This Is McCrazy

When I heard the news several months ago, I was convinced it was just a rumor. A mean-spirited, crazy, ludicrous rumor that could never be true. Unfortunately, this afternoon, I witnessed it for myself. It is true. McDonald's no longer serves Hi-C Orange Lavaburst.

In Warwick, RI, it has been replaced by Fanta Orange, which, according to the McDonald's associate that I just came into contact with, is only different because it's carbonated. Ummm...yeah.

Apparently Ronald McDonald doesn't care about my childhood memories. He doesn't care that Hi-C Orange Lavaburst was 75% of the reason why my family would choose McDonald's over fast food rivals. The other 25% was the fries. 

He doesn't care that in the late 80s-early 90s the local McDonald's would donate Hi-C Orange Lavaburst by the gallons to recreational softball award ceremonies or gatherings because that was the drink of choice. He doesn't care that every single time I go to McDonald's, which admittedly is not as often as it used to be, I order Hi-C Orange Lavaburst to accompany my meal. He doesn't care that soda is terrible for people to consume.

Ronald, this changes things. I may be out of the McDonald's game for good because of your decision...your decision to make a couple extra bucks because soda is cheaper than Hi-C, I assume.

Shame on you, Ronald. Shame on you.

2017: A Retrospective

2017. That was fun.

Here are just a few of the things that I did this past year...

• Became an ordained minister, and successfully married two of my best friends off to men named Brian.
• Attended four weddings. Congratulations to Brian & Cindy, Darrell & Jessie, John & Pam, and Brian & Nikki.
• Reignited my love of reading and libraries, reading 14 books with paper pages. 
• Drank 88 unique beers.
• Was reminded yet again that alcohol and ice cream don't mix well. 
• Went to the gym 66 times. 
• Walked in a parade. 
• Met a camel in Kennedy Plaza.
• Witnessed the Fenway faithful hug it out with a diehard Cubs fan.
• Watched a ball game from the berm at McCoy.
• Paid money to see Andy Cohen (and Anderson Cooper) only to run into him in Beantown months later for free. 
• Finally mastered a Paint Night photo.
• Walked in memory of Jimmy and Susan in the AHA Heart Walk. 
• Took on some additional work responsibilities, and received a promotion. 
• Watched Billy Idol perform from a hot air balloon within Petco Park; and NKOTB, Boyz II Men, and Paula Abdul at Fenway. 
• Volunteered in the community with work colleagues, friends, and family. 
• Cut soda and some people out of my life, which have both shown good results for my well-being. 
• Ate the most delicious lobster roll in Rhode Island. 
• Captured a perfect rainbow spanning over Providence. 
• Crossed "visit Chicago" off my travel bucket list. 

But, most importantly...

• Met the love of my life. 
• Met the two loves of his life, which formed a pretty perfect little family, if you ask me. 
• Mastered making elementary school lunches. 
• Have undergone a name transformation. I will forever be known as Miss Trish, and I love it. 
• Simultaneously rolled my eyes and laughed harder than I ever have before. 
• Introduced talking about our favorite and least favorite part of the day every evening.
• ...and so much more. 

If 2017 it's any indication of what 2018 will be like, "yahoo!"

Happy 2018! Cheers!