Reviews by JovialCougar

JovialCougar says "Put a jolt in your life with vinyl electrical tape" about Scotch Super 33+ Vinyl Electrical Tape

JovialCougar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:53:25 GMT

I've done some very minor electrical work around my house and needed electrical tape. I ended up buying the best right from the beginning: Scotch Super 33+ Vinyl Electrical Tape.

Why is electrical tape needed? First off, it does not conduct an electrical current, so if somehow there is an electrical exposure, it will not be carried forward by this tape. Also, wires can, over time, get chaffed if they touch some other surface. The tape will protect the wiring from chaffing, eventual wire exposure, and the risk of an electrical fire.

Vinyl electrical tape should be wrapped around wires with some overlap. The tape wrapping should be taunt but not extremely tight. This tape can be stretched somewhat as needed. Just remember to turn off electrical current when dealing with wires!

This particular roll is ¾ inch wide and 7 mil thick. In case you didn't know, it is black and very sticky. One drawback to using electrical tape for other purposes is that it leaves behind a residue when...

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JovialCougar says "Target's self-assemble furniture misses the mark" about Target Manhattan Side Table

JovialCougar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:43:29 GMT

I've been looking for a small table for quite some time, and when I spotted a collection of self-assemble tables at a Target store, they got my attention. I ended up buying the Target Manhattan Side Table, which cost about $99.

This side table has a dark finish of Ash veneer (which they call Espresso) and measures 23 inches in height, and 20 inches in length and width. It has one drawer and one open shelf near the bottom. The drawer has a nice-looking brushed-nickel draw pull.

This table is very nice looking in my viewpoint, and was just about the right size for what I needed. It was also easy to put together - taking less than 1 hour using two screwdrivers, and I was watching a movie while assembling it! The directions were pretty easy to follow too.

On the downside the table did not assemble quite right. The worst part is that some of the drill holes for attaching the drawer to the drawer rail are missing. Now I have to go back and drill the holes myself before attaching the drawer. ...

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JovialCougar says "Seal up your home with Polyseamseal" about Polyseamseal Tub and Tile Adhesive/Caulk

JovialCougar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:14:36 GMT

I've been doing some minor maintenance work in my bathroom and started using Polyseamseal Tub and Tile Caulk. This caulk is very helpful in sealing-up little gaps and cracks that can let moisture in which will cause huge problems in your home.

Polyseamseal Tub and Tile Caulk comes in large caulking tubes that require a caulking gun and smaller tubes that look like toothpaste tubes. I have the latter which holds 6 ounces. The tip is sealed and you'll need to snip it off when ready to go to work.

Before caulking make sure the area to be caulked in dry, clean, and you have the right color; Polyseamseal comes in White, Almond, and Clear. Also clean away any old caulk - don't try to cover it up!

Once you get the hang of it, laying down a bead of this adhesive is easy. Just squeeze the tube gently and steadily as you move along the area to be caulked with the tip touching the surface. It'll will flow out steadily and leave a trail of adhesive. Use a wet finger to smooth it out.

Why is caulk...

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JovialCougar says "Step up in the world with Rubbermaid" about Rubbermaid Step Stool

JovialCougar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:30:03 GMT

I have found that having a step stool around the house is a necessity. It's useful not only for maintenance jobs, but everyday chores. Shortly after I bought my home I found the Rubbermaid Step Stool and have used it numerous times.

The Rubbermaid Step Stool measures 12 inches in height. The step is 15 inches across and has a rubberized texture that makes it less likely your slip off. It's made of a tough plastic material that can handle weight up to 300 pounds. The base is nice and wide, measuring 19 inches across. The base also has some rubbery little grippers on the bottom that prevent it from sliding around.

I have found this step stool to be much more convenient than lugging around a ladder. It's lightweight and can easily be stored in a closet. Mine is gray in color (if that matters) with a black rubberized mat on top. One drawback is that the mat on the step starts to show some wear and footprints if your shoes are dirty. But it can easily be washed off.

The following are...

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JovialCougar says "Suncast Snow Shovel: Rugged enough for a Colorado winter" about Suncast Steel Core Snow Shovel

JovialCougar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:40:16 GMT

Winter is off to a rough start where I live and luckily I got a new snow shovel. I chose the Suncast Steel Core Snow Shovel based on its rugged-looking appearance and features, and am glad I made the right choice.

This Suncast Snow Shovel has a 20 inch graphite blade and a deep enough scoop so you can really move the snow quickly. The edge of the scoop has a galvanized steel blade strip for getting down close to the sidewalk, and it's also helpful to chip away at ice.

The handle is made of lightweight steel which makes it durable, and is coated with a textured surface for better griping. The top of the handle has a 'D' grip which makes it a lot easy to lift and throw the snow.

We just had a huge snowstorm and this Suncast Snow Shovel has really helped in getting some snow shoveling done. It's pretty comfortable to handle, has a balanced weight to it, and seems rugged and durable. Snow doesn't cake-up on the snow shovel blade either - it releases easily when tossed.

Here as some...

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JovialCougar says "Mild blisters melted away with Dr Scholl's" about Dr Scholl's Blister Treatment

JovialCougar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:41:13 GMT

I got a good size blister on my foot recently after doing a lot of walking. At first I just let it go - figuring it would heal on its own. However, it got worse! That's when I went out and bought Dr Scholl's Blister Treatment in an attempt to get the blister healed.

Dr Scholl's Blister Treatment contains sterile cushions (they call them cushions) which are like a very thin Band Aide. Each one is oval shaped, individually wrapped, and sterile. After washing the blistered area just place the bandage on and it will adhere quickly.

The first day I wore one of these blister bandages it didn't do much. However, I replaced the bandage each day with a fresh one and within 3-4 days the blister was greatly reduced and soon disappeared. Wow - it really worked.

The blister bandages are so thin I could not feel it once it was in place and I had my socks on. Also, it doesn't budge. Actually, the adhesive was a bit hard to wash off when I removed the bandage at nighttime.

These Dr...

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JovialCougar says "Acer 18.5 inch monitor: Good bang for the buck" about Acer 18.5'' LCD Monitor

JovialCougar — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:42:08 GMT

When the flat screen monitor that came with my Dell PC went belly up I found an Acer 18.5 inch screen monitor for $105 to replace it. Although the cost was a bit more than I wanted to spend, it was one of the cheaper flat screen LCD monitors on the market, and has proven to be a good buy.

Since this Acer monitor is a flat screen it easily fits on my desk. The back extends out only about 4 inches and the V-shaped base easily slides in the bottom. It was very easy to assemble and hook up.

The screen is very clear and has good colors, contrast, and viewability. If you want the Specs the guidebook included the following:

Contrast Ratio 10,000 to1
1366 X 768 Resolution
0.3mm pixel pitch
5 ms response time

The monitor came with a Quick Start guide which was of minimal help in learning about the CRT. It only has a small diagram showing how the wires are arranged and safety instruction. An included CD was more useful in learning how to change the screen controls.

One thing I don't...

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JovialCougar says "Rake it, don't shake it, with Craftsman" about Craftsman Steel Leaf Rake

JovialCougar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:17:25 GMT

Metal rakes are not my favorite kind of rakes, but sometimes they really help out around the yard. I recently bought a Craftsman 24 inch steel leaf rake and have found lots of uses for it.

First off, this Craftsman rake is well designed. It has a sturdy wooden handle which is pretty comfortable the hold. The best part is that the rake tines and securely held onto the rake with a steel brace and are able to flex. When they ''go wobbly'' they are not going to fall off!

The 24 inch span of the tines is sufficient in size for raking if you don't have a lot of trees or heavy foliage. Besides raking leaves this rake is good for scratching up the dead spots in your lawn and loosening-up soil in bare spots.

The steel construction of this Craftsman rake is durable and won't rust. I don't expect the handle to splinter or rot either, as long as I keep it out the weather when storing it. Craftsman backs this up with a 'Forever' warranty, meaning it should never break.

Overall I highly recommend...

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JovialCougar says "When you only need a soft glow at night" about First Alert Luminess Night Light

JovialCougar — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:34:35 GMT

If you want a soft glowing night light the First Alert Luminess Night Light may be your best bet. These nightlights are quite small and almost unnoticeable during the day, but provide a soft glow during the dark.

This nightlight measures barely 2 inches X 3 inches and plugs directly into a wall electrical socket. The case is white and the light is a flat screen that glows a soft green color. It's like a miniature TV set (sort of). I use mine in the kitchen where it provides just enough light so I can see around even if it's quite dark.

The green glow is rather dim though (less than 1 Watt) and if you have trouble seeing in the dark it won't help much. Also, I have had similar lights like this before and they will burn out at some point although there is a 3 year warranty.

The First Alert Luminess Night Light came in a 2-pack. I can't remember the exact price but they were only a couple of dollars. They do not get hot and are safe since the light is sealed. They are also very inexpensive...

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JovialCougar says "Sterilite had the right trash can for the right price" about Sterilite Touch Top Wastebasket Model1097

JovialCougar — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:57:19 GMT

When I recently bought a home with a white kitchen I realized I needed a better trash can to match everything else. After some shopping around I found the Sterilite #1097 48 quart trash can. It is white (so matched the kitchen) and has some good features as follows:

Flat back
Touch Top Lid
48 quart capacity
Inner liner holder
Lid open to 90 degree angle

I like the flat back since this lets me push the trash can up close to the wall which saves some room. Also, the touch-top lid is convenient, although I worry about how long it will work. The size is good too - for 1 to 2 people.

In my experience this trash can won't get too dingy looking either if you wash it from time to time. Most Sterilite products I have owned have an 'average' durability. They aren't quite a long-lasting as Rubbermaid but seem to hold up a respectable amount of time. The bag liner is somewhat visible from the outside if you don't carefully tuck it in. That doesn't bother me though!

I paid $10.99 for this...

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JovialCougar says "Flex A Spout will make you Twist and Shout!" about Amerimax Fex A Spout Downspout Extension

JovialCougar — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:15:27 GMT

Many homes have gutters and downspouts to help carry away rainwater runoff. But sometimes you need to make sure the runoff flows in the right direction and the Amerimax Flex-A-Spout will help solve the problem.

The Flex A Spout is basically an extension to your downspout. It's made of flexible plastic which can be expanded up to 55 inches in length. It also flexes (like an accordion) so the rainwater will be directed to wherever you want it.

It's important to divert rainwater away from a building's foundation because otherwise it could seep in and cause mold growth or even flooding. These gutter extenders carry the runoff safely away, and can also snake around any trees or shrubs that could block the runoff pathway.

Although I live in a semi-arid climate and it doesn't rain a lot, I have found the Amerimax Flex-A-Spouts to be helpful. It sometimes rains in quick, sudden downpours in my area and the rainwater runoff can be dramatic. These extenders help to prevent flash flooding...

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JovialCougar says "Instant furniture from Sauder" about Sauder 3 Shelf Bookcase Self Assembled

JovialCougar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:48:56 GMT

I've been furniture shopping recently and decided to buy a self assemble bookcase by Sauder to save some money. Even though it's not as good as a 'real' piece of furniture, it's not bad looking and should work just fine.

This Sauder 3-Shelf Self Assemble Bookcase has (surprise, surprise) 3 shelves and is colored medium oak. They are also sold in an Ebony Ash style. There is a laminated wood grain that is shiny and decent looking all the way around.

As for assembling it, I thought it was quite easy compared to some other self-assemble furniture I have put together. The Sauder instructions were very clear and easy to follow. All the needed parts were in the box and it took less than 1 hour to complete. You just need a couple of screwdrivers and a hammer.

A few things I like about this self assemble furniture is that the shelves are easily adjustable since they rest on small pegs. Also, there are a number of finishing pieces that attach to the top and bottom shelves to make it look...

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JovialCougar says "Paramount Mortgage helped me close the deal" about Paramount Mortgage

JovialCougar — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:22:33 GMT

I have now owned three different homes in my lifetime and securing a mortgage lender has always been my least favorite part of the home-buying experience. Not only do they need to root through your personal finances, there is always a chance you will feel ripped off, even if the loan goes through. Fortunately I had a good experience with Paramount Mortgage when I recently closed on a home.

Paramount Mortgage is based on Fort Worth TX and also has an office in Colorado. They provide a full line of mortgage loans in many, such as:

Conventional
ARMs
Jumbo loans
Terms of 10 years up to 40 years
FHA/VA loans.
100% financing

I went with a conventional loan with a 20% downpayment. What helped my loan process go smoothly was to having all the documents ready that the lender would need. I gathered up my W2 statements, bank statements, previous mortgage and rental information, and tax returns. They needed them all!

My mortgage lender, Valarie Day, is based in Colorado Springs, CO which is...

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JovialCougar says "Fiskars Hedge Shears will give your hedge a good trimming" about Fiskars Power Level Hedge Shears

JovialCougar — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:26:12 GMT

When I was looking for new hedge shears I was advised to get a good pair since I would be using them a lot. After shopping around it became obvious that Fiskars Power Level Hedge Shears were the best product for me, so we bought them.

These hedge shears have numerous good features as follows:

Hardened steel blades
Serrated blades
Self sharpens
Corrosion resistant
Steel handles that are padded
22 inches overall and 8 inch blades
Lifetime warranty

These gardening shears have a good feel. The silver blades look solid and the tool feels well made. They seem well balanced too - not front heavy or uneven. I also like the padded handles which make usage easier.

In my experience the Fiskars Power Level Hedge Shears do a great job for trimming hedges, shrubs, and assorted foliage. I have a variety of plants in my yard, such as junipers, mulberry bushes, and arborvitae that need to be trimmed or they get wild looking. These shears are sharp and quickly cut off the overgrown portions.

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JovialCougar says "Rubbermaid's Lawn Cart makes trimming and gardening easier" about Rubbermaid Roughneck Lawn Cart

JovialCougar — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:49:48 GMT

I've been doing a lot of trimming of hedges and pruning back shrubs in my yard lately. One thing that makes the job easier is having a Rubbermaid Roughneck Lawn Cart to carry the trimmings. Now I can wheel the cart to wherever I am trimming and fill 'er up.

We found this lawn cart at an Ace Hardware store for $49. It's entirely molded plastic and has two very large 11 inch diameter wheels, which makes moving it around a breeze. It's also very lightweight when empty. The cart's hold is fairly deep and holds 4.75 cubic feet and up to 200 pounds of trimmings and clippings. It also has a convenient tray near the handle for a water bottle and storing tools.

I have mostly used the Rubbermaid Roughneck Lawn Cart to gather up trimmed branches and lawn clippings, but it's also useful for transporting soil and mulch. I wouldn't put anything too heavy in this lawn cart though since it's not made to heavy-duty usage.

My only complaint about the Rubbermaid cart is that the plastic molding...

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JovialCougar says "Fab Laundry Detergent is only semi-fabulous" about Fab Laundry Detergent

JovialCougar — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:43:37 GMT

When I'm in a penny-pinching mood I sometimes buy lesser-known brands of products. That was the case when I spotted Fab Laundry Detergent for a very low price. Although this brand has been around a long time, I have not seen it much lately. It turns out that Fab is OK, but probably not a time-of-the-line product.

Fab is made by the Colgate-Palmolive Company and is sold in the following varieties:

Ocean Breeze scent
Rain Forest scent
Caribbean Fresh scent
Spring Magic scent
Powdered and liquid versions

I bought Spring Magic scent Fab in liquid form. It came in a 50-ounce bottle and touts that it's in a concentrated form (2X) equivalent to 100 ounces of other brands. The smaller bottle easily fits in my laundry cabinet which is a plus.

Fab does a fine job of cleaning my clothes. Dirt on my pants and scruffy-looking socks came clean without any problems. However, it seems a bit harsh and unrefined. My clothes felt a little stiffer than usual. On the bright side Fab has no phosphates...

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JovialCougar says "Shoo away uninvited insects from your home with Hot Shot" about Hot Shot Kitchen Bug Killer2, contains botanical insecticides

JovialCougar — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:32:56 GMT

I recently had some uninvited guests in my home. They were hanging out in the laundry room, kitchen, and sometimes strayed into a few other rooms. Although they were quiet and did not eat much, I wanted them out of the house. They were spiders!

I do not like spiders so finding them running around inside my house was freaking me out. Luckily they were a harmless type called 'ground spiders' which actually do some good by eating insects (Note: ground spiders do not build a web and run very fast, often along baseboards or down a wall). However, I wanted to get rid of them anyway so turned to Hot Shot Kitchen Bug Killer 2 insecticide.

This insecticide is not super powerful and boasts of containing Botanical insecticides, instead of tons of harsh chemicals. It's safe to use in a kitchen environment. I initially sprayed it around some cracks in my laundry room where the spiders were getting in, then around the baseboard of the kitchen. It seems the spiders were getting in through tiny...

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JovialCougar says "A really good garden trowel from Craftsman" about Craftsman Garden Trowel

JovialCougar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:11:10 GMT

It's not every day that I get excited about garden tools, but the Craftsman Stainless Steel Garden Trowel really is an excellent product. While many such items are cheap and only last a few years, this trowel is well made and durable.

First off the Craftsman Trowel has an excellent handle. There is a rubberized grip that makes holding it comfortable. Beneath the grip are ridges for your fingers and the sides are slightly raised to cushion the meat of your hand. The handle also has a hole so it can be hung and the handle is firmly attached to the blade.

The blade of this garden trowel is also well made. It's a generous 6 inches in length and broad. The arc of the trowel is perfect to transferring soil from one garden spot to another. Also, the blade is made of stainless steel and is highly polished. It will not rust or deteriorate! Heck, it will barely show any signs of usage, as long as it's cleaned up each time.

The Craftsman Stainless Steel Garden Trowel was inexpensive too, costing...

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JovialCougar says "Mr Clean wimped out with his sponge mop" about Mr Clean Deluxe Sponge Mop with Scrubber Strip

JovialCougar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:43:59 GMT

Until recently I thought Mr Clean was just the liquid household cleaner, which is a really good product. However, I recently discovered the Mr Clean brand has been extended to a whole range or household products, including mops! Since I needed a mop for my kitchen and had a positive image of this brand, I thought Mr Clean Deluxe Sponge Mop with Scrubber Strip would be great. And I was wrong.

The Mr Clean Deluxe Sponge Mop with Scrubber Strip grabbed my attention because it was inexpensive (less than $10) and had the Mr Clean brand name. I also liked the sturdy metal handle and plastic cap on the end with a hole for hanging it. The sponge on the end of the mop is about 1 inch thick and has a squeeze devise. The scrubber strip is (was) attached to the front of the sponge.

My biggest complaint is that the sponge and scrubber strip are just too cheap. The sponge does not absorb water real well and mostly pushes the cleaning solutuion around. Then the scrubber strip fell off the second...

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JovialCougar says "Make concrete repairs in a jiffy with Quikrete" about Quikrete Fastset Repair Mortar

JovialCougar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:11:32 GMT

The home I recently bought had some cracks in the sidewalk. Instead of ripping out the whole sidewalk we decided to make repairs to the cracks using Quikrete Fastset Repair Mortar. Now the sidewalk looks better and it should be safer to walk on.

When using Quikrete Mortar we followed the directions for the area to be repaired, which are pretty easy, as follows:

Remove all lose concrete
Remove all dust, dirt, debris
Dampen area with clean water
Mix each 60 lbs. of Quikrete powder with 1 gallon of water
Mix for about 3 minutes
Apply mortar mixture to cracks up to 2 inches deep with a trowel
Brush away any mortar crumbs before completely dry
Dries in about 30 minutes

We did not have a mixing pan so just did the mixing on the edge of the sidewalk. This worked OK except we had to quickly clean it off when finished to prevent the remnants from getting solid. We also mixed small quantities as we went along instead of mixing the whole batch and risking having it set-up too soon. ...

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