Catching up!

Time flys when we're having fun.

Let me catch you up on a few things: (1) Sasha's visit to Houston; (2) Dorothy's birthday; and (3) Ft. Bend County Fair for which I "barely" survived.

All of these things have happened in the space of a couple of weeks and it's been really busy for the family.

Sasha Cohen came to Houston and we had a fab time. I was asked to help with B.L. and Bob Wylie (Paul Wylie's parents). B.L. and Bob - they are a hoot and can really get around. Now I know why Paul was so successful. His parents are really great to work with and we just had so much fun hosting the Marshall Skate Fest at Memorial City. Sasha was just fantastic with the kids - weaving in and out of the skating groups - and giving one-on-one pointers. Of course, Gabby was in the middle of it and even did a scratch spin for Sasha. Sasha was telling her how to lift her arms "just so". By the way, I ran into my favorite pairs couple - Glenn and Kristi. Sadly, Glenn was skating solo. Kristi was coming down after a lift and snapped her ankle in a few places. Ouch! She said it didn't hurt because she went into shock. Her angle was pointing the wrong way. Her first thought - let me get my skates off before the paramedics cut them off when the get here. Now THERE is a skater. :) By the time the paramedics got there she had become frozen to the ice. They had to get a pick and chisel her out of the ice. Wow. Sasha, poor thing, the folks driving her back to the airport got lost and the last we heard they were heading towards Katy. We had to call them on the cell and give directions back to Bush International. Oh well.

Dorothy's birthday. The girls (and a couple of dads) got together and took Miss Dorito out for her birthday after club ice. We all got together at La Hacienda restaurant and just had a blast. Margaret and John came in after closing Skate Texas - which was a nice treat. The girls make paper flowers and took pictures with Dorothy. Gee, Dorothy...a whole 22 years OLD. Heh,heh.

Fort Bend County Fair. I had a chance to take a day off from work to spend with Gabby at the parade. I do this every year and it's my special treat to spend time with just Gabby, my parents, my sister Adela, Gloria, Andrew and the Joel-ster. Where else can one go and sit by the road on a hot day and watch floats go by? THIS year we thought it was going to rain, so Gabby and I took our time and came in right about float #50. This was the SW Bank of Texas where Aunt Glo works. We JUST made it and watch her go by. *whew* off the hook. If we had missed her, we would have been toast! We hung around and watch more of the floats and school bands come by. We left a little early and went over to Bob's Tacos. YUM, Yum.

The Fair.
This evening, Sunday, we just got home from the fair. Why do they call it a "fair" anyway. Gabby got a stuffed animal for 20 bucks in darts. How did that happen? Pop a balloon and win a prize. Gabby's first one went wide and hit the side of the tent. The second one, went high and I think they're still looking for that one. The third...she popped a balloon. Stick to ice skating or throw your skates at them. Somehow, it went from $5 for 3 darts to $20 in a blink of an eye. Got me how that happened. Anyway, Gabby got her prize and all is well.
I have to tell you, though - I'm not feeling all that well. You see, it started with a dozen of tamales from the Saint John Fisher Catholic church food booth -- why haven't you been coming to church? D'oh! Okay, I didn't *technically* lie to the priest. I just said we were in a different parish. Ah! The Bill Clinton side-step. Annny way, thinking back, maybe God is getting back at me. Anyway, take some tamales (and hot sauce) and wash it down with a big Coca-cola. Yum...pork, hot, fizzy drink. Got it? Anyway, Gabby wanted to get on the rides. Hey. I can handle this. First ride up: The Hammer. Eeeeeya. Okay, hold it together Joe. YOU can do this. Zoom, zoom, flip, flip, spin, spin...toss. Okay. Survived the ride. Kinda woozy, but yeah, I'm DA MAN. Okay - Sally's turn to get on a ride with Gabby. Aw man...the snow bobs. I wanted to get on that one. Round and round they go...faster, and faster...now, backwards. She gets off. Looking okay. Dang - my turn now. UFO 2000? Hmm...that's the enclosed one that spins and spins until you feel like a floater in a toilet bowl and you fly up the sides. Yeah - let's get on THAT one. Ooookay. I can handle this. I'll look straight across and fix on a point - no sweat. Wow. Look at that. The lady directly across from me is kinda top heavy. Oh, wow...so that's what happens with centrifugal force is applied. You know... I don't think those are real. Yea! The ride is ending. Still look at the lady, and not the world going round and round. Let me sneak a glance at the ourside... Eeee...not a good idea. I survived that one.
Sally? She gets to do the bumper cars. Whoopee.
My turn again already? What do you want to get on? The Zipper!? MMm...okay. Let me just climb in this thing. Gee....look at all the padding in this thing...is that fingernail marks on the cushions? Uh-oh. The ride starts up. Oh, this is easy...up we go...ha. No sweat. Oh, we're still loading? Uh-oh. Dang...the world is going by as a blur. Gee...I don't feel so good. Diesel fumes? Why yes, I think I will enhale some MORE diesel fumes. Thank you. Ugh...what happens when you take pork tamales, hot sauce, add in a fizzy drink and shake the heck out of it? I have my eyes clinched and I'm doing the Yoda thing - focus on the central self - think of a nice bubbly brook and lying on a beach. Is that Gabby I hear screaming in my ear? Sorry Little One... I'm trying to hold down lunch. Ha...we're slowing down...stopping. Thank you God! huh? We're now going backwards? Oh NOoooo! What seems like an hour, we finally come to a pause. And, yes, it is right over the diesel fumes. Now, I'm REALLY not feeling well...I think I'm looking very nice shade of green. Burp. Uh-oh. Nobody touch me...I'm about to blow.

Gabby? Oh well, she had to peel herself off the top of the ride. Somehow during the ride, she slipped out the strap and was stuck to the top of the cage. So THAT'S why the padding is up there. Poor thing, Dad left you to fend for yourself. Ah, the gate opens...fresh air. Hmm...let me muster whatever dignity I have left. Remember Master Yoda. "Ride. Great. Best of all kind. Yeeesss!"...all not that convincing. Gabby? She says, she hates the ride. She goes on to say that she's not getting on that thing until she gets older so she doesn't get bounced around. Yeah good idea.

I head straight to a bench and sit down. Ah...the ground isn't moving. I think I'll sit here a spell. Gabby and Sally bounce off to get on the Giant Slide. Me? Aw, nah, I'm fine. I think I'll sit right here. I think I hurt my foot. Yeah. That's it. No, Thank You...no corn dogs with extra chili and oninons for me. I think I'll just sit here and people watch.

Gabby let me know she wants to go again NEXT weekend. Yea. :)

Out of Trouble... :)

Whew. That was close! Gabby received her invite for the Sasha Cohen event. Yea! Woo-hoo!

Okay, way LITTLE thing for us, BIG thing for her. I need to remember that perspective.

I'm in trouble...

I forgot to mention... Sasha Cohen is coming to Houston on September 19th. She will be skating at Memorial City Mall. There is/was a sign up form for the first 100 or so. I didn't get a chance to get Gabby's name on the list. Uh-oh. I had it all set to sign up on September 1st. It was then posponed a couple of days, and I MISSED it. UH-OH!

However, I did get nominated to help with the program. This is great! Maybe I can get Gabby close to Sasha so she can sign her autograph bear. Sasha is the last signature she needs for it.

This is the bear that we took to us to Colorado Springs last year for the National Grand Prix. We have EVERYONE'S signature except for Sasha's. We were at the hotel, but we just kept missing her.

Back in the pink...

I am happy to report that Gabby was back on the ice last night during club ice. She was out there getting back in the swing of things. Being away from the ice for two weeks is just plain "weird". All of her friends (and our friends) welcomed us back.

Dorothy and Travis were there for a short bit. They were off to watch a hockey game. The girls mauled Travis and then went "ewwww" he stinks. Ah, the "aroma" of hockey players. Ha,ha.

Dorothy let me know that I will be working on props and "stuff" for the upcoming Nutcracker. How exciting! I like working with Mark and Kim and this year I'll drag in some of the other parents. The music is also going to be a little more Jazzier.

By the way, Gabby will be a "Snowflake". How cool!

PS: Today is September 11th. Take the time today to remember in your prayers, those in New York, The Pentagon, and Pennsalvania.

If it's not one thing... :)

Sorry to let everyone know that Gabby will not be skating this weekend at the Fall Invitational. Gabby came down with something and ran a high fever for a few days. We finally took her to the doctor who took a throat culture. The results came back negative for Strep (http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/infection/strep_throat.html), so they sent it off to the lab to make sure. They prescribed her some antibiotics - (yucky).

I'm glad to report that she is feeling better now. The doctor has told her to keep off the ice for ten days so as not to exert herself until she gets her strength back. This, unfortunately, puts her out of the competition. We still plan on being there to cheer on all her friends.

Her next competition (if it's not too late to sign up) is in November.