Last Day!

Sunset in Chicago...view from ferris wheel

Being in Chicago was everything and nothing that I expected. I knew that Pearson would treat us right after all, they are a multi-million dollar corporation. I knew that it would be first class all the way. What I wasn't expecting was hot, sit down lunches with linen table cloth and napkins, the actual tech people who I call when I have problems....seriously...I met one of the guys who handles my school and I've actually spoken to on the phone, the camaraderie, the networking opportunities, Bill Clinton in my hotel, Wolf Blitzer, the FRIENDLINESS of the people in Chicago and so much more! So glad I've had the opportunity to come....once in a lifetime event.

Last night, my son, mother and cousins from Texas said our final goodbyes to Chicago by heading to the Weber Grill and then to the Navy Pier. We had seen the Weber Grill on the Food Channel and it was everything we had hoped it would be. Then about a mile walk to the Navy Pier where we rode the ferris wheel and watched the fireworks. What a way to end the trip.

Professional Sports

I am not in anyway a sports fan...period. I can tolerate SEC college football but that is about all. It is just not my thing. So heading to Wrigley Field in Chicago is a history lesson. I'm more interested in the historical aspect.

I've seen pictures of people at Wrigley Field in the 40's and 50's so when I took this picture; I was reminded of those times when people would skip work or skip school to go see the cubs. Now days, the cost to go to a game is outrageous!

PowerSchool University

For those of you who don't know, I'm in Chicago for training. So my trip is not exactly 'for fun'. When I told people that I was going to Chicago for school stuff, the looks were of pity. I quickly told people...this is pleasurable. This is what I enjoy. Besides, I've found that I'm still able to get out and see the sights. We came up a day before and was able to do a lot of sight seeing.

PowerSchool is a student information system that a majority of schools use throughout the United States. In Virginia, something like 80% of schools use the program. The huge company, Pearson, owns PowerSchool. Pearson is known for book printing and testing material. So you know that this company has lots of money and treats their customers well. My first impressions of PowerSchool were everything I had expected. We have been treated like kings and queens and have very knowledgeable staff.

As I said in a post on Facebook, there are all kinds of PS users here. There are those who know a lot, those who don't know anything and those who know enough to do damage....like me!

In Chicago

In March, I was able to convince my school superintendent to send me to PowerSchool University. PowerSchool is the Student Information System we use. Although I consider myself a pretty good user of the program, I am NO expert. I need more training. The school found a grant and I happy to report that I'm here in Chicago. My mother and my son were able to come. They will be sight-seeing in Chicago while I'm in class. I do not mind at all! I'll be doing something I enjoy too.

The three of us traveled on Amtrak. It was a lot cheaper than flying but VERY long! We got on the train at 3:00 Friday afternoon and got off Saturday morning at 11:00. I must say, all day yesterday, I felt that I was still on the train. The journey on the train is interesting. You see and meet all kinds of people. People traveling with families, older people, rich,  and not so rich and all in between.

View from a boat tour

We arrived in Chicago and I really didn't know what to expect. I have been in big cities but not as big as Chicago. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. Chicago is NOTHING like I expect. We all have self perceived notions of how things should be. For example, we all think that New York should be smelly and have rude, pushy people. Chicago, I expected about the same. First, Chicago has a lot of green space. There are parks everywhere. There are people walking everywhere. Downtown Chicago, where we are, there are more condos than businesses so this is where people live. We've seen lots of families. I didn't feel scared walking outside. So far, I'm enjoying Chicago. I'm not a city person and still enjoy my little town but this is not a bad place to visit.

Day 1: The Dr. Harvey Way

Update on Mr. Gus: Gus has been on his homemade diet for over a week now. He is enthusiastic about his food, seems happier and has more energy. Today, we took our normal walk over to Nana's and when we got there, he was not the least bit tired. In fact, he ran around her yard like a crazed dog! His skin has cleared up except for a couple 'old' spots. I even more confident that his recent skin problems was diet related.

Today, Dr. Harvey's dog food mix arrived. Anxious to try it out, I made up a batch to see Gus's reaction. Good LORD...he gobbled it down. He even went back to the bowl several times to re-lick it. So does that mean he likes it or he isn't getting enough protein? I'm confident that it is because he likes it. Each daily batch has 9-10 ounces of protein. I'll feed him twice a day so that is about 4 1/2 ounces at each meal. The total weight of the protein and the mix is 15 ounces or 7 1/2 at each meal. That is a LOT. I don't even eat that much at a meal. I also put in 2 tsp. of fish oil. I've ordered Dr. Harvey's vitamin supplement but it is on back order.

My mother's neighbor thinks I'm crazy. She tells me that I can buy kibble dog food that is made for allergy suffering dogs when I get tired of making Gus's. I already cook once a month for my son and me. So, why not add the dog into the mix?

Gus: Day 6...The Homemade Way

I'm happy to report that everyday brings improvement with Gus's skin. Yesterday, I counted 3 times that he scratched!!! Today, I've caught him licking his feet twice. We haven't gotten the food mix from Dr. Harvey yet. I was notified that it has been shipped today but the vitamin supplement is on back order. For the first time since Gus was a young puppy, he was actually excited about eating tonight! He ran around the kitchen and barked!!! I'm hesitant to be too happy but so far, so good!!!

The Car and Child are Here!

First, let me say, I am TIRED. Rode/drove for over 12 hours yesterday. Being a stubborn, hard-headed 17 year old, the child wanted to drive back home by himself. The child's father and I both felt that he did not need to make this drive from Alabama to Virginia by himself. The child and his father rode in "the boat" and his grandfather followed in his car. At the same time, my mother and I were coming from Virginia. We had decided that we would meet in Knoxville and 'swap'. My mother would ride with the child and I'd follow in my car. I must say, the child is sooooo thrilled. He acted like a proud papa with a new baby. He would not let me or his grandmother drive! He is also a pretty good driver. Weather conditions were pretty bad. By the time we hit Roanoke it was dark and started to rain. The child did pretty darn good. I think that Nana had white knuckles...it is a control thing...but I was proud of my boy. Now we begin a different chapter....the child with his own car. I'm very confident that he will continue to be a good, responsible driver. Prayers and faith!!!

The Child's First Car!

Today is THE big day. Today my son brings his 'new' car home. Last Sunday, the child flew to Alabama to visit his father. His real intentions were to pick up his 'new' car that his great grandmother is giving him...well actually giving me.

This has been a long journey for me. I never had a car at 17. In fact I was 19 and in college when I got my first car. What a treasure. It was a 1976 Ford Elite that I called Miss Ellie. I've stood firm and determined that my child would not be like others and have a car when he turned 16. I'm proud to say that I've held him off for a year. Pride is such a terrible thing. The opportunity came up this Spring when his grandfather approached me to say that they were ready to give the child his great grandmother's car. I nearly freaked out and the voice of Judge Judy pounded in my head about all the evils of teenagers and the stupid things they do. I'd be darned if my 17 year old was going to be like those teens on TV and have a car. The child knew the answer too and sat quietly as I said, "I'd think about it." When we got in the car and before I had the chance to turn on the ignition, I said, "I'll have to talk to your uncle and the insurance agent." I just knew that my brother would say, "Are you crazy! Do you know the statistic for wrecks with teen drivers!" After all, he is an attorney. I also knew that my insurance agent would say, "Karen, you cannot afford for your 17 year old to have a car. You cannot pay the premiums. What are you thinking! 17 year old teens have no business having their own car." I felt confident that I had the support from these two, so I knew that I was safe in my decision for my teen to NOT have a car. Little did I know that would all blow up in my face!!!!!

The next day, I called my brother and explained the situation. In his lawyerly voice he asked the important questions, "What kind of car? What year? Will the title be signed over to you?" My reply, "It is a Ford, 1993 and yes it will be titled to me." His response shocked me! This was my safety net! I just knew that he would say, "ARE YOU CRAZY!" but NO....he said, "Karen, I think that it is a good idea." I was stunned. No words could come from my mouth. Not one sound, while all the time I was yelling inside. "No...you were supposed to tell me NO. I'm not ready for this" I quickly gathered myself knowing that there was one last hope; my insurance agent would surely support me and tell me that I couldn't possibly afford the premiums. Besides, how stupid am I for giving a 17 year old a car. I gathered myself together and called. I explained the situation. I could hear the keyboard clicking away as the agent entered the information in THE COMPUTER. My confidence is gaining strength. I know that I can't afford this. I just know! Then I hear, "Well, Karen, if I were to get my teen a car, that would be the kind I'd get. It is made of steel and it is big. Also, your premiums will go down." My vision turned black. I couldn't hear anything. I sat in silence.

What would be my excuse now? I know, I'll just lie to the child. I'll tell him that his uncle and the insurance agent thought it was a stupid idea and I just couldn't afford it. Yeah...I'll just lie! Problem is....I've never lied to the child before. Not sure I could pull it off with a straight face. Ok...fine...I'll just lie to him over the phone. I can do that. I don't have to look at him. Wait...he is going to want to talk about it later. Crap! What was I going to do???? AVOIDANCE. That was the ticket. I will avoid the conversation. Relief...I had a plan. Feeling ever so confident, I waited for the child. My plan was in action. The child came home. We talked about the usual, how was your day stuff. He went to his room and I went to mine...AVOIDANCE! How wonderful. Then it happened. I hear him coming up the stairs. My heart is pounding. I begin to sweat. Why is he coming up? I hear my child's voice, from the kitchen, those dreaded words, "Mom have you talked to Uncle Craig yet?" What was I going to do? Pretend I didn't hear him. I do that all the time so why no. This time, he comes to me and asks. "Mom, have you called Uncle Craig yet?" My reply, "Huh? What? Why?" The child's response, "You know. To ask about the car." The dam burst and out it came. "Uncle Craig thinks it is a good idea and the agent said that my premiums would be cheaper." There, I said it! Oh NO...what had I just done?! There was no turning back. I said IT.

So here I am, sitting at the computer on a Sunday morning at 5:00 AM about to get dressed to drive 6 hours to meet the child and his 'new' old car. How did we get to this place? All because I can't lie.

Teens really think that they have a tough life. Peer pressure, school pressure, growing pressure and life in general pressure. Well, one thing is for sure....I honestly believe his growing up is harder on me than it is on him. I'm the one with the 'letting go' problems. This is just another step in his independence and journey to manhood. I don't like it all!

Life With Gus: The Homemade Way

So last week and this week have been pretty tough for my tough 11 month old Scottie. The weather turned warmer and I noticed a significant amount of scratching. I just chalked it up to hot spots. Saturday, a week ago, Gus went to his last doggie obedience class and the trainer noticed his scratching too. There would be times that he scratched so much that he could not do the exercises we asked him to do. The trainer and I talked and I told her that I just thought it was the heat. Well, things got worse. All last week, Gus was scratching so much that I was determined to take him to the vet. Then all of a sudden, I thought....maybe he has allergies. A quick trip to the store and I bought some Benadryl. I got 2 doses in him and things seemed to calm down....some. The dog was literally waking me up at night scratching. I could hear the rattle of his kennel all the way in my room! During the day, my mother was putting him in baking soda baths. Things were not getting better! Another, eureka moment and a quick check on the internet....Gus could be allergic to his dog food. Getting him to eat has always been a struggle...and this is EXPENSIVE dog food. He has always been on Blue and then stopped eating it. I switched him to Innova and he seemed to like it for awhile then acted as though I was forcing him to eat. I also can look back and his stools have not been what I'd call "just right". Even as a younger puppy, I had taken him to the vet twice for an upset stomach. Things started clicking. This dog is allergic to dog food, which is not uncommon for Scottish Terriers. So I immediately took him off everything and began a homemade diet. For 5 days now, he has been eating a rice, chicken and veggies dinner with a vitamin supplement. He is still scratching but NOTHING like he was before. He even now comes in the kitchen when I'm fixing his dinner and actually looks excited about eating! I got on line and did some more research and I have ordered a grain free, organic mix from Dr. Harvey and a vitamin supplement of flax oil, borage oil, fish oil and Vitamin E. I can't wait to get the stuff next week and I'll keep you posted on his progress. This mix looks very interesting.  You can check out the site yourself and see!


Dr. Harvey's Fine Health Food for Companion Animals

Starting a Blog...again

A few years ago, I had a blog. I found that it was just too much to keep up with. At that time, I was busy with a 13 year old son. Now, my son is 17 and needs my attention in different ways other than dictating his days. I also found that I was posting entirely too much on Facebook and really wanted to say a lot more but felt guilty for posting stupid things! So it is summer time and I will once again try to 'do' a blog. You'll find that most of my posts will be about mundane things and particularly, my 4 legged son, Fergus MacPherson MacDuff. The 17 year old son would be mortified if I wrote about him....frequently :).