For some reason while sitting out back having my morning coffee and cigarette this question came to mind. Can we text 911? I mean, honestly, think of all those who have hidden in a closet while a murderer cases their home looking for them. We've all seen the movies where someone is in that predicament and the minute they call 911, they're heard and found out then killed.
Why can't we text our emergency to the 911 operators? What about those who are kidnapped and in the back seat of a car?
One case comes to mind of a police officer's daughter who was kidnapped, Denise Amber Lee. She was abducted from her home, driven down busy roads, winding through residential neighborhoods, in broad daylight, screaming for her life. Even a another driver saw her in the car, was worried by her appearance and called 911. In the end, Denise left a clue behind, which helped convict her killer...she took off her ring and left in the car on the back floorboard.
Back to my point, what if she were able to text 911? She called 911 letting them know her killer was at the wheel. But what if she were able to text more descriptive messages of her whereabouts? Would it make a difference? I can't help but wonder.
But the answer is No. No you can not text message nor can you call over your internet to 911 for help, at least in America.
I always have horrible cenarios going through my head, mostly about my children..always wanting them to be safe...telling them to text me the moment they are home from school and so on. But just imagine your home being broken into. You are able to run to your closet and hide with your cell phone. I sleep with my phone next to my head for the alarm, but the thought of emergency is never far from my mind. When you hear the intruder coming into your bedroom and you ahve your cell phone. You can not call 911 because he will hear your voice. Instead, you text 911, "HELP!", and in minutes the police arrive and either apprehend the intruder or save your life as you do not bleed to death from when you got attacked in the meantime.
I know, it sounds too good to be true. Every single cell phone would have to have a GPS on it in order for this to work out perfectly in your favor. The newer phones have them built in...my old cell phone does not. But still...text your address if you could even. I just can't understand why this is not an option.
Many will say, "There will be SO many prank 911 texts if this happens!" Uh, yeah, about the same as the 911 prank calls? Right?
I just don't see any 'cons' to this implement.
My life, ramblings, recipes, rants
Friday, February 26, 2010
Fix-It Friday #45 - Hands-On Photo Editing Fun!
At I Heart Faces today's challenge is a Fix It. I love love love manipulating photos in Photoshop so here I go!
I made different layers, adjusted the lighting on her face to cast off the shadow, framed her face with a graphic frame that was given a sharp outer bevel. I used the healing brush tool on her elbows to smooth out the skin. I darkened the contrast in the sky and the girl separately. And used the brush tool to color burn the outer portion of the photo.
I made different layers, adjusted the lighting on her face to cast off the shadow, framed her face with a graphic frame that was given a sharp outer bevel. I used the healing brush tool on her elbows to smooth out the skin. I darkened the contrast in the sky and the girl separately. And used the brush tool to color burn the outer portion of the photo.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Homemade Ice Cream...EASY!
I've made ice cream at home before...coffee cans sandwiched with rock salt and ice....roll the can...time consuming. I've made it in at-home-ice cream-machines....again TIME consuming. Are the results good? Yes...but it's not something you can make in minutes....until now!
What was so funny, is that my kids guessed and guessed..when I was slicing the bananas, when I put them in the freezer, up even until I handed them their bowl. Ice cream? YES!
What was so funny, is that my kids guessed and guessed..when I was slicing the bananas, when I put them in the freezer, up even until I handed them their bowl. Ice cream? YES!
In order to enjoy this ice cream, you need to like bananas. Why? Because that's pretty much the only ingredient in this ice cream!
Take 3 to 5 bananas and cut them in about 1-2" slices, put on a plate and stick in the freezer for one to two hours.
We ate dinner and had a movie going...this was to be our dessert!
Put the frozen banana slices in your food processor.
And Blend!
First stage looks like bread crumbs...
Second stage looks like dough...
Third and final stage is amazing! It takes on the creamiest texture!
You can stop here, if you like. I added peanut butter and mini chocolate chips!
And there you have it! It was so yummie!
Mushroom Melt
Who doesn't love grilled cheese? I know my family does and it's a guilty pleasure that leaves my tummy satisfied and happy! This is a twist on the plain grilled cheese sandwich, a little more sophisticated maybe.
Ingredients can vary....like most of my recipes. My ingredients were artisan bread, mushrooms, yellow onions, swiss cheese, tomatoes, low fat mayo. You can add ANYTHING your heart desires : olives, deli meats, bacon...the list goes on and on.
Ingredients can vary....like most of my recipes. My ingredients were artisan bread, mushrooms, yellow onions, swiss cheese, tomatoes, low fat mayo. You can add ANYTHING your heart desires : olives, deli meats, bacon...the list goes on and on.
Saute the onions on low...sweat them and you don't want to brown them...just until they're almost translucent. you can use olive oil, butter, margarine....again your choice.
When the onions are almost translucent, add your sliced mushrooms...salt and pepper or season to your taste. When the mushrooms are cooked to your liking (I like them still firm...some like them totally cooked) drain the pan and store in a bowl, covered.
Now time to build the melt...mayo, cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions. Then it's toasting time! Cook in a skillet...again with olive oil...butter...whatever your choice is. And when flipping (since it's such a stacked sandwich, I lifted the skillet to meet halfway with the sandwich during flipping. All four of my sandwiches stayed together. I even got a pat on my back from my daughter, "Nice job mom!"
And plate it! We paired our melts with baked chedder cheese chips.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
“Hands-On Fun”
This week’s themes at iHeartFaces is “Hands On” and the guest judge is Becky Earl. This shot was taken four years ago, after me and my husband had been married only a few weeks. We met on a blind date on April Fool's Day 2006 and were married two weeks later...we are coming up on our 4 Year Wedding Anniversary, so I thought this was fitting. We were listening to a friend of ours Dewey Wayne, play in the Woodlands.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Heaven has a Beautiful Angel
Connie Andrews passed away Saturday night during her fight with stage 4 breast cancer. I first wrote everyone to send prayers and possibly donations to help fund her treatments after Medicaid dropped her. On January 13th, Channel 2 News KPRC picked up her story. http://www.click2houston.com/news/22225021/detail.html.
Sh
She received donations and the public was made aware of her story. We were all encouraged to help her. She needed to start chemotherapy ASAP, but with the problems with Medicaid, her treatments would cost $12,000.00 each and she needed at least nine treatments. Instead of getting treatment, she was at homed drained, saddened and feeling defeated.
On January 16, the best news ever! If all went as planned, Connie would have Medicaid coverage in time to start her desperately needed chemo.
On January 22, Medicaid apparently never heard of her (despite the 6 other times she has applied, been approved, dropped, lost paperwork, including her new interview and application and supposed approval last Friday). She felt like she was staring from scratch.
What many of you don't know is that Connie did not have custody of her boys due to being unable to care for them in her sickness. They lived with their father and she got to see them every other weekend. This was very, very hard for Connie especially this past Christmas when all she wanted was one last Christmas with her kids and she didn't get it. She cried often for her babies and this was a source of constant pain and grief for her. She soldiered through that, she met the cancer fight head on, she dealt with the medicaid issues. She rarely complained about any of it.
Saturday night, Connie passed away and we are all saddened. I can't help but cry for her, her family, her children and want to punch cancer in the throat. It is not definite that it was her cancer that killed her, she also suffered from asthma and she was found on the floor leaning over her breathing machine.
This is how Connie described herself : I'm a sarcastic bitch. LOL! Well, I can be. I've seen some things and had to go through some things that make me who I am today. I don't let people walk on me and never will again. I am single again and I'm not settling for just anyone this time. I want to find the one that God had in mind for me and I will find him. It's just a matter of time. Most important thing about me is that I have 3 beautiful children that are my world! My daughter is the oldest and I have two baby boys as well (no, not twins...just rather close in age). They are the best!
Connie's Sister Cristin posted this update on Connie's Facebook.
This is Connie's sister Cristin. She asked me to post this when she went to Heaven. She died last night. She loved each and every one of you and was so very thankful for your friendship and support. She wanted people to have a party to celebrate the life she had and that she is in a better place. So put on your favorite Connie song, raise a glass, crack some sarcastic jokes and remember the good tiimes.
For those of you interested :
Funeral will be held 10 am Thursday Feb 25th at Shrine of the True Cross Church, 300 FM 517 East, Dickinson, TX 77539. Burial will immediately follow and then a reception (place to be determined) Visitation is Wednesday night at the church beginning at 5pm with a Rosary at 7pm. Flowers may be sent to the church. In Lieu of flowers, donations to assist with funeral expenses and to set up a small trust for her children may be made to the Connie Andrews Fund, c/o Capital One Bank
Sh
She received donations and the public was made aware of her story. We were all encouraged to help her. She needed to start chemotherapy ASAP, but with the problems with Medicaid, her treatments would cost $12,000.00 each and she needed at least nine treatments. Instead of getting treatment, she was at homed drained, saddened and feeling defeated.
On January 16, the best news ever! If all went as planned, Connie would have Medicaid coverage in time to start her desperately needed chemo.
On January 22, Medicaid apparently never heard of her (despite the 6 other times she has applied, been approved, dropped, lost paperwork, including her new interview and application and supposed approval last Friday). She felt like she was staring from scratch.
What many of you don't know is that Connie did not have custody of her boys due to being unable to care for them in her sickness. They lived with their father and she got to see them every other weekend. This was very, very hard for Connie especially this past Christmas when all she wanted was one last Christmas with her kids and she didn't get it. She cried often for her babies and this was a source of constant pain and grief for her. She soldiered through that, she met the cancer fight head on, she dealt with the medicaid issues. She rarely complained about any of it.
Saturday night, Connie passed away and we are all saddened. I can't help but cry for her, her family, her children and want to punch cancer in the throat. It is not definite that it was her cancer that killed her, she also suffered from asthma and she was found on the floor leaning over her breathing machine.
This is how Connie described herself : I'm a sarcastic bitch. LOL! Well, I can be. I've seen some things and had to go through some things that make me who I am today. I don't let people walk on me and never will again. I am single again and I'm not settling for just anyone this time. I want to find the one that God had in mind for me and I will find him. It's just a matter of time. Most important thing about me is that I have 3 beautiful children that are my world! My daughter is the oldest and I have two baby boys as well (no, not twins...just rather close in age). They are the best!
Connie's Sister Cristin posted this update on Connie's Facebook.
This is Connie's sister Cristin. She asked me to post this when she went to Heaven. She died last night. She loved each and every one of you and was so very thankful for your friendship and support. She wanted people to have a party to celebrate the life she had and that she is in a better place. So put on your favorite Connie song, raise a glass, crack some sarcastic jokes and remember the good tiimes.
For those of you interested :
Funeral will be held 10 am Thursday Feb 25th at Shrine of the True Cross Church, 300 FM 517 East, Dickinson, TX 77539. Burial will immediately follow and then a reception (place to be determined) Visitation is Wednesday night at the church beginning at 5pm with a Rosary at 7pm. Flowers may be sent to the church. In Lieu of flowers, donations to assist with funeral expenses and to set up a small trust for her children may be made to the Connie Andrews Fund, c/o Capital One Bank
1815 FM 646 W. Dickinson, TX 77539
OR
Via credit card or bank transfer at http://www.paypal.com to ConnieKicksCancer@gmail.com
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