Rtgs 20 Micro LEDs String Lights

When I found these little lights that run on batteries, I thought to myself, "Here is another strand of so called bright lights that work for hours on batteries - yeah right". Yes I have to say I was a doubter. So many out there make that claim only to let you down on the power or amount of battery time. 

So I figured that I would go ahead and get these to try out. If nothing else I could find some use for them like sprucing up my review pictures every now and again.



When they arrived in their little small box, I opened it to find an even smaller package with the battery pack attached to a strand of tiny bumps (the actual lights-above picture shows how small) and a card with all the info about these lights. Very compact and now I was an even bigger doubter.





But my job is to review them and that is what I was going to do. So I loaded the battery pack up with 3 of my rechargeables and turned on the switch. Wow they worked! They were bright too, and I had the room light up with living room lights too. These little bumps were amazing. They actually light up. I have to say now I was amazed.



I then thought that sure they are bright as a group but as soon as you stretch them out things would look different. They did. They were still bright and still looked great.

The strand is an ultra thin wire in silver with 20 LED lights on a 7 foot strand with 4 inches in between each light. Being built into this wire makes them great for so many projects, decorations, arts and crafts and can also be wrapped around items for ready easy hold. I found these lights to be fun and easy to use. So many ideas come to mind to use these for.






As you can see in these pictures, my dinning room lights were on and you can still see how bright they light up the subject matter. This company has many sizes and colors to fit just about any need or want too.


I have to say these are worth the money and are truly great fun. I will be using this set as an enhancer to some of my pictures included in my review posts.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Large Deluxe Sphere Ice Molds

#1 Sphere Ice Mold Pack

This is the first time I have seen or used anything like this product. I was excited to find out that I was going to get one for reviewing. Some of you out there may have already heard of or used this unique ice mold but I really had not heard of a sphere ice mold until this one came up for review. I have used many of the shaped ice tray kinds and some were ok but a big ball of ice? I thought to myself I have got to try this one. Well as you can see from the pictures, these are on the larger side but I was still able to fit the ball of ice into almost all my glasses I own. 

This set comes with a 3 ice balls, a collapsible funnel, and are flat on the bottoms for easy filling. The set I received came in a clear tube packaged in a box with bubble wrap kind of stuff to keep them safe in the mail. On the top is a good sized hole with a black fill line around it. They are made of a thick high quality FDA food grade silicone that is BPA free with a split in the middle for easy removal of the ice ball. Kind of like the plastic Easter eggs you get for the kids. These are dishwasher safe too, but I would only recommend the top rack just to be on the safe side. There is also a NO RISK 100 % GUARANTEE. I did find that it was a little hard to see the black water line when filling these so I played around with them until I found just the right water level so that when they froze it did not displace the water out of the hole. If you take a measure cup and put just under 1/2 a cup of water in it, ( just under the line for 1/2 a cup ) that is the perfect level for each ball. Then once frozen, just twist the halves apart and WALA, a ball of ice. Push the flat bottom with your thumbs and in seconds the ball is out. Just do not pop these out of the mold straight into an empty glass due to the size and weight they hit the bottom hard. I have not broken the bottom of a glass yet but I have also learned to tilt the glass and use the top rim to help the ice ball out of the mold and it then rolls down the tilted glass without the force that could cause your glass to break. I also made a soda pop ice ball with Sprite and used the same measurement and due to the carbonation it did over flow out of the hole a tad but the ice ball was just fine and still worked. I just removed the soda ice sickle from the outside of the ball and was able to get the frozen soda ball out with ease. It was so nice to drink a cold glass of sprite outside on a hot day and not have the soda watered down and there was still 1/4th of the ball left when I finished the actual soda.

To this

From this to > > > >

These things work. The ice does melt really slow in this form. And they are just down right cool to look at and fun at the same time. I have started making the ice balls and filling an ice bucket in my freezer with them so my family can just grab one and enjoy. 

Yes I have to say I love these crazy ice molds and think they are a pretty good buy. I am having such fun with them.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Pimsleur Spanish I

I have wanted to learn Spanish for many years but I have never really been able to pick it up for some reason. I took Spanish classes in high school but back then all you really learned about Spanish was my pencil is yellow and thank you for the yellow pencil. Spanish is so hard for me to learn and I am not really sure why. I am currently married to someone from Puerto Rico and Spanish is his first language but even with him explaining how Spanish works to me, I can not seem to pick it up beyond the simple Si si senior or gracias. So what I am trying to say is that if there is a program out there that can teach me to finally speak spanish then its a great program and works well.

Now this program came very nicely packaged in a book size box with the complete program discs divided into two fold out sleeves each containing 8 discs. Everything was well labeled and numbered to make it easy to follow and use. The first disc has an intro that is a little long but I do advise that you listen to it completely and pay attention. It explains the program, how it was developed and why, how it works and why and how to follow the program and get the most from using it. There are some tips and useful information in that intro too. I think it helped me to relax and start with my best foot forward. When you get to the actual learning part of the disc it starts with a short conversation in Spanish and just has you listen to it. Then it takes small parts of that conversation and breaks it into easy to learn parts. You will hear the word as a complete word and then it breaks the word into syllables so to make sure you pronounce each part of that single word correctly. I believe that may have been my problem in the past is that trying to pronounce the complete word all at once is not always easy. With Spanish that is a necessity in order to be speaking the language properly. This method also helps with making sure you keep the female and male parts of speaking Spanish in the right order and timing.  

I have to say that I have been using this program for about 3 weeks now as much as I can, usually in my car due to I drive most of our household to their jobs and back, and by no means am I ready to be put into a room of Spanish speakers to try and have conversation with them, being as I have found Spanish hard for me to actually learn, but I am starting disc 2 and I have learned that this program has caused me to learn more Spanish than any other way I have tried. Even more than my hubby has been able to teach me and he is very caring and patient about it. I am confident that it will take me using this program a lot longer than probably most of you out there but I can say for sure that this just might be the one program that can at least teach me enough useful Spanish to survive somewhere they only speak Spanish. I also am finding that I am enjoying learning to speak it causing me to stick with it more and more. I may make my hubby proud yet. (Laughing just thinking about finally getting it.)

So do I think this program is the bang for your buck? Yes I do. I really feel this one is working for me. If you want to learn Spanish for a job, to just talk to others, or just because you want to, I think this program will work for just about anyone. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Picture Collage Maker by PearlMountain Technology

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

This review is based on the windows downloadable trial version of this software picture collage maker program at 

http://www.picturecollagesoftware.com/ 

 There are versions for Mac and Windows at $ 29.90 for personal usage, $59.90 for commercial usage, and even a pro version. 

There is so much jammed into this program there is bound to be something for any and all tastes. You can make calendars, disc covers, greeting cards, posters, and even scrap-booking. There are so many wonderful templates for just about every occasion and if there is not directly a template for something you want to create, then you can free hand one as I did for this review.(Shown at the end of this review) There are tons of clip art, frames, backgrounds, different effects, and the ability to upload your own pictures to help you create something beautiful.

Click here for templates 

You can place, rotate, shrink, enlarge, and add in so many different ways with ease. You can add text in many fonts, remove things with the undo button or delete button, save your work unfinished and return later. Save to your personal computer as a picture, email to anyone, even use as a wallpaper or simply just print them out for their intended purpose. 

Now I found a few minor problems with my usage of this program but they were caused by my way of usage and mainly my printer being a pain in my butt. First when you want to rotate an item, click on the center, hold down the button, and draw your mouse straight out to the right or left. This I found the easiest way for me to smoothly rotate items into the desired positions. Now for my stubborn printer. For some reason it did not want to print my project on glossy paper. So if you have this problem you might try what I did. My printer kept wanting to print my glossy project on only 4x6 size paper. I wanted the 8x10 so I put my printer settings on plain paper even though I was printing on glossy picture paper and it worked great. 

This is my personal creation using this program

I created this memorial page for the spreading of ashes ceremony giving all who attend a very nice memory page about my brother.

This was just some things I arranged together that he liked and some pictures and there you have it. 

This was a free handed 8x10 poster page I created without a template. 

I think it came out real nice and all who attend will be pleased to have a collection for him all in one page.

It printed up just like you see here. 

           < < < < < < <

So for my final thoughts about this Picture Collage Maker program. Weather you have a daily use for this kind of thing or an every now and then use, for the price I think it is worth having. If you only need it once a year then maybe not but I feel that having the program ready to use when you want or need, may cause a person to become more creative and use it more often than you thought you might. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Woolzies Dryer Balls

I have never thought of using these crazy things in my dryer but some things seem weird and keep us from trying them. Due to our ever shrinking budgets and being worried that trying new things could be a waste of money, we stick to what we know understandably. 

That is part of why I write this blog. I too am in this same boat and when I can get a chance to review such an item, I love to jump on it so we all can maybe learn something new and helpful. 

I found these soft fuzzy not quite perfectly round balls so funny and odd but who knows. You take these 6 odd larger than normal balls and just toss them in loosely with your load of laundry in the dryer. Now I was expecting to hear loud thump thumps as they tossed around in there but surprisingly they did not. I mean you could tell they were in there but it was not loud or concerning. 

It took a little bit to get use to remembering that they were in there when it came time to empty the dryer but I just always shake my clothes out as I remove them from the dryer so I do not loose socks and bras on the floor if you know what I mean. I have to say after using these round guys every time I did my laundry since I received them (about 3 plus weeks), I found myself pleasantly surprised. I am not one that uses the liquid softeners due to we have a water well and lets face it some of those just do not smell right and I think those dryer sheets do nothing for my clothes so I do not use them. Most of the rest of my family does but not me. My load of laundry usually goes commando in the dryer when I do my clothes. 

These things work. They really work. I have an older washer and dryer set that I have had and used for about 7 years now and they were used when I got them so yes some loads take 2 runs to get dry. Woolizies claims that it can cut your drying time by at least 25% and its true. I have only had to run my loads once. My cloths are fluffy and smell very clean. Now there is not any real scent to these balls and Woolizies say you can add some scented oil drops to one or two when using all of them in a load if you like scented laundry, but I am just fine with no scent. I also found something out about this product too that was not mentioned by them, I found that they really help to cut back on wrinkles too. I mean there still is wrinkles but far far less than any other load I have ran without these funny balls. I would have to say without doing the actual math, I honestly believe that in the long run you would save so much money and the environment by using this product. Just think too no more hassle of chasing down that thin little white dryer sheet and having to throw it away. These are guaranteed to last for at least 1,000 loads. I say if you can afford the $ 34.95 plus free shipping in the US, they are worth every penny.

This is a t-shirt and we all know how much they can wrinkle

Take a look at their web site www.woolzies.com and learn about them for yourself. You can ask me any questions and I will try to answer them for you. Like their facebook page and twitter for updates and maybe some discounts. Who knows maybe you will have 6 funny helpful thumpers helping you with laundry one day.

There is also a 3 pack for $17.99 but after running a large load with only 3 of the 6 I have, I would only get the 3 pack if you normally run half loads in your dryer. So for a full dryer I would use the 6 pack and half loads the 3 pack.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Ergonomic Pen - UGLee Pen

What a name, ERGONOMIC PEN also known as the UGLee Pen (Ultimate Grip Lee Pen). This is a very unique looking pen but I do not think it is ugly, its just funny looking. I have to say I was not expecting very much from this pen. I mean come on a pen is a pen right? Well I took it out of the package and looked it over and it looked and felt funny. The barrel has this squishy grey soft covering on the outside of it. The pen also has a pocket clip and is a clickable pen so no cap to loose or deal with. The design is simple enough, but how will it preform?

 I have to say that I put this thing through some tests, using it on a daily basis for three weeks solid for everything I had to write. I even took it to the grocery store with me to check off my list of items. I dropped it once or twice in the three weeks too. I clicked it as if playing with it like most people do and even carried it about in my mouth a few times. This darn funny looking pen held up. It has a very smooth writing flow also. I do have to note that I received three pens and one of the pens started skipping when I wrote with it but that just could have been faulty ink. The other two work fine.

 Now for the reason behind the grey outer squishy coating and its performance. This gel like coating is meant to help you grip this pen correctly and reduce hand and finger stress.

I am a woman with a muscle disorder making it very hard to write very much at all and this pen was easier to use and write with. As you can see above I did write this with an empty line between the written lines but only so you could read what I wrote and see the performance of the writing. I wrote this very quickly and just what came to my head because anyone writing in a rush does write with more pressure and stress. The pen was very easy to use and I was able to write a lot more than normally I would have been able to. I have to say that if you can afford these pens and you have to do a lot of writing then they are a must have. And for the added bonus of this product, they are GUARANTEED. If you are not happy for any reason Dr. Lee will take them back. They may be funny looking pens with a very funny name but they are very comfy to write with especially for people with any kind of medical problems in their hands and/or fingers that keeps them from being able to write more often. 

These pens come in many different colors and are refillable also. Take care.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Thera Pearl Knee Wrap - Reusable

http://www.therapearl.com

http://www.therapearl.com

This is a reusable hot and cold pack all in one for your knees.

It is Hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and uses an innovative Pearl Technology that absorbs and delivers heat and cold for the doctor recommended 20 minutes of highly effective therapy.

Wrapped around my knee.

The unique design and shape helps with a better and more even fit with the greatest range of flexibility and comfort. The hole in the middle is there for comfort around the knee cap without restriction.

There is a very nice wide elastic strap with Velcro attachments to firmly but comfortably hold the pack in place.

For an ice pack to reduce swelling and bruising just place the pack into the freezer or refrigerator for about 2 hours.

For a heat pack to apply deep pain relief, just put in the microwave for the instructed amount of time per your microwave wattage.

AND  IT  IS  REUSABLE



Now for my thoughts on this product. I am a large lady and this pack did fit around my knee without any trouble or pain. I do have a lot of trouble with my knees aching due to my weight and week knees all my life. So I was able to completely utilize the heat pack side of this product. I do not know the wattage of my microwave so I just heated it for the middle setting and that did work well. I have to say that this knee pack was a true blessing to test and review. I am very pale skinned and that can cause heat marks very easily or

You can see in this picture the heat inside the pack

burns, but with the proper heating per the chart on the back of the packaging, I only got slight red patches that faded away shortly after removing the pack from my skin. Now I heated it up, then strapped it on and left it until the heat was fully gone. I was able to move my leg around and even get up and go to the bathroom while wearing it. I found it nice to not have to remove it to walk or readjust it when I sat back down. The heat was very soothing and did take away 90% of the sharp pain I was having in my knee at the time. I was able to go back to walking normal and not take any medicine for the pain at all. I will say I do reach for this before I reach for my over the counter pain medicine now. I also have to say that I timed how long it kept the heat and it was 32 full minutes. That is a long time for the few seconds it takes to heat in the first place. I did not have any swelling or bruising to try the cold pack on but I still put it into the freezer and placed it on my knee. It does get cold and keep its cold for about 30 minutes. There is no leaking or dripping to deal with either.

I believe that this is a very good investment and well worth the money. They have so many different and useful packs for all kind of things on their website, like for breast feeding mothers, for children, for other body parts, and even to keep your drink cold. So check them out and see if they can help you with what you are looking for. Take care everyone and all their links are just below.

The Knee Pack  - http://www.therapearl.com/products/knee-wrap/
Their Website     - http://www.therapearl.com/
Their Facebook  - https://www.facebook.com/TheraPearl
Their Twitter       - https://twitter.com/therapearl
Their Pinterest    - http://pinterest.com/therapearl/
Their Google +   - https://plus.google.com/113497179764310393909/posts



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.