Drivers Sit in Traffic One Work Week Per Year

According to a national study released last week, drivers waste nearly an entire work week each year sitting in traffic on the way to and from their jobs.

The nation's drivers languished in traffic delays for a total of 4.2 billion hours in 2005, according to the Texas Traffic Institution's urban mobility report--that's about 38 hours per driver!

Just another reason to pick up a few extra audio books to listen to, in order to make that sitting time more productive.

Another possibility if convenient in your area would be to take mass transit-- then you'll have the opportunity to read or work on your laptop, without having to worry about driving at all.

I Can't Get Away from It!

Organizing is my life. I live it, I breathe it. It's everywhere I look.

Yes, it's even in the books I read.

I'm currently reading 'Thank You, Your Opinion Means Nothing to Me' for a book club I belong to. It hasn't been one of my favorite reads, but there were a few funny excerpts. This one on the subject of organizing really cracked me up--and most things that are funny reflect lots of truth. Hope it gives you a smile and some inspiration too.

What if I just threw everything away? What if I just had nothing? I'm drowning in disorganization. My office closet is full of old cassette tapes, dusty books, file folders, photo albums, shoes, old magazines, texts for software programs I don't use any more, old business cards, an unopened box of floppy disks (we have no more floppy hard drive), framed photos I don't use, used envelopes waiting to be recycled, briefcases for my imaginary life as a business woman, a box of 4,000 pens and pencils, L's dress shirts, the scale. The Scale. (I want to throw that out first.)

I will devote today to cleaning out my office closet. Well, maybe give myself the whole week. It takes more time to accomplish less these days. But who's comparing now to then. It will take what it takes and I'll enjoy the process.

Another Natural Law: Where there's loss, there's gain.

Also, I have to stop buying clothes for my imaginary life. No more:

* Business Suits
* Panty Hose
* Ruffles, bows or "mock" anything
* Tailored "junior league" look
* Big evening-out outfits (never had one anyway)
* Anything with fringe
* Pumps, heels, or any shoes that look good but hurt
* Tight pants (brought to you by the creators of cystitus)
* Thong underwear (so uncomfortable and itchy, but looks great on Italian women)
* Bras with wires or small pumps that inflate plastic bags (useful when flying?)
* Short skirts
* No big tees with rhinestones, sequins, or puffy applique cut-outs in abstract poodle shapes (will consider stars and crescent moons)

Excerpted from:
Thank You, Your Opinion Means Nothing To Me
by Nancy Blair

Take Time

My family (my mom, my dad, my sister and my niece) was in town this week from New Jersey. What a joy it was to spend time with them. Taking time out for family and friends is important to me. Thinking about that fact, reminded me of an Old English Prayer that I thought I'd share with you this week. Enjoy!

Take Time

Take time to work.
It is the price of success.

Take time to think.
It is the source of power.

Take time to play.
It is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take time to read.
It is the foundation of wisdom.

Take time to worship.
It is the highway to reverence.

Take time to be friendly.
It is the road to happiness.

Take time to dream.
It is what the future is made of.

Take time to love and be loved.
It is the privilege of life.

Take time to look around.
It is too short a day to be selfish.

Take time to laugh.
It is the music of the soul.

--Old English Prayer

Identity Theft: Deter, Detect, Defend

Last night, at the Watertown, WI Newcomers and Neighbors meeting I attended, Officer David Gilbert gave us a presentation on protecting ourselves from Identity Theft. I've covered this subject before in this blog, but it's so important that I wanted to revisit it.

According to the FTC, "identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft.

The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn't make--or until you're contacted by a debt collector.

Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit."

Identity theft can occur so easily. It can happen just by carrying around your social security card in your wallet, putting out your outgoing mail in the evening hours before mail pick up, or even tossing an old credit card receipt or insurance card in the trash without shredding it first.

Don't allow yourself to be a victim. To learn more about Identity Theft and how to protect yourself and your loved ones, visit:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

There is a video, plus tons of free information available for both consumers and businesses. You can also find out how you can obtain your credit report--for free.