Corn on the Cob

Lily is a beggar, it doesn't matter what it is: cereal, ice cream, or chips, she wants it all. We eat corn on the cob rather often and Matt has slowly but surely been teaching Lily how to eat it properly. Although funny, I worry that she will not be able to decipher between cooked corn and the corn I am growing in the backyard.

P.S. My car broke down today, I have no idea what is wrong with it, will keep you updated as we figure things out.

Summer Haircuts

We have been extremely disappointed in the last couple of places we have taken the dogs to get groomed (which includes Petsmart), so I made a conscious effort this time to try to find a nice, comfortable place, where the dogs are groomed out in the open, and the groomers are gentle. I found a place called Pampered Paws and I am happy with the result. The dogs didn't come home achy from their endeavor and they look pretty cute!

Summer Movies 2009: Part 2

In celebration of Matthew passing his PE exam, we went to see a movie on Saturday morning. This time it was Terminator: Salvation. I have seen Terminator 2 more times than I can count and Terminator 3 just once but have never seen the original Terminator or the Sarah Connor Chronicles. Needless to say I was a little worried that I wouldn't understand what the heck was going on.

But have no fear, there was so little plot to wade through that watching this movie was a breeze. Heck, I can't complain thou, there was plenty of explosions, lots of action, good pacing, impressive special effects, but very little muscle unless you count Arnold's stunt double. Overall, it was a nice way to spend the morning and it kept me from studying all weekend.

I agree with my friend Tom who said it was "stunningly average", therefore I do rank it below Star Trek and Wolverine on my scale of summer movies. Additionally, Christian Bale does use the Batman voice and did you notice that the character, Marcus Wright, couldn't decide if his accent was American or Australian?

Next movie: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

MEP, Professional Engineer!

I can't imagine going to college for years to get my engineering degree, only to graduate and have to take two more tests before I technically can get paid to do the job that I already know how to do, but that is exactly what Matt has been dealing with since he graduated from UA. He took the EIT (engineer in training) test last year and passed. He took the PE (professional engineer) test in April of this year and we found out Friday that he passed! This is so huge on so many levels, but mostly because so many more opportunities will be open to him now that he has the P.E. behind his name. I am so proud of him!!

See Honey, all the studying was worth it!

Don't Get Excited, It's Not Mine!!

Bruce, Matt's best friend, called a few days ago to inform us that he and his lovely wife, Christine, are expecting their first baby in mid-January 2010 (see below).

Married at Disneyland in October 2007

I figured I better make this blog title as descriptive as possible so that my family didn't have a coronary when they saw the sonogram picture.

Despite our disinterest and general annoyance with children we both are pretty excited about the new arrival. Finally we will get to be the awesome, fun, and exciting aunt and uncle who teach the child all the things their parents don't want him/her to know. Plus, we can fill him/her up with candy, chocolate, and soda, bounce 'em on our knee for awhile, and send him/her home to Bruce and Christine. They thought giving us a rooster was bad, this is going to be so much more fun!

Gardening at 105 Degrees

The temperature in Tucson has been unseasonably cool, meaning that the days are only in the upper 90s instead of the 100s. Next week all that changes as the Monsoons roll in along with the intense temperatures. Being a novice gardener I have no idea how this will affect my vegetables. Below are pictures of their progress so far, harvesting should take place in early August.


Despite the unfortunate encounter with Trudy, the corn has bounced back


The cucumber plant has really taken off and by far is my fastest growing plant


The lettuce took weeks to germinate but is making great progress


I have two pots of radishes and both are doing exceptionally well

You may be wondering where the green onion plants are? They germinated and than promptly died. I think even the "mild" temperatures were too hot for them!

The Camera is Back!

Oh, about a year ago (or maybe longer), my Canon Elph Digital camera took a dump and stopped taking photographs. I carefully boxed it up and put it in the closet until we moved. When summer break started I took it out of the box and discovered via Canon's website that the defect was covered by a warranty (despite the age of the camera) and the broken mechanism would be replaced for free. I called Canon, got a UPS label from them, shipped the camera, and 7 days later my camera was returned to me in perfect, working condition. I highly recommend to all of you to purchase Canon products. They don't break very often but when they do the stages of getting it replaced/repaired are easy and trouble-free! I couldn't be happier!

Now here are some pictures of the kids because I know you missed them!

Poor Lily will be getting a haircut on Sunday


Piper was unenthusiastic regarding the return of the camera


Trudy is helpful in keeping track of our remotes and video game controllers

Summer School Begins Today

As I have mentioned a number of times, this past semester was probably the worst semester of my life, so when summer break came I cannot describe to you the joy and happiness that overcame me. Today that joy and happiness comes to a screeching halt as summer school begins. Luckily, it is only for one month for an hour and 45 minutes in the middle of each day. Hopefully it won't interrupt home life too much as I have enjoyed being with the pups, cleaning my house, doing laundry and dishes, and cooking. Matthew brought me flowers the other day, so I guess he is liking my being home too! The bright side is that once summer school is over I still have 6 weeks of vacation before the fall semester begins.

New Shoes

Matthew and I have been walking the dogs each morning at 5 am ever since school let out a few weeks ago. We both began to notice increased soreness and discomfort especially in our joints. After some discussion it seems it has been a number of years since either of us has gotten a new pair of shoes. To rectify the situation we went to Summit Hut, a local outdoors store, where Matthew got a pair of Vibram Five Finger Shoes (http://www.vibramfivefingers.com). He seems to like them so far and he gets lots of questions and compliments on them wherever we go. Unfortunately I have very small toes so these shoes were not an option for me (although they were very comfortable). I, instead, chose a pair of Nike's, specifically the Scramble TR II. They are a combination running and walking shoe and so far I am impressed. They have excellent arch support which is sorely lacking in most shoes plus they have a wider area for the toes which is excellent for someone like me who suffers from ingrown toenails. Hopefully the addition of new shoes to our exercise routine will prove to limit our pain and suffering.

Summer Movies 2009

This summer, thus far, has been an incredibly good movie season. This is coming from the girl who never goes to the theater....ever. I will admit it, I hate the theater! I hate the kid behind me kicking my chair, the guy next to me munching on popcorn and crinkling the bag, the teenager in front of me texting on her cellphone, or the old couple 10 rows away who comment on every scene. The mere fact that these summer movies were able to lull me away from my couch and get me to sit in a huge auditorium with hundreds of other people, well that is saying something.

Movie #1: X-Men Origins: Wolverine
With all due respect to my friend Tom, I disagree with his assessment of Wolverine. I thought of the now 4 X-Men movies, this one to be the best. I enjoyed the introduction of previously unseen characters and the storyline wasn't half bad. Discovering where our favorite X-Man came from was entertaining! I will admit, however, that I am easy to please, throw something on screen that is flashy, sounds amazing, has fantastic graphics and muscles, and I am a happy girl...

Movie #2: Star Trek
There is a division in our household regarding this movie, I give it two thumbs up, Matthew gives it two thumbs down. We both can agree that the graphics and sounds are stellar and the choices they made to fill the roles of the Enterprise crew were uncanny and perfectly selected. We also agree that the use of time travel is a complete cop-out in science fiction and is an old and tired storyline. Overall, however, we disagree. Matthew is disappointed that director J.J. Abrams single-handedly changed the timeline of Star Trek forever, essentially making the past 40 years of TV and movies not exist. I, on the other hand, could think of no better way to reinvigorate a science fiction juggernaut like Star Trek than to change history and create an "alternate" timeline. I don't feel cheated out of 40 years of Trek (I embrace that past), but I feel that there are endless possibilities ahead now without the weight of so much history!

Next on the list:

Terminator Salvation and Transformers 2

Reid Park Zoo

Yesterday was a beautiful, unexpectedly cool, dreary day in Tucson, so I decided to take the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. I have been wanting to go to the zoo and haven't been able to find anyone to go with me, so I decided to go on my own.

Overall, I very much enjoyed the experience. I don't typically like doing things by myself but I enjoyed going at my own pace and seeing what I wanted to see. The temperature was perfect and I went as soon as the park opened, so it wasn't packed. Most importantly, it was a trip down memory lane. My sister and I spent a lot of time at the zoo when we were little and it seemed so big back than. It hasn't changed much over the years, but it sure seems smaller now.

My only complaint was the "Disneyland" atmosphere. There were strollers everywhere and I mean everywhere! You could hardly walk without running into someones disorderly child. I recognize that the zoo is a very inexpensive option for families and that it is summer time, so I shouldn't be surprised that there were so many moms and children...BUT my patience is wearing thin when it comes to public places and the children who run them!

I had the opportunity to feed the giraffes. This is Denver, one of three giraffes at the zoo.


Connie, the Asian Elephant


Zibulo or Yebonga (not sure which one), Southern White Rhinoceros

Zeke: The Miniature Schnauzer

This evening Matthew and I went by the Humane Society to take a look at Zeke, a miniature schnauzer who has been there for almost a week. Zeke is an owner released dog who is about 2 years old. As you can see from the picture, he looks a lot like Lily. We took him out into the play yard and romped with him for a bit, unfortunately, he became very attached to me very quickly. He began to get angry with Matthew and tried to bite him on a number of different attempts to touch him. He also got aggressive whenever Matthew tried to touch me. It was such a very sad situation, as he was obviously abused by a man before and was very territorial. After a long and difficult discussion we decided that Zeke wasn't the right fit for our house, he just presented too much aggression and we didn't have the heart to subject our dogs to that. I know he will make a great companion for a single lady without kids, or dogs/cats, or a husband...poor little guy got a raw deal in life...I just wish that we could give him a forever home.

Another Name Added to the List

A motorcyclist killed in an accident Sunday night on the south side was an off-duty Tucson police officer.

42-year-old Peter Mannino was hit at the intersection of Palo Verde and Benson Highway as he was going home from work at about 7:15.

Investigators say he was heading south on Palo Verde when a car going north on Palo Verde turned left onto the Benson Highway and the two collided.

Investigators say Mannino was wearing a helmet.

Monday afternoon the Tucson Police Department officially announced the death of one of its own.

The announcement was made at the Midtown Division where Mannino worked.

Members of Mannino's squad listening tearfully as their commander said they all were there to express "our sorrow and to honor his memory."

Mannino's friend and classmate at the police academy, Sergeant Al Guinee, said Mannino "never hesitated to put a smile on my face."

Guinee said Mannino was an exceptional person.

Midtown Division Commander, Captain David Neri, said, "He was the kind of officer every commander wants in their division. He was the kind of officer every sergeant wants in their squad and the kind of officer every other officer wants in the vehicle next to them."

Neri added, "On duty, he served as an example to his peers. He served as a field training officer and as a highly regarded mentor to many of our junior staff. Off duty he was the kind of man who kissed his two sons goodnight every night and told them that he loved them before he went to sleep."

Mannino is survived by his wife, DeAnna, and his sons, 16-year-old Vincent and 22-month-old Johnathan.

A date and time for services have not been set yet.

Pima County sheriff's deputies are investigating the crash because it happened in the county.

The driver of the car has not yet been cited.

Office Peter Mannino died on May 17, 2009



Officer Erik Hite passed away on June 2, 2008

Miko, a K-9 officer, was killed on May 27, 2006

Deputy Timothy Graham was killed on August 10, 2005

Officer Patrick Hardesty was killed on May 26, 2003