The two J's - Jim Bob and Jenny

My friends would came to support me in my sky diving adventure earlier this year. It all happened so fast! But the reliving it is almost always more fun. Especially when your good friends are there to ridicule you! Jim Bob and his daughter Jenny provided all the ridicule I needed. Especially the bit about the seat of my jumpsuit being ripped out so my butt checks hung out - of course I had on my jeans so my butt checks weren't hanging out in their full glory (thank goodness for small favors!). But if you know me at all, you would know my reaction to the whole thing! Thank goodness Ronnie didn't make it to that part of the adventure. He just comes walking into the bar as we were watching my tape!

Happy Trails to you!

I had visitors last week - the Grady's. They managed to fit me into their busy schedule. They were going straight to California to visit the beloved son, bypassing Atlanta until they got an offer of a free condo at Hilton Head, compliments of their nephew. So they graced me with their presence since they had to pass through Atlanta. It's that time of year - Warren Buffett's shareholder annual meeting - Berkshire something or another. I think this is the highlight of Jim Bob's year. This is the year he's going to get Warren Buffett to sign his picture of Jim Bob sitting next to Warren Buffett while Warren signed a program. And Jim Bob thinks I go a little overboard about my little boys from N'Sync. As if he has room to talk!

Greetings from the Atlantic Ocean

Jim Bob can cling to the thought that I look far worse than he does - therefore all his nagging about how I only publish bad pictures of him is a total falsehood! We were on a trek to Key West. And we thought what a cool idea - we can jump out one side of the highway and be in the Atlantic Ocean and hop over the highway and be in the Gulf of Mexico - so we started with the Atlantic and then never quite got over to the Gulf of Mexico. Well, it was a good idea!

And Jim Bob would be on the phone to customer support because why?

Oh, wait, I must be dreaming. Jim Bob would never ask for assistance or directions from any life form be it plant or animal. So he must be talking to one of his kids. He's probably trying to show me how great the Grady Mutual Fund is doing even during these rough days or he's trying to 'learn' me something about finance, investing, or geneology (or however it might be spelled!) Obviously, Sybil and I can not be bothered with what he is attempting to instill in me!

Didn't your mother tell you not to play with guns? It can put your eye out!

Yup, we're at Kennesaw still. We saw these cannons. I remarked that they must be cannons from the Civil War. Jim Bob felt that no, they were from World War I. Okay, I thought to myself, this is a Civil War memorial site (sort of) so it would make sense that these were from the Civil War - not World War I. But no, Jim Bob, being a man is always correct. So he's busy trying to find proof that these cannons were not from the Civil War. End result? I was right - he was wrong.

Ah - a real Mountain Man - and all that entrails!

We were out on Kennesaw Mountain! That was my bright idea. We were climbing to the top. That was my idea, too. Jim Bob was sitting, resting, on the rock on that grey, rainy day while Kathy and I were taking pictures of the Atlanta skyline. That was Kathy's idea. Of course, my pictures showed nothing of the skyline - just blurred pine trees and grey sky! I determined that in no shape, form or fashion can I call myself physically fit - Jim Bob, Kathy and I were dying!!!! So my goal is to climb to the top of Kennesaw Mountain before September - actually I don't know exactly when I committed to making that climb. I'm sure Jim Bob will let me know!

Saints preserve us! Jim Bob touched a cat!

Kathy sent me some pictures she had taken when they were last here. I just about fainted with surprise when I saw this picture. This makes the Grady Family Hall of Fame. Jim Bob actually touched a cat - one of my cats at that! I imagine he ran immediately to the kitchen sink and washed his hands! I wonder how much Kathy had to pay him to pose for that picture!

Even his own family thinks twice about being in a picture with him!

So this time we're at the Berringer Winery. This one was lots of fun because they have a wine cave and a really good gift shop much to Jim Bob's chagrin! He loves to shop! Actually it gives him such happiness to empower his wife to shop! Those two statements were bold faced lies! I think that's why Jim Bob makes commemorating the moment such an ordeal for all parties involved!

Such a fun gondola ride for a happy boy!

We were Napa Valley visiting various wineries. The Sterling Winery is beautiful! And you take a gondola up to the top. It costs extra. Jim Bob had to pay for three people to ride. Needless to say, Jim Bob had lots thoughts on the matter! It is so hard for him to part with a dime and this was greater than a dime to ride! So he decided that, by George, he was going to enjoy himself. And the best way for him to enjoy himself is to attempt to embarrass me. But it didn't work - that time!!! We were about the only people there - Jim Bob attributed that to the fact that no one else was that stupid to pay to ride in the gondola up to the top. I attributed it to the fact that we were there on a Monday. Who do you think was right?

Jim Bob is so excited about our impending visit to Alcatraz!

Jim Bob's favorite thing to do in San Francisco is to go Alcatraz. He's the kind of tourist that likes to follow the guides around and question what they say - sometimes inciting others in the group to speak out and get in trouble with the guide and be corrected and humilated in front of dozens of strangers.

The Man will do anything on a dare!

We were out in San Francisco for the Bay to Breakers. Killing time doing what Jim Bob loves best - shopping. We were in some toy store I think - Jenny and Connie crawled though the tunnel - and then came Jim Bob - well, he made it! And doesn't he look cute. You may be thinking - but where is your picture? Well, I did volunteer to take the pictures and coached my loyal subjects all the way through the tunnel and cheered them at the finish. I'm sure we made quite the spectacle but that is the goal!

The Obnoxious Chef - well, he was that night!

Baking an apple pie. He wanted to know if I had any recipes for apple pie. Does that man not know me after all these years. The kitchen is a foreign state to me! I have no idea where I've stuffed any of the pots and pans either. I figure it's every man, woman and child for themselves in there. If you can find it, you can use it! Anyway, I was in a snit that night. No doubt Kathy was thinking 'what a bitch!' and to be honest, I was! Anyway, they baked a pie while I was a raving bitch. Surprizing they have come back to visit me after that!!!

Who's afraid a little ole dinosaur?

We were more afraid of the security guards because we were acting weird - imagine that! They were eyeing so suspiously. Just because we were acting ourselves in public. We were there to see an IMAX movie. So we had some time to kill - went into the Egyptian mummy showcase and of course the gift shop - just because it pisses Jim Bob off! A fun afternoon!

Eating with our fingers - another exciting dining experience with Jim Bob

I heard nothing but raves about an Ethopian dining experience Jim Bob and Kathy had with the foreign exchange student in St. Louis. We searched several evenings for such a dining experience in Atlanta. One 'adventure' led us to a rather shady place that even Jim Bob was hesitant to enter. We found this place and I was surprised to learn that the only eating utensils were my fingers - Jim Bob neglected to mention that to me - of course, he will say that there was full disclosure - I was just not paying attention. As if anyone would believe that!

Just to show that yes, I am in the pictures sometimes!

Of course, Jim Bob did not want me to bring the camera into the restaurant in the first place - but the place was deserted so I only embarrassed him in front of the wait staff. They didn't care - they were having some party there later that night so no one was paying any attention to us - notice the happy face that Jim Bob is making!

Well, we all have to claim something as a talent!

Jim Bob asked for this picture - "do I have any pictures of him without a goofy look?" Hello? Do I have to say anything more? Scott accuses me of using my web site to attack him. Scott does not have a leg to stand on - now if Jim Bob raised the issue, some would say that he may be on to something. However, Jim Bob has a much better sense of humor than others (notice I did not name anyone else!) Oh, and Jim Bob sometimes claims to be someone knowledgeable of wine - maybe this is some secret way to discern good wine from swill!

Whose That Dancing with Timon?

Why, that's Karhy and her daughter Jennifer waltzing one of the Disney hotels at Walt Disney World in Orlando? For a while Jenny had a job as one of the Disney characters - actually she was also either Chip or Dale - I don't remember. She told us all about the nasty stinky costumes - Timon, her character in this picture (who is from the movie "The Lion King" for all you Disney challenged people out there!) couldn't speak - actually I don't think any of the characters could talk - so she had to emote all her interactions - kindof like miming in large polyester blend outfit with a basket on your head!

A Grady Visit to the Circus

This was taken on an excursion to the circus when Kim had 'gone off' and joined a traveling circus with her boyfriend that was a clown. Man, Jim Bob should really write that story he's always talking about. That sure was a lot of fun that day. An old fashioned circus. Kathy wanting to drag her daughter back home. Jim Bob enjoying the moment because you know he does not do emotions or conflict!!

Greetings from Fernbank Museum of Natural History

I've got another picture of the Grady family - this time, it's Jim Bob and Kathy! We were at Fernbank Museum of Natural History - we caught the dinosaur exhibit while waiting to see an IMAX movie - too bad it wasn't the *NSync movie. Actually, Jim Bob asked for this picture - he really enjoys my mentioning him in my web page... (not)

Jim Bob serving our country during the Vietnam War

Jim Bob showing off in Germany. Ya' know, when I took skiing lessons, I too started out on smaller skis with no poles - I think they called it the 'graduated length method'. And the slope looks pretty much like all the bunny slopes I skied on in Oregon! But I'm sure Jim Bob can embellish the story behind this picture. Until then we'll have to wait!

The Beginning of the Atlanta Half Marathon - Ah, such a lovely way for a father and daughter to bond

I have been corrected (as I knew I would)! This picture is not a mile into the half marathon. According to Jim Bob, it's 6 miles into the run. Of course, I took this at the Hotel Nikko (whatever it's called now) which is a couple of blocks from Lenox Square which is where the race started if I remember correctly ... of course, Jim Bob will say I obviously don't remember correctly!

This is still 2 hours and 13 miles later .........

Jim Bob has also acknowledged that Jennifer did complete the race more than 6 yards ahead of him. So I'm feeling pretty good that I did remember that part correctly! Ty said that Jim Bob didn't look that bad in this picture. I think he made some reference to the fact that I would look far worse at the same stage in a half marathon. Of course, I tried to keep Jim Bob's image afloat and kept the the fact that Jim Bob was paralyzed from the hips down as soon as he stopped moving. We had to have him air lifted into the van after the race...(okay a slight exaggeration..