A Dream or Reality?

As I begin to rack my brain for information concerning the American Dream, I begin to wonder, do I even have a dream? Does anybody have dreams or aspirations anymore? Sure, many of us dream of winning the lottery, driving the fancy vehicles and not having to worry about making ends meet within the family or money at all. We dream about not having to work but still being given every single thing our hearts desire. But are these real dreams or are these escapes from reality?

When America was discovered many dreamed of arriving here. Even though hit was barely established, it held promise and light to the dark lives many were living. People wanted freedom to express themselves and discover who they truly were. They wanted happiness and love. In America, they were promised opportunities that allowed them to run their own farm or practice any religion which was a dream to many. Now, of course, these promises took a long time to become the reality with many struggles and hardships along the way but they were accomplished. But it was still thought of as the American Dream. However, what does this dream mean now?

To many that immigrate to America, they come in search of the dream. The dream that includes freedom to work, to express themselves, to be who they want to be is what immigrates come to America searching for. They are free to have their own children that become natural born citizens making a better life for them. There is nothing about that that does not sound like a dream. But to those of us that are born in America, I don’t know what the American dream is. We are spoiled from the minute we are born to the very second we die. We are nearly handed any materialistic things we could ever want. All we dream about are things to ease our life or stress levels of everyday life. What does this mean?

 I don’t even have a dream anymore……do you?

More Than a Memory

McDonald's? Just a fast food restaurant. One that's famous for the dollar menu, okay food, and quick service. Nothing special, right? Well, it was all of these things to me until December 31, 2008. This particular day started out as any other rodeo day would. It was the "End of the Year" rodeo ride! More than 1,000 high school kids were entered which led to an exhausting, long day. On the way home that night, we stopped at McDonald's (the only place that was open) and ate! I was with my best friend (who happened to be a male) and his family, which was pretty much my family. We ate and chatted until Trey, my best friend, decided we should play on the playground and slide down the slides on the food trays! It was a blast! I began to slide down the slide as Trey was coming up. I was attempting to knock his feet out from under him but this plan backfired, of course! We ended up all tangled up at the bottom of the slide which was quite alright with me considering fifteen minutes earlier my piece of eye candy had asked if I  wanted to be his boyfriend! Of course I told him I'd have to think long and hard but I'm pretty sure he knew the answer when I stole a kiss and ran away! Needless to say the night was perfect! Until..............I woke from a nap in the truck on the way home. Trey had been holding my head as I rested. He was no longer there. There were sirens and lights everywhere. I was in the truck with Trey's mother who was crying uncontrollably. I had no idea what to think. I tried to climb out of the truck doors but I couldn't. His mother grabbed me and repeatedly said "he'll be okay honey, he'll be okay.."

I saw it all but couldn't make sense of it. I saw the horse trailer, headlights, a helicopter, a body lying motionless but still coudn't put the pieces together...I wouldn't understand until early in the morning the next day.

We had a flat tire. Trey had gotten out to help his dad get the job done faster so we could get home. He had placed traffic cones 20 foot away from the trailer to warn oncoming drivers. However, to a drunk driver they meant nothing. My love had been hit by a drunk driver going 60 miles per hour.....the driver didn't even stop. He had simply thought he had hit a speed bump. This tragic loss was anything but a speed bump to myself and his family. But I can't help but smile every time I walk into a McDonald's. I'll look at the playground and laugh. I always get a Oreo McFlurry and reminisce about that night until I can't bare the memory anymore......to me, it's not just an ice cream, its more than a memory..


Cgarner

Yummy Yummy in my tummy!

Supper last night was delicous!
To begin we had a salad with
   Lettuce- produce department at Publix!
   Carrots- produce department at Publix!
   Cucumber- produce department at Publix!
   Crutons- Hidden Valley Farm!
   Ranch- Hidden Valley as well
The main course:
    Fresh shrimp(never frozen)- straight from Publix
    Rice- right out of the Ben's bag!
    Rolls- Herbert's dinner rolls!

This dinner didn't include as many items as our usual dinners do but it just happened to have the freshest products. Which post the biggest question in my mind as to whether products at the grocery store are really all fresh. Is the shrimp we bought really never frozen? And if that's true then how long has it been out of the water? Could be yucky!
I've also always had issues buying items in the produce department that aren't wrapped. Yes, I understand you can wash it but how much "junk" does just water really get off? So I find myself buying the more expensive organic spring lettuce in the box. Well, is this really healthier? I sure hope so because the price difference sometimes causes some mental health issues! :)
My last thought has to do with the rice. My family often uses pre-made items to go with the main course such as rice, or bagged vegetables. What's in these veggies or are they really that much worse for you then fresh?

Hmm....I don't know but it's just a thought :)