Kiss My Gumbo

My name is Greta Perry and I am a (hahem) 41 yo mother of 3 and wife of a soldier who retired in 2006. We “chose” to move to Mandeville, Louisiana in January of 2007 and are thrilled with our new home and state where we plan to grow roots and blossom.

Bio: born and raised in MA (Randolph to be exact) until I graduated High School. Ventured far enough away (4 plus hours) to spend 4 years at the University of Maine. I was a pre-med major, who switched over to PE and Athletic Training. I had to take a semester off for back surgery and spent 4 months in a body cast at the age of 21. I was the first & last student trainer for the football team (I gave my boss gray hairs). I somehow completed the 4 years as a PE major without being able to enjoy all the intensive physical classes. Graduated in 90.

Next I applied to every Graduate school for Athletic Training programs – I think 11 and got in 10. University of Florida offered me a full-ride to work as a trainer and go to classes. After 1 year of working slave labor and traveling with the women’s volleyball team with all the perks DIV 1 had to offer, I begged recreational sports to transfer my scholarship to them and in exchange I would offer them 2 years of work. Phew – released from 100 hours a week to only 20 for the same scholarship. I worked with lacrosse, rugby, flag football, frat sports, every rec sport imaginable and had a blast!

I completed my Masters in Exercise Science and decided to get my teaching certificate too. My last semester I did my student teaching, my scholarship job & finished up my class work. I had a good chance of being picked up for a staff position and then…. I met my now husband of 15 years (& he grew up 40 minutes from me in MA). He played Rugby & I was the trainer – such a romance filled with Mad Dog, scrums & athletic tape. He had already been in the military his whole (adult) life and was sent to grad school for 18 months so he could get his masters and experience real college life (he went to West Point undergrad- he had fun at UF). I took a huge gamble, turned down any post-grad opportunities and followed him in his military uniform to California, Sacramento to be exact. I was a trainer for a high school there and taught a full semester. We were married and child #1 was on the way.

From there we started our whirlwind tour of the US – Patrick AFB in Florida (child #1 & 2 were born there), Ft. Leavenworth in KS, FT Hood in Texas, Fort Bliss in El Paso Texas (adopted child #3 there), Army Corps in Tulsa Oklahoma and now we live in Louisiana.

Hubby and I are both Yankees by birth, but Louisianans by choice. With kids now being 13, 11 & 9 and me 41 & hubby working his “retirement career,” it was time for me to do something besides tend the fort. I have been a blogger for 4 plus years now and NOLA.com seemed like an obvious place to start. Then I answered a Craigslist ad and started freelance writing for Inside Northside magazine. I developed a latex allergy in 98 when my #2 son was hospitalized several times with stomach problems. No more athletic training for this camper. PE – well – I could do it, but still so much latex around.

I am writing this in November of 2007 and to date I am juggling: freelance blogging, freelance writing, all my blogs, editor for Louisiana Blognetnews, started a professional organizing business with my friend & am running the website for Soldiers’ Angels, my favorite charity in the world.

I have no idea what I will be doing at this time next year – but you can be guaranteed you will be getting my 2 cents and warped view of my life one way or the other! I am here to stay Louisiana and glad to know you!

Update 2009:
RADIO: I’ve been on the radio since April 2008 on a Saturday talk show. I love radio and if I was given a weekday opportunity, would grab it in a heartbeat. My show has evolved from community based to controversy mixed with military issues and highlighting non-profits. Eclectic is all I have to say. If I could just find a steady sponsor or 2, I wouldn’t stress from week to week – hint hint!

SOLDIERS’ ANGELS: I really could care less about titles, but right now I’m theNew Media Director. The opportunities to help are endless and I rarely turn one down.

WRITING: I just love it and have some things in the works.

MAKING MONEY: Still haven’t figured out how to turn all my passions into a living, but working on it. Late to the party in my 40’s I guess.

WORKING OUT: Training Completed for my first sprint triathlon in 16 years. I feel better than I’ve ever felt! Yay for being 41!!!

Other places to find Greta & her writing

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Hooah Wife & friends a military related blog I have run for 3 plus years. Over time it has become one of the most eclectic group blogs in the blogosphere. It is strong for its’ consistency and staying power. It is also the home of Wednesday Hero!

NOLA.commy $200 a month paycheck and a way to sound important about blogging (hehe)

Inside Northside Magazine I got this job through Craigslist and have been a freelance contributor for them all year. I am fortunate to have been welcomed into this fabulous family of the premier magazine on the Northshore.

Soldiers Angels LA This is the website I run for the state of Louisiana. We are by no means separate from the main site or organization. This site is here to spread information and needs for Angels and soldiers within the state. More angels are always needed!

The Cotillion This is a group I was invited into almost a year ago. We are a very powerful group of Conservative women bloggers. These are some of my dearest friends in the world today and people who I would gladly donate a kidney to if asked! An honor and a blessing to be part of this tiara wearing group of real women!

Louisiana Conservative Owner Jeff Blanco welcomed me to Louisiana and asked me to contribute when I arrived in Jan of 2007. At that time I wanted to keep LA politics out of Kiss My Gumbo and wanted to gain a reputation (good or bad) as a local blogger. Now that I have been blogging at Kiss My Gumbo & NOLA.com for some time – I have decided this is a healthy outlet for me to put my 2 cents in about Louisiana politics.

This Mess is a House You don’t think I could do all this writing if I wasn’t somewhat organized -no way. Myself & my Partner Leaf, have formed an LLC for our professional organizing business. Since Leaf & I wear multiple hats and need to meet the school bus every day at 4:00 – we try and work about 2 jobs a week. We are good, reliable and everything is confidential. And hey- if I could – I would hire us!

Milblog ArticleThis is an article I am very proud of!
Soldiers’ Angels ArticleA handy summary I wrote about Soldier’s Angels

UPDATE: April 19th, 2008 is the premier of the Kiss My Gumbo radio show on WIST AM 690 at 3:00. I asked – they said yes. Who knows what this will lead to!

UPDATE: May 18, 2009 Still seeking world domination. Almost there!