Owner: An Island Life URL:http://islandlife808.com Join Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:55:25 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Full-time Mommy, part-time Flight Attendant, occasional wife . . . living a chaotic life in Hawaii. My greatest fear is that there is no PMS and this is my personality. Home to the Carnival of Family Life. Site statistics:Click here
Internet Safety 2006-11-30 02:36:01 I thought I was being careful.
I didn’t reveal my last name, I gave alias names to my family members, I didn’t mention where I worked or what specific city we live in. And yet, he found me.
What am I talking about? For those who regularly visit me (and I thank you for that), you probably noticed that I disappeared off the face of the blogosphere for a while. After what happened, I needed to take some time to think about my blogging future.
It all started about a month ago when I began getting comments on my original blog. At first, everything seemed normal. But then the comments starting getting a little personal and strange, so I deleted them. I figured he must live in Hawaii since he was familiar with the backgrounds of some of my photos. I thought I had solved the problem but then I began getting emails. He wanted to know why I was ignoring him. Crazy, huh?
All that wouldn’t have been so bad but then he called my unlisted home number. Now that freaked me out! I hun Read more:Internet
, Safety
2006 Ornament Exchange 2006-11-28 08:00:00 Look what came in the mail today!
It’s my Christmas ornament from Connie at Mumbo Jumbo! Girlie Girl was so excited at seeing the first signs of Christmas! Thank you to Stranded in the Mountains for organizing this wonderful event!
Now, if only we could decide on what to do about a tree.
When Girlie Girl was younger, we didn’t have a Christmas tree because we were afraid that she would eat it. You know how babies are - everything goes in the mouth. Now that we have Baby Bug, we’re up against the same problem. However, I don’t think it’s fair for GG not to have a tree.
We are considering getting an artificial tree. Does anyone out there have one? Do you like it? Does it look real?
Any other suggestions?
Read more:Exchange
, Ornament
Being Thankful 2006-11-27 04:43:13 We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.
Since we have 3 flight attendants and 1 fire fighter in the family, it’s a rare event when we’re all together. It was a nice opportunity for all of us to catch up with what’s been going on in our lives.
Of course, the best part was the Thanksgiving dinner. Every year we do the non-traditional thing and have everything catered. Yes, I know some of you may feel that cooking a big dinner is part of the tradition. However, my Mother’s motto is, “Why do something yourself when you can pay someone else to do it.” LOL! I’m not kidding!
Before we started dinner, we went around the table and said what we were thankful for. I am thankful for my loving family and friends, for my husband who works extra hours so I can spend more time at home with the kids, for the health and safety of my daughters, for a job that I love, and for all my wonderful blogging friends who worried about me when I disappeared. I seriously Read more:Thankful
A New Beginning 2006-11-27 02:41:49 Last week I had a little scare. Well, it was actually a big scare which caused me to panic and completely delete my blog as well as my email account.
I thought about giving up blogging for good. I just couldn’t see starting all over from square one again. And to tell you the truth, the time I spent away from the computer turned out to be a much needed break. I was able to watch my favorite shows live instead of on my DVR, I got a good night’s sleep, I didn’t even panic when I realized that I left my digital camera at home! I felt liberated!
But then I started to miss my blogging friends. I couldn’t stop wondering what crazy things you guys were all up to and how your Thanksgiving celebrations were going.
So, I decided to compromise. I’m starting a new, more anonymous blog. I don’t have my name listed or any photos of my family. I figure all my regular visitors already know what we look like anyway, right? And I probably won’t be going crazy pos Read more:New Beginning
Goodbye - I'll Miss You! 2006-11-30 08:37:44 No, I’m not leaving again.
However, in my quest to cut back on blogging, I’ve decided to give up the Carnival of Family Life. Don’t worry, I found a good Dad who promises to take care and nurture it as if it’s his very own. He’s hosted a couple of times before so I know he’ll do a great job as the new administrator.
As far as I know, everything will still run the same way until further notice. You can read his welcome remarks here. I hope you all continue to submit those great family-related posts that I enjoy reading! Maybe he’ll even let me guest host once in a while, too!
Is it weird to be a little sad about letting the carnival go? When I first started it back in April, our first edition only had 5 submissions. It’s now over 40 a week! I never dreamed it would be so successful. I owe it all to you guys!
Please stop by and welcome Mike of BeAGoodDad. Wish him luck because he’s going to be a very busy Daddy! Tell him Local Girl s Read more:Goodbye
Perfect Post Award ~ Nov 2006 2006-12-01 03:10:35
My nominee for this month’s perfect post award goes out to one of my bestest blogging buddies!
I met Sam of Mommy Needs a Mai Tai while we were auditioning for Wendy’s Casting Call. We immediately formed a friendship and have kept in constant touch ever since. We’re in totally different time zones but since she works the graveyard shift, we’re always on the computer at the same time. I tend to miss her on her days off.
I’m not sure what it is about her. Maybe it’s her positive attitude? Maybe it’s her willingness to help everyone? Maybe it’s the way she makes you feel like you’ve known her all your life. In any case, she totally deserves this award.
The post that I particularly liked was Thank God for Mama. The things that she and her family have been through is unimaginable. How she turned out to be the wonderful person she is today shows what a strong character she has.
When you get a chance, please stop by, read her story, and Read more:Award
, Perfect
Friday's Feast #120 2006-12-01 18:49:03
Appetizer: Have you ever flown in a helicopter?
No, I’m too afraid to. I hear all kinds of stories on the news of tour helicopters crashing. I’m know it’s a rare thing but still . . .
Soup: What color is your warmest coat or jacket?
I have a white cashmere jacket which I love! However, living in Hawaii doesn’t give me much of a chance to wear it. That’s why I always try to bid for layovers in cold cities during the holidays!
Salad: What is your favorite rainy day activity?
Putting on our rain gear and playing outside!
Main Course: Describe your hands.
I used to have nice hands in my younger years with smooth skin and long nails. Unfortunately, they’re starting to show their age now.
Dessert: If you could eat only one nut for the rest of your life, what nut would it be?
Macadamia nuts, of course!
Technorati Tags: Friday
s Feast
meme
Photo Scavenger Hunt ~ Lights 2006-12-02 08:57:04
Grab the Scavenger
Hunt code.
Photo
Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.
Honolulu City Lights
Technorati Tags: Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt
Christmas Gifts of Aloha 2006-12-02 11:55:45 It’s snowing in Hawaii!
Well, okay . . . not really.
Every year, on the first weekend in December, we go to see a local holiday production called The Christmas
Gift of Aloha
. It’s Girlie Girl’s favorite and she makes me play the soundtrack over and over again. This year they had fake snow falling during the performance. It’s the closest we’ll get to the real thing! It was pretty cool, though. We were covered in it!
Here is a short (1 minute) video of one of the songs called Magic of Aloha.
This year I decided to plan ahead and bought tickets for her to ride on a train that’s in a parade following the show. They go on sale early in the morning about a month in advance. Boy, the things we do for our kids. It was totally worth it, though. When we were driving home, she said, “Mommy, this is my best day ever.”
Technorati Tags: Magic of Aloha Gifts
.htm">Christmas Gifts
of Aloha Ala Moana Center Hawaii
2006 Christmas Tree Decorating Contest 2006-12-03 05:43:05 window.document.getElementById('post-28').parentNode.className += ' adhesive_post';** Sticky Post **
I had so much fun with the Halloween contest that I thought I’d do one for Christmas
, too. Besides, I just got my first paycheck from BlogHer Ads and I was pleasantly surprised! Since the money was made from your clicks & views, I thought I should donate it back to my blogging friends.
So, I’d like to announce the 2006 Christmas TreeDecoratingContest
. For all of you who couldn’t participate in the costume contest, here’s your chance! Hopefully, this will also help all you procrastinators to get those trees decorated!
You have from now until Monday the 11th to submit your Christmas Tree photo entries. Just come here and add your url (to the actual post) on Mr. Linky below.
The voting will start on Tuesday the 12th and run till Friday the 15th.
You can vote for 2 of your favorite entries.
You cannot vote for yourself. So, get all your friends to vote f
Keeping Your Personal Info Private 2006-12-04 03:58:57 With the help of BeAGoodDad, I think I know how my stalker found my personal information. Mike directed me to this website where you can type in a domain name and see what kind of info comes up.
So, I typed in Island Life 808 and low and behold, there was my real name, address and phone number. I had no idea that kind of info was so readily available to everyone. That has to be the way he did it. Especially since he called me by my given first name (which was listed in the info) and not my middle name (which I normally use).
The mystery has been solved. It also makes me feel a little better knowing that maybe he doesn’t live in Hawaii afterall.
I immediately switched my hosting account to “private” and now I’m a lot more anonymous and safer. If you’re not sure what’s listed under your domain name, check it out. I bet you’ll be surprised!
Read more:Personal
, Private
New Roomie in the New Blog 2006-12-04 05:53:46
I’ve decided to starting renting out some space on my new holiday blog. Nothing fancy, just a clean room with a great view of Diamond Head. Not to mention the beautiful weather we’re having! It’s still in the lower 80s!
This week we have Unexplored Territory in the house. If you remember, she hung out with me at my old place a while ago and it’s great to have her back! I was surprised that she actually wanted to come back, but then again, you were all so gracious to her the last time that I really don’t blame her.
There were a lot of great blogs knocking on the door but I chose Knitting Maniac because (and I quote):
I’m a mom of three peeps … Queen Bee, The Door Man, and the Chandelier Monkey, and wife to Ace, the Helpful Hardware Man. I created this space to get away from the people known as my in-laws, and because life with three kids and a hubby is all Unexplored Territory.
Now how could I deny someone who schemes to get away from her in-la
The World's Worst Gift 2006-12-04 10:44:18 While I was over at Carmen’s Christmas Party, we were talking about the worst gifts that we’ve ever gotten.
In my case I would have to say . . . an iron. Yup, it wasn’t even a fancy iron, just your plain old Norelco variety that probably came from Wal-Mart. Granted I was living in the college dorms at the time and could probably have used one but still . . . for Christmas?
Yes, I know it’s the thought that counts and it’s better to give than to receive . . . yada yada yada. But get real, an iron? With all the wonderful possibilities out there, that’s the best he could come up with? I’m really not a difficult person to buy for. Even a gift certificate would have been more welcomed.
So, what’s the worst gift that you’ve ever gotten? Or are you the one who gave a bad gift? Let’s hear it!
Don’t forget to stop by Unexplored Territory. She’s a knitting maniac who just found the perfect thing to make that’s sure to Read more:World
The Not-So-Perfect Holiday Photo 2006-12-05 05:58:10 I tried. I really did. But it looks like it’s not going to happen this year.
You know how you always see those perfect photo-type Christmas cards where everyone is color coordinated showing their perfect smiles? Well, this past weekend we went to a Lunch with Santa. Since I had to get the girls dressed up, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get their photo taken for a Christmas card.
After about 15 shots, this is the best I could get. Baby Bug was not cooperating and Girlie Girl was getting impatient.
While at the lunch, they had all kinds of cool kids activities as well as a magic show. Of course, Mr. & Mrs. Claus were there, too. Here was a second chance at getting that perfect photo!
Baby Bug took one look at him and went, “WHAAAAAAAA!”
She was screaming so loud, we all had to laugh. Hmmm . . . maybe I’ll use this one anyway.
If you’d like to share your not-so-perfect holiday photos, I’d love to see them!
BTW, you should see Read more:Holiday
, Perfect
, Photo
A Meme About Me-Me 2006-12-06 20:53:07 I got tagged again! This time it was Sam from Mommy Needs a MaiTai. Here goes . . .
i am: a sleep deprived, blogging Mommy.
i want: Baby Bug to stay a baby forever.
i have: jetlag.
i wish: for world peace (no, really!).
i hate: internet stalkers.
i miss: my old blog.
i hear: kids laughing downstairs (who’s kids are those?).
i wonder: what Santa will bring me for Christmas.
i regret: buying those expensive shoes that I’ve never worn.
i am not: a morning person.
i dance: funny.
i sing: when no one is around.
i cry: when I see dead animals on the side of the road.
i am not always: a great homemaker.
i make with my hands: the best chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies ever!
i journal: because I have a bad memory.
i confuse: my kids’ names.
i need: new carpets (who knew milk stained?).
i should: cut my hair.
i start: (started) work at 5am yesterday morning.
i finish: (finished) work at 6pm last night. whew!
i will tag: NOLADawn, Elizabeth, Robinson Family, and YOU! Let me k
Christmas Songs Meme 2006-12-07 20:45:06
Tagged again. This time Christine from Are We There Yet? got me with this holiday meme. Since it’s a pretty easy one, I figured I’d play along.
Name 5 of your favorite Christmas
Songs.
I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas - I can dream all I want, not happening!
Merry Christmas Darling
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
A Menehune Christmas
The Magic of Aloha
I’m tagging the following people:
Sam
Debbie
Desert Songbird
Katkat
Happy Holidays!
No Picture-Taking Allowed 2006-12-08 10:08:58 A few days ago I was working a flight back home from Los Angeles.
About an hour into the flight, a middle-aged man who was sitting in first class got up to use the lavatory. After about 40 minutes, his family started to worry and went looking for him. We knocked on all the lavatory doors until we found one with no answer.
Flight Attendants have keys that can open the door from the outside. When the family went in, they found him on the floor. Apparently, he had suffered a stroke. We made an announcement asking if there were any medical personnel on board. Luckily, 2 doctors and a nurse came forward.
With the assistance of MedLink and a portable defibrillator, we took turns performing CPR on the passenger for about an hour. Eventually, MedLink decided it was time to stop and declared him dead. It was such a sad moment for the family and the flight crew.
While this was all happening, a group of foreign visitors came up to first class and started taking pictures! Can you believe it? Even Read more:Picture
, Taking
The Things I'll Do To Win a Contest 2006-12-08 23:01:17
I was over at Crazy Hip Blog Mamas and came across a great contest with the prize being a new theme designed by the talented ladies at Ciao! My Bella. As you may remember, Peggy was the one who put together that fabulous design I used to have on my former blog. *sniff*
All I have to do is explain why I think I’m a crazy hip blog mama.
Here goes . . .
First of all, I think I must be crazy to still be blogging after encountering an internet stalker. Anyone in their right mind would have thrown in the blogging towel and walked away. At least that’s what my family keeps telling me. But how could I not keep blogging? I missed all my wonderful blogging buddies!
I also think I’m hip (at least in my mind, heehee) because I have the coolest job in the world! Where else can you go shopping at The Mall of America, sit on a beach in Tahiti, or go to Disneyland and get paid while doing it?
And of course, I’m first and foremost a Mama to 2 beautiful, smart and compassionate Read more:Contest
Photo Scavenger Hunt ~ Red 2006-12-09 10:34:45
Grab the Scavenger
Hunt code.
Photo
Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.
Since tonight is the U2 Vertigo Concert in Hawaii, I thought I’d use this photo to represent RED. It was taken at one of their concerts last year. Pretty cool, huh?
Bono has also launched the Red Campaign to help raise funds for AIDS victims in Africa. Some of the corporations who have joined forces with him are: Motorola, iPod, Gap jeans, and Converse. Some famous celebrities have also signed on, such as Penelope Cruz, Steve Spielberg, Jennifer Garner, Oprah, Mary J. Blige, Chris Rock, Dakota Fanning, among others.
Recently, I was reading the newly released book “U2 by U2” and found out some very interesting facts about the band. Did you know . . .
The first American city that U2 performed in was New York?
The band’s original name was Feedback?
Bono’s idol is Bob Dylan?
Bono’s first nickname, given by his family, was The Antichrist?
In the 1981 video
Just a Reminder . . . 2006-12-10 22:45:21
This is Unexplored Territory’s last day with me. Please stop by for a visit before she leaves by clicking her thumbnail in the sidebar. Her SIL is having a baby shower. Check out what the SIL does while waiting for the guests to arrive! Thanks Knitting Maniac for being such a wonderful blog guest! Just make sure you tidy up before you leave! LOL!
Tomorrow is the last day to submit your entries to the Christmas Tree Decorating Contest. Don’t miss out on a chance to win a gift certificate to Amazon.com!
If you sent me your mailing address for the Christmas Card Exchange when I had my old blog, could you please send it to me again? I’d really appreciate it!
Thank you to those who already resent theirs:
Samantha
Stephanie
Maribeth
Debbie
Dawn
The Blogging Chicks carnival is up! This week’s theme is Laughter. Stop by and read some of the hilarious posts! My Holiday Photo is included in the lineup. Next week will be a Christmas theme and everyone is inv Read more:Reminder
A Great Paying Job vs. Being Happy 2006-12-11 07:26:23 Would you be disappointed if you spent a lot of money on your child’s education and they decided on a profession that only requires a high school diploma?
This was the topic of conversation that a bunch of my co-workers and I were having on the flight home the other day.
In my case, my parents have always been big on getting a good education and a well paying job. It’s what they did and it’s what they expected of my sister and I. Needless to say, they weren’t very happy with my career choice. However, they went along with it hoping it was only a phase I’d outgrow. Ten years later, I’m still here and loving (almost) every minute of it.
But now, we’re in the process of planning out Girlie Girl’s educational path. Do we send her to an expensive private school which involves lots of money and long hours of commuting? Or is the neighborhood public school good enough? Obviously, spending all that money does not guarantee a high powered job or g Read more:Great
, Happy
2006 Christmas Tree Decorating Contest ~ Voting is Now Open 2006-12-12 08:20:50 window.document.getElementById('post-60').parentNode.className += ' adhesive_post';**Sticky Post ~ Please scroll down for newer entries.**
First of all, thank you for all your Christmas
Tree suggestions. We finally decided on the pre-lit artificial tree. Unfortunately, DH got the HUGH 9′ version which doesn’t quite fit properly in our home. I knew I should have gone with him to pick it out! I don’t even have enough decorations to cover it. Oh well . . . at least we finally have a tree! Don’t mind the mess, I had to rush to get it up in time for this post.
And now it’s time for The 2006 Christmas TreeDecoratingContest
. There are so many great entries!
Here are the rules:
Submit your vote from now till Friday the 15th, midnight Hawaii time.
You may vote for 2 of your favorite entries.
You may only vote once per day.
Get all your friends to stop by and vote for you, too!
Winners will be announced on Saturday the 16th.
Here are the entries (in the or Read more:Voting
Wordless Wednesday ~ Pearl Harbor 2006-12-13 09:39:10 This is in honor of PearlHarbor
’s 65th Anniversary. I took this photo while flying into Honolulu last week.
Related Posts:
Wordless Wednesday
~ Almost Done
Wordless Wednesday ~ The Sky’s The Limit
Technorati Tags: Wordless Wednesday Pearl Harbor
ROFL Awards ~ Nov 2006 2006-12-13 20:31:41 I was making my usual rounds around the blogosphere when I came across this. I nearly choked on my hot coffee. I’m just glad it didn’t come out through my nose.
Carmen and I met through Wendy’s Casting Call and we immediately clicked since she was in the middle of planning a future trip to Hawaii (only 30 days to go!). At first, we tried to make plans to get together while she was here but unfortunately it’s the weekend of Baby Bug’s 1st Birthday party. She was invited to come along but I’m sure she has better things to do on her Hawaiian vacation than spend it with a bunch of strangers and a clown.
Anyway, Carmen’s Gone to Plaid is my recipient of this months Rolling on the Floor Laughing (ROFL) Award. She truly deserves it because she’s one funny gal.
Thank you to Mommy of the Record and IzzyMom for organizing this great event. Stop by their sites for more hilarious posts. It’s a guaranteed laugh-fest!
Technorati Tags: ROFL Awar Read more:Awards
A Weird Meme 2006-12-14 04:12:00 I think I need to start running a little faster! This time I got tagged twice for the same meme by April and Kelly! And this one has rules!
The Rules:
Each player of this game starts with the "6 weird things about you". People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.
Hmm . . . this is going to be hard because I don’t think there’s anything weird about me. LMAO! Yeah, right!
1. If I’m watching TV and I see something that shouldn’t be where it is, I’ll obsess about it in my mind until I move it.
2. I live in Hawaii and I can’t swim.
3. When I eat french fries, I have to bite them in half before I eat them.
4. I only eat flat potato chips. I don’t like when they’re folded over.
5. I have to p Read more:Weird
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