Friday, March 7, 2008

Let's Get This Party Started...

Ultimate Blog Party 2008

So we are having a go at this ultimate blog party thang - even though 5 Minutes for Mom (our host) is so backed up that we can't get on!

Here is a little story of our journey so far....

In 2004 Mark got a consulting gig in sunny Bahamas for about 4 months. It was a dream job as Lisa was working for a major telecom at the time from her virtual home office and, thanks to the magic of Vonage, was able to join Mark and work from the Hilton... not bad! It was especially great since she was missing Emily who was off for the summer with her Dad. The Bahamas can be a nice distraction.

Fast forward to 2007. Lisa has received the coveted "package" and has left the corporate world to start her own company (come and visit Emily Rose!) and Mark has left his most recent corporate job to work on a start-up with the same folks who brought us the "Bahamas Gig". They also dangle the carrot of a consulting job in the Bahamas that will start in late 2007 (still not happening!) We decide... why not... let's do something major and exciting.

2007 becomes a crazy year. We get fantastic Partners to join us in the Emily Rose journey. We visit the Bahamas and buy a house! We get Emily enrolled in a fabulous school. We get the cats their Rabies shots. We try to sell our house in VA and fail - we get a tenant. We move all of our stuff over here and start a new life.

We started this blog to keep our families and friends up to date on our adventures, and what a rocky road it has been. From arriving and discovering that we had no electricity or water - just lots of massive cockroaches, to figuring out the Bahamian style of gettings things done, to helping (or not having to help) Emily adjust, to feeling a little nostalgic.

Our journey continues in 2008 as we continue tackling this adventure - and enjoying life at Water's Edge.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Hey we wouldn't mind winning some blog party prizes either (although they can't be mailed here - we'll have to do a mail post one day). Here is what we would like the most...

1. The blog design offered by TBO Designs.
2. The blog design from Shauna.
3. The Chocolate from Chocolistas (it's not for me it's for Emily :-))

If I don't win any of those I would like to win anything that a 10 year-old would like or a working Mommy (that would be for my Partner, Deb).

78 comments:

Mommy2Twinkies-Deb said...

Oh! I can't get on 5 minutes for mom either!! I can't wait to visit you in the Bahamas! We're doing a countdown!

Natalie said...

i'm sure it is beautiful there! i can't wait to read more and take my 4 yr old on a "vacation" around your blog. happy blog party!

Anonymous said...

Hi. Nice to meet you. Can't believe 5MFM went down before the party started.

Anonymous said...

Wow- living in the Bahamas must be fantastic. Especially this time of year. It is dreary and cold in MD today!

Anonymous said...

Oh, so Emily Rose is yours. I've been here, before. Makes me feel nice and warm, inside. Since, I live in Jersey and we're down with the flu, at the moment. Don't worry. I have plenty of Lysol to go around. Nice to be here and thanks so much for having us.

Gloria said...

I went to the Bahamas once on a cruise with my mother-in-law. It was so beautiful there, well I don't need to tell you that do I? lol :) Nice to meet you!

Anonymous said...

You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. I'm currently stuck in VA, so I'll pretend that I'm there with ya.

Have a Happy Party!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I live in the Bahamas of the Middle East, in Dubai! :-)

Nice to meet you!

Melissa said...

I used to work at Lucayan Beach in Freeport about 18 years ago! Now, I am in a land-locked state and missing the beach like crazy!

I'm going to just look at your pictures and pretend it is not gray and 40 degrees outside!

My Trendy Tykes said...

Welcome to the big blogging party!!

Linda

ReviewsbyHeidi said...

Oh, to live in the Bahamas! Must be wonderful. We're in PA and it just doesn't want to get warm here!

Unknown said...

Nice family, and Bahamas...wow! :)
Happy UB Partyin'! :)
I'd love for you to list your mom blog on Hip Mama's Place directory. We have a lot of posted giveaways as well. It should be fun! :)

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading your intro. I wonder how we can get my husband transferred to the Bahamas.

Anonymous said...

Wow you are really on an adventure. Happy partying...

tammi said...

You have a wonderful blog here and what a great adventure you're sharing with the world! I can hardly wait to read more!!

What a great party! I love that I can party all over the world without ever leaving my home! Well, I'd prefer if I was actually physically visiting each spot, of course, but this is awesome! The pictures are beautiful!! I have to confess I'm jealous. If you pop by my party and check out some of my pix, I'm sure you'll see why....

Unknown said...

Oh what an adventure!!! Sounds fabulous!! Your family is beautiful and your blog is very very nice! Thanks for having me . . . if you like pictures you must come check out my giveaway . . . it's a canvas gallery wrap! Happy partying!

Natalie said...

You sound like you're in the midst of an exciting adventure. How fun! I'm partying to, come visit me if you can. I'm #9 on the 5MM linky, just thought I'd let you know so it's easy to find me. :)

Kim said...

We went to the Bahamas on a short cruise once. Decided we weren't cruise kind of people :-) But we did like the islands! Our daughter has friends on Spanish Wells.
We spent a year in Uganda, East Africa, and now we're getting ready to move to Argentina. Life in other countries is so...entertaining :-) All the cultural issues competing with just the practical every day things (like bugs!).
So I'll be back to your blog to follow your adventures!

Unknown said...

You lucky duck - livin' in paradise! How awesome is that?!

Have fun partying this week!

Valarie Lea said...

Wow living in the Bahamas! That has got to be some transition. Happy Party!

Tarasview said...

I'd trade the 3 feet of snow we have in our yard for that sandy beach any day! Happy blog party.

eastcoastlife said...

Living in the Bahamas! How cool is that! I'm from Singapore. Just drop in to say hello!

Anonymous said...

We spent our honeymoon there, so I know it is beautiful. I can't imagine living there full time. :) I hope you'll come visit my party too!

Cherrye said...

Bahamas, nice? Come visit us in Italy at my place.

Happy Party Week!

Mom2Girls said...

Wow sounds like you live in paridise!! I can't imagine living in such a tropical place. I look forward to reading about your adventures!! I love your pics of the party with Grant - you look great.

jennifer57 said...

cool :)

Terri H said...

Enjoy the Bahamas! I wish I was there.

Style Epiphany said...

What a lovely family! Living in the bahamas...just as sweet! And your company, Emily Rose, is fantastic! Nice to meet you!

Anonymous said...

Ok, I'm moving in! LOL Happy bloggin!

Danielle said...

Found you from the blog party! Great Blog. I can't wait to hear more about your adventures. I might convince my husband to move to Mexico so I can spice up my blog haha

Anonymous said...

Your calendar looks mighty full I guess we'll have to wait till next year to visit. I'll be content with a virtual visit though it would be nice to leave this Canadian winter.Party on Bernie

Melanie said...

I love your blog, I'm so glad I stopped by. Moving to the Bahamas sounds like a dream come true- I guess you forget about all of the not so good stuff that would come with that. Enjoy the party!!
Our Happy Happenings
Livin' With Me

Anonymous said...

My husband and I need to get our act together so we can move to the Bahamas!

jayedee said...

i'm jayedee from sunny central florida! nicetameetcha! party on dudette!lol and if you like chickens (and what woman doesn't like chickens?) stop by the lost world and check out the awesome giveaway i have going!

Anonymous said...

You must be having a beach party. What an amazing step to take in your life. Good for you !

Kathy b

Cher & Gene Klosner said...

Hi Lisa! I’m Cher – StardustLullaby.com – nice to meet you!!
Very interesting blog!! The Bahamas - I remember the cockroaches - also the beautiful blue water...

Hope you are adjusting :)

Come visit me at my Party - Music, Cartoons, Games and Party Favors! We’re giving away an Award-winning Stardust lullaby CD! http://stardustlullaby.blogspot.com/2008/03/welcome-gals-to-ultimate-blog-party-at.html

Sign up on our mailing list for a chance at our monthly giveaway! www.StardustLullaby.com
Happy Partying Lisa!! Cher

Anonymous said...

How very exciting to live in the Bahamas! How wonderful to be able to take your work with you. I am excited to read more about the adjustments, the move, and your little one! If you go party hopping, stop by my place and say hi!

ZONE F DG TEAM said...

Me too, me too. I love prizes.

Hope to see ya soon.

Have a great party!!!

Anonymous said...

I spent a week in the Bahamas on vacation and LOVED it.

dolls123 (at) gmail (dot) com

Taryn said...

Happy Blog Party!

Unknown said...

Great Blog party! I even have my party clothes on! Come on by and Jam at my blog!

DEB

Joanne said...

Congrats on the move, I kind of know what you are going through - made a big move myself in 1994. From Canada to Italy!
Check out www.expatwomen.com
It could be a great resource. Come by for a cocktail or a coffee when you get a chance!

miriama said...

The Bahamas! Must be nice, eh? Love my Northwest, tho. Nice to meet you.

Anonymous said...

What an adventure! I can't wait to read more about it! (I've subscribed!) Hope you're enjoying the party!

Julie Arduini said...

My party is amidst a foot of snow so your party is a breath of fresh air! It was fun stopping by!

http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/

Christy said...

Hey,
This is my first blog party. YEEHAW! It is awesome to meet so many new friends. Sound busy to me.
Christy
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sharpcrew

Kate said...

WOW, lovely to meet you via the UBP!! Congrats on your big new adventure...enjoy every minute!! :D Happy party hopping!!

Goodies for Mom said...

Congratulations on your new home!!! Can I come party at your house??? I'm sure the weather is much better there.

Partying along at Goodies for Mom.

Unknown said...

Hi, just stopping by the party.

I have a party up on my blog too. Please stop by if you have time. Thanks.

S.B.
Be Thrifty Like Us
http://bethriftylikeus.blogspot.com/2008/03/ultimate-blog-party-2008.html

Unknown said...

oh wow...bahama mama....very cool..have a wonderful blog party...

nice to meet you!!!
pop by for some treats and a give away!!!

Cheers,
Diana

Anonymous said...

You're living in paradise and I am sooo jealous! Here for the Ultimate Blog Party, happy partying!

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

Wow, what a nice place to live. It's funny though, unlike most people, if I had my pick between the 2, I'd live in VA. (my husband and I are huge history buffs) I guess I'm a bit of a nerd, but I wouldn't mind a trip or two to the Bahamas either.

Laura said...

Go blog party!!

Susan said...

Stopping by from the blog party!

~Denise~ said...

Lovely to 'meet' you, love your blog!

Anonymous said...

just dropping in to say hi! got lots of hoppin to do.

Shauna said...

Hi! Just stopped in to say hello! I am a little jealous of your party! We had snow in TX this past week that I could have done without!

I am so excited that I made your list of prizes!! How fun!

Have a great week!

Shauna

Becky said...

Your party is a breath of fresh air! I'm in NY in the middle of winter there is snow and cold here.
I come to your party and find myself on a nice warm beach! Great Party!

Bonnie said...

What an exciting life you lead !! Can't wait to look around a bit more !
My party is happening HERE

Little Ladybug Designs said...

Nice to meet you! It must be so wonderful to live in the Bahamas! Your daughter is so cute! Stop by and say hello.

Anonymous said...

Gosh your last year sounds very exciting. I'm going to go check out your business and then come back to see what life in the Bahamas is like... thanks for inviting me to party!

Ami said...

Ah...to live in the Bahamas. What a life! Can't wait to read more about what's going on down there. Hope you can stop by and say hi.

Unknown said...

Thank you for stopping by to say thank you. I hope you get your top choice in the prize drawing. Happy party hopping!

kvannuland said...

What an excellent turn of events for your family! A dream come true if you ask me, enjoy!

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

I am ready to head off to the Bahamas again... we get a cruise from Cape Canaveral at least twice a year... I have to have the conch fritters each time I am in Nassau... I love to get away from the tourist areas... well, take care and don't be a stranger... Fliss

Tonya said...

Two things;
1st I'm so jealous you are somewhere warm
2nd I love the Emily Rose store as does my little girl!
Nice meeting you through the big party.

Anonymous said...

Wow - sounds like you are really living life - smiles! Great blog and party!

Anonymous said...

I bet everyone you know wants to come to your house for vacation! Great party. Come on over and visit mine!

Unknown said...

Wow! What a chain of events! I do so hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather, the water and of course, The Party!!

BeachMama said...

Oh Bahamas, how beautiful. Thanks for stopping by my beach, as snowy as it is right now. My Mom and I were just wishing yesterday that we were on a plane to the Bahamas :).

Unknown said...

What an adventure. I don't know that I would have been able to pack up and move so far from home. But I do envy you have that "free" spirit. Good luck on your adventures.

Kate said...

Wow, what a cool story! Is that "water's edge" picture outside of where you live??? If it is - I'm green with envy :-) Nice to "meet" you! Enjoy the party!

The Apron Queen said...

Our retirement plans include selling the house & buying an RV & a sailboat. We will sail the Caribbean in the sailboat & travel the land in the RV. No joke. It's our plan. Will have to come back to see how ya'll are doing. We lived overseas in Italy & Germany for 6 years. Perks of a military life.

Stop on over for Confessions of An Apron Queen at http://anapronaday.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Lisa,

I have been reading for awhile now and trying to put all the pieces together about your big move to the land of sun and blue water. Thanks for clearing up the mystery! And congrats on your new business venture! Having an internet business is fun! Hard work, but fun. I certainly enjoy the freedom that comes with it.

Cathi said...

Wow! I'm so glad I stopped by your party. I've bookmarked you into my International blog folder. I love reading about other places!
I had a great time.
Come on over to my party and have a cupcake.
http://pinkjagxj.blogspot.com

Erica G said...

Bahamas!?!? Perfect place for a pary!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful site, beautiful picture! Come visit!

April said...

Wow you are a lucky girl to live in such a beautiful place. Do you miss the US? Nice to meet you!