, but he did not seem to have any issues and had them up in about 10 minutes per light if that. I used LED Edison bulbs in them which look awesome in the fixture. Everything was well packed and nothing was broken in either of the lights I received. I am definitely happy with the purchase and highly recommend these if you are looking for nice-looking, affordable, pendant lights.

Product Review: Filtrete 16x25x1 Air Filter, MPR 300, MERV 5 Basic Dust 3-Month Pleated 1-Inch Air Filters

 

I had an older furnace (about 20 years old, give or take) that could not handle one of the heavy-duty filters. These are perfect as basic filters that I can replace every 1-3 months and are not prohibitively expensive. Even though I now have a newer furnace, these do keep it from getting too dusty and dirty (that and regular yearly maintenance), which is really the point of the air filters. 

Product Review: RIYCUOWT Damaged Screw Extractor

 

I got this because I had three braces for large floating shelves that had screws with stripped heads in them. I was able to use these to get some, but not all, of them out. If the head is damaged too much, these will not get them out. But, if they are not, these work as advertised. It is important that you have the drill in reverse at all times when you are using these otherwise it will not work to get the screws out.

Product Review: Ropeless Jump Rope

 

I got this because I do a lot of the Beachbody workouts (as anyone who reads this blog knows), including ones like Insanity: Asylum which uses a jump rope in some of the workouts. But, my basement has low ceilings, so it is difficult to jump rope exercises down there. Plus, I was never super coordinated with a jump rope even when I was a kid, and that has not gotten better as an adult. This allows me to do the moves without having to worry about tripping over the rope, or the rope hitting the ceiling. The ends are weighted enough that it mimics the feel of swinging a jump rope, but not so much that it gets your arms or shoulders too tired. I definitely recommend this.

Product Review: FLEXISPOT EN1 Height Adjustable Standing Desk

 

I got this to use in an office corner of my renovated basement since I am stuck working from home due to COVID-19. A couple of things to note about putting it together. First, as it says on the product page, this will come in two boxes. One with the pieces for the frame, and one with the desktop. I got the frame first (on a Tuesday), then got the desktop the following Monday. So, you will not be able to assemble the entire thing right away. Second, you will need two people to assemble the frame because the legs are too heavy to hold up with one hand while screwing on the part that holds the crossbar. Third, you will need a drill and/or electric screwdriver to put this together. An electric screwdriver makes it easier to screw the base to the tabletop (and the power box and lift controller to the tabletop). The former you need because there are not pre-drilled holes for all the spots that need screws. For me, the hardest thing about putting it together was aligning the base with the holes on the tabletop that you need to screw the legs to the table. Unless you are very lucky you will have to adjust the crossbar after you put the base together when you are screwing it to the tabletop. You also need to be very careful when connecting the piece that turns when the motor engages not to turn the motor winch too much when you are tightening the bar (it will make sense in the instructions).

Overall, the instructions are written better than most for these types of put it together yourself furniture pieces. You do have to look at the pictures to see exactly how things should be aligned, but it is not too hard, even if you are not very handy or much of a DIYer. The desk is very heavy and sturdy once put together and does not feel flimsy like a lot of things you have to assemble. You can move it up and down using the arrows on the control box, or you can program up to three heights using programmable buttons. So far, I am very satisfied with it and would absolutely recommend it.

Product Review: FROGTAPE 280222 Delicate Surface Painter's Tape with PaintBlock

 

I used this to tape around door frames so I could paint the walls around the doors (which had also been painted along with the frames). I specifically used the tape for delicate surfaces because the door frames had been newly painted. When taking this off, some of the paint did come off the doors. The tape would remove fine, then pull a bunch of the paint from the door off, then be fine again. so, needless to say, the door frames needed touching up again. And, the tape did allow some amount of bleed-through in some spots. So, it does not work as advertised, at least in some situations.

Product Review: Shur-Line 06100 Gallon Can Paint Pourer

 

This is a pour spout that fits a one-gallon paint can perfectly, makes pouring the paint into a tray a whole lot easier, and avoids causing a huge mess with paint dripping down the side of the can. When the paint on the pourer dries you can just peel it off and reuse it. I definitely recommend it.

Product Review: Mr. Longarm 4.9 in. W x 4.4 in. L White Foam Applicator

 

I have a townhouse with a lot of vaulted ceilings and painted most of the rooms a couple of years ago. This definitely helps with edging at the top of the vaulted walls. It would work even better if I did not have popcorn ceilings in some of the rooms, so right at the very top, I had to have a professional go up there with a brush to finish. But for the edges that were not against the popcorn ceilings, this gave awesome coverage, much better than a roller, and allows you to do a lot of painting before it wears out (which you will know has happened when it starts peeling away from the backing). I definitely recommend it.

Product Review: ALLWAY GPS5 Paint Pouring Spout for 5-Gallon Containers

 

I renovated my townhouse back in 2020, which included painting most of the rooms. Thus, I purchased a couple of 5-gallon buckets of paint. Of course, those are very heavy and hard to pour paint from. This makes it much easier to pour from the buckets, regardless of whether they have the tab you pull out or the cap you unscrew. If your bucket has the former, you can separate the "inner portion" which is the pour spout itself, from the base, and just push that into the hole after you pull the tab out. If it is the latter, you simply unscrew the cap on the bucket, and screw the base with the spout in it, on the same threads. It definitely helps keep paint from getting everywhere or pouring out too fast from the bucket. I definitely recommend this.

Product Review: Mr. LongArm Trim Smart Paint Edger

 

When I was renovating my townhome back in 2020, I was doing a lot of painting, including painting vaulted ceilings. This definitely came in very handy to do the edge work. And, it gets a nice coating of paint, much better than a lot of brushes and rollers. The contractors that I used who helped with some of the painting also really love these. The only drawback is that it is hard to keep paint off the wheels, so it is almost impossible to keep all the paint from getting on the connecting wall to the one you are edging, but that is really only an issue if you are going to do an accent wall. Otherwise, these are wonderful.

Product Review: Fitbit Alta HR Charging Cable

 

The charger for the Alta and Alta HR will likely break down eventually and they are not like other charging cables that use a mico-USB connection. This charger has prongs that have to connect to the back of the Alta HR, that do break off or lose a good connection over time. This is the official Fitbit cable and is a bit more expensive than the knockoff cables, but I have seen reviews of some of the cheaper cables that cause the units to go haywire. And, Fitbit is very particular about what they will not warranty and what will void the warranty on the Fitbit, so it is best to use their cable.

Food Review: Marie Callender's Tender Ginger Beef and Broccoli Bowl

 

While it is not as good (in my opinion anyway) as an order of Beef with Broccoli from a restaurant (especially a good Vietnamese restaurant), you get a good amount of food in the bowl, it is filling, and it is not just all rice. Most of the meat is tender, although I have, from time to time, had one with a piece or two of the beef which is quite tough. But, I have probably had around 10 of these, and that is a rarity. You get a decent amount of protein per serving but it does, like pretty much all frozen dinners, have quite a bit of sodium.  It is definitely one that I would recommend.

Product Review: mDesign Plastic Tea Bag Divided Storage Organizer

 

I have a large box of green tea that I purchased at one of the warehouse clubs. The box from the store was huge and took up a lot of room, this is a much better option for storing the tea bags. It is large enough to store all the tea bags, and can easily be placed at the front of a cupboard or pantry for easy access. If the tea bags are larger, you may have to put them into the separations at an angle as there is no way to adjust the size of the inner portions that form the separate boxes. You could also use these for craft supplies, however the lid is not locking, so if you accidentally dropped it, or it fell from a shelf, whatever you put in it would go everywhere. But, this is a great option to hold individual tea bags.

Product Review: Treehouse by Natureclean Nature Clean Liquid Hand Soap

 

It is a good size and is available as a subscribe and save item on Amazon, which is nice (when it is available). The only complaint I have is that it has a very strong, almost overpowering, citrus smell. It does not linger on your hands after you rinse them off, so it is not a huge drawback, but it could be toned down a lot.

Product Review: Decor Grates ST410 Classic Collection Décor Design Painted, 4x10 Inches, Floor Register

 

A couple of years ago I replaced the white carpet in my master bedroom with dark engineered hardwood. While renovating the rest of my townhouse, I was looking for new vent covers to match new flooring that was going in other areas of the house, and I came across this which is a perfect match to the flooring in the master bedroom. There is no fancy installation (just make sure you confirm the size of the duct before you purchase), just take the old vent out and put this in. The outside is metal, but the inner part, including the vent flaps, is plastic. The benefit is that they are much easier to open and close than the flaps on the old metal vents, but some people on Amazon have issues with the plastic part partially melting and warping when they turn on the heat. I installed these in the summer, but have used them for a couple of winters. They still open and close just fine and the plastic parts have not melted or warped at all. And, I live in a part of the country where it gets very cold in the winter, so the furnace runs a lot. They look great with the flooring in the room and are a great value for the price.

Workout Update: 645 and XB Stretch Hybrid - Day 61

Day 61 was the lower back routine in XB and the first total body tempo workout of Phase 3 in 645.

The 645 workout was another tough one, with a few new moves mixed in with exercises we had done in prior weeks. The pace of the workout is very accelerated with much less transition time between the moves. You do, however, get at least 45 seconds between sets. The workout ends almost at the 45-minute mark with the cooldown just being a few seconds in child's pose. 

Product Review: Accord AMFRBLV410 Floor Register with Victorian Design

 

I recently replaced the flooring in my living room and kitchen with LVP flooring and replaced the two, very old, existing floor vents on that level with these. There is no fancy installation (just make sure you confirm the size of the duct before you purchase), just take the old vent out and put this in. The outside is metal, but the inner part, including the vent flaps, is plastic. The benefit is that they are much easier to open and close than the flaps on the old metal vents, but some people on Amazon have issues with the plastic part partially melting and warping when they turn on the heat. I installed these in the summer, and have used them through a couple of winters now. I live in a part of the USA where the winters can be very cold and the furnace runs a lot. I have not had a problem with the plastic melting or warping at all, and the vents still open and close just fine. They look great with the new floor and are a great value for the price.

Product Review: Ryobi 4-Volt QuickTurn Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Screwdriver Kit

 

This is a Ryobi cordless screwdriver. It does not have the power of a drill or impact driver, so it is definitely intended for smaller uses like installing hardware on cabinets or doors, or things akin to that. One great thing is that it can either be configured as a long, straight piece, or you can turn the base so that it is configured more like a drill, so if you need to use it at a more awkward angle, you can. While I would not say that you can use it in place of a regular screwdriver in every situation, you can do so in many. One thing to note, much like an impact driver, you have to use the screwdriver heads that have the hex ends. Double-sided screwdriver bits will not work on this. Overall, it is definitely a good value for the money.

Product Review: Igloo Polar 120 Qt. Cooler

 

It is a large cooler. It is perfect for taking camping, or to have around if your refrigerator stops working (or you lose power or are renovating your kitchen). Even though it is large, it can still fit in the trunk of a "regular" sized sedan, or anything larger< It is perfect for keeping cold items cold when doing a run to the grocery store or warehouse club.

Product Review: Settings Plastic Clear Soup Spoons

 

These are a bit smaller and less sturdy than some other plastic spoons out there. That said, they are perfect for things like soup or cereal. They are not as good for something like non-soft-serve ice cream. When eating regular ice cream they can (and probably will) easily break. But, if you need them for a cookout or something along those lines, they are a fine value for the amount you get.

Product Review: Grip Tight Tools Heavy Duty Plastic Paint Tray

 

These are very small paint trays. They are definitely too small for a full-sized roller. But, perfect to use for a brush, edger, or a small roller, in smaller spaces. They are very sturdy and are not flimsy when holding paint. A great value for the price.

Product Review: Value Combo: Bubble Cushioning Wrap Rolls(30ft/Easy-to-Tear) & 12"X 12" Foam Wrap Sheets 30-Pack

 

This is a combination pack that includes 30 foam sheets and a roll of bubble wrap. The foam sheets are not the kind with the pockets, which are good for dishes. These are best for putting between picture frames with glass fronts or wrapping around smaller items. You can, however, use them to separate glass plates as you stack them. The bubble wrap is pretty standard, has small bubbles, and is perforated so you can separate it into smaller sheets without cutting it. Definitely a good value for the money.

Product Review: 3M Multi-Use Duct Tape

 

This is 3M duct tape that holds strong but is not too "sticky". And, it is easy to tear without the tape splitting as you tear it. 3M is definitely the brand to get and is superior over at least some of the "generic" or off-brand versions.

Product Review: Warner 3" ProGrip Full Flex Putty Knife

 

This is a pretty standard putty knife. The edge is sharp enough that it can remove bumps from old paint drips, or uneven spackle, but not so sharp that you can easily cut yourself with it. And, it can be used to easily spread putty. I definitely recommend it.

Product Review: Red Devil 0542 ONETIME Lightweight Spackling

 

This is a spackle that has a soft, almost cotton-candy-like texture (as opposed to some spackles that are like a paste), but it spreads on and fills in holes easily and dries quickly and solidly so you can paint over it. It is definitely worth the money.

Product Review: DOTSOG Moving Straps 2-Person Lifting and Moving System Adjustable Shoulder Lifting Carrying and Moving Straps

 

These are two-person moving straps that can be used to lift large and/or heavy items such as appliances, that would be difficult to carry, especially up or down a flight of stairs. It takes a bit of trial-and-error to get them to work given the lack of instructions, but once you do, they work as advertised to move heavy objects with a lot less effort than just trying to pick them up and hoist them around especially when going up and down stairs.

Product Review: EnviroCare Replacement Duster Refills

 

These are basically generic Swiffer dusters. They will fit on the Swiffer duster handles, but I do find they are a bit thinner than the name-brand refills and tend to slide up the handles as you use them, so you have to readjust them a bit. They are, however, much less expensive than the name-brand Swiffer refills. Overall, I would say they are worth it.

Product Review: Magnetic Vent Cover 5.5 x 12 Inch - 3 Pack

 

These magnetic vent covers fit well over floor vent covers and do a good job of eliminating airflow from the vents. However, they will not remain attached to some ceiling vents and can easily fall off those, especially the kind that has a vent control that is like a handle that sticks out from the metal. I am not sure if they would stick better if you have a ceiling vent that you can lay them all the way across, and have them sit flat. But on the kind where it would have to be placed off-set or off-center because the vent control gets in the way, they will easily fall off.

Product Review: Bagster

 

The main thing to keep in mind is that the $20 price is the price ONLY to purchase the bag. To have it removed you have to schedule a pickup (there is usually a 3-5 day window after you tell them what day it will be available to pick up that they will pick it up within; mine was picked up the day after I said it was available), and that will cost approximately $160. It is a great option if you are cleaning out junk from your house, or doing a room renovation. The bags hold up to 3500 lbs of material, which is a decent amount, but they do not hold a dumpster shape very easily, so it is easy to have stuff kind of spilling over the sides as you are filling it. So, it gets a bit hard to tell if it is too full.

The plus is that it is definitely more maneuverable (at least up to a point) than getting a dumpster dropped off (unless it is a smallish dumpster with wheels), and may (depending on how much junk you need to be removed) may be more cost-effective than a dumpster or a junk hauling service. The drawback is that it is easy to underestimate how much it will hold, and if you need more than a couple of them, then the cost-effectiveness disappears quickly.

Product Review: Sheffield 1282 Gadget Folding Lock Back Utility Knife

 

I initially used this to cut out my old carpet to make it easier to remove as I was doing the demo on my townhouse before a renovation. Now, I mostly use it to break down boxes from various deliveries. It works great for both of those tasks, is sturdy, and it is nice to have it able to fold up to make it safer to store. I definitely recommend it.

Product Review: Mighty Gadget Brand 3/16" Air Bubble Cushioning Roll

 

It is a pretty standard bubble wrap, with smaller bubbles. The roll has perforations so you can separate it into smaller or larger sheets, as necessary. The only drawback is that the perforations can be a bit hard to see, especially if you do not have great eyesight. Otherwise, it is very good for a small amount of bubble wrap to keep fragile items safe when you are packing them up.

Product Review: Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves

 

I used these to demo part of my townhome for a remodel, including tearing down drywall/sheetrock and pulling up carpet. They were very comfortable, with no tears or punctures, even when handling tack strips and the like. I still use them when doing something around the house and want to protect my hands. I definitely recommend them.

Product Review: Premium Foam Packing Sheets (50 Count)

 

These are foam packing sheets that work much better than using newspaper to keep glass dishes and small fragile items protected when you are packing them up. They have pouches so you can place a bowl or plate inside, then stack them inside a box, so you basically have two layers of foam protecting your dishes. I definitely recommend them.

Book Review: Dune: The Butlerian Jihad (Dune #1)

 

The Butlerian Jihad is a prequel novel to the classic sci-fi novel, Dune, written by Frank Herbert in the 1960s. This book, published in 2002 was written by Frank Herbert's son, Brian, and is co-authored by Kevin J. Anderson. It is the first novel if you read the books in chronological order, and it tells the story of events that were referred to in the original Dune Trilogy of novels.

This book (and the other two books in the trilogy) is set thousands of years before the events in the Dune novel (and movies). At the time, machines had enslaved humans on Earth and many planets that would eventually make up the guild. The machines were a combination of artificially intelligent thinking machines and cyborgs who used to be human but were able to preserve their brains in canisters that they could transfer from one mechanical body to the next. This book details the start of the war between humans and machines that was referenced in Dune and also details the beginnings of the relationship between House Harkonnen and House Atreides.

The hardcover version of the book is a little over 600 pages. That consists of about 612 pages of the actual story and then a character glossary that is about another 20 pages that gives a short explanation of the characters in the book. The story is very good but can be a bit hard to follow at times. The story jumps around from planet to planet, and shifts from the point of view of one character to another. Since there are a ton of characters in the book until you can keep straight who everyone is, it can get confusing. As you get deeper into the book, the story really focuses on just a handful of characters and the story is easier to digest. I have not read the original Dune trilogy yet (as of this writing) as I am reading the books in chronological order. So, I cannot say how this book compares to those written by Frank Herbert, but, it is a very well-written story that blends action, suspense, and drama. If you are a fan of the Dune movies or even just Sci-Fi books, movies, or TV series, this is worth the time to read.

Workout Update: 645 and XB Stretch Hybrid - Day 60

For day 60 I did the lower body flexibility routine in XB, and the 645 workout was the first upper body strength workout of Phase 3. 

The 645 workout goes at a faster pace, and like the other workouts this week, mixes new moves in with moves that have been in prior workouts (or variations on them). There are some exercises that use body weight only and one at the end in which you basically use the heaviest weight you have available that you can hold for 25 seconds on each side. Again, the focus of the exercises is not on the "show" muscles like the biceps, but on the functional muscles of the shoulders and back. You do get some bicep and tricep work, but that is usually because they are being worked along with the other areas the workout is focusing on.

Workout Update: 645 and XB Stretch Hybrid - Day 59

Day 59 was the flexibility day. In XB I did the lower back routine, and of course, in 645 it was the flexibility and mobility workout.

The 645 workout had quite a few new stretches mixed in with some that have been in prior workouts. The focus is again on hip, shoulder, and hamstring flexibility. It is not hard, but it definitely builds on the prior versions of the workout and is more challenging than in prior weeks. 

Book Review: Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide 2019

 

I have a baseball card collection that I started in the late 1980s and kept adding to until about the late 1990s/early 2000s. I have not valued the collection in years, so I got this to get an idea of what my collection is worth. It does have all the card sets, including the special edition sets. The only drawback is, to get all the sets into one book, the print is very, very, small. If you are to the point where you have to wear reading glasses or progressive lenses, the print in this will be hard to see without a magnifier of some kind. That said, this is a perfect way to price your card collection if you do not want to pay for a subscription to Beckett's online material.

Product Review: HOMMP Medium Trash Bags, 7 Gallon, 120 Counts/ 6 Rolls

 

If you have one or more small garbage cans (such as are generally used in bathrooms or bedrooms) these are very good. It would be better if they were available in white or clear and were a little bit smaller. It seems that "small" garbage bags range from so small they are basically useless for most small cans, or so large that you end up wasting some room in them and can only economically use it in a medium-sized can. These definitely fall into the latter category. But, they hold up well and you get a lot per roll (and 4 rolls to a package) so they will last a while.

Product Review: PackageZoom Moving Boxes Medium 18 x 14 x 12 Inches 20 Pack

 

While these are medium-sized boxes, they are a bit smaller than the medium boxes at Home Depot or UPS (if you are going off that size). They are a perfect size to hold books, as they do not allow you to put so many in that the box ends up weighing 75 lbs and is too heavy to comfortably lift and move around. You will need to use strapping tape to put them together, but once they are together they are sturdy, and a decent value for a pack of 20.

Product Review: Homz 34-Gallon Durabilt Plastic Stackable Storage Organization Container Bin

 

I got these for storing things in my garage to get ready for a renovation and wanted sturdy bins that are moisture and pest-proof. These are large bins with lids that lock much better than some of the less expensive bins out there. They are a bit overpriced on Amazon compared to a 55-gallon version of the bin that sells at Home Depot for $25. But, you can keep them in a garage without worrying about mice or water getting into them and damaging the contents. 

Product Review: AMMEX Clear Vinyl Medical Gloves

 

I originally got these for my mom to protect her hands when she was going through chemo. One of the side effects of her infusions was that her fingernails would split away from the nail bed and get infected. So, she would wear these when she was doing something that required her hands to be protected. 

I also use them when cleaning the bathroom or when I take the dog out so I do not risk touching dog poop with my bare hands when tieing off the poop bags. They are available as a subscribe-and-save item on Amazon so you can automatically reorder at whatever intervals work for you. 

Product Review: Bags on Board Patterned Dog Waste Bags (140 bags)

 

These are durable, and a good value for the money. You can get them as a subscribe-and-save item on Amazon and have them sent on whatever frequency suits you. Definitely recommend. I switched to these when the other brand I was using was no longer being offered via subscribe and save, and I have no complaints about them.

Product Review: IUKUS PC Microphone with Mic Stand

 

I use this for audio/video conferencing on my home computer when I work at home. The people on the other end seem to be able to hear me well and I have not had any issues with feedback or had anyone comment about my audio cutting in and out. It is really handy that it comes with a small tripod and can sit on a desk, and has a long enough cord that you can easily move it out of the way when not using it, and move it closer when you are. It is a great deal when using it in that context. I do not use it for gaming, so I am not sure how well it does or does not work for doing that.

Product Review: PHILIPS Computer Monitors 328E9QJAB 32" Curved Frameless Monitor

 

I have a job that routinely requires me to have multiple documents and applications open at one time (e.g., Word, Acrobat, Outlook, and a web browser at the very least), and because of the Covid-19 pandemic, my office instituted a mandatory work-from-home policy. Therefore, I got a couple of these to connect to my laptop via a docking station. They are relatively easy to set up. The only thing I found a bit tricky is that the power button is on the back of the monitor, just on the other side of the Phillips logo in the middle of the bottom of the monitor.

If you connect via an HDMI cable the picture is very crisp, and you can easily display multiple documents/applications at one time. I just have the monitors at eye level and do not have any problem seeing any portion of the screens. I am not sure how it would be affected if the monitor is moved above or below eye level. It does have a speaker that emits okay sound, and you can connect an external speaker via a jack in the back of the monitor to get better sound out of it. Overall, If you are looking for a relatively large, widescreen monitor that is inexpensive, I definitely recommend this one.

Product Review: Amazon Basics USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Dual Monitor Docking Station

 

This is pretty much a plug-and-play device, with the caveat that you need to install the drivers before you connect it to your computer. I am not sure what happens if you do not, but the instructions make clear to do that first, and if you do, it is very easy to get up and running.

My office instituted a work-from-home policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I needed to connect multiple monitors to my laptop in order to efficiently work from home. This has one HDMI port, one port that allows you to connect a monitor with a VGA connection, and then has several USB ports so you can connect a flash drive, an external hard drive, or whatever other USB devices you would like. It also allows you to connect speakers and a microphone if you so desire. The only thing I would have liked it to have is two HDMI ports so you can connect two monitors via HDMI. Aside from that, I am very satisfied with it.

Product Review: ELMA Winter Leather Gloves for Men

 

These are a nice, inexpensive, pair of leather gloves. My only complaint is that, even though the finger length is perfect for me, they are a bit tight, although less so after wearing them a few times. The inner lining is very soft, and warm. It is not warm enough for an upper midwestern winter when the high temperatures can be in the teens (at best) and sometimes even below zero degrees Fahrenheit. But, they are perfect for the fall and spring. The fingertips work well on a smartphone screen, at least to unlock it, but are not the greatest for the smaller touchscreen details. But, I am rarely using my phone outside (aside from occasionally taking a call when I am going for a walk), so that is not really an issue for me.

Product Review: Apple Watch Series 4

 

I bought mine refurbished from Amazon. Despite being refurbished it looks brand new and may have well have been factory-sealed. If you have an iPhone, it is extremely easy to set up. You just pair it with your phone and it connects to your account and basically sets everything up automatically. You have the option of having it download a bunch of apps at one time, or you can pick and choose apps to download after the watch is set up. I have used it mostly for workout and sleep tracking, but there are a lot of other apps specifically for the watch available. I have not come across any issues with it having been refurbished, and getting it that way is much more cost-efficient than getting it brand new. 

After a couple of years, the face plate popped off. It actually still worked, and I could use a rubber band to keep the plate in place, but I did not want to do that long-term, and I was leery of using superglue on it.  Because it was out of warranty, Apple wanted $600 for the honor of sending it in to get fixed. So, needless to say, it was a lot more cost-effective to purchase a new one. I do not think the face plate popped off because it was refurbished. I just think that is a thing that happened with the older model. So far, I have had no issues with my new watch.

Product Review: SNSIR Screen Protector 44mm for Apple watch Series 6 (44 mm)

 

These are great for keeping the screen on the Apple Watch covered. There is no loss of the touchscreen interactivity and it is very easy to install. If you download a QR reader you can scan it with your phone and be linked to YouTube and see a video on how to put it on. It is really no different than installing a screen protector on a phone or tablet. If you can do that you can easily put this on. The only thing I would say is that a two-pack is kind of overkill unless you have more than one person in your household with an Apple watch. It would be nice to have the option of purchasing just one at a bit of a lower price. But, these can lose adhesion after a time, so having a second one readily available is not the worst thing in the world. That said, I am definitely satisfied with the purchase.

Workout Update: 645 and XB Stretch Hybrid - Day 58

For Day 58 I did the lower body stretch routine in XB, and then it was the first total body power workout of Phase 3 in 645.

Again, the 645 workout was more intense and went by faster (in terms of transitioning from move to move) than in the first two phases. Also, Amoila mixed in different moves that were not seen in the prior weeks. There was also more cardio incorporated into the workout. 

The XB workout was fine. I am getting better with mobility in my right hamstring, but my left is still extremely tight and I have to bend my knee quite a bit. I am still not anywhere near being able to do even a half-split yet on either side, but I am absolutely making progress.  

Product Review: OUT Dog Poop Bags

 

You get a lot of bags for approximately the same amount you would spend to get far less than you would get buying bags in a brick-and-mortar store. It is great to have them available as a subscribe and save item on Amazon so you can have them sent at a frequency that works for you. If you have just one dog, chances are you will only need a re-supply every 2-3 months. They are very sturdy and large enough to easily tie off. I definitely recommend them.

Product Review: Roku Express

 

This is an inexpensive option for cord-cutters (kind of an oxymoron since it still has cords) i.e., those who are looking to ditch cable or satellite TV. It is basically a box that attaches to your TV via an HDMI cable, and then allows you to download various apps, some free, some paid (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Sling TV, YouTube TV, etc.) through which you can watch TV or movies.

The setup is easy. You just plug the Roku box into one of the HDMI ports on your TV, then connect it via a USB cable to a power source, which can be either through a USB port in the TV or connect the USB end of the cable into a power adapter that plugs into a regular wall outlet. Then you just follow the on-screen prompts to set it up, which will include connecting to your home's wireless network, telling it what you like to watch so it can suggest apps to download, and either setting up or logging into your Roku account (if you have an account set up). So, as long as you are not completely technophobic, you can get it set up in a few minutes.

There is absolutely no activation fee to set up the box. You have the option to set up Roku premium content (like HBO, Showtime, etc.) but you do not have to activate any of those. There are a bunch of free apps, including the Roku channel which have TV shows and movies, and usually play commercials throughout the shows, but those are generally past seasons of shows. If you want to watch current shows you either have to pay for a service like Sling TV or the like or get an HD antenna to connect to your TV to watch shows over-the-air.

Overall, this is a very good deal. Just to note, it will not play content in native 4k, so if you have a 4k TV you may want to upgrade to one of the more expensive boxes that will allow you to get the best resolution. But, if you have a regular HD TV that outputs 1080p, this is a great option. And, the remote is about 1000 times better and easier to use than the Amazon Fire remotes. So, if you are deciding between a Roku and one of the Amazon Fire devices, that may be something you want to consider. Roku does have an Amazon Prime app, so you can play all the Prime video content if you are a Prime member.

Product Review: iRobot Braava Authentic Replacement Parts - Braava jet 200 Series Wet Mopping Pads

 

These are the wet pads for the Braava 200 series of robot mops from iRobot. Meaning, when one of these pads is on the mop it will spray more water on the floor and make more passe of the room. Basically, it is the pad that will make the robot do the deepest cleaning job. There is a bit of a scented solution of some kind on the bottom of the pad that gives off a scent as the robot mops up the water. I am not sure if it contributes anything more than just scent or it if actually helps clean the floor.

The mop knows which type of pad is attached based on the perforations in the "card" (for those old enough to remember the punch cards that were used for computer programming years ago, it is like that) that slips into the base of the mop to attach the pad. Depending on how large a room you are mopping you may have to use more than one pad and one cleaning cycle to get the entire room clean. You do want to make sure that if there are any bigger lint balls or more than just a minimal amount of dust or dirt on the floor that you use a vacuum and/or one of the dry pads (which is like a Swiffer sheet), otherwise this will just push them around. These are best used if your floor just needs relatively light cleaning (for example, if you clean them once or twice a week on a regular basis) or in relatively low-traffic areas that have a hard surface floor.

Product Review: Whitmor Set of 2-10 x 10 x 10 inches-Turquoise Collapsible Cubes

 

I got these to keep my pantry organized. They are great for packets (things like taco seasoning, dry mixes, etc.), bagged items like chips, or other things that you want to keep together but do not really sit well on a shelf or in a cupboard. They are reasonably sized so they do not take up a ton of space (as long as your shelves are at least 10" deep) and are simple to set up (just unfold them and put the support across the bottom). I definitely recommend them as an inexpensive storage solution for a pantry or a closet.

Product Review: Bonsaii Cross-Cut Paper Shredder

 

I have a lower-end shredder that can handle doing one or two things at a time, for short periods of time (like credit card applications that come nearly every day in the mail), but also had a back-log of paperwork that I did not need any longer, but would take days in that shredder, and would undoubtedly cause it to get stuck and clogged. I was able to get through about half of it in less than an hour using this.

I like that it has a self-contained bin that holds a good amount of shredded paper. It does come with one bag that you can to line the bin, but I found it is easier just to empty the bin into a bag when it is full. This is because if the bin is not pushed in place all the way, it will not shred. The power light will just blink when you turn it on, but it will not do anything until the bin is pushed all the way in, and when you put a bag inside it, it tends to cause the bin not to sit correctly. Plus, I found that as it got more full, the clippings would push the back of the bag down so you would get some in the bag and some between the bag and the bin, and it would cause a big mess trying to get the bag out.

The instructions say that you can feed up to 18 sheets at a time into the shredder, but It did get stuck with a thicker envelope (which I do not think was as thick as 18 sheets of paper) causing me to put it in reverse (which worked just fine) to get it out. So, now I stick to about 3-4 sheets at a time and it has not got stuck since then. I also put a couple of old credit cards through it, and it handled them just fine. One nice feature is that it cross-cuts the paper and does not just spit out long strips which can sometimes stick together and leave information visible to anyone with the patience enough to go through it. So, it is nearly impossible to get anything useful from the shredded remains. And, it is a much more cost-efficient option than bringing a bunch of paper to a company that shreds in bulk. It is a good idea to get some of the shredder lubricating sheets as I have found those help keep this in good working order. I definitely recommend this.