I am not sure when I first came across Angie’s blog, Mama Coffee Chat, a blog that I found worth following. I would encourage you to stop by and visit her blog. Say hello to her!

About a week ago I contacted her about interviewing her. Below is the interview.

1. On your site you have, “Life in between cold cups of coffee and figuring out who I am.” Can you tell us how much have you decided of who you are? 

First, I just want to say that I love that you used the phrase “Decided who I am”. That’s a powerful statement.   

I have decided that I am enough. It really doesn’t matter what others think or what they say…I am truly enough. I can have boundaries, and I am strong enough to keep those boundaries in place. I am an awesome friend, I am a great mother to all 3 of my kids, I am a caring and hardworking wife to my husband of 20+ years. I have also decided that I love adventures and meeting new people (although I still enjoy my alone time!) I love testing my fears (within limit) and I love to try new things! It’s part of the adventure! Oh yes, and I’ve also decided I really don’t like cold coffee 🙂 

2. Tell us some of what Angie was like growing up.

Wow. That’s a big question to answer. There’s many levels. I was quiet, loved to play on my own. I got along well others of all ages but once play time was over I would gladly (and quickly!) retreat to a corner for alone time again. I always enjoyed school. I was disappointed if I got anything lower than an A. I was a perfectionist. I was a rebellious teen but usually tried to stay out of trouble. Something I didn’t realize until just a couple of years ago is that I was also extremely brave and strong and more responsible than most my age. I was (and AM) a survivor. I lost myself while growing up through all the abuse, like many do. 

3. Why did you start blogging?

I originally started so I could share recipes and I hoped it would help me with my mental health. I needed to try and “find” myself again. Re-learn who I am and what I kinds of things I like, not what I’m expected to like.

4. Have you reached your goal from blogging?

Far from it! If I could set a goal and stick to it, it would help. I have many goals and I keep adding to the list, but I have a hard time actually finishing. My mind is always all over the place.

5. Where do you see Angie ten years from now?

Ten years from now things are going to look much different. My youngest will be getting his drivers permit, my oldest will be 20! I hope to be spending more time at the lake in nature. I see myself sitting on the sand by the water reading or drawing (how I miss drawing!) I see myself in a place of better mental health. 

6. Which is your favorite genre of reading and why?

My favorite genres by far are Crime-Fiction, Thriller and Psychological Thriller.  I have read some great books of all genres, but few are as satisfying as a good crime fiction novel!

7. Which is your favorite genre of music and why?

The answer to this depends on the mood I’m in. I really love classic rock from the 60’s and 70’s. I also listen to Tchaikovsky and Garth Brooks. Barbara Streisand and Pretty Reckless. My favorite bands are Metallica and ACDC but regardless of the mood I’m in, I’m always up for some good ol’ Rock and Roll.

8. Do you have any heroes living or dead?

I don’t have anyone that I would consider a “hero”. Not in the sense of someone to rely on if the world was in chaos or a giant clown spider was taking over the city. In that case, I turn to God. I do have people I look up to and highly respect. There are three people that I can think of off the top of my head that would belong in this category.

9. Why are they your heroes?

My cousin: She keeps me on the right track with my mental health, always a positive “You can do it” attitude. She’s a wonderful mother who almost always manages to guide her children with love and kindness.

Oprah: Despite all she had against her, she came out on top and better in spite of it all. 

Princess Diana: An example of a true Princess. She gave her time, her heart and her soul to many people. There are too many reasons to name as to why I look up to her.

10. Why did you choose recipes to blog about?

I chose recipes mainly because I love to bake! I never really learned to bake until after I was married, and my cooking wasn’t anything to write home about either. My meals are always pretty basic because I find I don’t always have the focus to try something elaborate. Maybe once the kids are a bit older. Baking is my creative outlet. Yet it still has to be pretty simple! I share the recipes for those (like me) who don’t have much knowledge in the area and may be a bit scared to try new things. Easy recipes have a higher success rate and therefore will boost your confidence to try something bigger!

11. Do you have a favorite recipe and what is it?

This is a hard one. I’m going to have to say my favorites would be cinnamon buns and whipped shortbread.

I wish to say thank you Dwain, for the opportunity to hear my voice and learn a little about myself as well. For some, these might seem like easy questions, but it has helped me remember why I started my blog and where I was when I began. A couple of the questions made me really have to think about how I wanted to answer. My heroes, my favorite music or books…These are things that were answered FOR me previously and so I needed to really focus on hearing MY voice. It’s hard to see yourself shine through all the tarnish when you come from a childhood of abuse. 

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Thank you Angie for a wonderful interview!