Sadly, my mother has suffered a medical emergency and been admitted to hospital. We've had to cancel our cruise. A big disappointment to both of us. I just thank God that, if she had to get sick, it happened while she was home, close to her team of great doctors...and not while we were at sea, far from world-class medical facilities. Instead of heading sown south this week for a cruise, I'll be headed down to spend a week in the Tampa area, visiting my mom and she recuperates. My mom really deserves a break - it's been a terrible year.

Well, it's official: I'm heading out on a sea cruise with my mom in October. She's a dialysis patient, but there's something called Dialysis at Sea: cruise ships fitted with complete dialysis units and medical staff on board. Only in America! It'll be a great chance to just kick back. Our family has had a really rough year, and it doesn't seem to be letting up any time soon. I've travelled tons this year, but not had a proper vacation in ages.