I finally took the big leap to the Wordpress platform and it hasn’t been easy. The importer is not working for me no matter what I try - and believe me, I have spent hours on this!

So I just may have to copy and paste my posts one at a time - yes, a royal pain. And it will take me a few days if not the rest of the week to get everything up and running. And then I have to learn WordPress.

As a result, you will be treated to a rehash of my previous blog posts (all 92 of them). And I really don’t know what will happen to my links. I think it will be messy.

I thought I would offer up fair warning.  In the meantime, my blog is still currently at http://neenmachine.blogspot.com if you want to see it in a nicer format.

I was relying on the new import feature in WordPress 2.2.2 but it’s just been one of those days. I also tried to do the three step import to wordpress.com and then to this site. But no go. As a final straw I tried to import my RSS feed and again no luck. So I’m thinking I am completely technologically inept or something is going on with the WordPress import feature. The reviews are mixed across the board with some shouting Hooray! and others in the same boat as me. Wouldn’t I like to be in the other group right now.

Thanks for your patience, and please stick with me until next week!

Currently all sunscreens are required to contain an SPF factor on their labels. SPF stands for “sun protection factor”. According to the FDA
“SPF is a measure of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce sunburn on protected skin (i.e., in the presence of sunscreen) relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin. As the SPF value increases, sunburn protection increases.”

SPF is often misunderstood. Some believe that the SPF number indicates how much time you can spend in the sun before having to reapply. But actually the number is just a relative marker to gauge how many UVB rays one product will block versus another product.

The effectiveness of a sunscreen ultimately depends on many factors including the following:

• your own skin pigmentation
• how often you reapply
• how much sunscreen you use in each application
• the time of day (the suns rays are stronger at midday)
• the type of activity you are doing (swimming and perspiration will wash away sunscreens)

Another area that is not well understood is the difference between UVA and UVB rays. Sunlight is composed of both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are the ones that cause your skin to burn and UVA rays cause skin to tan. Both types are bad and contribute to skin cancer. The SPF Factor only measures how effective the product is against UVB rays (the kind that burn). Many products have added some wording such as “broad spectrum” or “blocks both UVB and UVA rays” to their packaging. But there is no scale that tells the consumer how good the product actually is against blocking UVA rays.

The FDA has issued a new proposal (Docket No. 1978N-0038) that, if passed, will change the labeling on sunscreens with regards to UVA rays. The new system will be based on 4 stars. A one star rating would indicate low UVA protection and a four star rating would indicate high UVA protection. In addition to the 4 star system for UVA rays some highlights of the proposal are as follows:

• The SPF (UVB protection) would continue to be listed, but would now be called “sunBURN protection factor” as opposed to “sun protection factor”.
• The label would say “UVB protection” next to SPF
• There would be a warning statement in the Drug Facts box stating that it is important to limit the time spent in the sun, and wear protective clothing, in addition to using sunscreen.

Also, the FDA is inviting public comments on the use of nanoparticles in sunscreens and the use of new forms of suncreen such as mousses, foams, sprays, and towelettes. The FDA site has a question and answer page on the proposed rule and an article for consumers. If you would like to comment electronically to the FDA on the proposed rule click here or, alternatively, you can write to them at

Division of Dockets Management
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
Fax: 301-827-6870

Please include Docket No. 1978N-0038 on any correspondence.

Char at Weary Parent asks “Which High School Musical did you like best?”

That is a tough one for me because we are probably the only household (with tweens) on the planet that did not see the original High School Musical.

My kids seemed to have missed the hype over the first movie. But High School Musical 2 was an entirely different story. And the most excitement emanated from my 9 year old. He saw an article in USA Today about the then upcoming show and he began to count down the days to the premiere. (I was just impressed that he read the entire article!)

So, to answer Char’s question - well, High School Musical 2 was a big hit in our house!

Every summer, I always plan to really work with the kids on academic areas that they had trouble with the previous year. Maybe get some workbooks, do a few flashcards - just so they don’t get too “rusty”.

And every summer usually flies by without much academic work happening. Some would argue (my children being the most vocal) that that is how it should be.

But now with school just around the corner, I pulled out those trusty old flash cards, and was very surprised at how much “rust” could arise in a few short months.

To get the kids back on track, I found some great workbooks filled with math drills. Math Speed Tests, Grades 1-3 and Math Speed Tests, Grades 3-6 provide pages of drills on math facts. Each page only takes a few minutes, so the kids don’t mind too much. I time them and each day they try to beat their previous time. These are also good resources to use as the school year gets under way.

What are you doing during these last, lazy days of summer?

We are trying not to have much of a schedule. But between back to school physicals, eye doctor visits (my second son needs glasses - as determined in the back to school physical), dentist appointments, and the like, we are still pretty busy!

Apparently, I am not the only one with a geeky side (see my previous post on Apple and Spreadsheets). I love Apple - and I am not talking about the fruit. Truly, I could spend hours in a large Apple Store and be quite content.

Now, even the infamous Seth Godin has taken notice. He says that the Apple Store in Soho was crammed with couples, fashonistas, and women. Geez, techy women? You’ve got to be kidding!

Actually, his point is that Apple’s products have evolved to a point where they are now universally appealing.

But all of us tech savvy fashionistas knew that already, didn’t we?