Oster Flip Waffle Maker Review
October 1, 2008
At $30 this is as good as any other waffle maker you can find for triple the price or more. It has three temperature levels (low, medium, high). You plug in the device and it automatically turns on (with a red power light to let you know), it takes 2 or so minutes to heat up from a cold start. You then let it heat up until the green light turns on (there is a green light on each side of the device) and then add your waffle mix. Immediately after adding the mix you close the device and flip it over. The green light then goes off and comes back on when your perfect waffle is ready. If need be you can leave it in a few extra seconds to darken up. It takes about 2 minutes to cook.
I have found that the best heat setting is about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way up between the medium and high dots. They truly are perfect waffles every time. It is amazing. Just as good as the hotel breakfast bar where I first used a waffle maker. If you like waffles you need this device. I chose this device over the Presto 03510 Flip-side because this one had adjustable heat and didn’t require a separate battery to operate the timer. Plus it is made by Oster (I’m sure you have their blenders in your kitchen like I do) and the flip function seemed more durable. You can’t go wrong with this waffle maker. You will be very happy with it. One tip is to use tinfoil underneath for an easy clean up and be sure to oil the inside waffle plates before the first use. Other than that the rest is all self explanatory. Stay tuned for durability updates.
http://www.amazon.com/Oster-3874-0-Flip-Waffle-Maker/dp/B0012S8OWA/
Sanus VM3B Extending Arm TV Mount Review
September 25, 2008
Take the bad reviews with a grain of salt. Maybe they got a defective product or something but this mount has been excellent for me. I have two of them, purchased months apart, and have no problems whatsoever. Very solid aluminum build, with the rare ability to adjust the tension with a knob rather than have to go track down tools. However it does come with Hex screws if you wanted to replace the knobs with something people can’t adjust (say for a school or institution or the like). Mounted in a stud with the 2″ Hex head bolts it comes with makes this mount extremely sturdy with no play at all. It certainly feels like it could hold more than 30 pounds even fully extended. However now it is only holding my 19″ Philips LCD (17 lbs).
The tilt mechanism works perfect and will constantly hold at any angle. One side note that I discovered is that the washers (between the knobs and the receiving female threads) have square insets that must be lined up with the square parts of the receiving female threads in order to obtain a tight functional fit. This may have been the root of those that have problems with the tilt function.
With only the basics of handyman know-how this is a very easy install (find a stud, level, drill with a 3/16″ bit, then use the supplied hex wrench to screw in the supplied screws). It does come with drywall anchors to mount without a stud but I would be careful about trying that, especially if a stud is accessible.
http://www.amazon.com/Sanus-Systems-Mount-Articulating-Displays/dp/B0002ZHF0G/
Philips 19″ LCD TV Review
September 25, 2008
I bought this Philips 19″ LCD TV (the new model for 2008 – model number 19PFL3403D/27) and had the same odd problem as some other reviewers. Had it for a two weeks or so and then out of nowhere it wouldn’t turn on. The little power light would flicker almost like it couldn’t get over the first hump of a power draw. Anyway, I returned it without any problems and got a replacement (although this time with a two-year extended warranty covering everything – even damage I caused – for about $30 from Walmart). That way if there is that power issue you again I’m covered past the receipt return period. That being said, I still would recommend this TV over any other 19″ LCD. The specs are better than almost everyone else and it is a very good looking (body), well made TV that has an amazing 720p HD picture. Even with regular over-the-air (or over-the-cable via the QAM) digital channels without a cable box. Don’t let the sporadic power issue you prevent you from buying this as even with that issue I still highly recommend this TV if you want a 19″. Also keep in mind that this (and probably most) TV doesn’t save your settings if you unplug it.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-19PFL3403D-27-19-Inch-HDTV/dp/B00140U1LS
Norman O. Parker
April 21, 2008
PARKER, Norman O., 94, a resident of Montgomery, AL since 1963 died Monday, April 21, 2008 at Hillview Terrace Nursing Home under the care of Southern Care Hospice. Mr. Parker is survived by his wife of 61 years, Tevis, a son, Samuel Craig Parker of Montgomery, AL; a daughter, Rozanne Parrish (Gary) and three grandsons all of Orlando, FL; and a sister, Verna Mae Bell of Centre, AL and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Parker was a native of Cherokee County, AL and was a Cherokee County Teacher and was Principal at Etowah High School and retired from the State of Alabama Department of Education in Adult and Community Education. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII, a Pearl Harbor Survivor, and participated in the invasion of France, the Battle of the Bulge as a member of Patton’s 3rd Army, as well as the Army occupation in Germany. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 from Leak-Memory Chapel with Dr. Rick Marshall and Rev. Larry Armstrong officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Serving as Honorary pallbearers will be Pearl Harbor Survivors. Burial will be at Cherokee Memory Gardens, Friday, April 25, 2008 following a 2:00 PM funeral service from Perry Funeral Home Chapel, Centre, AL. Leak-Memory Chapel Directing. (Montgomery Advertiser)
Pearl Harbor Survivors Association
Daily Rides to Remember
I would like to honor two wonderful people in my life. When I was in seventh grade, my family moved from Lay Springs Road in the county to north Gadsden. My mom tried to get me to go to a local school when we moved, but I loved Etowah High and did not want to change.
Every day, I went to Grant’s 10-cent store on Broad Street to catch the bus. Mr. Norman Parker came by each morning and picked me up. If I missed him, Mr. Joe W. Floyd would pick me up. They did this for six years. Mr. Parker was principal and Mr. Floyd was driving instructor. Mr. Parker would sometimes say, “Nancy, you need to change schools.” I would say, “Mr. Parker, I will quit.” I guess I was selfish because I never thought of the trouble I would have gotten them into. I was living in the city, going to a county school. My only excuse is that I was one of those crazy ’50s teenagers.
I saw that Mr. Parker went to heaven recently. Please, if you both get to heaven before me – pick me up – I don’t want to go to the other place. You two were wonderful to me, and I’ll always have you in my heart.
Nancy (Hammond) Vice
