The Puppy Baby Book Book Spotlight & Book Tour Giveaway

This morning, I have a wonderful book for dog parents!  I have called my dog the baby for about 12 years now!  Max IS the baby--and I would have loved to have had a baby book for him like I did my non-fur babies!  Check out The Puppy Baby Book, learn about the author & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

Book Title:  The Puppy Baby Book by Dawn Greenfield Ireland
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 81 pages
Genre:  Non-Fiction, Puppy Baby Book
Publisher:  Artistic Origins
Release dates:   October 2000
Tour dates: Oct 14 to Oct 30, 2020
Content Rating:  G. This is a fill-in-the-blanks baby book for anyone who adopts a puppy, just like an infant baby book.

 

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About the Book

CELEBRATING 20-YEARS ANNIVERSARY!

This unique hardcover "fill in the blanks" baby book gives dog lovers the same opportunity to chart their puppies growth and progress, as parents of infants do with their baby books.

Now, as your puppy grows, you can document:

•  Where the puppy was born
•  The birth parents names and breeds
•  Who the puppy resembles
•  Where the puppy was adopted from
•  The first meal
•  The puppy's playmates
•  When potty training took place
•  Obedience school classes
•  Favorite things to do
•  What vitamins the puppy takes
•  Medical records
•  Medical emergencies and blunders
•  And much more

There is a keepsake pocket for the first rabies tag after it expires, a page where you can place your puppy's paw prints, a pocket to keep the adoption papers, a placeholder for an adoption announcement card, a first aid kit list, and picture placeholders throughout the book. You will be able to write what you did with your puppy on special days throughout the calendar year from New Years day to Hanukkah and Christmas -- 23 occasions in all.

Buy the Book  

Amazon
Author's Website (signed copy)
Add to Goodreads

 

About the Author
 

Dawn Greenfield Ireland is the author of several award-winning novels, nonfiction books, and screenplays. To date she has 12 published novels that consists of three series (cozy mystery, YA science fiction/fantasy, and adult shape-shifter), a dystopian, and a sci-fi romance adventure. The Last Dog, a dystopian novel set in 2086 is closely related to the Covid/Corona pandemic! Who knew there would be so many parallels from the time she wrote the book (2010) to this crazy pandemic of 2020! Three of her nonfiction books have won awards. Nine of her 15 screenplays (comedies, dramas, horror, action adventure and science fiction), have won awards. She has also written three short scripts. Her former day job as an award-winning technical writer (34 years) played a major role in her fiction writing – she is detailed oriented, the organizational queen of the known universe, and never misses a deadline. Dawn writes full time in addition to editing books for authors, and coaching people through the writing process.

​Connect with the author:  website ~ facebook ~ twitter ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads

 

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Giveaway

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Keep Your Toddler Busy This Winter

Like all boy moms, some days, my toddler drives me crazy. He loves to jump off of furniture, yell at the top of his lungs, and has more energy than I can get in twenty cups of coffee! No matter what I do, he always manages to break at least half a dozen toys every day (thankfully, I take advantage of AU Christmas sales, so I save money!).

 Last week I found out he had a box of eleven crickets under his bed. Did I mention the box did not have a lid? Needless to say, we ended up chirping all over the house! In my house, even little bugs are toys for boys. So what are some ways I keep my sweet little bundle of energy occupied during the winter?

I used to be an art and music teacher before I had my baby boy. I love coming up with messy creative fun! Toddlers love finger painting and expressing themselves. Sometimes, I set up the poster board and finger paints in the backyard to make it less of a mess. Make sure your little one is wearing old clothes because he will get messy. After they paint on the poster board, I get out the hose or backyard sprinkler to wash away the paint. So much fun!

Not into big messes? Try music! You don’t have to have expensive musical equipment to have fun with your toddler. Get some old pots and pans. Bang away on them with a spoon. Make an easy set of maracas by filling a small container with rice. Shake away! Play along with your son. Dance and sing to his favorites tunes. Lots of kid’s songs stream on the Internet. Set up a streaming station of his favorite melodies. So much musical fun!

My son loves to hit, kick, and bash things. Daddy is a coach, so sports are a big part of our lives. A toddler can’t play an organized game like soccer or basketball, but they can still learn some sports basics. Gently kick a ball back and forth. Teach your toddler how to catch. Give him a small bat and set up a tee-ball stand so he can practice his swing. Don’t worry about the rules or winning. Enjoy making beautiful memories together!

Another great way to encourage exploration and discovery is to set up a table full of fun manipulatives. What is manipulative? These are simple physical objects like rice, clay, or feathers that encourage hands-on learning. Set up six or seven plastic containers on a table. Put something with an exciting feel or texture in each one. For example, you can fill boxes with sand, water, gelatin, shaving cream, cotton balls, or colorful crafting feathers. Supervise and encourage interaction with the objects.

Make fun memories with your little boy! Your toddler will enjoy discovering new wonders with you each and every day. Each moment matters. Enjoy this precious time together with wholesome fun.

The Effective Practices of Employees That Get Promoted

If you've been working in the same company and industry for years now, it's only natural for your career to advance through promotions. Apart from job performance rewards, career advancement opportunities are what employees like you want in order to be satisfied and motivated in your work. And it makes sense, as promotions not only offer higher pay, but also newer challenges and responsibilities that make you better at your chosen field. 

 

Your promotion is also beneficial for your employers, as promotions naturally create great leaders in the workplace and improves worker morale.

Although you may have worked your hardest these past few months to impress the higher-ups, you may still find yourself without an offer to move up the ladder. It's frustrating for anyone to experience, but you shouldn't lose hope.

Here are practices you should develop to finally get the promotion you've been anticipating for years.

 

Grab the Opportunity as Soon as You're Ready

You may be working quietly to improve your performance scores and other metrics. And although your boss may commend you for your achievements, they won't always know that you're doing it because you're gunning for a higher position. Make your intentions clear to them as soon as you decide you want to get promoted.

A good leader will always appreciate the initiative and competitive fire you show them. If they're that kind of boss, they'll be more than happy to help you achieve your promotion.

 

Communicate Your Career Goals

If you've told your boss about your intentions, and they offer or agree to help, it's time to communicate with them about your goals. Ask yourself where you want to be in half a year and five years into your career right now. Your supervisor will help you achieve these goals by establishing solid objectives toward them, like performance scores to achieve every month, crucial tasks to ace, training sessions to complete, and more.

 

Show Your Leadership Potential

As you move up the ladder, you'll slowly take on roles that require leadership. You should develop skills for them now, so your superiors can see your potential for promotion. A simple way to do this is to help your fellow employees. Whether they're having trouble with a specific task or need a better way to cope in a busy office, lend a helping hand. Your dedication to this deeper kind of teamwork will be appreciated by your co-workers and supervisors.

You should also be a great example to your fellow employees, whether they're your juniors or in the same rank as you. Do your best to avoid problematic habits at work, like missing your deadlines, logging in late and getting involved in office politics.

Act like a leader, and your bosses will definitely consider you as one.

 

Never Stop Learning

There's nothing that can prepare you more for career advancement than education. There's a reason that companies require certain degrees for certain positions. They want to make sure that you already have valuable and specialized skills for the job you want. Attend as many training sessions and seminars related to your job as you can. Make sure they're authorized by your bosses as well, so you avoid blindsiding them if your productivity is lower than usual because you had to train.

You could also earn a graduate degree during your spare time. Make sure that it's relevant to the position you're gunning for or ones that offer leadership courses. While you can't attend a physical university because of the pandemic, you can always get online education. Your school or training facility offers actual diplomas or certificates, too. This way, you have solid proof that you finished your course or degree.

Tell your supervisors about your plans for college. Your company may have programs or scholarships that help you pay for your education. They may also offer to lighten your load so you have more time to focus on your studies.

 

Never Stop Networking

Take time for small get-togethers with teammates and other departments to network with the right people. Know the leaders that can help you achieve your goals and build rapport with them. You may not need their help now, but their good word may prove to be beneficial during talks for your promotion.

 

Promotions help advance your career by giving you new challenges to overcome and fresh responsibilities to take care of. There's also the pay bump, which is always a plus. However, such opportunities don't always come knocking at your door. You need to claim them for yourself. Use these entries as guidelines to help you climb to the top of the ladder - one step at a time.

Staying Above Water With Above Ground Pools

Purchasing above ground pools can be a daunting task because you need to do lots of research on your options before making the investment. 

Inground and above ground pools are both popular choices. Millions of people have had both of these pool types installed. While both types of pools certainly have their advantages, getting an above ground pool can be much more cost-effective for many different reasons. The above ground pool market is starting to expanding faster than the inground pool market for a reason. Lots of people have decided that installing an above ground pool is comparatively convenient and efficient. 

People are discovering the benefits of above ground swimming pool ownership for themselves. They're certainly aware of the benefits of pools in general. All pools give people the chance to exercise effectively. Pool parties are exciting, and it's possible to hold these sorts of celebrations around both above ground and inground swimming pools. However, above ground swimming pools are certainly less likely to cause issues for homeowners in the future

Pool Maintenance

For the most part, both inground pools and above ground pools are maintained in the same way. Inground pools and above ground pools both need to be filtered and cleaned regularly. Pool owners have to make sure that they're able to maintain every pool's chemical balance. They'll need pool covers and similar accessories to keep out contaminants and animals.

However, it's very important to note that inground pools can be very expensive to repair when they do get significantly damaged. The people who get above ground pools can repair or replace those pools much more easily. They're potentially making a less risky investment, and they'll still get all of the advantages associated with having a pool.

These pool owners will save a lot of money all throughout the process, in fact. The initial installation costs associated with inground pools can be just as high as the maintenance costs.

Pool Installation

Maintaining a pool costs money, but many of the costs associated with purchasing a pool relate to the initial installation. Installing even the cheapest inground pool is more expensive than installing the most luxurious above ground swimming pool. Many modern above ground swimming pools also look very stylish.

Customers won't be sacrificing anything by choosing above ground pools over inground pools. An above ground pool can be the better option. It's also an option that's accessible to more people in practice. 

Versatility of Above Ground Pools

Inground pools aren't even an option for plenty of customers. It isn't possible to add inground swimming pools to certain properties at all. Above ground swimming pools can be added to a much broader range of spaces. Some above ground pools are more compact than others. They're still spacious enough to give people the chance to swim laps on a regular basis. 

 

The installation of an inground pool can have a huge effect on anyone's property. People won't have to make as many significant changes if they decide to get above ground swimming pools instead. An above ground pool is a feature that can add a lot to any property, but people won't lose as much open space when they get those pools. 

 

Guide to Choosing the Right Window Coverings for your Home

When it comes to choosing the right window coverings Denver residents are often faced with a challenging choice. There are several factors involved when choosing window coverings and there are endless styles, designs, and costs to choose from, so choosing the right window treatments can be stressful. When decorating your home, there are many things to consider; from the furniture to the wall colors, but the window coverings are often a focal point, so it’s important to take your time and choose the best option for your style, your budget, and your needs. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right window treatments for your home. 

Level of Privacy

One of the most important things to consider when it comes to window coverings Denver residents must consider the level of privacy the window treatments should provide. Factors that affect this include how much natural light you want to block or allow and the view from the window and how close your neighbors are. There are basically three options;

• A minimal privacy-this option provides you a view but also allows others to see inside
• Light filtering-these styles provide moderate privacy while allowing some natural light in
• Blackout-This option allows you full privacy. They will prevent light from filtering in, neighbors from seeing in, and darkens the room, which is ideal for day sleepers

Budget Considerations

Window coverings are available in a wide array of price ranges, from low to high. It’s important to keep in mind that the style of window coverings, the material, and the size of the window coverings will have an impact on the cost of the window coverings. For instance, customized blinds, drapes, or shades will generally be more costly than purchasing your window coverings from a local department store.  If you are on a limited budget, an easy way to save on cost is to consider choosing customized window coverings for main living areas and lower-end coverings for other areas of your home, such as the bathroom or the guest room.

Sizing and Installing Window Coverings

The sizing and the way you install window coverings can have a significant effect on the overall appearance. It’s best to hang curtains as close to the ceiling as possible, leaving about 1-inch for access, when covering large windows, opt for a fabric that is lightweight and or sheer and choose a length that is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. 

 

When choosing window coverings, Denver residents often think that they can only choose one option when it comes to covering their windows, but you can have both shades or blinds and curtains or drapes. The important thing is to choose window coverings that compliment your furniture and the overall design of your home.  

Putting Pizazz in your Indoor life

Are you struggling with putting pizazz in your indoor life? As we are all spending more time than ever in our homes, the look, feel, and functionality we are surrounded by on a daily basis is becoming increasingly more imortant.

Transform home into a sanctuary

Your home can be a sanctuary or a prison, depending on how you view it, and sometimes some creative interior design work, can transform your world and give you a calmer, sense of who you are and what your new goals are in your life.    The play of color and lighting can transform a space dramatically.   
The pictures that have been on the walls for years may seem old and tired.   How many more times will you sit on that couch, or navigate to your kitchen?   And how many times is the dining table for food, work, school, and any other functions? It's important to have a home with a style that you love, but it's also important to design your home to fit your activities and lifestyle. Are you working from home? You may want a beautiful office but should also consider a work from home setup that is practical, as well. 

Ideas to spruce up your home

Perhaps you've thought of painting your walls a new color, or adding a few pieces of furniture. Maybe you've even looked at adding an addition. The patterns of your life have changed and you may be itching to accompany life changes with changes to your home's aesthetic. You are not alone! Sometimes in small ways, and sometimes your entire home life and interior have altered dramatically with homeschooling, and work from home options, and a different approach needs to be your solution to a better life. Scrolling online through inspirational images in hopes that you can transform your home can be fun, but it can quickly become overwhelming. Endless scrolling could even lead to that midnight shopping session that you might later regret.

Shortcut to success

Need a little more help making your home a place you absolutely love? You may want to hire an interior designer early in the process to help make the best decisions for your space.  

A trained interior designer has an eye for design and can help with:

• Pointing out the latest trends in textures, paints, colors, furniture, and accents.  
• Knowing the questions to ask to help you find the right changes for you, to get the results you need and desire.
• Choosing the best options for your budget. That high-end chair may seem appealing but a lower cost chair that has the same functionality, when place in the room may have the same impact. This can stop you from making an expensive mistake
• Gaining discounted access to many of the retailers and designers you may want to purchase from.

When you need someone who talks to you like an old friend and has a sharp eye for what style and products fit into your design budget, an interior designer Denver might be just what you're looking for..