(NAPSI)-Letting in the sunshine could be a bright idea–especially when you update your home with energy-efficient windows. Homeowners installing qualifying windows can get as much as $1,500 back from the government under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“There’s never been a better time to replace your old, inefficient windows,” said James Ruppel, window expert at Four Seasons Sunrooms. “The government is actually paying you to save money on your energy bills.”

Four Seasons Sunrooms–the award-winning sunroom, conservatory, patio room and enclosure manufacturer–recently expanded its product line with energy-efficient windows that meet and exceed the U.S. government’s strict energy-efficiency criteria for a 30 percent tax credit. Made with the company’s exclusive super energy-efficient ConservaGlass Select technology, the heavy-duty vinyl replacement windows include, at no extra charge, consumer-friendly features such as Stay-Clean Technology, which keeps the glass cleaner longer; Glass Masking, which protects the windows during transport and installation; and a Transferable Lifetime Warranty that protects your investment for the lifetime of the windows, even if you sell your home.

The company is well known for the outstanding performance of its year-round solariums, screen rooms and patio enclosures and is is now bringing its over 35 years of experience to consumers with super energy-efficient windows.

For more information, visit Four Seasons Sunrooms.com.

After many years of submerging my hands in water, doing household chores, cleaning, diaper changing, etc., my hands have become extremely rough. They’re so rough that I’m scared to touch myself.

Wiping away tears means that I’ve got to pull my long sleeved shirt over my hands to wipe my daughter’s tears or giving a soothing back rub means that I’ve got to cover my hands first or else I might draw blood.

Lotions, Creams and Other Stuff

I tried all kinds of lotions and creams to ‘take the edge off’ of my sandy hands, but nothing seemed to work. Little did I know that the solution was sitting in my kitchen all the time.

My Rough Hand Solution

It’s so simple that I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner. In a small bowl I poured sea salt (finely ground, not the chunks), some olive oil (just enough to make a paste) and a squirt of homemade hand soap (any liquid hand soap will do).

After wetting my hands with warm water, I apply the paste and massage the palms and backs of my hands (don’t forget to get between the fingers too). The salt helps to remove the dead, dry, craggy skin while the olive oil helps to moisturize at the same time.

The squirt of hand soap makes it easier to rinse it off with warm water. First I tried the hand scrub without the squirt of hand soap and realized that I had oily hands (oil and water just won’t mix). I needed a small amount of soap to encourage the mixture to come off of my hands.

I guess you could always omit the soap and just wash your hands with soap afterward, but the soap will serve to dry your hands out again (just what we’re trying to avoid).

You’ll be amazed at how soft your hands will become. I leave a little container of the mixture next to the kitchen sink, so at the end of the day, or at the end of a heavy cleaning session, I use the mixture to soften up again. After my hands are dry, just for safe measure, I apply my favorite hand lotion.

No More Embarrassment

No longer am I afraid to touch people. The other day in church the Pastor asked that we try something a little different. “Let’s try holding hands as we pray today.” I looked to the right and to the left and was able to confidently take the hands of the people standing next to me without fear of them screaming in pain and drawing back bloody stumps for hands.

If you have rough, dry hands, give it a try, you’ve got nothing to lose.

If you have not done so already, I strongly suggest that you take a look at the Consumer World website.  In addition to looking through the website, you should sign up for their newsletter.

Consumer World has a fountain of information that everyone who buys anything should be aware of.  As a result of a link from their site, I recently read an article on how Purina Dog Food reduced the size of their dog food bag from 20 pounds to 18 pounds.  The price?  Well of course the price remained the same.

The folks at Mouse Print attempted on more than one occasion to get an explanation from Purina as to the reason for the downsized portions.  Rather than re-word their findings, check it out for yourself.

Lots of Info

No need for me to say anymore.  Check them out and check out the sites they link to.  If you’re like me, you’ll bookmark the Consumer World as a valuable resource.