Open House August 22, 2009 :)

[Chameleons Northwest]

Open House at Pardalisgirl's

Thank you, Catherine and Ed, for a great time. It was over way too soon for us, as we had to leave early. When Elliot said it was time for us to go I thought it was about 4PM and wondered why he was rushing us out the door! But it was 5:45 and we had to drive back to Graham to get ready for a Saturday night service. I couldn't believe we had been there 3 hours already. It went by in a flash.

Elliot said your husband Ed is just the greatest. They spent the afternoon downstairs in the "man cave" (as Catherine calls it) which apparently was totally awesome.

Catherine laid out a nice spread of fresh fruit, cheeses, meats, pretzels, etc., and plenty of soft drinks. We each grabbed a few items here and there, but mostly wandered around the house chattering away to each other and peeking in at the many cages arranged in at least 5 rooms on 2 floors of the house!

I personally think the Laterispinis and Geckos stole the show, although the Melleri free range was awesome and Laura's fuelleborni (flapjack) was really really cute. Catherine also has 2 immense iguanas.

When you think of someone with cages spread out all over their home you picture extension cords running beneath area rugs, water stains on the walls and floors, clamp lights dangling from bookcases, etc. etc. But not at Catherine's. She buys her cages from the Kammer's. They are smooth black matte finish with green floors and 2 green walls. The light hoods are very custom, also black matte. Everything fits together in homogenous order and some how it all ends up looking very elegant. Groups of sleek black cages with green accents, well arranged furnishings, and beautiful animals.

It was good to see Amy (AJA) and Nick (Nick Barta) again, and to meet Laura (LBonawitz). Pam was scheduled to arrive later in the evening. Royden was busy with family. Did anyone else show up after we left?

We personally didn't bring any animals because we were gone from home all day and didn't want to risk it. But we did bring our heat measuring gun and UVB meter (just for discussion purposes), plus some other stuff - including our camera- NONE OF WHICH WE EVEN TOUCHED THE WHOLE TIME WE WERE THERE! This was our first "meeting" and so we were so busy chattering and getting to know each other we barely got down to "business". Only Laura had enough presence of mind to actually take photos. Hopefully she'll post a few.

Did you guys do a fecal with Amy's new microscope?

Again, thank you, Catherine and Ed, for a great time.

Maybe Elliot and I can host the next meeting. Who knows. For now we're all looking forward to the show in October.

 

[AJA]

Sandy, I was in the same boat as you. Brought my camera and didn't use it.. Brought my microscope and found out it was 6:00 I had to get home to check on the kids before night fell. It was good to see you two again.

There is October and that can be another informal meet.

Laura it was great meeting you and Pokey. Let me get my little girl checked out and we will see where we are at with those too. She may already be knocked up. Let's see, should we name her Gumby, then we can have Pokey and Gumby. I think Pokey was jealous of Dino.

There were two other Wet Siders that I know of on the forum that didn't show up..Poke and Xanthman,,,where were you guys? You missed out!

Catherine, thanks for being the Hostes with the Mostess..WOW doesn't cover your place and your babies.

Nick, thanks for bringing bugs, bug food and drainage ideas, I will get on that as the temps are dropping at night, too low for my comfort.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

Poke (mepokeu) is in the military and often out of town. He and his wife are expecting a baby. If I'd thought of it I would have PMd him personally to see if he knew about the open house.

 

[PardalisGirl]

Thanks Everyone

I had such a good time on Saturday. The time flew by so fast! Nick arrived at 2:00 with the pretzels to watch me prepare my food. He was so sweet and patient while I set things out rather than showing him the full reptile tour right away. I had a large Northern Flicker come down the chimney that morning and the clean up (imagine five cats chasing a very large soot covered bird around in your house) cost me the two hours I would have spent on preparing food, etc. The bird was caught and released outside, but my nerves were a mangled mess.

Nick also brought bugs and hornworms for sale. I bought a bunch of big dubia that we took upstairs and took turns feeding the Melleri. Layla was in a very pissy mood and would not eat with strangers in her presence.

Then Elliot and Sandy arrived with a beautiful Cyclamen plant which is now sitting on the Iguana cage light fixture hood where it is safe from the cats and can get bright sunshine. They confirmed my thoughts that Layla is a female.

Then Amy showed up with a yummy pound cake and her microscope which never made it out of the car. We all got so busy that we just did not get around to playing with it.

Then Laura showed up with her cute little guy named Pokey. He was a real hit. Such a cutie. Now I have to have one of those too We had Dino out and watched Pokey get a little terratorial with the plant he was brought with. Dino got a lot of attention and he's got a swelled ego now.

Pam showed up some time between 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm. She had a family reunion that day and had trouble "sneaking" out early. She got to see Fanagwa again (I bought him from her) and kissed him on the nose. She also kissed Dino. She spent a lot of time with my Otto hatchlings and my Crested Geckos. The geckos were a lot of fun. People were surprised at how soft and easy to care for they are. And Otto's hatchlings made their debut. I was so sorry that Royden could not make it so that he could see Otto's babies. He's going to come over in September though.

Mepokeu did not show up even though he was expected. I received a private message from him later that explained his absence. His pregnant wife broke her water that day, two months early. She will have to remain in the hospital until their child can be safely delivered next month. I hope everyone will join me in supporting Brandon, his wife and unborn child in your thoughts and prayers. This will be a very stressful time for them.

Did anyone tell Xanthoman about the open house? I did not realize this forum member lived in our area. So I never contacted him personally to make sure he had seen this thread. I feel horrible for leaving somebody out. It was not intentional. I just did not realize there was someone else in the area.

Anyway, I enjoyed the day immensely. So did my husband. We have to do this sort of thing on a regular basis. You don't have to have a dozens of chameleons to have people over. We can bring things to share and we can spend time doing things with microscopes or misting systems. It would be great if we could all share our little areas of knowledge or equipment with each other

 

[ColorCham427]

regular basis?! damn the ppl in ur area are lucky! sounds like too much fun! haha glad u all enjoyed urselfs!