New Sewing Machine!!! WOO HOO!!!

Today I managed to get my hands on a new sewing machine. Well, new to me, but nonetheless, new. I am so excited! My favorite crafting blog ever, Ruffles & Stuff, has had some super cute projects that I'm dying to try. The one I'm the most anxious to make I can probably do pretty soon - Tiny tights to knee high socks. I think these are so adorable! There are a few other ideas that are super cute from that blog, so I'm totally sold on trying a few of them out. I think I might be raiding my daughters sock drawer looking for her old tights tonight....

Funnix Beginning Reading Program

Through the end of January, Funnix is offering their Beginning Reading program and Funnix 2 program for FREE! Since I'm all for anything that's free, I decided to give it a shot, since it's about a $249 purchase, typically.

We haven't started the program yet, but I figure since Hannah can recognize all of her letters and knows at least one sound most of them make, I thought it wouldn't necessarily hurt to give it a whirl. 

The course was put together by Siegfried Engelmann. "Zig" received the Council of Scientific Society Presidents' 2002 Award of Achievement in Education Research, and has authored books including Give Your Child A Superior Mind and Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons. You can find out more about Zig here. Looks like he's done some pretty impressive stuff, so I was inclined to try this program out. 

Everything I've heard is that this isn't a program to park your child in front of, then let them do it while you vacuum the living room - which is fine with me, because 1) I hate vacuuming, and 2) I wanted something that I could do with my daughter. We haven't gotten to start it yet, like I said above, but I have installed the program on my computer, and I need to find some time to print out all the papers that go with the program. There are 120 sheets that go with the first lessons, and 100 that go with the second, all of which need to be printed in order to use it with the program. There is also a teachers guide that goes with it, which I will read, but probably won't print out, because who can afford to print that much stuff??

The PDF workbooks are included so you are getting almost the complete Funnix system, which normally costs $249 plus shipping. There are no special codes required and it appears they are offering the Funnix system for free during the entire month of January. Also, the software won't expire, so once you have it, you have it forever.

The downloads take about an hour each on a cable internet connection, and there are three of them, so don't plan to download this when you want to start working with your child. This will take some preparation. I'll keep everyone posted of our progress (or not, if there isn't any), and I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the Funnix program too. Have you tried it? What do you think of it? Did it work for your child(ren)?

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. The Funnix software if free to everyone until January 31 (per the Funnix site). I am sharing this as a helpful resource to others who want to teach their child to read.

A simple way to make life better

This is my year.

This is my year to make my life better.

So, how am I going to do this? Well, by making simple changes in my life. As a working mom, simple is about the best I can do, but it's already been an improvement!

My big change this year was to just start walking on my treadmill three days a week. It was so hard to motivate myself to want to do it when I first started, but I feel so much better now that I've been doing it so much! My energy level is up, and I find myself able to keep up with my daughter, which makes our days so much more fun!

Another simple change I've made is to change the way I eat. Instead of eating candy bars and cookies all day (though trust me, those are still some of my favorite foods!), I eat more fruit, and when I really need something sweet to eat, those Special K Chocolaty Drizzle bars are the best! Their only 90 calories! But fruit, by far, has been one of the best changes for me. I started doing Weight Watchers before the new year, and on their current plan, I can eat as much fruit as I want! Not to mention, SIMPLE! Apples - don't have to peel them. Bananas - no core to deal with! And, my favorite fruit is now available in the grocery stores again! Yay! If you haven't tried an Ugli fruit (or a Uniq fruit), you've got to give them a go!

There are so many simple changes one can make in their day to day life that will make them feel so much better about the life they live.

Maybe it's to build your savings - put $5 per week in a savings account. It's amazing how fast that adds up!

Is your goal to get in shape? Find a friend and start walking!

Maybe you want to learn a new hobby? Start by taking a class! 

These are all simple things you can do to make a positive change in your life. Some things might be more time consuming than others, but they're simple changes just the same.

Have you made a simple change in your life that you want to share? Leave me a comment and tell me about it! Let's work together to make 2011 our year!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Simply Orange® blogging program. If I am one of the first 65 blogs received by SocialsMoms, I will receive a $25 Target gift card and a gift pack that includes a Simply Orange® cooler bag and logoed fleece.