Labels

I always tell my children to use their words. I like to reiterate this by reminding them just how powerful words are. Words can become labels that attach themselves to characteristics in good ways and, unfortunately, (and many times) in bad ways.

People like to take advantage of the fact that words have different interpretations for all of us.  For instance, "bad" can be BAD or "bad" can be very, very good.  The context is what's important here.  

Advertisers know, too, that words are powerful.  Powerfully misleading.  They count on this, coupled with an uneducated public, to take advantage of the fact that we (the uneducated masses) have been dumbed down to the point that our society is... numb. 

Brain dead anyone?  It's so commonplace that people actually buy things with labels because they're so ridiculously brain dead to what they're buying.  I mean, GLUTEN FREE doesn't equate to healthy although mainstream nutritional feeds want you to BELIEVE that it's GOOD to be gluten free so they label.... a fucking bag of GUMMY BEARS... as gluten free as if they want you -- the uneducated consumer -- to believe that those a healthy alternative to eating a piece of bread?!  

So, yeah, labeling -- I'm about to derail my own post going off on the nutritional label rant rather than aiming for the bottom line which is literally what this post is about.  The bottom line of labels -- the labels on TOILET PAPER. To which I scream WHAT THE HELL PEOPLE!?!

Photo source

I don't exactly consider myself uneducated by any stretch of the imagination.  I do, however, appear to have a general lack of understanding as to the actual definition of the adjectives applied to your average roll of toilet paper.  My general understanding is that there is one-ply and there is two-ply.  According to my grandmother, you should never buy one ply as it's like rubbing your butt with sandpaper and that will not do.

But...(or should I say butt) what the actual hell does ANY of this really mean?

double rolls

quilted ultra plush supreme rolls (24 = 90 regular)

ultra comfort big roll 

1000 sheet rolls (I laughed at this because... well, nevermind)

ultra comfortcare family roll

mega roll

cleancare family roll

ultra soft & strong

gentle care

sensitive

Is there an industry-wide standard for the amount of squares included in a regular roll? If so, does any member of the general public actually know what this magic number is?  If you can buy 24 rolls of one that equals 90 rolls of another -- is that compared to the regular or the big rolls?  Or, would it be more advantageous to purchase less mega rolls for the same amount of sheets?  If someone sells ultra comfort does that mean that the others aren't "ultra" comfortable. Who wipes their ass with tons of random sheets to determine just what defines "ultra" butt wipe?  How big IS a BIG roll? Why do you have to declare one a "family" roll?  Does it come with a toy in the middle?  Is mega more than double or less than big?  I mean, shouldn't they all be sensitive?  You're utilizing this product on the most delicate parts of your anatomy.  You would think that they would all be quilted ultra super comfortable absorbent plush sensitive mega family sized big rolls, right?  

I'm curious... what do these labels actually mean.

Thursday 13

I've never not had music in my life.  It's always been the way to put emotion into words when there were none.  Music can bring you down.  Music can buoy your spirits.  It saves, it savages.  It's pretty powerful stuff.  Music moves.  Words are powerful.  Words set to music... it's some good stuff people!

My playlists are plentiful but there are 13 songs I love right now.

1) Justin Timberlake, Can't Stop The Feeling
It's catchy, it's feel-good.  I love him.  I love to dance.  I love to sing.  It's just super great! I can't stop the feeling I get when this song comes on.  If you see me and it's on, I'll be dancing in my car.  Believe me when I say that I don't give a shit what you think about that.  You need to loosen up and live a little.  


2) Hinder, All American Nightmare
While I'm not a fan of the video because I think the featured bad girl overdoes absolutely everything to the point of it just being ridiculous, I adore this song.  Plus, it makes me want to drive fast.  Really fast.  Plus, it's traditional bad ass party rock and roll. April likey.


3) Rob Thomas, Hold On Forever
I love Rob Thomas.  I love his style. I love his voice. I love his talent.  I love him in Matchbox 20.  This song, too, speaks to me... It's one of those great matches where the videographer successfully captured the essence of the song in his vision for the video in a way where others can relate.  


4) Florida Georgia Line with Nelly, Cruise
This is complete corn-ball "country."  (Notice how I put country in quotes? That's because this IS NOT country but it's called country.  Trust me, I know the difference.)  However, it IS FUN and that's why it's on my list!  Plus, I love Nelly so it's just a fun song to blare on the radio and drive to.  (Oh, and don't forget the dancing!  You must dance in the car when you spill Nelly lines!)


5) Shinedown, Sound of Madness
Another rock and roll staple in my scream-it-at-the-top-of-your-lungs-play-it-as-loud-as-you-can repository.  The video fucking rocks, too!  Shinedown are badass.


6) Hunter Hayes, I Want Crazy
Hunter looks like he's all of about 16 years old (maybe) but this is just the absolute sweetest song ever.  And, face it, who doesn't want that kind of love?  I want crazy!


7) Sugarland, Stuck On You
Jennifer Nettles is completely adorable in this video.  It cracks me up.  Again, it's more "pop" than country although it's played on country stations... it's still fun!  I like fun.  Fun is good.  


8) Three Doors Down, Here Without You
This is just a beautiful song that speaks to my heart.  I'll leave it at that.


9) The Calling, Wherever You Will Go
This song was definitely one that got me through losing someone very close to me. I still can't read the lyrics without my eyes flooding.  Some holes I suppose are never supposed to be filled; some breaks in your heart may never mend.  


10) A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
I never saw the movie Twilight.  In fact, I never ever read the books even.  However, when I heard this song and was telling a friend about it she had said OH MUH GARSH -- it's from the Twilight series!  I wasn't sure if I should still like it then.  Ha!  However, it's beautiful. It's timeless.  Her voice is amazing.  You can't not like this song.  


11) Elvis Presley, Jailhouse Rock
Dude, it's Elvis.... I could have filled this entire LIST with Elvis songs that I love.  But I didn't.  However, since he's THE KING, he definitely has a place in my 13!


12) Frankie Ballard, Sunshine & Whiskey
I love this song.  I'm not a fan of sunshine...but he makes it sound so good that you have to like it.  ;) You don't wanna get a DWK... 


13) Bon Jovi & Jennifer Nettles, Who Says You Can't Go Home
This is another fun sing-a-long songs. Truth be told, I had never seen the videos before today but I love it!  I especially love how he incorporated the Habitat for Humanity crew. Too fun. Always been a fan of Bon Jovi... cause, you know.. he wants me to lay my hands on him as he lays me down in a bed of roses.  ;)

Thursday 13

I have a confession -- I absolutely abhor to see a movie before reading the book.  I've tried to explain in great detail to my children the atrocities of giving anyone creative liberty over your imagination by allowing yourself to be sucked into a trailer before giving your imagination a chance to step it up a notch.  

Therefore, I have a list of books I'm wanting to read before the movies come out.  Besides, books are so much better than movies.  Especially since Hollywood is completely impotent when it comes to originatility now as they remake EVERY fucking thing under the sun or create yet ANOTHER sequel rather than... I don't know -- BE ORIGINAL!

So, here are thirteen books on my list.  If you click on the books, they will take you to the Amazon links where you, too, can buy them and enjoy them with me! 

   

   

   

and last, but certainly not least...

Welcome back to me

I have taken a much needed (though far too long) break from the emotional purge known as blogging. I've missed the therapy tremendously and decided that since I have unplugged from the time-waste known as Facebook, I can now continue to hone my craft and tickle the keyboard letting my fingers do the walking and share my love of this crazy thing called life through the written words.  

In short, I'm back.

Please secure your safety belt and do keep your arms and legs inside at all times.

Enjoy the ride.

December Daily 1

Today was the first day of the December Daily journey.  A photo a day in order to document the good, the bad, the memories and the mundane all together which encapsulates a month in my home.  The challenge -- I love it!

Today I switched out our Advent Calendar activity cards (much to the chagrin of two eager boys) because I added a few more "make it more meaningful" activities for them to partake in and new family traditions.  I'm quite excited about those.

Would you like to see what we are doing in the Driggers family?  Here is a copy of my cute little Advent Cards.  It has an action, a movie and the first 12 the tie-ins for the song the 12 Days of Christmas and they also have (bottom right hand corner) the order of the alphabet for the little book we do. Sweet, simple.  Happy!

Grab a copy for your very own here, and here.

ADVENT Bonus Printable

I wrote a little poem to go with each letter of the alphabet.  Print this.  You can roll up each day like a little scroll and tie it with some Christmas ribbon and then place it in their advent envelope or you could simply work on them all month long.  But, if you start today, you should be able to finish by Christmas and have an amazing little keepsake at the end.

Get your own clean printable copy here.  

Basically what happens is that you print the booklet, You can either cut the pages in half and give them one a day but you'll read the little rhyming word on the bottom and then draw a photo to correspond.  The real treat in these is when you can star when they're young and see how their skills grow as they age.

Day Five - ADVENTure of Christmas

Yep, I'm here with my fifth installment on how to get your December off to a grand start of memories and fun! Today we're talking about CHRISTMAS MUSIC!

So, as a recap, 

1. Grab a December calendar online or make one or find one at home
2. Plug in the dates you already have plans for (school plays, sports, special gatherings)
3. Jot down the events that happen in your area that you hold an interest in participating in (Santa visits, tree lightings, parades, etc.)
4. Find your favorite Christmas books and have those ready
5. Gather your collection or set your DVR for your favorite Christmas movies
6. Decide what activities you want to include.
7. Tie in your faith to your fun!

Remember, each day you will PLAN to view a movie, complete an activity together, read a book, focus on a letter of the alphabet (for those with little ones like me), and address part of the 12 days of Christmas as it parallels to the Bible. The important thing here is to PLAN. You can always deviate from the plan but at least HAVE a plan.

So, as I stated, today we are compiling those playlists!  Nothing can set the mood like good music!  Christmastime is no different!  So what are your favorites?  Do you  need a list to download?  Want to remember your all-time favorites to be sure you buy on your iTunes list?

Here are some of my all time favorite Christmas songs that just make my holiday better!  I will, however, start with the end-all-be-all Christmas song for me.  **swoon**

• Elvis Presley, "Blue Christmas"
• Elton John, "Step Into Christmas"
• Michael Buble, "Winter Wonderland"
• Bing Crosby, "White Christmas" (Otis Redding does a soulful job too!)
• Mariah Carey, "All I Want For Christmas"
• Jackson 5, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"
• Harry Connick Jr., "Sleigh Ride"
• Alan Jackson, "Let It Be Christmas"
• The Beach Boys, "Little St. Nick"
• Casting Crowns, "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"
• Martina McBride, "O Holy Night" (Celine Dion does a beautiful job too)
• Bing Crosby, "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"
• Gene Autrey, "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer"
• Bobby Helms, "Jingle Bell Rock"
• Frank Sinatra, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (Martina's version is stellar!)
• James Taylor and Natalie Cole, "Baby It's Cold Outside"
• Carrie Underwood, "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
• Brenda Lee, "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"
• Bruce Springsteen, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"
• Andy Williams, "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"
• Rascal Flatts, "I'll Be Home For Christmas"
• Band Aid,"Do They Know It's Christmas"
• Madonna, "Santa Baby"
• Dean Martin, "Let It Snow, Let It Snow"
• The Beach Boys, "Merry Christmas Baby"
• Thurl Ravenscroft, "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch"
• Mariah Carey, "Joy To The World" (I like that it gets upbeat and makes you wanna dance around!)
• Wham, "Last Christmas"
• Mormon Tabernacle Choir, "Carol of the Bells"
• Faith Hill, "Where Are You Christmas"
• Brian Setzer Orchestra, "Jingle Bells"
• MercyMe, "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"
• Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole, "The Christmas Song"
• Alabama, "Christmas In Dixie"
• The Ronettes, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
• Charles Brown, "Please Come Home For Christmas"
• Martina McBride "Away In A Manger"
• Julie Andrew, "My Favorite Things"
• Bob Rivers, "12 Pains of Christmas" (this one ALWAYS makes me laugh)

Honorable Mentions

• Paul McCartney "A Wonderful Christmas Time" because frankly this song is just... weird.  I can't tell if I like it or if I am trying to figure out if he's on a complete acid trip through the whole thing.  I think it just reminds me of the really crappy music of his era.  The longer I listen to it, I realize he sucks the joy out of my day.  
• Elmo and Patsy, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" because there's nothing like ruining everyone's Christmas and then blaming Santa and his crew.  

To be completely honest, there isn't much that Martina McBride, Michael Buble or Harry Connick Jr. could sing that is Christmas-themed that I won't listen to them.  They're just simply that good!

So, that's my list.  Now what are you going to put on YOURS?  Well, get moving!  Get that list loaded onto your hard drive, shared to your devices and keep the fa la la right in the middle of your every day!

Continually getting in the spirit! Yes, I am!