Review # 100: Garmin Nuvi 1490LMT

Already spending way too much time in my car, this year was record breaking for being lost, due to soccer game direction mix-ups and changes in exits on major interstates.
The discovery of reward points on a credit card, a few days researching GPSs, a couple of clicks on the internet and this Garmin 1490 LMT is now mine.

Having had it for only about a week, this is an out of the box initial impressions kind of
review which goes like this:

This GPS unit is easy to use. Turn it on and you have a choice  of "Where To" or "View Map" Touch "Where To" and this menu will pop up:

Now you choose to type in an address, you will be asked whether you would like to save it, then you click "Go" and you should be all set.
Compared to my daughter's TomTom, this is much simpler to use. There are not layers to wade through to get to options.
The routes have been pretty good with this exception: It directed me to  turn down a one way street in my daughter's neighborhood. Disappointing.
The 5 inch screen is so easy to see, the picture is crisp and clear, and the touch screen is very responsive without being too sensitive. The best thing is that the unit speaks the street names. No more turn right in 50 yards. 50 yards? There are multiple rights. What to do? How about in 50 yards turn right on Washington Street. Much better.

What do I dislike? The Garmin website is not too fun to navigate. I can not seem to get my free map update loaded, after hours of loading it tells me it failed. The website that the unit gives to go for traffic subscription information is not correct, and I have yet to use this feature because I don't know what I am supposed to do, if anything, or if it just will kick on one day when I am on a major highway with traffic. Too many things to download and need to get the map updates. Not pleased with any of this.

Fortunately I didn't really care about the traffic updates, I did care about getting lifetime maps (time will tell how that works out) and having an easy to use unit. Love the street names being spoken. Love the point of interest option in which you can choose a category (fuel, food, lodging etc.) or you can choose to type in the name of a business and it will find it for you.  Love the bluetooth feature to use my cell phone hands free.

I will update this review as time goes on, but for now, I am happy with this unit and would recommend it.

This concludes Only Wanted to Comment's 2011 "100 Random Reviews. "
While they may not have been the best written or the most useful information, I will, for whatever it is worth, have the distinction of having met the blog goal set at the beginning of the year. 


Please check back for updates on products reviewed, I may upgrade or downgrade as time goes on. Thank you for reading.
Happy 2012 to you!

Review # 99: "My Dad Ran Over a Frog" by Rob Portlock

When my children were little we had a tradition. Starting sometime after Thanksgiving, I would bring out the basket of Christmas books. Every night it would be someone's turn to choose one. Would it be "The Gingerbread Man," "Twas the Night Before Christmas," or "the Littlest Angel"? Or would it be "My Dad Ran Over a Frog" A Christmas Story by Rob Portlock?


The review goes like this:

This book is narrated by character Woody, the middle child of a "regular" suburban family.
On the way home from picking up a Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve, Woody's Dad runs over a frog. The family takes the frog into their home, against the warnings of their neighbors, and finds out that helping a hurt frog can be very rewarding to both the frog and the family.
There are some things that the audience, who is presumably in the 3 - 10 year old range, must overlook. For instance, while it is nice that the family takes in the frog, the author seems to forget that it is the family that caused the frog's injuries by running him over. Also, at one point in the story the Dad says they should feel good about helping a hurt homeless frog. How does Dad know this frog was homeless? He could have been going home when he was so carelessly mowed down.
That is just speculation, of course. The frog seems perfectly happy to be amongst his new friends, and finds a way to repay them for their kindness.
I think this book would be better if the family had helped a frog that had been hurt in some other way or by some other family, but even still, I do really like this book. It is a different, quirky story, bizarre and so happy in ending, that I can't wait to read it every year. Fortunately I always have a 3 - 10 year old on hand to read it to.
Sound really hokey? Yeah it is. But I love it anyway.

Review # 98: Macbook Pro 13"

Model name: Macbook Pro
Model Identifier: MacbookPro7, 1
Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 4GB

It took me months to make the decision to jump the Microsoft Windows ship and go Mac. The expense was one deterrent, the proprietariness of Apple was another, but in the end, the hope of having a computer that I did not need to pour hours of time de-bugging was the deciding factor.
Before I right the review, here is what I use my computer for:
Internet - the usual, email, Facebook, searches, occasional video, writing a blog.
Documents and Pictures: Writing. Editing and storing pictures
Occasional Skyping
Watching TV shows from sites like HULU
Occasionally watching a movie
Listening to music / audio books

I am not a gamer, unless you consider online Scrabble a real game (haha), so if you are looking for that, this review won't be helpful to you.

The review goes like this:

It has been over a year and here is what I love and what I don't about this Macbook Pro.

Feeling the love:

• It's been over a year and the computer has not been bogged down by spyware, malware or viruses. No weird ads pop up on my screen. It works, and it works quickly. 
• This computer lightweight - under 3 pounds - I put it in a neoprene sleeve, toss it in my work tote. Also light and easy to carry from room to room in my house, easy to prop on my knees while sitting on the couch - you get the idea.
• Battery lasts a long time. Some info says 10 hours, maybe if only using to type and keeping the lighting down that is true, certainly I have gotten a solid 7 -8 hours from it doing mixed things - internet, a couple of videos, editing pictures etc. I used it on a recent trip, turned of the backlighting and turned the screen brightness down, mostly used it to listen to an audio book and after 7 hours it still had plenty of battery left. It charges back to 100 % very quickly, too. 
• Best laptop keyboard ever. Maybe better than any regular keyboard to. Just comfortable to type on.
• Configurable and easy to use trackpad. I always used a wireless mouse with my old Dell, I never use a mouse anymore, it is that comfortable to use.
• Easy to use right out of the box. Yes, it would be helpful to read or watch tutorials, but know that you can get this machine, turn it on and be good to go. 
• Video and images on screen are sharp and easy to look at. I enjoy watching videos on it.
• SD slot - this was a big thing for me, making it so much easier to transfer my photos from my camera without searching for USB wires.
• Backlit keyboard. I did not think I needed or wanted this, but I definitely appreciate having it. Turn it off to save battery during the day, but it sure comes in handy when trying to type in low light.
• Microsoft Office available - important to be able to be compatible with the rest of the non-Mac universe (but see dislike)

Dislikes:

• Apple doesn't always play nice with everyone else. 
• My hard drive went bad after just three months. The "Genius" at the Apple Store replaced it right away and was able to save most of my stuff, but losing a hard drive is a big dislike. 
• Although Macs are easy to use, years of Microsoft make what should be obvious take me a while fumbling around to figure out. That is my own fault for not reading the Help and using the tutorials, but it is a dislike.
• The iPhoto and iMovie programs that came with the Mac have been a little disappointing to me, I would have hoped for more editing and project capabilities from the iPhoto, and the iMovie is just a pain to figure out (but if I would watch the tutorial it might be easier.) 
• Microsoft Office available but as you can guess not exactly the same as the Windows version. 

This is one decision I made right. I would buy this again. It is a sleek, lightweight machine that meets all my computer needs and has replaced not only my old laptop but my desktop as well. Love the portability, the long lasting battery, and the overall ease of use. Worth the extra $. Highly recommend.

Review # 97: Pillsbury Gingerbread Cookie Dough

The review goes like this:

These were better than I thought they would be. The cookies came out soft, and my family and guests enjoyed them.
The gingerbread men lost limbs during oven to serving plate transfer at a higher rate than when I make them from scratch, but we weren't decorating these, just snacking, so it wasn't too big a deal.

Definitely won't be replacing homemade, but for a quick, easy gingerbread cookie, these were suprisingly OK.

Review # 96: Pre-Built Gingerbread House Kit from Costco

When my daughters were younger, every year I made gingerbread houses from scratch, including cutting templates, making royal icing - the whole deal. It was fun and we always made a party of it. Making it from scratch, however is time consuming, labor intensive and expensive. The girls are mostly grown, and my son is only so-so interested in this tradition. The last time we made one, we used a kit from the grocery store, and it was OK, but just not the same. Last year we skipped it altogether.

A week or so ago, I saw this Pre-built Gingerbread House Kit made by "Create a Treat Ltd." at Costco for $ 9.99 and thought I would get it for the grandkids (and my own kids, if interested) to make when they were over at my house.

The review in mostly pictures goes like this:

What's in the box

Green and red frosting hard to apply 

White frosting in tube with tip for easy application.

Plenty of frosting and decorations for 3 kids to decorate and eat a little too. 

Finished Product 

Finished Product - side view 

Sweeter and harder than home made gingerbread, but still good

This kit provided an easy gingerbread house experience for my 14 year old son and 3 and 6 year old grandkids. Generous amounts of candy and frosting were provided. It took about an hour for everything, including clean-up, perfect for the little ones, and everyone had a good time.
Hard to compare to home made gingerbread, or what can be accomplished using your own decorations, but for what it is, I give it a 9. 

Review # 95: "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint Exupery

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery

The review goes like this:

A young boy loved to draw, but was discouraged when noone recognized his drawings for what they were, so he put away drawing and grew up to be a sensible man, a pilot by profession.
One day his plane went down in the Sahara Desert. It was there he met the Little Prince.

The Little Prince comes from a very small planet where he alone lives and takes care of 3 small volcanos (two active and one extinct,) keeps baobabs from taking over, and cares for a lone rose which grows on his planet.
He leaves his planet because he thinks the rose does not care for him. He travels to 6 planets before landing on earth, in the Sahara where the first thing he meets is a snake. The snake tells the little prince "Whomever I touch, I send back to the earth from whence he came,.... but you are innocent and true, and you come from a star."
The snake will be invited back later, but for a time leaves the Little Prince to his travels.
Eventually the prince and the pilot meet and the little prince asks the pilot to draw him a sheep - this to keep the baobabs under control. Soon he realizes that the sheep could also eat the rose, and that her four thorns are no protection at all. This sends him into a panic, until the pilot tells him that he will draw the sheep a muzzle.
One of the creatures the Little Prince meets in the Sahara is a fox. This has always been my favorite part of this story. The fox explains to the Little Prince what "tame" means.

"It is an act too often neglected," said the fox. "It means to establish ties."

"To establish ties?"

"Just that," said the fox. "To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in in all the world..."

I am beginning to understand," said the little prince. "There is a flower... I think that she has tamed me..."

The Little Prince is the story is of all the people and creatures the Little Prince has met on his journey, how he learns to understand his rose better from his experiences, and how the pilot learns to better understand what makes something a "matter of consequence."

I reread this book to see if I would still like it as much, and the answer is - yes. There is a reason that this book has remained so widely read and translated from the original French. It is a childrens book, but adults can love it too (I do.)

Review # 94: Petco Grooming Center (Ranson, WV. Store)

  

The review goes like this:

Who can take a shaggy little mutt with bad breath and long nails and turn him into a fluffy sweet smelling short nailed dog, delightful to have sitting next to you? 
It's the wonderful groomers at the Ranson, WV Petco. 

Always pleasant, always a great job. They seem to really like my dog, and although he does not like baths, he likes them too. Highly recommend !

Review # 93: GE Top Loader Washing Machine Model # GTWN4250M

I am reviewing this GE top loader model # GTWN4250M  which I have had for about 4 months.

The review goes like this:

For space reasons or plumbing reasons, I needed to order a top loader. This is indeed a top loader.
After reading reviews, I wanted an agitator. This has an agitator.
Funds are low - this came in under $ 500.
This is an energy star washer and is supposed to be high efficiency. I am not sure exactly how that all plays out for real, but it sounds good.
My old washer could do big loads, this one can handle huge loads. A queen sized comforter goes in easily with plenty of room to spare.
Clothes  come out clean.
This washer has a water level sensor which is optional. I am pretty capable of choosing my own water levels, but if you aren't, it's nice to know technology can do it for you.
The washer has light, medium, heavy and delicate  settings which I use. It also has many other settings which I will most likely never use. Still, they are available should one want to use them.
This washer has a lot of temperature settings. I have not determined what the difference between tap water cold/cold, cold/cold and colors cold/cold is, but if I ever care, these subtle cold water setting changes are available to me.

So far so good

But...
This washer is not as quiet as I thought it would be from reading other reviews.  This washer does not wring well unless you use the "extra spin" cycle. This but list is small so far, but the not wringing as well as it should really knocks my rating down.

I am hoping for, but not convinced I will be getting, a long life out of it. So four months into it, I give this washer a 6.5.  I would be more pleased with less noise and more spin.

Review # 92: "Silk" Almond Milk

Milk has been on the yuck list since I was a pre-schooler. With enough chocolate (or espresso at my Grandmother's house) it was palatable, but as an adult, even chocolate could not mask the milkiness of milk. My stomach and taste buds prefer cream or half and half in my coffee.
Soy milk did not cut it in the taste or stomach tolerability either, so many cereal-less years passed by.
Enter "Silk" Almond milk products.

The review goes like this:

I first heard of this product from a then vegan daughter. I bought the unflavored lactose and dairy free almond milk and enjoyed my first bowl of cereal in years. After consuming boxes and boxes of Raisin Bran and Count Chocula, the two cereals I had missed the most, I soon tired of cereal. I then discovered that Silk also made the dark chocolate almond milk (pictured.) I am a fan. It is very chocolatey, tasty, and it heats up well for hot chocolate. In fact I just finished a mug full. The label makes promises of calcium - I will let you know my osteoporosis situation in about 30 years. Until then, I will be enjoying chocolate almond milk, and if I ever want cereal again, the unflavored will be back on the grocery list. 10.