Lisa, have you thought about getting someone to house-sit while you are gone? We have to because we have a big dog who is a very needy girl, but it is also helpful knowing someone is watching your house. Even if it was someone to just come in and check up on everything every once and awhile. We do it for our neighbors now. If they are gone during the winter we drive in and out of their driveway a few times to make tracks in the snow so it looks like someone is there a lot.

Also, putting lights and the tv on timers is a good idea, too. It makes it look like someone is there. I don't think you'll have to go the Fort Knox route to make it feel safe again.

And I'm so jealous of you living in Arizona. I was born in NM and I miss the southwest so much. What a beautiful beautiful area that is.