You have no idea what I’m talking about…this is totally for me…file it under things a horse mom needs to know.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKnGnyF7LwY[/youtube]

If your lives have ever been touched by organ donation, this novel will truly touch your heart. I remember the day I got the letter stating that transplanting my mother’s corneas gave sight to two people…and I cried. I can only imagine the power that donating a life saving organ would have on someone…forever.

Irreplaceable is the first novel by Stephen Lovely. The story involves a woman, Isabel who is killed in a bike accident and her heart is donated to a woman in Chicago.  This woman makes it her mission to connect with the family of the donor.   After much persistence she meets the mother and husband, Alex, and the story continues with the relationships that ensue.

Lovely digs deep into the characters and relationships. He does a balancing the medical and technical side of transplantation with the emotional side leading us to realize the  toll it takes on the families.

The novel is a fairly read, and an emotional story.   Great to see a first time author with so much passion, and I can’t wait to see his next venture.

Irreplaceable is available at Amazon .

Thank you for the opportunity, Parent Reviewers…

Horse show weekend….we’ve been having some weird weather. I need some decent information from the meteorologist before I trek over the mountain with a horse trailer.

Me: Hey, Mr. Weatherman, I really, really, really need to know…what is the weather going to be this weekend?

Weatherman: Um, cold, or colder with a chance rain, maybe even snow.

Me: And what is that chance of snow?

Weatherman: Slim to none, unless it actually snows, then it’s about 99%.

Me: When will you know?

Weatherman: Can I let you know on Monday?

Me: You make this stuff up don’t you.

Weatherman: It’s an educated guess.

Me: What are the chances you could guess a little better from now on?

Weatherman: Slim to none unless I’m right then I’d say about 99%.

Me: Nevermind, I’ll pack for everything.

Grrrr. I hate shopping for fancy clothes.  It’s not my style and nothing looks right.  I’m a jeans and sweater girl…all the way.  But the same 2 shirts are getting old…and recognizable.   So it was time to do a little shopping.   At the mall.  Which is outdoors.  Open air.  In Virginia.  In winter.  In the cold.

Ok, so I’m a little over dressed.  You have to know our mall.  Saks, Louis Vuitton, Coach. { Why yes, I did my hair all fancy, and yes of course I used  SUAVE!}

It’s 40 degrees out there and the mall was still crowded…haven’t these people heard of the internet?   Better yet have they heard of clothes…?

Whew, I made it into the store…my there are some weird people here too…{Oh, MY cover your eyes, Ken isn’t wearing pants!}

I grabbed some outfits to try on…which one do you like?  I KNOW !  I like them all!!  Nothing dressy though.  You like the skateboard?  OK, we’ll go with that one.

Well, that was depressing enough..I think I’ll grab some ice cream before I go home…NO I DON”T WORK HERE, I”M JUST HELPING MYSELF!!  SHEESH!!

I’m done with the Mall…all my shopping from now on…is going to be done in my pj’s with a latte and my favorite art on the wall…isn’t that the life?

contest closed…winner chosen randomly…

joannaonthelake (joannaonthelake)
twitter.com/joannaonthelake/statuses/1248750470
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Submitted on 2009/02/25 at 10:35am

Short Pump Preppy – He’s Just Not That Into You Giveaway http://tinyurl.com/bcspuz

Thank you everyone for entering!!

Did you see the movie? Well you know how the soundtrack can be a snooze or da’bomb…I’ve had to hide this one from Cute and Sassy since I got it.  In other words…SQUEEEEE.   He’s Just Not That Into You with Newline Records is awesome, full of hip, sassy, rockin’ tunes.  The CD is available in stores, and if you haven’t seen the movie then you are missing the cutest Drew Barrymore yet.

But wait, did I say you had to go BUY the soundrack?  I actually get to GIVE one away…you know how much I like to do that.  And with it comes some SWAG…

I KNOW!  I love SWAG too!

How cool would you look in this…? {better than me} *oh, snap*

…yes, you are lookin’ just that hawt I’m giving away the hoodie and the CD…how cool is that!  It’s a great CD, guys!  Here’s the 411!

Corinne Bailey Rae “I’d Like To”
My Morning Jacket “I’m Amazed”
The Human League “Don’t You Want Me”
R.E.M. “Supernatural Superserious”
Tristan Prettyman “Madly”
Talking Heads “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)”
The Black Crowes “By Your Side”
Wilco “I Must Be High”
James Morrison “You Make It Real”
Maroon 5 “If I Never See Your Face Again”
The Replacements “Can’t Hardly Wait”
The Ting Tings “Fruit Machine”
Lilly Allen “Smile”
Keane “Somewhere Only We Know”
Erin McCarley “Love, Save The Empty”
The Cure “Friday I’m In Love”
Scarlett Johansson “Last Goodbye”

OK, now I have your full attention.  Lets get down to the contest.

Please follow the rules…I hate to disqualify people who don’t or won’t read…and each comment must be separate to count.

1.Leave me a comment...Who is you favorite group!?  Any new and upcoming stars in the music world you want me to know about?  You may see your favorite artist featured on an upcoming post on BlissfullyDomestic!

2.Subscribe to Short Pump Preppy…please…it makes me giddy.

3.Tweet the contest.  UP TO ONCE A DAY!!  Maybe follow me if you aren’t already?

This is a quick contest…you have until Thursday at noon est…whew!

This is Candid Carrie’s Day…Hans and Franz picked her because her blog was looking a bit girly and needed to be SHORT PUMPED UP a bit. Below is Carrie’s Fantasy Photo…Doesn’t she look fabulous?

I know, people say she has a big head, but she really is a down to earth kind of girl!

Then she had to answer a few questions and just like Carrie would she took over ignored me agreed and this ended up being the interview…you’ll see why I love her so much…

Linda:  Candid Carrie…I am here to SHORT PUMP YOU UP!

Carrie: Well, hello Linda!  You are so much thinner in person.

Thank you so much for this great opportunity.  I am glad that you are going to PUMP me up!  But let’s talk about you.  Your post yesterday (Suave-a-licious Post-Oscar Post) had so much useful information.  First of all, how cute is Tina Fey?  And second, where did Sarah Jessica Parker get those boobs because they look just like mine.

Enough about you, my turn.

Why do I blog? First of all, I can’t even answer that question without thanking Tess at Outnumbered Two to One.  It was all her idea.  I’ve been a writer at least twenty years, but before blogging I had no place for it.  I wrote long letters to my friends’ kids for their birthdays, I rewrote songs to match something I needed, a couple of dirty poems, and here I am today.

I know you asked me if blogging was a food what food would it be but I don’t want to answer that because obviously it would be dark chocolate.  Instead let’s do this one: If my blog was a crayon, what color would it be? I’ve given this a lot of thought, Short Pump and I would have to say my blog is Midnight Blue.  Definitely Midnight Blue.  First of all, that is my favorite color and the password to just about all of my accounts.  Ooops, don’t put that in there.  The only way to make Midnight Blue a better color would be to add a little bit of glitter to it.  Like a Metallic Midnight Blue.  Yeah, that’s it.  Where was I going with this? Wait, alright.  Metallic Midnight Blue is more exciting than Navy Blue, yet slenderizing enough for everyday.

What’s the real story behind you and American Idol’s Danny Gokey? Well, Danny and I go way back.  We live about sixty miles from each other and even though we’ve never met I am confident that he would really like me.

Carrie, we are running out of time here.  Could you pick twenty of your favorite posts to give us an indication of who you are? Short Pump, I won’t use up that many giga-bytes over here but I will give you three.

My absolute favorite is The Best April Fool’s Joke Ever.

The perfect Sunday Morning with Stop, Drop, and Roll Coffee Cake.

And an example of my unhealthy respect for authority shines in Ten Hail Marys And An Our Father Later.

Linda: Thanks!  Maybe the next person I SHORT PUMP will answer the REAL questions, but I like yours too!  You’ve been a real sport, but I still would like to know why you are glaring at Simon when he obviously is one of your biggest fans…oh well, maybe he will comment and give us some insight!

Make sure you visit Candid Carrie on Fridays when she does her little Photo Phing and takes all kinds of liberties with the English alphabet.  It’s outrageously popular and the only place to be!

Can you imagine I was blown away when I got word that Suave Celebrity Hairstylist Luke O’Connor was going to be on site at the Oscars and that I would get post Oscar details on the celebrity hairstyles? *insert SQUEEEEEEE*  Is it possible to look that good on a budget?  Well here are some tips from Suave and Luke O’Connor to help you recreate the Oscar styles you were crushin’ on during the Red Carpet.

I KNOW!  How cool is this?

Did you catch the Awards?   The Oscars were filled with stunning looks, big wins and of course, lots of style.  While we may not all have Academy Award winning budgets, we can certainly achieve red carpet-worthy hair at home, based on some of tonight’s winning looks!

A-list hair can be achieved every day, for any occasion – from playdates to date night – without breaking the family budget because Suave® is a champion of living beautifully for less! It’s surprisingly easy to practice Suavenomics - the art of living beautifully for less. Visits to the salon are not necessary to achieve salon-quality results.

****************

The Look: Half-up waves

Gorgeous waves are always a favorite at award shows and several super stars sported this look tonight. Angelina Jolie and Jessica Biel both radiated beauty with their loosely styled tendrils pinned half-up.

To recreate at home:

Apply Suave® Healthy Curls Scrunching Mousse to towel dried hair to help define waves and control frizz. Flip hair over and blow dry hair until most of the moisture is gone and hair is 85% dry. Section off the top section of hair from the center of each eyebrow back to crown, and clip out of the way. Dry remaining hair completely.  Use a 1.5 inch curling iron on two inch sections of hair and spiral wrap around iron, leaving waves loose and smooth. This should be about six to eight sections of hair.  On the top section, use a medium round brush and blow dry back, straight and smooth. Back-comb for added volume and secure desired  amounts of hair from either side of your face with bobby pins.  Set into place with Suave® Extra Hold Hairspray.

The Look: Fashionable Side Bun

Tina Fey made Steve Martin blush and you can make your co-star go gaga!  It’s easy to achieve this classy, modern take on the Hollywood tradition that shined on the red carpet.

To recreate at home:

For smooth and frizz-free locks, prep hair with Suave® Professionals® Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner. Next, give hair body and control by applying Suave® Professionals® Extra Hold Styling Foam to damp hair.  Gather the top layer of hair and pin up at the crown.  Blow dry the rest of hair in sections using a medium round brush to lock in volume. Unpin hair at the crown and blow dry in 1 inch sections using the round brush.  Blow dry bangs by rolling the hair around the brush away from the face and directed to the side for swooping side bangs.  Keep side-swept bangs locked in place with Suave® Professionals® Extra Hold Gel. Next, take a 1.5 inch curling iron to curl the large sections of hair. Finally, gather hair into a pony tail and loosely twist down to create a low chignon off to the side.  Secure with pins and let loose pieces fall naturally for a look that’s effortlessly chic.

The Look: Glamour Curls

Fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker showcased her sophisticated side with structured curls.  The middle part gave the look a modern edge and you can make it happen at home.

To recreate at home:

Stock your shower with Suave® Humectant Shampoo and Conditioner so curls will have added shine and brightness.  Next, apply Suave® Professionals® Extra Hold Styling Foam to damp hair to give body and control.  Be sure to blow dry hair upside down to achieve maximum volume.  Once hair is completely dry, flip back up and create a center part.   Take 1 to 1.5 inch sections of hair and spiral wrap around a 1 to 1.25 inch curling iron to create neat curls.  For superior style and control, lock in the look with Suave® Professionals® Freeze Hold Hairspray.

LUKE O’CONNOR
Celebrity Hair-Stylist

Luke O’Connor is owner of the exclusive LuKaRo Salon in Beverly Hills and is a consultant/spokesperson for Suave. Luke was responsible for creating Debra Messing’s lovely locks every week on the set of NBC’s Will & Grace for which he was nominated for an Emmy and won the most coveted, namesake award at the Hair and Make-Up Guild.  He currently styles the locks of Julia Louis-Dreyfus for The New Adventures of Old Christine.

LuKaRo, which opened in 1992, is named after Luke and his wife, Rona, a color specialist.  Beyond extraordinary talent, the salon is noted for its warmth and lack of pretentiousness. In addition to Debra Messing and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, some of Luke’s celebrity clients include Blake Lively, Becky Newton, Diane Keaton, Ashlee Simpson, Brooke Shields and Lucy Liu. *insert squeeeeee*

Born into a family that left Italy to open up hair salons in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Luke is dedicated to expanding his talent and creativity to provide women with the most up-to-date hair care services and more importantly, advice.

Angelina Jolie (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

Jessica Biel (Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty)

Sarah Jessica Parker (Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty)

Tina Fey (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

If you watch The Office, you will love this video.   {start singing “Ryan Started the Fire!}

If you have never seen it, this is your chance to catch up…lol…some people have a lot of time on their hands..fo sho…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPcuwZlJShE[/youtube]

So it was “teach a teen to fish” day.  The Big Guy needs to learn a thing or two about car care…so it was perfect timing when I received the Rain-X Latitude wiper blades.   Even I could install them {when he left to go inside}.  I impressed upon him {before he left} the importance of keeping fresh wiper blades on your car for safe visibility

“Hey Big Guy…I learned from the Rain-X site…

# 90% of driving decisions are based solely on vision.
# A survey of vehicles going through check lanes during National Car Care Month had shown that one in five vehicles had deficient windshield wipers or washing systems that could seriously impair the driver’s vision.
# Drivers often wait several years to switch out a pair of wipers that went bad after only six to 12 months. ”

…{then his cell phone rang}….oh, well…

We’ve had some rain, though not as much as some.  They work great!

Easy to install

* For use on either originally installed standard or curved style wiper blades
* Pre-installed with small j-hook adapter and contains multi-adapter for side pin, large j-hook and bayonet wiper blade arms
* Rain-X Latitude® Version -2 wiper blades fit I&L (Insert & Lock) and PTB (Pinch Tab Button) wiper blade arms

High performance wiper

* Contoured design applies even pressure along the entire blade length
* Specially blended graphite coated rubber blade delivers the ultimate smooth, clean, chatter-free wipe
* Built-in aerodynamic spoiler significantly reduces drag, noise and wind lift

Ice resistant frame

* Prevents ice and snow build-up through the elimination of exposed metal components
* Durable, rubber-encased substructure increases wiper flexibility and adherence to the windshield in harsh conditions

And you know the Rain-X brand…I received Rain-X X-treme Clean and 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner as well, and you could practically eat off my car!  Ok that’s a bit much, but considering I drive it to the barn and back, in the dust and horse….well, you get the picture…I need a good cleaner.  Rain-X works.

I get to give a set of wipers, Glass Cleaner and E-xtreme clean to one of my fabulous readers!  Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Rain-X.

All you have to do is…

Go visit the Rain-X site and look around. Check out their “tips and information” section at the top and come back here and leave a comment telling me a tip or fact you learned!

For extra entries {each one must be in a SEPARATE comment}

1. Subscribe to Short Pump Preppy

2.Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post and to Rain-X.

3. Twitter this giveaway (you can enter once per day – please include a link to your Tweet) – 1 per day!!

4. Comment on any of our other posts (please include the link to the post you comment on, you can enter once for this)

5. Stumble this post (the link is right below my name at the end of the post and please leave your StumbleUpon username in the comment) -
Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry.

Contest will end on February 28 at 9 pm est…

Chosen at Random.org…the winner of the Gerber Healthy eating contest is #26 Melissa

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