Product Review: Universal Socket 7 to 19mm Socket Set with Wrench Power Drill Adapter

 

This is a universal socket head that comes with an adapter to connect it to a drill. It definitely saves a lot of time digging through different socket heads trying to find one to fit your bolt. Mine does not have any defective pins (as I have noticed some reviewers saying) and it works great. I definitely recommend it.

Product Review: Allmax AA Maximum Power Batteries

 

I go through a ton of AAA batteries, using them in remote controls and things like my wireless keyboard and mouse. These are a fraction of the price of the name-brand batteries, you get more in a pack than you would get buying batteries from most stores. They seem (at least so far) to last just as long as the name-brand batteries. So far, I am very satisfied with these.

Product Review: iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal

 

I have moved this around a couple of times in my townhouse (which is a split level). Initially, it was on the kitchen and living room level (which has vinyl plank flooring and a big area rug). Now, it is on my middle level which has a couple of bedrooms and the main bathroom (which is carpeted and then the sheet vinyl in the bathroom). For the initial mapping run, I stayed in the room to watch it as it moved around and did not notice it doing anything odd, getting stuck, or the like. It was able to navigate around my kitchen table and chairs, the chairs and shelves in my living room, and navigate from the vinyl plank flooring onto a large area rug, and back onto the hard flooring without a problem. It did a fairly good job of picking up the debris on the floor, and did a decent, albeit not great, job on the area rug. I am not sure if that is because of a lack of suction power or because the rug had been sitting in my garage for a couple of months while my townhouse was being renovated. It may need a few passes in order to get everything up out of it.

It did a great job along the baseboards and figured out how to get under chairs that it originally bumped into. The only place where it did not get stuff up was along the edge of the staircase going up from the main level to the bedroom level. The stirs are carpeted so there is kind of a transition where the vinyl plank and the carpet going up the stairs meet, and it did not do a great job on that edge. All in all, it took about 45 minutes, give or take, for it to do that entire level, return to the base, and empty into the bin. I did not get any weird errors or any of the problems that some people have reported.

On the carpeted level it does not do as good a job. I have an issue where the robot often loses communication with the base, so the base thinks the bag is full (even when it is not), or that there is a clog (I think because it is sitting on carpet). Realistically, there should be no need for a bag as the base unit should just have a bin that can be emptied. The dust bin on the robot (which is the part that empties into the base and bag) definitely gets clogged with more material when it is vacuuming carpet (especially newer carpet that still has the frills that have to be vacuumed up). \

Ultimately, this is a mixed bag. When it works, it does a good job. When it does not, it is a pain in the ass. 

Product Review: COTODO Picture Hanging Kit

 

This is a kit with a bunch of hanging accessories. While it is not a massive collection of stuff, there is a good assortment such as eyes, sawtooth hangers, wire, hooks, and nails. The nails that are included are for the accessories included in the kit. They are not useful for actually hanging pictures on the wall, however, because all the nail heads are very small. That knocks it down a star for me. Otherwise, it is a good set.

Product Review: Joseph Joseph Drawer Store - Compact Cutlery Drawer Organizer

 

I originally purchased the two-pack of these silverware holders, but I had enough silverware left over that I got a single one to put the rest in. These fit easily in a drawer and are much better at keeping silverware organized than the trays that require you to stack pieces on top of each other. And, they take up a lot less space than those, so you can get items that would not fit in a regular tray in the drawer as well. I definitely recommend these.

Product Review: 120PCS Push Pins, Plastic Head Transparent Thumb Tacks

 

This is a pretty basic collection of standard-sized thumb-tacks/push-pins. The small box they come in does not close very tightly, however, so you may want to transfer them into something that closes a bit better. During shipping, the small box had popped open inside the Amazon box it was shipped in, and tacks were all over the inside. Not a huge issue for me, but a bit of a pain nonetheless.

Product Review: 28 PCs Large Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids

 

Overall, this is a great set of food storage containers. They are easy to store and clean and the snap-lids are very nice. The only change I would make is to get rid of the small, round containers and add one additional larger container. Although the small round containers are good for bringing things like salad dressing or cheese with your lunch to work, they are not all that great when it comes to actually storing leftovers, which was my main purpose for getting this set. That said, I still recommend it.

Product Review: OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Airtight POP Round Canister Set

 

This is a set of three food storage canisters. I have three sets of these now. They look great on a kitchen counter, or you can easily store them in a pantry or cupboard. There is a large, medium, and small canister, each of which holds a decent amount. The large canister can easily hold the contents of a 5-lb bag of flour and still have room to spare. While they do not vacuum seal, they are airtight so that air that is not already in them cannot get in once the lids are on, and they will definitely keep pests out (whether it is a random fly that gets in the house, or you have the misfortune of having mice getting into your kitchen), and unless you have an extremely smart pet, they will not be able to get into them either. I have flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, pasta, and cookies stored in my various canisters, and they work great for all of them. I definitely recommend these.

Product Review: HomeRight C800251 3/8 inch Roller Cover for Paint Power Roller

 

This is a replacement roller cover for the Wagner Spraytech Right PaintStick C800953.M Roller Applicator. The fibers do not shed on the wall, and you get good coverage with it. I love using the PaintStick for smaller areas where you need to use a paint roller.

Product Review: LITOM 30 LEDs Solar Motion Sensor Landscape Spotlights

 

This is a set of two solar-powered outdoor motion-detecting lights. I am using a couple of these in my back patio area. One I have mounted on a fence and one I used the stake to put it in the ground. The motion detection is great, both come on immediately when I open my patio door and throw a lot of light. They stay on for anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute after the motion stops. 

The idea is that you place them where they can get as much direct sunlight during the day, which will allow them to come on at night when the motion detection is tripped. The one mounted on the fence gets a lot of light until the afternoon when it is in the shade, and the one in the ground is partially obstructed by my satellite dish but still gets enough light that it works well. They are easy to install and you do not need to do any wiring or drilling (unless you want to mount it to the side of the house). I definitely recommend these and plan to get a couple more.

Product Review: Academic Wall Calendar 2020-2021

 

This is a  good calendar that can be hung on a wall or used on a desk. It has large blocks for the days that make keeping track of appointments or things like scheduling workouts easy. I definitely recommend it if you want a more functional calendar without pictures.

Supplement Review: Extra Strength Testosterone Booster for Men

 

This is promoted as a natural testosterone booster. I tried using it over the course of a few months and never noticed a huge increase in endurance or strength,. I also noticed that after a while the tablets seemed to be getting more and more of a gritty texture which has made them a lot harder to swallow (at least for me). Hence, I canceled my Subscribe and Save subscription on Amazon.

Product Review: Wagner Spraytech Right PaintStick Roller Applicator

 

This is a paint roller that allows you to put paint in the handle which then runs to the roller brush, reducing the need for constantly reloading paint on the brush. I found that watching the YouTube video on how to use this helped a lot. It works best if you have paint in a one-gallon can. The valve that you have to connect between the paint can and the stick does not really connect to a five-gallon bucket. It makes painting a far less messy process, with fewer drips than using a regular roller, as the paint is "stored" in the handle as you use it, and once you get it going, paints a lot more evenly. I definitely recommend this.

Product Review: Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

 

I have a second-generation echo dot, as well as a second-generation "regular" echo unit. My mom moved into my house due to health issues, and I wanted another dot so we could use the "drop-in" intercom feature in the basement where my office space is, should the need arise. Because of the prime-day two-for-one deal, I was able to get an extra dot for no cost. 

It seems like the sound quality in the newer generation of Echo Dots is much better than in the older versions. It is still not as good as the regular Echo or a Sonos speaker, but not as tinny as the sound in the second-generation dots. And, the set-up was a LOT easier. You still have to use the Alexa app to set it up, but it is much more of a "plug-and-play" process, with far fewer hoops (at least using the iPhone version of the Alexa app) to jump through to get it working. Basically, once it is plugged in, the Alexa app will recognize it, ask what WiFi connection it should use and that it is.

Product Review: WOVTE Bear Claw Black Telescopic Back Scratcher

 

This is a very compact back scratcher. I got it for my mom who is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. One of the side effects she is dealing with is hives that cause her to itch all over. This is small enough when compressed down to its smallest size to carry in a bag, backpack, satchel, purse, etc., but extends enough to reach your entire back. It is sturdy, but not so sturdy that you want to have something heavy sit on top of it for very long or drop something on it. Overall, however, it is definitely worth the pickup.

Product Review: Hanes Men's 5-Pack X-Temp Comfort Cool Assorted Boxer Briefs

 

This is a five-pack of boxer briefs. They fit well, and the size chart is accurate. They do not bunch or ride up and are overall very comfortable. They are definitely a good value and worth the price.

Product Review: FILA Neoprene Covered Dumbbell

 

The Neoprene Coated dumbells are the only way, at least that I have found, to get the very light weights, like 3-lb weights and even 8-lb weights at a reasonable price. I personally use the lighter weights for some shoulder exercises that I either cannot do with a heavier weight or would be almost dangerous to try with heavier weight (like those that can put a lot of strain on your rotator cuffs). They are also good for people who want to weight train, but not put on a lot of muscle, or are just starting out and have not built up to using a heavier weight for some exercises. 

They are a bit shorter than the non-coated weights, so if your hands are really big they may not be easy to grip, and if you have a dumbbell rack they may not fit perfectly on it. But, if they do fit in your hand, they are easy to hold and do not slip, even if your hands get sweaty. You should note that they are sold individually, not as a pair. So, if you want two of them, and chances are most people will, you will have to pay attention to the online listings and buy two at the same time.

Product Review: Leviton 80701-W 1-Gang Toggle Device Switch Wallplate

 

I recently repainted my walls and wanted white switchplates to better match the wall color. These will fit a standard switch and includes the screws needed to install it, so you do not have to save the old screws which will probably be a different color if you are replacing an almond-colored switchplate, for example. These are sturdy, look good, and are a good value. I definitely recommend picking them up.

Product Review: Hanes Men's Tagless Cotton Crew Undershirt

 

This is a pretty standard cotton t-shirt. It is good to use as an undershirt or as something to just lounge around in at home. They are nice to have as a subscribe and save item on Amazon, so you can get as many as you need on a schedule that fits. That is especially helpful if you are one who tends to wear out t-shirts relatively easily.

Product Review: Langov Elbow Brace For Men And Women (Pair) – Elbow Compression Sleeve For Tendonitis, Weightlifting, Golfers & Tennis Elbow Brace

 

I picked these up when I was battling tennis elbow for a few weeks, using an ACE bandage around my elbow when working out. I found this in a search for something that was a better solution, and it definitely helped a lot. I ordered the XL using their size chart. Although I was skeptical if that would fit correctly, I found that, at least for me, it did. I did see other reviewers on Amazon mentioned that the size chart is off, but it seems like that varies person-by-person. 

They give just the right amount of compression so that I do not feel pain when working out, yet, do not inhibit my range of motion or blood flow. It is also nice that you get a pair of them in a pack, in case you need two of them. I definitely recommend this for anyone who needs to keep their elbow wrapped and does not want to deal with an ACE bandage.

Product Review: Saucony Men's Multi-pack Mesh Ventilating Comfort Fit Performance No-Show Socks

 

These are comfortable "no show" socks, meaning they are mostly hidden when wearing shoes, even regular-height tennis/athletic shoes. My only issue with them is that they verge on being too small, and can sometimes slip off your foot when you are taking your shoes off (if you slip them on and off). Aside from that, they are comfortable once you get used to them and are worth picking up.

Product Review: Neoprene Coated Exercise & Fitness Dumbbell

 

The Neoprene Coated dumbells are the only way, at least that I have found, to get the very light-weights, like 3-lb weights and even 8-lb weights which I personally use for some shoulder exercises that I either cannot do with a heavier weight or would be almost dangerous to try with heavier weight (like those that can put a lot of strain on your rotator cuffs). They are also good for people who want to weight train, but not put on a lot of muscle, or are just starting out and have not built up to using a heavier weight for some exercises. The 3-lb dumbells are a bit small, so if your hands are really big they may not be easy to grip, but if they do fit in your hand, they are easy to hold and do not slip, even if your hands get sweaty. Otherwise, you can get a pair for a decent price. You should note, however, that they are often sold individually, not as a pair. So, if you want two of them, and chances are most people will) you have to buy two at the same time and pay attention to the listing pages if you are buying them online.

Workout Update: 645 and XB Stretch Hybrid - Day 66

 Day 66 was the flexibility day. In XB I did the lower body stretch and then mobility and stability in 645.

The 645 workout has quite a few new stretches that have not been done so far in the program, plus a mix of stretches that have been done before, but done with a variation. Most of the routine is done sitting down or lying on your back. There is one standing exercise, the "Royal Dancer" from P90x yoga, although Amoila does not call it that. As has been the case in nearly every mobility and stability routine, some of the muscles being stretched were very tight, and others not so much.

Product Review: EdenProducts Double Sided Sticky Carpet Tape for Area Rugs, Carpets & Mats

 

I have vinyl plank flooring in my front entry and stairway and on the living room/kitchen level of my townhouse. I used this to secure carpet runners on the stairs and to secure a corner of an area rug that I have in my living room that had curled up. This does a great job both with keeping the carpet runners in place and keeping the corner of the area rug down. I know one reviewer said that this did not keep the carpets in place and damaged what looks like a hardwood floor. But, on LVP flooring it works great to keep things in place and I was easily able to pull it up and reposition it without any damage to the flooring. So, if you have LVP flooring or anything similar, and need to secure rugs to it, I definitely recommend this.

Product Review: Elrene Home Fashions Elegant Woven Leaves Jacquard Damask Tablecloth, 60" x 84"

 

I have a wooden kitchen/dining table that is a 6-foot long oval shape when the leaf is put in. The surface of the table has seen better days, so I got this to cover it up until I can get it resurfaced. The 60" x 84" oval tablecloth fits perfectly with just the right amount of overhang along the sides.