Reviews by Friends of Nikro

lilsquibb says "Keeping Paint and Tools HANDy with the HANDy Ladder Pail" about Bercom HANDy Ladder Pail

lilsquibb — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:39:00 GMT

Though you wouldn’t be able to tell by our house, my husband paints for a living. This means he is always on the look out for the most convenient and efficient painting tools to help. We had originally purchased the HANDy Paint Pail when he started out so he knew when his boss introduced him to the HANDy Ladder Pail it would also be a quality product. Since they primarily work on new construction jobs, they have a need for a bucket that will hold a good quantity of paint.

The Ladder Pail is great for large paint jobs due to its deep capacity and functionality. Measuring about the same size as a roller tray, the Ladder Pail features 6” deep walls, which are perfect for holding at least a gallon of paint. Let’s just say its large enough for a 2-year old to comfortably sit in. The three main features of the Ladder Pail include a ladder bracket to attach to your ladder, a magnetic holder on the side for your paint brush and a paint grid for use with a roller. The magnetic...

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lorialcorn2006 says "Merlin's Charge ,Modern Take on an old Story" about what a great read

lorialcorn2006 — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:04:48 GMT

I Have just finished Merlin's Charge By Peter Joseph Swanson and I must say WOW Toads and warts what a great book ! I usually don't read books like this ( fantasy) but I just had to give it a try and boy or boy was I entertained . This book is not only a really cool way to tell an Arthurian legend , its a way for you to see what Author was like as a young man, who is only trying to be a good boy and a wise king (even if he has a lot of questions) First I have to ask Peter where did you get to be so witty ! This story was not only funny but very deep as well ,so many times I was reading this and said ,Wow thats what Im saying ! (regarding religion ) Peter, You really need you to continue the story , after all Author has a lot of life ahead of him and I can just see Merlin beside him giving him advice and annoying the heck out of him lol ! What a concept! Any one who is into the legion of Author and his round Table is in for a treat in Merlin's Charge ! I just cant wait to see what......

Meredith says "Big Star wins!" about Big Star - Chicago, IL

Meredith — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:48:05 GMT

I really love the new Tex-Mex cantina in Wicker Park - Big Star. The owners of Avec started Big Star... nice group. Let's just say I went there 3 nights in a row so it must be good. Located across from The Violet Hour on Damen near Milwaukee. Great vibe, greater food and drinks. I'm in love.

The highlights...

- $2 tacos (chicken, fish, pork, veggie)

- Impressive tequila & bourbon list. Plus, a ginger & beer cocktail that I love. Most cocktails are $7.

- On tap: Goose Island's Matilda ($6), Lagunita lager ($4) & Schlitz ($1)

- Super fresh quacamole, handmade tortillas

- Chill atmosphere, friendly staff

- Good music. They play records. Yes real records on a record player! Mostly rockabilly, old country (think Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash)

Go early-ish for any hope of getting a seat at the bar or seats anywhere, for that matter.

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vivasuzi says "Use them on the window, or the fridge, or the wall!" about Product Works Jingle Jelz Window Decor

vivasuzi — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:12:35 GMT

I bought two different kinds of Jingle Jelz at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland and now I can't wait to go back and buy some more.

Jingle Jelz are holiday decorations that come in a variety of cartoon characters and shapes. At Bronner's I only saw the Christmas kind, but online I see they have various holiday designs. I bought Woodstock (from snoopy) and a set of snowflakes as seen in the picture. These are window clings, but what makes them different is that the Jingle Jelz are made of a thick gel-like substance that makes them soft and mushy.

Jingle Jelz aren't just for windows! As you can see from my pictures, I use them on my painted walls. I was worried they would eventually fall off, but they've been up for weeks with no trouble. Last year I had woodstock on my fridge and the snowflakes on my glass door. So there are various places that these will stick. Any smooth surface should do. I like to keep the Jelz inside the house where I can see them rather then putting...

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vivasuzi says "For once, I'm glad I ran out of Chapstick!" about Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil

vivasuzi — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:13:43 GMT

I had never used Burt's Bees, but I signed up for their email newsletter because everyone told me they had great products. A few months ago, I received an awesome email deal and went and got a ton of their products, but I didn't open any of them until now.... when I finally ran out of Chapstick.

I always used Chapstick because it is supposedly medicated, and supposedly the best thing for chapped lips, however now that I had some Burt's Bees to try - I couldn't wait! The Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil smelled great when I first opened it, and every time since. It is hard to describe the smell of Burt's Bees products, all I can say is they are strong! But don't worry, it doesn't smell that strong after you put it on.

I choose to try this one first because it said it was Replenishing. My lips get dry often and I can't stand it. With Chapstick I often had to reapply over and over. However with Burt's Bees I put it on once and my lips stayed moisturized...

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Katrena says "SlyDog Bark Balls Work Better for Smaller Dogs" about SlyDog Bark Balls

Katrena — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:33:06 GMT

SlyDog Bark Balls come in packs of four and my pack has yellow and white balls with a doggy type decoration on it, which is useful if you have lots of kids balls too. These are designed for smaller dogs because the tennis-sized balls are hard for smaller dogs to pick up and carry.

The package mentions that these balls are not safe for dogs over 20 pounds because they could be a choking hazard for larger breeds, so go with the full sized balls if you have a larger dog. I have a small poodle mix, and they seem to be about the right size for her.

These balls are made from polyester and rubber. They feel like a regular tennis ball on the outside and I can squeeze them just a little bit. Some dogs that really like to chew might destroy these pretty quickly.

My dog really isn't very interested in these balls. Retrievers and retriever mixed dogs may be quite interested in fetching, and maybe my poodle mix will take a liking to them eventually, but for now she craves attention from her people...

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Katrena says "Hatfied Slip Dog Collar is Actually a Choke Collar" about Hatfield Adjustable Slip Small Dog Collar

Katrena — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:20:58 GMT

The Hatfield Adjustable Slip Small Dog Collar is a nylon collar that adjusts as the dog moves. It gets tighter around the dog's neck if the dog moves away from you while walking. I've heard these also called choke collars because that what it seems to do--choke the dog while trying to train them to keep close.

I'm not a big fan of negative reinforcement when training a dog. Dogs and their owners tend to have a lot more fun training if you reward a dog with treats. I want my newly adopted shelter dog to learn to walk beside of me during a walk, so I put some small treats in my pocket and we walk. We stop if she starts to pull. She gets rewarded if she takes a few steps right beside of me while not pulling. It's a long and slow process, but many people have used that technique with lots of success.

I bought this collar not realizing what type it was. It is difficult to tell what it is by the way it is packaged. If it had said "coke collar," then I would have known what it was. I thought it...

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Katrena says "Vicki Cameratz Handbag Has Loads of Separate Compartments" about Vicki Cameratz Khaki Handbag

Katrena — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:08:04 GMT

This Vicki Cameratz Khaki Handbag is actually a dark brown color to me--when I think of khaki, I think of a light brown color. This pocketbook is loaded with various compartments, including:

A side with a flap that folds over with a pocket underneath.
A zippered compartment just above and behind the flapped area.
A zippered compartment on the opposide side.
A large area in the center with three openings--one with a zipper and two on either side without zippers.

I need a pocketbook that will hold about a million things. I tend to always want to come prepared with everything from bandaids to my digital camera, as well as those necessary things like my wallet and calendar. This shoulder bag holds it all, and I can find things much easier when I can organize my stuff in separate compartments. It's nice to have a few compartments that don't zip to be able to get to some things quickly, but I'm careful not to store something in those areas that I absolutely cannot lose.

Many shoulder bags tend...

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Katrena says "Dry Idea Unscented Anit-Perspirant & Deodorant is So-So for Me" about Dry Idea Unscented Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant

Katrena — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:11:55 GMT

I've been using Dry Idea unscented roll-on anti-perspirant and deodorant for about 20 years, but I'm thinking of trying to other brands because the cost seems really high to me and it seems like it doesn't work as well as it used to work for me.

My Experience & Thoughts About Dry Idea:

Dry Idea easy to find in stores--sometimes it's hard to find unscented versions of products, but I've seen the unscented Dry Idea in quite a few retail stores. I'd like to see this in a larger size for a more economical price.

It dries feeling clean and fresh. I've tried some roll-ons that felt sticky--yuck! However, if it isn't completely dry before dressing, it can leave white marks on clothing. I really like that it is unscented. It doesn't cause me to have breathing problems and doesn't break out my skin like some other scented ones do. I have lots of allergies and work part-time as a cancer nurse, so it's important to me to have skin care products that are hypoallergenic and that don't have strong...

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Katrena says "Double LadderBall is Fun, Easy to Set Up, and Stores in a Bag" about Maranda Enterprises Double LadderBall

Katrena — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:05:49 GMT

Maranda Enterprises Double LadderBall is a bola game that is easy to set up, works well for adults and children of various ages, and stores in a bag. It is recommended for ages 4 and up. Set Up for LadderBall:

The game has two uprights. Each upright consists of a stand with a blue, red, and white bar. No tools are required for assembly. Just push the pieces together. The uprights have a pretty wide base, and when we have played the game, they haven't been in any danger of tipping over. Place the uprights about 25 feet apart (or closer together for young kids).

To Play LadderBall:

The game has six bolas. These are braided 11" ropes with two balls about the weight of a golf ball but a little larger in size on each end. There are three red ones and three blue ones in my game. Teams take turns throwing their color of bola at the upright. You get three points for blue, two points for red, and one point for white. If the opposing team lands one on the same color, then your points are taken...

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Katrena says "Paws n Claws Reflective Dog Collar is Limited in Size" about Paws -n- Claws Reflective Dog Collar

Katrena — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:57:50 GMT

Paws -n- Claws Reflective Dog Collar is a basic woven dog collar that has a plastic locking attachment for holding the collar around the dog's neck. You have to squeeze both sides of the plastic closure in order to remove the collar. Ours is red and blue with reflective lines interwoven in it, and we bought it at our local Dollar Tree for $1. The Dollar Tree also had matching dog leashes.

Unfortunately, this dog collar was just too big for our dog. We had originally been thinking about getting a retriever, and I think this would probably fit a larger dog like that. The package says it is adjustable and fits neck sizes 18 to 24 inches. It would be nice if it could adjust down smaller or if the packaging would mention a few breeds that this size typically works well for, because it is very difficult to tell from looking at a leash that is attached to a piece of cardboard.

This dog leash is distributed in Virginia but made in China, and I prefer to purchase items made in the U.S.A., but unfortunately,...

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Katrena says "Paws n Claws Reflective Dog Leash Works Well & Only Cost $1" about Paws -n- Claws Reflective Dog Leash

Katrena — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:38:24 GMT

This Paws and Claws Reflective Dog Leash is 48 inches and seems to be made of some type of nylon--the packaging doesn't say. It is a basic leash with a circular opening an opening on one end for a person's hand and a hook on the other for attaching to the dog's collar. Ours is red and blue with a silver hook. The hook seems to easily open and close and stays attached once locked. There are silver threads interwoven in the leash that do reflect light, which I suppose would be helpful if walking the dog at night.

I picked up this dog leash at our local Dollar Tree for $1, so I wasn't really sure if it would be sturdy, but it seems to work well. It is easy to attach to the collar and holds the dog securely when walking. We're trying to train our dog to walk using the leash, so it's a slow process. We don't want her to pull, so we stop each time she pulls or begins to roam, which makes for a really slow walk. Having a few treats in my pocket can really motivate her when she's actually walking...

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Katrena says "My Dog Loves to Cuddle in Her Bow Wow Pet Dog Bed" about Bow Wow Pet Dog Bed

Katrena — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:19:03 GMT

I recently purchased this Bow Wow Pet dog bed from Dollar General for about $10. For me, it was money well spent.

About the Dog Bed:

It is 23" in diameter plus 6" for the edging. I saw another smaller size for smaller dogs. This one is just right for my poodle mix.
It is incredibly soft--our dog has the softest bed in the house.
It is made in China--I prefer to buy items made in America, but I needed a dog bed rather quickly and had to get what I could find.

My Viewpoint:

This Bow Wow pet dog bed is very soft and cushiony, and our new dog absolutely loves it. We just adopted our dog from the animal shelter, and the first night was really rough for her. She kept wanting to sleep with me, and I was afraid to get that started because I have asthma and allergies. I preferred for her to sleep on the floor, but she didn't want anything to do with that. Eventually I ended up having her sleep in her crate and stuck my fingers in it and she licked my fingers about all night.

I bought this dog bed...

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Katrena says "Petmate Pet Taxi is Easy to Assemble & Disassemble" about Petmate Pet Taxi

Katrena — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:05:25 GMT

The Petmate Pet Taxi may be called a dog crate, pet crate, or dog carrier, or pet carrier. I haven't actually heard of one of these being called a taxi before purchasing this one at Wal-Mart the other day. I purchased the 15.5", which is the large size recommended for dog breeds such as dachshunds, fox terriers, shih tzus, etc.

Assembly of the Dog Carrier:

This product comes in a few pieces. The bottom actually fits inside the top and the door can lie inside of them if you need to transport it without the animal and need more space. Just turn the top right side up and snap the two pieces together and snap the locks on all sides. It is important to line the door up before placing the pieces together. The door locks and is pretty easy to open by squeezing the handle together. It also comes with a tiny water/food dish that can hook inside of it. The crate seems pretty sturdy and durable, but I've had mine for a short period of time.

Other Information about the Dog Crate:

The packaging says...

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CyndiA says "Boys love these snack bars - I'm more the Plain Jane type." about Quaker - Chewy Granola Bars

CyndiA — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:48:45 GMT

I have teen boys, so I buy lots of food and snack foods including Quaker Chewy Dipps. Chewy Dipps are snack bars with granola in the center and then coated in chocolate. They have various flavors, but the peanut butter go over well here.

Personally, I do like the granola bars, but I like mine rather plain. I go more for the granola and with nuts or fruit only. The boys, on the other hand, like the extras like the chocolate chips, chunks, and dips.

These Quaker bars are tasty. The center is, as they say, kind of chewy. Not as hard as some of the snack bars. This makes for a rather packed taste versus some of the looser ones that I generally go for.

With chocolate on the outside, these Dipps are messier. But, the boys eat them fast, so that's not such an issue. With little kids, I would expect some mess.

The Quaker Chewy Dipps bars are small as with most snack bars, and they rack in at around 150 calories. That, to me, seems kind of high for a snack. But, I'm an adult female. My boys can...

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CyndiA says "Barbie gets in shape on her pink bike with her boucing puppy. " about Barbie Beach Party with Bike and Puppy

CyndiA — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:30:09 GMT

Barbie is going to have a blast on her new pink bike, and so is her little puppy who bounces up and down in the basket that fits on the handlebars of the bike.

Beach Party Barbie is a set with a blonde Barbie who is wearing, of all things, a mini skirt dress in blue, pink, and lavendar. But, do not fear. She has on pink tights with her rather ugly blue tennis shoes, so I guess that's OK. Her pink sunglasses and lavendar bike helmet are cool. So, she is styling while getting some exercise. Not that she looks like she needs it.

Her little dog in the front basket is fashion focused too. He or she (could not tell) has a pink collar and lavendar sunglasses. OK. That is probably a she dog then.

The bike is not super sturdy, but what Barbie accessory is these days? The Barbie bike is pink and plastic. The wheels roll, so Barbie or any of her friends should be good to go. Now, Ken might look funny on the bike, and it is girl style with the dropped bar, but . . . well . . . Ken probably wouldn't...

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CyndiA says "Like the smaller sized Grands Jr but not so much the sweet taste" about Grands Jr Honey Butter Biscuits

CyndiA — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:36:12 GMT

I usually make biscuits from scratch, but I do buy Grands canned biscuits from time to time. For canned biscuits, they've very good. But, they are large.

I was glad to see these Grands Jr biscuits which are less than half the size of the usual Grands biscuits. While the boys knock out the big biscuits, I've always found the Grands size awfully big for the bread part of the meal.

The texture is like the regular Grands with the Grands Jr Honey Butter being the flaky type. They kind of have layers and do flake apart if you pull. The Southern style is more like other biscuits but a bit fluffier. We all like either style, but I think the flaky comes out a bit ahead.

My youngest son loves honey, so I decided to try out the honey butter version of the Grands Jr. The rest of us like honey as well, but he's the really big honey fan.

The flavor on the Grands Jr honey biscuits is rather like honey. Probably as close as you'd get with canned. But, it is awfully sweet.

One honey Grands biscuit each did...

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CyndiA says "Nice place when we finally found it - close UNC Chapel Hill." about Hampton Inn - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

CyndiA — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:30:50 GMT

It took us a while to find the Hampton Inn on Fordham Blvd in Chapel Hill. It wasn't just us. the TomTom didn't know either. It told us we were at the hotel when we were right at some woods. Hum. I know Hampton Inn does not have camping spaces.

You want to get on the service road off Foardham right at the McDonalds. This is all right bewteen the Sheraton and the Holiday Inn which can be seen better from the highway with the Hampton back off the road and with a small sign.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn the last time we stayed over to see my kid in college, but it was booked up. So, they told us the Hampton was about the same price, and it was. It came to $110 for a weekend night which is good for Chapel Hill, NC.

Both these hotels are old style with balconies rather than halls and with outdoor pools kind of in the center. The rooms are a little newer looking at the Hampton Inn but are also a little smaller.

Hampton Inn has free wireless. It says the code is on your key package, but you really...

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Katrena says "Equate Hydrocortison 1% Cream Works as Well as Brand for Less" about Equate Hydrocortison 1% Cream

Katrena — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:38:48 GMT

Equate Hydrocortisone 1% Cream is a steroidal cream that can work well for mild allergic-type rashes. I have a 2 oz. size tube, which tends to be a little larger than some of the namebrand ones, but they may have a 2 oz. choice as well. It tends to be quite inexpensive and cheaper than the name brands.

Equate Non-prescription Hydrocortisone Cream May Help:

rashes from poison ivy, poison sumac, or poison oak (but this cream doesn't help very much!)
mosquito bites and other small bites that itch
ezcema and psoriasis (it's similar to triamcinolone)
reactions to soaps, detergents, jewelry, etc.
external itching in the perineal area

Hydrocortison Cream Should Not be Used:

internally
on diaper rash unless a pediatrician specifically directs this to be used (this would usually only be for a very short period of time and it would be a very small amount, usually mixed with something else to minimize its use)
alone to treat fungal infections (like a yeast infection) because it does not kill fungi...

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Katrena says "Disney Ice Pack Makes Boo Boos Less Painful" about Disney Ice Pack (re-usable)

Katrena — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:34:27 GMT

Disney re-usable ice packs caught my eye at the Dollar Tree one day. They are small, round packs that you can put in the freezer and use to apply cold therapy to any manner of boo boos. Best of all, they have cute Disney pictures on them like Piglet, Disney princesses, and more.

What I Like About Disney Ice Packs

My kids love these things! I think sometimes they will fake an injury just so they can run to the freezer and play doctor.
They are convenient at home.
They only cost $1
They can be used over and over.
They have a pretty thick outer covering.

What I Don't Like About Disney Ice Packs:

My youngest decided to try one for a teething ring. Make sure to supervise if using on a young one's injury and check to ensure that it doesn't have holes.
They are limited in their use since they must be kept in a freezer in order to keep them cold.
They don't hold the cold for a really long time, but it's usually long enough to sooth.

My Viewpoint:

Disney Ice Packs (re-usable) can take some of the...

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