SPRING TIME IS HERE

Hello world,

       It's been awhile since my last blog, We finished up discussing about musical instruments. We made some homemade instruments such box guitar, a drum, kazoos. xylophones, maracas and  things that shake.

   Spring is here in Florida. warm weather and sunshine has arrive. Spring is time when flowers bloom, birds sing, people go to parks and have picnics, and spring cleaning.   We will be talking about spring activities, planting a garden, and spend more time outside.  We will start doing more things in the next few weeks. Hopefully we will do some planting in the court yard.


Your Friend
Cool Gabe

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello World

HAPPY VALENTIN'S DAY!!

 Happy Valentines Day!!!!  Love is in the air. This day is a special day for someone special to be someones valentine. Our class has been decorating the room with hearts and other valentine stuff. We made cards for that someone special in our lives. My driver, Mark, who picks me up and brings me home, had a birthday this past week. We even had cake to celebrate his birthday in the classroom. So I hope everyone had a great valentine day with someone special.

MY FRIEND MARK

CHALLENGING QUESTION:  WHO IS YOU SPECIAL VALENTINE? 
WHAT DID YOU DO ON VALENTINE'S DAY? 

YOUR FRIEND
COOLGABE

new year, new adventures

Hello World

   I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.  New year brings new beginnings, new ideas, and a  way to start a new chapter in our lives.
    This month  our classroom is talking about food and nutrition and exercise. So far we have talked about the food groups, and vitamins. We also talked about the importance of good nutrition and the vitamins that is  in our diet.  We will talking about minerals and exercising later this month..  New year is when everyone starts to do some major cleaning in their house or some changes in their lives or home..

CHALLENGING QUESTION: HOW ARE YOU GOING TO  CHANGE IN YOUR LIVES?

Your Friend
Cool Gabe

busy, busy with Cool Gabe

Hello World,

I have been busy for the past few weeks. I have been accomplishing a lot of fun activities. I hope everyone had a great Easter a few weeks ago. I  helped color eggs in my classroom. Boy that was fun dipping the eggs into a cup and watch the eggs change color. I even took an egg home with me.

My classroom finished talking about spring time and gardening. We have green peppers planted and and they are growing quite well. We have corn and tomatoes growing also. We are trying to grow some lettuce and hopefully the lettuce  will start growing soon. I will have some pictures coming when the vegetable start to get big. We also learned about growing different types of fruit  and trees that can grow in the garden. The fruits that I learned that can grow in the garden are strawberries, grapes, orange trees, apple trees and many other types of fruit trees.

Last weekend I participated in the Relay For Life at Riverside Park. I sang in the choir with my peers from ARC. I had a great time being part of this event.

Now our class is learning about sea animals. We will explore  what is under the sea. We looked at crabs, lobsters, jelly fish, turtles, and hermit crabs. It will be fun to explore what is under the sea.There are a lot of  interesting sea creatures and plants that are in the sea that needs to explored.



CHALLENGING QUESTION:
DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS UNDER THE SEA?

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

WHATS NEW WITH COOL GABE

Hello World

The last few weeks have been busy for me. There have been a lot of new and exciting adventures that have been happening these past few weeks. Remember  that I mentioned about Christopher Coleman, who empowers people through his life story. I met him when he visited ARC one day. We had a great time visiting with each other.

My Mom took me to the high school where he was telling about his life story. My mom and I were moved by his testimony and amazed by what he had to say. If you are interested about Christopher Coleman, you can visit his web site.  Christopher Coleman.net.

Another new and exciting news that  happened, I finally received my new wheelchair. My chair is blue with custom made cushion seat that fits  my body shape. I also had a birthday last week. What a great birthday gift I received. I was so happy to have my new chair.

Springtime is here in Sebastian/Vero Beach area. In our classroom, we have been talking about springtime and gardening. I helped planted lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, corn, and bell peppers. The  bell peppers and corn  are sprouting a little bit. We been talking how to plant a garden this week.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK


WHAT EXCITING NEW THINGS AND/OR PROJECTS YOU WILL BE DOING THIS SPRING?
WHAT IS IN YOUR GARDEN?


Your Friend
Cool Gabe

springtime is here

Hello World

Spring time has arrived in Vero Beach, Fl. The weather is getting warmer, flowers and plants are blooming, and now it's time for planting.  This week I am learning about rock and roll. There are so many genres of rock and roll that it will take too long to list. I enjoyed listening  to different kinds of rock and roll from different rock bands and musicians. Spring time is for festivals. There is one coming up this weekend called the fire fighters festival.

There is someone coming to visit the Vero Beach and Sebastain area that empowers poeople. His name is Christopher Coleman, who is a motivated speaker, from Acworth, Georgia. He speaks to Christian  organizations, schools,workplaces and disabled groups throughout the world through Empowered Ministries/Empowered inc. He will be at the fire fighters festival on Friday night and on Saturday he will be at the Sebastain High school in the afternoon. I,Gabe Caldwell inspire people while Christopher Coleman empowers people.  For more information about Christopher Coleman, his web site (www.christophercoleman.net)

Your Friend
Cool Gabe

MUSIC TIME

Hello World

   I have been learning about different types of music in the last few weeks. I learned about rhythm and blues, country, jazz and gospel so far. Next week I will be learning about rock and roll. I enjoyed gospel and country music better than jazz and rhythm and blues. It was nice to explore other kinds of music and can't wait to hear other types that I haven't  heard yet.


WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SINGERS AND MUSIC BANDS?

Next week is rock and roll music. Let's rock and roll!


Your Friend Cool Gabe

Hello World

Happy Valentines Day week!  I want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day even though it was two days ago. I helped decorated the room with hearts for valentines day and made some hearts to put up on the bulletin board. here are some pictures of me making valentine hearts.

making a heart - putting stickers on my purple heart

picture of my purple heart

      I am  learning about different types of music in my classroom. So far I learned about gospel and rhythm and blues. I listened to different kinds of music on the cd.
What kind of music do you like?

Your  Friend
Cool Gabe

super bowl party

Hello world

My friend Mark (my van driver) came to my house for the super bowl party. We had a great time watching the game. My mom fixed fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob, yummy. My other friend Judy was over also, we all watched and cheered for the New York Giants. My sister,Taylor, had a bet with my mom about who was going to win the game. My sister won the bet of fifty dollars. Way to go sis! i cheered for the Giants! Yeah Giants. What a big day I had with my friends and family. Thanks Mark for for watching the game with us.

my friend mark and I at my house for super bowl game

Mark and I having fun

A big shout to my family in Indiana, especially to my cuz Desier who is at boot camp. My mom is from Kokomo  Indiana which is about 50 miles north of Indy.

My mom and I

My sister Taylor and I

Your friend

Cool Gabe   

LET'S GET UP AND EXERCISE

Hello World

check out my new muscles

How many of you exercise everyday? I learned how to do exercises in my wheelchair (my yellow bus) this week. I learned to do new exercises with  my arms and legs. I exercise both in my classroom and on nice days, outside. It's recommended  that adults should exercise 30 minutes or more most days of the week if not everyday. Here is my challenge question. How many  of YOU are doing 30 minutes of exercise a day?

Your friend,
 Cool Gabe

REPORTING FROM THE TROPICS

Hello World,

Cool Gabe here reporting from the tropics.  I feel sorry for everyone up in the cold north, because I'm at work today wearing shorts and a T-shirt. 

As you know, I've been waiting for my new wheels.  I had a fitting recently for my new custom fitted wheelchair and it's a beauty!  To quote my mother,  "Woo Hoo!"  I want to give a big SHOUT OUT to Chris, the guy helping me with it, and to the scooter store because they are great.  Thank you!

Here's what been happening on the home front:

• My Aunt Mona and Joe came for a visit a couple of weeks ago.  We ate a lot of seafood  (I like to "see food and eat it").  We have so much wonderful, fresh seafood in Sebastian.  Shrimp is one of my favorite foods.  Aunt Mona and I enjoyed our visit.  
• Our neighbor, Ms. Vic and her family (kids Patty and Lenny and grandson Nick),  were over for Christmas dinner.  We had lots of great food.  Ms. Vic is one of my best friends!  Ms. Vic is from New York and is a great Italian cook which might be one of the reasons why we're such great friends.  Pasta, ravioli, spaghetti -- she can make it all!  It's always nice to share a meal with Ms. Vic.

Last week in my cooking class we used purple cauliflower from Veggies of Vero.  It was my first time to see it and eat it.  We cooked it up with some garlic, olive oil, and squash.  Yum!!!! 

Here's a fact that my teachers shared with us:  Purple cauliflower's color is caused by the presence of the antioxidant group anthocyanin, which can also be found in red cabbage and red wine.

Playing around in the kitchen!



Just having fun!

 Off for more adventures! 

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

THE IMPORTANCE OF TABLE MANNERS

Hello World,

Let me ask you a couple of questions:

• Do you know how to act at the dinner table?
• Do you know how to set a table?
• Do you use the words "please" and "thank you" at the dinner table?
• Do you enjoy your food?
• Do you how to eat? 

These questions are a clue about what I've been studying this week at ARC of Indian River County.  My teachers, Barbara and Jacque, have been talking with us about Table Manners.  We've been using the computer lab to watch some really funny TV shows about bad table manners.  We've also been having demonstrations in our classroom about how to set the table and how to eat slowly.  Did you know that if you eat slowly, you digest your food better, and are less likely to overeat? 

I'm going to give you a challenge about table manners.  When you eat dinner tonight, time yourself.  If you eat dinner from start to finish in less than 20 minutes, then we have some work to do to help you slow down and enjoy your food.  Call me, because Cool Gabe is ready and able to help YOU learn good table manners! 

Off to my Healthy Cooking class!  Talk with you next week.

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

Here I am in the computer lab doing some research yesterday.

INSPIRING YOU

Hello World,

I'm so proud of my sister, Taylor.  She just made the softball team at Sebastian River High School!  She has been working hard to get on the team and now her dream has come true.  Go Sharks!  I'm looking forward to seeing you play. 

I was quite surprised to learn last Sunday that the Vero Beach Press Journal had a story about my blog.  The article was called "Inspiring Others" and it was in the "Good for You" section of the paper.  Boy, was my mom surprised!  I love to inspire others with my smile and my positive attitude.  I inspire others because I know I always have the support of my family and my faith.  Thank you to the Press Journal for the article.  There is a link to the Press Journal at the bottom of this blog. 

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "inspiration" as "stimulation of the faculties to a high level of feeling or activity."  Here's my challenge to the readers of the Cool Gabe blog:  what are YOU doing to inspire others??  I'll be looking forward to hear from you.  You can contact me via this blog or you can send a letter to me at: ARC of Indian River County, 1375 16th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida 32960.  I think an "INSPIRING OTHERS" campaign is in order to make the world - my world and yours - a better place.  

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

http://www.tcpalm.com/

Here I am holding the newspaper article about my blog!

Working on today's blog with Walter and Kathi

WINTER WONDERLAND

Hello World!

We're turning up the heat here in the tropics.  It's Cool Gabe reporting from the cool tropics.  Very cool, in fact.  The Siberian cold front has blown through Vero Beach and Sebastian.  We've been bundling up and hunkered down in the van for my morning ride with Mark.  I look like a polar bear when I get off the bus at ARC.  Funny thing is, I like polar bears because I love the cold weather.  After all, I am Cool Gabe!

Mom is back working at school this week with the kids.  I'm back to work with my teachers, Barbara and Jacque.  It  was nice to have last Friday off with my mom, but I'm glad to be back on my regular schedule here. 

I'm looking foward to my cooking class tomorrow because I think we're making zucchini muffins with zucchini just picked from Veggies of Vero http://www.veggiesofvero.com/.  Can't wait! 

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

Where's the snow??

"Winter wonderland!"

HAPPY NEW YEAR, COOL GABE!

Gabe and I were scheduled to write his weekly blog this morning.  Well, it turns out he didn't come in to ARC today because his mother wanted to spend the day with him because she has the day off from her job.  Enjoy your day with mom! 

While talking with Gabe's classroom teachers, Jacque and Barbara, this morning about how Gabe never misses a day of work, we talked about how excited we are for you to have the whole day today to spend some quality time with your mom.  We decided "the blog will go on" this once without you!

Gabe, we want you to know that you have been teaching us some valuable lessons about life, about our attitudes towards life, and about the time we have to spend together with family and friends.  Every morning when you and your classmates are going outside and I hear you working to get my attention so we can talk about our game plan for your blog, you make me smile. 

You communicate so well!  Every time when you are in your classroom across the hall from my office and you hear my voice when I'm talking with someone and you start working to get my attention, I'm listening to you.  Whether it is the way you communicate with sign language or with your eyes or with your voice, we are all listening to you.  Your faith in God is great and we are all listening to you.  Your smile is contagious and we are all listening to you.  

We all have a purpose in life.  Gabe, we are so grateful to know you and to have you in our lives because you have become our teacher.  I know 2012 will bring bigger and better things for you.  Thank you for allowing me to help you bring your voice to the world through this blog.  I see your blog as just the first of many new tools to come into your life. 

Happy New Year to Cool Gabe from all of us at ARC of Indian River County!

"GABE, YOU INSPIRE US"

Your friend,
Nancy Heinrich

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hello World, 

We're expecting a high of 80 degrees here in beautiful Vero Beach, Florida today as we anxiously wait for Santa Claus to start his trip around the world tomorrow night.  It is Christmas in the tropics and here I am at ARC of Indian River County in shorts, a t-shirt and my Santa hat! 

Today is a busy day at ARC.  I'm in the 9 A.M. cooking class and we're making Christmas Salad.  I heard the greens we're having are from Veggies of Vero! 

In the kitchen with my cooking teacher, Miss Nancy

Later this morning is our annual Christmas party.  We're having subs from Subway, Christmas music, and dancing (my favorite part).



Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas (at ARC with my teachers, Miss Jacque and Miss Barbara)



Cool Gabe enjoying the tropical weather on December 23rd!

I'd like to wish a special Merry Christmas to my mother and my sister.  I'm looking forward to a great Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together with you!

Merry Christmas, everyone! 
Your friend,
Cool Gabe

COOL GABE GOES TO TARA PLANTATION

Hello World,

This week I went on a field trip to a Vero Beach tradition.  Several classes from ARC of Indian River County visited the offices of Grall Glenn and Grall yesterday. 

This is not your normal law office.  First, it's located in a sprawling office named Tara Plantation in Vero Beach.  Mr. Bernard Grall, Jr. is not your everyday run-of-the-mill attorney.  For the past 21 years, he and his wife have created Christmas displays inside Tara Plantation's many rooms and on the grounds.  Christmas at Tara Plantation has become a Vero Beach tradition.  Mr. Grall opens up his law offices to the public and to groups like ARC.  We made our annual pilgrimage to Tara Plantation yesterday to get into the Christmas spirit.  (This was my second trip there!) 

I am now officially in the Christmas spirit and you will be, too, when you see the pictures below. 

The sad part is this is the last Christmas when the inside of Tara Plantation will be open to the public.  I feel so special to have experienced the love and care that goes into creating the beautiful rooms filled with Christmas trains, trees, and angels.   Thank you to Tara Plantation and to Mr. Grall and his family for sharing this tradition with me and  my friends and teachers at ARC.  Merry Christmas, Mr. Grall!




Cool Gabe being very cool at the Christmas village. 





Here I am in front of my favorite Christmas tree at Tara Plantation.



Merry Christmas, my friends! 
Cool Gabe

PS - If you need a special gift to inspire someone, you can call Sandy Gaunt at ARC (772-562-6854, extension 217) for a copy of my book, The Adventures of Cool Gabe.





GETTING ON YOUR CHRISTMAS GROOVE

Hello World! 

My favorite holiday is fast approaching.   I'm really enjoying seeing my neighbors' Christmas decorations going up.  The lights, the decorations, the Christmas songs on the radio, the smell of the Christmas tree in my house - this is what makes December my favorite time of the year. 

I want to do a SHOUT OUT to Mark.  Thank you for getting me safely to and from ARC of Indian River County every day.  It's always a great ride when you do the driving!

Tomorrow is a big day for me.  My new ride arrives!  This is the last day for my yellow wheels.  It's almost like Christmas! 

Your friend,

Cool Gabe

READY FOR THE NEW RIDE

Hello World,
It was a great Thanksgiving at the Caldwell house in Sebastian, Florida.  We had great food to share with great friends and great family.  Speaking of great friends, my neighbor, Miss Vic, was over for dinner.  Miss Vic, who is 80 years young, is a great cook and she makes the best rice pudding in the world.  She made her homemade gravy and mac, as she calls it, and everyone loved it.  We had lots of family in for Thanksgiving, including my Aunt Cindy who also lives in Sebastian.  My sister, Taylor, was a great help to Mom  to get Thanksgiving dinner on the table.  The best part of the day was when our Christmas tree was delivered to our house after dinner! 
You may recall an earlier blog where I wrote about my yellow chair.  Well, this may be the last week for riding around in my yellow chair because my new wheelchair has arrived and I can't wait to get it!  So the next time you see me, you may also be seeing the new Gabemobile!



Good-bye, yellow bus!

 

Have a great weekend!  If you're in Indian River County, tonight's the 23rd Annual Light Up Night in Sebastian and tomorrow are the Christmas parades in Vero Beach and Sebastian.  Have a great weekend! 

Your friend,
Cool Gabe
Author, The Adventures of Cool Gabe

Happy Thanksgiving from Cool Gabe

Hey World!

Last week, I went on a field trip with some of my peers from ARC of Indian River County to see the annual Festival of Trees at the Riverside Children's Theatre.  It was awesome to see all the decorated trees.  My favorite was the Beatles-theme tree. 

It's starting to get busy at my house with all the cooking and cleaning to be done before Turkey Day gets here this Thursday.  As you know, I have a large family and I am looking forward to seeing family members this week.  Some will be staying at our house, so i imagine we won't be getting much sleep. 

In sign language class at ARC, Patricia has been teaching us how to sign "turkey" and other signs related to Thanksgiving.  In the picture below I am demonstrating the sign for "turkey".  There will be plenty of turkey at my house. 

Here I am with my ARC teachers, Miss Barbara (left) and Miss Jacque (right), demonstrating the sign for turkey

To quote Cool Gabe, "HAVE A FUN TURKEY DAY!" 

As we all prepare for Thanksgiving, please remember that this is a special time to give thanks for the lives we have, the love of our family and friends, and gratitude for those whose service to America protects our freedoms.  I am especially grateful for all that my mother does for me each and every day.  Love you, Mom! 

To all my friends around the world, this is Cool Gabe saying, "Happy Thanksgiving!"

Stay safe and be healthy!
Cool Gabe