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Back in the Land of Limbo

Over the weekend, my sixteen-year-old son Garrett was hospitalized for a kidney biopsy. During a previous routine examination, we had learned that his kidneys were spilling trace amounts of protein. This is an early sign of renal disease, and the current strategy is to find it in its earliest stages to hopefully stave off major problems later on. In the past, children with juvenile diabetes either got kidney disease or didn’t, and nothing was done until the child began showing signs of serious illness. Now kids are routinely screened for these trace amounts of protein to get to the problem … Continue reading →

“Planes” Flying to Theaters in August

We can’t escape “Cars.”  The film, my least favorite of Pixar’s (well, technically “Cars 2” would win that dubious honor), continues to be so popular, mostly through merchandising, that Disney keeps putting it front and center.  The latest way in which the company is doing so is with a new movie, due out this August. The new film isn’t really a sequel or prequel to “Cars.”  It’s more of a related film in the same general universe.  The primary difference in “Planes” is evident in the title.  “Planes” will be about the world that goes on above that of the … Continue reading →

First Glimpse of Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent

I’ve reported less on forthcoming Disney movies than I used to, now that I’ve learned how the whole studio machine works. I don’t believe rumors of a film until filming actually starts and we see some production photos. That’s why I’ve said very little about Disney’s live action Maleficent film. I first heard rumblings about Disney wanting to make a live action movie about one of their most popular villains back when Tim Burton made his feature length “Alice in Wonderland.” At the time the rumor was that Burton wanted to direct. After hearing that I assumed that Helena Bonham-Carter … Continue reading →

Save on End of Summer Travel

I’ve gotten to a point in life where I am thankful to be alive, but I don’t celebrate turning a year older. I’m old, but still breathing. Why harp on a number? That said, I do reveal my age when necessary. For example, doctor’s appointments, security checks, and… when making hotel reservations. You might consider divulging your age as well if you are looking to score super savings on a hotel room this Labor Day weekend. Starwood recently announced that it is bringing back its “Pay Your Birth Year” promotion. It’s not as painful as it sounds. In order to … Continue reading →

Disney to Build Luxury Homes Community

Just how big is Disney World anyway? I’ve never been there, but I’ve looked at satellite views of it from Google Earth, and though it’s certainly the largest amusement park I’ve seen, I didn’t think it was big enough to host individual luxury homes. That’s right: Disney World’s building luxury homes on its property. According to Central Florida News 13, Disney World’s building a gated community called Golden Oaks which will host up to 400 homes. Prices for the houses range between $1.5 million and $8 million, with a deposit alone costing $25,000. I don’t know much about luxury housing, … Continue reading →

Hints of More Disney on Broadway

Music makes Disney great. Who could imagine wishing for a star, longing for a prince to come, or wanting to be a part of a new world without the uplifting swell of the famous scores accompanying those stories? As I’ve implied before, part of Disney’s magic comes from its music, and when that music isn’t strong the movie’s better off not trying to be a musical. It’s no surprise that, given the high quality of most of Disney’s musical movies, many of them have migrated to Broadway. While “The Lion King” continues its reign as Disney’s most popular musical theater … Continue reading →

Winter Storm Sanity Savers

It’s funny how Mother Nature tends to dictate a parent’s schedule. For example, I have a slew of family members living on the East Coast who are bracing for a major winter storm. Significant snow is predicted to make traveling a nightmare for residents in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and New Jersey. The storm has forced my cousin to cancel a business trip to Boston. Instead, she’ll spend the snow day trying to figure out how to keep her four kids entertained indoors. If you are looking for ways to keep the kiddos from contracting a severe case of cabin fever, … Continue reading →

Be Kind to Your Kidneys and Liver

The human body is pretty amazing. Despite all the wear and tear the body gets on a daily basis — inside AND out — it still keeps going. Your liver and kidneys play a huge role in keeping the body clean on the inside. The liver has hundreds of functions, but one big one is filtering bad stuff (like bacteria) out of the blood. It’s also essential for digestion — the liver produces bile, which breaks down fat so the body can digest it. It’s a multitasking marvel! Your kidneys are waste and water processors. On a daily basis, they … Continue reading →

3 Fun Water Games to Keep Kids Wet and Cool

Are you looking for some fun water activities for your kids? In the hot summer months, water is almost a necessity. Many families have a pool, but it isn’t required to have a great time and continue to beat the heat. Here are a few activities for having fun with water that don’t require the use of a pool. Water Balloon Toss This can be a fun game for kids of all ages. When dealing with extremely young children, tossing the water balloon at a box or board is a better alternative than having them throw it at someone. In … Continue reading →

“Did Somebody Dial 911?”

It was just an average day at my house. Nothing out of the ordinary. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! “POLICE!” Police? Well, let’s see… my husband’s a policeman. Maybe he invited some friends for an afternoon snack. I started making my way to the front door when the telephone rang. “Hello?” “Hello, this is 911 emergency. We just had a phone call from this location. Your name, please?” “Uh… I think it’s Kristyn Crow… but…” “What’s your emergency?” Hmmmm. I searched my brain files. I could talk about the fact that our new refrigerator was spewing out something other than … Continue reading →