Who the heck am I?

Hi, I’m Michele. I am an older woman enjoying the social, health, and financial security of living in a lovely country that isn't the USA. Come read my story, see my photos, enjoy my musings regarding politics, MS, life in general, read about my dog, my girls, and more! I promise you nothing but my opinions and thoughts with honesty and that irritating crankiness that old people get. 

How did I get here? I married a Finn. Back in 2014, we tied the knot and I moved the Finland. I was employed by a Finnish company in 2017, and worked for them until January of 2026. At 62, I’m pseudo-retired, and enjoying my free time while I still look for another position. I love working, and want to continue to do so, for as long as someone will have me. In the meantime, I try to fill my day with somewhat worthwhile endeavors.

My husband, whom I call Snork (yes, after the Moomin), is working in Rome for the next couple of years, and has been already for a couple of years. I get to flit between Finland, Italy, and the US to visit my kids. Keeping my travel plans in line is one of my bigger challenges.

Speaking of challenges, I do have MS. It mostly affects my balance and my short-term memory, but I try not to let it slow me down. On top of that, I have the usual ADHD diagnosis, which tends to only add spice to my life! My dear Snork is quite understanding and patient with me.

Before Covid, we traveled quite a lot. I’ve had an amazing 2nd half of my life, and according to Tripadvisor, I’ve visited 17% of the world! Once the world situation calms down, I’m hoping to increase that with some more trips.

I grew up traveling, so it’s in my blood. I lived in Panama (Central America) as a child, and as a teenager, I lived on a sailboat with my little sister and parents, sailing in the Caribbean. I’ve traveled to about 45 of the fifty states, missing mostly the northern states like Montana, Wyoming and the like. Some day.

I have three daughters, with two living in the Austin area, and one who passed away in 2022, so she’s everywhere. Very fitting for her. I have one granddaughter, whom I have managed to visit every year for her birthday. Annual travel is starting to get less certain, as travel costs have increased quite a bit.

While living in Louisiana, I owned a gaming shop, and was the city’s babysitting service for about seven years. It was a fun time, although as the games got more and more complex, it became more of a chore than an enjoyment. We did open the first LAN gaming center in Louisiana, and started a trend.

So that’s a little bit about me. I’ll no doubt reveal more about myself in my ramblings, and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out and ask. I’ll answer what I know, and I promise to be upfront and honest in my answers. It’s the Finnish way, something that took me some time to adjust to, and now I embody the spirit.