Hawaii Real Estate | Hawaii Relocations | Hawaii Home Buying & Selling

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5 YEARS and Counting - My ActiveRain Experience

It’s my 5th Birthday Year as a Member on ActiveRain!    The ActiveRain Real Estate Network has always been the best marketing tool to represent who I am, real estate and Hawaii Housing Market information, Oahu, Hawaii and Mililani local area information and more!

 

There is no other online network I know of that has the personal and ‘hands on’ approach with their members to give them direction and a helping hand like ActiveRain and I have to start this 5th Anniversary blog by thanking them.

 

There are ActiveRain Staff Staff members who have a wonderful ‘blogside manner’ but none more consistent and caring than Bob Stewart our Community Evangelist. He has been putting up with me  right there for me all these years and his understanding, patience and direction played a leading role in my continued existence on ActiveRain and success in my business. (He won’t take credit though…he always says it’s because of me). I also have a personal connection with his son KELAN because I am…. GRAMMA IN HAWAII.

 

Kerrie Greenhalgh also puts a tremendous amount of time and effort into her role as Community Builder and she too has a wonderful  blogside manner as well. We’ve had many changes in the ActiveRain staff over the years and I just have to also commend  Nikesh Parekh with doinga wonderful job in his role as CEO of ActiveRain

 

My last five years on ActiveRain condensed:  Without a doubt giving a piece of myself through my writing brought the kind of readers that I was looking for in my niche market in Real Estate.

 

When I grasped the concept that “EVERYTHING AROUND ME IS REAL ESTATE”

…..I began succeeding in my business.

 

You see, writing about other topics about my local area, my neighborhood, the businesses, the sites and points of interest showed my readers that I am THE LOCAL AREA EXPERT. This is when my business started taking off. !  What else can I say?  I write as if my readers are right in front of me and I am talking WITH them and not AT them.

 

My  friendships on ActiveRain:   I have a really special ActiveRain lifetime friend,  William Johnson.  I ‘met’  William when I picked up the phone  and called him at the time of the California fires in October of 2007 and that date marked our friendship for life even though we have not met in person.  There are MANY others I’ve met along the way….far too many to list all…but there is NOTHING that will compare to the camaraderie we experience through our connections made here on ActiveRain.

Sharing  personal triumphs, trails and tribulations:  It is every parent’s dream to watch their children aspire, grow and become responsible young adults. It is every parent’s dream to be a grandparent. Our miracle happened on September 20, 2011 with the birth of our Grandson, Brayden.  It took this miracle for me and our vacation to see him again…to regain balance in my life and from hereon I will not lose sight of the most important part of my life….MY FAMILY.  

Being an ActiveRain member these last five years (and Ambassador since mid 2009)  have been one of the most rewarding experiences for me in the world of blogging, business and friendships. 

Education, knowledge, insight

Connections made.

ActiveRain!

 

 

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"At the piazza, the local community gathers for camaraderie after the workday, and now, blog communites are online social hubs where people of similar interests gather to share and exchange ideas, as well as form relationships".   Jonathan Washburn

 

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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman  is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.

 

 © 2007-2013 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.

All rights reserved.

     

 


 

 

Comments

Happy Birthday to You...Happy Birthday to You. I could go on, but we all know the song. I've been an active member for just under two years now. I joined a lot earlier than that, but didn't get really involved until about two years ago. I love my time on AR, and like you, I've made some great friends.

Posted by Debbie Laity, Cedaredge Land Company, CO (Cedaredge Land Company) about 1 year ago

Sis - You represent the very pinnacle of what is right in this community.  Happy 5th B-Day here and I'm quite certain there will be many more to follow.

Posted by Jason Sardi... Your Agent for Life (Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina) about 1 year ago

I lumaam 4.5 and counting

Posted by David Spencer Chicago Area Commercial-Residential R.E. (Keller Williams Team Realty) about 1 year ago

Hi Sally - There aren't many members who have been here as long or consistently as you, and you serve as a continuing example to the rest of us in not only what can be accomplished here, but also how to give back to the AR community. Congrats on your "birthday"!

Featured in BananaTude!

BananaTude!

Posted by Dick Greenberg (Elevations Real Estate - Fort Collins, CO) about 1 year ago

: )

Posted by Margie Kopp Sorrell - Lake Oconee Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Lake Oconee Realty and Lake Country) about 1 year ago
Sally ~ hmm.. Happy Birthday and/or Happy Anniversary to a very special woman that we admire and thank for all you have contributed to Active Rain during the past five years... Thank you!!
Posted by Frank & Karen Baker ® Sunset Beach N/C Brunswick County N/C & Horry County S/C (910.612.1931 www.sunsetbeachandbeyond.com) about 1 year ago

Sally

Congratulations on your anniversary. Hard to believe it has been that long. Quite a whirlwind, right? It's easy to see how your style and your knowledge contribute to your growing success in your business, and certainly here on AR as well.

Jeff

Posted by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Homes for Sale ~ 760-840-1360 (Solutions Real Estate (CA DRE Lic. # 01490977)) about 1 year ago

Hi Sally....congratulations on your 5th anniversary..... and your grandson is adorable....hungry little guy!!

Posted by Barbara Todaro "New Franklin MA Homes" (RE/MAX Executive Realty ) about 1 year ago

Hi Sally!  HAPPY ACTIVERAIN BIRTHDAY!!  Wow, it seems both like I've known you forever and as though 5 years ago was just yesterday!  I can't believe all that you've given to this community--you're certainly representative of the family that this community was built around.  I've loved getting to know you and watching you at work in the Rain!  

Birthday hugs to you...

Posted by Debe Maxwell - Search Charlotte Homes for Sale - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods (iCharlotteRealEstate.com Savvy + Company Real Estate) about 1 year ago

Sally- congratulations on your 5 year anniversary!  Now that's an achievement. You are definitely part of the foundation for this great community that has been built. 

Posted by Kathy Streib-Home Stager-Palm Bch County South Florida - 561-914-6224 (Room Service Home Staging) about 1 year ago

Sally, yes, for sure congratulations---I have not been here as long as you, but I certainly remember you as one of the ones that was one to follow when I first started.  Thanks for being here.

Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com) about 1 year ago

Congratulations on a great accomplishment!

Posted by Kathy Sheehan (Prospect Mortgage) about 1 year ago

Happy Birthday, 5 years so I must be right behind you by a year.  I have enjoyed reading your post and your Facebook posts as well.

Posted by Rosemary Brooks-The Mother & Daughter Realty Team (BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706) about 1 year ago

Hi Sally, happy birthday - happy anniversary!  You are so right, everything around us IS real estate!  All the best!

Posted by Silvia Dukes PA,REALTOR®,CIPS,CRS,Green, Spring Hill FL Homes for Sale (Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch!) about 1 year ago

Sally - Grandchildren have a way of bringing a new perspective into our lives  ..... we have to take the time to enjoy them when they are young for they grow up faster than the last five years have passed. 

Happy fifth Active Rain birthday ..... Has it really been that long it seems like just yesterday

Posted by Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® Uxbridge Ontario Real Estate (RE/MAX All-Stars Realty Inc. Brokerage) about 1 year ago

Congrats for a great 5 years.  It goes by so quickly doesn't it.  Great to know you here in the Rain.

Posted by Paula McDonald, RE/MAX The Woodlands, TX 936-203-0279 (Chevaux Group, PLLC) about 1 year ago

Happy birthday Sally.. and a special welcome again to Braden.. He is growing so big already... What a joy.

Posted by Joan Whitebook (BHG The Masiello Group) about 1 year ago

Congratulations on your fifth year anniversary and thanks for sharing how AcitveRain has improved your life.

Posted by Ira Bodenstein NMLS#: 445143 (PNC Mortgage) about 1 year ago

Happy 5th Anniversary/Birthday Sally. There are many people that make ActiveRain the family that it is, and you would be right up there as a 'senior' states person for the Rain

Posted by Ed Silva CDPE, GRI, ABR, Real Estate Agent (RE/MAX Professionals, CT 203-206-0754) about 1 year ago

Hi Sally,

Happy 5th Anniversary!  I appreciate your continuous contribution to AR!

Posted by Jordon Wheeler - East Point, Hapeville, College Park, Union City, Fairburn (The Jordon Wheeler Group) about 1 year ago

Congratulations! 5 years and I am sure you are reaping the benefits of your hard work. Keep it up!

Posted by Donald Reich (Prudential Centennial) about 1 year ago

Thank you all!  My 'Birthday' on AR was actually March 10, 2012 although I had to put this together ov er the last couple of weeks in between work etc.  One thing is for certain...without all of us supporting each other we all have been successful as bloggers and THAT is what helped contribute to our success! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!  Yes...i was born a blogger on that day. Back then I had no clue what it would lead to.  Weeeeee!

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman RA CRS HAWAII Mililani Oahu Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Happy 5th Anniversary baby!!!  We've gotten much closer this past year and day in and day out your passion for AR shows and I'm very, very thankful you're here!  Mwah!!

 

Posted by Kerrie La Guardia (ActiveRain, Community Manager) about 1 year ago

Woo Hoo,

Late for the party again, LOL.  Our ActiveRain network provided us with a lifetime friendship that is a priceless treasure that no amount of money could ever buy. Ok. Well maybe for a 100 Million Bazillion, I could be forced to pretend that we don't even know each other. Let's see if we split that as we would surely do, that would be only be 50 Million Bazillion each and I would have to have the ante upped a bit more. 

Here is wishing you a wonderful Happy 5th Birthday. May your life and all those you love be blessed with Love, Happiness, Good Health and Prosperity for a lifetime. 

 

Congratulations! A Perfect White Rose for a Perfect Friendship!

A Perfect White Rose

 

Posted by San Diego Real Estate Voice authored by William Johnson GRI CRS e-Pro CDPE (RE/MAX Associates) about 1 year ago

Sally you are a true inspiration to all of us!  You are a woman of heart, wisdom and the ability to adapt, change and teach others.  You are such a gift!!!  I am blessed to know you!

 

Congratulations on your 5 year birthday on Active Rain!

Posted by Anna 'Banana' Kruchten - Phoenix Real Estate Broker,CRS 602-380-4886 (Phoenix Property Shoppe) about 1 year ago

That time flew by incredibly fast Sally and I want to congratulate you on your tenure here and all your work, contributions and friendships. WooHoo all the way to Hawaii. Happy #5.

Posted by Gary Woltal - Assoc. Broker REALTOR® SFR Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty) about 1 year ago

Thanks Kerrie!  You're IT!

Awwwwwww William!  You always out do me on everything!  My words were chomped up by that beautiful rose!  Thank you!  (and....I think we should use that money and jump on a round the world trip!)

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman RA CRS HAWAII Mililani Oahu Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Happy Rainday dear Sally. Happy Rainday to yoooou! :)

 

Love and light,

Laura

Posted by Laura Cerrano Feng Shui Expert Owner of Feng Shui Long Island & NYC (Feng Shui Long Island & New York City/Feng Shui Manhattan ) about 1 year ago

Sally, congratulations for completing 5 years on ActiveRain. I wish I had carried on with my journey when I joined AR wayback in 2008. No regrets though - I am an active participant in rain for almost two years now - and will celebrate my anniversary based on that date - August 31st, 2010!

Posted by Andover Luxury Homes For Sale Andover Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) about 1 year ago

Hi Sally, Happy 5th Anniversary!!! I understand how you feel about Active Rain. I too have gained so much in my first year, and in fact, Your Contest last Spring was the very first AR Contest that I participated in. I have met some great bloggers on my journey here, and their friendships are "priceless". 

Keep up the Great Work! Education, Knowledge and Friendships are the BEST in the Rain!

Posted by Jerry Newman,REALTOR®,Texas Agent San Antonio Real Estate & Military Reloc (Green Home Realty, 210-789-4216) about 1 year ago

congrats on 5yrs.  i did not realize the power and benefits of truly being active on AR until a couple years into it.  now i get leads from AR on a regular basis.

great post and a great job sally.

Posted by Kevin Kueneke (Carlsbad CA Mortgage Banker) about 1 year ago

Sally, congrats. I will be celebrating 3 years in August. My, where did the time go?

Posted by Tammie White Realtor® Franklin TN Homes For Sale (Benchmark Realty, LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.TammieWhite.com) about 1 year ago

Sally congratulations!  It's members like you that confirms being in AR is worth it.

Posted by Ron Cooks - Texas Real Estate Ft Hood / Killeen Homes for Sale (Options Realty Group / Credit Consultant) about 1 year ago

Happy A-R B-day, Sally. You are a bright symbol of the family that is Active Rain. Thank you for your continued contributions.

Posted by John Juarez, DRE 01223788 CDPE, ePRO, SRES (Prudential California Realty) about 1 year ago

Happy Anniversary Sally!!!!! You are such an amazing example. Your kindness, your love of Hawaii, your love of family, your contributions to ActiveRain .... are SOOOO AWESOME!!!! 

And I would not be here on ActiveRain if it had not been for you... and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Aloha wau ia 'oe!!! 



 

Posted by Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Homes For Sale (International Properties and Investments LLC) about 1 year ago

Happy Anniversary!  I love your  comment about your real estate success once you "grasped the concept that everything around you is real estate." I may put that on my mirror! 

Posted by Sharon Parisi (Keller Williams Dallas Premier Realty) about 1 year ago

"Everything around me is real estate"

I will grasp that concept!

Thank you,

Posted by Peter Xavier-Orange County Investment to Luxury Properties-California-GRI-CDPE about 1 year ago

Hi Sally--Happy 5th anniversary.  I have only been here a little over a year and have so enjoyed reading your blog and about your experiences.  You set a great example for all of us.  Here's to 5 more wonderful years here in the Rain--and then 5 more after that, too!

Posted by Janet Jones, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii Home Staging/Interior Redesign (Just Your Style Interiors, LLC) about 1 year ago
Wow, what a beautiful friendship rose up there from William Johnson. I watched the Descendants last night which gave some backdrop to your general area but not as much as by blogging.
Posted by Cheryl Ritchie Southern Maryland 301-980-7566 (RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com) about 1 year ago

Congratulations. I remember Randy introducing you to ActiveRain.  Five years huh?  Time flies! 

Posted by Maureen McCabe Columbus Ohio real estate (HER Realtors) about 1 year ago

Happy 5th - and many more!

Posted by Donna Derrick-Knoxville,Loudon,Farragut, Tellico Village, Lakefront Communities (Realty Executives Associates Knoxville) about 1 year ago

Sally - Congratulations and happy birthday.  This place is truly amazing and while I've only been here 21 months, I have so many special relationships with other members.  Non members just don't get this place.

Posted by Westchester Flooring - Debbie Gartner -Hardwood Floors Carpet Tile Refinish - (Floor Coverings International Westchester NY & Stamford CT) about 1 year ago

Congratulations on your 5th birthday with AR

Posted by Pat Mistretta -Atlanta Lofts and City Living (Morris & Raper Real Estate Consultants) about 1 year ago

Sally, Happy Anniversary. I enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI BUCKS County & Philadelphia, PA HOMES (RE/MAX Centre Realtors) about 1 year ago

Sally Congrats on the 5 year anniversary, I do share your sentiments about the network.  Most of us who have been here a while know how much the community benefits our business and as you pointed out the special relationships that have now developed.

Posted by Dutchess County homes for sale | Dutchess County Communities ( JFIVE Home Realty LLC |Columbia,Dutchess,Ulster Counties) about 1 year ago

Awesome, Sally.  Five years seems like a lifetime to me at this stage.  I just passed one year.  I hope I can keep the same pace four years from now.  It has enhanced my business in many ways, and I so glad I finally got started and quit lurking.  Have a great week!

Posted by Mike Cooper (Winchester Real Estate Sales, Cornerstone Business Group Inc) about 1 year ago

Happy Birthday/Anniversary Sally you are a valuable member of Active Rain and we look forward to reading your blogs, may your next five years bring you continued success.

Posted by Brampton Homes For Sale | Brampton Real Estate (We have a home for you! Call Us! RE/MAX Realty Services Inc.) about 1 year ago

Sally, congratulations on your fifth anniversary with ActiveRain. I've been here just over four years. Seems like I just joined.

Posted by Michael Setunsky, Michael's Commercial Northern Virginia Commercial Real Estate (703.831.4028, http://michaelscommercial.com) about 1 year ago

Congratulations, Sally on five fantastic years in the Rain! We and ActiveRain have certainly come a long way and it is amazing how this place has grown during these years!!!

Posted by Barbara-Jo's Beach Blog - Palm Harbor Florida Real Estate (Charles Rutenberg Realty) about 1 year ago

Happy AR birthday.  Whenever these events roll around, you just have to look back at how far you've come and recall how you never thought you'd still be here.

Posted by Charita Cadenhead, Your Birmingham, AL Realtor® of Choice (Keller Williams Realty) about 1 year ago

Hi Sally...

Congratulations on this important milestone! My 5th AR Anniversary comes up in July.

Sometimes it seems longer than that. It feels like a lot of us have been here FOREVER!

Posted by Richard Weisser (Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers) about 1 year ago

Congrats on the milestone Sally!  I'm working on my fourth year and have had the same good experiences as you.  Very cool.  :) 

Posted by Amanda and Jared Christiansen Fort Wayne Real Estate (Century 21 Bradley ) about 1 year ago

I know it must be such a wonderful feeling to have been able to stay motivated and committed to blogging in this forum.  Seeing your work pay you back speaks volumes.  I look forward to that day when that happens.  Congratulations, well done!

Posted by Cheryl Thomson, Real Estate in Northern Virginia, REALTOR®, U.S. Army (Retired) (Buyers Advantage Real Estate Corp. (c: 703.216.5635)) about 1 year ago

Sally, I remember your phone call to me when my husband was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just over two years ago.  You are an amazing, caring person and that shines through in everything you write.  (I started on AR a month before you did.  Has it really been five years for both of us?  Wow!)

Posted by Gail Robinson, REALTOR, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT (William Raveis Real Estate, Southport, CT) about 1 year ago

Happy 5th anniversary! and thanks for sharing your happiness and what works for you, it sounds like they are one of the same?

Posted by Adrian Willanger-Coldwell Banker Greater Seattle, Wa. (206 909-7536 TheHomeFunnel.com) about 1 year ago

Happy 5th Birthday Sally!

Posted by Dominique Britton (Bottom Line Home Realty Services - 678.250.5022) about 1 year ago

Sally, congratulations and happy fifth anniversary on ActiveRain. I am certain your hard work consistent blogging and connecting with others have benefit so many other members as well as therapuetic and strengthen your relationship with other great Active Rainers. 

Posted by Eileen Hsu 許小姐 Manhattan NY Real Estate (Douglas Elliman) about 1 year ago

Maureen:  Randy invited me back in November of 2006 and I thought it was a chat room. lol! I then decided to see what it was all about. Randy is in my office and we work on a lot of stuff together  too. 

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman RA CRS HAWAII Mililani Oahu Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Wow! Happy Birthday fellow Rainer! My 5th is this summer. Have a fantastic day!

Posted by Paul McFadden Mortgage Loan Officer Bellevue Washington Home Loans (The Legacy Group, a division of WJ Bradley Mortgage Capital) about 1 year ago

Happy Birthday!! and many many more to come!!!

Posted by Sarah & Les Oswald - YOUR Eastvale Team (Realty One Group) about 1 year ago

Happy Birthday Sally!! I think I am coming up on my 5 year as well!!

Posted by Denise J. Storm Broker Associate Durango Colorado Mountain Homes (Re/Max Pinnacle) about 1 year ago

Time goes by so quickly.  Congratulations and thank you!  Thank you for your delightful posts and the wonderful group Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul.  Even in 2007 you were spreading your positivity around in the rain!!

Posted by Carla Muss-Jacobs - Principal Broker/ Owner | Buyers Broker | Buyers Agent EBA (503-810-7192 | BuyersAgentPortland.com) about 1 year ago

William never gave me a rose :(

Posted by Jason Sardi... Your Agent for Life (Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina) about 1 year ago

Sorry it took me a little time to get over here and comment. I have been in Seattle spending time with that adopted grandson of yours :-)

Crazy that it's been five years. Where does the time go? I can't thank you enough for all of the heart and soul that you have poured into ActiveRain. I'll take a little bit of credit for helping you along, but it really is your choice. I'm glad you've made the choice the way you have.

Thank you so much for everything Sally. More than anything, thank you for being you. I can't wait to get to Hawaii to see you.

(My step sister moved there two months ago, so that trip might be moving up the list for us)

Posted by Bob Stewart (ActiveRain) about 1 year ago

lil bro..stop being all j...lol

bob..typing on finger..carpal tunnel surgery this am,  i knew you were there,,he's getting soooo big!  Yay!  come see her...and us!  thanks again!

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman RA CRS HAWAII Mililani Oahu Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes) about 1 year ago

Im a little late to the CELEBRATION PARTY - But Congratulations Sally! Those that stick with Activerain see the benefits - referals, ideas, leads, inspiration, and friendships.

Posted by John Cannata - Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance (214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com) about 1 year ago

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