It was a day like no other, meeting Boomama for coffee at her favorite hot spot and being able to live blog the event interview. Who could ask for a better day? Who could have ever dreamed that I’d get this chance? Well, apparently me. Meeting Boomama in person is still just a dream but I was at least able to interview her through email and for now this will have to do.

Me: I know you’re in the midst of getting ready for a very big trip to Uganda so thank you for taking the time for this interview. Well let’s get to it, can you tell us how long have you been blogging?

Boomama: I’ve been blogging for a little over two years. No one is more surprised by that than I am; as I often say, prior to blogging, the only two hobbies I’d stuck with for any period of time were 1) sleeping and 2) eating.

Me: Any advice to beginners?

Boomama: People email me with this question a good bit, and I always respond with the same three suggestions: 1) Read other blogs so that you can find an online community where you’re comfortable. 2) Comment on other blogs. 3) Write frequently in the voice that’s uniquely your own.

And I think that third thing is the biggest. There’s not another you in the whole wide world, so use that to your advantage.

Me: What are the good things blogging has brought to your life?

Boomama: Oh my word – it has been an unbelievable, totally unexpected blessing. Just the privilege of having a place to write everyday – plus people who VOLUNTARILY read what I write – is HUGE.

And from a very personal perspective, the fact that I’ve been able to document parts of our family’s life on the blog is something for which I’ll be forever grateful. I hope that future generations of our family will want to read it one day, even if it just serves as confirmation of the fact that yes, I was crazy.

On top of all that, I’ve made some incredible friends. The lovely Mrs. Big Mama and I talk almost every single day; she is one of my very closest friends, bloggy or no.

(My thoughts - is Bigmama is our network? We need her in this network!)

Me: What would you consider the pitfalls?

Boomama: The time management part of blogging is probably the biggest challenge for me. I’ll think “Oh, I’ll take an hour and write a post,” and before I know it it’s two in the morning and I am just wiped out the next day.

Another bloggy struggle – for me, at least – is dealing with the VERY misguided perception that I have some kind of idyllic life just because I happen to write a blog that tends to be lighthearted. There are chunks of my life that I would never be comfortable sharing online – things that are just too sad and too private and too close to my heart. So even if I’m typically pretty upbeat, that doesn’t mean that my life is sunshine and unicorns all the time.

And I’m actually really grateful for that because, well, I hate unicorns.

Me: Yes, don’t we all. So Boomama, how do you think blogging, bloggers, or the blogosphere has changed since you started?

Boomama: It changes ALL THE TIME. Blogs come and go every single day. One big change is that most people who blog pretty regularly are carrying ads on their blogs now, which I think is fantastic. Mama bloggers especially have become very enterprising and internet-savvy. I’ve also noticed that I don’t have to define the word “blog” for people so much anymore – just about everyone knows what a blog is, even if they don’t have one themselves.

Me: In the interest of really getting to know you, could you name something or a few things that bug you and expound? We want your unfettered opinion(s). It doesn’t have to be blog related.

Boomama: I cannot stand self-righteousness. It makes me insane. CRAZY insane. Because I don’t know anyone who’s ever been drawn closer to Jesus as a result of having someone’s finger pointed in his or her face.

I also can’t stand gossip disguised as “Christian concern.” It makes me want to kick things.

And on a completely trivial level, it makes me cringe when actors do bad, cheesy Southern accents. In fact, if some actor is reading this, happens to be preparing for a Southern role and would like some guidance as to what a Southern accent REALLY sounds like, I am available to help. I’ll consider it a public service.

Me: Well the southern accent thing is on most people’s minds; you’re really not alone there. Very gracious of you to offer your help too. It obvious you’re a giver. While you’re in the giving mood could you give us a clue as to who you want to see become president in the next election and why?

Boomama: I honestly haven’t made up my mind yet. And you can rest assured that when I decide on a candidate, I won’t be talking about it on the internet.

Me: Come on Boomama, tell us who you are. What is your true passion in life? What is the one subject that makes your heartbeat race when you discuss it? Besides fried chicken?

Boomama: Hmmm. I don’t know. I am passionate about all kinds of things, and as a result, my heart races a lot, though I guess it’s possible that my heart is racing because of all that fried chicken. Perhaps I should consult a physician.

More than anything, I think, I just get really fired up about everyday stuff – the way a tree looks when the light hits it at a certain time of day, the sound of my little boy’s laugh, the joy of sharing life with forever friends, the ongoing realization that when God is leading, I do not ever have to be afraid to follow. I could go on and on.

Before we concluded I asked Boomama for a few vital statistics and here’s what she had to say:

How old are you? 38
Married? yes
Children? yes
If so, homeschool, private, or public? he’s only four 
Favorite season? fall
Religious affiliation? I’m a Bible-believin’ Christian.
Political affiliation? yes 
Do you work outside the home? I do some part-time work that I love while the little man is at preschool.
Vanilla or Chocolate? Vanilla ice cream – chocolate everything else
Diet Coke, Sweet Tea or Evian? Diet Coke is my love language.
Steak, Chicken or Shrimp? Yes. All three, please. Thank you.

Categories: Interviews
Tags: blogger, humor, interview, mom