Reading Is Fundamental | Reading Is Fundamental® Grassroots Action Center

Reading Is Fundamental Reading Is Fundamental® Grassroots Action Center

Reading is Fundamental, or "RIF," one of our nation's largest children's literacy programs may not be around for our children for long.

The work they do enables children, who can't afford to buy books, to bring home and keep, a book of their own. For years R.I.F.'s programs have opened children's eyes to adventures waiting to be taken through reading. With R.I.F.'s help, children living in sad and stressful enviornments discover the joy in losing themselves in a book.

Unfortunately, President Obama's proposed  budget for FY 2011 includes eliminating RIF's federal funding, not reduced or merely cut back, but ELIMINATING.

If you've ever enjoyed a quiet moment on the couch cuddling your child, while reading a book, please help other, less advantaged parent's enjoy a moment like that and click here to send an email to your local representatives telling them the importance of speaking out on behalf of the 4 million plus children who benefit from this program.

Can each of us, sending an email and forwarding a link - make a difference? YES WE CAN!

From my perspective, continuing federal funding in Reading is Fundamental is an investment made in the youth of today, and potential leaders of tomorrow.

They Didn't Have This When I Was Having Babies! - Chic&Cozy Blanket Bag

I've just discovered my new favorite Baby Shower and/or Welcome Baby Gift! This fashionable "blanket bag" called the Chic&Cozy made by ChicTots is beautifully made, durable, washable and so well designed and thought out, you just know a mom must have designed it!

And she did! Michele Good, designer and "Chief Mom" over at ChicTots, nursed this idea in addition to other way hip mom/baby accessories from conception to distribution! Momprenuership at its best!

The Chic&Cozy is such a clever product in it's uniqueness and simplicity at the same time. It doesn't look like anything I've seen before; yet it is not overworked or trying to be anything it isn't. It is simply an attractive, ergonomic, useful bag that converts to a clean, cuddly and cozy play blankie for baby.

The soft and inviting fuzzy lining of the blanket, paired with a choice of bright and fashionably patterned fabrics creates the "chic&cozy" factor. A drawstring on each side of the blanket transforms this chameleon of a product from blankie to a convenient tote type bag, complete with pockets on the inside to store smaller bits of gear.

I think back to how many times I held my kids and swayed back and forth as I waited either at an airport or a doctor's office, etc - not wanting to let the baby down because of the guck on the ground!

Frustrating thing is, Parent's magazine advertised this as being available at http://www.target.com/, and yet I searched all over the website to order one for my boss (who went into labor TODAY) - good luck JG!!

I pictured myself getting the call, finding out what she had and ordering the Chic&Cozy in the appropriate color mix as soon as I knew.

Dear Target, please don't advertise a hot new product and then not suppport me in my efforts to buy it!

But fear not, the Chictots Website: http://www.chictots.com/ has the listing of the 800 stores that are carrying the Chic& Cozy, and I've been assured it will be added to their web site soon. (If a few weeks is soon to you)! Me, I'll have to blow my carbon footprint and drive over to the Target instead of having it shipped to me.

You all however, will be able to order this on line shortly.

From my perspective, being able to give mom a super useful, yet chic and stylish gift, is giving her the best of both worlds!

Joey Totes - A "Must Have" for Parents

Parent’s, don’t you hate it when you hit the Grocery, on the way home for a quick few fresh and healthy items, and as you’re getting ready to check out WHACK, you wanna hit yourself in the head, because once again, you are at the store, with NO reusable bags to avoid getting a few more plastic bags that you don’t want or need?

Check out Joey Totes! I was turned on to them this weekend. Ordering 1 – actually gets you a three pack of graduated sizes. Keep em in your glove compartment, your purse, your pocket, your desk drawer at work...

1. They pack up slim and small to fit in your purse, or back pocket if needed.
2. A small drawstring pouch within the bag provides a place to stash your keys or cash if you are using your tote for a day trip - or going to the gym or something.
3. They are Washable!
4. Neat and small fold up size is perfect for a bringing lunch back and forth to school and/or work.
5. ITS GOOD FOR OUR EARTH!!!

What's not to LOVE?

Check them out and bonus – here is a promotion code for a 10% discount! http://www.joeytotes.com/

Promotion Code: JTs ROCK