Gabby is in the Paper - again!

Well, I was truly surprised and so pleased to hear that Ms. Betty Humphrey saw fit to publish another article on Gabby in the the Herald-Coaster. Yes! I wrote to Miss Betty a few weeks ago and let her know that Gabby had lander her axel and provided all the details. I just write to her to let her know how Gabby is doing because I know she likes to hear good news. I was totally suprised to see the article and did not even know about it until we gathered at Mom and Dad's on Thanksgiving! Alas, Sally is mad at me because she was not mentioned in the article. D'oh! I must remember to do that next time. Sally spends SO much time with Gabby at the rink and is getting to know everyone very well. All the families are great at the rink and we all help one another with skating kids. I don't know how we would do it with out everyone's support.

This week, Gabby has been working on the Nutcracker programs...she is in 3 separate numbers. And, MOM, is just fussing with her about her costumes and the costume changes during the play and makeup. Ha, ha! Me? Mark J. has put me in charge of props (uh-oh). This week, Larry Kaufman built for us a WONDERFUL mantel (Sally calls it a fireplace). It's a MANTEL. It's just awesome!

I am proudly building with brother Joel's help...a choo-choo train. Not just ANY choo-choo train. This one is powered by imagination. Joel explained to me that when it looks good and looks accurate - it's REALISM - an art term. When things are done out of proportion to emphasize characteristics...like big wheels or big anything...it's WHIMSICAL. I...have a lot of WHIMSICAL in my choo-choo. Ha,ha. Okay, imagine this... a big box...plywood box...with two shiny metal trashcans taped together...yep, that's my train. The trashcans are the "boilers" in the engine...and the plywood boxes...well, those are the cabin that the kids, er, engineers, ride in. They do kind of ride in them...Jamacian bob-sled style...ya mon!

You gotta see it. And the ONLY way to see it is at the Nutcracker. Come one, come all, buy your tickets here!

Joe.

Test Results

Okay, I admit it... I missed the first part of the Test session...I can't handle the stress. I was walking around in Rink A looking at the props for the Nutcracker show. But, I came back just in time and took my place in the stands.

Let me set the scene:
It's early in the morning and cold (freezing) in the rink. It's very, very quiet. Everyone speaks in whispers as the kids nervously pace around as parents and coaches make idle talk. The only sounds you hear are the sounds of the skates going across the ice. You hear a crunch, crunch of the ice as the skater digs in their edges in crossovers or when they push hard for speed. You learn to listen for the singing of the blades as they go into a scratch spin and they pickup speed as they twirl like a top. It's almost like a chimes in the wind.

The candidates go through their motions on the ice - in careful turns, and jumps. They are wearing their competition costumes and have their hair up and their make-up. It has all the markings of a competition, the judges are there, the ice monitors are doing their duty. However, there is no cheering, there are no shouts of encouragement. Just a very dry, "Thank you Gabrielle".

Gabby gets on the ice...she does her 3-turns and then goes into a toe loop. looks good, but what do I know. :) She skates back and forth across the ice sheet...picking up speed and keeping her back straight and her arms raised. Look at her fly! She goes into a spin - Keep it CENTERED Gabby! I say to myself. She does - no problem. She skates back to Dorothy and has a little conference. She goes to the judges table now. They have a conversation. She probably wants to do a something over again. How long has Gabby been on the ice? It seems like a hour! A few more moves - back and forth - a spin and a jump. Okay...looks like she is done. Here is the announcement, "Thank you Gabrielle" Whew - I can breathe again.

Gabby did pass her test and has now advanced to Preliminary. Congratulations!

Well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Please have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. What are we up to? We are heading out to Mom and Dad's for a big dinner with family and then going to the hotel at night for the annual "Uptown Lighting". It will be great!

Joe.

Fall Competition Results

Hello All,

Gabby had the opportunity to skate in the 2004 Fall Festival competition held at the Sugar Land Aerodrome.

I am happy to report that she captured the Silver in the Free Skate event. She skated the Legends of the Fall program and I believe that is the last time she will skate it for this season. The next time she is on the ice will be in March with a new program.

Gabby also skated the Artistic Event and placed 4th. She skated to "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera. I think she will also be retiring this program - depending on Dorothy's feedback. Now that we have had a chance to look at the event we have to adjust our strategy and get more props and take a different approach.

It's been a great year in competition. We've travelled a little bit and have had really an enjoyable time. We travelled to Dallas, Austin, Houston, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. In each city we visited, we made new friends and had new experiences.

Next year will be even more exciting. Gabby will probably introduce her Axel in competition and have a new set of programs with new music.

Keep tuned. It will be exciting.

By the way, this Sunday, Gabby will be testing for her next level - Pre-Juvenile...hopefully, she will pass. She's been working on her jumps and spins. Keep your fingers crossed.

Joe.

Big Announcement!

The Eagle has Landed at 7:48pm, Friday, October 5th, in Sugar Land Aerodrome.

Gabby has landed her axel on the ice. After months of practicing and falling and bruising, Gabby is landing it! We are so proud.

I have my credit card ready because the deal was that as soon as she landed her jump - we were going to her favorite place - Benihana's! Woo-hoo!

Dorothy will be coming and Joel-ster. This is going to be fun. :)

Joe.

Schedule for Skate Houston Autumn Fest

Competition schedule is out for the Fall Classic.

Gabby will skate at 9:25am for the Artistic and 11:55am for the Freeskate.

I hope to see each one of you there. :)

Go Dubya!

I'm at home watching the election returns. I hope and pray that he will win, but it's going to be tough.