The hot topic of conversation lately is the astronomical gas prices. There’s been much discussion on finding alternative solutions for travel and alternative means of fuel, but what about a more immediate fix? And how about a fix that would not only cut down on gas consumption, but would cut down on the effects vehicle emissions are having on the ozone and global warming, as well as cutting down on traffic, road wear and tear and accidents. Here’s how:

If companies, particularly the larger companies who have the latest and greatest in technology, would allow as many employees as possible (and who have the technology to do so) to work from home two days per week, think of the positive effects. You’re maybe thinking, not a chance, but consider the reality of this. I typically travel 70 miles round trip to work. That’s a lot of miles and a lot of gas for five days a week. My employer supports family/work life balance, so I do work from home sporadically –as the need arises-and as a result, the company gets at least a couple of extra hours from me that day. I normally start earlier and work later because I do not have that drive time involved. I barely notice the additional hours myself because I’m more relaxed at home, and my stress level is low. I have minimal interruptions, so productivity is high. When I work from home, no one knows but my manager unless I tell them. I’m logged into our company’s system, I’m available by our internal instant messaging service, and I can call into conference calls, as well as call into my voice mail to pick up any messages. It’s as though I’m sitting right there.

Now, some of you may be thinking there are employees out there who couldn’t be trusted to work from home. They would goof off all day. The sad thing is, you’re probably right, but if that person can’t be trusted to work from home, it’s likely they can’t be trusted at work either. Bottom line is, if work is not getting done, you’ll know it.

You’re probably also wondering about those who don’t have the ability to work from home. What about them? There are other perks or incentives for those who can’t. Try 10 hour days 4 days a week, and to make sure there is adequate staff coverage, half could be off on Monday, and half on Friday, or perhaps some on Wednesday. The perk of Wednesday is that you never have to work more than two day in a row.

I’ve heard skeptics say that this concept would still not cut down on gas consumption because employees who are off on that 5th day will just drive somewhere else and they’ll still be using gas. While there may be some who do this, the majority of people I know who have an extra day off enjoy spending that day at home catching up on household chores, or simply relaxing. Even if they do go somewhere, it’s usually within a few miles, or a few blocks from their house, and on a nice day, they may even take their bike or walk.

As an added bonus, there are many possibilities of positive residual effects. For example, I no longer purchase new cars. With the miles I drive, the value of the car depreciates quickly just within that first year, so what’s the point? If I drove less miles, I would be more inclined to purchase a new car as opposed to a used one. Think about it. I’m sure you’d come up with a few of these possibilities as well.

www.sensiblelife.com

The yard ornament trend continues as we get into the full swing of summer, so I’ve developed some rules of what not to do, based on what I’ve seen recently. Feel free to add to them, as I may be doing just that throughout the season. Here we go:

1. If you have a fire hydrant in your front yard, a resin dog hiking it’s leg on it is not a good idea for sprucing it up.
2. If you install a new commode in your house, setting the old one in your yard and planting flowers in it is not a good idea, nor is it a desirable one.
3. If you have a commode flower bed, adding the wooden figure of a little boy peeing on the flowers is not a good idea, unless you’re just weird.
4. If you have an old metal bed you’re getting rid of, and have an epiphany that involves spray painting it white and setting it up in your yard, and planting flowers in it, this not only isn’t a good idea, but it looks ridiculous.

These are the basic rules of yard ornaments, and anyone not following them may be in danger of receiving a citation from the yard police.
www.sensiblelife.com

I know this blog is for peeves, rants and raves, but there are many moments in life when one has to stop and reflect on the things to be grateful for, like I’m grateful that:

1. I’m not as clueless as Paris Hilton. The first clue is don’t drink and drive. It can not only hurt the driver, but others around them and ruin lives (perfect example is the story of Ludvig Girdland at www.sensiblelife.com) The second clue is, when you appear in court for breaking the law, thoroughly read the judge’s orders. Just assuming you know what is in there, or assuming someone else will tell you what’s in there doesn’t always cut it. (By the way, Paris, that 45 days in jail will pass before you know it)

2. I’m more responsible with my income than the guy from Louisville, Kentucky who was interviewed on the news during The Oaks horse races and said everyone should experience this glorious day-before-Derby event and “take all the money out of their bank account, bring it to The Oaks and bet it all”. That makes about as much sense as drawing out all your money, taping it to your clothes and walking through the Bronx at night alone.

3. I own up to my mistakes (on those rare occasions when I make one…lol), and I’m not as paranoid about everything in life as one of my relatives who shall remain nameless (note: relative by marriage, not blood), and who seems to think the whole world is targeting her every time she makes a mistake and can’t find a valid excuse or someone to blame it on. She is the eternal victim. I would hate being a victim at all, much less every day of my life.

4. I have a few friends I can trust with anything, and I reciprocate that trust for them as well. I see people every day who don’t have that, and I’m not sure what I would do if I had people who called themselves my friends, but could no more be trusted than that conniving wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.

5. I have an awesome husband, and I don’t have any reason, nor desire, to join in with the husband-bashing women who think it’s cool to tell everyone how competent they are, and what a loser their idiot husband is. Think about it -you can’t be too competent if you chose to marry a loser.

That’s about it for now. I’m grateful for more things than I could possibly list in one night, or even in this blog, so this will have to do for now.