Aging and Safety in the Home ~ A Product Review

Aging gracefully is much easier if you have the tools to make aging easier.  There is no doubt that we age quietly and sometimes don't notice the changes until an accident happens.  Then we shake our heads and wonder what the heck happened and how it happened so quickly.

Now if you've been looking after an aging relative for a while you might notice those changes in them quicker than you realize those changes are also happening to you too!  Your focus is different when there is an elderly person in your own home.

Somehow we focus all our efforts on making them comfortable and safe.  We forget about making ourselves comfortable and safe too!

When my mother was living with us, we invested in night lights so that she would be able to get to the washroom and back to her bedroom without any troubles.  They worked great and we were very happy that it solved a problem that we had not thought of before.  She loved that they stayed on all the time as well.  So long as she was happy we were happy too!

Now, my mother is no longer living with us(she is in long term care), we are the ones that seem to be aging quicker.  Or it could be that we are noticing the changes when we don't have anyone else to concentrate our efforts on.  

The point is that we are in need of extra help in the night time now as well.  Our needs are a little different than my mother's were.  Our aging journey seems to be more focused on extra mobility needs.  So while we still have the night lights in place, we needed some light that would actually illuminate the surrounding area so that we could get our bearings easier.  

My husband has a problem with balance and waking in the middle of the night for a potty break was very difficult for him.  Putting his feet on the floor was not enough.  Balance can be helped with visual aids.  Hence we were on the look out for something that would illuminate without waking the partner still sleeping.  It had to illuminate enough so that walls and other obstacles would be clear and yet not such a glaring light to interrupt his sleep pattern either.  

We found a night light that is rechargeable, motion detecting, and cordless!  Recharging is done with a USB cable and each time it's charged it last a few weeks (3-4) depending on how often it is needed through the night. 

We bought a two pack of these motion detecting lights, but I see now that they are available in a 3 pack as well.  For less than $20.00 you are able to give yourself and your other half some well needed peace of mind and a clear path to that washroom.  I love that the light only stays on for a few minutes and then goes off.  Unlike nightlights that are plugged into the wall that stay on all the time.  

Peace of mind when you are aging is priceless and there are many tools to make the transition easier.  This in my books is one of them!  

The picture shows you what the light looks like off and on.  We have them mounted on the wall above the doorway to the washroom so that both the floor in front and the floor of the bathroom are well illuminated when needed.  The light is not so glaring that it wakes your brain up.  So a quick trip the loo and back into bed, close your eyes and continue sleeping.  It is working very well for us and I'm sure it would work for you too.

Pleasant dreams everyone and may you never trip on your way to the loo at night.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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INTERESTING EBAY BUYER STORIES: WHAT SOLD ON EBAY, SIXTH EDITION

Next up in my What Sold on eBay series, is a review of five interesting sales that I have had this year, 2024. This time, they are from the perspective of the buyer. They are not high-dollar value sales but rather sales that were particularly interesting for one reason or another for the buyer. If you are curious about what type of items have a personal connection with a buyer or if you are simply curious about what people are buying and selling on eBay, you will enjoy my review of these sales.

PAST ISSUES OF FINE COOKING MAGAZINE

I was lucky to find a collection of  past copies of Fine Cooking magazine. As a cook, I tried a few of the recipes and found that they were often elaborate but always delicious. Of course, I am not the only one who knows that Fine Cooking recipes are really, really good. 

One buyer who recently purchased multiple copies from me said: “Fine cooking is my favorite food magazine and I am happy to be able to purchase the individual issues that I was missing.” I was happy to help her fill out her collection. 

Find your Fine Cooking magazines here on eBay.

ROY KIRHAM PLEASE SHUT THE GATE MUG

Another buyer purchased a somewhat hard-to-find pig-themed fine bone china mug by Roy Kirkham titled “Please Shut the Gate.”  

She said “This mug is great. It makes me smile first thing in the morning and arrived quickly and in perfect condition.” It is one in a series that also includes fun illustrations of sheep and cattle and comes in a variety of styles including the one shown here, a teacup and saucer and even a teapot. Perfect for fans of farms and farm animals. 

Find your Roy Kirkham Please Shut the Gate piece here on eBay.

RENOIR'S LITTLE GIRL WITH THE BLUE RIBBON PRINT

Yet another buyer reached out and purchased a reproduction 20-inch picture printed on sturdy cardboard. It featured a portrait painting from 1880 by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The subject of the print is Irène Cahen d'Anvers and the image is known by both her name and by the title, Little Girl with the Blue Ribbon or Little Irene. 

The buyer said, “When I was a little girl my parents hung this picture on my bedroom wall. Little did I know the artist or anything about it. I grew up and in my teenage years I figured I was way too old and cool for that silly picture (and so she gave it away). I so regret giving that picture away but I am SO thrilled to be getting another just like it. I grew up in Markham, Ontario so it figures that it's coming from Ontario. Who knows but what it could have been the same one of mine from years ago?” 

I love that the buyer can remember the artwork that hung in her room as a child and that she is able to once again own that image as a reminder of her childhood.

Find your print of Renoir's Little Girl with the Blue Ribbon here on eBay.

GUSTAVE BAUMANN NEW MEXICO GREETING CARD

I sold this greeting card that features an image by artist Gustave Baumann. However, this sale came not because someone collects pieces by that particular artist but rather because someone has an ancestral connection to the Talpa Chapel in New Mexico. 

The buyer said, “This chapel was my ancestors private chapel on their ranch in Talpa, New Mexico. It’s called the Duran Chapel or Chapel of our lady of Talpa. The picture by Gustave here is actually transposed. The original view was mirror image.” 

How wonderful that someone has a connection like this with the chapel and how interesting that the picture is transposed. I do wonder how that happened but expect it was an error in printing.

Check out all of the Gustave Baumann pieces here on eBay. If you want greeting cards in particular, you should add the word card to your search.

BARBIE SISTERS' CRUISE SHIP

Finally, I have helped a couple of individuals complete their Barbie cruise ships. In particular, the Barbie Sisters’ Cruise ship, model number X3209, that was released in 2011. Believe it or not, one of those people was working on completing multiple ships! They all have been very pleased to find the replacement pieces and parts they have needed in my shop on eBay. These particular pieces were difficult to find because the ship is no longer made but were a little bit rarer because they were all new pieces.

Find your Barbie Sisters' Cruise ship parts or a ship in its entirety here, on eBay.

------------------------------------------------------------

I hope you enjoyed these eBay stories. If you would like to read more about what sells on eBay, just follow the links shown below.

You never know
what I might have
in store for you!
Brenda

QUICK LINKS:

Discover my eBay store!

What Sold on eBay Fourth Edition.

What Sold on eBay the Best of 2022.

What Sold on eBay: The Christmas Edition.

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The Best Affordable LED Light for Selfies, Social Media, Zoom Calls

The Newmowa 60 LED High Power Rechargeable Clip Fill Video Conference Light is a versatile and portable lighting solution designed to enhance video quality for video conferencing, selfies, vlogging, TikTok, and more.

With its compact size, front and back clip options, adjustable brightness, and three light modes, this LED light works with a variety of devices, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and more. This makes it ideal for anyone looking to improve their lighting for virtual meetings (professional or family get-togethers) or social media content.

Whether I'm on a Zoom call with my family members on the other side of the country or just snapping a quick photo or selfie, getting a decent picture requires good lighting. That nearly always means a supplementary light source vs. just ambient lighting. Recently, frustrated with the need to lug my large, folding, rechargeable LED lamp around to light my shots or video calls, I decided to order a clip-on LED light recommended by a friend who is a beauty influencer on social media.

I couldn't be more pleased with the Newmova Mobile Phone LED Light (model SL-60AI), for which I paid a little more than $30 on Amazon.

Here are some examples of photos I took using only ambient room light and then with the Newmova clip-on LED light on different color temperature settings so you can see the difference it makes.

Photo of bowl of potpourri - ambient room light only

Photo of bowl of potpourri - with Newmova LED light cool setting

Photo of bowl of potpourri - with Newmova LED light warm setting

Photo of bowl of potpourri - with Newmova LED light daylight (mixed cool/warm) setting

The difference in the detail, color, and picture quality of these simple photos taken with an iPhone 11 Pro Max phone is striking, isn't it?

Design and Features

• Compact and Portable: This clip-on LED light features a sleek design that is small enough to fit easily into a drawer, pocket or bag, ensuring that your lighting solution is always accessible and making it ideal for on-the-go use.
• Front and Back Clip Options: The included front and back clips allow for easy attachment to smartphones, tablets, and laptops, ensuring a secure and adjustable fit. This dual clip system enhances its versatility by allowing it to be mounted on different devices or even standalone setups. Both jaws of the clothespin-style clip are lined with rubber for a secure attachment and to avoid marring your devices. The jaws also open wide enough to accommodate even very thick phone cases as well as mounting on a laptop screen.
• Rechargeable Battery: This clip-on LED light is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, eliminating the need for external power sources and providing freedom and convenience. A full charge offers several hours of usage, depending on the brightness level you choose.
• Adjustable Lighting Modes: The light offers three lighting modes with three different color temperatures: warm light (3200K), cool light (5600K), and daylight mode (mixed), allowing users to adapt the lighting to different environments, preferences, and skin tones. So, it’s easy to get more flattering selfies or look better in Zoom calls.
• 10 Brightness Levels: Within each lighting mode, you can easily adjust the brightness to achieve the desired level of illumination and light intensity, ensuring that details are highlighted without overexposure in photo and video applications.
• Durable Construction: The light is built to withstand everyday use, with a sturdy construction that ensures long-lasting performance.

The Newmowa SL-60AI clip-on mobile LED light comes with two mounting attachments, a USB cord for charging the rechargeable battery, and an instruction leaflet.

Performance and Usage

• Bright and Even Illumination: The 60 high-power LEDs provide ample brightness, effectively illuminating subjects and reducing shadows. The light distribution is generally even, ensuring consistent lighting across the scene to ensure clear visibility during video calls or content creation. I have been extremely impressed with the brightness of this small, compact, clip-on LED light!
• Battery Life: The rechargeable battery offers a decent battery life, allowing for extended use on a single charge. However, the exact battery life may vary depending on usage patterns and environmental factors.
• Ease of Use: The light is simple to use, with intuitive controls that allow for quick adjustments to the lighting settings. As you can see in the photo, there is a power button that not only powers the light on and off, but can be pressed repeatedly while the light is powered on to rotate among the three color temperature settings. There are also two smaller buttons to turn the brightness up or down. The clip mechanism is also easy to operate and provides a secure hold on devices.

The Newmowa Mobile Phone LED Light control buttons are simple and intuitive

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Compact and portable design
• Versatile clip for easy attachment
• Rechargeable battery for convenience
• Adjustable lighting modes and brightness levels
• Durable construction

Cons:

• Color rendering may vary slightly
• Battery life may be limited for heavy users

A Great Gift for Anyone

Since most people spend a considerable amount of time on their mobile phones, tablets, and laptops and sharing photos and videos (of themselves, others, products they love, etc.) on social media or by email, the Newmowa clip-on mobile phone LED light would make a welcome gift at an affordable price.

Newmowa 60 LED High Power Rechargeable Clip Fill Video Conference Light with Front & Back Clip, Adjusted 3 Light Modes for Phone, iPhone, Android, iPad, Laptop, for Makeup, TikTok, Selfie, Vlog

Conclusion

The Newmowa 60 LED High Power Rechargeable Clip Fill Video Conference Light is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve the quality of their photos or videos, especially on the go. The compact size, light weight, versatile clip/mounting options, adjustable lighting modes and brightness levels, and rechargeable battery make this clip-on LED light a very convenient and effective choice for a wide range of applications. The overall performance and ease of use make it a solid pick for someone who wants to enhance their photo and video content quickly, easily and affordably.

The Best Affordable LED Light for Selfies, Social Media, Zoom Calls by Margaret Schindel

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Cleaning my Grill with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner - Reviewed

 

Keeping my grill in top condition ensures my grilling is always a hit. I have a Char-Griller Smokin Champ, a combination smoker, and a charcoal grill.

Over time, grease, charred bits, and food residue can build up, affecting the food's taste and the grill's performance.

I have discovered that Easy-Off oven cleaner is not only for cleaning your oven but also very effective in cleaning my grill.

Easy-Off is known for its ability to break down stubborn grease and grime. It's specifically designed for tough kitchen jobs, making it perfect for cleaning grills.

Safety First: Here is What You'll Need

Make sure you follow all the safety instructions on the can.

• Easy-Off oven cleaner (I use the Heavy Duty version)
• Rubber gloves to protect your hands
• A sponge or grill brush ( I use a Scrub Daddy)
• A bucket of warm water for rinsing
• Paper towels of cloth

After spraying the Easy-Off Heavy Duty I let it set for about an hour. Then, I use the scrub daddy and warm water to wipe out the grease. After I have all of the grease cleaned out I use the paper towels to wipe it dry. There is no doubt about it, this is a messy job but, the results are satisfying and it works well.

This was my cooking chamber in my grill before I cleaned it with Easy-Off oven cleaner.

Here is my cooking chamber after I cleaned it. 

After cleaning, I wiped the cooking chamber and grill grates with cooking oil and added a chimney full of hot charcoal. I closed the lid to let the temperature rise to 500 degrees. 

Then, let the grill cool naturally. This process is to reseason the grill, and the grates to prevent rust. I do this because the grates are cast iron and the cooking chamber is all metal.

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A Review of Twinings Chai Tea

Chai - the Hindu word for tea. 

Chai tea is a flavored black tea made from a blend of the sweet & savory spice flavors of cinnamon, cardamon, clovers and ginger.

In India it is a cherished beverage thought to bring peace of mind and to preserve health. 

I was first introduced to Chai tea by my darling daughter-in-law who grew up in South Korea where she learned her love of tea. 

Chai Tea by Twinings

Image Source: Wednesday Elf

While there are a number of brands on the market producing Chai Tea, the only one I’ve tried (to date) and the one featured in this review, is by Twinings - a well-known British marketer of tea and other beverages since the early 1700s. I am quite sure Chai tea by other brands is equally as good, but I am very pleased with the taste of the Twinings Chai tea blended with delicious spices. The multiple health benefits of Chai Tea is also nice to know. 

Twinings calls their Chai Tea a delicious wellbeing drink that tastes great and will do you good. 

How to Brew Chai Tea

I do not like strong coffee, so for years, whenever I made tea with tea bags, I only put the bag in the water for a short amount of time, worried the drink would become too strong. I did not realize, until I (finally) tried it, what a difference ‘steeping’ your tea makes in the taste.

Image Source: Pixabay

Chai Tea is good hot or iced.  The brewing instructions on the Twinings package of Chai Tea are as follows:

For Hot Tea: pour boiling water over the tea bag and steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bag. Enjoy! 

For Iced Tea:  Fill half a pitcher with boiling water. Steep 4 tea bags for 3 minutes. Remove tea bags. Add ice to desired strength. 

For a single glass of iced tea, use one tea bag in a heat resistant glass.

Summary

Happiness is finding a delicious new (to me) tea drink I really love. Give Twinings Chai Tea a try today and see if you don’t agree. 

Twinings Chai Individually Wrapped Black Tea Bags, 20 Count (Pack of 6), Sweet, Savoury Spices, Caffeinated, Enjoy Hot or Iced

Twinings Chai Black Tea K-Cup Pods for Keurig, 24 Count (Pack of 1), Naturally Sweet and Savoury Spice Flavours, Caffeinated, Enjoy Hot or Iced | Packaging May Vary

*Twinings Chai Tea Review written by Wednesday Elf

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An Aging Dilemma ~ Walking Carefully and Safely~ A Product Review

For years we have been told by doctors and other professionals that exercise is important and becomes more important as we age.

There are many ways to keep ourselves healthy and one of the most important after eating well and drinking lots of water, is to walk! There should not be a day that goes by where you don't walk for at least 10 minutes.  This exercise is completely available to everyone!  

But as we age, even taking a walk can be a source of anxiety.  All you need to do is fall once and the fear is entrenched.

So let's do the walking safely, so that a fall is not what happens ever.

When we are younger, our bodies react better to outside stimulus.  Looking up at birds, trees, planes and things around us is not a problem.  But once you are over 65, our bodies don't react the same way.

We can and should focus on our steps.  Putting one foot in front of the other and having a good pair of shoes on will make walking so much safer for older individuals.  Our eyes and bodies need to be focused on the job at hand.  

Walking should be the ultimate easy way to stay fit, so could I suggest that after making the choice to walk for fitness, you then make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes.  

I like athletic type shoes for my walking as the soles are well padded and the treads on the bottom are deep, giving me great traction in all kinds of weather. Puddles should not stop us from getting those walking minutes in.  If the weather is inclement then let's take our walking inside at a shopping mall. Many malls now have walking clubs that are available to anyone, or you can just go there and do your walk on your own.

If you need a little extra help, Nordic Walking Poles are a great addition and add a little extra stability and balance.  My other half and I have these Fit Life Walking Poles and we use them often.  They are light weight and yet sturdy.  The difference it makes when walking is amazing.  I would never have thought that holding onto these poles would make such a difference in my gait and the ability to walk even further than I thought possible.  But they really do help a lot!

Now that summer is on it's way out, it's time to make a new fitness challenge ours.  Let's all start by taking a nice walk in the autumn air to enjoy the change in weather as well as the beautiful changes in nature.  

Make your walk a daily habit and I bet you will be pleased with the results in both your physical health as well as your mental health.  

 Skechers Sport womens D'LITES FRESH START Memory Foam Lace-up Sneaker,White Silver,8.5 M USCheck Price TheFitLife Nordic Walking Trekking Poles - 2 Packs with Antishock and Quick Lock System, Telescopic, Collapsible, Ultralight for Hiking, Camping, Mountaining, Backpacking, Walking, Trekking (Blue)Check Price

In closing I just want to say that I am not a doctor, and the health benefits of walking are something that I have personally felt after committing to walking daily.  Check with your own physician to make sure that this is a good fit for you!

 

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Reviewing Wool Ease Fair Isle Yarn by Lion Brand

I have crocheted for many decades but only recently have begun purchasing natural fiber yarns (wool and alpaca) for my projects. I was very excited to find the Fair Isle colorway by Lion Brand and have crocheted a hat that I'm very pleased with. My project ideas for this specific yarn is already a long list. 

Isn't Fair Isle Just the Name of a Colorway?

Yes and no. It is the name of this Lion Brand skein because it is a self-striping or self-pooling skein of yarn intended to create patterns that appear similar to the original style of Fair Isle - but without using two strands of yarn at a time while knitting. I chose the Fair Isle (self-striping) skein in the colorway Pink Mushroom. There are other color choices in the Fair Isle style of yarn.

Historically, Fair Isle is a knitting technique that is worked holding two strands of yarn, separately, at a time. The technique results in colors that create repeated shapes across the work. These shapes often are "OXO" shapes or simple geometric shapes. It was named Fair Isle after one of the Shetland Islands and reportedly became more popular after the Prince of Wales wore a Fair Isle sweater. I have always admired these designs but hadn't known previously that it was a specific knitting technique.

Wool Ease Fair Isle Yarn by Lion Brand

The Wool Ease Fair Isle yarn is meant to pool into patterns. This happens much more easily when knitting since the shapes are better formed in the "v" stitches that occur in knitting. Unfortunately, I have not yet learned how to knit.  But I still loved the colors offered in these skeins. And I'm looking to make more projects with natural fibers and that have the thicker, "wool" appearance. I bought one skein, worked up a hat, and immediately ordered more skeins.

Specifics:

• 80% Acrylic, 20% wool blend
• weight size 4 (worsted)
• 5.3 oz/348 yd
• machine wash gentle, tumble dry low
• Size 8 knitting needles/size J crochet hook

This Wool Ease yarn is a great way to start using a natural fiber blend, but isn't as expensive as a full natural fiber skein. And because it is a blend, it does not have to be handwashed.

I was attracted to the colorways. Many variegated yarns are extremely bold and bright colors.  I know that bright colors are the preferred choice of many people. But I prefer subdued colors. The Wool Ease Fair Isle offers the gentle colors that I like. 

I crocheted a hat, knowing that I would not get the exact patterns that someone knitting would achieve. But I was focused on the gentle colors. I was very pleasantly surprised when my hat turned out with pleasing stripes and flecks. And bonus, I have enough yarn in this skein to make another 1 - 2 hats!

As I was creating my hat, I was excitedly listing all of the projects that would be beautiful in this yarn; mittens, fingerless gloves, scarves, stuffed animals (wouldn't bunnies and elephants be beautiful in this color?!). This yarn is not as soft as the Eddie Bauer Wool-Paca yarn I recently purchased. But that's okay. While the Wool Ease Fair Isle is not as soft, it is not itchy due to amount of acrylic yarn in the blend. It is very thick and "cushiony".

The skein labels picture a finished project with repeating shapes. It states, "to create projects pictured here, visit Lionbrand.com.  With an internet search, you can also find reviews of this yarn, some projects, and examples of Fair Isle projects using 2 strands of yarn instead of the ease of using this one strand of Wool Ease. 

Related Links:

Be sure to visit the Lion Brand official site for more information and patterns. 

I often buy my yarn online at Joann Fabric and Crafts now that I don't live near any good yarn stores. I take advantage of their really good sales.

 If you prefer Amazon Prime due to saving the shipping costs, just do a search for "Yarn" and many options pop up; including Lion Brand yarn.

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Play-Doh's Jake and the Never Land Pirates Playset Reviewed

Jake and the Never Land Pirates is an animated preschool child’s television series that was produced by Disney Junior and aired between the years of 2011 and 2016. The storyline took inspiration from Walt Disney and J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan story. It tells tales of the three main pirate characters - Jake, Izzy, Cubby - and of a parrot named Skully who together search for treasure and find themselves competing with Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Sharky and Bones.

SERIES TRAILER

Here’s a peek at the show:

SHOW SUCCESS

The show was successful with the little boy audience it was aimed at and Common Sense Media says, “The program is full of good social messages about solving problems, being a good friend and appreciating individuality. It also includes basic academic skills like counting and sorting and involves kids with music and humor.”

SHOW TOYS

There was a high demand for toys for the series and in 2013, Play-Doh issued the play set shown here for fans of the show aged 3 and up. It is perfect for pirate-themed creative play whether it is inspired from the program Jake and the Never Land Pirates or from your child’s imagination.

SET CONTENTS  

The set comes complete with two stamps, a press in the form of a canon, a treasure chest shaper, a crocodile cutter and three containers of Play-Doh. Please be aware that retired sets have old Play-Doh in them and you may have to replace the modelling compound, which is easily and affordably done at your local toy store.

WHERE TO FIND YOUR SET

There was also another set for this series, a Toys R Us exclusive, called Pirate Ship. However, both of these sets have long been discontinued, which makes them somewhat hard to find. I recommend searching for Play-Doh's Jake and the Never Land sets here on eBay.

See you at the toy store!

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

MORE PLAY-DOH

Retired, new, used and vintage Play-Doh sets in my eBay store.

Play-Doh’s Airplane Explorer Play Set.

 
Play-Doh's Classic Medical Clinic Doctor or Operation-Themed Set.

Play-Doh’s Campfire Picnic Set.

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Reviewing Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes photo by Lou16

When my daughter was younger we had quite a selection of Baby Einstein videos and I would play her one a day, they were amazing. Now that said daughter has a baby of her own we introduced him to Baby Einstein via YouTube and he loves it. 

I decided to get him a couple of toys featured in the video he likes, but then I saw the Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes and it has become one of his favourites (tying with the Baby Einstein star).

When he has tummy time he loves looking at it as it's playing music and as he's about to teeth he really likes pushing the rings into his mouth and biting down on them. When we take him in the car it is a really handy toy to have as it's easy for him to hold and as he brings it up to his face he (accidently) turns the music on himself.

For reference, my grandson was 5 months old when we introduced this toy, and he has been playing with it for a few weeks. I see it says from 3 months, but I'm not sure that he would've enjoyed it so much at 3 months, maybe from 4.5 months.

There's a total of 10 different melodies that play with Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes and the toy lights up in time to the music when it plays which my grandson is mesmerised by. One of the things I love about the melodies that Baby Einstein uses is that they are based on classical music like Beethoven, Bach and Mozart along with traditional rhymes.

It requires 2 AA batteries and can also be turned off when baby's not playing with it. It also has two volume levels.

It's recommended that you wipe it clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, but we just use a disinfectant wipe after our grandson has left for the day.

This gets a big thumbs up from baby, Nanny & Grandad - I think mum and dad might invest in one for when he's at home as well.

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes from Amazon

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Lily's Toaster Grills Review

Admittedly I was skeptical. Lily's Toaster Grills removed my skepticism that a grilled cheese sandwich could be frozen successfully!

Taste

The Toaster Grill tasted very very close to the old school type of grilled cheese we find in area Deli's or Coney Islands. American Cheese and white bread where the cheese is melted (but not too much), the bread is toasted (but not too much) and the consistency is just perfect to dip into a cup of tomato soup.

This is not, repeat not, the gourmet grilled cheese on Artisan bread with three types of cheeses. Those are indeed wonderful as well, but the Toaster Grill is not in that lane nor does it advertise to be.

Convenient Comfort Food

So convenient and so incredibly easy to make. Simply put the Toaster Grill in the microwave for 30 seconds then into the toaster for one round of toasting. I understand the worry that the sandwich may leak cheese in the toaster; but I have not found that to happen.

But wait, how hard it is to cook a grilled cheese? That can be subjective indeed. The Toaster Grill is very convenient which is one of its' best features and in about one minute a consistent grilled cheese is delivered.

Where To Purchase?

The American Cheese Toaster Grills are available in my urban area at brand name grocery stores and Costco. The Costco packaging is in bulk and less costly than the grocery store. 

Recommendation

I have not met a grilled cheese fan yet who does not agree the Toaster Grills are the closest frozen equivalent to a fresh grilled cheese sandwich.

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When You Can't Remember, What Do You Do? ~ A Product Review

When you Can't Remember, What Do You Do?  

No I'm not talking about just a little forgetfulness!  Everyone has those moments and they are perfectly normal! They happen to everyone at some point in their day.  What I'm talking about is a process of the aging population and something that may affect more people now than ever before.

We are living longer and we are staying in better health for the most part.

But and here is the BIG BUT, even if we look after ourselves physically, there are changes that happen in our bodies whether we like them or not.

Many of you know that I have an elderly mom (93) and that up until this past year, she has been fairly healthy and strong.  That changed quite dramatically this past winter when she fell ill with a bacterial infection.  Once she was in hospital, it didn't take long before she also had the flu and pneumonia!  

This started a quick downward spiral that she has not been able to shake off.  Fast Forward to today and we are now in a situation where she is in a Long Term Care Facility and no longer able to look after herself.  Her mind is no longer all "there".  She sometimes lives in the present, but more often lives in the past.  Alzheimer's is the name and it's not pretty!

But, we make and take our moments while we can.  Last week we celebrated her birthday and thankfully my family was able to make it out to enjoy an afternoon with her.

She was having a "good" day, meaning that she was in the present and when she saw all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she remained with us for the whole afternoon.

What a joy it was to have everyone make her feel so special!  She was able to talk with everyone and they all had some fond memories to share with her.  A blessing for me as I was concerned that she might not be having a good day.

Now we are going to build on that memory so that she has something wonderful to fixate on, rather than some memories of days gone by that are not so nice.  She has gone through much in her life and some of it was not pleasant.  With her mind, the way it is now, we have to change what she sees as memories and the best way to do that is to have those new beautiful memories right there in front of her on a daily basis.

No she cannot handle new technology, so we use the tools that we have.  Pictures in picture frames that she can hold.  If need be right up to her nose.  Then she stares at the faces smiling back at her and she does remember.  Oh she might not remember everything that happened during her party, but she does remember that they are family and they came out just for her!  After all she's in the center of the picture.

If you have someone you love that is struggling with their memory, might I suggest that a beautiful picture frame, filled with the loving faces of family, be one gift that will keep on giving pleasure for many months to come.  

This is the frame that I will purchase.  I like it because it is magnetic (pictures can be swapped out easily), It has a base that is wide enough to stand on it's own.  There isn't a lot of "extras" to take her mind off the picture.  And with the width of the frame, it stands up on it's own.  It's also easy for her to handle if she wants a closer look. You can even make it double sided so you get twice the bang for your buck!  What more could you ask for?

When you have to deal with a disease like Alzheimer's, you need to use all the tools possible to make every day a great day!  I hope this helps anyone who is facing this diagnosis with their loved ones.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Reviewing Eddie Bauer Wool Paca Yarn

I've crocheted for decades and have usually used acrylic yarns.  I have always wanted to use natural fiber yarns (wool or alpaca) but had been hesitant due to the high prices of the natural fiber yarns. And I don't like how some natural fibers yarns are more scratchy than soft. I didn't want to spend extra money for a yarn that I didn't want to touch. I have recently purchased and begun using Eddie Bauer Wool Paca yarn and couldn't be more thrilled. This yarn is super soft and works up wonderfully. 

Eddie Bauer Wool Paca Yarn

Eddie Bauer Wool Paca Yarn is a blend of 80% extra fine Merino superwash and 20% Alpaca.  It is a 3 weight yarn (thinner/lighter than worsteds weight yarn). The skeins are 277 yd and 3.5 oz (small/lighter than worsted weight yarn skeins). 

At the time I ordered, there were 16 colors to choose from. And there were 9 5-star reviews. 

The description of the yarn on the Joann site describes the yarn as:

• soft, luxurious, and warm
• machine-wash safe
• perfect weight for baby items and women's garments
• the merino base helps create accessories and garments with warmth and sophistication

My Project

I decided to give this Wool Paca Yarn a try when I found it on sale on the Joann site.  I chose 2 different colors: Scarlet and Alaska Gold. I hope to learn how to crochet a cable-stitch with the Alaska Gold color. I completed a beanie with stitches that I'm familiar with as a test-run with the Scarlet color. 

For this first hat, I used the Bag-O-Day Knotting Around Beanie video tutorial. As an intermediate crocheter, Crystal is SUPER easy to follow. I feel that she goes slowly enough, and had her camera set closely enough, that this is a great tutorial for beginners also. 

I was concerned about ordering my first wool/alpaca blend online. I haven't always been a tactile shopper - wanting to touch everything before I purchase it. When I lived in a metro area, I was blessed to have several, very large and well-stocked, yarn and fiber stores near my apartment. Now that I live in a rural area, I do not have this luxury. I have to mail order most all of my yarns. I was extremely hesitant to order this new yarn and expected it to be scratchy and not pass my touch-test.

This Eddie Bauer is very soft!  As I was crocheting the hat, I was already thinking about making scarves, sweaters, baby blankets and maybe stuffed animals.  I'm already wondering if I can find a pattern for crocheted plush bunnies that I used years ago. 

Related Links:

When brick and mortar stores are not an option, Joann.com is a great place to order your crochet supplies. Be sure to watch for their sales.

If you prefer to shop Amazon for your yarns, you can begin your search for wool alpaca yarns here. 

I also used my Nelsonwood crochet hook with this hat. You can see my review of my first Nelsonwood hook here!

Our Review This contributor, Wednesday Elf, is a talented crochet artist. You can see her most recent article related to crafts and crochet here. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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