Remember?

Remember the Gatewood Curse? Mom used to say if there was going to be a car accident in this family, it would happen on a holiday.
Here are the ones I recall: the slide into the creek on Easter Sunday – I barely remember it because I was asleep when it started and remember getting thrown into a back seat window and seeing nothing but squashed blades of grass. In those days, back seats weren’t bolted down and when we came to rest, the car was upside down. Bob was standing and holding the back seat up so it wouldn’t fall on us. Mom later told me that she worried about it blowing up, so she whispered to Dad, “Is it going to explode?” And he said, “No, as long as the switch is turned off.”
One Father’s Day, Shirley put a car in the ditch west of Lyons. On another Father’s Day, she got broadsided by somebody in Omaha.
Christmas Eve when I was about 10 maybe? Dad and Mom and I had gone to do our Christmas shopping in Fremont (he and I had secretly bought Mom a pair of electric scissors). There was a ton of snow on the ground and in many places, tall drifts lined both sides of the highway. Just north of Oakland we had a head-on with another car when we were both trying to pass through a place where it was drifted on both sides, but not wide enough for two cars. We had slowed way down, so it wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been, but of course we weren’t wearing seat belts and Mom hit the windshield and got a big cut right on her forehead at the hairline. If I live to be a hundred, I’ll never forget how scary it was to see her with blood streaming down her face. I started screaming, "Daddy - Mom's bleeding!!" Junior Swanson came along and took Mom and I to the Oakland hospital, where she got stitched up, I calmed down a little and we all went and spent the night at Sue’s, who fortunately lived right across the street from the hospital at that time.
That’s all I can think of right now – maybe some of you remember others?
At any rate – drive carefully wherever you go this weekend!
Love to all
Janell

Commuter Sightings

Myrna, I liked this heading on your page, so i added it to One Square Mile. Yes, I'm a copycat!
Janell

weekend

Chilly, Windy, Rainy, even a little sunshine - all this weekend. Jacob opted out of
the wrestling on Saturday in favor of going fishing with his dad.
Due to a phone call requesting "bonding time", Jaydee & I went shopping for shorts
(for her) on Saturday night. Cindy had departed to Wayne to meet some old classmate
for some socializing. Walmart was her shop of choice. She did find 3 pair she liked
and some tank tops to go with them. We were back home in about an hour. It doesn't
take Jaydee long to make a decision.
Sunday was Abby's confirmation. I can't believe she will be in high school next year. There were 4 confirmands in the little Lutheran church in Pilger. Jacob was
in the palm leaf processional. He also is growing too fast. Abby's Aunt Kristie
had made a CD with pics and music. It was really nice and brought a few tears to the
eye to realize how quickly they grow up.
All the nice rains we had last week resulted in nice green grass that needed to be
mowed when I got home. I had to delay that project for a couple of hours because
a friend wanted to play some golf. We do have our priorities.
Monday, Monday, back to work and time to close out another month.
Sue

Hi there!

I know, it's Saturday and I'm not usually here, but i had some other stuff to do on the computer, so here I am.
Cindy, can you add me to your friends list at myspace? I have a myspace id now and a myspace, but i don't know what to do with it! I thought I could ust sign up in order to leave comments for you, but such is not the case.
Anyway, hope you're having a good weekend.
Janell

No Tornados here

I think they hit out in the panhandle. As far as I know, we were not even in a watch area yesterday. We got a lot of rain during the night, but the sun is out now.
My plans for the weekend include shopping for a dress and singing with my Gospel Quartet at 8:00 service. Might take Bubba out for a ride if it stays decent.
We are having what is probably our last batch of chili for the season for supper tonight. It’s everyone’s favorite, but we don’t usually make it during the spring and summer months.
I must say, you are all getting nominated for “Most Improved Bloggers” after this week – keep it up! This is kind of like a party without all the driving. I sure am enjoying it.
Love to all and Have a Glorious Palm Sunday!
Janell

Hello all!

Well, the “six things about me” proved to be very interesting all the way around. I know all those stories about Babe Ruth striking out and the multitudinous rejection slips, but my concern is this: how did they pay the rent during all that down time? Anyway, this weekend, I intend to start sending some query letters and writing samples – we’ll see what happens.
Randy & I had a good time dancing last Saturday. He doesn’t like dancing very much, so I borrowed a few trail riding buddies from their wives for a few two-steps and waltzes. The band (Jim Rice) was actually pretty good. They were one of the few bands left who did not try to use volume to make up for a lack of talent. We had a good Windsor loin dinner and some home made desserts. They raffled a bunch of stuff, too, but we didn’t win anything. We had someone take our picture, but as you can see, the guy couldn’t find the focus ring.
We are having heavy rains moving through the area right now (2 PM). We can sure use the moisture. According to wunderground.com, Norfolk got it earlier. Supposed to be sunny tomorrow.
I’ll check in again tomorrow!
Love to all
Janell

COOL!

Cindy and myrna both have their six things posted at their space & blog. Still looking for something from Sue. Or Shirl. You should be able to post a comment without having a blogger id. i changed the setting last week.
Cindy, thank you for never jumping out of an airplane. if you ever do, tell me about after you are saefly on the ground!
love,
janell