I’m not even going to attempt to introduce you to her because most likely you already know and love Barb of A Chelsea Morning fame. She opens her life up to us nearly every day on her blog but hopefully we’ll all discover a little something new about her below.

Me: Hi Barb! I think that many of us already know you’ve been blogging for a couple years. Can you tell us what you like about blogging?

Barb: I live a very quiet life. After thirty years of raising children, working full time and running at a pace that would kill me now, I love staying at home, and I love feeling like I don’t have to impress anyone any more, whether it be the way I’m dressed or the great job I have. I’ve been there and done all that. I’m so over it.

So what I love about blogging is that I’m able to connect with women out here and it’s easy. It doesn’t matter if they’re my age (post-50) or twenty-two years old and newly married and pregnant with their first child. I’ve connected…with women my age because we have a lot in common… and with younger women because I’ve been where they are now and although I’m proud of the things I did right, I don’t mind admitting what I’d have done differently.

For me, the best thing about blogging is the connection with such a large community of like-minded women who all seem to agree that age isn’t relevant. I’ve made some great friends through this medium.

Me: Do you think there are things about blogging we should be leery of?

Barb: I can only think of a couple of pitfalls. The first, and most obvious, is that if you let it, blogging can consume so much of your time it actually starts interfering with your life. It took me a while to accept the fact that I cannot sit in front of this computer for ten hours out of every day and still have any kind of life to post about. I had to set some limits for myself. But seriously, it took me almost a year to figure that out.

The second pitfall I personally encountered was feeling pressured to post, all the time. I still post fairly regularly, but only when I feel like it and never because I feel like I have to. That pressure to post burns bloggers out very quickly because it’s not fun, and blogging should be enjoyable. What a complete waste of time it would be if it weren’t enjoyable.

Me: I know I kind of gave it away in the title but could you tell us about your blog name anyway?

Barb: The name of my blog is sort of a play on words. I was a teenager in the 60’s and Joni Mitchell’s “A Chelsea Morning” was of course one of my favorite songs. But I also have a shih tzu named Chelsea. When I started my blog, we were in the potty training stage and the first thing I did, every single morning, was walk her outside. So my mornings were “Chelsea Mornings” and that name just seemed to fit my blog. But really, I’d much rather people think I took the name from the song, as opposed to thinking I’m a doddering little old lady who named her blog after her dog.

I’ll never change the name of my blog. To what? “I Iron My Sheets?” Or maybe, “Go Ahead – Febreze Your Dog!” Really, it’s best I stick with this name.

Me: So, I take it that blogging has been good for you?

Barb: Oh my word, it’s one of the very best things I’ve ever done. I love it.

Me: How do you think blogging has changed since you started over two years ago?

Barb: It’s interesting you would ask that because I’ve thought about this a lot lately. I’ve noticed that almost all the friends I’ve been following for a while, some since the very beginning, are becoming more relaxed about it all. You can tell when someone’s been doing this a while. I was a nervous wreck when I first started blogging. Not so much any more. Sometimes, I’m probably a little TOO relaxed. That’s when you’ll see a post I did last night suddenly disappear the next morning. LOL

Me: In the long run, Barb, what would you like your blog to accomplish?

Barb: You know, this is a profound question, one that seems simple but really, it’s not.

I’m not really trying to “accomplish” anything. But I love, love the interaction and I tell you, it makes my day when someone tells me they tried a recipe and it was a huge success, or they didn’t know they could Febreze their dog, or the club-soda-baking-soda paste I recommended took the big coffee stain right out of their carpet.

Seriously. I get a huge kick out of people appreciating what I’ve learned in fifty-seven years.

Oh, OK. I’ll admit that I like knowing someday when I’m in heaven my family can come back here and read all the great stuff I wrote and miss me like crazy.

Me: Having been blogging for years this one might be hard but can you tell us which post is your favorite?

Barb: Oh.my.word. Tonight I posted my 476th post. You’re kidding, right? Maybe my very first post, “I Febreze My Dog.” Because it somehow caught people’s attention and it actually went on to win several awards. That’s not to say it’s my favorite. I simply don’t have a favorite.

Me: Well enough about blogging, let’s get to know the real life Barb. Can you tell us something that truly concerns you? Help us get to know you better.

Barb: Child abuse. Physical or mental. It breaks my heart when I hear of a child being abused or neglected. I can’t think of a single thing that upsets me more. And animal abuse…how anyone could ever be cruel to such trusting, loving creatures as their pets is beyond me.

OK, those cardboard insert things they load all my favorite magazines up with aggravate the daylights out of me too. The first thing I do is tear them all out. And don’t even ask me what I think about crumbs on my kitchen counters.

Me: And if you could change anything in the world, anything at all, what would it be?

Barb: The price of gas. It’s killing us. Oh. And maybe our presidential candidates this election year. I’m pretty disgusted. I can’t believe I said that because really, I don’t discuss politics. Discussing politics could lead to nasty, mean comments.

Me: I’m so with you on the gas prices! Well, actually the candidates too but well, whatever. New topic, better one in fact, tell us about one of your best childhood memories.

Barb: We were poor. Very poor. But sometimes Daddy brought home a watermelon. In August, in southeast Texas, way back in the 1950’s, a big, cold watermelon. Oh my word, what a treat.

Me: So then does your perfect day include watermelon or just the state of Texas?

Barb: Peaceful and quiet (LOL – never gonna happen), working with my hands and cooking for someone I love. It’s even better if my little Cameron is here helping me. That’s my perfect day.

Me: What? No Texas? Huh? Impossible!

Barb, there are probably only a few people reading this that don’t already know that you are crafty but tell us about your hobbies anyway.

Barb: There are way too many but they’re all about domestic arts. And I’m passionate about every new thing I learn to do. I never enter into new things quietly – I always dive right in and go completely nuts. There’s no such thing as too many Santa stars, sock monkeys or burp cloths. LOL

(And here’s what Barb didn’t say - her superior crafting skillz have provided her the opportunity to open a little store on the web. You can visit her store here.)

Me: I firmly believe that the only way to really know you is to know the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you? Are you brave enough to go there?

Barb: I was nine month’s pregnant and walking with the pharmacist through the store because he was helping me find something. And I had “gas.” And I was so pregnant, I couldn’t help it at all, but with every step I took……after all these years, I’m still mortified. Thankfully, he was a gentleman and never acted like he heard anything at all. Oh. My. Word.

That’s probably too much information, right?

Me: See, now that’s what I’m talking about. We could never truly be close without knowing that about you! Haaaaahaaaaaa

Now on another note, If you could do anything in life, what would it be?

Barb: Exactly what I’m doing now. I’m blessed and I’m content.

Me: Ok, we’re almost done here. Just tell us about your funniest experience and I’ll leave you alone.

I was nine months pregnant and walking with the pharmacist through the store…..

Barb’s specifics -

How old are you? 57

Married? Yes – for almost thirty years

Children? Two daughters

If so, homeschool, private, or public? Public. Homeschooling was practically unheard of back then and I had to work full time. And heck! I could barely afford daycare, much less private school.

Favorite season? All of them, with just a little emphasis on springtime.

Favorite past time? Reading

Favorite color? Seafoam green (and beige and pure white)

Favorite movie? Steel Magnolias

Favorite song? Anything Springsteen

What kind of car do you drive? I don’t, unless I have no choice. Then it’s a Ford Explorer. A gas guzzler. Arrgghhh.

Mac or PC? PC

Dog or Cat? Chelsea, a Shih Tzu

Salt or Pepper? There’s no such thing as too much pepper

Vanilla or Chocolate? Vanilla – I hate chocolate – I know, but I do

Diet Coke, Sweet Tea or Evian? Ice water, straight from the tap

Steak, Chicken or Shrimp? Jalapeno Garlic Tilapia

Think fast -

1. Emotional:: Cameron
2. Devastation:: Tornado
3 Pleasure:: Books
4. Crown:: Thorns
5. Eastern:: Outer Banks

We love you, Barb. Thanks for spending time with us today.

Categories: Dishing it Up Weekend Style, Interviews
Tags: crafts, family, interview