*chortle*

This could put Massengil out of business

Does it vibrate too?

They didn't say....wondering if it's silent?
Found it next to the shake weight....

Here is a link that might be useful: work out for your arms

Linda. That Shake Weight is for gals as well. Whatver you do....don't go googling 'shake weight parody' or 'shake weight spoof'.....well, go for it. But don't say I didn't warn you!

Linda, Thanks for posting about this. I picked one up yesterday in my local TM; it was the last one left. About 10 weeks ago, I tried to buy a ''travel-sized'' UV wand, but it didn't work so I took it back. I have uv lights on my ductwork for heating/cooling, which killed the mold inside them that was making me horribly sick. (The nice thing about this one is you can turn it on for longer periods of time without it shutting itself off.) I bought it for pillows, mattress, computer keyboard, door handles, etc., especially during cold/flu season. (For me, it's better than using a lot of sprays that get into the respiratory system, and wipes are sometimes drying as I'm constantly washing my hands all the time anyway, so I love this.) It's also wonderful for things like stuffed animals and shared toys. I even run it over my library books before I read them. If you are prone to asthma or have any kind of respiratory issues, it's great. Death to dust mites!

The one I bought is a little too big for taking to the grocery store for cart handles, but for using in your home, oh yeah.

I'll just say however, the Shake Weight looks a little obscene...

I might buy the Shake Weight just to see the accessories catalogue that surely comes with it.

Claire - Is there any scientific backup supporting those UV lights killing mold in your HVAC system? Just wondering, because I've been dealing with a mold issue and back when I researched it my conclusion was that no chemicals are guaranteed to solve the problem. So I ended up gutting and reframing that portion of my house. (Exterior bathroom wall.) I'd have loved to just turn on a light instead, but that option never showed up in my searches.

Actually FOAS, there is. I can't point you to the research (I've slept since then), but will tell you within two weeks, I was a new person. Something happened which totally freaked me out...you know about canaries in the coal mine? I had two canaries die, inside my house during the summer months while the A/C was running full time. They were wheezing (as was I), and died rather unexpectedly. I thought I was dealing with radon, but had my dh look into UV lights. The guy who sold them to us said he always felt like he had smoke in his lungs...he could taste it. When I heard that, I started to cry, because that is EXACTLY what I was experiencing. I was sick All The Time, tasting smoke, and not being able to breathe. At the time, I knew some people with ponds were using UV light to kill algae in their ponds, which was working well to keep the fish healthy without chemicals. What is recommended is to put a light on the intake and outflow duct (2 lights), so it kills the mold coming and going. I thought at the time I was living in a ''sick house'' and I was. We discovered these in 2003, and this literally took care of it and I've been healthy since.

You do need to use UV protection when using this light, and avoid looking at it to protect your eyes. It is not recommended for skin, so I always wear sunglasses, just like I wear earplugs when I mow the lawn. I know for a fact that UV works. During those times of the year when the fan isn't running because of moderate temperature (fall and spring), I wheeze a bit more until the AC kicks in. We always keep the fan going which helps. They recommend changing each bulb once a year as they're on all the time and do wear out. The bulbs are not inexpensive, but it beats feeling like carp or going to the doctor's office. Worth Every Penny!

FOAS, Here's just one thing you might find interesting, about the EPA's findings. It is their Technology Evaluation Report regarding...

Here is a link that might be useful: Biological Inactivation Efficiency by HVAC In-duct UV Light Systems

Thanks for the link. With a quick search earlier I didn't immediately find anything from a reliable source, i.e. from someone who's not looking to sell me something. I will definitely give it a more in-depth read.

Claire, Interesting that you mention tasting smoke! for a short while in KY we rented an older house. Over the summer, I got almost obsessive about brushing my teeth several times a day because I kept tasting smoke! (I haven't smoked in 30 years.) It was driving me nuts! It wouldn't surprise me a bit if the house had mold in the ductwork.

Yes, that was a symptom I was having that I couldn't seem to get across to anyone (who wasn't being affected like I was). I was so grateful to hear that someone else was tasting the smoke! Did you notice being wheezy when you were inside the house?

The HVAC guy explained to me that it's a perfect place for mold, especially if there's a humidifier on the unit.

Claire, I don't think so, but we only lived there a year, and the second half of that I was working 14-15 hour days and was only there to sleep. Normally, I'd have chalked it up to DH's smoking (although he does that outside), but at the time he had quit several months earlier. And I know the house had "issues" because the bathroom had water damage.

Aaaahhhhhhhh!