According to their website:

Skin MD Natural™ utilizes the finest effective natural skin care ingredients for dry skin treatment along with the latest advances in dry skin care technology to hydrate and protect the skin.

This is an entirely new concept in skin care requiring a new classification: “Shielding Lotion”. A shielding lotion keeps moisture-robbing irritants away from the skin while the proprietary “super” humectants hydrate the skin throughout the day.

An accumulated effect of Skin MD Natural is fully realized after only a few days of daily use. Depending on how dry your skin is the first few days may require reapplications after only a few hours. Usually, after a few days of continuous use, only one or two daily applications are necessary for complete dry skin care.

Plus:  It definitely worked.  My hands weren’t itchy anymore, and the effect lasted throughout the day.  It did exactly what it was meant to do.

Minus:  Because of the “sheilding” part of the product, the insides of my hands had the shield as well.  That felt weird, and a little like my hands were dirty.  That was a definite turnoff for me.

Equals:  I’ve decided to give this one a neutral review.   On the one hand (ha!  a pun!) it worked great for the dry tops of my hands.  On the other…  I couldn’t stand that feeling on the inside of my hands.  Then again - the bottle is still on my desk at work, so I can’t say “negative review.”  This ones going into the neutral pile.  Because it was only the inside of my hands I had issue with (the part that touches stuff) I wonder if there would be any problems anywhere else.  I’m guessing not since you’re not going to be picking stuff up with your legs or face.  At least I hope not.

From Amazon:

Kenneth C. Davis, author of the phenomenal New York Times bestseller Don’t Know Much About History, presents a collection of extraordinary stories, each detailing an overlooked episode that shaped the nation’s destiny and character. Davis’ dramatic narratives set the record straight, busting myths and bringing to light little-known but fascinating facts from a time when the nation’s fate hung in the balance.

Spanning a period from the Spanish arrival in America to George Washington’s inauguration in 1789, America’s Hidden History details these episodes, among others:

• The story of the first real Pilgrims in America, who were wine-making French Huguenots, not dour English Separatists
• The coming-of-age story of Queen Isabella, who suggested that Columbus pack the moving mess hall of pigs that may have spread disease to many Native Americans
• The long, bloody relationship between the Pilgrims and Indians that runs counter to the idyllic scene of the Thanksgiving feast
• The little-known story of George Washington as a headstrong young soldier who committed a war crime, signed a confession, and started a war!

Full of color, intrigue, and human interest, America’s Hidden History is an iconoclastic look at America’s past, connecting some of the dots between history and today’s headlines, proving why Davis is truly America’s Teacher.

PLUS:  The information in this book does not take on a snobby overly intellectual look at the subject matter.  It is very readable by a layman - and I am certainly a layman in history.  Of particular fun for me was the introduction to each section…  Quotes from the time of the historical figures involved.  Such as, “Arnold has betrayed us!  Whom can we trust now?” - George Washington (September 1780) speaking about Benedict Arnold.  Also helpful were the timelines before each section.  The content itself is also a plus.  These are not stories that you read about in history class in school, so while much of the surrounding historical context is familiar, it is merely setting for new stories to you.  There is an extensive bibliography, as well as an index in the back of the book, which in my opinion lends credibility.

MINUS:  This book is for history buffs, in my opinion.  The information is dry - and we’re not talking about fictionalized accounts, so some of it is QUITE dry.

EQUALS:   A positive review.  Although it’s not for me, personally, that is completely about genre, and not about quality.  If you’re an American history buff, this is a must-read.

I received this book gratis as a review copy.

Because this is a comparison, I won’t do my usual equation form of review.

Basically, this gave me an opportunity. You see, my dishes have been coming out of the dishwasher scuzzy with soap residue. That white stuff, that I’m never sure is soap or hardwater stains? So - since my usual dishwasher soap is called, “whatever’s on sale that I have a coupon for,” I thought this would be a great chance to pay attention. Is it the soap? Or is it my dishwasher?

I needed to clean up the kitchen. While I did so, rinsing dishes, wiping counters, etc, I separated the dishes into two loads, fairly similar in size. I put the first load through with the Cascade, and the second through with the Electrasol.

So. The verdict? I hate to be so blah about the whole thing… but I did NOT notice a difference between the two. Seriously. AND I had the same soap scummy stuff on it - which tells me it’s my dishwasher.

Since I cannot give you a definitive “Buy This One!”, I checked out the prices, thinking I could give you a better price! Because I’m nice that way! But I CANNOT. The prices (at vons.com for today anyway) were exactly the same, same size, and price per ounce.

What this comes down to, I think, is personal preference.

On this review, I was shipped the full contents free of charge, however, no monetary compensation was received.

The last two years running I ordered school supplies from someone else. But this year, depending on the school lists, I will be going with EZSchoolSupplies.com.

The good people sent me a sample pack of supplies:

After having handled them, they are good quality products from known brands.

The company is headquartered in Denver, CO and have been around for five years. They provide their services to thousands of schools and parents across the country. Mothers love them because they can order online the exact school supplies requested by the school or the teachers for each specific grade level and have them delivered right to their home.

They offer over 26,000 brand name items on their website and can deliver from 32 distribution centers strategically located throughout the U.S. Us moms no longer have to go on the dreaded scavenger-hunt to four different stores to search for their school supplies.

You can purchase individually, but for the schools that have signed up with them, they give them back a 10% donation to assist them with their fund raising efforts.

And to make it even sweeter for you to do so, EZSchoolSupplies.com has even given me a promotional code to give YOU 10% off.

If this entry gets pushed off the page, you can still find it in my sidebar as well.

So take this offer, and make your shopping for school supplies easier this year!

From their email to me:

Despite economic concerns and rising gasoline prices, 70% of U.S. families intend to travel this summer, according to a new survey sponsored by ADlytics. However, shifts in demographics and lifestyles have broadened our definition of “family” and nuclear family travel is no longer the norm.According to the 2006 Statistics for the Travel & Tourism Industry, 43% of weekend trips are taken by couples without their children. In addition, children are now more likely to travel with family members other than their parents:

* 20% of grandparents have been on a trip with their grandchildren in the past year and,
* 15% of singles have been on a vacation with their nieces, nephews or other young relatives in the past year

So how do you ensure that your children remain safe and protected while traveling without you? Forms4Parents.com is a website that allows parents to customize forms to their unique family situation and provide travel consents, temporary custodial authority and medical authorizations, with important medical information about your child along with emergency contacts and insurance information. This is all clarified in a comprehensive legal consent form designed for your family. The forms are prepared online and downloaded in a matter of minutes!

Launched in February 2008, Forms4Parents.com addresses the need to provide security for children and peace of mind for parents and guardians alike when traveling.Created by mother and attorney Linda Kagan, Forms4Parents.com allows parents to customize consent forms to their unique family situation and specify travel authority, temporary custodial authority, medical authority with important information about your child along with emergency contacts and necessary insurance information.

Forms are separated individually by category and may be purchased individually or as packages such as Traveling Parents; Traveling with Relatives; Babysitter or Relatives Caring for Baby, Toddler or Children; Traveling Children & Teenagers (Domestic & International Travel); and Americans Living Abroad. Individual forms are priced at $16.95 and packages are $34.95.

So, what’s in it for you? From now until Labor Day (Monday September 1, 2008) Forms4Parents.com is offering 25% off your total purchase.

Enter promotional code SUMMERTRAVEL for a 25% discount off your total purchase.

Our winner for the SmartyPig Giveaway is Kimberly! I would link you, but you didn’t leave a website, just your email. I’ve sent you an email to get your address, so be sure to get back to me.

Congratulations! and use your savings wisely

About SmartyPig: Opening an account on SmartyPig is absolutely FREE. In fact, you can open your account, create a goal, reach your goal, and redeem your goal, and SmartyPig won’t charge you a thing.

SmartyPig savings accounts are held in West Bank (NASDAQ: WTBA) and are FDIC insured, so consumers can be confident their financial information and savings are secure. SmartyPig also utilizes the services of VeriSign, HACKER SAFE and TRUSTe.

SmartyPig is the only banking application that is social. The technology is one-of-a-kind. SmartyPig allows family and friends to help consumers reach their savings goals. This is free to SmartyPig customers, as well.

SmartyPig has been described as “Banking 2.0″ and is a cool way for parents trying to teach their children about good financial habits in a world where the concept of saving up for something before buying it has become foreign.

SmartyPig currently offers the highly competitive interest rate of 3.9% (Annual Percentage Yield)* and will always maintain a competitive interest rate for account holders.

SmartyPig gives consumers even more for their money by offering additional incentive boosts (up to 5%) from best-in-class retailer partners like Best Buy, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Sandals and Home Depot when they reach a savings goal.

SmartyPig’s smart, simple and secure approach to savings teaches the benefits of good financial habits, reverses the credit card “buy now, pay later” mentality and makes saving money a fun and easy experience.

In just 10 weeks, SmartyPig has customers in all 50 states and D.C.

SmartyPig was awarded “Best of the Web” by NetBanker.com.

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of May 28, 2008. Rates may change at any time without prior notice. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Minimum opening balance is $25.

So… If you want the chance to open a savings account with SmartyPig… Leave a comment here. You have until 11:59pm on Monday June, 30th. I’ll pick someone with a random generator, and send the lucky winner the card that I happen to have in my hot little hands!

Posting is likely to still be light, as I get all my ducks in a row, and get back on my feet with everything that went by the wayside.  Stay tuned.