Let's Hide the Fat Girls!

I had a few spare minutes this afternoon.  I was in the #CherryHill mall in #NJ.  I deiced to stop in #JCPenny.  I looked on the first floor, no women's #clothes were in plain view so I headed upstairs.  Ah-ha, I said, here are are the women's clothes!  After looking through the entire second floor, there were no large sizes to be found.  I casually inquired of the clerk where I could find the "real" women's sizes.  I was told very politely, "oh it's just downstairs (wait a minute, wasn't I just there?) make a right, then a left and through the hallway."  Huh?  After following these complicated directions, almost like trying to find the buried treasure on a pirate map, there was the women's (#plus) department.  It was out of view.  Where no one could see it.  Are we as a society so #ashamed of ourselves that we hide away our problems like the dirty laundry?  Also, I was appalled with the selection of clothing!  The other departments had a whole floor between #juniors, and #Petites and #women's (normal sized).  The #Plus department had 10 racks, maybe 20.  Yes, we have an #Obesity #Epidemic in this country but the sizing in the  #fashion #industry needs to change.  The average women wears a size 14.  For model work, on the runway, a #plus size #model is size 8.  Look at the disconnect between those two numbers.  We do need to get healthier as a nation but we will never do it with #unachievable goals!  The fashion industry has given us indigestion.  It is not the root of the problem but fixing it will help us feel much better.  The country needs to take it's metaphoric medicine.  It won't hurt too much I promise.

Go, Go VOTE FOR BUONO!!!

I know that there are a hundred million ads on tv right now. I want to borrow your ears for one minute. My father was a teacher(retired). My brother teaches college. My cousins teach. My niece intends to teach. I know a lot of teachers. I have listened to what Chris Christie has said about education. He sent $1 to certain school districts. Technically, that is sending money. I wouldn't brag about it though. He was very bad to teachers. Teachers help raise the next generation. If our teachers are not happy they will not do a good job. What is your child's future worth? I am a Democrat. Even if I wasn't, even if I was a Republican, I would vote for Buono because we can't let Chris Christie destroy our schools. If someone in the campaign had reached out to me, I would have suggested the slogan "Go, Go, Vote for Buono!" But no one asked, I'm not important. However, we can make a difference. Go out and vote, help shape the future by making sure your children's is bright. 

Go, Go Vote for Buono!

My Burlington Island Memories

I grew up on stories of Burlington Island and the BOIM, literally at my father’s knee.  I was taught that the Island was a great resource to be respected and one day it would be known all over and save Burlington.  I spent time on the Island as an Island manger’s daughter.  I have many stories of hidden treasures and the former dirt mounds caused by former dredging. 

I also grew up as a democrat.  I was taken to democratic meetings.  I worked disturbing flyers (once), and making phone calls, and watching polls as a challenger. 

I went to a private school were there were about 9 girls.  They were teenage girls to be precise.  If you want to study cliques and social mores in tight knit groups this is how you should do it.  I tried my best to stay out of it and was mostly successful.  I think that once the teacher even asked me to intervene.

When I went to my first Island Board meeting, I was invited on board stationary by the president to a workshop meeting, a new concept at the time.  The BOIM had just release the RFP.  This was only possible after working with Diane Allen to adjust the charter for a longer lease.  The BOIM also had to lease the City owned half of the island.  Without these things, the island would never be able to be developed.

I had heard from my father about the existing animosity between certain board members.  In my naïveté I thought my ability from my school days would be helpful and apply to the BOIM.  I thought perhaps the Board members could get together outside the meetings, have a few drinks, eat a few noshes and NOT talk BOIM business.  You know, they could get to know each other as people.  Most people could resolve issues in such simple ways.

I was utterly mistaken.  The animosity was such that these differences could never be resolved.  I don’t think the parties involved even know what originally caused the rift, but the hatred has grown such, that there is no way back. 

It seems such a shame to me that people waste their time.  I have grown up listening to what Burlington Island COULD BE.  I listened to stories of what it could do for BURLINGTON.   The Island sits there.  It’s been sitting there for four years since Dad has been off the board.  I think one of the last things he did was approve (Karen) the Woolman Corporation. 

I was on the board for one year.  I had one vote.  I voted against the guy who is now unable to fix or access the website.  I voted against the lawyer, since we had a pro bono lawyer that wanted to work for us.  Since I have been off the Board, I have suggested several fundraising ideas including: t-shirts with advertising to cover the cost; using paypal on the website (when it’s fixed); starting a fundrazer or indiego-go page.  I have suggested these thing several times.  I connected the BOIM with girls who sold bracelets for the BOIM and raised over $600. 

These are just a few things from my Island memories.  One day I will sit down and write some more.