Memorial Day 2007

Happy Monday all... I know Memorial Day is supposed to be a day to remember those Americans fallen in military actions around the world... But, I decided to post some photos that I thought were worthy of remembrance today as well:

Over and "Out" in memoriam from Toano, VA

Will we open on time?

These are a couple of pictures from the front of the new store... Question is, will it be ready for us to set up and open by June 7th? You be the judge...

Over and "Out" (for now) from Toano, VA

Saturday Morning

Happy Saturday all...

This is my last weekend working in my old store up in Richmond. Two of the people working there are transferring down to my store (the new one) in Suffolk, and had their last day yesterday. I continue to cover for the Ops Manager through Sunday, then meet with the new store management team on Monday to prep for the orientation and training for all new and transferring associates beginning Wednesday at the hotel in Suffolk.

I was concerned that getting back into management after my "cardiac event" two years ago might be too stressful for me... Quite the contrary, I have never felt so comfortable doing anything in my life... I never realized how much I missed working with the people that make these stores tick (we don't handle furniture, we handle people)...

On a side note, for any "Extreme Makeover, Home Edition" fans... American Signature (Value City Furniture's, American Signature Furniture's, and Rooms Today's parent company) is now a participating sponsor, supplying the show most of the home furnishings and accessories seen weekly. Check out their websites...

Not alot else happening in my neck of the woods...

Over and "Out" for now, from rainy Toano, VA

Jerry Laymon Falwell, Sr. 1933 - 2007

Rest in peace Mr. Falwell...

Just a couple of Jerry's views:

On the September 11th attacks:
"The pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way — all of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'"

Who can't help but love this guy?
"I shudder to think where the country would be right now if the religious right had not evolved,"

Unfortunately, we will always remember him as a founder and leader of America's anti-gay industry, someone who exacerbated the nation's appalling response to the onslaught of the AIDS' epidemic, someone who demonized and vilified us for political gain and someone who used religion to divide rather than unite our nation.

My heart goes out to the Falwell family, for their loss...

Over and "Out" from Toano, VA

What did I miss?

Ok, after working 7 days in a row, I was off yesterday... Well kind of...

Jim had been off Saturday and Sunday, and to my surprise (considering the weather) he had the lawn mowed and edged on Saturday, and got all the laundry done Sunday. Leaving me very little household chores for Monday... That was very nice!

We decided to run a few errands yesterday locally and in Newport News. Since we were out and about, we took a little side trip through the Monitor-Merrimac bridge-tunnel over to Chesapeake and Suffolk to take a look at the progress of the new store. We parked and were just looking at the front of the store (which still has no windows or doors) when a guy came up to us and asked if he could help us. Turns out he was the project manager for the renovation. After explaining who I was, he let us walk around the interior of the building and have a "look-see" as to the progress. I am having a hard time believing that what I saw is going to be finished for our scheduled opening date of June 7th, but then what do I know of such things? The guy was very nice and gave me his card before we took off to do some shopping at the Chesapeake Square Mall, right next door. He told me if there was anything I needed to give him a call...

We walked the mall, bought some Mother's Day cards, and a pair of shoes, then headed over to have some lunch, and drove home.

Before we left for our day, I had fired up the slow cooker and sliced up the ingredients for our pot roast dinner (there weren't many home cooked meals last week due to my schedule). When we walked in to the house, it smelled delicious! We ate early and settled in to watch "Dreamgirls" which we missed at the theaters and added to our netflix queue.

I now am in a quandary, what was the fuss all about? Did I miss something? I mean, it was an ok movie, but I was extremely disappointed... I expected more. There was even one time when I got up from my comfy spot on the sofa next to Jim, and said something like "Damn I wish they would stop singing and interrupting the dialog" or something to that effect. Oh well, I guess we are all entitled to our own opinions...

I am back in Richmond (commuting) for the next 2 weeks, but I do have a 3 day weekend coming up. That will be great! We start associate training for the new store on May 21st, and that will be exciting, as will beginning the transition into the new store as it finishes up.

That's all for now from Toano, VA...

Over and "Out"!!!

Queen(s) In Williamsburg

I guess the gig is up! Williamsburg is now right up there with Provencetown, San Francisco, NYC, and the like... All favorite hangouts for queens!

I think it's great that Queen Elizabeth II took time out of her busy weekend schedule at the Kentucky Derby to visit what is now referred to as the "Historic Triangle": Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown... I once got a glance of her in a limo riding and waving through the people lined streets of Miami, and felt no need to fight the crowds for another "look-see" here in Virginia... If you've seen one queen... You've seen 'em all...

Seriously though... I do think it's awesome that today's leader of the country that lost it's rule over our nation over 230 years ago still feels comfortable enough to visit. Our current leader should take note, and try to emulate some of the finer qualities of the British Monarch.

Now on to a vote of sorts. I just recently rented and watched Dame Helen Mirren's academy award winning portrayal of HRM Queen Elizabeth II in "The Queen". Personally, I think Ms. Mirren is more convincing in the role than Ms. Windsor... Your thoughts?

Over and "Out" from just outside the Historic Triangle, in Toano, VA