I have been walking for health off and on for several years. I never invested in a pair of good walking shoes. I always figured just any old sneaker would do. Then I started noticing Sketcher Shape Ups commercials on television, which planted a seed in my head that I had to have these shoes.I began doing my research. I found there are many different walking shoes on the market. I wanted walking...

If you love to BBQ like we do, then you need to invest in a smoker.  The New Braunfels Oklahoma Joe's Outdoor Smoker is an excellent choice.We have smoked everything on this smoker and have never been disappointed.  Chicken is delectable.  Ribs come out tender and juicy.  Brisket is mouth watering.  Fish is even easily cooked and comes out great--even though I'm...

When we needed to buy a truck, we searched long and hard.  We ended up with a Ford F250 V10 4X4 Super Duty XLT Extended Cab.  Ford's reputation for value, the fact we had owned Fords previously, and the classic style brought us to our gem of a truck.  Ford trucks are work horses!  The Ford F250 V10 4X4 Super Duty XLT can tow up to 10,000 pounds!  This is a life...

The Craftsman 3 1/2-ton hydraulic floor jack is very handy to have around.  This is our second Craftsman floor jack; we needed this bigger one for our bigger Truck.This floor jack is heavy.  It's mobile on four steel casters.  The jack plate is nice sized at about 6 inches in diameter.  The jack cranks evenly to 20 inches and lowers smoothly because of the hydraulic syst...

I had been looking for a postal scale and came across an auction on eBay for a deal that seemed too good to be true. I bid on and won a WeighMax Digital Postal Scale 50 Lb x 0.2 oz scale. My total cost, including shipping, was $11.99. The unit is sleek and unobtrusive sitting on my desk, and comes in a variety of colors to suit your office decor. This scale has been a lifesaver for selling on e...

After living in the Hill Country for over six years, we finally bought a weed eater suited to cut our yard. We looked into several different heavy-duty brands but bought the Echo SRM-230 Trimmer on recommendation from a local lawn service. We decided if this model is good enough for commercial service, it should be more than adequate for home use.Starting the trimmer is easy. For a cold start, ...

I'm sure you've heard of Suzanne Somers, the actress turned marketer, she has a variety of products she promotes. Several years ago she promoted an exercise product called the ThighMaster. Then ThighMaster developed the ButtMaster and she promoted it.The ButtMaster is a marvelous addendum to the ThighMaster. This resistance product really sparks a burn in your gluts and outer thighs. If...

Recently we came into some unexpected financial trouble. We decided to get a Payday Loan from ACE Cash Express.  We had dealt with them before and knew we could get quick service from them.During our first experience with ACE we only borrowed $200.  The finance charge was $20 per $100 dollars borrowed as long as the money was paid in full by a certain date.  We paid the loan off ...

I have been itching to get a new digital camera for a while. I felt it was time to upgrade to a DSLR. I looked at Nikon, Olympus, and Sony. My ultimate choice was the Nikon D5000 for several factors: price, features, lens options, and ease of use.The big thing with SLR (single lens reflex) cameras is you are in control of your image.  “What you see is what you get” is a common ...

This is my brother-in-law's 35mm film camera, a Minolta Maxxum 5000 AF.  This is a SLR (single lens reflex) camera.  I'm not overly familiar with SLR cameras but I'm willing to give anything a try once. Supposedly images from SLR cameras are "what you see is what you get".  This camera has various lens options and lets the operator control virtually everythi...

We considered purchasing an HDTV in the past. However, we could never justify retiring a perfectly good CRT. Noting that every one of our friends, even the most frugal one, had upgraded their televisions, we decided it was time to step into the times. We started shopping.After doing tons of research and footwork on HD LCD televisions, we finally decided on a new LG 47LH90 LED LCD Flat Screen HD...

Recently we purchased a new computer. Not liking the idea of using the monitor speakers as the computer's sound source, and having an ear for bass, we opted to purchase external computer speakers with a subwoofer. The Philips 38W Smart Sound computer speakers were the set we purchased.Initially their looks and numbers are what captured our attention. The total watt output (38) compared to s...

When we moved to the hill country, we needed a chainsaw to do work we normally did with a hand saw.  After shopping around, we found the 14 inch Echo CS-300.This chainsaw is powerful for its size.  It manages to cut through branches as if it were a hot knife cutting through butter.  Tree trunks are easily tackled also.As a woman, I am able to start and operate the chain...

In the late 80's, I got a Nintendo Entertainment System, or more commonly known as NES. That little gem was the bomb to me back then. However, I only had two games; three if you count one was a two-in-one. Eventually, I moved on and out of my parents' home and the old NES was packed away for safekeeping.In my twenties, I started dating this guy. He was a big gaming freak and owned a Sup...

While we were rebuilding the motor on our Aquasport my husband decided we needed an air compressor.  Off to Sears we went.  While there were a variety of compressors there in varying sizes he wanted the big one.  We purchased the Craftsman 33 Gallon Permanently Lubricated Single Stage Portable Air Compressor.This model came with a variety of tools as a bonus: a ratchet wrench, an...

While replacing the wheel hub assembly on our Ford truck, we found the old brake rotors to be extremely rusted and warped. We decided to do a brake job and replace the old rotors with Duralast brake rotors.The new rotors are cross cut, which is supposed to offer better grip and keep the rotor cooler on braking. Compared to other rotors we bought at AutoZone (Valuecraft), which were not cross cu...

Ah french fries are a wonderful thing; make them curly and you have a side dish with an entertaining zing.  The Presto Tater Twister can make you look like a professional fry cook and all you need to do is supply the potatoes and the fryer.I discovered one night that my family has an obsession with curly fries.  We rarely eat out and are even less likely to eat fast food.  We wen...

I have one real candy obsession. Hickory Farms Melt Away Mints really get me going.  They are minty but not overpowering or overly sweet tasting.  They are creamy not crunchy (except for the beads if you choose to chew).  They are utterly delightful!Every year I get a bag of these treats from Santa.  He must really love me!  I’ll tear open the bag right then and p...

Magic Math Multiplication board is an educational toy that teaches your child their times table ones through nines.  Perfect for 2nd and 3rd graders, this little jewel came to us as a gift.  For around $12, I've seen similar units at Wal-Mart and the exact model can be found on eBay occasionally.Originally this was given to my older child.  She was having diffi...

We received this Copper Fire Pit for Christmas last year.  I do not know why, as we can burn in our neighborhood and already have a circle of rocks for that purpose.  Anyway, we got it and we are going to use it.This Copper Fire Pit requires assembly.  The assembly was so easy we did not have to refer to the directions.  While putting it together, I felt the quality was...