SableMinded

Mind over matter, in this case 95 pounds

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:25:00 +0000

A quote, courtesy of Arnold:

"The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent."

This morning, I attempted, and failed, to power clean 95 pounds. Many times. The weight was going up, but my body wasn't getting under the weight because my mind was so caught up with the weight itself -- Where the heck is this weight going? Am I going to be able to hold it?

Finally, after several attempts (and successfully power cleaning 85 and then 90 pounds), I got it up. I DID IT, and the second I let my body do the work, it was EASY. OK, it wasn't incredibly easy, like lifting-a-box easy. But I know I'm strong and can work up in weight from there. Now I have something to work with.

Acts throughout our days remind us that progress does not always come easy. But sometimes, it's the little efforts that make a huge difference in the long run, and often, those efforts are mental. Mental strength is just as sexy as physical strength, and it comes in handy.

{A short video on the power clean}

Wishing you the merriest Christmas.

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:14:00 +0000

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I get the feeling 2011 is going to be another incredible year.

I'm forgoing a holiday quote, only because I'll probably compile a collection of my favorites some day. I'm also not going to be politically correct. I love Christmas, and I recognize the reason for the season and am proud to say so. A family tradition is attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, which I'm greatly looking forward to. This joyful holiday is not all about gifts (although I love giving presents and sending cards). Rather, it's about celebrating a birth. With that in mind, there's no better way to spend the holiday than with family and loved ones. I'm incredibly happy to say that's where I'll be later today, with my family and loved ones (four-legged loved ones included).

I can only hope you and yours are doing the same.

Here's a glimpse of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree:

Love my state? You don't have to ask me twice.

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:35:00 +0000

Wherever I am, I'm always a Jersey Girl at heart — the truest kind of Jersey Girl.

I came across these New Jersey map fold-over notes at The Papery in Sea Girt and had to pick them up. (They were $12 in-store and are $24 online, so I would seek them out at a local stationary store near you before ordering online.)

The note cards are from Inviting Company's "Love My State" collection, which also prints the designs on note pads, napkins, coasters, cups and travel mugs.

After taking a closer look at the map, I'm proud to say I've been to just about every town listed. The ones featured are the map are not to be missed, and include (in no particular order) Trenton (the state capital), Princeton, Point Pleasant, Belmar, Toms River, Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, Spring Lake, Seaside Heights, Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Stone Harbor, Cape May and Vineland.

These towns (and the note cards) are just another reason to love the Garden State. Perhaps you'll see one in your mail box, from me to you, with lots of Jersey love.

Bobby, In-N-Out and b.good: Burgers for thought

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:31:00 +0000

I'm cooking hamburgers tomorrow night. Readers might recall my adequate experience at Bobby's Burger Palace or the unforgettably delicious burgers from In-N-Out Burger in Vegas. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention b.good in Boston. (Below; it's hard to forget a burger that looks this good.)

Yea, you could say I've gone across the country eating burgers. Shake up a milkshake and toss in some football, and is there anything more American?

I think I'm going to go with a classic burger, with the works. Maybe I'll cook up some bacon to add a little crunch.

What is your favorite burger recipe? Where have you eaten a memorable burger?

I need to cut meat, thus I need a good knife.

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:11:00 +0000

I made chicken last night. It was an adaptation of one of Jamie Oliver's recipes from his (really-wonderful-for-new-cookers-like-myself) iPhone app. I ran into a few problems, but only one troubled me: I didn't have a proper knife I could use to cut thinner pieces of meat.

I must equip my kitchen with a good knife, stat.

Any suggestions? I don't want to a fortune on one knife (although Williams-Sonoma tells me otherwise), but I do want something that will provide durability and dependability. I need to know I can attack the meatiest of meats!

A double shot of holiday party tips: give and take

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:34:00 +0000

'Tis the season - still! I think it's safe to say the holiday season is in full swing. I have nearly completed my Christmas shopping (that last gift is always tricky). I have not yet had egg nog, nor have we decorated our Christmas tree yet.

But holiday parties don't stop for your to-do lists. I already recommended that party-goers have a small snack a few hours before hitting a soiree. That worked out well for me this year.

Tip #2: Bring a gift.

Nothing says "thanks for inviting me to this fabulous party" like a gift. Don't worry: it doesn't have to be something enormous. A holiday card is a great start, followed by a token of your appreciation. Nothing spreads holiday cheer more than a gift, and I love giving.

My favorite gift to give to party hosts? A bottle of wine. And let me bust the common wine myth right now: you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a great bottle of wine. (Whoever started that rumor was on the outs with Dionysus.) Depending on your budget, you can find a great red or white wine for between $20 and $30. Guess what? You can also find a great wine for under $20. And hey, there are also great wines for under $15 and $10. Wine for every budget!

Let's not get ahead of elfin ourselves and give cheap, icky wine just for the sake of giving, though. Here are some suggestions, from me to you. My favorite white wine to give is Dr. Loosen Riesling, which ranges from $10 to $13 (might be slightly more expensive), depending on where you pick it up. I've found it at various prices. My favorite red wine to give is any bottle of Fetzer or Robert Mondavi (what you'll find in a wine/liquor store - not the $100+ bottle Mondavi, although that's nice, too HAH). Fetzer and Mondavi make wonderful whites, as well.

If you know what your party hosts like to drink, buy it! On that same note, if you know there's a liquor or a seasonal beer your hosts like, that's also a nice gift. Keep in mind, a bottle of liquor or artisanal beer can be pricier, depending on their tastes. (I imagine party hosts these days are not drinking Four Loko.)

On that note...

Tip #3: Let's not take being spirited too literally.

I've seen the sad demise of fellow party-goers who have too much to drink, and I've heard the stories. It can get ugly, especially at family parties. And if you're at an office party, it gets worse: you'll have to live with the consequences every Monday through Friday, from 9 to 5, if you've done something worthy of the wall of shame.

The easiest advice I can give is this, and it's simple: don't drink too much. If you're going to have a few - maybe one more than a few - and feel comfortable doing so, that's great. That means your coworkers understand your need to let loose and unwind, and they might want to do the same. But make sure you have a designated driver or bring your bike helmet.

So, a quick overview of tips #2 and #3: bring some wine, and try not to drink the bottle you brought.

Cheers!

'Tis the season: holiday party tips

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 21:44:00 +0000

Do you have a fabulous soiree to attend this holiday season? Perhaps an office or organization party, or maybe you're just getting together with friends and reflecting on how much cheer is in the air.

I myself have a holiday party to attend. Attire aside, here is the first of my tips for not only making a good impression on your coworkers and colleagues, but ensuring that you have a wonderful time at this festive event. Trust me.

Tip #1: Eat a light snack a few hours before the party.

Why? You won't feel like Mrs. Claus after you've stuffed your face with hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour, and no one will stare at you as you scarf down those pigs in a blanket. I've been there - hitting the holiday party on an empty stomach, ravenous for anything with peppermint or liquor in it. It's OK to enjoy food, but you're only making up for what your stomach is sounding off as a federal emergency (growl!). This leaves no room for the main course, or whatever it is you're being served, and you'll probably feel really full really quickly, thus very un-festive. Plus, your coworkers won't think you're only there for the food. (On a side note, if food is not a highlight of this party, capitalize on those apps. Mange.)

Some pre-party snacks I enjoy are fruits, a handful of nuts, peanut butter crackers and granola bars.

I'm not a nutritionist. I'm only telling you what works for me: having a snack before a party helps me not to overindulge. Because, let me tell you, I'm going to eat what I want. (Deprivation also leads to overindulgence.) Some holiday party advice, from me to you, is to grab a snack and go to your holiday party - not with food on the mind, but wanting to spend time with friends and family.

Cheers!

Standing at the edge of another week

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:14:00 +0000

Photo credit: Melissa L. Gaffney

Do your Sundays feel like this? Standing on the edge of a great expanse (this is the Grand Canyon), wondering whether you're going to plan a descent and carefully navigate downward, or jump and hope to land on your feet.

I love the first day of the week, which is technically Sunday - today. For me, Sunday usually means football and some quality time with the loves of my life, naturally coupled with good food and drink. Rest and relaxation at its finest.

I hope you spend your Sundays enjoying the view, too.

How about mint Oreo brownies, want some of these?

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:59:00 +0000

There's a thin layer of drool on my keyboard. I've been a busy bee at the oven today, baking mint Oreo brownies and "plain" fudge brownies (as if anyone needs convincing to eat a freshly baked "plain" brownie).

I found the recipe for Oreo brownies on A Bountiful Kitchen (who took it from the cookbook "Bliss") and added my own twist: mint+dark chocolate chips, rather than dark or milk chocolate chips alone, coupled with white chocolate chips. I also used Double Stuf Oreos. Oh yea, I went there.

At first, I used A Bountiful Kitchen's tips and measured a bit more chips and mini marshmallows than the recipe called for. But I also used a smaller pan for thicker brownies/bars. (They're called brownies but come out more or less like a bar cookie.) So, my measurements wound up being exactly what the recipe calls for, sans about one-half cup of marshmallows. I, too, went without the nuts. I'm nutty enough.

Chopping Oreos is no easy task. Let me also point out that chopped Oreos are much, much different than crushed Oreos. The recipe calls for chopped Oreos for a reason. I recommend using a sharp knife and not eating all the crumbs - use them in the mix, it will fill in some brownie holes. You'll see what I mean.

It smells absolutely delicious up in here.

TIP: Let the Oreo brownies cool off a lot. Mine are delicious and gooey, but needed some time in the fridge before setting into brownie bites.

Hungry for turkey yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:23:00 +0000

WARNING: These images might cause intense salivation and phantom turkey-cooking aromas.

I keep drooling over pictures of last year's Thanksgiving feast. Our turkey came from the Hinck Turkey Farm in Manasquan. Tom the Turkey will come from Hinck's Farm again this year, and the family can't wait.

The free-range turkeys from Hinck's are juicy, tender and flavorful. I could go on, but Turkey Day isn't until Thursday. Until then... Gobble gobble!

Today is election day: VOTE

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:27:00 +0000

Be one with change; it's happening to us no matter what.
— MLG

If we don't change direction soon, we'll get where we're going.
— Prof. Irwin Corey

I won't bother you with the usual spiel when it comes time for us solid citizens to vote. If you know me, you know I've long been a proponent of voting, no matter what your political views are. I registered to vote the day I turned 18, and a couple weeks later I voted in the 2004 Presidential election.

Today is important. Times are changing. Society is flexing its muscle. How hard can we hit — and can we take a hit? I feel it. I've been feeling it for a few years. A change came in 2008; the smaller majority said to the larger, "keep your change." Now, the side that didn't want change is calling for change. We are in a constant process of change.

Change, both personal and political, is how we evolve, even though we sometimes take backward steps. We're battling ourselves, after all, and the battle of Sisyphus is never-ending. The issues change, the number of red versus blue seats in any given Legislature changes, and the people in those seats change. The core remains: we're in a cycle that will never end, because we created it to be so. Eternal checks and balances. Forever politely relinquishing control, from Republicans to Democrats to Democrats to Republicans and back again (and again and again). The difference is, how are our elected officials going to take on the challenge of being better than the games — and will we hold them responsible to do so? How will we define the next era of politics?

There is no perfect government. There are some governmental philosophies that work better than others. Maybe some politicians are crooks (and I've known a few). Still, the system is meant to breathe. I'm also still naive enough to believe most people have the mass' best interests at heart. Don't let politicians make the system look bad. Our governments — both state and federal — are fascinating, if nothing else.

No matter your views, vote today. It's important that we do.

Hungry? Let's Blog Out Hunger, for real

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:48:00 +0000

Have you been asked to donate $1 to the Check-Out Hunger in New Jersey campaign? Yes you have. Your local supermarket cashier has probably asked you a dozen times. Or maybe you've seen the tickets hanging from the register — "donate."

According to Check-Out Hunger, 1.6 million New Jersey residents go without food; more than 500,000 of the hungry among us are children. In 2009, the Garden State was home to about 8.7 million residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. You do the math.

Today marks the second annual Blogging Out Hunger campaign, which helps raise awareness, funds and food for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. I participated in this last year. That same year, the ShopRite Partners in Caring program partnered with General Mills to create the "Blog it Forward to Fight Hunger" campaign.

Short and sweet: donate to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey or to Check-Out Hunger. The Community FoodBank's mission? Fighting hunger and poverty. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is only one of the several food banks statewide that benefits from the Check-Out Hunger campaign.

Tomorrow is election day. We voice our opinion and elect some among us to hold public office and hopefully represent our best interests. But you know what? It's in our best interest to start simple and look out for each other.

It's only $1. I have about $5 in change sitting in my car right now. Tomorrow, after I vote, I'm going to go to my ShopRite, find those Check-Out Hunger tickets, and help truly make a difference.

We don't think about it often enough, how easy it is to help.

Tweet tweet, on a sheet — of paper!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:10:00 +0000

I just reviewed an adorable product on one of my favorite websites, Perpetual Kid.

Paper tweets!

If you're going to purchase from their website, it's worth the shipping to buy a few products. Plus, there's a finger-satisfying surprise that comes with every shipment :) Enjoy my review!

5+ stars, this is a notepad you won't soon forget to use. It's fantastic at the office — it really made my coworkers smile. It's also great to use with those older folks who might not get on the Internet as often as we young ones do ;) Tweet at your friends, family members and strangers. It's sure to put a smile on anyone's face.

Food for thought: our dependence on social media

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:53:00 +0000

Our society's use of the Internet and social media—is it too much? The video below begs that discussion. Do we tweet too much? Does it matter what my status is? Do you care if I check in or not? And is that article really scholarly? Can we trust the so-called facts?

The Internet provides instant gratification. We can network, find information and satisfy a need to be given attention to by others. We can blog, which I thoroughly enjoy.

But when will it all be too much?

I saw "Social Network" last weekend. The movie chronicles Mark Zuckerberg's creation of Facebook, formerly "the Facebook," and the aftermath. It sort of made me want to deactivate my account. (Twitter is totally where it's at.)

Maybe there will come a day for us all to unplug, or maybe just some of us. In the meantime, the numbers will continue to increase at an intimidating rate.

Crazy for cupcakes in Las Vegas

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:37:00 +0000

I miss just about everything about Las Vegas. The three-hour time difference in my favor, the casinos, the excitement, entertainment and, of course, the food.

Naturally I found The Cupcakery in the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino within a few hours of landing in Vegas. What a sweet surprise. These were not the best cupcakes I've ever had, but they were tasty and fresh and made me happy. I decided to sample two cupcakes.

The grasshopper cupcake was far superior to the Kir Royale cupcake. Pictured is the Kir Royale, overlooking the view from the Aria Resort & Casino. The grasshopper disappeared too quickly for the camera :)

The Kir Royale cupcake was beautiful—a raspberry cake, which was spongy, donned with sparkly champagne frosting. It's terrible of me, but I'm really attracted to all things sparkly, shiny, glittery and delicious. (It was no surprise I found myself drooling at diamonds and contemplating unrealistic purchases at various shops and boutiques. Curse you, Sin City. I caved in only once, and the purchase was totally worth it.)

And the grasshopper cupcake… Moist dark chocolate cake with mint chips, topped with a mint chocolate buttercream frosting. Need I say more? Indulgent, and definitely a treat to be shared.

I miss Vegas, and I miss cupcakes. But what I miss even more is In-N-Out Burger. Oh how I miss those burgers, shakes and fries. And the secret menu.

iWonder, what do you do with old iPhones?

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 01:41:00 +0000

iStuck. Ever since I got the iPhone 4, my disgraced and discarded iPhone 3G has been sitting in a desk drawer. Rather, sitting in the iPhone 4 box. I turned it on tonight to see how it was doing, take a ride on the memory train. HOLY MAC-OLY, are there huge differences, mainly the screen clarity. Yes, those extra pixels make a world of difference.

I thought, "What on earth am I going to do with you, iPhone 3G?"

This thought is not a new one, as I've been wondering about abandoned iPhone 3Gs (not to be confused with 3GS iPhones) for a while. So, where do old iPhones go to die?

According to a dated Macworld article, published when the 3G was the latest version of the iPhone, there are three options: be generous and give it away, sell it or use it as an iPod Touch.

I'm not satisfied with any of those options.

When I first got the iPhone 4, I recalled the collection boxes at eyeglass stores - you know, the ones that collect old glasses to send to children and adults in other countries. I'm not sure the kids in Africa would know what to do with an iPhone. Then again...

The point being, what the heck do I do with my outdated mini-computer? I'm hanging on to it for now, until a shiny, exciting option reveals itself. I could always just start collecting old iPhones.

Out of paper? This will make you laugh

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:17:00 +0000

One of those chain e-mail jokes finally made me laugh.

"Several years ago, we had an intern who was none too swift. One day she was typing and turned to a secretary and said, 'I'm almost out of typing paper. What do I do?'

'Just use the paper from the photocopier,' the secretary told her.

With that, the intern took her last remaining blank piece of paper, put it on the photocopier and proceeded to make five 'blank' copies.

Life is beautiful.

The tunnel to nowhere

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:27:00 +0000

Once upon a time, there was the tale of a tunnel.

Last week, Gov. Christie nixed the $8.7 billion Hudson River commuter trail tunnel project, citing that the state would likely not be able to afford the project.

To quote the famous words of Vice President Biden, "This is a big f***ing deal."

"The only prudent move is to end this project," (Gov. Christie) said at a Trenton news conference, according to the NJ.com report. "I can't put taxpayers on a never-ending hook."

New Jerseyans are already on this 'never-ending hook' of paying taxes -- residents in the Garden State pay the highest property taxes in the nation. But many of those residents commute into New York City five days a week to make a living.

I've done the New York commute, both into and out of the city. I've sat in traffic for hours -- literally sat, for hours. I can't stress enough how there is just so much congestion sometimes that traffic doesn't move. It's real, and it's a problem. Time is our greatest commodity, and sometimes it's wasted in the worst ways.

The Holland Tunnel is great (that was my way into and out of the city), and I've always been a fan and supporter of the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. The truth is simple: there's an unprecedented amount of congestion in the city and surrounding areas (Jersey City, for example). And when a lot of people are trying to get to the same place at the same time, using only a handful of transportation options, there are going to be delays. They don't call it rush hour for nothing (because there's certainly no rush in the traffic flow, and it often takes longer than an hour.)

Here's another simple truth: an additional tunnel into and out of New York is a good idea. Proponents of the tunnel say it would help New Jerseyans access more jobs in the city, which is true. The tunnel would also help alleviate traffic on a daily basis. It wouldn't just benefit us, but New Yorkers, as well, whether or not they'd like to admit it.

The Hudson River tunnel would be a massive project. Yes, it would cost us a lot of money, in the long run. New Jersey received $3 billion in federal funds for the project, which some critics say Gov. Christie wants to put toward the state's Transportation Trust Fund and take care of some debt already accrued from various and numerous projects.

I'm just truly tired of politicians acting in their personal interests. The tunnel might not be of benefit to us in the near future, or even decades down the road. (Was there an end in sight for project completion at all?) But it would benefit our children and our children's children, and endless generations of commuters who travel into New York City. What happened to the days of promise and the days of enterprise? America is a nation meant to build things. I sometimes feel we've lost touch with our roots and many of the principles this country was founded on.

It's time to stop following the tunnel to nowhere and just build a tunnel.

Foursquare's version of the Twitter whale

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:07:00 +0000

I call it the Foursquare fail. I'm definitely not going to cry about it, though.

All Hell in Asbury Park

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:37:00 +0000

The mother of all Halloween bashes is happening in Asbury Park this year.

Aptly titled, "Circus of Hell" will take place at Convention Hall on Saturday, October 30. This will be the first time the Halloween party is held at the site.

The theme? Vaudeville with a twist of freak show. Dress appropriately (how hard could that be), as more than $5,000 will be given away in cash and prizes.

And, on the same day, October 30, the 3rd Annual New Jersey Zombie Walk will attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for largest gathering of zombies in history. (Seattle holds the current record.) Man I love Asburied Park.

What a day it will be there.

The Halloween party starts at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. There is also a VIP package available, for $100. Check out pyramidproductions.info for more info, or pick up tickets at Mike's Beach House, at 619 Cookman Avenue.

Deadline to register to vote is October 12

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:12:00 +0000

The deadline to register to vote in the November 2010 General Election is October 12.

Tomorrow is October 1, which leaves about one week and a couple days to get a voter registration form filled out and sent in.

The General Election is November 2. Only one month away.

I filled out my voter registration form the day I turned 18, and I voted in the 2004 election - the year George W. Bush was re-elected. A lot has happened since then, and a lot more will happen in just a few years' time.

Throwback Tuesday: Remember mix tapes?

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:48:00 +0000

Design by threadless.

Looking for a blackout? If it was in 2008, I can help you!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:28:00 +0000

Hello, friends and visitors. Let's cut right to it: I've been lacking in posts to this blog. Majorly. But today I've had more hits than I've seen in a long time. I was rather curious as to why so many of you would be kind enough to visit on a Monday. You should all be enjoying the last breaths of summer, naturally.

A handy tool shows me you're visiting my website while searching for information on the blackout in Monmouth County that took place today, in the year 2010.

I covered a large blackout in Monmouth County about two years ago, for a publication I no longer work for that longer exists. But there WAS a blackout today, around 4:30 p.m. The coincidence!

I was in Manasquan at the time, and the office where I work experienced flickering lights, the whole kit and kaboodle. Fortunately, we were able to finish out the work day thanks to a back-up generator.

I have no news about the blackout that took place today, in 2010. I'm terribly sorry if this disappoints anyone. Check your local TV and radio stations, as well as the online newspaper sites.

Enjoy the outdated coverage, though. It's funny how some things -- i.e., power services, or lack thereof -- never change :)

No fireworks for you.

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:31:00 +0000

Like many other New Jersey municipalities, Lacey Township couldn't come up with the cash for this year's Fourth of July fireworks display, according to a published report.

The town also won't be funding its annual Lacey Day event.

The lack of funding comes from towns being financially crunched (and crushed) this year, with less state aid, increased bills and less revenue. It's happening across the Garden State.

Lacey residents, among others, will have to do without the bang and boom on this Fourth of July.

I would rather see towns develop a track record of not spending wastefully, then be able to consistently provide community events such as Fourth of July fireworks. This will eventually require better financial planning. When a budget gets tight, the first items to go are those considered nonessential.

What will be nonessential next?

Even the governor likes it.

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Lauren) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:14:00 +0000

@GovChristie tweeted a shout-out to Jersey Doesn't Stink.