I have 2 issues:
1.  My hard drive on my Mac downstairs is full - is there a way to use the Lacie drive as my main go to move and keep ALL of my pictures there?  Of course I will have them backed up in another location as well.
2.  I had an error message on the Time Machine.  When I went to look for all pictures on the Lacie drive I could NOT find ANY which REALLY troubled me!  I am manually backing it up now.

I need your input.  Is it time for the Drobo deal?

Kudos to you for first, being concerned about backup and secondly, knowing when it’s time to get more space. If the Lacie is your time machine drive then being full is really no problem. Time machine is designed to move in time with you as it deletes the oldest versions of information on the drive. You are essentially not loosing any data; only the oldest copy of the redundant copies compiled over the past year or so. If your Lacie is only a raw data drive then first be sure you are backing that raw data up if that is the only place it exists. But knowing you, this is a copy of what is on your drive.

Next, saying that time machine did not contain any of your photos troubles me. That’s something we need to check in to. Be sure it’s backing up by checking the time machine icon in the menu bar. It should state that it was last backed up “then a date”.

The drobo is a wonderful alternative. Let me know if you are considering it and we can talk further about it. I have a partnership with them now and have details.