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