Life......really?

Life has been soooo hectic lately- but hoping it will calm down soon enough.
Listing many items on ebay to clear out the garage- ha! always a plus when you can clean out the garage :)

Gearing up for a walk / jog this afternoon- if my back decides to work with me, lol- pulled something out of whack yesterday- thinking the walk may help.... hopefully won't aggrevate it.

This month is very busy- with my son having exams - then Spring Break- then PROM :) I just want to press PAUSE on Life and enjoy the time- it is going by so quickly.

Also excited for our trip this week- our local reef club has the opportunity to tour the Aquaculture Facility at UF : can't wait to see it !
Then we have our 2 year Anniversary Meeting for M.O.R.E.

Such a busy month, lol! Looking forward to April and relaxing :)

Today I awoke to one of my Banggai fish - the male- very stressed out, his dorsal fin shredded. He was darker in color and had labored breathing. I am not sure what caused this, other than (possibly) getting caught near the intake of a new filter I had placed in the tank the night before.
It is very odd, as the intake is not strong at all- and they normally sleep 'under' the rocks... so not sure what happened, but I found him all the way on the other side of the tank, resting on a bed of macroalgae. The female was on the opposite side of the tank, near the rockwork. The few people I shared this with all agree: it couldn't have been the female, so the only other option is the filter.
 I am so sad about this, (for fish lovers- you will understand) as I am positive he was holding. And after discussing with another hobbyist - I was expecting the eggs to hatch within the next 2-3 weeks.
Sadly- I came home this evening to find he did not recover.
Now I am contemplating on whether or not to introduce a new male to my existing female, in 'hopes' they accept each other. . . or just move her to my display tank, and seek a new pair to breed in hopes of establishing a healthy tank raised family of Banggai's?
I do not want to take the chance of having a new addition attack the female that I have... but I do not want to keep her lonely either. So, I am going to be posing the question on my forums, and see the best option for an easy transition of adding a new mate.
*** more to come on my Banggai....... :( it breaks my heart.

As far as my aqualife goes.....all my pairs are doing well, eating, growing - getting stronger & healthier. I cannot wait for the next stream of eggs to be laid, so I can jump back into it :) My pairs are pretty much all around the same age - with the exception of my Banggai's and Maroons - so all the clowns should start to lay togther, or within a relatively close time frame.
The Banggai's are doing well, and I have started  putting a blog togther for them also, to keep their info separate from the clownfish. They are fun to watch :) I am watching the male like a hawk to see if he is carrying the eggs yet, but he likes to play hide and seek, lol
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As time has it, Spring is in the air, haha , so I am Spring Cleaning - check out my ebay listings - I am clearing out alot of what I do not use anymore, or just do not have a use for. Some are old, some new, some borrowed, and some never opened. Enjoy looking. I will try to post something new each day.
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Have a great Monday - Happy Presidents Day everyone

Relax...Regroup

This weekend... hmm.. could be a little longer.

Somehow the days seem to be going by quicker as our son gets older, lol.
I feel like the days are slipping away :(

 He is planning on college, of course, so the talk around the house lately has shifted to dorm rooms, scholarships, classes, etc... where did the time go? This was once my sweet little baby, lol.. now almost a towering young man. I cannot express how proud I am of him, the person he has grown to be. But I do miss the times when we had all day to bond- to watch tv, read a bedtime story, seems like everything now is rushed into a hustle, bustle, hurry up menagerie of events.

 Yup.... feeling motherly-nostalgic,  so... rather than getting all weepy here on the computer while the guys watch the Superbowl... let me switch to my fishtalk, haha.. always keeps me calm, :)

So- as many of you know, I have brought home another pair of great looking fish :)
This time a pair of Maroon clowns - see my other link Chelle's Maroons  - they are feeding well. I am very pleased with them, the overall size, coloration- very healthy looking fish :)

I also just found out that someone I follow on one of my forums will be featured on BlogTalkRadio .. ON MY BIRTHDAY, lol! How cool is that? A great topic, one I love (clownfish) by Kathy ( of Kathy's Clowns) and on my day, heehee .. looking forward to listening in :)

Here is the link to the radio show :
BlogTalkRadio ...Clownfish for Beginners

Time to Rewind.........

Well- it happened again- even though I told myself it wouldn't, lol. The holidays came and went, leaving the leftovers of everything I gorged on - turkey, ham, potatoes, pumpkin roll- oh my goodness how did I eat all that?

So- as I (and others, lol) have noticed that I was getting "fluffier"- to say the least, :) - I have restarted a gym membership. I am now going to Dynabody here in town. Have to ease my way back into it as I have been on a hiatus the past few months- but I have a Gung-Ho plan of action in getting back to where I was, then tone from there.

I cannot believe how quickly the carbs stick to me, lol! Amazing! They are definitely my criptonite, lol.

So- it is back to clean eating- less soda, more water-hitting the gym after work and on weekends - and taking my new found fav : Cuts, by Universal Nutrition. - I love this stuff! You see the pounds literally melt from you. It is incredible!

 (if you are looking for something to help tone up- grab a container of Cuts- you won't regret it, lol! )

And join a forum- great support! I use Bodybuilding - excellent group of people- always encouraging and helping getting you to your goals.

New Year - gotta try to stick to my weight goals a little longer this time, haha- darn those carbs. They do always find a way back into my life.

Today's goal : no carbs, if possible
                        Gym : 2 hours (mix of cardio and weights)
                        30 minute walk around the lake this evening

What are your healthy weight goals for this year? Anyone trying to lose, tone, get fit, or just eat healthier? Share some of your thoughts and plans of action with the rest of us :)
                       

I have been selected as Fan of the Month from ProAquatix!!!!

Yeah!!! I am so excited ! For all my reef buddies out here, sign up, like their page on Facebook, check out their videos on youtube , and share the news with your friends :)

Each month ProAquatix will select a winner,
and what sweeter prize than what we love..FISH!!
... and it's FREE :)

ProAquatix is giving away selected items from their amazing stock - they cover everything - the shipping included! How can you not want to be part of that?

I actually jumped on/off during the past few days...to see who had won, so I could congratulate them. I jumped on again this evening, and saw MY NAME listed with another (Congrats to Miguel Jones!) I had to read the post twice, as I wanted to make sure I read it right, lol!

So - stay tuned, you will see my newly acquired ProAquatix Tangerine Albino's when I receive them :)  You know I will post a video of them :)

Yeah!! Sooo excited !! lol....feel like it's Christmas already!!!

Go here to see the video ProAquatix has on their site.

Newest Additions...

Here is a glimpse of what I got on Friday, December 2, 2011 :

Male Mandarin and a mated pair of Harlequin Shrimp :

Can't wait to have lil baby shrimps and mandarins, lol! xoxo

November....here already?

Hard to believe the Holidays are just around the corner.
Where did this year go? Seems the older my son gets, the quicker the days fly by.

Well... with the cooler weather comes.. yup - you guessed it : Baking.

The pumpkin rolls, the apple pies, the sausage stuffing with feta cheese...Yum!
{the stuffing is courtesy of hubby...he makes the BEST holiday stuffing :) }

I cannot wait for Thanksgiving, (and Christmas, lol),  knowing that we will gorge ourselves on all the tasty traditions and yumminess the Holidays will bring. I have been working out over the past several months. Have slowed a bit in routine, but plan on cracking the whip this week, getting back on track.
I need to make room for turkey, sweet potatoes with caramelized walnut topping (Yum), baked delights...and of course, the buttery whipped mashed potatoes (my cryptonite) haha.

If I am going to go all out and enter the Carb-Zone...then I have to kick ass in the gym now- and stay with it. (lol-'cuz I will NEVER give up potatoes or stuffing during the Holidays, hahahaha!)

So- back to my regimen, this week I will be making my Awesome Crock Pot Chicken, to have throughout the week. Getting up early to work out at home, while hitting the gym after work. I LOVE the Spin Class I go to at Compass Gym- Niki is the BEST instructor, kicks your butt into shape. If you are in the area- give her a try : Compass Gym, Ocala - Hip Hop Spin Class. You will Sweat your butt off and lose some serious poundage!! :)

Ok - Happy Fall to all of you!




 I have been lurking in the background popping in at your blogs here and there, keep up the good work everyone!

Ciao!

It's a Boy!!!!.....and a Girl!!!!

Well.....not yet, lol- but soon to be. Just picked up a pair of baby Amphiprion Ocellaris (a.k.a. Nemo!) on Friday. They are doing well in their new home :

Chelle's New Ocellaris Pair

They are SOOOOO adorable! Kind of have an idea as to which will become the female, but alittle too early in the game to be certain. Will keep progress pics and see who becomes dominant :)

To all the Awesome Ladies out there!!

Spring Cleaning *

Ok, it's that time of year when everything is looked at and you decide whether or not you have room anymore, whether you really need something, or whether you have to part with items.

In my case- I have a time issue.

I am finding it harder and harder to focus on my aquariums, and work full time, and home life, and everything in life in general.

So- I have decided to clear out my bath/body products.

You can check out my listings on ebay:

user id: createdbychelle

I enjoy my tanks much more than I have time for making soaps and bath salts...sooooo....all my products will be listed to clear them out. 

Some may have been used once or twice, some are BRAND NEW- there are fragrance oils, essential oils, soap molds, colorings, sanding sugars, etc.

Be sure to check them out if you are in the hobby!

Mmmmmexican Yummmmmminess.......

Ok, so in surfing around for something different while I am cooking, eh-hem, while my crockpot is cooking up some chicken: 6 boneless chicken breasts, 1 sliced onion, 1 can pinto beans, 1 can black beans, 1 can corn, 1 1/2 cups salsa, 1 cup chicken broth, some seasonings, along with some cream cheese to be added during last 15-30 minutes..... mmmm... I came across this video:

Quick and Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole: fox11online.com

Thought I would share :)

Enjoy!

1 Fish...2 Fish..... Ooooh! Ohhh Another Fish!

My clownfish larvae have gone through metamorphosis
and are now itty, bitty baby clownfish!
They -several of them - have gotten their first head stripe, while there are a few stragglers...they will be catching up soon enough :) And they are coloring up nicely.

They are the MOST adorable thing to watch .....they know when feeding time is, lol! As small as they are - they all gather at the surface for food, and they are eating very strongly :) A very good sign.

Right now I am feeding them Otohime - and they love it!

Now- they are very quick, lol..... so here is just a glimpse of a few that stayed on camera:

Also- here is a pic of my new baby Picasso Clowns....these are about 4 months old:

Have been looking for an anemone for the Picassos.....the baby Ocellaris are too small right now for an anemone, but they will have a few soon enough :) Waiting until they are about a month old before I transfer them into their growout tank. And will have several anemones in there for them to play with.

Have a Great TGIF everyone!

The Frag Farmer

Ok everyone....

here is one of the newest additions to my reefing world :)

 The Frag Farmer

Extremely BOLD colors on his coral!

They are located right here in Miami, Florida.

Exceptional prices for the beautiful specimens he has to offer.

Extremely generous offers on savings:

30% OFF

Just use Code: ACANSLASH

(this offer expires Midnight 1/17/2011)

But do not fret, lol...there are ALWAYS great offers being made on his site!

Ok everyone, now show some of the great love we share amongst our blogging world, lol! Spread his link to everyone you come across...get some traffic to his site :)
(feel free to copy/repost this on your page :) )

P.S. Shipping in Florida is only $12.50!!!

How can you go wrong there?!

Clams, Anemones, Ricordea

You name it, He's got it!

Visit The Frag Farmer & Save!

New Year's Eve Babies.....

Mamma & Pappa Clown laid more eggs....  they began to hatch Dec. 30, 2010 after the lights were turned off at 10pm.....with last hatchlings coming up from the terra cotta pot at 11:51pm.
Originally there were 453 eggs... (yup... I counted them, lol).
Each new lay will bring more and more eggs. So I was curious to see where my brood pair was in their count. Not all the eggs will survive, as the parents pick them off if they are not viable eggs.
So the ones that hatched last night are doing well today, being Day #1 Post Hatch.
They are being fed rotifers and baby brine shrimp enriched with a special vitamin, phytoplankton blend and fatty acid.
The babies are on a feeding schedule of every 2-3 hours. And are swimming about very happily.



Here are the babies as of today:

To our loving and extremely loyal dog, Ceasar, that we had to put down yesterday morning due to a cancerous tumor that quickly caused his deteriorization,

we will miss you and RIP.

Merry Christmas Scraps

 Happy Holidays Everyone!Hope all is well.I have been Sooooo Busy it seems like ages since I have been on here!Hmm... where to begin? I am looking forward to the Christmas break-Have a few recipes to try that are new...and a few that are tried and true :)You know the ones, every year you just 'have' to have that special creation.Well, as one of my 'new' recipes this year- I am making apple butter -to giveaway as a gift to the Doctors and Office Staff.Mmmmm.... can't wait! Today I brought home an adorable purple tip branching frogspawn (frag)with 2 heads.... nice coloration- and great tissue - no bare spots- verythick and healthy. We had our lovely Christmas Meeting (for the Reef club- M.O.R.E) and everyone had a nice time.

Thank You to Jim and Gail Fitzpatrick for hosting the Decdember Meeting!

The January meeting will be hosted by

Finn & Gils Aquatic Retreat

(Ocala, FL)

LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!!

Have a very busy weekend coming up-

making pumpkin rolls, Christmas cookies,

gift soaps/bath baskets....

Oh the joy of the holidays!

I wish you all a Safe & Happy Holiday!

Happy Holidays!!!

 I am offering one of the wonderful goodies that Marc Weiss had given to me.
FREE to a fellow reefer. What's the catch? The winner need only to email me with feedback so that I can then forward the post on to Marc so he is aware of the reaction from others.

Go ahead and FOLLOW ME here on my blog....and you will automatically be entered into the contest.
Just send a message to me stating : "FELLOW REEFER" - this also applies to all those already following. If you know someone who has a tank- enter for them :)


1 Box Reef Bugs...............This stuff is AWESOME!!



Good Luck! I will announce the winner on December 18, 2010 - plenty of time for Christmas delivery!

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!
Be Blessed & Enjoy Being With Family & Friends!

Flower Scraps

More Orkut Scraps

Tonight I lost my Starry Eyed Blenney.

He was over 3 years old.

He was such a character...

He looked like an 'old man'

with his whiskers..his eyelashes...

We called him Pappa Blenney.

Tonight he passed away.

I am sad...and felt like sharing.

Good Night Pappa Blenney...