The "Internet-Grandma" Blog

I'm Back

2011-03-26T12:51:00.004-05:00

Hey there. Been a long absence, I know. Just wanted to let you know that I am back and have added some new work to my painting and photography portfolio on RedBubble.

Check it out here.

Also, note that on the top right of this page, I have added a Twitter box that shows all my updates - and many of them are directly from the work I have added to RedBubble.

Would love to hear from you!

Jimmie
"Internet-Grandma"

A Different Kind Of Christmas

2009-01-23T14:06:00.007-06:00

Life is finally getting back to normal at our house again. Philip's encounter with kidney stones grew into a month long episode involving three outpatient procedures. Actually, he's still not well. He had two lithotripsies to remove stones that were too big to ever pass naturally. The last one ending up bruising his kidney and it was also bleeding. We've been married almost forty nine years, he's had two by-pass surgeries, and I've never seen him this ill. It will probably take him four to six weeks to fully recover.

At our home, we love Christmas with all the hustle and bustle of cooking, shopping, and being with family and friends. This year was very quiet. We managed to get our tree up and a few decorations outside. Mostly, we just watched Christmas movies while Philip lay in his recliner. I was just happy to be with him.

Our first-born son, Phil, had his forty-seventh birthday last week. Phil is such a fantastic person and I am so proud of him and his accomplishments. I love his sense of humor - he makes me laugh! He's helped me so much with my efforts at conquering the internet.

Our daughter, Kim, hosted a wedding shower last Sunday afternoon for Kathryn, Phil's oldest daughter, who's getting married in March. The photo above is Kathryn and her Yorkie Poo. We were blessed to have Kathryn's future mother-in-law, Denise, and several of her friends, my friends, Kathryn's friends and attendents, mom, grandmother "Bama", and a couple of Kim's teacher friends. It was such fun to help Kim decorate for it. I think it was a huge success! Afterwards, Melissa, who's doing Kathryn's makeup for the wedding, had a practice session with her. Just a wonderful, happy, afternoon.

Jimmie Roberson

A Christmas Adventure with Grandma

2008-12-24T10:19:00.005-06:00

Merry Christmas!

The following story was sent to me by a friend. I thought I'd share it with you.

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb. "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her wonderful cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me.

"No Santa Claus?" she snorted, "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, just plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, get in the car, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second bun.

"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.

That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker! He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out at recess time during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; what he didn't really have was a good coat.

I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a deep red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked really warm, and I knew that he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby Decker." The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she placed the coat in a colorful bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, as Grandma helped me wrap the coat, a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible. The coat was wrapped in nice Christmas paper and red ribbons and we wrote a nice label that read, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus".

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever, officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going." I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down before the door on his stoop, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby, peering into the dark night. And then I felt a really warm thrill course through my being.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those horrid rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: Ridiculous!

Santa was alive and well, and we were all on his team.

When Grandma went to heaven, she left the Bible for me. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care. And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

Jimmie Roberson

Those Awful Kidney Stones!

2008-12-14T17:41:00.004-06:00

This past Thursday, while my husband, Philip, was taking Jordan, one of our grandsons, to get his stitches out from his finger surgery, he (Philip) began to have some severe pain that he self-diagnosed as kidney stones. Once you've had one, you KNOW what the pain feels like! After a visit to his doctor, a scan, two shots, pain pills, and a referral to a urologist on Friday, he came home for a miserable evening. We thought it would be a simple thing to get those stones (multiple ones) blasted by the urologist.

We had forgotten about the Plavix. Philip takes that, along with several other medications, for his heart problems. The urologist said he would need to get permission from his heart doctor to get off the Plavix and aspirin for 7-10 days (to prevent excess bleeding) before having the stones blasted. In the meantime, he would need a stent inserted to prevent damage to his kidney. This involved outpatient surgery and having to have general anesthesia. How complicated some events become. We finally got back home about 11:00PM Friday evening with five more medications for him.

He's been watching all his favorite Christmas movies on TV and sleeping quite a bit. I'm glad we had gotten our tree and some outside decorations up before this turn of events. I've decided today that I don't need those other 35 boxes of decorations for it to feel like Christmas. For, to me, Christmas, is where Philip is.

Jimmie Roberson

Lunch On The Cumberland River

2008-12-10T23:12:00.004-06:00

On Tuesday of this week the Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study had lunch together at Betty's house on the Cumberland River. What a beautiful setting and Betty is a great hostess with a beautiful home decorated exquisitely for the Christmas holidays. We had 27 wonderful women present - supportive women who are always there when you need a hug or a pat on the back or a kind word. The food was, as usual, so tasty. Bonnie and I took a plate to one of our group who has had a stroke and couldn't be with us. We enjoyed a good visit with her. She's finally back in her own home but, because of her limited mobility and use of only one hand, struggles to do some things, like opening a canned drink, or preparing food for herself. If you're reading this and you're a praying person, please say a prayer for Peggy.

Be back later!

Jimmie Roberson

Thanksgiving

2008-12-09T20:27:00.005-06:00

This past Thanksgiving was the one for all the family to descend on Doris and Doyle in Alabama. Doris is my husband's sister and Doyle is her husband. For most of our married life they've had the family at their home for Thanksgiving. This year we had 41 in attendance. Another 28 members were unable to be there for one reason or another. Everyone brings all kinds of delicious and calorie-laden food and we all eat too much. Doris used to make that yummy southern cornbread dressing - now her son carries on the tradition.

Our son, Phil, took some great photos of all of us. I've made a Thanksgiving 2008 book for Doris and Doyle. It was really not too hard. I went to Mypublisher.com and downloaded their free program. It's best to have already given some thought as to how you want to arrange your photos before you begin to make the book. It probably took me about an hour or so. Best of all, it only took them a couple of days to make it and it's already been shipped. I can't wait to get it! Calendars and cards are also an option.

It was good to be with our extended family. I am so thankful for our good health that allowed us to be there once again.

Jimmie Roberson

My Mother

2008-12-04T19:04:00.007-06:00

This season of the year makes me miss my mother. Her birthday was November 24th - if she were still with us she would be 103 this year. This oil painting is one I painted of her last year - she wasn't really sitting on a garden bench, but on a hospital bed with her hands clasped around one of her knees. Those tinted pink lenses in her glasses hid her beautiful blue eyes. She was eighty-eight years old at the time. I had said something funny to her so she would laugh - and she did. I painted her outside because that's where she loved to be - working in the garden. I'm so thankful I had a mother I could always count on to be there for me no matter what happened. If your mother is still living, why don't you give her a call or send her a card and tell her how much you love and appreciate her.

Jimmie Roberson

2008-11-24T11:35:00.006-06:00

Good Morning,

I can't believe I've been away from this blog so long. As you can tell, my last post was the anniversary of our son's death last year. I tend to get depressed around that time, and with some problems with a grandchild, I just didn't feel much like writing anything. I have continued to work on our All-About-Noses.com website with many new pages from Bach to Alabama Crimson Tide Football.

I continue to paint and have added a drawing class at my church. My emphasis has been on portraits. I recently finished a little angel painting that I call "Sweetums". Our son, Dave, used to call me that sometimes, and I still have a little handmade Mother's Day card addressed to "Sweetums".

My heart is overflowing with thankfulness for all God's blessings in my life. I hope your Thanksgiving is the best ever.

Jimmie Roberson

Fall In Tennessee

2007-10-16T22:06:00.001-05:00

Hello,

It's been quiet a while since I've posted anything here. The weather has changed dramatically here in Tennessee. We've had a little cool spell, some rain (not enough), and the leaves are falling from the huge oak tree near our house. Thanksgiving and Christmas (can you believe it) will soon be here.

I've just finished painting this little kitten. It caught my eye one night as I was searching public domain images for All-About-Noses.com. It was actually a painting, not a photo, and it was originally painted by A. Lange. My copy is in oil.

If you are interested in finding some products that feature my painting of this kitten, I would be honored if you would take a look - click here.

I'll write more later.

Jimmie Roberson (Internet Grandma)

David Michael Roberson

2007-09-26T23:39:00.000-05:00

In memory of David Michael Roberson, our youngest son, who passed away September 26, 2003 from heart disease. Dave was thirty one and one of God's greatest gifts to me.

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

Something Unique Happened In Nashville Yesterday

2007-09-10T08:58:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Ya' want to know what happened? It rained! This morning I can actually see a faint hint of green color in our brown lawn.

You've heard the term "random acts of kindness" or "paying it forward", haven't you? Something happened to Philip this past week along those lines. Philip is a huge Alabama football fan. Everybody he meets knows this - usually because he's wearing Alabama 'stuff' somewhere on his body, a hat, shirt, shorts, or all three. Bama played Vanderbilt here in Nashville last Saturday but Philip didn't have tickets. Last Friday, out of the blue, someone on his route who was an Alabama fan and knew Philip was also, left a note for Philip to knock on the door if he wanted two free Alabama football tickets. Philip was so excited and happy. He picked up Phil, our son, at 9:30AM on Saturday morning and they enjoyed a day of male bonding, Alabama football, and barbeque ribs. All because of the kind act of that nice gentleman who thought of Philip. Now Philip needs to 'pay it forward'.

I'm looking forward to going to Gatlinburg with my Bible study group - twenty of us. We're staying in a six bedroom condo that's supposed to sleep all of us. It will be lots of fun - shopping, games,no worries, just being girls again. So I'm trying to bring All-About-Noses.com up to date before I go. We're working on a new logo now so we can soon add it to the site. Phil's working on a new page for the Photo Gallery and I have some new photos I need to add also.

Here's another 8 X 10 study in oil that I painted. I like to paint flowers and these were interesting to paint.

As I sit here at the computer typing this text, it's raining. I am so thankful!

Be back later,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

2007-09-06T22:29:00.000-05:00

Hello,

My last post we were in the midst of a heat wave and a drought. The temperature is back to normal but the rain hasn't come to our house yet. I can't believe it's already September. Philip and I have been back to buy more vegetables from the Amish in Kentucky. I wanted to buy one of every kind of squash and pumpkins - not to eat -but to create a still life painting. They were so colorful. I decided to try some rhubarb - it's low in carbs and fat - and I loved it!

It is amazing that I spend so much time at the computer now. Creating a web site, All-About-Noses, takes a lot of research. Not that I'm complaining - I'm learning so much. I've created two new pages on Squidoo - Coach Bear Bryant and Joe Namath. How about checking them out.

I recently painted the above oil painting - it's an 8 X 10 study from a Helen Van Wyk instruction book. I really like this painting. I've started painting a portrait of my sister and her daughter. Hope I can get through with it by her birthday in November.

Hope all of you have a wonderful day tomorrow.

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

2007-08-23T23:37:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Here in Middle Tennessee we're still in the midst of a heat wave and a drought. Counties around us have begun limiting water usage by residents. Schools are using snow days now to allow our kids to only go half-days. Our lawns are brown and our flowers are wilting. My black-eyed susans and the petunias I bought from the kids at Beech High School refuse to give up - their annuals are always so hardy. I love to see those little spots of color still surviving.

In an earlier post I had mentioned our All-About-Noses website rank on Alexa. Now it's down to 1,840,188. This is great news.

Last night I made a new webpage called Cruises. I just got an email from Phil telling me he made the nose jokes page. How about checking them out?

I'm showing you more of what I've been painting recently. While learning to paint, students often paint from other artists who've published instruction books. I've done several from Helen Van Wyk, an artist who is deceased. They are original paintings by me and should have my signature, then 'copied after Helen Van Wyk' somewhere on the painting, either front or back.

Well, it's 12:45AM and I'm about to call it a day. I hope tomorrow is a wonderful day for all of you.

Later,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

2007-08-18T11:37:00.000-05:00

Hello,

I've been a bit lazy this morning, sleeping in, and then just reading a new book, Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain by Betty Edwards. It's a fascinating book and I hope to really improve my drawing skills.

Yesterday afternoon I met Philip and together we went to visit a friend in a nursing/retirement facility. Her health has deteriorated recently and it was heartbreaking to listen as she talked about her husband as if he were still alive. They didn't have children and she doesn't get many visitors. I had gotten our Sunday School class members to write a note to her, had photos of the members made, and put them in an album along with some bible verses about peace. I'm hoping she'll look at it frequently and it will help her to feel more peaceful.

Friday nights in Tennessee means catfish to a lot of people - us included. We went to Mallard's in Hendersonville. We've been frequenting their meat and three place for a long time. I think Phil has it listed on MeatAndThree.com. It was so good! Yes, it was fried and I also had two hushpuppies. We occasionally treat ourselves to some good, southern comfort food.

Phil has found some nose jokes and is making a page for All-About-Noses.com. I'm looking forward to reading them. I'm working on adding several new animal photos to the Photo Gallery. I've added one here of an Old English Sheepdog. Isn't it cute?

Be back later,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

2007-08-16T20:22:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Thought I'd show you some of my art. I went through this fruit phase earlier this year - all I wanted to paint was fruit. Here are three five x seven inch canvases that I haven't framed yet - right now they're just propped on a shelf in my kitchen.

While I've been at the computer, Philip has been playing the piano. He already knew music, but only began to play the piano at age 61, four years ago. I'm so proud of him. I'm finding out we are never too old to learn something new.

Speaking of something new, have you ever heard of Alexa? It's a web site that ranks web sites. Our son, Phil, sent me an e-mail telling me that All-About-Noses.com is now ranked at 2,649,296 which is good considering we were recently ranked over 5,000,000. One of his other sites, MeatandThree.com is ranked between one and two million, which is great. That's out of all the web sites all over the world.

I think I'll stop now - my eyes need a rest, I've been at the computer too long.

See you later,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

2007-08-14T21:58:00.000-05:00

Hello,

We are in the midst of a heat wave and a drought here in Middle Tennessee. Tomorrow's temperature prediction is 105 degrees. Too hot for me! As I went by Beech School today I saw the band students practicing their marching skills. Down just a bit further, the football team, in their uniforms and helmets, was in the midst of their practice. I worry that it's too hot for them to be there.

I've been searching for free images to add to our graphics library at All-About-Noses.com. Earlier tonight I resized them and now I'm ready to add them to various web pages. I'm especially drawn to the beach and water images right now. I love this one - it reminds me of Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Philip was off work last Saturday and we decided to drive up to amish country in Kentucky in search of fresh vegetables. We knew we were on the right road when we began to see horse manure along the road. We saw several signs for fresh vegetables and tomatoes and stopped at one where an amish woman was doing a booming business. We bought squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a watermelon - one of those tiny, seedless ones - so I wouldn't eat to much of it - too much sugar. There's just nothing like fresh vegetables straight from the garden to the table. After driving for a while, not really knowing where we were, we came upon Gold City Flower Farm where I had bought daylilies before, so we knew the way back home. In the past, we have ended up at the end of the road, out behind the barn. Literally.

Be back later,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)
Photo: GeekPhilosopher.com

2007-08-09T11:10:00.001-05:00

Hello,

I did it. I used a tip I got off Squidoo today to improve the image I had put on my last post. If you'll notice it now has a white background frame around the image. It makes it look more polished and finished, don't you think? It was easy to do. This is the link: http://lab.rails2u.com/polaroize/.

Talked to my brother, Bobby, down in Alabama earlier today. He has been wanting to make a web site for his part-time business, so I introduced him to Squidoo - a good place to start.

Last night I made a new web page for All-About-Noses.com called Fragrance And Perfume. It looks boring to me (just text) since I don't have any images on it yet. When I've decided on the subject for a page, I usually begin by just typing my random thoughts into Notepad. My research goes into Notepad next. Then I begin to organize everything before I go to SiteSell to actually create the page. I like to have the images for the page already in the graphics library of SiteSell so everything comes together nicely.

Today, August 10, is our first grandchild's nineteenth birthday. What a treasure she is and how blessed can we be! Happy Birthday, Kathryn! Boppy and I will love you forever. We had our names all picked out before Kathryn was born - we were Gramps and Nana. We'd try to get Kathryn to say 'Gramps' but she'd say 'Boppy" so Philip became Boppy and I am Nana.

Be back later,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

Is It Thursday Already?

2007-08-07T08:07:00.000-05:00

Hello,

I've been reading how to upload images. You can see that I managed to upload one. Actually, it was relatively easy to do. Yep, the nose is mine.

This has been a busy week. On Tuesday (8/7) I had a salad lunch with the ladies in my bible study group. As well as knowing the bible, these women can cook. So many wonderful salads! When Philip got home from work, we immediately headed out to Muscle Shoals, Alabama again - Jordan's team lost - it was so sad for them - but it was an honor for them to get that far. Jackson's team in Lynchburg, Virginia is still winning - Go Tennessee!

Wednesday was my art day. A little frustrating because I'm painting a brass container with fruit and I couldn't get my cantaloupe right. I just have to keep trying until I get the right color down.

Today, I've been on Squidoo doing some housekeeping chores on my lenses. It's much more fun to just browse thru all the lenses, so much information, and not enough hours in the day. One lens has a ton of information on html: http://www.squidoo.com/learnhtml/. Another tells about a tool to make your images look better - I'm going to try to improve the look of my nose photo above.

If you've not already, you should make a lens about your interests. It's free and they make it easy to do.

Bye for now,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

2007-08-05T23:28:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Did you see the Google Adsense ads? I must have done it right! They are appearing upper left corner below "The Internet-Grandma Blog".

This has been a busy weekend. Two of our grandsons, Jordan and Jackson, children of our daughter Kim, are representing Tennessee in the 2007 Dixie Jr. Boys World Series, one in Muscle Shoals, Alabama(Jordan), and the other in Lynchburg, Virginia(Jackson). Philip and I, along with our grandson, Christopher, arrived on Saturday in time for Jordan's first game. They lost.

Today they won. Way to go Tennessee! Jackson's first game is Monday, August 6th. It would just be fantastic if they both went all the way.

Phil at All-About-Noses.com has been busy while we've been in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He's created an All About Noses store online at this link: CafePress. The first item for sale is a greeting card with the awesome orangutan original photo by Phil. We will be adding more items to the store soon. Why don't you check it out?

Bye for now,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

I Just Signed Up For Google AdSense

2007-08-03T11:06:00.000-05:00

Hello,

When I wrote my last post and clicked 'Publish' an ad about Google Adsense popped up. I learned that I could possibly make money on my blog by allowing ads from Adsense. That got my attention and I clicked to the text. It was super easy to sign up and create an account. Now Google will review it and ads should begin to appear in a couple of days. Should I start planning my first train tour with all the money I'll receive? My son would say "Get Real, Mom".

Speaking of train tours, we have a page at All-About-Noses.com on Train Tours. I listed some links you might find interesting. I want to take that Canadian Rail Tour across Canada - it must be magnificent.

In my last post I mentioned that we've been dieting, walking, etc. Our daughter, Kim, has been experiencing some chest pain when walking on an incline and, after consulting her cardiologist, had that nuclear stress test yesterday. I went with her. While sitting in the waiting room, an elderly lady came in and sat nearby. She was obviously trying to access something in her cell phone and then, ever so politely, asked Kim if she could help her find the menu. She said her son had gotten the phone for her for safety reasons, had explained how it worked to her but she couldn't remember. From what she said, it seemed her son was impatient with her for asking a second time how something worked. I watched as Kim so patiently and kindly showed her how to access what she wanted. The woman seemed so grateful. I realized anew what a good teacher Kim is. No wonder all her students love her.

Now I need her to explain it all to me!

Bye,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

We Have Lost 127 Pounds Since January, 2007

2007-08-02T21:15:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Altogether, my husband, myself, and our daughter have lost 127 pounds since the first of this year. Four days before Christmas, 2006, my A1C test showed my blood sugar as high, as had previous ones. My doctor gave me the little blue meter and showed me how to test my sugar with just a drop of blood. It really scared me and got my attention. Diabetes runs in my family, my maternal grandmother had it, and one of my brothers got Type 2 around the age of 55 and past away earlier this year at the age of 68.

Philip, my husband, makes this fabulous Italian Cream Cheese Cake every Christmas and I'd already made my Rum Cake. We really love Christmas and Philip's customers on his mail route are extremely generous with candy, cookies, etc. Not to mention the Coconut Cake our daughter Kim makes. I decided to try to get through Christmas by just cutting back on sugar and trying to watch the carbs.

I began to read one of the many diet books I already have and bought the South Beach Diet book, which seemed more reasonable. I decided to completely get off sugar and began to substitute Splenda for sugar. It was a colossal struggle for me to stop eating so much sweet stuff and bread, and potatoes, and pasta, and my all-time favorite comfort food, macaroni and cheese. If confession is good for the soul, I'll feel much better after I've confessed the following. Several years ago, while I was still working, I had an extremely stressful day. I'm ashamed to admit it but I came home and immediately made one of those boxed macaroni and cheese dinners and ate the whole thing. Now that I've confessed, I do feel better.

Philip, who has had two open heart surgeries, had decided he was ready to lose his excess weight so we began to change our diet from so much wonderful southern, meat and three type food to a more balanced way of eating and to practice portion control. I've cooked southern all my life and we love it but now limit our favorite southern recipes to a couple of times a month instead of daily. Kim, who has that heart disease gene also, like her father and Dave, began to diet in March and has lost seventeen pounds, I have lost thirty pounds, and Philip has lost almost eighty pounds. They both walk, but Philip has walked every day since January 07, averaging about 4 miles a day, up and down our street, while watching the grandsons' ball games, and even using the push mower to cut our two acres. I've had knee surgery-so the exercise part hasn't started yet for me.

Philip's goal now will be to keep the weight off while Kim and I still have more to lose. My A1C test is within normal limits, my blood pressure is down, all my numbers are much better, and I've lost two dress sizes. Now I need to reward myself by going shopping!

Bye for today,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

My Art Day

2007-08-01T19:14:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Phil came over last night and we reviewed my first post. We decided to change the title, we removed the labels that didn't fit what I had written, we added links to the blog, and worked on All-About-Noses.com.

Wednesday is my art day - I take a two hour oil painting class with Christy Pilkinton of Portrait Creations. She's such a good artist and an excellent teacher. So patient and kind. The first painting I did in her class was of our youngest child, Dave, when he was around four, just sitting on the beach playing in the sand. Dave had passed away from heart disease in 2003 at the age of 31. That painting was the most healing thing I did for myself while dealing with the grief and pain from our loss. I've just completed a portrait of Phil on his wedding day. Paintings by Christy and her students are on display beginning today (8/1/07) through the end of August at the Green Hills Library in Nashville, Tennessee. I am so thrilled and excited to be exhibiting for the first time. What is equally as thrilling is that my seventeen-year-old granddaughter, Kelley, who takes the class with me, has two paintings to exhibit, both of horses, which she loves. I'll show them to you when I learn how to add images.

OK, now it's time to build another page on the web site - I've been working on an article for Places To Rest Your Nose, which talks about interesting destinations to visit as well as great accommodations in which to rest your weary .. nose. Last night I added a page about the Mississippi Natchez Trace Parkway which is a beautiful place. We lived for a time in Mississippi and Phil learned to drive on the Trace. You can even see the birthplace of Elvis Presley just off the Trace in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Be back later,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

New Adventure for Internet-Grandma

2007-07-31T14:18:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Yesterday was a big day for me, I created a blog and I learned how to build a table for putting images on our web site. I had already learned how to add images to SiteSell's graphic library, but Phil said the table would ultimately be easier since we intend to have so many images. I deleted the old images on the animal page of the Photo Gallery (the ones near the bottom of the page) and then re-entered them on the page using the html table. I was proud of myself.

When we began to actually create All-About-Noses.com, Phil suggested that we go with a program called SiteSell. It has individual modules for all the parts of a page and doesn't require any html, which was good because I didn't know any html. It is a ten day process from learning what search engines want, to monetizing your site. And it was Greek to me. I read and re-read it several times before some of it began to sink in to my brain. Also, I might be able to participate in the actual page-building as well as Phil.

The very first thing I needed to do, though, was to buy a new computer. My old computer was the only one I'd ever had, familiar and safe. All I had needed to know was how to do geneology research on it and send and receive email and it didn't matter to me that it was so....slow - I had a dialup connection to the internet. I could do a google search, get up from the computer, go to the kitchen, make some hot chocolate, and get back to the computer before the results would come up. Same way with my cell phone - I just traded in my big, clunky 5 or 6 inch long first cell phone for one of those cute little numbers. Can you tell I don't like change?

Along with the new computer, I changed from dialup to DSL and Phil reccommended a new e-mail program - Eudora - everything new, so much to learn, and retaining what I've learned? not that easy anymore.

But I'm game. It's a new adventure! And everybody needs adventures in their life.

Later,

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)

Internet-Grandma begins her own blog

2007-07-30T14:41:00.001-05:00

Hello,

As of today, July 30, 2007, at the grand ole' age of 64, I have a new name - Internet- Grandma.

Despite being absolutely archaic when it comes to computers and anything technical, I, along with Phil, my son, have managed to create and go live on the internet with a new web site called All-About-Noses.com. You can read all about the beginning on the About Us page of the site. It is really a miracle because I didn't even know how to 'copy and paste' when we first started.

But...I did know someone with computer knowledge. Phil worked with BBOnline until it was sold which afforded him some time to devote to our potential site and to begin to teach me.

This blog is intended to be about what I've learned since beginning and the successes, and bumps, along the way.

When I questioned whether I could do this blog (I really don't understand what blogs are), Phil said I could. He said if I could create a Squidoo lens, I could do this, that it was easier. So far, it's not been too bad - I've only lost and had to retype my text once.

Stay tuned.

Jimmie Roberson (Internet-Grandma)