Brief (breef) –noun
1. a short and concise statement or written item.
2. an outline, the form of which is determined by set rules, of all the possible arguments and information on one side of a controversy: a debater's brief.
3. an outline, summary, or synopsis.
4. briefs: close-fitting, legless underpants with an elastic waistband.

Grandma's Briefs (grand-muz breefs) –blog
1. Bits and bytes of life’s second act: Quips, commentary, recipes, reviews, plus profiles of amazing grandmas. All from a first-time, long-distance grandma navigating the uncharted waters of grandparenting while still playing mom to three adult daughters.

About me

Hi ... I'm Lisa ... and I'm a grandma, a mom, a wife. I'm also a freelance writer and editor — a laid-off newspaper editor — looking for a way to keep my writing muscle flexed. When I first became a grandmother, I found few regularly updated blogs by and for grandmothers, so I decided to give it a whirl. This is my whirl.

So, yes, I am a grandma. My first grandson was born in June of 2008. My second grandchild, baby brother to the first, arrived in June of 2011.

There are a few of the "grandma" stereotypes that fit me: I love rocking chairs; I don't mind at all the thought of our little Bubby — or any who follow — calling me GRANDMA; I think that cool and unique socks make a perfectly fitting gift (although I do draw the line at underwear).

In addition to loving my grandkiddos to pieces, those are the only other "grandma" traits I think I possess. So here's a smattering of non-grandma things that will tell you a bit about who I am, for those really seeking enlightenment by clicking on the "About" tab of this blog:

• I've been married to the same man for nearly 30 years, which is quite a feat, considering I got married the week before I turned 18. We have three beautiful and amazing adult daughters, one awesome son-in-law (married to our middle daughter), two adorable and awesome grandsons (children of the middle daughter and her hubby), two cats, and two rescue dogs — a pointer/pit mix and a black lab/shepherd mix.

• I write picture books and essays. I have a real live NYC agent. I'm hoping to hear good news soon. Any thoughts, wishes, prayers or crossed fingers you'd like to offer up for my cause would be ever-so-much appreciated.

• I love to read: books, magazines, websites, blogs, and the daily PRINT newspaper (despite its dwindling size). I also love movies (drama and documentary), music (no jazz, no country, minimal pop) and live performances (concerts, plays, musicals, engaging speakers).

• I'm a part-time site coordinator for the local Children's Literacy Center. I match students in need with awesome volunteer tutors.

• I like my coffee black and prefer Columbian, Kona or Italian roasts. I'd choose tortilla chips and guacamole over M&Ms or chocolate cake any day. My favorite beer is Bohemia (when I'm not drinking 7&7s, margaritas on the rocks, or the occasional lemon drop or pomegranate martini). I like to bake more than I like to cook. I'm just now getting the hang of caring for perennials and cross my fingers each year that those I planted will come back the following year; sometimes they surprise me and do.

• I'm a Christian. I pray daily, hourly and sometimes even more often than that. God probably gets a little tired of the running commentary in my head, but hey, we're told to pray without ceasing and I take that seriously.

• I'm a Cancer and pretty much fit the description to a T, meaning family and home own the biggest hunk of my heart.

• I'm a long-distance grandma, with my grandsons living 815 miles away in the desert while I live in the mountains. That's hard as hell. This blog is one of the ways I hope to cope.

Want to know more? Just ask.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I sometimes accept free products and write honest reviews on them. I sometimes get paid to write posts on specific topics. I sometimes get paid to tweet or post Facebook status updates for various things. Any content for which I've been paid is clearly marked as such and usually—but not always—posted in Grandma's Back Room, not on the home page. Sponsored or promotional tweets and FB status updates will include the #ad or #promo hashtag. Ever wonder about any of the above? Just e-mail me. Ever want to pay me for any of the above? Just e-mail me. Ever want to send me free product with the understanding that I'm going to give my honest opinion even if I don't like the product or maybe even post no review at all if I don't like the product? Just e-mail me.