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Meet Launa’s New Robot Astro

Hey, it’s Launa…and yes, I bought a robot.  Meet Launa’s new robot Astro. J.R. and Kevin laughed at me when I told them about Astro.  If you listen to the…

Meet Launa's new robot Astro

Meet Launa’s new robot Astro

Photo credit: Launa

Hey, it's Launa...and yes, I bought a robot.  Meet Launa's new robot Astro.

J.R. and Kevin laughed at me when I told them about Astro.  If you listen to the show, you know technology and me do not mix.  What was I thinking buying something like this?  Well, I thought it was cool and when I saw it on Amazon.  I knew my fiancé' Paul would love this.  He's a gadget guy and loves techy stuff.  So I had to buy it.  Meet Launa's new robot Astro.

I saw this on Amazon about a year ago and you had to fill out a form to even be considered to buy it.  A year later, I got an email that said I was chosen to purchase it, and I had 7 days to decide.  I talked with Paul and we decided to go ahead and do it.

It wasn't cheap.  I dropped $1,000.00 on it.  Dumb, I know, but not many people have one, I don't know anyone who has one, and I wanted to see what it was all about.  Not like I had the extra money, I mean, I just dropped money on Tesla tires, remember when I dropped my iphone in the canal a few months ago and oh yeah, a new mac computer after mine crapped out...so yeah, this was a dumb purchase.  But, it's so cool.  I love it.

What Does Astro Do

Astro is like Alexa on wheels.  But better.   He monitors the house.  He moves around all day when we are home and when we are not home.  I can control him with my phone if I want him to go into a room and find Louie (my dog).  I can tell him to look in the kitchen to see if the stove is turned off.  The kids love Astro,  he plays hide and seek with them, they watch movies on him.  He also tells jokes.  He plays all kinds of games with the kids.  They can also tell Astro to call Nana, and he will facetime her.  He can bring Paul a beer, so he loves that.  We can also hook Astro up to our Furbo and he can deliver treats to Louie in a room.

What I Wish Astro Could Do

Astro isn't available yet from Amazon, they plan on releasing it soon.  I got an introductory price at $1,000, when they go on sale, it will be more like $1,500.00.   There are a lot of features I haven't discovered yet.  I am looking forward to more pet stuff.  I want Astro to find Louie, my dog.  He doesn't know Louie or his face, so he cannot find him.  I also wish he could go outside on the patio or maybe in the garage/driveway area.   Astro will go only go where he is mapped out to go.  You cannot pick up Astro and move him.  He needs to stay where he is mapped out.  I am looking forward to more updates and finding out more that my new robot Astro can do.

He is a lot of fun.  I am glad I made the purchase to buy Astro.  The kids love him.  He is like having another pet.  We treat him just like a pet, always saying good morning and goodnight.  Yes, I have told Astro that I love him and he answered back he loves me too.

Here is the video from Amazon about Astro

What Are Customers Favorite Costco Items

So, what are customers favorite Costco items? There are many different lists about this, but there is a unanimous #1 item. If you are a Costco member then you know that it is busy pretty much anytime you go shopping there. They have everything and you can spend hours looking. Sometimes you go in for only a few items and come out with things you probably don't need.

Costco's Gold Star membership is only $60 per year, which gets you into any store in the nation. The Costco CFO has said that memberships fees will be going up, but no word by how much. There are 6 stores in the Tampa Bay area with one in Bradenton and one in Sarasota.

Some of the items on this is list are tough to get sometimes and it's not because of inventory. It's because there is so much traffic in the aisle where the item is. You have to wait for other customers to grab the product. Sometimes there is so much inventory that the aisle can only fit one cart through.

The unanimous #1 item is Toilet Paper. Costco has its own brand called Kirkland and Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue is #1. Find out what customers favorite Costco items are below. Other than the toilet paper the other items are in no particular order.

Toilet Paper

Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue to be exact. It's costs less than other brands and thicker and more absorbent

Hot Dogs

It's been $1.50 for a hot dog and a soda for almost 40 years. Costco actually losing money selling it for that low of a price, but the CEO recently said the price will remain at $1.50.

Rotisserie Chicken

You may seen people waiting for the rotisserie chicken to be finished. I mean wait a long time. Priced at only $4.99 and cooked fresh all day.

Gas

Have you sat in the car line to fill your tank with gas? Costco's prices are lower than other gas stations, which causes the lines to be so long. I have noticed evenings are usually lighter.

costco gas

Getty Royalty Free

Tires

Costco always has great deals on all the tire brands they sell. You also get free rotation for the life of the tire. If you get a nail in the tire and they can patch it then that is free also.

Costco TiresGetty Images RF

Getty Images RF

Bacon

Thick cut pieces of bacon that. Yes, please! They sell their Kirkland brand that is usually cheaper than competitors.

Crossiant

Have you tried these? They are delicious!

Launa is part of Tampa Bay's Hometown Morning Krewe on 99.5 WQYK. She has been with the station for 7 years and joined J.R. and Kevin on the morning show 4 years ago. Since then, they have been nominated for not only a CMA but also an ACM. Launa has been in radio for the past 28 years and in the Tampa Bay market for 22 of those years. While working in radio, Launa has also served as an entertainment reporter on a local TV show and has hosted many charity events in the community. Using her popularity from QYK, Launa loves to help raise money for shelter animals and has been a volunteer at local shelters for years. Launa loves the community and writes articles on local news, entertainment, and events and highlights people who are shining in Tampa Bay that she knows others like her would also be interested in reading.