Smartphone pictures pose privacy risks

For any of you that have an iPhone or another smart phone, PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO!

Bamboopink is the newest craze!

So, if you're on Facebook, my guess is that you've been seeing an explosion of a company called Bamboopink. If you haven't seen this explosion yet, I think you probably just either live under a rock or don't log on nearly enough. 


Let me give you a rundown:

You have until March 15^th to sign up as many friends and family members as possible with no sign up fees during the pre-registration period.  After that, the company will go into its Pre-Launch Marketing phase, followed with a major national marketing campaign making the opportunity available to everyone.

Your commission is at least 25% on all your sales. You also make a commission on the sales of EVERYONE you sign up! So if you have 10 people signed up under you you have the potential of making more money from their sales then from your own. You have until March 15 to get people signed up for free. Every person signed up under you can then get people signed up under them, thus making you even more money! You make a commission from your team, from their team on and on. Tthe actual commission percentages will not be released yet because they do not want their competition to know how awesome it is. Trust me, I know the numbers and it is amazing! You want to get some people on your team!

If you sell $1000 a month you make an extra 5% commission on all of your sales. 

All of the jewelry ranges from ABOUT $19 to $100! How many people do you know that could buy products in that range? I know lots. The prices are more competetive than Silpada and Lia Sophia, plus no cost to join up. 

This is just a handful of the info that is becoming available to the people who sign up now. I think the best part of it is that if, after signing up, anyone decides this isn't the opportunity for them, then they will be able to leave, with no obligation to the company, and (if signing up before 3/15) with no risk or loss!

To learn more about Bamboopink, visit http://www.mypinkinfo.com, and to sign up, visit http://www.bamboopink.com/mamaluna

Family Dinner Etiquette

Does your family eat with elbows on the table? Food in their mouth? Do they back talk you? What are some good ways to deal with rude behavior? If your family is anything like mine, you may have some work to do. 

It seems that today’s kids are bombarded with images of rude behavior - on TV, the bus, or in the classroom. It's considered "normal" to see kids wearing earphones while having a conversation with someone, or to spend hours on the phone or computer without regard to other family members needs.

So, what are some ways to deal with this behavior, and work towards modifying it? Let's look at some ideas:

1) Start by saying "Please," "Thank you," and "You're welcome." This is one of the most basic forms of etiquette, and one that people will appreciate anywhere, not just the table. Use these words all the time with your children, and they will start using them too. Role play, if that helps.  

2) Offer to help. Help set the table or clear the table. Imagine how impressed friends parents would be if your child helps with dinner! Definite brownie points with the girlfriend/boyfriend if the parents see this as the child gets older! These kids are sure to be invited over again.

3) Positive reinforcement - Point out the good behavior when you see it. Children like to please their parents, especially younger children. As a parent, I know that my daughter responds much better to positive reinforcement then to me yelling “No, don’t do that!”

4) Have a conversation - not a noise-fest! Don't allow children (or adults!) to talk with food in their mouths, or to chew with their mouth open. These noises are aggravating to some, and no one wants to see the food you've got in your mouth. 

5) Begin teaching etiquette from an early age. Many kids have never been told not to put their elbows on the table, or to put their napkin in their lap. Kids don't automatically know what to do or what is right or wrong. It is amazing the number of dates that go unrepeated because of poor dinner manners, or the number of job interviews that have been flunked over a lunch meeting. Start kids on the right track early! 

Keep in mind, these are only my suggestions. What are some of your tips for teaching your kids manners at the dinner table? Any creative suggestions? What has worked and hasn't worked? I'd love to hear your ideas!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Kraft Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese blogging program, for a free gift card worth $50. For information on how you can participate, click here.

New Header?

I've been thinking about getting someone to make a new header for my blog, something with a graphic of some sort, but I'm not really sure what to do. Anyone have any thoughts or tips on doing it? Any suggestions for where to look? I'd like to find someone on Etsy who is able to do it, because graphic design is just not my forte.

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.