The Noticer is the latest book by Andy Andrews, a best-selling novelist and prominent corporate speaker. Andrews' other books include Island of Saints, The Lost Choice, and The Traveler's Gift, a New York Times bestseller. I had not heard of Andy Andrews nor read any of his previous books until Thomas Nelson Publishing contacted me to review The Noticer.

The Noticer is based on a true story and is partly autobiographical. As a young man, Andrews lost both parents within a short period of time and ended up homeless, alone, and without hope of achieving anything of substance. The book starts with how he met an old man named Jones who helped him take a step back and see his dire situation from a different standpoint. Andrews overcomes the odds and achieves success - and, per Jones' words, all it takes is a little perspective.

The book continues to follow how Jones and his simple wisdom help other people in difficult situations: poverty, a failing marriage, old age, a troubled business. Most people have probably faced similar problems; if you have not, you likely will. What makes this book unique and inspiring is that, even if you cannot identify with any of these people, the wisdom and advice of old Jones apply to you. The Noticer can help you learn to see things other miss, why things happen and what you can do about it. One of my favorite parts is the chapter where Jones explains to Andy the four major dialects that we use to express love. Jones uses four animals to represent each type - the cat, the dog, the canary, and the goldfish. They correspond to physical contact, spoken words of approval, quality time, and favors and deeds. I believe that everyone can see themselves in one or in several of these four types. Realizing which one you are and knowing where others fall can help you communicate better with your loved ones and ease the frustration we often experience trying to figure out the best way to express our love and appreciation for another person.

The Noticer is categorized under Self-Help / Personal Growth. Generally, I am not a fan of self-help books because I find most of them rather obvious and / or condescending. This book, however, is neither. The Noticer is not just about seeing your glass half-full. It is short and easy to read, and impossible to put down. It is astonishing and captivating. I would not classify it as a self-help book but rather as a must-read book.

The Noticer has inspired The Noticer Project, a world-wide movement to "notice" the five most influential people in your life. Noticing these five individuals is meant to encourage us to step outside our busy lives and avoid waiting for a special occasion to acknowledge how much they have made a difference to us. You can read more about The Noticer Project and find out how to participate here.

As parents, we know a lot - and hopefully everything - about our children. Foods they like to eat, clothes they love to wear, favorite toys and activities, little quirks and dislikes, tons of important and mundane details. Personally, I can write a book about my kids preferences. I am their mom and I feel I know them best. There are times, however, when this wealth of information needs to be shared with another person. What to do when we have to leave our precious kids with someone? How do we convey the bits and pieces of knowledge we have in our heads - without forgetting, for example, that our preschooler drinks milk at breakfast from the purple cup and our toddler takes a nap with the brown teddy bear, and no matter what they say, they cannot watch this movie five times? What about the crucial and possibly life-saving knowledge about allergies, doctors, and the nearest hospital? Where is your authorization to treat a minor form? Say what??

I came across one book that lets you sit down and answer all these questions, then leave your family member / babysitter / nanny the information they need to best take care of your child. By the Book: How to Take Care of MY Kids is an invaluable tool for any parent who needs to communicate with a child care provider in an organized, detailed manner. Its mission - according to the their website - is "putting the parent, the caregiver and the child all on the same page". The authors accomplish that by providing a comprehensive resource that focuses on all questions parents need to discuss with caregivers - without having to write them down every single time.

By the Book is divided into five sections:

• The Basics;
• The Caregiver's Notes;
• Help! It's an Emergency;
• All Things Medical;
• Parents Only.

Each section deals with a different aspect of childcare. Some items are best suited for the sitter who occasionally spends a few hours with your child. Other topics are geared towards the full-time nanny. You can customize the book to fit your specific situation. As your child grows and things change, you can update the book with new information. The authors recommend that parents take the time to complete the forms provided in the book well before having to step out the door, and also go over the information with the caregiver.

I especially liked the daily routine pages, the likes and dislikes pages, as well as the discipline tools and the caregiver's notes that let parents know how their children spent their time with the caregiver. The medical and emergency sections are a very helpful tool to prepare your nanny or babysitter deal with emergencies.

You can find out more about By the Book and purchase it at their website. It is available for $19.95 as a hardbound edition, or as an eBook for $9.95. In addition, you can also buy cover and tabs only, as well as section refills.

Karen Berg from Karmel Publishing, who is also one of the two authors, has generously provided a coupon code for the readers of Just Another New Blog. It is BTBK7757 (case-sensitive) and will give you a 25% discount on the hardbound edition.

In addition, two lucky winners will receive an eBook of By the Book: How to Take Care of MY Kids!

To enter, browse inside the book here and let me know something you learned about the book or its authors, or which section(s) sounds most applicable to your situation. Please include your email address if not visible in your blogger profile.

For extra entries, you can do one or all of the following - please leave a separate comment for each:

• follow my blog (see right sidebar);
• subscribe to my feed by e-mail (see right sidebar);
• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and to By the Book and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and leave your twitter name;
• follow Karen on twitter;
  
• tweet about this giveaway and comment with the link to your tweet – you can do this once a day;
• add my blog to your Technorati favorites (click on link or see right sidebar);
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did;
  
• buy the book before the giveaway closes and get three extra entries.

The deadline to enter is May 9, 2009, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. You will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Recently, I had the opportunity to try some high-quality personalized labels from Oliver's Labels, a Canadian-based company. Their products are made from waterproof, weatherproof, and scuff-resistant materials. Oliver’s Labels offer iron-on clothing labels, bag tags, shoe labels, and self-adhesive (sticky) labels. All labels can be personalized with your child’s name and preferred design. I was very impressed by the sample labels I received. You can read my full review here.

Right now, you can purchase Oliver's Labels with a 10% promotional discount using code Oliverslabels (expires May 31, 2009). For a limited time, you will get free shipping on orders over $30. Regular delivery service costs only $1.50 for Canada, $3.00 for USA, and $5 internationally.

In addition, Oliver's Labels have generously offered a $20 gift certificate to one lucky reader of Just Another New Blog! To enter, please visit their website and tell me what you would buy with the gift certificate if you won, and what your favorite design is (both are required). Please include your email address if not visible in your blogger profile.

For extra entries, you can do one or all of the following - please leave a separate comment for each:

• follow my blog (see right sidebar);
• subscribe to my feed by e-mail (see right sidebar);
• make a relevant comment on my review of Oliver's labels and comment back here letting me know that you did;
• tell me something you learned or found interesting at Oliver's Labels;
  
• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and to Oliver's Labels;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and leave your twitter name;
• tweet about this giveaway and comment with the link to your tweet – you can do this once a day;
• add my blog to your Technorati favorites (click on link or see right sidebar);
• buy something from Oliver's Labels before the giveaway closes and get three extra entries.

The deadline to enter is May 6, 2009, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. You will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

The winner of three soaps of her choice from Goat Milk Stuff has been selected, courtesy of Random.org. Congratulations go to:

Comment #36 - Elena, who said: "We currently use Dove soap."

The winner has been contacted, and has claimed her prize. She will be the lucky recipient of Luv Spell, Oatmeal Milk & Honey and Dragon Blood from Goat Milk Stuff!

Congrats to Elena, and thanks to all who entered.

One of my favorite blogs, Dore's Diaries, is celebrating a one-year anniversary with a huge giveaway! Here are the prizes:

Giveaway Part 1 - US RESIDENTS ONLY

**First Place**
~Cosmedicine Healthy Face Regimen ($102 value)c/o Beauty Junkies Unite
~Your choice of Custom Blogspot 3 column Blog Design
($75 value) OR a Portrait Tile Pendant ($50 value) c/o Angela Vinez Design

**Second Place**
~Microfiber Camisole and Thong Set ($60 value) c/o My Adea
~Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister coupon
($5.49 value) c/o Clorox

**Third Place**
~Baby Basket w/ Lavender Chamomile Baby Lotion 8oz, Baby Fresh Whipped Body Butter 8 oz, Baby Bum Rub Ointment, and Chamomile Glycerine Baby Soap ($46.00 value)
c/o Vital Earth Traditions
~Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister coupon
($5.49 value) c/o Clorox

**Fourth Place**
~Savorings Serving Tray Gift Set c/o Pillsbury
~Shirt of your choice ($24 value) c/o Leave Me B

**Fifth Place**
~Savorings Wine Bag Gift Set c/o Pillsbury
~Shirt of your choice ($24 value) c/o Leave Me B

**Sixth Place**
~Pillsbury Home is Calling Gift Basket c/o Pillsbury
~Shirt of your choice ($24 value) c/o Leave Me B

**Seventh Place**
~Lure for Him and Lure for Her Gift Set ($38 value)
c/o Eden Fantasys, an awesome place for Adult Toys

**Eighth Place**
~"Gift of Beauty" ($35 value) c/o It's A Glam Thing

**Ninth Place**
~$20 Gift Certificate c/o Vital Earth Traditions

**Tenth Place**
~8 oz. Soy Candle ($15.75 value) c/o Lorain's Touch
~PureSilk Moisturizing Shave Cream Sample c/o Barbasol Pure Silk

**Eleventh Place**
~Spinlash ($15 value) c/o Spinlash
~PureSilk Moisturizing Shave Cream Sample c/o Barbasol Pure Silk

**Twelfth Place**
~Bitch Balance Butter ($9 value) c/o Vital Earth Traditions
~PureSilk Moisturizing Shave Cream Sample c/o Barbasol Pure Silk

**Thirteenth Place**
~Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister coupon
($5.49 value) c/o Clorox
~2 oz. Soy Candle ($3.25 value) c/o Lorain's Touch

**Fourteenth Place**
~Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister coupon
($5.49 value) c/o Clorox
~PureSilk Moisturizing Shave Cream Sample c/o Barbasol Pure Silk

**Fifteenth Place**
~Free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canister coupon
($5.49 value) c/o Clorox


Giveaway Part 2 - OPEN TO EVERYONE!

**First Place**
~Custom Banner ($149 value) c/o Bannerwind.com
~5,000 EC credits c/o Paperkraft.net

**Second Place**
~Professional Logo ($99 value) c/o Logowind.com
~2,000 EC credits c/o Random Detoxification
~1000 EC credits c/o Freaky Frugalite

**Third Place**
~10,000 EC credits c/o Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009
~1,000 EC credits c/o A Grateful Heart
~The All-New DIL Rules eBook ($14.95 value) c/o Sally Shields

**Fourth Place**
~2,000 EC credits c/o Seek No More
~1,500 EC credits c/o PolitEkon
~1,500 EC credits c/o Nesting Buddy
~By the Book: How to Take Care of MY Kids eBook ($9.95 value)
c/o Karmel Publishing

**Fifth Place**
~2,000 EC credits c/o Windmill on the Hill
~1,500 EC credits c/o Things About Computer

**Sixth Place**
~1,500 EC credits c/o A Simple Life
~1,500 EC credits c/o Mature Not Senile
~1 month 125x125 ad space on PR3
c/o Better Interpersonal Communication

**Seventh Place**
~2,000 EC credits c/o Moms... check nyo
~500 EC credits c/o Legal Cat-asthrope
~1 month 125x125 ad space on PR3 c/o Dore's Diaries

**Eight Place**
~1,000 EC credits c/o Indo Contest
~500 EC credits c/o Affiliatizer
~500 EC credits c/o Rapid Shoots
~500 EC credits c/o Scandals Prime dot COM
~250 EC credits c/o Stay at Home Mom
~1 month 125x125 ad space on PR3 c/o Symphony of Love

**Ninth Place**
~2000 EC credits c/o DB Comix
~500 EC credits c/o AllBlogContest
~1 month 125x125 ad space on PR2 c/o Free Famous Quotes

**Tenth Place**
~1500 EC credits c/o Mommy's Little Corner
~500 EC credits c/o My Kids Are My World
~1 month 125x125 ad space on PR2 c/o Gift Reviews

**Eleventh Place**
~1000 EC credits c/o East Coast Life
~500 EC credits c/o Vanilla Seven
~200 EC credits c/o Margie and Edna's Basement
~1 month 125 x 125 ad space on PR2 c/o Blog Friendly PR

**Twelfth Place**
~1000 EC credits c/o Life's a Pizza Pie
~500 EC credits c/o Make Every Day Your Lucky Day

**Thirteenth Place**
~1024 EC credits c/o The Matthias Chronicles

**Fourteenth Place**
~250 EC credits c/o Pregnant with Cancer
~250 EC credits c/o Nothing Off Limits

There will be a total of 29 winners!!

Contest will end on April 22 at 11:59pm CST.

Recently, we received a DVD from the new children collection It's Hip Hop, Baby! The 5 DVDs in the series are recommended for children ages 2-6. The videos educate and entertain kids using fun age-appropriate hip hop music.

We had the opportunity to review the first DVD in the series, All Your Child's Favorites. This DVD features familiar toddler tunes modernized with hip hop beats. The DVD shows children dancing and singing to the tune of Simon Says, Animal Fun, the Alphabet Song, and other songs in hip hop versions. Kids talk about their favorite animals, colors, letters, and numbers. The video helps teach little ones the basics while promoting movement and physical activity. You can read more details about this DVD and the entire series here.

While the video succeeds in being both fun and educational, I believe it is geared more to the lower end of the recommended age range - at our house, my toddler enjoyed it more than my preschooler did. In my book, any DVD that encourages learning and physical activity in an entertaining way is a welcome addition to our collection.

Right now, you can buy All Your Child's Favorites and other It's Hip Hop, Baby! DVDs on Amazon for $7.99 each (list price is $14.99).

The winners of the Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce Giveaway have been selected, courtesy of Random.org. Congratulations go to:

comment #30 always_317537

comment #33 Jackie

Both have been notified and claimed their prizes. They will receive 2 bottles each of delicious Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce!

If you did not win, there is a consolation prize! Check your local grocery store to see if Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce is available - or use the store locator here - I found it at Kroger, and one of my readers got it at WalMart. Then go here and request a coupon for a free bottle! Bon Appetit and enjoy!

Thank you for reading Just Another New Blog!