Grilling up an old friend

There's much to be said about old friends. Not old in terms of age, but in terms of being part of one's life a long time. This week's Grilled Grandma, Terri, is an old friend. And I have much to say about her.

Thing is, Terri hasn't actually been part of my life for nearly 20 years -- well, except for the exchanging of Christmas cards. Then Facebook brought us together again, and I'm oh-so glad.

Terri has always been one of my favorite people. She's also been the source of many memorable, off-the-wall compliments (she's just sweet that way). One I still think of often has to do with my daughters. Terri and my sister lived together and they offered to babysit the girls once when Jim won tickets to a concert. The prize package included a limo ride to the show. The limo arrived at the house to pick us up, but we asked the driver if he could first take the girls -- who were under the age of 10 -- for a spin around the block for their first limo experience. Terri and my sister went along with them. When they returned from their luxury ride, Terri commented that she was just amazed by how the girls converse with one another. She thought it was so cool Brianna, Megan and Andrea had a real conversation. With each other. Like little adults. I don't know why, but that struck me as funny -- and flattering that she thought my girls were interesting little conversationalists.

That's how Terri is: always flattering ... but in a unique way, saying unique things folks don't typically say. Now I'm flattered that my old friend and grandma let me grill her up here on Grandma's Briefs. In typical Terri fashion, she has a unique way of expressing her love and admiration for her grandchildren. They are so blessed to have her. Read what she has to say about the grandparenting experience in Grilled Grandma: Terri.

Today's question:

Who have you recently reconnected with thanks to Facebook?

A gran unlike any other

When you hear about a grandma named "Gran," whose the mother to three adult children and has her two grandchildren living with her (along with their mother, too), the picture in your mind likely isn't of a vibrant woman with the most beautiful red hair ever.

Which is why this week's Grilled Grandma, Sherri, is a gran unlike any other! She's all of those things yet just get a load of her picture to the right.

Isn't she gorgeous!?

Of course, there's far more to Sherri than just great hair and a sweet smile. Click over to Grilled Grandma: Sherri to read all about this red-haired grandmother and her adorable -- and funny -- granddaughter and grandson.

Today's question:

If you could have the hair of any celebrity, whose would you choose?

My answer: Susan Sarandon's, hands down.

Grilled Grandmas: The next generation

This week's Grilled Grandma feature highlights the mother of one of my previous Grilled Grandmas. I'm honored to have now grilled two sensational -- as well as beautiful -- generations from the same family.

(Of course, I did grill my own mother and my grandmother, but that's different.)

So here I give you Grilled Grandma: Billie and some of the interesting tidbits you'll learn about this active great-grandmother by reading her grilling:

1. As I mentioned, Billie is the mother of a previous Grilled Grandma. Any guesses as to who that former Grilled Grandma is?

2. Why were a vehicle's taillights once "the best thing" for Billie to see?

3. Who are the "outlaws" in Billie's family?

Once you're done reading of Billies' outlaws and more, take a moment to check out her website, mentioned at the bottom of her grilling.

Today's question:

Speaking of outlaws, what is one of the more unusual or interesting connections on your family tree?

My answer: Supposedly I'm somehow connected, on my dad's side of the family, to the founders of Yale University. In which case, I think I -- and my children -- should have been granted guaranteed admission with free tuition. Sounds reasonable, don't ya think?

Another week, another grilled grandma!

Can you believe it's already September? SEPTEMBER? Well, our featured Grilled Grandma for the first of September (aack!) is Dian, and I gotta say, this grandma is the ultimate coupon maven if ever there was one. You can find out why I say that on her website, Grocery Shop For Free.

It's here, though, on Grandma's Briefs, that you can find out why I say Dian is not only a coupon queen, but the ultimate Nana as well. By reading Grilled Grandma: Dian, you'll find out:

1. What Dian's daughter thinks Dian has trouble keeping to herself.

2. Why Dian (unfortunately) no longer gets to see her grandchildren every day.

3. The story of "Daddy jealousy," featuring Dian's granddaughter.

You'll also get to see some of the cutest little kiddos ever (a preview of which is above -- see what I mean!?)!

Once you're done reading Grilled Grandma: Dian, I'd love to hear from you with names of grandmas you would like to see featured as a Grilled Grandma. Whether you nominate yourself, a friend, or a family member, there's more than enough room on the schedule to fit in one and all. All you have to do is send me a first name and e-mail address, and I'll take care of the rest. I promise you this: The grilling won't hurt a bit!

Today's question:

Dian's blog is full of great deals and coupon options. How often do you use coupons when grocery shopping?

Introducing the Munchkin-speaking grandma

I recently visited a blog called The Raisin Chronicles. The "About Me" went as follows:

"Dedicated to the proposition that as we get older, we turn into raisins -- a little darker, a little more wrinkled, and, one hopes, a little sweeter. And that anything that looks like a raisin should be covered -- preferably in a good, dark chocolate."

I knew right then and there, this woman had to be grilled. Thus, this week's Grilled Grandma: Jeanne.

Read Jeanne's grilling to find out:

1. What's up with the Munchkin reference? And re-enactments of The Wizard of Oz ... using Pez dispensers?

2. Which cardinal rule of grandparenting does Jeanne admittedly "stink" at?

3. In what way was Jeanne partially responsible for the water hazard at the museum?

Jeanne's a nut and one I'm sure you'll enjoy reading about in Grilled Grandma: Jeanne. But don't stop there -- you'll get an even bigger kick out of her blog. Be sure not to miss it!

Today's question:

For obvious reasons, mentioning Jeanne's blog has me craving Raisinettes. What is your favorite movie theater snack?

Where in the world is this week's Grilled Grandma?

No, this week's Grilled Grandma isn't missing, she just lives in a land far, far away. And like you might with Carmen Sandiego, I urge you, dear readers, to discover where she might be by reading Grilled Grandma: Ronda Kay.

Ronda Kay, the Grilled Grandma in question, sports a unique name, an interesting life. Read her grilling to answer the following three questions ... and to find out why although this grandma is one amongst many I consider her to be quite different from the rest of us:

1. Ronda Kay lives in a land most of us will likely never visit, yet one many of us have read about again and again. Where does she call home?

2. Why does Ronda Kay require a brightly colored spreadsheet to explain where she's sleeping when she visits her grandchildren?

3. What has led Ronda Kay to believe she's lost all common sense?

Yep, she's different. And yep, I bet you'll enjoy reading all about her. Click Grilled Grandma: Ronda Kay for the nitty gritty on this special grandma.

Today's question:

What has been your biggest challenge so far this week?

Grandma Nancy on the grill

Wow! Another week has passed, and another grandma's been grilled. This time it's Nancy, and you can read all about this "blissed-out grandma" in

Grilled Grandma: Nancy

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Here are three questions about Nancy you'll find the answer to in her grilling:

1. Who originally called this special grandma "Fancy Nancy"? (Hint: It wasn't one of her grandchildren ... or even anyone in her family.)

2. Nancy and her husband helped save a wonderful antique attraction in St. Paul's Como Park from auction. What was it?

3. In what way did Nancy's grandson adapt The Rolling Stones' "Little Red Rooster"?

Read Grilled Grandma: Nancy for the answers to these questions ... and to learn how bongos and baseball figure prominently in Nancy's relationship with her grandchildren.

As always, I'd love for you to spread the grandma love by leaving a comment for Nancy after reading her grilling. And if you really want to warm Nancy's heart, click on over to her blog afterward (a link is included at the bottom of her grilling).

Now for ...

Today's question:

What were you doing at 3 p.m. yesterday? Will you be doing the same at 3 p.m. today?

Today's special: Grilled Grandma

This week I feature Joyce as a Grilled Grandma. Joyce is a lovely grandma to 11 darling little -- and not so little -- grandkids, courtesy of her two children.

Click over to Grilled Grandma: Joyce to meet this special grandma and to learn the answers to these three questions:

1. What is the "food" name bestowed upon Joyce by one of her grandchildren?

2. What does Joyce enjoy pouring into her grandkids?

3. What location has Joyce chosen for the memorable picnics she and her family enjoy?

After reading Grilled Grandma: Joyce, don't hesitate to give her a little virtual hug via the comments. And don't hesitate to send me the name and e-mail address of any other grandmas you'd like to have featured as a Grilled Grandma.

Today's question:

What is your favorite place to read?

My answer: In bed, at the end of the day.

Grandma on the grill

Marilyn is this week's Grilled Grandma and you'll definitely want to check out her grilling to find the answers to these three questions:

1. What are Marilyn's "broken ones" that one of her granddaughters thinks are oh-so beautiful. (Hint: It has nothing to do with home decor or china.)

2. How does Barnes & Noble figure into the "most special thing" Marilyn owns?

3. Where are the pipes that thrill and chill Marilyn's grandkids?

But wait -- there's more! With six grandchildren ranging in age from 2 to 29, Marilyn has lots of experience with the role and she doesn't hesitate in answering the questions I proposed with honesty and humility.

Whether you're a new grandma, a long-time grandma or not even a grandma at all, you'll learn a thing or two about unconditional love -- and the power of a proper tea party -- by reading Grilled Grandma: Marilyn.

Today's question:

If you could do anything you wanted today, what would it be?

Another grandma's been grilled!

This week's Grilled Grandma is Susan and by reading her grilling, you'll find the answers to these three questions and more:

1. What did Susan's three-year-old granddaughter say upon being exposed to a "filthy" public restroom?

2. What did Susan morph into, which pleases her husband who has said he's too young to sleep with a grandma?

3. How have Susan's children made the job of being a grandma much easier for her?

Read about Grilled Grandma: Susan for her witty responses to my questions as well as photos of her fabulous-looking family.

If you know of a grandma who should be added to the Grilled Grandma menu, don't hesitate in contacting me with her first name and e-mail address. You can even nominate yourself for grilling!

Today's question:

I obviously like to grill grandmas, but what is YOUR favorite thing to grill?