Reviews by Friends of Bryan-Carey

RudiXeno says "GE Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Flood Lamp: Not quite there yet" about GE Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Flood Lamp

RudiXeno — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:48:07 GMT

Over the last few years I've converted most of our lamps and lighting fixtures over to Compact Fluorescent Lights. With the exception of a small number of ornamental lights and lights controlled by dimmer switches, the conversion is almost complete. The savings, in terms of our electric bill are both noticeable and impressive. And, of course there is that intangible reward knowing that I'm doing something good for the environment.

So several months ago when I got the opportunity to try convert the few remaining R40 Floodlamps with GE's Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Floods I didn't hesitate.

GE Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Flood Lamp

Theses CFL Floods appear virtually identical to any other and comfortably fit any high-hat meant to accept an R40 bulb. At 1300 lumens, they provide just a bit less light at full brightness than the 100W bulbs they are replacing. They consume just 26W of electricity rather than the normal 90 - 100W of a conventional incandescent flood.

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this2shallpass19 says "Surprisingly good meatless meal!" about Weight Watchers Smart Ones Broccoli and Cheddar Roasted Potatoes

this2shallpass19 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:53:08 GMT

I normally wouldn't buy a meatless entree, but my best friend said that Weight Watchers Smart Ones Broccoli and Cheddar Roasted Potatoes was really good, so I took her word for it. As it turns out, I can enjoy a meatless dish, but I do wish it had a little more texture.

This meal is very simple; just russet potatoes and broccoli florets covered in a cheddar cheese sauce. I have seen this entree in the freezer section many times, but it looked too plain and simple, so I never bought it. I'm glad I took a chance on it, because I do like it.

Although the cheddar cheese sauce isn't very authentic, it is still good. The potatoes are in small, bite-size pieces and nice & soft, the broccoli is a good addition, but I would like more texture. The potatoes are soft and so is the broccoli, so it would be nice to have some other kind of texture too. I'm not crazy about the processed, chewy meat that is in most frozen entrees, so this meal just might be good enough as is. It is surprisingly...

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PattyTherre says "Nine tasty soda flavored lip balm tins to keep or share!" about Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set

PattyTherre — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:22:55 GMT

Quick View: This gift set of ten soda flavored lip balms is tasty, hydrating, and fun. Keep some and give some away or keep them all! I got a great deal on these at HSN.com. They were on sale for just $10.00 a set. They're incredibly tasty in flavors i remember as a kid.

My Take on Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set

This set comes boxed and has nine separate time of old school Swhweppes soda flavors. The balms are tinted in the tins but have very little color on the lips. Although they have a novelty look to them, they contain good ingredients like organic extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, rosemary and Vitamin E. And boy do they taste great!

You get the following:

# .35 oz. Schweppes' Cider SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Dry Grape Ginger Ale SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Raspberry Ginger Ale SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Black Cherry Seltzer SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Sarsaparilla...

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onwaytozion says "Peddler's Village is a fun place to shop, dine, or just hang out" about Peddler's Village - Lahaska, Bucks County, PA

onwaytozion — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:40:20 GMT

If you're used to malls and chain stores, Peddler's Village is a breath of fresh air. There are winding brick pathways through the open air taking you from one delightful store to another in barn red buildings, with an abundance of park benches along the way amid waterwheels and ponds. The stores aren't cut from a cookie cutter: They come in different sizes and different levels. The well-landscaped grounds give you a countryside feel. The stores aren't all trendy high-priced boutiques or stores you could find anywhere else. It's definitely a place to linger.

I visited Peddler's Village the weekend before Thanksgiving, but Christmas was definitely in the air. The Village Gazebo already housed the entries to the annual Gingerbread House contest, which awards cash prizes to winners in several age groups and categories. Each store was gearing up for the holiday season. As we exited a store as dusk fell, we were greeted with the sight of a glorious light display. Each tree and shrub was covered...

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Caprig says "Like A Commercial For A Bad DJ" about Barbie and the Three Musketeers

Caprig — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:43:24 GMT

My daughter was SO excited to finally have a chance to see the BARBIE AND THE THREE MUSKETEERS, having been a fan of the original story. She has enjoyed most of the Barbie movies and I have even found some of them to be entertaining and rich.

This time, however, I have to say that next to the Christmas Carol which was one of the WORST BARBIE Movies I have ever seen, BARBIE AND THE THREE MUSKETEERS was substandard. The movie was poorly scripted and dumbed down in contrast to the higher level of entertainment value of previous Barbie movies such as the Dancing Princesses, or the Swan Lake movies.

My daughter, who is 10, likes the movie because of the colors, action, and the storyline, but she is annoyed at the inconsistent music and the cheesy lines that are really outlandish and lack substance.

I have to say that I am not enjoying this movie- and I gave it two chances. The music goes from traditional classical style music from adventure movies to really lousy modern music that brings...

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this2shallpass19 says "A really nice soy candle that burns for FOREVER!" about Archipelago Lemon Eucalyptus Soy Candle

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:38:05 GMT

There are a couple things that I have an addiction to and candles are definitely one of those things. I love having a selection of candles to choose from when one burns out, so I always have a whole bunch in my "candle cupboard". Archipelago Lemon Eucalyptus Soy Candle was my most recent selection from my candle cupboard. It seemed like it would be great because it smelled really good in the jar and is made of soy wax, but I wish it smelled a little stronger while burning.

I don't normally like botanical fragrances like eucalyptus, but the combination of that with lemon is very refreshing. For some reason, I also pick up a slight cinnamon note too, but it seems to work out perfectly. What I like about this candle is that it is made with 70% natural soy wax, which burns longer and cleaner than traditional paraffin wax. This candle has an approximate burn time of 50 hours and I do have to say that it really does burn well. I have burned it for hours and hours and it burns...

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TheBard says "You'll Never Need Another Mathematic/Scientific Calculator" about Texas Instruments - TI83

TheBard — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:04:36 GMT

Bottom-Line: The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator is probably the last calculator you will purchase in your academic career, it is just that powerful.

Texas Instruments released the first TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator, and upgrade of the TI-82, in 1996, and it has gone to be one of the most widely used graphing calculators for students across a broad range of educational levels. In addition to the functions found on normal scientific calculators the TI-83 Plus includes graphing, polar/parametric/sequence graphing modes, statistics, trigonometric, calculus (the Plus) and algebraic functions. Texas Instruments released the TI-83 Plus in 1999 as a replacement for the normally aspired TI-83. The TI-83 Plus also ships with flash memory, which would enable the devices’ OS to be updated as needed.

Powered by (4) AAA-sized batteries (plus 1 CR-1616 or CR 1620 lithium battery for backup), the TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator is large unit ideal for advanced mathematics students...

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Caprig says "What To Do When Your Laundry Pile Becomes A Toilet" about OdoBan Concentrate

Caprig — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:14:15 GMT

We have this cat.

Well, rather, there is this cat that owns us.

You see, the neighborhood cat that our little daughter used to hang around with when she was little was killed by coyotes. Since that day, she has prayed for another kitty. Since we really could not accomodate an indoor cat, every night our little girl would pray for God to bring a kitty to us-the perfect kitty. My husband would tell her that when the time was right, God would bring the right kitty to our door.

Apparently July of 2009 was the right time.

Tom showed up at our door completely terrified and starving. He would not come near any of us, but would run away shaking terribly and we did not know if he would ever come out of it. After a few weeks of patient attempts, Tom decided that he would adopt us as his family.

Because he is an outdoor cat, he apparently has never used a litter box. At night when it is cold, he hates to go outside to go potty, so when we brought in a nice perfect litter box, Tom decided...

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onwaytozion says "What time is it? Time To Eat!" about Time To Eat Diner & Restaurant - Bridgewater, NJ

onwaytozion — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:32:34 GMT

Whenever we drove by this particular diner, no matter what time of day, it was always packed. So on a recent Friday night we decided to stop at the Time To Eat Diner & Restaurant to discover it for ourselves.

We weren't disappointed! As usual, the parking lot was crowded, but the dining area of the Time to Eat was only 3/4 full and we had no trouble in getting a table. Our only trouble was in deciding what to order! The menu was pages long. Breakfast was served all day so there was a breakfast menu, a lunch menu, a salad menu, a menu for the Chef's specials, and sections for senior citizens, children, Greek specialties, a 'Polish corner,' Italian specialties... I'm sure I'm leaving out entire sections.

The Time To Eat Diner and Restaurant is a fine example of what a New Jersey diner should be. If you go to the left of the entrance, it looks like a traditional diner with booths along the windows and stools at a welcoming counter. To the right, there is a large dining area. The '& Restaurant'...

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Jo says "Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Program didn't leave me Cleansed" about Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program

Jo — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:15:54 GMT

I am buying into the Herbalife life while doing a 12-week weight loss program. They are the sponsors. I bought the Tea and like it a lot.

Another product I bought is the Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program. This is not the first cleanse I have done. I guess in general they don't work all that well for me.

What is Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program

For about $27.00 I got two bottles. One is for the morning and one is for the evening. The products are herbal blends which I like rather than a bunch of chemicals. The morning formula is called the Replenishing Formula and the evening one is called the Cleansing Formula. Herbalife 21-Day Herbal Cleansing Program is called "An internal cleansing system for digestive health."

According to the box the benefits are to helps the body eliminate toxins; to improve nutrient absorption, and it may support weight management. Of course none of these statements nor the product is monitored by the FDA.

I do believe that cleaning out my digestive...

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TheBard says "Most Costly Than Others, But It Brings The Goods" about Kaspersky Kaspersky Internet Security 2010

TheBard — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:31:25 GMT

Bottom-Line: Overall, Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is more than adequate for both power users and those users who take a more set-it-and-forget it approach to their computer’s security.

Even if the antivirus program cannot clean the infected file, most can at least isolate it and keep from doing harm the rest of the computer system. One of the antivirus programs I trust is Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 a program I recently downloaded and installed on a laptop running Windows 7 Enterprise Edition.

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 supports Windows 7 (32/64-Bit), Windows Vista (32/64-bit), and Windows XP Home Edition (SP2).

The 411

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 ships with all the usual suite of protections found in most of its competitors with the exception of a data backup utility. That means you’ll antivirus protection for files, web browsing, e-mail, applications and various processes.

And of course Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 include auto-protect and e-mail...

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PattyTherre says "A VERY sweet soap that doesn't strip my hands like the others." about Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple

PattyTherre — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:46:55 GMT

Quick View: I like Bath & Body Works' hand soaps and I recently bought nine different scents and types (I had a great coupon!). One that I bought was Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple. Normally I'm not a fan of the deep cleansing soaps and go for the moisturizing ones but I didn't see this scent in the moisturizing hand soap area so I bought the deep cleansing one. It is VERY sweet but doesn't seem to dry my hands out like the other deep cleansing soaps from BBW.

My Take on Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple

I never smelled this scent but I knew candy apples are very sweet. I guess the name intrigued me. Winter Candy Apple. Is there a difference between summer and winter candy apples? I had to know so I bought the hand soap.

When I first tried this eight ounce pump soap, I was overwhelmed with the sweet candy scent. I smelled no apple at all, just the candy coating that the apples are dipped into. It...

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darlyn63 says "This is one small place, tiny bathrooms. Real tiny." about Red Roof Inn - Rockford, IL

darlyn63 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:13:56 GMT

When we were house hunting, my husbands company the first time set us up at a really nice Hotel. The second trip, well lets just say you had to move a certain way once you were going into the bathroom, just to close the door. It was so tiny, I honestly don't know how a bigger person could of gotten in there, the size of the bathroom. Maybe Alice in Wonderland designed it. And she didn't live there anymore.

Actually in and out of the bathroom, never seen such a tiny space. I don't mind saving a buck or two, but his company went from one extreme to the other. Kind of felt sucked in after the first trip when we said o.k. we'll move. Seemed like a nice area, it was just this Red Roof was a real disappointment. The rooms were so tiny, I just couldn't get over the bathroom situation, and from what I recall the water pressure wasn't much better. I've been to a Red Roof Inn before but not like that one on State St. in Rockford. IL.

I just found it hard to believe the company set us up...

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Katrena says "The Emperor's Egg is an Amazing Story About Penguins" about The Emperor's Egg

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:51:48 GMT

The Emperor's Egg [1999, Candlewick Press, ISBN: 0-7636-0557-3], by Martin Jankins and illustrated by Jane Chapman is a 29-page children's book about Emperor penguins.

The Story:

This book gives lots of information about Emperor Penguins. It gives the information in simple terms and has colorful and engaging illustrations that compliment the story nicely.

I actually found this book to be quite informative since I know very little about these amazing birds. I didn't realize that Emperor Penguins can be about three feet tall and that they are the only ones the breed in mid-winter in Antarctica. I find it amazing what these penguins must endure just to ensure that their one egg will survive to hatch.

My Viewpoint:

The Emperor's Egg would be a great book to read at home or to a group of kids that are learning about penguins or how animals protect their eggs. This simple story and colorful illustrations can help to educate children and adults on the interesting world of the Emperor Penguins....

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Katrena says "Bear Feels Sick is Cute Story Especially if Child is Sick" about Karma Wilson - Bear Feels Sick

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:41:32 GMT

Bear Feels Sick [2007, Margaret K. McElderry Books, ISBN-13: 978-0-689-85985-4], by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman is a delightful story of a sick bear and his friends.

The Story:

Poor Bear is feeling sick, but his faithful friends decide to help him and offer all sorts of help. Each of his friends tries to assist Bear, but it is quite a while before he is ready to play again. Finally, Bear wakes up feeling ready to play, but what's wrong with all of his friends?

My Viewpoint:

Bear Feels Sick is a nice story about friendship and how friends can help one another. Maybe the author should have put something in there about hand washing or should I say paw washing? In the midst of the flu season, I'm sure that kids who are sick might find this book helpful and fun to read, but hopefully the same thing wouldn't happen to anyone who is helping the sick one at home! The illustrations are colorful and the characters are likeable, and the story flows nicely and quickly from one page...

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Katrena says "Vegetarians Will Like Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving" about Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:31:56 GMT

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving [1990, Orchard Books, ISBN: 0-531-08505-8], by Dav Pilkey, is a story of a children's field trip to a farm on the evening before Thanksgiving.

When the children arrive, they are delighted to see lots of beautiful turkeys at the farm. Then they discover that these turkeys are going to be the main course for the big holiday the next day. The children decide to do something about the situation, and each child decides to stuff a turkey up his or her shirt, but the book doesn't really say what they do--the reader has to figure that out on her own. They are quite comical walking out to the bus.

The end of the book shows that the turkeys are actually a part of Thanksgiving dinner, but not in a way that most people would suspect. The story flows well with rhyming sentences that are short and the illustrations compliment the story nicely.

My Viewpoint:

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving is a cute book that incorporates humor and an interesting side to Thanksgiving....

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Katrena says "The Adventures of Laura & Jack is Exciting But Sad at End" about The Adventures of Laura and Jack

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:14:37 GMT

The Adventures of Laura and Jack [1932, Harper Trophy, ISBN 0-05-442045-0], by Laura Ingalls Wilder and illustrated by Renee Graef is a 71-page juvenile fiction chapter book.

The Story:

Laura is a young girl growing up in the day of covered wagons and simple family life. As her family travels from place to place, the family's dog named Jack is a faithful friend that is spunky and fun. Although the odds are stacked against the little dog in many of the adventures, Jack seems to be able to survive anything. Yet, at the end, the family must move again and Jack is now old. Pa decides that Jack will ride in the wagon the next morning, but will the faithful dog be waiting with wagging tale in the morning?

My Viewpoint:

I remember watching Little House on the Prairie as a child. That show really appealed to me, and I remember Laura and her dog Jack on the show. My 8-year-old is now reading chapter books, and she really enjoyed reading The Adventures of Laura and Jack.

It is hard for me to imagine...

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Katrena says "Find the Teddy Engages Kids With the Story" about Find the Teddy

Katrena — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:56:43 GMT

Find the Teddy, [1999, EDC Publishing, ISBN: 0 7460 3825 9], by Phil Roxbee Cox and illustrated by Stephen Cartwright, was based on an idea by Claudia Zeff. This 16 page children's board book features a teddy bear on each page.

The Story:

A little girl has lost her teddy bear and begins a search. Each page has a short sentence and the bear can be seen on each page. The main character continues to look for the bear until the very end, but what happens once she goes to sleep?

My Viewpoint:

Find the Teddy is a cute, fun, and engaging board book. My two-year-old had a little bit of a hard time finding the teddy on several pages, but her eyes absolutely lit up when she recognized a picture inside the book that resembled the front of the book. The teddy is hiding in a big red boot. My daughter loves to talk about and look at boots and shoes but hates to wear them.

The story is pretty predictable. The sentences are short, which to me is appropriate for a board book since they are geared toward...

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jazzybean01 says "What Happens In Vegas...follows you home" about what happens in vegas

jazzybean01 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:16:34 GMT

Cameron Diaz and Asthon Kutcher star in What Happens In Vegas

Plot: When a stranger gets rich at a casino off another strangers quarter, they get drunk and wake up married. Now back at home, they try to trick the other out of the money, finding out surprising things about each other along the way.

Why I like What Happens In Vegas: Cameron and Ashton are perfectly paired for this comedy. The chase scene is hilarious. LOL funny! I laughed through this entire movie.

If you'd like a funny, feel good movie, rent What Happens In Vegas.

What Happens In Vegas Snack Attack: chocolate chip cookies

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this2shallpass19 says "I get the raspberry, but where's the buttercream frosting?" about Jaqua Raspberry Buttercream Frosting Hand Creme

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:11:47 GMT

I think Jaqua needs to fire their scent specialist. I am experiencing the same problem with Jaqua Raspberry Buttercream Frosting Hand Creme that I experienced with their Pina Colada Hand Creme - scents that don't smell like their name.

As with Pina Colada, Raspberry Buttercream Frosting doesn't smell like Raspberry Buttercream Frosting. It smells like tart raspberries, and that's it. Buttercream Frosting (to me) implies a sweet, creamy and buttery scent. There is none of that in there!

This hand creme is a bright pink color. I mean you blended raspberries in the blender, bright pink. The texture of Jaqua Raspberry Buttercream Frosting Hand Creme is interesting. I like it because it is moisturizing and leaves your hands soft, but it is very greasy and takes a long time to fully absorb. I really don't like it's ingredients. Although it does contain some good ingredients, it is loaded with parabens. I won't buy anything that contains parabens, so even if the scent was...

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