MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

I just wanted to tell everyone...

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Christmas Eve is a REALLY busy day here at work. Everyone waits until the last minute to pick up their Christmas Ham.

I probably won't be back on here until after Jan 2nd. Kevin and I are leaving for Florida !!! (Yeaaaa) With the Temperature in the single digits here....I can't wait to be WARM !!

By the way...our first problem with our vacation...

When I booked the flights online, I have Kevin and I leaving on the same flight out of Pittsburgh BUT....
in Charlotte N.C. Kevin leaves at 10:00 am and I leave at NOON !!!! Sooooo, Kevin has a TWO HOUR jump on the vacation. Learned a lesson with online booking....oh well.....

Newest member of the Kevin's Quality Meats team....

Congratulation Tom and Jeannie !!!

Steven came into the world December 18, 2008 at 8:30 am - and weighing in at 6 lbs 4 oz

A Dog Whisperer needed....

I think we are at a level of being neurotic about the tree....

But again...it's so cute....which could be my problem.....

Missy's Tree Obsession....

Missy is totally obsessed with the Christmas tree. Ashley was making fun of it . She said our tree looks like we have a toddler in the house - no ornaments a foot from the floor. Now, the tree is deformed. Missy keeps laying on it...I get her off of it and correct her...I turn my back and she back to laying on it.




It was so darn cute - I did have to take a picture...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN !!!!

Happy 53 rd Birthday !!!

Credit Card....

I talked with the Director of the vacation company. He said the same thing just happened to him. He gave me a few pointers that he had to do. He is having three different people call me about it (They were suppost to call me yesterday and didn't). He assured me they will be pressing charges and the person (s) will be fired. I am NOT giving up on this. Every couple days they will be hearing from me....I'm NOT letting it go.

Credit Card Fraud !!!!

What a morning so far !!! Saturday mornings are bill paying day. Kevin was making out the bills and calls me in to ask if I had charged something on the credit card. I said that I hadn't - but we had a charge from Proactive Solutions. So...Kevin called the number for Proactive on the credit card statement. Turns out, the charge was from over the phone and was shipped to Ft. Lauderdale.

WELLLLLLL, guess where our vaction was from....FT. LAUDERDALE !!!

I called the credit card company, canceled the credit card and they reissued another, put monitoring on the account (anytime there is a charge on either the new one or the old one - they will call to confirm the charge before putting it through). Then called the State Police and they came and filed a report. Now, I am waiting for the Vacation company to open so that I can call them. I better get a pretty nice freebie from them !!!

Keep you posted....

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great !!!

Thought I would share a few fun pictures....sorry Tam...lol

My favorite....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

Cat Scan oops...

The doctor's office just called...when I was in her office the other day she read the wrong cat scan to me.

Well, turns out that I have Renal, Liver and Ovarian Cysts. I have to get another Sona Gram. They are sending the paper work to me. She said the Renal Cysts are "stable". I go back on Wednesday - so I am going to ask more questions. The nurse really didn't have answers for me. So until then...

Doctors appointment....

I had a doctors appointment yesterday....

My cholesterol is DOWN !!! I am at 147 !!! YEAAAA !!
So, I am to stay on the diet and keep taking the medication. I told her upfront that I was cheating on Thanksgiving....she laughed and told me not to get it checked right away.

I also got the results of my Cat Scan. They have decided that the renal cysts aren't anything to worry about...we'll keep an eye on them over the years but that's fine too.....Yeaaaa.

I am so exited though, about having my migraines taken care of now. She had me try a medication in her office. I was amazed....I could actually feel my head get lighter. The migraine wasn't 100% taken away but it was soooooo much better. Within an hour, I FELT HUMAN AGAIN. I go back on Wednesday, she wants to see how this medication is working.

Warning to car insurance consumers....

Yesterday started with Car Insurance drama...

We got the car insurance check. Turns out that now, they make the check out to the owner of the policy and (if the car has a loan) the lein holder. Took ALL DAY, between our Insurance agent, the insurance co and the bank to get it all straightened out. When we bought the Jeep, the best interest rate was through a bank in Ohio. So, I called and explained how the insurance co made out the check. She tells me that I will have to send the check to them along with a PAID auto body invoice. I said whoaaaa. That's not right. I paid my full coverage auto insurance and I pay my car payment early...why am I being punished for this...All I could think of was, if this was one of the kids, they couldn't afford to pay it out of pocket and then be reimbursed. Isn't this the reason we buy car insurance? I went and got Kevin and he talked to her...demanded to talk to her supervisor. Turns out we talked to a "wanna be" . We still have to send the check along with the original estimate (which they will NOT send the check if you don't send the "correct original estimate"), then they send the garage a check.

I get there are people who rip off insurance companies, I get that there are shady garages but holy cow....what about the rest of us suckers that do the right thing....

Checks in the mail...

I heard from the insurance yesterday. I thought it was funny cause he told me "the checks in the mail". I scheduled the Jeep - December 8th it'll be started.

Sunday...Everyone coming and going....

Our Sunday was a little unusual, Kevin came into the store to get a few things done while we were closed. Justin went to the Pet store for a few things and I stayed home and tried to clean. Ashley was the only one that had to work. The Studios manager is in the hospital - so everyone is kicking in to cover her. So, Ashley had a full day. This picture was after a day at work and Ash just laid down on the floor. Missy came over to get a little lovins...picture isn't that great, but it was so darn cute.

Oh...and the total of my "run in" with the deer is $1500. I know I was lucky....just still irritating that the Jeep is only a few months old. I am supposed to hear from the insurance company today about getting the repairs started.

Deer plus a car doesn't equal anything good....

Last night on my way home - I was coming around a bend and at the end of my headlight beam I seen two deer.
I slammed on my breaks and they turned running toward me. I tried to stop even faster only to hear bump - bump of a third deer that I didn't see. By this time, out of the corner of my eye I seen deer horns...A forth ran straight into my Jeep.

I'm fine - I guess I was lucky, the car could've had a lot more damage. BUT I just got the Jeep in August....sighhhhh

I pulled over and got out of my car. No deer...they all ran away, even the one I ran over.

But my problem was....
When the deer that rammed me hit me - he hit right at my door handle and screwed up my locks. So when I got out of the (running) car to check...and I closed the door...the doors locked !!! I went around to all of the doors and everyone of them were locked, with my car running and my cell phone sitting on the passenger side seat. I ended up standing in the head lights so that when Kevin went by - he would see me. It did work....he came to my rescue.

Congratulations Amy and Mike !!

This past Saturday night, Kevin and I went to his niece Amy's wedding. Unfortunately we missed the wedding itself and the food. We had to close the store and then go.

She looked so pretty. The picture is of Amy and her daughter.





It was at the Cornerstone Ballroom in Butler. I didn't even know it was there. It's a very pretty place.

CRASH !!!!

What a day yesterday was....my computer CRASHED. I lost A LOT.

Thankfully I had just backed up my Bookkeeping, so that wasn't lost. Now I am trying to install. Which has been REALLY rough. This new computer has Vista - my software isn't....oh fun - fun.

So far one full day of installing, downloading patches and new software that's supported by VISTA....So tomorrow will be finding all the backups of other files....if I have them....(groan)

Justin made it home...

As of now (7:14 am), I have not actually seen him. I did see his car in the driveway this morning and there was no phone calls from him last night. His bedroom door was closed....so later today I will actually see him in the flesh...lol.

Justin called about 6:00 pm last night saying he was on the road to home - Which REALLY surprised us. We weren't expecting him until November 14th. He would've made it to our house somewhere around Midnight - WAYYYYYYY past our bedtime. I heard Kevin telling him that he knew where his room was and we would leave the door unlocked.

Our house is full again...Kevin, Me, Ashley, Shasha (German Shepard), Missy (Great Dane), Mr Peanut (Turtle), Willy (Cocktail), Big Guy (African Grey Congo Parrot)....Now we add Justin, Stinky (Ferret), Ferret #2, and god help me a snake.

Ashley being a model for another Photographer at work

Ashley and another Photographer were practicing between clients...

Ashley's First Photos as a Professional Photographer !!!!

I know I am her Mom....but I LOVE these pictures !!!

Way to go Ash !!!

Missy fell asleep while I was trying to clean this weekend. She was just too darn cute not to take a picture of her.

Ashley LOVES her new job....

The love of Photography is coming back to her. If you ask her directly, Ash will tell you very nonchalantly - yea, I like my new job. As her Mom, I don't gauge her by what she says - but her excitement. It is so nice to see her excited again.

When she went to AIP (The Art Institute of Pittsburgh), she lost the love of pictures. But being back in the Photography - just the boost she needed to love it again.

First couple days of work - no phone calls on her breaks. Which was a good thing. She really likes the girls she works with at Lifetouch. Now, I have gotten calls from her while she's on break....excited calls. Tells me what she's doing and what she was told - the last call from her break was asking me to stay up. She wanted to show me some pictures.

They have been helping each other - she was the model for the other girl. When she gives me those ones I will post some.

Just so nice to see her liking what she's doing.

Children update...

Well, first Ashley had her first day of work. It went well, she had a lot of company paper work to fill out. Then the girl that was training her ended up being really busy. So, Ash was an assistant for the day.

She has a full day today 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. So, hopefully it turns into a good day.

Now on to the BIG SHOCKER...
Justin is moving back home. We have been making him wait on the final decision for about 3 or 4 weeks now. We wanted to make sure this is what he really wanted - before he left Mohonk.

He has decided to move back to Kittanning. He called this morning and his last day at Mohonk will be November 10 and he will be coming back on Novemeber 14.

Say Cheeeesssseeee......

Ashley heard from Republic and it was a thank you for your interest but try again. She's doing great - she has a great attitude about it. She says that she met a lot of really nice people, that it was a great experience and she learned a lot. She said that she really sorta expected it. At the interview they were asked to stand up and say their name and what they do. Ash said her and one other girl were the only ones that weren't already flight attendants.

She still says she's glad she went.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) she starts her first day of work as a paid photographer !!!! yeaaaaa !!!!

She has everything lined up to start. They are to dress in all black - she's not too thrilled about that. She jokes that she has to look Goth. Black pants, Black Shirt, Black shoes, Black socks - yep even socks - they work in their bare feet so they want even your socks to be black too.

TODAY IS THE DAY !!!!

She was up early ready to go. The Republic airline were starting at 9:00 am. I got this picture right before she left her room to go to the interview

Ashley left for her Republic Airline interview

Our morning started with being on the road at 6:15am. We left Kittanning at around 6:30. We thought we had plenty of time, even a little oops time. WELL, I wasn't counting on an hour and 15 mins drive taking THREE HOURS. Between rush hour and construction - it killed our timing. With every mile that DIDN'T pass, my daughter panicked.

We got to the airport, got her through security and everything in time. She called me from the gate and was saying how she made it and the doors weren't even open. Just as she said that - they called her flight. So thankfully she was there RIGHT ON TIME.

She sent me a picture of her room.

Now to make it through tomorrow....

I have been on this lowering Cholesterol diet for a little while now. I have been pretty discouraged. It's a struggle for me and especially since you really don't know if you accomplishing anything or not....well, OK...not until you go back and have the blood tests done.

I haven't weighed myself since the doctor's office....which, I was pretty horrified at what their scale said. I noticed my pants were fitting better the other morning. I decided to go weigh myself. I have lost 13 lbs since starting this diet.

I am excited. It actually helps me to stick to the diet now. I guess it's being able to see that - at least it's working in one way. Kevin has been on the diet too. He's lost about 8 lbs so far. So we're both pretty excited.

Kevin had his wisdom tooth out on Thursday. He was pretty sore. The poor guy was miserable. He walked in the door and I said - oh, I figured they would pack it. Turns out it wasn't packed - he had A LOT of swelling. The roots of the tooth were wrapped around his jaw bone. So it was a challenge for the dentist. Six stitches and a pretty sore jaw later - the tooth is out !!

Shhhhhh....I cheated

I LOVE Sundays !

Kevin and I agreed that every Sunday we will treat ourselves to a fresh Cinnamon Roll at the Rural Valley Bakery. Wow, are they worth the week long wait !!! They are still warm when he gets them home.

Then...I HAD BEEF !!!

Kevin brought home Fillets for dinner. We didn't go over board, but WOW did it taste GREAT!!! It was so good - the poor girls weren't even able to get a little left over after dinner....THERE WASN'T ANY...lol.

Cholesterol, Cholesterol, Cholesterol

Well, I heard from the doctor about my CAT Scan. It was a good news / bad news kind of thing. Good news, it's not a kidney stone. But...~sigh~... it's a kidney fat pad. The bad news, it's from having high Cholesterol. The woman said that normally it settles in the abdomen or liver. Liver is less likely but still more likely then the kidney....well, mine liked the kidney, so Cholesterol is depositing itself on my kidney. Now I have to go back and have the CAT Scan again in three months. I am currently on a strict diet and taking medication to get it under control.

I am personally horrified about the "Proper" portion size for meat. That is my BIGGEST adjustment. It has been about 2-2 1/2 weeks since I have had Beef. I think soon I will have night mares of that old commerical...WHERE'S THE BEEF?!

Ohhhh, the days of a nice JUICY, HUGE PIECE of Prime Rib for dinner - so big that it's the only thing I eat.....

ASHLEY IS ON CLOUD NINE !!!

Ashley has had a GREAT day today !!!

Ashley calls me at work, says are you sitting down?!

She got a phone call from The Republic Airlines. They are flying her to Indianapolis on October 7th and 8th for an interview for a Flight Attendants position. She is soooo excited. The poor girl is checking her email about every hour to see if he emailed her the information.

THEN....

She calls me again....says...YOU HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND HEAR THIS ONE !!!!

She gets another call.... IT'S OFFICIAL....She is a photographer at Life Touch Photography Studio!!! Her first day of work will be October 13th !!!

The girl is so excited. I swear her feet aren't touching the ground when she walks....lol

My Warranty Ran Out...

The joke at my house is Lonny's warranty just ran out...lol.

Last month or so, I think I have been to the doctors more then I have in years, go figure. Started with one eye going black and white. Tends to freak you out a little when it happens. I figured I had some eye infection...little antibiotics and I'm ready to go. Boy was I wrong, ended up at a Pittsburgh doctor. Long story short...looks like Optic Neuritis (affects the nerve going from the eye to the brain). Just had the follow up appointment, I am healing well. If it happens again - I go back. I do have to go back in 6 months and have a follow up MRI...another expensive nap.

But now...they found a Kidney Stone. GREAT. I just had the CT Scan yesterday. I personally think - it is 2008. They surely can come up with something that tastes better then Ready-CAT. It was the worse tasting stuff I have ever tried to drink. I finished the bottle they gave me to drink - I thought I was in the clear, I got it all down. I got to the appointment - AND THEY HANDED ME MORE. I must have had a look on my face cause the woman said - I'm sorry, I know it's horrible.

So, I get it down too. I get taken into the CT Scan room. A really nice woman starts going over everything with me. Asks what surgeries I have had....I tell her everything including the Bladder Sling being put in AND the Bladder Sling Removal. So She tells me about reactions, assures me there is a doctor there for the just in case situations (Hives, heart attacks, stokes, etc). She moves on to telling me what I can expect once the start the IV. She starts with how I will get a warm sensation in the back of my mouth...ok, not bad. Then how it will feel like I peed myself....yes you read correctly. She continues...I stop her. She assures me that it is only a feeling. I reminded her of my surgeries...the bladder is NOT my healthiest organ. She laughed and reassured me. We started the scan and I heard this voice come over the room's PA System...we're starting the IV....I promise you won't pee your self and if you do I will buy you dinner.

I am proud to say...I had to buy MY OWN dinner....lol

Now...on to Kevin. The saying it's never to late...well, a 52 years old man can still get their wisdom teeth out. Kevin is having a problem on one side and now has to get it out. He goes next week. He doesn't think it'll bother him - But I think it will. I guess we'll see....

Alle-Kiski Hog Chapter Picnic

Kevin and I usually cater the Hog end of year picnic. This Sunday, we catered again. It was a nice time. We are always amazed, every year there is a whole new group of riders. There are a few that are there every year but the bulk of the members are new. Which actually makes it a little hard to cater....every year something new goes the fastest...

Another Picture Link

This link may be a little easier....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lonnykronen/sets/72157607086847358/detail/

Mohonk Mountain Resort - Justin and Lea

We had a WONDERFUL trip. It was so nice to see Justin and where he lives. Mohonk Mountain Resort is a BEAUTIFUL place. Justin and Lea had a VERY full day planned for us. We took a tour of the property and then inside. We then went rock climbing....yes, you read correctly....I WENT ROCK CLIMBING !!!

We had such a great time. It's rare that we get to spent one on one time with him.

I did have to pull the "parent thing" on him though. At the end of the day, we had dinner at Mohonk with Lea's parents. Good food and good company. But...Lea's Mom says to us...did you know Justin cooked for Former President Clinton and Hillary Clinton. I shot looks at Justin and said nooooo we didn't...

Turns out Justin didn't think it was a big deal that he cooked for Clintons'....go figure !!!! Bill Clinton told him how much he liked his meal. Justin has cooked for... now the Clintons', Drew Carey, and Peter from the Brady bunch. He said he didn't think it was worth telling us cause Celebrates are there all the time....I corrected him and told him "those" are the kind of things that he's to tell us when we say....so, Justin what's been going on...

I took pictures...here's the link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lonnykronen/show/

New York here we come....

We are leaving today after work for New Paltz, New York. We are going to finally see where Justin has worked the last two years. I hope to have a lot of pictures when we get back. He's excited to show us around. He keeps telling us how beautiful it is there.

We should get there around 10:00 - 10:30 tonight.

Everyone have a great holiday !!!

WOW - What a couple days....

Wow...last few days have been the type you hold on and ride it out. Ashley's meeting with the recruiter was....well, a little disappointing for her. The test is her biggest hurdle. She has MAJOR test anxiety. I could feel the cold sweat from across the room. Then she looked at me and I knew I was right...she panicked in a HUGE WAY.

She has decided to study for two weeks and then take the practice test in his office.

IN THE MEAN TIME....

She had a job interview !!! The interview was yesterday, from what she was telling me - it went very well. It was for a photographer at Life Touch Photography Studio at the Pittsburgh Mills Mall. Ash is excited. The lady said that she had more interviews next week. But as of now, as long as she passes the Criminal background check - she should be hired.....YEA!!!! The lady told her that she would hear as soon as the end of this week or next week.

Recruiter coming today...

Well, the National Guard guy couldn't come on Sat.

So...I had a disappointed daughter, but he's coming today to talk to her. She wants boot camp over with, so she wants to go as soon as possible.

She has a friend getting married at the end of September and last night she gave her a...I'll be there, as long as I am not in boot camp. Lets say, the friend was pretty shocked....lol

She will talk to this guy, then the "official" recruiter, the test (which she is SOOOO panicked about), then - I guess the process formally begins...

My baby will be in the Army.

Ashley Update....

Well....we have an Army National Guard Recruiter coming Saturday. Ashley has decided this is what she wants. We'll be going over her options and so forth. Right now, she's leaning toward Military Police. She's a little (ok a lot disappointed that the "cool jobs" are only for men....and that's with her little giggle)

She says that she is wanting to sign up for the 2 years, but does it with the intention of retiring from the National Guard. So, I guess for now...we'll wait and see how things go on Saturday.

What a Weekend....

We started out Saturday night - we went to the park for the Arts in the Park.

Wow, there was a lot of People. I couldn't even see the bands. I was feeling a little sick, so we went home early.

Sunday, Kevin decided we "needed" to get miles on the bikes....his way of saying he wants to take a long ride. So we headed out on the road. We have always loved going to Denny's Beer Barrel and Pub in Clearfeild. (They have the 6 lbs burger, all the way to a 50 lbs burger.) It's a nice hour and a half country road ride from home. Well....we get there...only to find out it's now no smoking. OK....I am NOT thrilled with that, but the food is worth it. We get inside, we order, food comes and I am a little disappointed right off the start. EVERY OTHER TIME I have been there - I get the Steak Salad. Best I have ever had, it comes in a bread bowel, and just LOADED with everything. Marinated steak strips, loads if french fries smothered in melted cheese. It's always been so big you can't finish it.

BUT THIS TIME - I see the girl coming and mine is on a plate...OK, little disappointed, but if it's good - still worth it. She lays my plate down and NO marinated steak strips - it has GROUND MEAT. Basically they went from the BEST FOOD to WORST FOOD I have ever had. It has three french fries, cold ground meat. Basically it tasted like they had made it ahead put it in the cooler and just pulled it out and served it.

Kevin didn't have any better luck. He got a combo - his had COLD ribs (would have been really good - if they had been heated), and chicken wings. Now, there is NOTHING WORSE THEN REHEATED WINGS. They become rubbery, well guess what, the were reheated wings. Kevin ate two pieces and pushed the plate away.

So much for our favorite restaurant...

Kevin and I decided to take a bike ride Sunday. Kev took a detour back to a pond to see if it was a good place to take the dogs to. We both think Missy would have a blast in the water