I was raised in a suburb of Boston, did my undergrad in Maine, did my grad work at University of Florida (yay Gators basketball), lived in Sacramento (McClellan AFB), Satellite Beach Florida (Patrick Air Force Base), Ft. Leavenworth Kansas (did my time in Leavenworth- snicker), Harker Heights, Texas (Ft. Hood), El Paso, Texas (Ft. Bliss), Owasso, Oklahoma (Tulsa connected), now here in Mandeville, Louisiana (as a civilian family).

I have been a vagabond since my first 18 years in MA, a gypsy, a roaming gnome, a military brat mom, military wife. Now that we found our forever spot (hubby better keep his job here forever), in the land of opportunity (yes, this area is just that), what am I?

A transplant, a post-Katrina pioneer, a recovery family, crazy (don’t answer that), a newbie? Do I need a label? Talk to me – I am having an identity crisis. But to tell you the truth, I don’t feel out of place here at all. We fit right in and are enjoying every minute of it. We’ve been here a little over 2 months and I am actually freelance writing for NOLA.com and Inside Northside magazine. This connection has helped me feel that I have found a home for my family in a place filled with warmth, hope, possibilities and wonderful people. Yes, my glass is always half-full and I think no matter where you land you are either an optimist or a pessimist and make the best of everything.

One thing for certain, you get what you put into something. If you sit and complain and don’t do anything but that, it doesn’t matter where you live.

My name is Greta (respond “hi Greta”) and I am a Yankee by birth, the wife of a retired soldier, mother of 3 and am a POSTKATRINAISNEWLOUISIANANMANDEVILLIAN!

(this article can also be read at Nola.com)