Yes, i have checked out the the Arduino tutorials and yes I and new to microcontroller programing. I'm sure i can learn how to do it. thankyou for your reply.
I think i understand how to have a function inside a program. which is very cool. it will make my project more effient and compact. 
This 15$ arduino clone you mentioned, where would be a place to get it? anywhere online?
i was going to buy a Diecimila for about ~40$ CAN from a shop in canada. i think it would be complete, I would have to hook up all the required wires to the LEDs and switche(s)/keys and download the program that i would write.