nataliesolis's Blog

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy 4th (though a bit belated). I hope it was a safe and happy holiday.

Who went to what display and what did you think??

I worked that night so I saw most of the fireworks during our broadcast. Looked wonderful, though I heard the next day from people what a nightmare the traffic was on the ride home.

 

 

Like many of you, my stomach turned last night as James Broadnax admitted he shot and killed two men in front of a Garland recording studio. Similar crimes are committed all the time, but it isn't often we hear from the the person who pulled the trigger. There was no emotion, not a shred of remorse, just a matter of fact hatred toward life. Some of you feel Fox4 was remiss in interviewing the suspects, Broadnax and his cousin, Demarius Cummings. While hearing them describe what they were up to that night was revolting, the acts themselves deplorable, it gives a sense of just how over the edge some people have gone. It begs so many questions. At what point did Broadnax, just 19 years old, lose his humanity, his respect for human life, his concept of right and wrong? I was amazed to learn he had no prior criminal record, at least none as an adult. So how did he become an admitted killer overnight, driven by the desire for money and need to be tough? What's interesting to me is that we're hearing from Broadnax, but no telling how many young people are like him, feeling disenfranchised and teetering on the edge of doing something deadly when the mood strikes. Yes, seeing those interviews made me mad, sad, and every emotion in between...but I don't think we close our eyes and plug our ears when something is difficult to understand.

As I posted in a previous blog, I'm pretty bummed (like everyone else) about the price of gas. And as I mentioned, I'm making changes in my life to help offset the cost. What I'm finding interesting is that the whole idea of a recession has actually motivated me to cut back in ways that aren't necessarily necessary, and by doing so I'm realizing just how wasteful I really was.

It may be totally pscyhological. For example, at the grocery store I'll resist getting some piddle desire like a new magazine, etc, because I think ooh, times are tough, I should cut back.  Are we really in a recession? Some would argue we are, some wouldn't, and for me, gas is expensive but there's still plenty of money to eat. Nevertheless, just the idea of a recession is playing mind games on me and I can't say my pocket book minds. Since I'm not diligent  enough (though I wish I was) to track ALL of my day to day spending, I can't tell you how much my changed ways have saved me. But I have noticed a change in my thinking and it may actually be a good thing.

The othe day I about had a heart attack. It cost me about 50 bucks to fill up my PT cruiser! I know, I know that's nothing compared to what many people are spending for bigger family vehicles, but for me it was still a shock.

Like most people, I'm cutting back. I'm cooking dinner at home more often, packing a lunch for work, forgoing the mani and pedi at the salon and doing it myself, etc. I wouldn't call it scrimping or even sacrificing, but I am making a few changes to make my money go farther.

I'd love to know what you guys are doing to cut back. I'm sure families are getting pretty creative.

Can't wait to hear from you...and if you see me with less than twinkly toes...you can rest assured I'm PT cruising on a full tank of gas!

Hi Everyone, Friday I did a story on mother who received a summons for truancy court because her daughter had 17 absnces from september to january.  The woman's daughter is 17 and moved out from the family home and in with her boyfriend. The mother tried to stop her, but police said the state of Texas a person becomes an adult at the age of 17, therefore there was nothing they could do. Problem is...that's one part of Texas law. The part that governs education says a student becomes an adult at 18, making parents responsible for them another year and that's why the mother was bieng summoned to court.

Is it just me or does this sound like one huge loop hole in the system?! I'm surprised there aren't more parents kicking and screaming when this sort of thing happens, especially when fines for truancy range from $120-$500 per day.  The mother in our story is devastated that her daugther left home and isn't taking her education seriously, but at the same time, she doesn't understand how the state can hold her accountable when it doesn't give her any authority after the child turns 17. Go figure!

***Part of the reason I bring this story up again is there's one other piece of information that didn't make it into the story. (Often we reporters learn a ton about a topic, but you can only squeeze so much into 1min30sec.) The mother says the school her daughter attended told her she could not see her daughters school record. The mother was of course trying to find out if her daughter was in school. According to the Texas Education Agency, a parent can access their child's file until the child's 18th birthday. So there you have it.

Some people call it the flu, my mother likes to call The Crud. The Crud includes a chest-ripping cough accompanied by an excruciating headache and my favorite...all over body aches with an alternately drippy/stuffy nose. I've spent the last 4 full days in bed with chills and feeling all around miserable which seems to indicate I had a classic case of the Crud. (Although truth be told, my doctor says it could also be bronchitis...good times, right) Anyway, I'm seriously not looking for sympathy (well maybe I was back on day 2 of the Crud) but now that I'm finally getting over it, I'm more curious as to who else has gotten it...and how long it took them to get rid of it. Did you get on an antibiotic? And is it just me or was Walgreens crawling with other sick people?? I feel like everyone's getting the Crud.

Take it from me, if you haven't gotten it (yet), you may want to go out and get your Crud, I mean, flu shot ASAP!

 

 

I know, it's been a while since my last blog...got a little side tracked with the holidays and all, but here we are almost in February and I'm realizing something is missing. That would be you, my dear blogosphere. How is everyone these days? Gosh were to begin...so many big stories recently. There were the two Lewisville sisters allegedly murdered by their father on New Years Day, of course election madness, Heath Ledger's death and those are just few.
I spent a lot of time covering the murder of the Lewisville girls and that is one that still haunts me. I truly hope their father is caught and brought to justice. What we couldn't air from the younger daughter's 911 call is enough to give you nightmares. May they both rest in peace.
As for the election...just the fact that there are two very viable candidates...one that's a woman and the other an African American...truly makes me happy. Regardless of what party they represent, I'm glad our country has progressed enough that both have a real shot at the highest office in the land.
As for Heath Ledger's death, so tragic. I'm curious what the toxicology results will reveal. Reportedly he was taking a variety of prescription drugs. It's always amazing to me how the people you think have it all and seem to be happy and have everything to live for are often quietly suffering, whether it be from physical pain, anxiety, depression, or any number of things.

I can only guess that the amount of material headed for landfills goes up over the holiday season. I recycle and I hope everyone else does too,especially over the coming weeks. My question is...are people really thinking green when buying Christmas gifts? I know there are lots of news stories floating around with eco-friendly gift ideas, but are people taking them seriously? I think I'm going to put at least some of my gifts in canvas grocery bags (instead of wrapping paper) that the recipient can reuse. I'd also love to know other ways people are making their holidays more environmentally friendly. Got any ideas?????

Hello Everyone,

I hope y'all had a nice Thanksgiving. Mine was superb! This was the first year in quite a long time that I didn't have to deal with airports, and all the drama associated with traveling a long distance for a short trip. I spent the day with my folks out in E. Texas. My mom and I took care of some of the easier chores (though we still worked hard!), while my step-father worked his magic in the kitchen, baking up a storm and cooking some of the best turkey, stuffing and yams you've ever tasted. Thanksgiving and Christmas are truly his holidays to shine.  We watched the Cowboys game, of course, after  which I promptly zonked out on the couch, waking only to take a phone call and watch Wedding Crashers before going back to sleep.

Food, Family, Fun, lots of Sleep and oh soo much to be thankful for. Doesn't get any better than that.

I'd love to know what everyone else did with their Thanksgiving. Was it restful? Are you still playing host to visiting relatives? Did you travel? Any holiday nightmare situations  that always seem so awful as they're happening but are sure to get big laughs as you reminisce around the table next year?? Do tell....

My good friend and colleague, Emily Lopez, did a story this week about a some young men (in their 20's and old enough to know better!!) who threw rocks into traffic, smashing through at least one woman's window. The woman, who was also pregnant, was shaken as you might expect and feeling like the outcome could have been a whole lot worse.

I can completely relate to the feelings of helplessness and shock that overcome you when you are the victim of a crime like that.  About a year and a half ago I was driving with a friend of mine in the passenger's seat. I was going at least 65 mph on the freeway in the far right lane. I glanced at her as we were talking and all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I saw a kid, probably a teen, standup from behind a waist-high barracade with his arm raised and huge rock in his  hand. The next thing I know I hear a loud crash, and my friend and I are startled. Fortunately, I stayed calm enough to pull over onto the shoulder. Sure enough, there was a huge gash on the passanger-side door, just a couple of inches beneath the window.  We were in disblief and angry. I was also so thankful it didn't crash through the window into my friend's face or lap. I am still grateful I didn't see the kid sooner because I might have reacted, swerving to avoid being hit and crashing into somone else. After I pulled over, we called 9-1-1 and they sent a state trooper and roadside assistance. Fortunately, the trooper that responded was a friend of mine from stories I'd done in the past. I have to say, it was very comforting to have him there. Turns out, those punks continued throwing rocks into traffic after I was hit. At least three other cars had pulled off the road behind me. I think they realized that the rock they threw at my car was too big and heavy to make it very far, which is why it only hit the passanger door panel of my car. The other cars had broken windshields with the rocks still in side, and in one case, still lodged at the base of the windshield. 

To this day, I still think it's a miracle none of us were actually hit by the flying rocks or that none of us swerved into traffic, hurting ourselves or someone else. I'm sure those kids thought it was all fun and games, but in what twisted mind is hoping to cause a crash (which is what I have to imagine they were aiming for) amusing??!!  They had to have known someone could have been seriously hurt or killed. Is this something parents have to spell out for their kids and tell them not to do??!!

I just don't understand it and I probably never will.

  

Let me start by saying I'm not writing this post because Fox4 sponsors the balloon festival. I say this as a young woman (emphasis on young!) looking for fun, out-of-the-ordinary things to do around the metroplex.

That being said the EDS Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival is awesome!  I will admit I wasn't totally thrilled about heading out there to report Friday night. In my experience as a reporter in other cities, festivals can mean standing out in blistering heat for hours tethered to alive truck, and enduring mobs of people. This was my first time at this event and boy was I pleasantly surprised.

The balloons really are spectacular. And even as incredible as they look on TV, they are truly awe-inspiring in person. It's a wonderful event for families.  The kids out there were seemed captivated by the all those colorful, gigantic balloons. Since it's at a park, there is plenty of space for families to lay out a blanket, and watch the launches and balloon glows.There are also lots of food vendors and activities, but it isn't such an overwhelming event that you feel more worn down by crowds of people than relaxed.

My personal review (as a spectator and not a reporter working for a sponsor):

Go, you'll LOVE it and the kids will always remember it!

What is this  world coming to?

That's the first question that came to mind after  Saturday's turn of  events.  Among the top stories:

Highschool  football players shot while at a party

Mom accused of pouring gasoline on her three daughters and then setting them on fire

and last,  but  certainly not least....A woman and her two  sons are shot to death, her two daughters found bound in a closet  and her husband is  the  suspect.

Three families,  three communities devastated.  It's hard for me to wrap my brain around how these things  happen. It's even harder when they happen in multiples. I guess only time will  tell what  was really going on in the lives of all  the victims and the suspects.

 

 

This is such a tragic story....the family's pit bull mauls a 6-year-old boy.  Police still trying to determine if mom will be charged.

What are your thougths? I, personally, have covered several dog maulling stories. In one, a florida woman was attacked by her presa canario while she bathed him in the back yard with her 9-year-old daughter. Mom died...daughter witnessed the whole thing and was able to run to a neighbor for help.

In Miami-Dade county, where I used to work, pit bulls are illegal. Is this something people would agree with here? What about other so-called aggressive breeds like the presa?

 

 

Today I followed up a report I'd done a while back on Pizza Patron accepting pesos. Eight months later, we've learned that they weathered the insults and threats. And the supposed "backlash" has actually translated into $$$. They haven't necessarily seen a huge profit from the exchange rate or surcharges, but the thinking is they've dramatically increased sales as a result of more people supporting them for reaching out to the hispanic community. And as I'm sure you've heard Value Giant has also jumped on board and they are now accepting pesos as well.
I'm wondering if people are still fired up on this issue. Now that more restaurants and retail outlets may be accepting pesos, is it now a NON-issue. And as Pizza Patron points out...is there really that big of a difference between what they are doing and what our neighbors up north do on the Canadian border?

Traveling is a passion of mine and that's why I was so drawn to the story I did today. Missionaries returning from a Kenyan village were ambushed, robbed and some of them beaten. Sounds horrible, and I'm sure they were terrified, but in that moment they stayed calm and prayed. Then out of no where on that dark, deserted road a delivery truck drove toward them and their captors suddenly decided the holdup was over. The missionaries believe God most certainly heard their prayers and answered them. The incident ultimately cut their trip short, but the missionaries vow to return to Kenya and finish what they started.
I'm wondering if anyone has ever had a bad experience while traveling abroad. How did you react? Did it change your feelings about that country/the people? Have you returned since?