The Corbetts

Line?

2009-05-15T14:58:00.002-07:00

Is this the part where I say, "At least he's cleaning?"

Because I still think I'd rather do it myself.

Mohave County Jail Provides Merry Christmas for Local Couple

2008-12-19T10:54:00.002-07:00

Here is this year's nomination for the Darwin award:

http://kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=28798

It's a Christmas miracle.

6 things I love about my wife (including but not limited to)

2008-12-12T23:07:00.006-07:00

She is my moral compass, keeps me honest, and encourages me to take the high road.
Her Hands: Nobody has touched me with such care and gentleness. I love to see her do the same with my son.
She accomplishes so much for our family. Despite preschool, babysitting, caring for Colin, and the million other projects she has going on, she always finds time to make cookies.
I have never met a more honest person.
She forgives and forgets.
She is beautiful.

OUCH

2008-12-04T08:14:00.003-07:00

At least he'll be ready for Baylor Law some day. The ability to take a beating with a smile on your face is an invaluable characteristic for BLS's.

Why Public Defenders Have a Short Lifespan

2008-11-17T17:17:00.003-07:00

I appeared with my client at a Jury Trial Management Hearing today. I told my client that the State agreed to dismiss the charges against him if he agreed to return ownership of a car to its original owner without contesting title (he was charged with buying a stolen car having reason to know it was stolen). My client asserted his innocence from the beginning, and I actually believe him, but the car would have gone back to the original owner anyway. If the case had gone to trial, he was facing 10-35 years.

My client agreed to the dismissal and to relinquish any claim to valid title. Then he told me that he had no respect for me or confidence in me because he disagreed with the way we investigated the case on his behalf.

I guess it wasn't enough that our investigation raised enough doubt before trial to eliminate his exposure to prison completely. A simple "thank you" would have sufficed; saying nothing would have sufficed, too.

5 things about me...

2008-11-15T20:11:00.002-07:00

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Filling up my (mom's) car for 86 cents a gallon
2. Turning in applications for college
3. Forking and barricading
4. Sluffing (skipping school, for you non-Utahns)
5. Loving my senior year of high school

5 things on my "to-do" list today:
1. make a cake (lemon with raspberry filling)
2. go to a baby shower
3. clean up the cake tornado
4. laundry
5. spend time with Dave and Colin

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. ice cream
2. popcorn
3. chocolate milk
4. summer fruit- cherries, strawberries, canteloupe, etc.
5. chips and queso

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. get a pedicure every week
2. pay off our mortgage
3. pay of Dave's student loans
4. pay for my brother's mission
5. buy lots of fun toys for Colin (and Dave!)

5 places I've lived:
1. Kingman, Arizona
2. Waco, Texas
3. Provo, Utah
4. West Jordan, Utah
5. Great Falls, Montana

5 jobs I've had:
1. teacher
2. loan processor
3. retail clerk
4. bank teller
5. image specialist

5 people I tag:
1. Savannah
2. Barb
3. Karin
4. Misty
5. Nichole

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you’ve answered the questions on your blog.

Calling all basketball players.

2008-11-12T10:06:00.004-07:00

My office is trying to get together a city league basketball team for this winter. We are about 2 guys short of reaching a comfortable number in case of absences. So if any of you 1 0r 2 readers of my posts want to play or know someone who would like to play, please let me know in a comment. Come on, you know you want to play for the Kingman Jailblazers.

*Disclaimer: Michael "Air" Jordan is not affiliated in any way with the Kingman City Basketball League, nor is any person who can actually dunk affiliated with the Kingman Jailblazers.

Crooks!

2008-10-28T20:09:00.017-07:00

Having associated with a lot of "alleged" crooks over the past 2 years, I have found that they can generally be lumped into 2 groups: 1) the kind that steal and you know they're stealing, and 2) the kind that steal and you don't realize it for a long time. I have decided that the second group is far worse primarily because the amount of scheming and deception is greater.

There is one group of "alleged" businessmen who, I always fear, are robbing me so well that I don't know it--mechanics.

About a week ago I heard a humming noise coming from the back of my car. It has 112,000 miles, so I figured some bearing must have gone out. I took it to the dealer. They kept the car over the weekend, did a "thorough" check, then told me what they found--both rear wheel bearings were bad ($95 x 2), both front spindles were bad ($425 x 2), and the alternator was bad ($250). They said the rear wheels would need 4 hours of labor, the front would need 4 hours of labor, and the alternator would need 2 hours of labor, all at $97/hour. A grand total of $2800 after tax.

I told the man that was too much for now and thanked him for his time. Fearing that they were up-selling me, I took my car to a mechanic/friend from church and told him what the dealer's shop said. He did his own inspection--yes, the rear wheel bearings were shot, but there was nothing wrong with the front spindles or the alternator. Instead of 4 hours for labor, the job could be done in 2.5. The final bill from my friend? $323, including parts and labor.

So, what category of crook does the dealer mechanic fall into?

Spaghetti, anyone?

2008-10-02T14:32:00.001-07:00

Husband Tag

2008-09-11T15:16:00.005-07:00

1. What is his name? David

2. Who eats more? I'm embarassed to say I usually eat just as much as he does

3. Who said, "I love you" first? He did

4. Who is taller? Corbett

5. Who is smarter? Dave has more eduation, but he can't find his keys without me, so you tell me.

6. Who is more sensitive? Ha. Definately me.

7. Who does the laundry? The laundry fairy (Cambrea)

8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do

9. Who pays the bills? Me again!

10. Who cooks more? I do, but Dave does help out with cooking every so often

11. Who is more stubborn? Umm, depends on the situation

12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? I'm the one who initiates the post-disagreement discussion, but it's usually because I'm right and I can see the situation more clearly

13. Who has more siblings? Dave

14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? Dave, unless I have a come-apart, then he lets me have my way

15. What do you like to do together? Watch movies, play games

16. Who eats more sweets? Dave

17. Guilty Pleasures? (He's going to kill me) "The Hills"

18. How did you meet? He hung out with my roommmates occasionally and bided his time until he got the courage to take me on a date (see #19)

19. Who asked whom out first? I invited him to "hang out", and he brought a friend and turned it into a date

20. Who kissed who first? He kissed me

21. Who proposed? He did

22. His best features and qualities? His eyes, his cute little ears, and the way he takes care of me

23. Tag you’re it. Who do you tag? Karin, Tana, Corrine, and Emily (hint, hint, Em!)

Skills. You know, computer hacking skills, ninja skills...

2008-09-05T22:18:00.003-07:00

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Sites

Sweet. Nursery has about 13 "there every Sunday" kids, and we'll be back up to 12 by next April, so I may come in handy!

Supai is fierce!

2008-08-26T15:50:00.004-07:00

We made a backpacking expedition to Supai back in June. Supai is in the Grand Canyon, and you might remember that Dave and I spoke at the branch there last May. We thought Supai was so unique (one of those "last great places") that we wanted to have the experience of hiking down and out instead of taking the helicopter. So we loaded up and headed out with Dave's family.

(If you click on the picture, you won't have to look at such a tiny view and you'll be able to read all of my witty commentary.)

Supai is such an amazing place! If you ever get the chance to go, take it! You won't regret it.

Colin T. Corbett is a beauty shop guy

2008-08-24T16:21:00.006-07:00

I was talking to my friend Tana on the phone the other day, and I stopped mid-sentence and started laughing at Colin. He found one of my combs that I use to brush his hair with sometimes, and he was over at the tub wetting the comb and then brushing his hair.

Over and over again. It was so funny! I was amazed that he thought to play this game all by himself. I didn't realize how much he paid attention when I brush his hair. I always wet the brush and then get to work, just like Colin imitated. It is so neat to see how much Colin learns from watching his mommy.

Colin is an equal-opportunity brusher: He even brushes his hair with his sand rake. (It makes sense if you think about it, a rake really does look like a comb.) Again, I was amazed at my little boy's reasoning skills. I know every mother thinks her baby is so smart, but I really am proud of Colin.

A side note about the scruffy monkey seen here: I do brush Colin's hair, but it's a hopeless cause. His hair is so fine and most of it is just like bird down! (When I wash his hair, the water just runs off it until I rub it in!) And then he has this long tuft of hair (just like his daddy did when he was little) that doesn't stay in place for more than a few minutes. But the beauty shop guy is getting his first hair cut tomorrow- I think he's going to enjoy it!

P.S. Two gold stars to the first person to name that obscure reference in the title!

The Color Code

2008-08-14T14:22:00.005-07:00

My mom went to a training recently and they did some work with the Color Code, so she wanted all of her kids to take the test and see what we were. Turns out, I am 38% blue. What are you?

Take the test!

Blues (Motive: Intimacy) Blues are motivated by Intimacy. They seek to genuinely connect with others, and need to be understood and appreciated. Everything they do is quality-based. They are loyal friends, employers, and employees. Whatever or whomever they commit to is their sole (and soul) focus. They love to serve and give of themselves freely in order to nurture others' lives.

Blues have distinct preferences and have the most controlling personality. Their personal code of ethics is remarkably strong and they expect others to live honest, committed lives as well. They enjoy sharing meaningful moments in conversation as well as paying close attention to special life events (e.g. birthdays and anniversaries). blues are dependable, thoughtful, and analytical; but can also be self-righteous, worry-prone, and moody. They are "sainted pit-bulls" who never let go of something or someone once they are committed. When you deal with a BLUE, be sincere and make a genuine effort to understand and appreciate them.

You know who you are

2008-07-30T09:34:00.004-07:00

The responsible parties had better step forward to identify themselves and what they've done; otherwise, we know who you are and what you've done!

Dishwasher Escapades

2008-07-18T17:16:00.001-07:00

I really wasn't kidding about the dishwasher thing.

A post-Father's Day post

2008-07-15T20:54:00.004-07:00

This year, Dave had to share his first Father's Day with my birthday. Dave invited a few of our friends over to celebrate my birthday, and we ate Father's Day/birthday cake. I got cake decorating tools for Mother's Day and for my birthday, so of course I had to practice my skills. This cake is my second attempt at cake decorating. I really want to make Colin a fabulous cake for his first birthday in a few weeks. I've started watching Ace of Cakes on the Food Network, and I am very inspired to make a magnificent creation. (That show is so great, it just might be my new favorite.) P.S. Dave was very gracious to share his day with me, but we agreed that when my birthday lands on Father's Day again in 2014, we each get our own day. I just like my birthday.

Swimmin' at Papa's

2008-07-14T09:47:00.006-07:00

We went to Bakersfield, CA to visit Dave's dad and brother this weekend. The weather was great, so I was excited to take Colin swimming. This was his first swimming experience, and he loved it! Colin loves his bath, so it's no surprise he took to swimming.

It was so much fun to watch him figure out what to do with such deep water. Colin would actually splash his hands, kick his feet, and grunt trying to keep his head above water. (We were really holding him up, of course.) He would swim to Momma, and he made such a terrible face trying to keep his head up on the way over, that we were shocked when he would turn himself around to go back to Daddy. Over and over and over.

Needless to say, he slept very well that night.

My first appeal has been decided!

2008-07-09T08:08:00.005-07:00

After close to two years of litigation, the case has finally come to a close. Here is an article about how things ended: Bystander to Wildlife Shooting Has Conviction Overturned or Another Article.

The person who pulled the trigger got no jail and close to $5000 in fines pursuant to a plea agreement. The two friends who were with him, and told him not to shoot, were sentenced to jail time. Mine went to trial and got 30 days jail and about $2600 in fines. The remaining co-defendant, who was supposed to be tried the next day, watched the trial and decided to take a plea for 10 days jail and fines. Because of the appeal, my client, thankfully, never served a day. The State dismissed the only charge remanded for new trial.

Is paint in the vegetable group?

2008-07-07T17:07:00.004-07:00

Today I had a little helper sweeping my front porch, and I pulled my blinds up so I could keep my eye on him. It was killing Colin that there was a kid at our house and they couldn't play together! So Colin was glued to the front window, and as he pulled away, I noticed that he had something in his mouth. It was paint chips! Colin was so distraught that he gnawed the paint right off the wall. To be precise, he didn't just take off the paint, he chewed all the way through the plaster down to the metal corner rounder. Yum!

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-04T07:11:00.001-07:00

We're still around!

2008-07-03T19:51:00.011-07:00

So things always seem to be busy, but lately they've seemed to be even more so. Colin is incredibly inquisitive these days, and he insists on opening all the cupboard doors and exploring what's inside. (I know we need to put child locks on all 15 of my kitchen cupboards; it's on the list!) Colin used to think it was funny when Mommy said "no", but now we're seeing the beginnings of a very strong personality who wants to do what he wants to do. So if Mommy won't let him in the cupboards, he'll just climb up on the dishwasher door. No kidding.

Colin and I went to Utah at the end of June while Dave was at a conference in Ohio, and the day after we got back we left to go camping in the Grand Canyon with Dave's family. Fun vacations, but I've just had trouble bouncing back since then. BUT- Slowly, but surely, I'm catching up. I've been trying to catch pictures of Colin's antics lately, but he has learned that the screen on the back of the camera is pretty neat (and also how to take the lens cover off) and so I've been getting a lot of this lately:

Colin has also been struggling cutting a tooth for almost 3 months now, and that darn thing will just not come through! He's becoming quite animated when it comes to discomfort or displeasure. He often growls when he falls down or when he doesn't like something!

I've also been busy teaching preschool and art camp this summer. Colin loves when the kids come over and stands at the window looking for them.

He has started imitating them lately; it's enough to make a momma/teacher proud!

Colin thinks that pointers and markers are pretty much the most fabulous things ever invented, and he carries them around the house all day. He has stashes of markers here and there around the house so he's never too far away!

Because I'm the mother, that's why!

2008-06-21T19:54:00.003-07:00

While I was growing up, one of my mother's favorite sayings was "Because I'm the mother, that's why!" It was a very definitive end to any argument we could muster. Today, I have proof that mother does indeed know best. Remember when your mom told you not to run with a fork in your hand?

Well, she knew what she was talking about.

P.S. No, I don't know who this kid is- I got these pictures from a forward, but my e-mail wouldn't forward them right! I was so disappointed that I decided to blog it instead, because dang, Gina.

Now that's a brave ruling!

2008-05-27T15:30:00.005-07:00

A judge in Tucson, AZ has excluded the results of Intoxilyzer 8000 tests in 49 DUI cases now pending in its court. This stems from the manfucturer's (CMI) refusal to disclose the source code for the breath tester. To reach this ruling, the Court found that the State could not establish the reliability of the breath test machine as a foundational requirement for its admission in evidence because the formulae it used to estimate blood alcohol concentration from breath alchohol concentration remains secret.

I have ranted about the device here: The Alcohol Breath Test

You can find an article about the ruling here: Article

CMI claims that the source code is protected by trade secrets law. This may be true. If they expect, however, that states use their device in criminal prosecutions, there must be transparency to assure just convictions and just acquittals. There should be no secrets in the criminal justice system.

There are two important results that will come of from releasing the source code: Either 1) courts will find that the device is reliable and can be trusted, or 2) courts will find that the device is unreliable and will force law enforcement agencies to replace them with something reliable. When the testing process is more reliable, more of the guilty will be convicted and more the innocent will be acquitted. Everybody wins.

April pictures of Colin

2008-05-22T18:29:00.001-07:00

I know our blog has been seriously lacking lately. Sorry. I'll get on that soon.

March pictures of Colin

2008-05-22T18:26:00.003-07:00

Virginia v. Moore

2008-04-24T10:19:00.002-07:00

The Supreme Court just issued a new search and seizure opinion yesterday. The case deals with the conviction of a defendant for possession of crack cocaine. Moore was pulled over, and officers discovered that his license was suspended. In Virginia, driving on a suspended license (dosl) is a misdemeanor pushishable by up to 1 year in jail. Although a crime, Virginia state law forbids officers from making arrests for dosl; they are required to write citations and release suspects.

Regardless, the officers arrested Moore in violation of the law. A search incident to arrest revealed the crack, which led to a conviction. The Virginia Supreme reversed the probation on the grounds that a search incident to an illegal arrest is an illegal search that requires suppression of the evidence. The US Supreme Court has now reverse the state supreme court and held that the search was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment because the arrest would have been reasonable under federal law regardless of the state law restrictions.

Here is the problem that I have with the opinion: A police officer employed by a state agency only has those arrest powers specifically granted by that state. If the state tells the officer, you can only do A, B, and C, he has no authority to do D. This is particularly true when the state tells the officer, "We specifically forbid you from doing D." So if the officer actually does "D," he does so without lawful authority--he does so illegally. The state employed officer cannot borrow his actual authority from federal law. The Supreme Court has essentially said, "Since a federal agent would be allowed to do it, the state agent can exceed his lawful authority to arrest and subsequently search a suspect."

It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. The Supreme Court has justified the decision by saying it won't let state law, which may restrict state action more than the federal constitution, dictate federal constututional standards. That is a true, important policy. But in applying that rule, the Supreme Court has authorized state officers to exceed the limited authority given to them by their employers. It ignores the fact that the arrest was illegal at its inception.

I feel as if Pandora's box has been opened allowing for great erosion of civil liberties in criminal court.

Poe

2008-04-15T12:42:00.006-07:00

If I ever get to go back to school to do graduate work in English, I think I'll become a Poe expert. I am not aware of anybody who was more talented in creating mood and emotion than Poe. I say this because Poe doesn't create emotion by describing it or by describing scenes in great detail; he creates the mood through the sounds of the words themselves. These lines from "The Raven" exemplify this quality perfectly with its groaning "o-r" sounds:

Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.

I recently rediscovered the poem "To M.L.S._" It reaches me for reasons I can't explain. This poem comes from a deeply depressed and troubled man, as you can tell from the picture above, who no doubt struggled constantly to unearth his "deep-buried faith." I especially enjoy his thoughts that his "grattitude Nearest resembles worship," where his worship in the traditional sense succombed to his drug addiction and depression.

Of all who hail thy presence as the morning-
Of all to whom thine absence is the night-
The blotting utterly from out high heaven
The sacred sun–of all who, weeping, bless thee
Hourly for hope–for life–ah! above all,
For the resurrection of deep-buried faith
In Truth–in Virtue–in Humanity-
Of all who, on Despair's unhallowed bed
Lying down to die, have suddenly arisen
At thy soft-murmured words, "Let there be light!"
At the soft-murmured words that were fulfilled
In the seraphic glancing of thine eyes-
Of all who owe thee most–whose gratitude
Nearest resembles worship–oh, remember
The truest–the most fervently devoted,
And think that these weak lines are written by him-
By him who, as he pens them, thrills to think
His spirit is communing with an angel's.

1847.

So glass chards from a 9 x 13 pan make a pile about yay big...

2008-04-09T14:39:00.010-07:00

Colin has reached a new level of active boyhood. I put him in his high chair so he could watch me make dinner. I was sure to move his chair to a safe place not too close to the oven. Apparently I need to add "not to close to any counters" to my critera of safe places, because while I was gathering ingredients, Colin reached over and pulled my only surviving 9 x 13 pan onto the floor. Dave's only concern was whether we lost any coffee cake in the tragedy; you will be happy to hear that I had the last piece for lunch earlier that day. Crisis averted.

Pictures of Colin from February

2008-04-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

It's a small, small world.

2008-02-24T21:50:00.002-07:00

I spoke in Stake Conference this weekend and shared some stories about my grandfather's conversion and experiences in Rhodesia. After I spoke, the Stake President began his talk:

"The world isn't nearly as big as we sometimes think it is. It really is a small world. Thirty-eight years ago I was called to serve in the Johannesburg, South Africa mission. Soon after, I was assigned to the Salisbury, Rhodesia branch where I met President Corbett, shared many great experiences with him, and ate many meals at his home."

I couldn't believe it! This man from tiny Kingman, AZ met and interacted with my own grandfather in southern Africa. I was both astounded and extraordinarily jealous at the same time. One of these days I am going to make him sit down with me and tell me everything he remembers about my grandfather.

Play it again, Sam

2008-02-14T14:16:00.002-07:00

So sad!

2008-02-10T17:42:00.001-07:00

Our poor little Colin has been so sick this last week! He got a cold a week and a half ago, and just as I thought he was getting better, he started wheezing and had a really dry cough. I took him to the doctor and sure enough, he has bronchitis! So he's had a rough week. And he has such a mean mommy, as you can see, who won't hold him but instead mocks his pain by taking pictures of his sadness.

Happy birthday, Dave!

2008-02-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

It was Dave's birthday last week, and we had a great time. We went to dinner, but left the baby with a friend. It was great to eat dinner at the same time instead of in shifts like we have been lately. Colin was all partied out and crashed as soon as we got home, but Dave and I enjoyed cherry "poke cake", Dave's favorite.

Dave's absolute favorite part about his birthday happened at the store. We made a quick stop for some ice cream on the way home, and...

Blue Bell ice cream! This stuff was seriously one of the best things about living in Texas. We haven't been able to find Blue Bell ice cream since we left the Promised Land. I think Dave about wet his pants. He seriously started pacing and jumping up and down right there in the freezer section. We paid almost $7 for a half gallon of ice cream, but it was definitely worth it. Yum yum.

FOUND!

2008-02-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

To those of you who know MaLaan, never fear! I have found her long-lost sister!

Here's MaLaan with one of her cutie-patooties:

And here's her double:

She's on a billboard near my house. Uncanny, isn't it?

How crazy is this?

2008-02-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

So the other day, I was fixing myself some scrambled eggs for breakfast, and as I broke the first egg into the bowl, I totally did a double take.

I know! One egg, two yolks. It was a first for me.

And no, I didn't eat it! Gross.

Colin's first Christmas

2008-01-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous Christmas in Utah with my family and Dave's mom. Here are few of my favorite pics of Christmas morning; I think they say it all!

I've got a fever . . .

2008-01-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

And the only prescription is more Guitar Hero III. A friend of mine, who just moved in about 5 houses down the street, has Guitar Hero III for Wii. I can't get enough of this thing. Just one round of "Welcome to the Jungle" and I start Jonesing in my office the next day.

Warn your friends!

The Alcohol Breath Test, a review

2007-12-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

WARNING: SCIENCE CONTENT

In most states, police enforcement agencies utilize the Intoxilyzer 8000 or a similar machine to estimate blood alcohol content based on the amount of ethyl alcohol molecules expired in a single breath. Evidence from these machines is presented during trials as being reliable and accurate. If one suspect blows .079, he will likely be acquitted or charges won't even be filed; but if the same subject blows .080, prosecution will ensue. We are talking about a difference one one-thousandths of a percentage point that separate that guilty from the innocent when these machines are used. With so much on the line, lets discuss some of the science behind the machine:

1) The affect of body temperature: The machine assumes that all DUI suspects have a body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius and exhale their breath at 34 degrees Celsius. This assumption is based on research from 1950 involving 6 test subjects. These assumption have been studied by pulmonoligists and biologists since 1950. Several treatises in peer-reviewed articles conclusively show that the average person actually exhales at 35 degrees. This conclusion was reached in 1996 after observing 700 test subjects. So why does it matter? Research that compares BAC (measured by blood draws) and BrAC (breath alcohol content measured by a similar device) shows that for every degree of body temperature above the assumed 37 degrees results in an overestimation of BAC by 8.6%, with a maximum of a 23% overestimation (Fox & Hayward, both PhD's; Schoknect). By example: let's assume that I have a .079% BAC in my system at the time that I blow into the machine. Because I am very nervous, my heart rate increases as well as my body temperature, though only slightly by 1 degree. When I blow into the machine, the BrAC will register at .085%. Even though my BAC is in fact below the limit, it is likely that I will be convicted at trial merely because my body temperature is slightly elevated when I blew into the machine.

Now consider the role this plays when somebody during an Arizona summer leaves a barbeque at the lake after being in the hot sun all day.

2) Partition Ratio: Partition ratio derives from Henry's L aw, which, in a nutshell, stands for the proposition that, in a closed container, a portion of the gas dissolved in a liquid will leave that liquid into the air above and reach equilibrium at a particular proportion. Let's think about it this way: ethyl alcohol is a gas when present in the blood stream. When the blood reaches the lungs, which operate enough like a closed container, the EtOH gas tranfers into the air above the liquid blood until a certain proportion is reached. The Intox. 8000 assumes that all people have a 2100:1 ratio, which means that for every 2100 EtOH particles in the blood, 1 such particle will be in the air above the blood in the lungs. It measures, by means of an electromagnetic wave, how many particles of EtOH are in a measured amount of air breathed into the machine, multiply it by a factor of 2100, to reach an estimation of BAC.

Here's the problem: depending on individual physiological differences from suspect to suspect (i.e. male/female, genetics, dehydration, health of the lungs, etc.) a person's partition ratio can vary 1600:1 to 2900:1. So why is this a problem? A DUI suspect with a 1600:1 partition ratio will have a breath test result 20% higher than his actual BAC--so if he is at a .07 actual BAC, his breath result will be well above the limit, and he will be unjustly convicted. A DUI suspect that has a 2600:1 ratio will have a result that is 20% lower than his actual BAC, resulting in a strong likelihood of sliding past prosecution with an actual BAC of .09%. Most people have a partition ratio between 1800:1 and 2400:1, but even the smaller variation has serious ramification on who is unjustly convicted and who get away with one.

3) The rest: Breathing patterns, lung capacity, whether the suspect is in the aborption/elimination phase of alcohol consumption, dispersion rate, hematocrit, and other factors play into the accuracy/reliability of the machine. These effects are usually not as significant, but play a role. I won't bore you with any more science.

I realize that many people are of the opinion that a person should be convicted of DUI after even one drink. Believe me--I completely understand those feelings; I have seen the effect of drunken driving. But that's not the point--the law is .08%, and that law needs to be applied uniformly to all people in such a way that the guilty are convicted and the innocent are exonerated. Yet, the states rely on a device clearly susceptible to variation, up to + or - 40%. This creates a strong public policy concern: How can law be applied uniformly where the primary investigative technique is inherently flawed? The solution is simple: draw blood, then these concerns fall.

Here is an article by a Professor of Pharmocology with a review of these issues:

http://forensic-evidence.com/site/Biol_Evid/Breath_Tests.html

We've been elfed!

2007-12-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1135634580

4th and 18

2007-11-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

I hung my head in disbelief after watching Utah take the lead with their only touchdown of the day with 1:30 remaining in the game. When Max Hall recovered his own fumble for an 8 yard loss, I felt somewhat hopeful that the first down could come. But then, after two straight incompletions, I became despondent--inconsolable. Then came the play.

4th and 18 from the BYU 12. Max Hall drops back, gets flushed from the pocket, runs to his right. "Okay," I thought, "buying a little time." Then he hurled this sort of jump pass down the sideline. "It's over," I thought, "we should have just kicked the field goal." When Austin Collie came into view on the right side of the screen, "Just keep it in bounds," I thought. What a beautiful sight: a 49 yard pass play on 4th and 18.

"We're going to win," I thought, "Go Cougars!"

Moccasin Justice Court

2007-11-02T22:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture taken in front of the Colorado City/Moccasin Consolidated Court. It serves, as you can guess, Colorado City and Mohave County north of the Grand Canyon. It is a double wide trailer converted into a courthouse. To its credit, it is presided over by a very fair and genuinely concerned judge--and it has a very friendly cat that welcomes you. To get there, you have to drive north through Las Vegas, east to St. George, north to Hurricane, then South east to Mocassin, which is 20 miles south of Colorado City. The drive itself is beautiful. If I didn't know the Fundamentalist LDS church chose the location because it is secluded from "the world," I would think it was merely a decision involving how pretty the landscape is.

I represented a client in a domestic violence case. Ahhh, domestic violence--pretty much the bane of my existence. No category of cases gets to me quite the same way. It has cured me of any desire to practice family law. The problem with domestic violence is that everybody is a victim, especially the children. Also, while I don't have any real statistics to back it up, I would venture to say that at least 3/4 of the d.v. cases that run across my desk involve alcohol. The combination of strong emotion and stronger drink creates volatile situations. I don't envy the officers sent into those situations who hear completely different stories from those involved then have to make a determination about who is telling the truth and how to diffuse the problem. I, at least, don't get involved until things have calmed down substantially.

I often find it hard not to confuse my role of legal counselor with family counselor. I try not to cross the line very often by giving personal advice; I don't know if I ever should cross that line. It is essention to just sit and listen, though. Sometimes the public defender is the only one sitting a person's corner. Often, there isn't a whole lot I can do for the person other then help him or her feel understood. At the same time, I fight the temptation to chastise the man who beats his wife, or the woman who hurts her children. There is just no excuse for such behavior.

One year ago, I the work of a public defender was all about writing stinging motions to supress or "fighting the good fight" for the wrongfully accused. How could I have known that so much time would be spent wading through years strangers' family problems? Is it all worth it? Yeah, it is, 'cause every so often real change occurs for all involved. It's nice to be a part of that side.

And the winner is . . .

2007-10-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

I know you've been waiting at the edge of your mouse pads for the results. Picture #1, which most of you got right, is the picture from Arizona. I plan to go back in the spring to spend a little more time down there. Staying just overnight didn't do justice, so I'm gnawing at the bit to go back.

On a more sad note, BYU is playing again today--in Las Vegas. I can't go in person. And the stupid mtn. has the broadcasting rights. The mtn. is the bane of my existence.

Supai, part II

2007-10-03T21:34:00.001-07:00

I went to Supai, this time by foot, with some friends this past weekend. The hike is 10 miles, each way, which we did in 24 hours. The scenery at the end did not dissapoint. You tell me, which picture is from Hawaii, and which picture is from Arizona?

Here's to The Mtn.

2007-09-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

If BYU dominates a previously undeafeted Air Force team, winning 31-6, and nobody see's it, did it really happen?

Let me throw my hat into the ring of those disgruntled fans that believe the MWC's new deal with CSTV/Comcast/The Mtn. was the worst thing that ever happened to BYU football. Even worse than the trying years under Gary Crowton and the unending suspensions after criminal charges! The fans can't see the games. I can't even get the games on pay-per-view for crying out loud. At least with SportsWest, which, admittedly, had very poor production and distribution in its own right, I could pick up a game on pay-per-view or Game Plan. Now I get nothing for half the season. Cheers to the Comcast lawyers--they wrote a contract so air tight that the MWC and BYU can't even come close to terminating the contract where there is no meaningful distribution of the games. Jeers to the MWC lawyers and Craig Thompson--suckers, blinded by illusory promises.

So here's to 7 years of looking forward to September and Cougar football, then hanging my head in sorrow each Saturday as the Coug's dominate opponents in the dark.

The new DUI law has come into effect in Arizona.

2007-09-24T19:15:00.000-07:00

The Arizona legislature passed some get tough on DUI legislation that went into effect on September 19th. Here are some of the highlights:

1) Whereas the previous law only required the installation of an interlock device if the person blew .15 or above or has more than one DUI, now all people, no matter how low the blow, have to have an interlock device installed after any DUI. The instrument must be installed for 12 months after the person (who will have a suspended license for 90 days to 3 years) has his license reinstated. I'm not sure what effect, if any, this new law will have on deterring future DUI cases. For example, almost every DUI case that I've handled is not preceded by a DUI in the previous 12 months. Off the top of my head, I remember 2--and that's out of at least 100. I am sure, however, the companies that manufacture and install the instruments will be dancing all the way to the bank.

2) The sentencing structure has changed, also. It used to be this: impaired to the slightest degree and .08 (per se) DUI was 10 days with 9 suspended with alcohol counseling; extreme dui (anything above .15) resulted in 30 days with 20 suspended. These were minimums. Now the minimum for impaired to the slightest degree and .08 10/9 suspended, .15-.199 is 30/20 suspended, and anything above .20 is 30 consecutive days--period.

Here is the problem: Let's say that 2 young women have the same amount to drink and have the same BAC at the time they are pulled over. One young woman is given a breath test at the 45 minute mark and blows a .205; but the second is given a test at the 1 hour, 45 minute mark because of a delay with a tow truck and blows a .190 (assuming that she eliminates alcohol at the .015% per hour average rate). The first woman will serve a mandatory 30 consecutive days in the pokie, while the second will serve 1/3 of that time (possible on the weekends), even though they were equally intoxicated at the time they drove. I understand the Legislature's desire to crack down on DUI (I want to drive on safe streets just the same as everybody else), but certainly there is a better sentencing scheme available, other than bright line rules, to deal with inherent variability from person to person in these kinds of cases. If only, if only. Oh, wait, there is: it's called prosecutorial discretion in plea bargaining and court sentencing that can call consider individual factors in individual cases.

Colin has colic

2007-09-18T14:13:00.001-07:00

Pobrecito.

Another example of dishonest marketing . . .

2007-09-17T08:04:00.001-07:00

Apparently, not all that happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. It's just a shame that Cochran's not around to defend him this time.

100,000 miles

2007-09-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

I traveled to Tuscon for a seminar over the weekend. On the trip back to Kingman, the odometer hit the 100,000 mile mark. It made me think about all the places it has taken me. Here's a picture showing, approximately, the paths we have taken together.

Whoa! Six weeks!

2007-09-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

I can't belive that our baby is going to be six weeks tomorrow! Time definately has gone faster since he was born than while I was pregnant. We are loving our little Colin! He is a sweet baby who loves to cuddle his mommy. The little baby who was barely six pounds when he was born was a chunky 9 pounds 4 ounces at his 1 month appointment.
Colin was very busy last weekend. He really enjoyed his first BYU game and didn't even cry when he watched it with his daddy. (If you haven't ever watched a BYU football game with Dave, you are missing out on an interesting experience. I'm pretty sure the players can hear him cheer through the TV!)
We blessed him last Sunday, and the little turkey cried through the whole thing. But Colin doesn't have just any cry- He has a "goat" cry. It's quite impossible to describe, but if a goat were to laugh, it would sound something like Colin's cry.

Colin is very facinated by ceiling fans. He also loves the mobile in his crib. He studies it quite intensely and fusses when it quits moving and is not content until you wind it for him again. Colin just knows what he wants and isn't afraid to let you know!

Calling all Cougar fans. Ra . . Ra . . Ra-Ra-Ra

2007-09-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

BYU will be playing UNLV on October 13 in Las Vegas. Since so many of us are spread out between AZ, CA, CO, and UT these days , I am calling for all former Baylor Law School Cougar fans to meet in Las Vegas to catch a game. Your attendance will only be excused for broken bones or heart attacks--yours or a family member within the first degree of consanguity. Any unexcused absence will go on your permanent record. Otherwise, you had better be at the game wearing blue. Anyone who wishes is welcome to stay at our house before/after the game.

By the way--Unga is a stud. All hail Unga!

What is worse....?

2007-08-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

To be unjust or unmerciful?

This question was asked of the applicants to the Public Defender's Office this past spring. We received a wide range of answers. There was no right or wrong answer, at least in my opinion, but I was looking for some real thought in the answers. I've been thinking about this a lot, especially when I consider my role as a defense attorney in the criminal justice system. To be honest, I often struggle when pursuing acquitals procedurally or during trial when I feel that somebody has committed a crime that needs to be addressed by the justice system. As a person who drives on these streets, I worry about the dangers of DUI and feel it should be punished; as a defense lawyer, I am dedicated to the principle that all need a fair trial and that accused persons need advocacy on their behalf equal to the advocacy the state receives. In other words I force myself to separate my duties as a lawyer for the indigent from my personal feelings about a particular set of facts. This struggles defines the way I view the question.

It comes into play each time I make an argument at sentencing or negotiate a plea offer. Sometimes the argument is simply asking for what is just--essentially equal in relation to others charged with the same sort of offense, and sometimes asking for mercy--special consideration because an individual's circumstances even though the crime itself would generally call for a harsher result. Here is what my answer would be . . .

It was worse to be unmerciful. To be unjust, in my opinion, is to act abritrarily--to act without regard for actual guilt or innocence, with no justification in law or fact for the decision made. True, some people will receive a fair result and others an unfair result without rhyme or reason. To act unjustly, as I consider it, is to act without regard for equity. To act unmercifully, on the other hand, means that the decision maker actually knows of specific mitigating circumstances that justify special treatment but chooses to ignore them. In other words, the decision maker disregards her knowledge why one defendant, who committed the same crime as another, shouldn't simply be lumped in with the other offender. Often these mitigators are emotional distress or desperate circumstances that don't rise to the level of legal justifications, but which clearly explain why somebody acted illegally. Unmerciful behavior surpasses arbitrariness and enters the realm of indifference. Maybe a better synonym is "heartless," with every connotation that it carries. I would rather be known as unjust than heartless.

On a side note, I think I understand now why Prof. Osler and his colleagues have been fighting so hard against the sentencing guidelines as they were/are written. Booker was hugely significant--it put the person back into sentencing; it allowed a federal judge to be both just and merciful, though perhaps only to a certain extent.

What do you think? Is it worse to be unjust or unmerciful?

Colin is already 2 weeks old!

2007-08-15T12:58:00.001-07:00

More pictures of our "Pink and Squishy"

2007-08-15T12:55:00.001-07:00

and extra text.

Colin Tate Corbett

2007-07-29T22:12:00.000-07:00

6 pounds, .3 ounces; 17 1/2 inches long. All ten fingers and toes, and, unfortunately, a Corbett nose. Here are some pics:

This rainbow appeared the day Colin was born.

38 Weeks

2007-07-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked 38 weeks for our little one. The last few weeks have gone by so fast! I've been surprised at how much energy it takes to grow a baby. Things are going well, although it seems like the really good things don't come easily. After spending about 4 weeks head down and ready to go, the baby decided that this was no longer the position for him. So he did a sommersault and has stayed top side up! My doctor discovered this at my appointment last week and he decided to play the "wait and see" game, hoping that the baby would sort himself back out. No such luck. I had another appointment today, and the doctor decided the best thing is for this baby to come out, one way or another. I'm only dilated to a 2 or 3 and about half-way effaced, but the baby is just getting bigger (which means more uncomfortable for me and for him because he's not the right way) and the doctor does not want labor to start on its own since the baby's breech. So Saturday is the big day! They'll admit me Saturday and give me an epidural to keep my uterus relaxed, and then the doctor will try to flip the baby by pushing and proding him along. If it works, then the doctor will enduce labor and we'll be on our way. If the baby is engaged too much and won't move, then they'll do a c-section. The doctor thinks that Option 2 is probably what will happen. Either way, Dave and I are so excited to think that we'll be holding our little baby the day after tomorrow! We'll keep y'all posted!

Messy Bessy

2007-07-18T16:16:00.000-07:00

Here's the painting story that Dave didn't tell you. David was a very focused and dedicated painter- He only took a break to eat some dinner. But he did have a hard time keeping the paint on the walls. I lost count of the number of times I heard my friend Barb shout, "Corbett, you're fired!" because he dripped more paint on the carpet- or rolled it on the door.
Apparently they don't teach proper painting techniques at Baylor. But even Barb had to hand it to Dave when it came to choosing the cute colors for our baby's new room. Now we just need to get the rest of it together before the little one decides to come!

Thank goodness for great people!

2007-07-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

To help us get ready for the baby, many friends came over today to help us paint the house and prepare the nursery. The work we finished today would have taken us days on our own. Here is a picture and Clay and Celeste Stephens. Clay is standing on a step-ladder, and, as you can see, Celeste is sitting on Clay's shoulders in order to reach the top corner of the kitchen wall.

Perhaps only days now!

2007-07-13T16:57:00.001-07:00

Since y'all have been asking about the pregnancy . . .

Cambrea was dilated to a 2 at her appointment on Monday, was starting to become "effaced" (whatever that means), and began losing her plug today. Oh, and we decided on a first name: Colin, after my dad. No middle name yet--still working on that one.

By the way--I won my first jury trial on Wednesday, bringing my overall record to 7-1. It was nice to do something other than a bench trial.

Now that's some police work worth applauding.

2007-07-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

The temperature in Kingman is about 105 degrees today. Without any humidity to stop you from drying out, the heat can really wear you down throughout the day. But that is where several Kingman policemen have been standing on our street today to help a family . . .

A new family is moving down the block from our house. People have many fears when moving, including the fear that the movers will play quote a reasonable price then arrive at the destination with a much higher price; when the family can't pay the new, exorbitant fee, the movers then point to something in the contract that they don't have to take their things off the truck until payment is made.

Well, that apparently happened to the new family around the block. I only know one side of the story, but the movers threatened to drive away with their stuff after asking an enormous fee. So the family called the police. They arrived at about 8:30 this morning to stop the trucker from leaving and are still out there now at 5:00. 7.5 hours and counting in the dry heat. The movers weren't willing to share their logs or any information--surprise. So the officers recently returned with a warrant to go over the logs then to go to the scales for a weight measurement.

Great job, guys.

What do y'all think?

2007-05-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a hypothetical for those legally minded readers (though I think there are only 2 readers left since we haven't posted much lately):

Sammy is a bus-boy at a local restaurant. The restaurant has a standing policy that any tips given to bus-boys are not to be kept by the individual bus-boy, but are to be placed in a jar. The money in the jar will be counted at the end of each week, then divided among all bus-boys according to hours worked during that week.

Sammy receives a five dollar tip from a customer who was particularly happy with the cleanliness of her table. Instead of leaving the tip on the table, the delighted customer hands the tip directly to Sammy and says, "This is for you."

Sammy, feeling that he truly earned this tip and shouldn't have to share it, places the five dollar bill in his pocket. A manager watches Sammy place the five dollar bill in his pocket instead of placing it in the tip jar. The manager calls the police to report a theft.

The state law defines theft as follows:

A. A person commits theft if, without lawful authority, the person knowingly:
1. Controls property of another with the intent to deprive the other person of such property; or
2. Converts for an unauthorized term or use services or property of another entrusted to the defendant or placed in the defendant's possession for a limited, authorized term or use; or
3. Obtains services or property of another by means of any material misrepresentation with intent to deprive the other person of such property or services; or
4. Controls property of another knowing or having reason to know that the property was stolen.

Is Sammy guilty of theft or merely violating a company policy?

A choice experience . . .

2007-05-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

At the bottom of the Grand Canyon, halfway between Kingman and Flagstaff, lies the tiny Native American village of Supai. There are only two ways of entering, both involve leaving your car at the top of the canyon. You can either hike about 8 miles through the canyon or take a ride in a helicopter.

We flew into Supai on this helicopter. This was our view:

There is a small congregation of the Church in this village. Members of the Church are flown in 3 times a month to speak during Sacrament Meeting. Cambrea and I were chosen to speak this weekend. We chose to speak on putting on the whole armor of God. After we landed, we walked about 1/2 mile to the little chapel in the middle of the woods.

As I reached the pulpit, I took just a moment to look out of the window. The view from the window showed nothing but green grass, beautiful trees, and gliding birds against a red and black rock backdrop. Here are some pictures I took from the porch:

It was a little room with standing room only for the 70+ congregation numbers. With a view from the window free of the marks of civilization and a room not aided by a microphone, the message, really the whole experience, felt purer, cleaner. For a brief moment, I felt how Brother Joseph must have felt as he preached in small chapels throughout Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.

To top it off, after I gave me talk, a young man walked up to me with his wife and said, "Hermano Corbett, how are you?" He was one of the young missionaries that I had taught about 4 years ago in the MTC. What are the odds? As we talked about the MTC, there was only one thing that he specifically remembered. No, it wasn't my teaching, but one of my wife's delicious apple pies. I guess one was more forgetable than the other.

Things I Love About Dave

2007-05-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

So I was reading everyone else's blogs today and I couldn't get over how big everybody's kids are and how grown up they all look. (Dave was especially wowed by Rebekah Wansgaard's hair because last time he saw her she was "rockin' the baby mullet." That's him, Jen, not me!) It sure made me anxious to have my baby so I have something interesting to post, but then I realized Corbett provides me with plenty of entertainment around here. So here is my "Things I love about Dave/Poke gentle fun at him while I'm at it" post.

One of the things I love the most about Dave is how much he needs me. We're not sure how he ever left the house before we got married because he always needs me to tell him where his keys are or where he left his cell phone. He just walks around with stuff and sets it down without thinking. Well, the other day, we were sitting down to watch American Idol, and we could not find the remote ANYWHERE. We knew Corbett used it that morning, so we started looking in all the random places we could think of. We finally gave up and went to watch TV in our bedroom. A while later, I got up to let the dogs in, and here's what I saw:

Apparently it sat outside all day.

Another thing that I love about Dave is the way he eats crunchy stuff. I'm sitting here listening to him right now. He's eating chips, and he crunches it twice with an open mouth before he closes his mouth and devours the rest. I laughed at him, and even though he knows he does it, he can't help but do it.

Everyone posted their list of obsessions- well, here's mine:
#1-5 How much weight I've gained since becoming pregnant and how much more I have to go.
So one of the things that I love the most about Dave is how he can look at my big, fat belly and not make me feel guilty because I had TWO pieces of cake last night. In fact, here's my big, fat belly at 26 weeks:

Seriously, though, I am really enjoying pregnancy. When we found out we were having a boy, I asked the ultrasound tech if she could see a soccer ball in there because I knew Dave was mentally reserving every weekend to go to our baby's sporting events. She laughed, but I seriously think the baby is kicking something around in there. It's kind of fun right now because now we can see him kick through my stomach and feel actual body parts moving. He really likes chocolate milk and Spicy Nacho Doritoes- just like his momma and daddy!

Houdini deserves her own show!

2007-04-13T19:40:00.001-07:00

Bailey, my precocious mut, seriously deserves her own tv show as an escape artist. She escapes, yes, but that's only half the story. She is a true magician. Science cannot explain how she does it. I'm thinking she is tapped into the dark arts. Here's my evidence so far:

STATE'S EXHIBIT #1

As you can see by this picture, the distance between the metal bars in the gate is exactly 4 inches. (Notice the chicken wire. Houdini's first escape attempt involved just the simple gate. For her encore, she stepped up the magic--the chicken wire was once tied to the side and bottom of the gate by stiff metal wire and was inexplicably peeled back from the corner.)

STATE'S EXHIBIT #2

This picture, which fairly and accurately represents Houdini's head, shows that her head is at least 5 inches wide. Though not pictured, the bulk of that width is a hard skull that is neither flexible nor collapsable. When one subtracts the space between the metal bars from the width of the magician's head, there is at least 1 inch of overlap remaining, or 20% of Houdini's head. Somehow 100% of her head is passing through an area only big enough for 80% of her head.

STATE'S EXHIBIT #3

The final picture taken as part of my investigation shows the girth of the illusionist's chest. As you can clearly see, her chest is just over 8 inches. If my calculations are correct, her chest is twice as wide as the gap between the metal bars in the gate. It is impossible to determine, without the aid of x-rays (or possibly an autopsy), exactly how far the rigid skeletal structure stretches across the 8 inches and how much the pliable muscle, fat, and skin extends past the bones. Based on a generous estimate that the skeletal structure extends across 90% of the width and the remaining 10% is the bendable sinew, then 7.2 inches of the breadth is not flexible or collapsible. If my calculations are correct, 56.6% of her ribs and shoulders should be able to squeeze through the 4 inch gap, while 44.4%, a length of 3.2 inches, overlaps the space available for free movement.

In candor, I must divulge that I am merely an English major and have superficial training in the science of biology and physics. But the numbers don't lie. There is no reasonable, scientific explanation for Houdini's ability to escape. My conclusion: she has sold her soul to the devil, who in turn gave her mystical powers, in exchange for the ability to explore the wide world beyond her backyard. Unfortunately for her, the devil didn't keep his promise that she could run free; for she now spends her days locked in the garage from which there has can be no escape. Or perhaps she is merely developing her next great illusion.

He looked upon his creation, and saw that it was good.

2007-04-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

The grass is in and doing well, though the sprinklers are still giving me a headache. It is nice too look at, though I think the dogs appreciate it more than I do. I would have loved to fill the backyard with grass, but one can't be too gung-ho about grass when living in the desert. One of these days I'm going to hike out into the desert, dig up a cactus or two, and plant them in the corners. I'm sure Cambrea will plant a few flowers, or tomatoes, when my back is turned.

The sprinkler conundrum

2007-04-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

URRGGGH! The wind never stops blowing in Kingman, and it's causing all sorts of problems for my lawn. One kind of sprinkler sprays the water the correct distance, but the wind pushes it around unevenly. The other kind of sprinkler is impervious to the wind, but it sprays to far and unevenly. As a result, some of the lawn is a beautiful green, and some is starting to dry out. Any suggestions?

A Beautiful Hike

2007-04-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

My biggest, and really my only, complaint about Kingman is that we are surrounded by nothing but brown dirt, brown plants, and brown mountains. I came to Kingman because of the job, not the location. I new friend of mine, Shem (pictured below), is a resident at the hospital in town and chose to come to Kingman because of the location, not the job. He has opened my eyes to the perks of living in northwest Arizona. Enjoy some of the pictures I took on a hike last weekend near Hoover Dam.

Future Dwight

2007-04-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

Further evidence as to why if you are not already watching "The Office" you should start immediately. Post haste. Right now.

My baby is not Skeletor!

2007-03-25T20:39:00.001-07:00

So maybe you noticed that Corbett dropped the ball on the whole blog thing. I was telling him I was going to take it over and I think he got scared that I would girl it up too much, so he hurried and posted our baby news before I could get to it. Being a typical boy, he didn't think anyone would want to see naked baby, but the people have spoken! So here's our boy!
We saw a much better view of this, but the tech didn't take a picture at the exact moment. You can see the baby's foot/toes on the left, and the whiter circle on the left is his "turtle", as Dave has begun to say. I'm almost 21 weeks right now, and the baby is due August 8. He was not expected, but he's very welcome! We had given up our seat on "the emotional roller coaster" (as Dave calls it), and it's kind of funny that with all the drama we had last year that this pregnancy would happen so easily. But needless to say, we are EXCITED! I had morning sickness pretty much all day for the first few months, but more than that, I was SO tired. I would literally get home from school at 4:30 and be in bed by 5:00. I started to come back to life a couple of weeks ago, and was surprised to find out that it was already March. I was also surprised to find that my clothes didn't fit anymore! My belly is HUGE, people! At least people at work are figuring out now that it's because I'm pregnant and not because I ate too much ice cream.

But we have no idea what to name this baby! In fact, we are taking suggestions. So send us your best! Don't worry, Lemonjello is already at the top of the list (that's Le-MON-j'lo for those of you that don't know). Dave's vote is for Skeletor (yes, that is a picture of my baby's skull), but I'll only go for that as a middle name.

I'm not going to teach next year, but I am seriously considering starting a preschool. I think it would be very satisfying, so I hope it works out. I am going to miss teaching, but I am very excited to be a stay-at-home mommy and go to the bathroom when I need to instead of having to wait until recess.

Here's the baby's face and hand:

Baby Corbett likes to cross his ankles! How cute!
You can see his profile and chest here. You can even make out his little ears! I'm pretty sure I have the cutest baby EVER!

Lots of hard work

2007-03-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

My dad flew down from Colorado during spring break to help me landscape the backyard. I took a whole week off of work, and we got busy. As you can see here, there is a whole lot of brown dirt, and nothing else. On Monday and Tuesday, we took a few trips down to a rock quarry and loaded up 5,000 pounds of boulders to create a rockwall along the back.

Little by little, the rocks turned into, as my dad calls them, "rockeries." We took a lot of breaks, shown above, because those boulders are frickin' heavy, and we are out of shape. We built some planters in the corners and made the rockwall along the back to add some color and texture.

Bailey supervised our work very closely. After 9-11, one cannot be too safe. So she and Little Man were careful to sniff every boulder for bombs. They often made the boulders their own, if you catch my drift.

For the next step on Wednesday, we dug out lines for a sprinkler system, pretended like we new what we were doing when putting the valves in, did a whole lot of measuring, and finally buried the lines where they should be. Believe it or not, the system actually works.

The first dump truck arrived on Thursday. It left 5 cubic yards of topsoil--really just AZ dirt mixed with steer manure. Several hours later, 5 inches of topsoil covered 500 sq. ft. of a lawn bed.

The second dump truck came on Friday. It dumped 5 tons of decorative rock by the side of our house. Friday was spent with shovels and wheelbarrows. The dogs added their own topdressing.

Saturday we rested. In one week's time we dug holes and ditches, placed 15,000 pounds worth of rock, spread a huge mound of topsoil, installed an irrigation system, and even squeezed in a little home teaching. The curbing people come today to make the division between rock and grass. All that's left is to lay the sod, but that isn't coming for another 10 days. I can't wait until it's all done.

Happy Day!

2007-03-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

Some have requested baby news. Here it is: On March 16, 2007, we watched the ultrasound aimed straight down the gullet and saw our not-so-modest boy showing off his special parts for mommy and daddy. We had the ultrasound lady print a picture of the sordid view, and Cambrea wanted to post it for all to see, but we'll leave that decision up to our audience. Just post your request on the poll below. You can let us know if you want to see the goods.

2007-03-17T21:27:00.001-07:00

Haiku Friday

2007-02-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

The bluebonnets call.

I long for Blue Bell Ice Cream.

Blue, my heart is blue.

I was driving back home from work today and realized that everything around me was brown. Brown hills, brown plants, brown buildings, brown fields. I miss the green of Texas. Everything seemed so much healthier there. Things felt cleaner. But more than anything else, I miss the people: we had great friends in Texas; we had people to mentor us and upon whom we could lean; and we miss the smiles of the strangers at HEB.

To all of our Texas friends, we miss you.

Which picture is from the falls in Arizona?
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Should Cambrea post the obscene picture of our little baby boy?
	Yes.
	No.

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