October 29, 2014

Changing Light Bulbs

Recently, I had 2 light bulbs burn out. These were the CFL bulbs. I didn't think much about it until I purchased a new pack and saw on the pack the life expectancy is 11 years.

Last week another bulb burnt out and I happened to see that I wrote on the bulb that it was installed in April of 2013!

I am thinking the average life span is 1.1 years not 11!

At least I get to fill up the landfill with mercury now.

Always thinking about something....


October 23, 2014

Slime Tire Gauge

About a year ago I purchased a Slime brand tire pressure gauge, the round type with a needle to show the pressure in the tire. It broke after only a few uses, so I contacted Slime and they replaced the gauge free of charge.

Last month, the tire pressure light on my car came on. This didn’t surprise me because it happens when the temperature drops. So I check the tire pressure and three of the tires were a few psi low, and one was about 10 psi low. I pumped up the tires and everything was good.

The next week the tps light illuminated again. I checked the tires and only the one was about 10 psi low again. I figured there was a slow leak in the tire, so I took it off and searched for a leak. I couldn’t find anything. I took the tire to the local garage and they couldn’t find the leak either. I put the tire back on and figured I would see what happens.

The tps light didn’t come on for a couple of weeks, so I thought I would check the tire pressure again. Sure enough it was about 10 psi low, but the tps light didn’t come on, so I figured something was wrong with the tire and tps. No big deal, I’ll just check the tire pressure each week to see what is happening.

After a couple of weeks, I got tired of dragging out the compressor and extension cord, so I purchased an air tank to top off the tires. This was much easier. I found all the tires on both of my cars were reading different air pressures each week. Each week I would pump them up to the proper psi.

Finally after almost two months, I decided to try a different tire pressure gauge. All of my tires should be 33 psi per the manufacture. When I used the Slime gauge they were reading 23 to 28 psi each week. When I used my craftsman digital they read 40 to 45 psi! I got a cheap pencil gauge and it was also reading in the 40 to 45 psi range.

Unbelievable, I was furious. I spent weeks messing around with my tires and even bought an air tank all because of a stupid, inaccurate tire pressure gauge made from a company that sold a defective product from the beginning!

The scary part is I used this tire gauge on my motorcycle too! Having an under or over inflated tire isn’t as dangerous in a car as it could be on a motorcycle.

In the past I have written to consumer reports and popular mechanics regarding tire pressure gauges. A couple of times a year they harp on the importance of proper tire pressure in your vehicle. They usually even state something like, even 1 psi off can make a difference in fuel economy and handling. Well, I have used multiple tire gauges on my cars and have gotten different results repeatedly. So, I asked them to do a report on tire gauges to see which one is most accurate. As you can imagine, no response and I have yet to see a report testing them.

Moral of the story, I will be using two tire gauges to check the pressure in my tires from now on. I suggest everyone else to do the same.

October 22, 2014

Book Review

The Fulfilled Family by John MacArthur

This is a great book to give as a gift to someone getting married or starting a family.

MacArthur defines the family roles using scripture, mostly from Ephesians 5 - 6. There are five chapters:

  • The Family - mutual submission
  • The Wife - submission
  • The Husband - love
  • The Children - obedience
  • The Parent's - nurture and admonition
This is a short book, only 125 pages, and a quick read. MacArthur covers the material in enough detail to emphasize each member's role in the family structure. He also provides footnotes to other resources for further information.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the biblical role of the family and its members.


October 13, 2014

Price Discrepancy

I have been using the Gillette Sensor 3 disposable razors for a while now, mainly because of the price. I have noticed at Walmart a price discrepancy between the 4 pack and the 8 pack. The 4 pack sells for $4.97 or $1.25 a piece. The 8 pack sells for $13.47 or $1.69 a piece. This doesn't make any sense to me, sure the plastic bubble on the package is slightly larger to hold 4 more razors, but $0.44 extra per razor? Seems kind of strange to me.

I purchase the 4 pack for $4.97 with a $3 off coupon so my cost is closer to $0.50 a razor. Not too bad, especially when I take them off of the plastic disposable handle and put them on the sensor handle. The Sensor 3 replacement cartridges are about $2.50 a piece.

Gillette's pricing scheme just doesn't make sense to me.

Still thinking....




October 06, 2014

Mostly Reading, but still thinking on occasion.

The bulk of my most recent posts have been nothing but book reviews, but every once in a while I still think of something and here is today's thought.

We all have our morning or bedtime routines. It probably involves washing our face and hair, brushing our teeth and whatever else. Well I noticed something this morning. All of the products I use (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc) have a label on that gives you directions on how to use the product and also warnings about misusing the product.

Don't believe me, take a minute and check it out for yourself. They all have the label. Except for one product that I stumbled across this morning. My razor! I am currently using the Gillette Sensor 3 disposable razors and there are no instructions on the package nor are there any warning labels. What is more dangerous, a bottle of shampoo or a razor?

Very interesting thinking for today!


October 03, 2014

Book Review

Be Real by Warren W. Wiersbe

Warren Wiersbe takes the reader through the book of First John in his own unique way. I have seen many of Wiersbe's books advertised, but this is the first one I have read. It won't be the last either. I have a few more sitting on my shelf.

Each chapter, of which there are ten, examines a portion of First John. The author typically quotes portions of the passage being examined, other portions of Scripture, and includes a story or two to further illustrate his point.

The author attempts to guide the reader into living a real life of love and right living, all based upon First John. It seems to me the author came up with a clever title to his book and then made First John fit into his title.

First John is not about being "real." First John is about the fundamental basics of Christianity. Sure, love is a part of being a Christian, but so are faithfulness and obedience.

Overall, I was disappointed in this book. Sure, Wiersbe makes some great biblical points, but I wouldn't call this book a study guide or a review of First John. That being said, I will certainly read some other books of Wiersbe. He isn't wrong. The book just wasn't what I was expecting.