Well let's see if I can blog today. I have been having a lot of computer problems lately. Anyway, When I was back in Mn I wanted to see rain, and I got to see it. It seems I brought the rain back to AZ with me, because it has rained almost every day since I have been back. We had a Monsoon last Thursday. We got 1.52 inches of rain, and everything was so flooded that it took me an hour and a half to drive the 9 miles home from work. Yep, everything was so flooded that streets were closed. It is amazing how a little rain here floods everything. Luckily we managed to survive with no damage.

I can't tell you all how much I appreciate my parents bringing me home for the wedding. It meant so much to me to see everyone, even if it was only for a short time. I can't wait to see everyone again.

Well it is another day of hot, sunny and dry here in AZ, but back in MN things have not been so calm. Last Thursday night there were a few storms that hit the area I am from. There is a lot of damage, 3 lives and a lot of homes were taken by the tornadoes that came with the storms. The house I own there had basement flooding, but minor thankfully. Others were not so lucky. These storms produced 36 tornadoes, flooding and very strong winds, up to 125 mph. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families that were affected. Normally I would have relished the opportunity to be out "chasing" the storms, but I think even I would have been hesitant to be out in that kind of storm. Although they are very interesting to watch, I do not think I would have been out with that many tornadoes, and they were not just the run-of-the-mill twisters, they were colliding and splitting, making these storms even more dangerous. I think I would have been exited and devastated all at once.

Poor, poor weiner

My poor little weiner has been sick. He has allergies, and that caused an ear infection. He has lots of medication now, and he seems to be feeling a little better. (He has decided lately that he needs a pillow like people do!)

Just look at that little face!!!


It seems that the Arizona climate is not good for either of us. We have 6 months left, then Scooter will be done with school. I can't wait to see how Tobey reacts to the winter in Minnesota again.
Everything else is the same, still working, Scooter is still doing really well in school. It is getting hot again, in the 100's. I am not looking forward to the next couple of months. I guess we will just keep plugging away!!!

CSI

Last Saturday we had quite the scene around here. There were a lot of police, and a while later the coroner and the crime scene investigators. Yep, the show CSI was right in the back yard. We still do not know for sure what happened, but our 53 year old neighbor was found in his trailer, and they think he was in there for a few days. The investigators and police were over there from about 4 in the afternoon until about 2 in the morning.

Other than that it is pretty much the same old same old here. It is getting hot here again, it was 112 yesterday. Not fun!!

You know when you use a card to pay at the gas station? Well, I will be making the cashier take the card and swipe it on the register from now on. Yes, someone got my card umber and tried to rack up $3000. I am very glad that my bank is watchful, as they declined most of the charges and called me. The card has been deactivated and I am disputing all charges on the card. I had to call my credit card companies and put them all on hold. It really makes it hard to do anything with my own bank accounts. The state of Minnesota is also working on how someone could apply for unemployment in my name. Whoever these people are that steal people's identity and bank accounts should be prosecuted and punished enough that they do not do it again. To hell with "rights" for these people. What about the rights of the people that they stole from??? I am outraged and disgusted that the law does more to protect these thieves than the victims.

Ok, I will stop ranting and raving now.

Monster (AKA Crelo)

Monster. That is his nickname. He is our kitty, or cat, or more truly our Monster. I miss Monster. He is a crazy little dude, but I miss him none the less. Just look at how cute and innocent he looks (key word looks):



This is more like it:


Glowing crazy looking eyes, looking ready for action, that is him!!! He likes to chase and bite. I know you all think I'm nuts for missing that, but there was never a dull moment with both him and Tobey around!! I wonder what it will be like when they see each other again. I bet they miss sitting in the window together, just look at the view:



And what a view it is!!! Silly animals!!!

Lions and Tigers and Bears...Oh my!!!!

First I have to let you all know that today is Tobey's 7th birthday, so happy birthday doggie!!! This is pretty much how he spent his birthday:
Sleepy dog!!!
He spent the day with our friend Dre, who was nice enough to come and doggie-sit so we could go to the Out of Africa park today. Talk about up close and personal. You get to ride in "bush buses" through the park with some of the animals in free range. We fed a giraffe from the bus, and here he is licking Scooter's hand:


Then we have zebras:



and bears:


And a tiger:


This is the "tiger splash" show that we watched. This white tiger's name is Chalet. The lions and tigers are not trained. There were a few moments when the other handlers had to come running to help.

And this lioness is Kumba. Both Kumba and Chalet are 22 months old. They are young enough to play, but also know how to hunt, so the handlers have to be careful. The male lions are all at least 5 years old, so they do not get human interaction anymore because they are too territorial and predatory.

The toys are to play with the animals ans also to distract them in case they forget that the people in there are "friends", not meals.

Then there is Boom Boom, the 38 year old Rhino. He did not move all day, he just slept, and he snores rather loudly.


Then it was off to the birds. One of them talked a little, but they mostly made a lot of noise.


I have never seen animals so close. There were other animals and more lions and tigers, but I can not put them all on here. It was a very good day. This park is amazing and I would highly recommend going there if you ever find yourself in AZ. It was a beautiful day, about 80 degrees. I brought a sunburn home with me today, of course! But otherwise it was wonderful.