Sunday bike ride

What a BEAUTIFUL Sunday !!!

Kevin and I did a few things around the house, then jumped on the bikes and took a ride.We couldn't have asked for a better day. It was warm, the sun was out, and I GOT BURNED !!! I know sounds strange - but Kevin calls me foil. He says the sun reflects off of me. It always amazes me - we can be in the sun the same amount of time....I am ghostly white and he is as tan as can be - sooooo not fair....

Ashley's Web site is getting a face lift....

Ashley got business cards a little while back. So I changed her web site to go with the new cards. It still needs tweaking - but it's on it's way. Basically the pictures are what we need to work on....the arranging and getting her other pictures on my computer so I can add and organize them on the site. If you stop by it very often you will notice little changes all the time, but it's running. Ohhhh...and remember to sign her guest book and say hi!!

Her work at Lifetouch will be super slow for a few weeks. So if anyone is interested in getting any pictures taken - now is the time to grab her...

ashleysmithphotography.net

The truck is finally starting to get it's repairs. We took it to Cranberry last night so they can disconnect the refrigeration and remove the box. When that's done we'll need to go get it and take it to the body shop. But wow did we have to fight the insurance co to get it going. But it's done and we're getting everything moving on it....thankfully.

ASHLEY TOOK THE LEAP.....

Ashley took the leap, she bought a 2008 Chevy Cobalt. She's so excited. I don't think I have seen her smile this much since she got the Grand Am.

Believe it or not I don't have a picture of her with the car yet. This picture is from the lot. I will get one of her and the car though....just not sure when her and I can be in one spot at the same time with daylight. I may be asking for too much....lol.













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Our Delivery truck was involved in a fatal accident

Tom (our delivery guy) was stopped on Rt. 422 to turn into Cieria Lounge to make a delivery. He looked into his side mirror while waiting for two vehicles to go by, and he seen an 18 wheeler jack knived coming at him. He was rear ended. He called us to tell us he was in an accident and that he would call right back. Tom didn't realize at that point that one of the two cars didn't make it past the 18 wheeler. He thought it was just him. The other car's driver didn't make it, but her baby (who was in the car with her) was not touched. Tom is ok, still shaked by it all, but physically ok.

The State police held him at the scene for about 5 hours while they investigated. The 18 wheeler was found going too fast for weather conditions (it was raining).

A few more pics from Denny's Wedding

Congrats Teri and Denny

Ohhhh, did Denny have a BLAST at his wedding.

This is Tom and Denny at the Bridal Dance. They were in the center until Denny swayed and out of the center he went. But I just couldn't resist the look on his face...

The Bride and Groom

Kevin's Nephew Greg's Murderer set FREE !!!

How does this happen? They are basically saying it's ok to murder someone if the county you do it in doesn't have the money to deal with it?


Firth Woman's Murder Case Dismissed

BINGHAM COUNTY - The case against the Firth woman accused of killing her husband will not be heading to trial, for now. Thursday morning, the case was dismissed without prejudice. This means the case can be filed again at anytime, for instance if new evidence is discovered.
Dorothy Porter was charged with first-degree murder for the July 2008 death of her husband Greg Porter. Police believed she killed him in their home and tried to cover it up by trying to make it look like a suicide. She previously pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm.
Budget concerns are one of the reasons for dismissing the case for now.
"I only have a certain amount of money in the budget to use each year for court proceedings, and this case could run me over that limit by itself" said Bingham County Prosecuting Attorney, Scott Andrew.
The prosecution says there is ballistic and blood evidence that still needs to be evaluated before continuing to trial. However, the defense desires to have their experts analyze the results and make sure the lab technicians follow protocol.
The prosecution is considering moving the evidence to a private lab in Utah so the desires of both parties can be satisfied.
The amount of time needed to analyze all the data could take a considerable amount of time, which would directly conflict with Porter's ability to go to trial.
In accordance with court laws, Porter would have to be on trial before the end of April. So in an effort to buy more time, the case was dismissed without prejudice.
Once the test results are in, the Prosecution can then move to re-file the case, and move to trial.
The Defense is concerned about Porter's rights to a speedy trial and due process of law being violated. Porter's attorney was also reportedly concerned about the fees involved in continuing to pay private DNA analysts for the defense. However, the county has stepped in and accepted responsibility for said fees.
"This case has been anything but easy as far as getting everything done, but I can't see why we wouldn't re-file once all the blood work, gunshot residue, and other evidence has been analyzed," said Andrew.
Dorothy Porter was released from jail, and the courts do not believe she is a threat to the community.

A little rambling

Yesterday was a challenge to get the Credit/Check Cashing Machine going. The download and "training" took two hours. Then it took the rest of the day to get the bugs worked out. But...it's up and running. Now to get everyone trained on running it....which could take a while longer...lol.

As a Mom - I have to throw in...

Ash has had three customers now, call and say how much they liked their child's pictures. She still HATES the traveling but loves being a photographer. She is just finding out what she likes within the industry.

Hopefully Monday or Tues I will have some new pictures. Denny here at work is getting married on Sat. Everyone here is going - so the pictures should be interesting to say the least....lol

Good Morning !!!!!

Well, today should be a busy day here at work. Usually Thurs are a slow day and I catch up on things...But, we are installing the new Credit Card / Check cashing machine. So, I will have that to do here in a little while. It will make my life so much easier though. It will end the bounced checks. Yeaaaaa!

Every couple months, I have to be a debt collector and I HATE THAT PART. We are basically paying the same amount as the other company but getting an additional service (the check cashing). It's just a matter of getting everything moved over to the new company.

I thought, with this little cold snap - we may need another reminder to just hold on summer is on the way.....

Ohhhhh....I can't wait!

Hello !!

Well...everything went well at the doctor's office. He had a different attitude. I will have another MRI. I'm having it on April 9th. I guess we'll find out then whats going on....at least hopefully.























I thought the picture would help remind us that summer is not that far off...

warm summer breeze....quiet summer mornings by the beach...Smell of sun tan lotion and chlorine....

I better stop before I want to run away on vacation...oops too late

Hello !
I am heading out to Pittsburgh, to the doctor's office here in a little while. I made the decision that I wasn't going to take any Ibuprofen, Motrin or the migraine medicine for two days before my appointment. (my husband asked me if I was sure that I really wanted to do that - I think he was worried for the doctor's safety)

I want him to see what it's like. I also decided that if I am not satisfied at the end when Happ goes over everything with me....I'm going to clear the room of his interns and have a REAL chat with him.

I don't want any empty assurances. Like call me and I'll get you in within 24 hours. His theroy was he needed an MRI at the time or as close to as possible to the time of the attack or what ever you want to call them. I call...and no call back. That's happened three times and him and I are either going to see eye to eye or I am finding a new doctor...I don't care if he is one of the only 4 specialists in the country or not. He's not worth this and I plan to tell him that....So if you look in the direction of Pittsburgh and see fireworks, don't worry....it's only me.

I thought I would share a picture of our friend Donna and her Granddaughter Cypress....Cypress will be three this weekend

I got this picture the other day in my email....I thought it was ADORABLE. I wish I could remember who sent it...but I save it.

This weekend was a dud....Sunday - my day off was spent going from the couch to the bathroom...sigh...hopefully that's over.

Friends, Geno and Donna's son started a D.J. Business....D.J. Webb. He had a gathering/party for everyone they know. He was wanting to practice putting everything up and run it and then take it all down.

This is his daughter playing with the bubbles....such a cutey !!

Ashley works all week - but Friday she will be taking Kittanning Middle School Spring Portraits !! She gets to go back to her "old" school....

Warning....keep a safe distance from the Kronens'

Right now, the cold and flu is being past through our family. I started with me drinking from a coffee cup that I THOUGHT was mine....and it turned out to be Tom's cup....the next day he was out of commission. Then I was....then Justin....then Missy (the Great Dane - not a good thing when she has an intestinal flu....) ...now Ashley....and Kevin is starting to have symptoms.

Hopefully it ends soon....

New roof at the store....

BEFORE

AFTER

Our roof at the store...well, has NEVER been healthy since we baught the building. It finally reached the point the patches just weren't working anymore. One little thaw and the roof was flooding the building. So we had to call the roofers....

Our only picture together on vacation

Hello ! Things have been a little crazy around here. I finally scanned a picture from vacation...I think it's they only one I have of Kevin and I together.

Ashley's New Web Site....

Wix.com - Website built by AshleySmithPhotos based on My Personal Portfolio

That's a link to Ashley's new website. Just doing a Mom's part to promote....lol

Harleys on vacation....

Kevin was surprised on the vacation...we stumbled into three Harley Dealers.

Orlando

Bahamas

Ft. Lauderdale (Pompano)

We were just driving (or walking) to the next place and ~poof~ Harley dealer. So, of course, Kevin got a shirt from each dealer. His souvenir from Ft Lauderdale was almost a new Harley. That was the first Harley that I have seen Kevin willing to trade his in for...but as hard as it was for him....he walked away.

Ashley's Engagement Photo Session

I thought I would share a few of Ashley's first Engagement Photo Session. They picked the coldest day so far to have them done. It was minus 20 degrees.

She's in training with Lifetouch. They called this morning and canceled for today. Roads are TERRIBLE...I warmed up the Jeep then went out and chiseled the ice off of the windshield. Ohhhh, I can't wait until spring....

I am up and RUNNING !!!!!

I am now installing all my programs back into the computer. Ohhhhh is it nice to have it back !!!
I am starting with all the programs necessary for work...then for my photos. So hopefully SOON, my posts won't be so dreary.

I am so HAPPY it's back...lol

No computer....

My frustration level is getting VERY high with the Geek Squad. I called this morning to make sure it was done before I left....well, it wasn't done.

Some NEW problem with the drivers. I personally feel like I am getting the run around. I am going to call here in a little bit and if it's not done - I am going to ask him if we have reached the replacement level yet. Which I already know they will say no - But it's worth a shot.

He basically told me that if he couldn't fix it by 4:00 - it won't be touched the rest of the day. So we would be looking at tomorrow....maybe...probably not....lol

Mini Update...

Ashley got a call from the studio....She starts at 8:30 am on Monday !! Dress code in studio - nice jeans and a nice shirt. In the Field - Dockers and they will give her a shirt to wear. BUT - IT IS FULL TIME !!! I'm a Mom...odd things tickle me...lol

Computer update....I should be able to pick it up tonight !! I just hope they finish it in enough time for me - to make it down to Pittsburgh before they close. If not, looks like I will be making a trip to Pittsburgh in the morning.

One positive, I think I got this old machine working...At least for a little while. It may not run the greatest, but I can get on the Internet with it.

Computer

Well, this week has been the week from H@##.

My three month old computer DIED. The hard drive went out Monday morning. I called the Geek squad. The guy on the phone was very helpful. Told me more then he was supposed too. He said take it to the nearest Best Buy. Best case....it would take 10-15 min to fix....at worse a few hours. I was the first person in the store. I never left until almost 1:00 AND without the computer. Believe it or not I spent the ENTIRE time arguing with them.

Basically, I probably won't have it back until tomorrow (Friday) sometime; or at least I am hoping. I would NEVER RECOMMEND Best Buy EVER again. I bought their extended plan. Basically it's not worth the paper it's written on. So far, to the the computer back it's going to cost me over $350. At least that was last night's "rough estimate". I can only imagine, what the final total is going to be.

I am just thankful that I put all of Ashley's Engagement photo session on a CD right away. I'm REALLY hoping my external Hard drive backed up everything I needed for here at work. If not I know that I am looking at putting about 3 months worth of work back into it. Not good at tax time....oh well.....what are ya going to do....

Bahamas....

What a beautiful country....
Kevin and I are SERIOUSLY thinking about retiring to the Bahamas. The island life was so us.

The ship was in port at about 8:00 am and we were ready to go as soon as they opened the doors. We didn't take the ship tours - we decided to wing it. We were both happy that we did. The cruise ship staff made it sound like you couldn't go anywhere if you didn't take their tours. But reality was....it was A LOT cheaper if you went through the locals.

After the cruise ship tours left, then the locals would arrange transportation for you. The second picture was our driver Loyd. Very nice man. He charged round trip - only $10 a person. On the ride, he told you about the different things you could do and see. He dropped us off right at the beach. He made sure he made arrangements with us on the time we would be ready to go back on the ship.




We spent some time just watching the ocean and enjoying the warm sun. There was a local lady that was braiding hair. I had to chuckle to myself that no one approached me about braiding my hair...I guess it's too short...lol.






At the end of the beach, there was a little locals restaurant called Billy Joe's. They made Conk. Yep, you read correctly. The Conk Shells - they cooked the meat. It was sooooo good. I will defiantly have it again. They grilled the Conk, then after it was cooked they put it in foil with tomatoes, green peppers and onions. They let it roast then on the grill. Ohhhh is it good. I was going to get the Conk Salad, but I am glad I didn't. It's not cooked. Lemon juice
and other stuff on it. I wanted to try the local food, but I guess I
guess vocation hazard....I want all bacteria killed in my food...

We even stumbled onto a Harley Shop in the Bahamas. That thrilled Kevin. It wasn't open when we first seen it....but we DIFFIDENTLY went back when they were open.
We were lucky...we came across a Harley shop in all three places....Ft. Lauderdale, Bahamas and Orlando.

Cruise...

BRRRRRR....Minus 20 degrees this morning. Ohhhh to be back in the Bahamas.....

We had a nice time on the cruise. I took a steady supply of Dramamine....just in case. It was a small ship so you really felt the motion of the water. I am convinced my Mom rocked me to sleep as a baby cause I slept GREAT on the ship.

The second and third pictures are from dinner. Each night the staff would do some type of entertainment. This night they did a Mexican theme.

The man in the second picture (the one without the flames on his head) was our waiter. He spoke English, but VERY broken. Him and I sorta had an unspoken agreement....I pointed to what I wanted on the menu and we would smile at each other when I was done.

We sat with two other couples, both from Canada. The couple in the picture. They were born in a village in the Philippines. Then moved to Canada. They both work for a construction company. She was so funny. She was willing to try anything. I was disappointed that my picture was fuzzy. But, I guess that's what I get for not double checking it and doing it in a hurry.

The other couple were from Canada, but spoke French. He taught himself English, but his wife didn't speak a word. He was really nice too, he tried so hard to talk with everyone and keep her in the loop. Me - I was totally out of the loop. I have a VERY hard time with accents and broken English. I was like his wife, smiling and agreeing to a lot that I had no clue about.

Little Ashley update.... She's doing her first engagement pictures today. A Friend of hers is getting married in August and wanted to get the engagement picture in the paper. So, Ash will be doing that today. Between you and I....she's nervous. She fiddled with her camera, the battery, the card about a million times...lol.

Ft. Lauderdale

It was so nice to get away. Sure beats this minus three degrees we are having now. We played on the beach and basically hung out. We did have the problem of being on a VERY early schedule. For Christmas here at work - we were getting up at 3:00am. Our internal clocks just didn't understand that we were on vacation. So, our eyes popped open at 3:00am - and had to entertain ourselves until things opened. It was nice to get awake and take a cup of coffee onto the balcony and watch the ocean. - What a great way to start the day.

We had a WONDERFUL meal at the Bahia Cabana. It was on the channel. We ate at a table right by the water. You could watch the boats come and go. Their Key Lime Pie - was the BEST we have ever ate.

The bottom pictures are from the balcony of our room. We were on the seventh floor - so we had a nice view.

We did learn a few lesson on what to change on the next vacation. For one - Plan things that are closer together. We ended up putting 1,000 miles on the rent a car. Which, was WAY too much time traveling.

Believe it or not - Kevin and I are planning 2009 vacation !!!! So far we are trying to figure out which Caribbean island. Right now, we're leaning toward Grenada.

Air Boat Ride and Alligators...

I have finally got the vacation pictures on Flickr. You can get to them by clicking the slide show at the side.
You can also click these pictures and see them.

Kevin keeps teasing me that I was too fascinated by the Alligators (and to think, we originally decided to take the Alligator tour cause that was one of the things Kevin wanted to do) .

I have to admit...I was fascinated - they are so amazing. They look like a little bit of our past....long, long ago past. I was so excited that we actually got to see a real live wild Alligator (OK....I know I sound like a geek).

It was just thrilling to have one so close that (if we were stupid) we could touch.

We both agreed - if we ever get back there we are diffidently taking the private tour. It would be well worth it. So, I guess now that I think about it, that means he DID like it.

SHE GOT THE JOB !!!!!

They called her and told her that she got the job !!!!!

She's so excited !! She starts on Jan 26th!!

She's now a Photographer for Lifetouch's

Prestige Portraits Studio

Ashley Mini-update

She came back from the interview excited. She likes what she heard. She said they told her that she would be hearing back from them tomorrow. They are doing another background check, this time a Federal check too.

This division does the school pictures and Senior pictures. She would be traveling to the schools.

So keep your fingers crossed....I'll let you know

Keep your fingers crossed for Ash !!!!

Ashley has a job interveiw TODAY at 2:15 pm. It's with the same company (Lifetouch Studios) but a different division. The Pittsburgh Mills Studio is VERY slow now until the next holiday - so she's was looking again.

She got the call yesterday.

I'm not exactly sure which one it's for. It is the Bulter Studio. I'm just not sure if it's for the Church directory division or the one that does the Senior Pictures.

So send her good thoughts at 2:15 pm ....lol

We'rrrrrreeee Baccckkkkkk.....

Hope everyone had a GREAT HOLIDAY !!!

It's taken me a few days to get everything settled here at work enough to be able to pop on here. I have decided that I LOVE the Florida Everglades (The picture was taken on our Air Boat Ride). We seen Alligators up close!!!

My other LOVE....the Bahamas !!! Once I get a little more time I will post other pictures. I am still playing catch up here at work