A Great Phone Call

We had a very pleasant and unexpected phone call last week.  It was from a kind woman and her mother, who is over 100 years old.  They had ordered a FotoDialer for the mother some months ago and called to say how much they love their FotoDialer.  The comment from them that really got me laughing was that the only problem they had with their FotoDialer was it was now so easy for the mother to call everyone, she was doing so a little too much.  What a great problem to have!

The mother told me she loves her FotoDialer and that she finds it very easy to use.  She was genuine and thoughtful in her gratitude.  It was a touching experience.

This phone call was such a pleasant event and incredibly thoughtful of this mother/daughter duo.  We have had so many wonderful folks call or email to tell us how FotoDialer has been a lifesaver for them.  We are grateful for those who take time out of their busy lives to express gratitude.  We are thankful for them and know it is their lives and patronage that makes FotoDialer possible.

Is Anything Sacred Anymore?

This is a bit late, but the thought hasn't left me since Thanksgiving time.  To tell what I mean, we need to discuss the point that one aspect of Thanksgiving is gratitude.  Among other things, gratitude means being content with what you have.  It means not wishing you had what someone else has and being happy and grateful for what you do have.

It is always so irritating when I hear and see commercials advertising how we need to buy more things to be happy.  This is greatly augmented when those commercials happen the VERY DAY we celebrate gratitude and Thanksgiving.  Black Friday has encroached on the day when we should be grateful and be with family and friends.  Instead, we are told we need to leave our family and day of gratitude to go and covet what we lack.  Is anything sacred anymore?  Can we really not have a single day to just be with family and friends?  Can we just keep this day sacred where we can be grateful and contemplate our blessings, pray, and meditate on what we have, not on what we lack?

“If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.” 

-Frank A. Clark

Keeping sacred what should be sacred is how we build stronger families, communities, and nations.  We call on businesses to honor what should be kept sacred and keep Thanksgiving a day of gratitude and not a day of coveting.

Obviously our company wishes to sell FotoDialers and other products.  But, we also recognize happiness is not achieved with things and selfishness and that there are more important things than a quick buck.  For these and so many reasons, we are happy to say we are never open on Thanksgiving and will never advertise an, "early Black Friday."  If you call us on Thanksgiving, we will not be here.  If you order online on Thanksgiving, you will receive a confirmation the following business day.  We need more respect for the sacred.  If we forget gratitude on the very day we celebrate it, then what is the point of celebrating?  We will not find the peace gratitude bestows with untethered envying.

From FotoDialer, remember an attitude of gratitude!

Married Couple Dies Minutes Apart

With starry eyed optimism, nearly every newlywed couple says they will live to old age then die holding the hand of their beloved while asleep.  While this dream of youth may not come to fruition for most couples, it did happen to an Idaho couple who had been married for 63 years.

Bob and Edna Huntley got off to a rocky start in their courtship, but it ended magnificently.  On their first date, Bob stood Edna up to go hunting instead.  Edna forgave him and they were married some time later.

 Image retrieved here

At the time of their death, they were persevering through her cancer and his dementia.  She died in her sleep with him following less than an hour later.

Their marriage was a great success and an example to us all.  They proved the veracity of this quote:
"Chains do not hold a marriage together.  It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years."
-Simone Signoret

You can see the full article HERE.

From FotoDialer, have a fantastic day!

Remembering Nancy Reagan, an Alzheimer's Advocate

Nancy Reagan, an Alzheimer's advocate

At FotoDialer, we love to recognize those who serve others.  One of these greats was Nancy Reagan.  Mrs. Reagan used her position and the Alzheimer's diagnosis of her husband, former President Ronald Reagan, to bring awareness to the disease. 

Mrs. Reagan was a great advocate for the afflicted, their families, and caregivers.  The Alzheimer's Association wrote a great article HERE honoring her after her death on March 6, 2016.

What other remarkable Alzheimer's advocates do you know of that we should mention? 

"To my young friends out there: Life can be great, but not when you can't see it. So, open your eyes to life: to see it in the vivid colors that God gave us as a precious gift to His children, to enjoy life to the fullest, and to make it count. Say yes to your life."

-Nancy Reagan

Grandparents Day!

Yes, Grandparents Day was September 13, 2015 this year.  Though we are a day late in mentioning it, we thought we'd at least let others know they can celebrate their Grandparents any time.  Make sure to call them and send your love. 


Thinking of getting something special for your Grandparents?  Try FotoDialer!


"What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies."  -Rudy Giuliani

Baby Surprise!

For anyone who has had a baby you know the excitement surrounding the birth.  Our family has contests to see who can guess the gender of the baby and when they think the baby will be born.  Sometimes parents try to keep the gender a secret until the birth, but what this couple did takes the cake!

They not only made their family and friends wait until birth to find out the gender, but they also neglected to tell another little something about their upcoming baby . . . that they would be having TWO!  This video captures the reactions when people find out the gender and the fact these parents delivered twins.  Watch the video to see their gender. 

See the story and video HERE.

Enjoy the video and please visit us at www.FotoDialer.com. 

Heartwarming Valentine's Day Story

There is so much bad news out there it can be downright depressing.  So we try to bring you some good news from time to time. 

Here is a great story of a boy from Oklahoma who gave an anonymous Valentine to every girl in his High School.  Though he gave the Valentine's anonymously, they found out his name is Dan Williams.  The amazing things is Williams began earning money to pay for this back in the summer.  He was $150 short under two weeks ago, but said, "The Lord provided." 

Hopefully more follow the example of this exemplary young man and think of others before thinking of themselves.

Read and watch the heartwarming story by clicking HERE.

Be sure to visit FotoDialer by clicking HERE.

Troubleshooting

Occasionally we get calls about an issue someone is having with their FotoDialer.  We thought it would be useful to post a few things to do if you have issues.

Problem: The FotoDialer won't program the number.  This is usually due to one of a couple reasons.  Below are two things to watch for. 

• 1) When you push the white program button, does the dial tone go away?
• 2) If the dial tone does go away in program mode, but the FotoDialer still won't program, there is another issue. 

Solution: If you observe number 1 above then the problem is because the cords in the back are in the wrong spot.  When you go into program mode, the dial tone is supposed to go away.  Make sure the cord coming from the wall that normally goes into your phone is connected into the FotoDialer RJ-11 connection labeled, "LINE."  Then the white cord provided with your FotoDialer that comes from the phone should go into the FotoDialer RJ-11 connection labeled, "PHONE."  If they are not in the correct location, the FotoDialer cannot go into program mode. 
So go ahead and switch the two cords.

Solution: If you notice number 2 is happening, you have one of two issues.  Your pages need to be flat when you program or your batteries are too low.  Make sure to get NEW alkaline batteries for your FotoDialer.  Do not just use some from the junk drawer.  Even if they don't expire for another three years, they may not be adequate.  The low battery light indicator will tell you if they are extremely low, but it is best to just get new ones.  If there is not enough power to program the number, the FotoDialer either won't accept the new number in full or will just go to the last phone number programmed in.  In other words, since the power is low, it dials what takes less energy. 
So get new batteries and keep those pages flat and you should be fine.

We have very few issues from FotoDialer owners, but occasionally there are problems.  Hopefully these solutions will be of help.  We are grateful for our awesome FotoDialer customers!

Check us out at FotoDialer.com! 

Another Military Welcome Home Surprise Video

We couldn't help loading one more military surprise video.  Family is most important and that is something these videos share.  At FotoDialer, we also believe family matters most.  This is why FotoDialer was invented; to allow family to communicate easier and stay in touch.

Visit us at FotoDialer HERE.

Military Welcome Home Video

We at FotoDialer love our military and thank them for their service, sacrifice, dedication, and honor.  We thank their families and loved ones.  Here is a clip of some military members surprising their families.  Welcome home and God bless!

Visit us at FotoDialer, HERE.

There's Still Time For Christmas

There is still time if you need to order your FotoDialer for a Christmas gift.  Your FotoDialer is usually sent the same day it was ordered if done on a weekday before 4:00pm MST.  Orders are usually sent via USPS Priority if being shipped within the USA. Shipping time usually takes 2-4 business days.  Overnight deliveries are possible.  Call or email for details.  See our CONTACT page if you have questions for us.

It is a great time of year to remember those we love and share meaningful gifts with them.  Here is just one way we can show them we care and ensure they have the ability to communicate with friends, family, and emergency personnel. 

We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

You can order your FotoDialer HERE!

National Cookie Day and Some Recipes!

Did you know today is National Cookie Day?!  Who knew there was such a day created to bless our taste buds and grant us the excuse to push our diets to the side to indulge in some delectable refreshment? 

In honor of National Cookie Day, we have attached some great cookie recipes.  Try them out and let us know how they go.  Don't forget to use your FotoDialer to call and invite your family and friends to come enjoy this wonderful day with you!  Visit us HERE.

These recipes were given by Harmons grocery and listed on KSL.  If you have questions, you can contact a Harmons chef at askachef@harmonsgrocery.com 

Enjoy!

Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies

Servings: Approximately 2 Dozen

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
• 3 cups flour
• 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1. In stand mixer, with paddle attachment, cream together butter, sour cream and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, stopping and scrapping the sides of bowl twice. Cream in vanilla bean paste.
2. In medium mixing bowl, combined flour, salt and baking powder. Add to mixing bowl with butter and sugar. On low speed, mix just until dough comes together Place into medium mixing bowl. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until chilled completely.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Split dough in half. Place one half into refrigerator. Roll second half out until 1/4 inch thick. Cut shapes or circles. Place onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill. Repeat procedure with second half of dough.
4. Bake cookies for 7-9 minutes, or until poufy but not brown. Remove form oven. Cool one minute on baking sheet. Remove and cool on wire rack completely.
5. Frost with favorite frosting or decorate with icing, candies, etc. Another fun option is to put decorative sugar or crystal sprinkles onto your dough just before baking. That will create a beautiful, sweet pop of color and you won't need any frosting at all!
The refrigeration trick also works with my famous Gingerbread Cookies. Follow this recipe and you'll have delicious gingerbread cookies every time.

Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Servings: Approximately 2 Dozen

Ingredients

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar, for soft cookies (or)

*½ cup brown sugar & ¾ cup granulated sugar for crisp cookies (better for gingerbread houses)

2 eggs

¾ cup molasses

1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon ginger powder

1 teaspoon nutmeg spice

1 teaspoon cloves spice 4 ½ cups cake flour

Directions
1. In stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream together butter, sugar and molasses for 2 minutes. Stopping and scraping after 1 minute.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, stop and scrape. Add vanilla bean paste with last egg.
3. Sift together cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda and flour and mix into mixture. Sprinkle in salt.
4. Separate into two balls and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
5. Roll out to 1/4"-1/2" depending on desired softness. Cut into desired shape. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet.
6. Bake at 400 for 6-7 minutes. Remove from oven and slide cookies off cookie sheet. Cool completely. Decorate with icing, candy and sprinkles if desired.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you have a happy, healthy, and grateful Thanksgiving this year!  Be sure to take the time to think of all the things you are thankful for, whether they are big or small.  You will feel more grateful and happy if you do so.

Be sure to visit us at our site, www.FotoDialer.com. 

Fun Facts! Does Anything Rhyme With Orange Or Silver?

We have all seen it before.  Everyone seems to have that know-it-all friend who likes to tell you useless facts in an attempt to make you look foolish.  For example, your friend might say, "Did you know nothing rhymes with orange or silver?"  They seem to get the look of pure satisfaction when they watch your mental agony as you attempt to think of something that rhymes with orange and silver.  You can think of nothing so in defeat you fruitlessly make up words like, "rorange" or, "pilver" then hastily change the subject to something you know more about.

Has this happened to you?  Well don't get down on yourself because you now have some ammunition for that friend!  There are actually some words that DO rhyme with orange and silver!  According to Dictionary.com, orange rhymes with, "Blorenge (a mountain in Wales) and sporange (a sac where spores are made)." So what about silver?  Dictionary.com says, "Silver has the same rumor going for it, but it actually rhymes with Wilver (a nickname) and chilver (a ewe lamb)."  You can see the post HERE.

So, go ahead and look for an opportunity to bust out some newfound wisdom on that know-it-all friend.  Just remember to enjoy the moment compliments of FotoDialer!

You can see our website HERE.

Want To Reduce Your Alzheimer's Risk By 50%? Here's How!

In the age of magic pills, complicated fixes, and technology for everything under the sun, it is refreshing to hear of simple solutions to complicated problems.  Since FotoDialer was created as a simple solution to a complicated problem, we are all about passing it on to you.  An article I recently found cited a recent study where they claimed doing a simple task can improve your memory and even ward off Alzheimer's.  For such a great benefit you might expect to hear you have to do some grand thing, but that is not the case.  So, what is this, "grand" thing?

Go for a walk!  Yes, according to the study, walking for 30 minutes a day could reduce your risk for Alzheimer's by 50%.  The article went on to say, "Even if you already have early signs of cognitive decline or Alzheimer's, walking 5 miles a week could put the skids on that."

So how does walking help?  Walking increases oxygen and blood flow to the neurons in your brain thus decreasing the brain shrinkage that occurs with age. 

So go out for a walk with your family, hike in the mountain, meet some new neighbors.  Just get out and walk!

You can read the article HERE.

To see our, "Foto" gallery, go HERE.

Happy walking!

Viral Video Of Mom With Alzheimer's Recognizing Her Daughter

Those who know or work with anyone with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia can attest to the difficult and painful times the memory loss brings.  Certainly it must be beyond difficult to care for someone who you have loved your entire life and they do not even recognize you anymore. 

Perhaps this is why this video has become so popular.  In a moment of clarity, this Mom recognizes her daughter and says her name, Kelly.  She then says she loves Kelly.  The look on Kelly's face is priceless.  We wish them both the best and give our continued hope a cure for all forms of dementia can be found soon.

The video can be found HERE.

If you want to find out more about FotoDialer, and ways it can help as a tool for those with dementia, please visit us at www.FotoDialer.com. 

FotoDialer Reviews and Testimonials

What do your family, friends, and neighbors think of FotoDialer?  Here are just a few reviews and testimonials I want to pass along:

"FotoDialer has been an outlet that has opened up a new world for my mom.  She is in a care center and was very lonely and could not communicate with our family until we got her a FotoDialer.  Thank you!"
-Dorie

"I just wanted to let you know how wonderful the FotoDialer is.  We installed it a week ago for my in-laws.  Grandpa takes care of Grandma who is very forgetful.  This morning was the 3rd time in a week that he has fallen and Grandma has been able to get to the phone, use the FotoDialer and get help.  She said if she hadn't had the FotoDialer, she would have been useless, unable to remember numbers and too shakey to dial the phone.  Thanks, the FotoDialer has literally been a lifesaver."
-Moana 

“Everybody in the family likes it so much, especially my sighted wife. She uses it as often as I do. I am able to get hold of friends quickly without using my CCTV (magnify TV screen) to look up telephone numbers.  I can get hold of important people and places faster. I have one FotoDialer in the kitchen and another in my office. I am so used to it, I can’t do without FotoDialer. ”
-Rod (Blind)

“It’s perfect for my mother because she has a failing memory and isn’t able to remember and dial phone numbers easily. I am much more comfortable knowing she has emergency numbers and family members available when she needs them.”
-Jorge

Do you have any reviews?  Send them to sales@photodialing.com. 

See FotoDialer HERE.

Will you live to be 100?

Caring.com had a thought-provoking article by, Paula Spencer Scott entitled, "10 Surprising Clues You'll Live to 100."  In the article, you will read about studies showing common themes among our centenarian counterparts.  For example, small amounts of worrying, but not too much, is a sign you will live to 100.  Being positive, religious, your family history, and how fast you walk are all indicators on whether you reach that age milestone or not.  Click HERE if you want to see the rest of the article.

Are YOU going to live to 100?  What do you do to ensure a long and healthy life?  Remember, you can always start today!

Please visit us at our website at http://www.FotoDialer.com.

Robin Williams, Picture Button Phones, and Vitamin D . . .

It was with sadness we witnessed the news of the passing of Robin Williams.  It seems most people felt they knew the funny man through his movies.  The sad part of all this is the fact that this hilarious man had so much internal pain and grief.  He seemed to have voids created by his sadness, but perhaps he lived, filled those voids, and became happy by making others laugh.  Though his passing is very sad, there is some consolation in the knowledge that he lived a part of his laugh in order to make others happy.  There is a lesson we can learn from this sad event; we must do all we can to live for others, but also take care to make sure we get any help we may need.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

I was perusing many of the picture button phones on the market and I had some thoughts.  First off, it is good that there are more and more of these phone coming on the market.  There is a great need for them.  Another thought was, of course, I believe we have the best version that fits all the criteria our customers need.  For example, among many other benefits, the FotoDialer: will not lose your numbers if the power goes out, the pictures are much larger on FotoDialer, many more numbers can be programmed in, it has Pause Dialing (programming in pauses into a sequence of numbers), it is mobile (can be connected to different analog phone lines), you don't need to use a computer to set things up, it is simple and durable, and it costs less than most other options. 

An article I read recently said lower levels of Vitamin D may contribute to a higher risk of getting Alzheimer's disease of other forms of dementia.  So, get some sun, eat healthy, and make sure you get the vitamins and minerals your body and mind need!  The article can be read HERE.

Thank you for reading and remember to pass on a link to FotoDialer to your family and friends!  You can do so HERE!

Pass It On!

There are a wide range of ways companies market their products or services.  Commercials enlist actors declaring how much they love such and such product they have never used or some NBA basketball star is paid to say how often they dine at the greasy fast food restaurant we are sure they do not frequent.  Other sources are billboards, radio ads, ads in the mail or newspaper, online ads, etc.  Sometimes we even see marketing (good or bad) in online comments people make. 

Though these methods are diverse and useful in their own way, we think the best method is by word of mouth.  The reasons?  Credibility, trust, comfort, accountability, and a host of other reasons.  Those people we usually receive word of mouth referrals from are those we know, trust, and care about.  We often see them as credible and trustworthy and the referrals they give can be given in a comforting and non-threatening atmosphere.  Accountability by them and us after we have used a certain product or service may be one of the biggest reasons word of mouth referrals are so useful.  We know deep down if we give or receive a sub-par referral we can lose credibility and trust.  We also want those we care about to give or receive the best. 
We hope that those who have bought or heard of FotoDialer will feel to pass it on!  Share your great experiences with others online or in person.  Help us use the best and most credible way to market: word of mouth!
FotoDialer can be seen HERE.