Recently I sent in my application for promotion again. Basically that whole process is that I send in my initial app. The corporate office turns around and sent me a four page app to fill out that includes a self-assessment and other performance related score. I sent that ack last week. The next step is for my boss two levels up to interview me and decide whether or not he thinks I am ready. I have already spoken with him about it and he didn't say no but he's not the kind of person that likes confrontation so he might just be blowing smoke up my ass. Anyhow, should he decide that he thinks I am ready it then needs to be approved by one of the "team 5" that consists of the five senior vice presidents.

There's no telling when he'll do the interview. He's got either 30 or 60 days, I can't remember which even though I just recently went through the process with one of my hourly employees that wants to be a manager.

July is looking to be a pretty tough month. One of my managers started his seven day vacation today. I went in this morning and found that I was out of change, out of fives and ones, had no pens or printer paper. I was not happy in the least. After a quick run to the bank I stopped and bought some cheap pens and printer paper and then ran back to the store. I'm pretty much stuck there all week although I'm taking Wednesday off. I've got two manager trainees to run the store. They should be OK. One of my other managers goes on vacation on the 23rd and her's is ten days. That should be a blast...

Still can't get the friendfeed comment importer to work, I am hoping after the upgrade that it might...

After I strangle someone...

This is my daughter RePete and our dog Riley. I took this when my daughter was about one and a half. I love this picture. Riley is about nine years old now and when we first got him I hated the stupid dog. The feeling was mutual. Over the years though we've kind of grown to like each other. I love the stupid dog and both of us enjoy playing together.

We got a cat a while back and Mr Stretchy Cat has pretty much taken over the dog's bed so we have been looking at pet beds lately. Sooner or later I will find one that I think he will like and pick it up. Considering that he usually either sleeps on or under our bed it's not as if it's really important right now.

Originally we were looking at cruises for our next vacation but now I am thinking more along the lines of driving across the country to see the Marine out at Twentynine Palms in March. We could camp or heck, maybe even rent an RV for less than the four of us could go on a cruise.

I do still want to take the wife on a Caribbean cruise though it just may have to wait an extra year or two...

Anyhow, I think we are going to work in the kitchen first as we aren't redoing the entire thing, just counter tops and sinks. I still haven't picked out the faucets yet although I've been looking at Delta Faucets. I want granite counter tops though. We just have to go pick out the colors first...

One of the possible markets that I might end up taking is in the Wilmington area. I've spent a good bit of time looking at Wilmington real estate lately just trying to get a handle on the nicer areas how much we are looking at. The big problem is selling my house in Georgia. It might take a year and I really don't want to end up with two house payments. The raise just wouldn't be worth it. Most likely we'll end renting a place wherever I go until we can sell the house.

The area is pretty nice right on the Colorado River there is plenty to do outside, not to mention the casinos that are in the vicinity.

Image via Wikipedia

I have a small collection of air tools but the roof is pretty steep in that area, so I just don't see climbing up on top of my house in order to get it fixed, which means callin in a roofing company. I was really hoping to save some money and pay a few bills off early before the end of the summer but it looks like things aren't going to go that way :(

Normally even when the real estate market slides the high-end luxury homes retain most of their value so this is certainly indicative of what's been going on all over the country.

4MortgageRateQuotes.Com has quite a bit of useful information, whether you are are looking to refinance second mortgage and get better terms or just take out a second mortgage. You can also lock in a low rate by getting a mortgage rate quote for free right now. Just check out the links on the main page over there.

My Aunt moved back to Georgia a few years back and one of the things she found that was really amazing was the cost of real estate here versus that of California, where she had loved before. Real Estate out west is so much more expensive than where I live. Even the financing terms seem better. Had she had to refinance California mortgage terms for her house out there it would have been much more expensive than what she's currently paying.

Anyway, while you are over there check out the learning center. It has quite a bit of useful information whether you want to compare Mortgage Lenders, get a free credit report, use mortgage calculators, get a home equity line of credit or maybe you are a first time buyer just looking for information. They have it all for you.