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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Preventing Identity Theft

I've been hearing a lot about identity theft online, but there's an even greater danger in brick and mortar stores. Your credit information can be stolen even when you don't take your card out of your wallet! That's scary! Apparently chips in the cards can be read from several feet away, through material and most common wallets. Just when you thought you had enough to worry about when shopping online. I've seen special wallets for sale that prevent that type of theft. I'm thinking getting contactless cards is a good idea. How often are you in a store with your credit cards in your pocket or purse? I mean, I know I am a lot. I don't go anywhere without them, so I am always vulnerable. If it stops just one instance of possible theft, it's well worth the purchase I think. Even if you stop any charges in time, it's a HUGE hassle to have to do it. What's that old saying? An ounce of prevention, in this case it's worth more than a pound of cure.

Friday, January 27, 2012

My Review of the Nebula from VaporNine

First I want to say that I am not getting paid in any way (product or cash) for the reviews on e-cigarettes I am doing. I am searching on my own for a product that will help me quit smoking cigarettes, and I've found it.

The first e-cig was good, but not good enough to provide the satisfaction that allowed me to completely give up cigarettes. It did help me cut down, but then I found the Nebula.


At the very base of this product is a KR808D-1. While the K808 as it is sometimes called is not as versatile or customizable as a 501 or 510 base unit, it is plenty versatile in that you can find cartomizers at almost any reputable vendor and get chargers, drip tips and other add-ons for it. The ability to shop around for the best price, or pick up a pack of cartomizers (the part that resembles a cigarette's filter, and holds the juice and atomizer in this two-piece unit) when you buy juice at any vendor makes it very convenient.

As for the basic KR808D-1 model, there are a LOT of e-cigarettes out there being sold under various brand names using this model, so the Nebula is not necessarily "unique" but in the world of "pen-style" closely resembling what those using e-cigarettes (calling themselves vapers) call analog cigarettes, the KR808D-1 has a very solid reputation for being reliable and producing good results.

I didn't know that when I found the Nebula on the VaporNine.com website. I found out afterwards while I waited, and I was then very anxious to recieve my starter kit. What I did know when I found the VaporNine.com website was that I hadn't seen this kit for a better price anywhere!

On the VaporNine website, the Nebula starter kit is $29.95. That's the lowest I saw anywhere. Of course, you have to pay shipping and taxes, but it is still an amazing value.

Shipping was very fast. They sent out the kit the day after I ordered, and I got it two postal business days later (can't count Sundays).

What You Get

In the box (which is very attractive and makes a good storage unit for the kit) there are two KR808D-1 batteries, one USB charger and an AC adapter so you can charge the battery (only one at a time) either using a computer or from any wall outlet, and a set of 5 cartomizers come along with the kit. You can choose any flavor they stock, or regular tobacco flavors in varying strengths of nicotine.

I chose their Blueberry in a 24mg strength.


The Results

I LOVE this e-cigarette! The very first day I was down to just 3 "analog" cigarettes, and the next day just one, and I haven't had a single one today (the third day) and I don't have any desire for one!

The flavoring in the blueberry is very mild. I'd say a bit too mild, I would have liked a stronger flavor, but I also bought 3 - 10ml bottles of Carolina tobacco 24 mg juice to refill and that is very satisfying. The blueberry is plenty satisfying as a nicotine replacement, and I don't crave cigarettes anymore even with that, it's just the flavoring I had a little issue with.

The actual e-cig Nebula unit is fantastic for a small battery style unit. It produces easy vapor with low resistance. Not the lung-pulling inhalation of the last e-cig I tried. The biggest drawback is the small cigarette sized batteries do not last long. It takes 2 hours to charge them, and they only last about 2.5 or 3 hours depending on use. I do use them heavily in general though. On the upside, there are two of them, so I can keep things in rotation fairly comfortably. I did order a few extra batteries that I'm waiting on, one is called the "monster" that is supposed to give some extra time. I'll let you know how that works when I get it.

Overall, I'm very happy with the way this works and you can't beat the price! I have a 510 3.7v unit coming that I ordered today. I figured I'd use that at home for much longer, stronger vapeing time, but I won't be giving up my Nebula any time soon. It's great for when you're on the go, and just a nice size for casual daily vaping. The bigger unit I am hoping will give me a little break on the charging though.

Conclusion: If you're new to vapeing, and want a PV (personal vaporizer/e-cigarette) that works great and is very affordable, you can't beat this.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Spring's Coming, and So are the Flowers

It's been a mild, and slightly weird winter weather wise, but it's still too early to be thinking about gardening. I am though. It's kind of cool to think about some of the things I want to do since we're in a new place. The yard is much MUCH smaller, but also much, MUCH more manageable. It also has far better dirt than at our other house. So I'm really looking forward to getting started. I did a little bit last summer, but there was so much going on with my hubby's health issue, cleaning and moving, and getting rid of all the over-growth already here. So I only got a few small things done last summer. This year, I'm all set to really get things done.

I have a lot of tools, but there are some gardening tools on my wish list that I have to get together for spring. Another thing we need, although not exactly a gardening tool, is a new lawn mower. We had one regular lawn mower at the old house that didn't work, and there were THREE here, and none of them work either. Well one limps through it, but it's a real chore to mow even this small lawn with it. Our big tractor mower is just far too big to maneuver on this property, so we need a new one.

It will be a lot of fun though. I can't wait for winter to be over.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

My E-Cig Review

I received the E-Cig in the mail on Saturday. It is a nice looking piece. One of the most "cigarette" looking styles of electronic cigarette.



The starter kit comes with one battery (the long white part of the cigarette), and 2 cartomizers (the filter looking part of the cigarette that holds the nicotine soaked filter and the heating element), 1 USB charger and 1 case to hold the battery and 2 cartomizers.



The Cons

It is a high resistance type. That means you have to suck harder to get anything out of it. Some people like that. I prefer less resistance.

The battery lasts about 6 to 8 hours. Not bad for an e-cigarette, but not great. It takes about 2 hours to charge. That wouldn't be bad if the starter kit came with two batteries, but it only comes with one. That means a 2 hours down time unless you have something to take it's place.

It only comes with a USB charger so unless you are near your computer, and it is on, you can't charge it. Many kits also come with an AC wall adapter that you can plug the USB plug into and charge it anywhere you have an outlet.

Replacement cartomizers are VERY expensive. They don't tell you that you can refill the existing cartomizers, and do not sell the liquids. However, you can buy refill nicotine liquid from any supplier and use it to refill the e-cig cartomizers. There is a limit to how often you can refill a cartomizer before it is spent, however, so you will eventually have to buy some. I have yet to find out if other brand cartomizers fit with this battery. If it is a 501 then there are other options for refills that will cost a LOT less.

The biggest "con" is that the e-cig company automatically enrolls you in a refill subscription before you even have a chance to try the starter kit. They say you can stop the automatic refill by emailing or calling them. I have emailed them. I'll let you know what happens, and if they do stop the subscription.

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Accessories

You can purchase several accessories such as car charger, AC wall adapter, and even a charging case.

SNOW DAY PLEASE!

Guest post from: Constance Rodgers

I constantly checked the weather updates last night using my wireless internet Covington connection. Word of a really big snow and ice storm coming through had been talked about for the last week. I hate to say that I love when big storms like that come through, but I definitely do. I am a school teacher. Enough ice on the roads and that means that class is cancelled. One time a couple of years ago, we ended up missing a whole week of school because of a snow storm. The weather wasn’t even that bad ( by Western standards, where I am from). So of course, the updates and alerts were pretty certain that there was going to be no school. I went to bed thinking that I was going to be able to sleep in. When I woke up at six o’clock to check the status, I was disappointed when I saw nothing had accumulated on the ground. What a bummer! I guess I will just have to wait until next time, but it can’t come soon enough!

More on the E-Cigarette

E Cigarettes?

I decided to try and quit smoking actual cigarettes by going with an electric cigarette. Commonly known as e-cigs, they have some drawbacks, but are largely a big health improvement over regular tobacco cigarettes.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

February 14th Coming Fast

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's the middle of January, and February 14th is right around the corner. Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorites. It just makes sense that there's a day dedicated to love. I remember the fun of Valentine's Day at school when I was a kid. I have to admit that when my kids were going through that, the work of helping them get all the cards and treats together, and buying it all wasn't always that much fun.

However, now with my grand kids it is a lot more fun for me. I find myself thinking about what kinds of valentines gifts for kids to get each of them, and how much fun they will have at school. Of course, I'm looking forward to what kind of gift I'm going to get from my husband too, but there's so much more joy in watching the kids find the joy in celebrating love and friendship.

Summer Thoughts in Winter

Went to the Chicago boat show this weekend. It was fun. It seems strange to be talking about boats and touring boats in the middle of winter. In the past it was always a precursor to fun summer water life. However, last year due to my husband's illness we didn't get on the water and our boat stayed in its shed in the driveway. I think it may again this year. Things aren't really looking up. That's okay, it's life, but I do miss it, and it put a little bit of a pale over the boat show. We didn't even tour everything. Somehow it was a little sad.

However, I'm still sore from all the walking we did do. LOL

Monday, January 09, 2012

On the Move with Mobile Apps

I have been looking for a tablet for quite some time and I think I'm in love! For many years I resisted the idea of a laptop, certain that my desktop was all I would ever need, but now I am fully integrated in the mobile age, and having a laptop makes it easy to take work anywhere at anytime. Still there are some places where carrying a laptop is just plain inconvenient, and unnecessary. I don't plan on working, but need to be in contact, check emails, and it would be great to be able to watch videos, play games and do things with my apps on a screen bigger than my phone's 3 incher. The RIM has a Blackberry that is to dream of. It would be perfect, and I love the fact that it is so compatible with all of the Android apps that I already use. I have got to get me one of these!

Moving at a Desk Job

If you have never tried chair aerobics, you're in for a great treat. This is a cool, surprisingly good workout that only takes about 11 minutes out of the day. Give it a shot and see if those of you that spend your days working at a desk can't find a few minutes on a break to get some cardio in while getting your body moving.