Reviews by abrat

abrat says "Pampered Chef's One stop cooking wonder." about Pampered Chef Classic Batter Bowl

abrat — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:10:57 GMT

The Pampered Chef's 4Qt. mixing bowl with lid is the best thing for the kitchen. When you want to prepare a meal, just mix it in the bowl and pop it in the microwave or oven, w/o lid. Have left overs? No need to transfer to a storage container, just put the lid on and in the frig it goes. No mess. No fuss. It's that great!

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abrat says "Great buy and reliable workhorse." about Toshiba Satelite A105

abrat — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:03:44 GMT

Toshiba, in my opinion, makes a great computer that is reliable and a real workhorse. It has bells and whistles that I don't even use or have explored, but for everyday usage, you can't beat it. I've had mine for over three years now and not once in the repair shop. How many other computers can you say that about.

The con to it: Low battery life when portable.

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abrat says "Pet friendly" about Lumber Liquidators Brazilian Teak Hardwood

abrat — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:11:25 GMT

If you are tired of dirty carpeting from your pets, consider wood flooring. Not the laminated stuff, too noisy, but REAL wood. You'll find it a good investment and holds or adds to the value of your home. I purchased 3 inch by 3/4 inch Brazilian Teak and couldn't be happier with it. I have 4 dogs and I also foster dogs and with this floor, you see no scratches, it's easy to clean, and holds up well to the every day ins and out of the dog traffic. It's 2 times denser than red oak, which is why I purchased it for my family room and kitchen. I wasn't sure I'd like wood in the kitchen, but it sure beats tiles and dirty grout! Cleaning isn't a big deal. I use Bono Cleaner instead of vinegar and water which really doesn't clean it well and leaves it wet. With this cleaner it drys immediately. You will find that because the carpet use to hold the dirt and dust or pet hair, that you will be dusting your floors every day, but the plus is that you have a clean floor and no hidden smells.

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abrat says "depenable and easy to use." about Canon OfficeJet S-520

abrat — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:08:44 GMT

The Canon S520 printer does excellent when printer color text and black and white. The black print is crisp and clear. The color for printing pictures or text is true. The best thing I like about this is at the time of my purchase, it was the only manufacturers on the market that had individual ink containers. So there was no need to waste color ink just to replace one that was empty. Or worse, not have the machine function because of an empty ink container. The ink doesn't dry up quickly, so no need to worry if it will work in a month and the color be sharp.

The installation was easy as well. Just plug it in to the wall socket and to the back of your computer. It does the rest of the start up for you. If you need assistance, they have online help and a manual to quide you through any problems you may encounter.

The newer models have more features than this one, but if all you need is a simply printer and come across this as a used one, get it.

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abrat says "Although an older model, I love it!" about Toshiba Satellite A-105

abrat — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:55:25 GMT

My Toshiba A-105 laptop is my first laptop. I bought it in 2003 and although it has a lot of bells and whistles, I only use the basics. It was easy to use from just plugging it in. The battery life is poor, but I don't mind having it plugged in. The screen is 15.4" and is a great size for viewing videos and pictures. The quality is fantastic. Knock on wood, I've never had a problem with it, other than a virus. The weight is a little heavy for my liking, but I don't know if it is too much or just like everyone elses.

A minus on this is that you have to buy their battery for replacing the original. It's very costly, $140 dollars. Don't buy an OEM brand other than their, because it doesn't fit tight and will cause it to shut down while using it. No warning given.

Other than that, I would recommend Toshiba and have, to someone looking for a quality, reliable laptop for pleasure or work performance.

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abrat says "Always there when you need them." about State Farm

abrat — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:09:00 GMT

State Farm is one stable company you can count on when you need assistance. I've had them for over 35 years and thankfully, I haven't had to use them much, but when I did, they were there for me right away. No waiting for days for someone to come out and look at the situation. No hassel for getting repairs done or claims paid. They didn't raise my rates. I've never hesitated to call and question something or make changes to my policies and have always gotten a quick response and friendly service by the staff. Granite, I've not experience the horrible hurricanes of the south, or the tornadoes of the Midwest, so service may be different, just from the scope of the natural disasters and views may be totally different. I can only speak from my personal experience and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this insurance company to anyone looking for a loyal, and stable company to handle their personal needs.

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abrat says "Best law enforcement program on the air." about The Closer

abrat — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:41:07 GMT

The Closer television program is the highlight of my T.V. week. I love the idea that they keep you guessing until the end of the program. The writers are fabulous. I prefer this program over the others on the air because it actually draws you into the story line. It makes you think and analyze as if you are part of the crime scene. The fact that they deal with solving the crime, and not the blood and quts is refreshing. Unlike others, there is a bit of comedy in it with the other characters surrounding Kyra. She doesn't act like the leading actor, but and equal to them all. It's refreshing and should be considered as an equal to NCIS or Law and Order and not secondary. It should be a weekly program year round not just in summer. I would prefer to see them replace on of the others and place this one in it's time slot. It's well worth watching and all the actors in this program are worthy of first place status.

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abrat says "The journey to Rainbow Bridge is never easy." about Euthanasia of a Beloved Pet

abrat — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:56:04 GMT

The decision of euthanasia is never an easy decision. When we open our door and welcome them into our homes and except them as a family member, the decision to let them go is no different than making that choice for our human family member. They find their way into our hearts with little effort. They provide comfort to us when we are feeling down and provide laughter to us when we don't expect it. To say this decision would be easy, is far from the truth.

Like our family members, we don't want to see them suffer. We take them to the vet and try everything in our power to make them better. We spend hundreds of dollars trying. Something that we would do for our human family member. The difference here is that We have the choice to end their pain. We can say enough is enough. No more suffering. That choice, as hard as it is, is the most humane decision of choice we have left. Unfortunately, we can only do it to an animal.

As a side note, there are vets that will do this at your home, in...

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abrat says "great for bulky storage" about Space Bag

abrat — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:12:38 GMT

Space bags are great for saving space in the closets, or storing under a bed. The down fall is the zipper closure. It can be hard at times to a secure a complete closure with this design. The little blue tab to slide across the zipper is cheaply made and slides off the other end. I would like to see the vacuum plug top redesigned to a tighter snap fit than it has right now.

The concept is wonderful though and it really saves a lot of space. An x-large can easily hold a king size down conforter. I would and have recommended this product to anyone that wants to store seasonal clothing in the least amount of space. Using it when traveling works great especially for items that could leak. Seal and no worries of a mess when you open up the suitcase. Usie it for t-shirts or shorts, and you gain a lot more space for bring back those suveniors. No matter what size you buy, you can always find a use for them.

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abrat says "Makes your cooking preparation easy" about Hamilton Beach 70560

abrat — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:38:26 GMT

I bought this Hamilton Beach food processor from Walmart last fall I can say enough good things about it. I prepare raw food for my dogs and this is a very handy tool to have for the process. It has a large capacity container and the speed of the motor and the blades sharpness makes chopping up even the hardest of vegetables a piece a cake to chop up. Another nice feature is the ease of cleaning the pieces. There are no awkward corners that food can get stuck in so cleaning every angle is a breeze. Another nice feature is the ability to pulse for a quick chop, like strawberries where you want chunks for those Delicious strawberry shortcakes. Over all I would highly recommend this and the price, I paid $19.99, can't be beat. Even if it went up a few dollars, it's still a great buy. If you aren't Julia Childs, or Emmeril, this will do all you want for a fraction of the price of a Kitchen Aid.

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abrat says "Kong Red Tuffy is a durable toy for lots of play time" about Kong Red Tuffy

abrat — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:12:34 GMT

Kong products have been on the market for quite some time now and I believe that they know how to satisfy the needs of the dog and the pocket book of the owner. Although, the inital expense may seem a little high, the durability and construction of this product, out weighs this.

Kong Industries appears to have made the effort to provide the dog with play toys that will withstand the rigourous chewing by providing a thicker rubber than other companies that produce rubber toys. That and along with the design is a good mix and makes for a happy pet.

The design allows one to insert "treats" into it or one can even freeze it with a treat in it and when leaving the dog alone, will occupy their time and energy and possible save a piece furniture from mischief. They are easy to clean. Hot water and a bottle scrubber will clean any residue left behind from treats.

Lastly, the color Red is one color that a dog does not see. So if they seem less interested in it than a darker color toy, I would...

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abrat says "Keeping them warm is important" about Dog Sweaters

abrat — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:50:03 GMT

Dog sweaters play a very important part in the health of may short haired dogs. In the colder climate dogs, like people, get cold. Wearing a sweater can retain their body heat and keep them comfortable, not unlike that of a human. If a dog suffers from illnesses, it is even more important to ensure that they maintain a balance in body temperature.

Many people, think that the sweater is just a "cute" clothing ploy from an industry that caters to the "human" needs. But they don't think twice at looking at a horse wearing a blanket to keep warm. If it covered like a sweater, would it be any different in the perception? They both serve the same purpose for the animal. If a human thinks it's cold outside or has a chill, then most likely so does you pet. Just because they have cute designs on them, or hoods shouldn't keep someone from making sure that their pet is comfortable asthey are.

They are easy to put on and easy to clean. Give them a try the next time the temperature is freezing....

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abrat says "Want Peace in your heart? Volunteer or Adopt from a Rescue!" about Dog Rescues

abrat — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:29:25 GMT

They are NOT Shelters. They are TOTALLY different, but their name is used in the same context.

Dog rescues are probably the least know avenue out there for the public to know about. They don't have the finances to advertise like the big named shelters that are run like a business with employees and salaries. They aren't owned by the county, like the pounds.

There are Rescues for every purebred dog out there and then some. Shelters don't specialize. There are resource's to find the perfect pet, such as PetFinder.com. just type in what you are looking for and where, and you'll be surprised and hopefully sadden by the number of dogs waiting for homes.

I volunteer and have been a failed foster home (adopted my foster) for 7 years now. I came across the rescue by accident while looking for an companion for my other adopted dog from a shelter. I looked at Petfinder typed in the breed and location, and came across Illinois Birddog Rescue. After adopting a dog from them, I became a volunteer....

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abrat says "great for cleaning teeth." about Booda Bone X-Large Multi-Color Rope Dog Toy

abrat — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:52:22 GMT

Booda Bone X-Large Multi-Color Rope Dog Toy is durable and long lasting. It provides pleasure for the dog and satisfyies their chewing needs at the same time as it flosses their teeth.

It provides interaction time between the owner and the dog as one can play tug-a-war with them. It also can be used as a training tool, by throwing and retreiving on recall. It allows you to train common commands, such as sit, stay, down, and come. If used properly with the owner interacting with the pet, it produces a bond of friendship and trust.

This product is well made and the design is secure enough that the threads can take a lot of abuse from the dog before it will ever unravel. If you don't want to waste money on "toys" every week or two, this is the perfect toy to invest in. If it gets dirty or muddy, just throw it in the washer and it's ready to go again and again. It's money well spent for you and fun for your dog.

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abrat says "Boxer puppy" about Boxer puppy

abrat — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:36:33 GMT

A boxer puppy is as cute as a button, but one must remember that all puppies grow up to big dogs. This boxer is no exception. Before taking her home, do research on the breed. Know the medical issues that they could experience as time goes on.

Know their temperment and analyze how it fits into your familyBEFORE you adopt them. When you bring home this cute boxer puppy, you are making a commitment for a minimum of 10 years. That's 10 years of love and affection. Walks, vet appointment, grooming, training, and lots of love. They are coming into your home as a new family member. They are now your new "kid". Not to be tossed aside or given away, any more than your human kid. They will devote their life to you. They will be there for your laughter and your tears. You must treat them as you would want someone to treat you.

A boxer puppy knows no rules. They must be taught their boundaries, just like a new baby. They will reward you if you reward them. This is accomplished by POSITIVE training....

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abrat says "Great Companion" about Dog Breed Old English Sheepdog

abrat — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:32:32 GMT

Dog Breed Old English Sheepdog is just one of many pure breds that I would recommend for a family of young children. Their personality is fun loving. Their gentleness is surprising around young babies, considering thier size. And if you want to turn down the heat in the winter, just let one of them sleep on your bed. Better make sure it's a king size though or you'll find yourself fighting for it. The Old English Sheepdog is one of a few dogs that does not shed. They will mat, but not shed. They require daily brushing, best started when they are puppies. The love to play out doors, but the summer heat does take a toll on them, so grooming them to a "puppy cut" would be recommended. If you shave them down completley, they have the appearance of a greyhound. You would never guess under all that fur, is a skinny dog. Obedience school is a must, just due to the size and strength they pose. No one wants their dog to control the walk, and they will do that with out training. In their older...

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abrat says "Not recommended for ANY dog" about Jw Pet Products Jw Pet Bad Cuz Assorted Large Dog Toy

abrat — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:16:04 GMT

Jw Pet Products Jw Pet Bad Cuz Assorted Large Dog Toy implies in it's description that it's for large dogs not small dogs. With this said, large dogs will be more aggressive when playing with toys than smaller dogs. Unless this is made with "tire" rubber that is extremely durable, it will tear very easily just from the strength of the larger dog. A "chewer" should not be the only one excluded from this product. Of course with out seeing it in person, it would be difficult for one to know exactly how durable the rubber product is, but from ones I have seen in the stores, the design is not suitable for any dog. The arms and legs, with little effort on the dogs part, can be chewed off in seconds, which could be swallowed by the dog. This could present a choking hazzard and possible death if not supervised. As cute as this product looks, I would recommend that the design be changed to something that is more oval and with out extrusions coming from the main body.

Thank you

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abrat says "Able to switch out burners for griddle or grill. Auto fan. " about KitchenAid grilling ability

abrat — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:20:44 GMT

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abrat says "reliabiliy for less money. Does what you want it to do. Walmart " about Hamilton Beach 6 cup

abrat — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:17:45 GMT

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abrat says "Never had a problem with this for 6 yrs daily use. Quality built" about Panasonic 1000 watts microwave

abrat — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:16:15 GMT

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