Nathan, Kim, and the grandkids were out from Arizona visiting, and we all went to Long Beach to go to the Aquarium of the Pacific. This part of Long Beach is a big tourist destination, and so they keep it really nice.
Here's a map of all the exhibits:
The Tropical Reef Habitat is the largest exhibit, containing 367000 gallons of saltwater.
It contains fish, rays, sea turtles, and zebra sharks.
The larger fish are Redbelly Yellowtail Fusilier and the little blue guy is a Blue Tang.
Here we see a Reticulate Whipray.
Another look at the Blue Tang along with a little clownfish.
Here's Joseph poking at the fusiliers. You can use a gentle two-fingered touch with many of the species there.
A Blue Tang and a Yellow Tang.
This is a Bluespine Unicornfish.
This is an Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. It is the smallest and most abundant of the Pacific Turtles, and they are the species that does the massive nesting event where thousands of them come ashore to nest.
Here is another beautiful Tang. This is the Powder Blue Tang.
This is a Humphead Wrasse.
He was friends with this Orbiculate Batfish.
I don't know what this fish is called, but she was neon pink and orange - so pretty!
Here is a Tiger Salamander hiding out under a rock.
This Red-Backed Poison Frog was very tiny. He comes from Ecuador and Peru and is moderately toxic.
These are called Cemetery Strawberry Dart Frogs.
These are green and black poison dart frogs.
Here are two Magnificent Tree Frogs. They look quite different in color.
These are the Panamanian Golden Frogs. They are the national symbol of Panama and haven't been seen in the wild since 2009.
These little striped guys are Anthony's Poison Dart Frogs.
The fish come alive when the scuba divers feed them!
Look at them go!
I don't know what he is, but this spotted fish was beautiful.
This is White's Seahorse.
This is a Stone Triggerfish.
They had lots of jellyfish and sea nettles, large and extremely tiny.
Here's a nice look at a Zebra Shark.
In this closer look at his face, you can see that they are spotted.
This cute guy is an Axolotl. He is a Mexican Salamander and lives in only a few lakes and canals of Southern Mexico City.
Here's the famous (and delicious) King Crab.
And a giant Tiger Prawn.
This Horned Puffin was really concentrating on his bath and his grooming.
Beautiful Moon Jellyfish.
The shorebird sanctuary had a White-Faced Ibis. We see them often near our house, and I love them.
This is an American Avocet, with his extra-long bird legs.
And a heron, just like our friend Harry.
This spotted guy is a Harbor Seal. They are very common in California.
They had an aviary called the Lorrikeet Forest. You could buy little tubs of nectar to feed them. There is a warning that they will bite if provoked.
And that was it for a very pleasant time at the beautiful aquarium!
Let's go back to our regularly scheduled programming! on September 6th, I wore one of my favorite vintage dresses by Mary McFadden. I always wear some of my turquoise jewelry with it.
We now have a regiment of little birds who wait for us to take the dogs for a walk so that they can eat any leftover food. We haven't figured out what species they are.
Pandi decided to sleep with her nose wrapped in a reusable bag.
On September 8th, we went to open a Schools First Credit Union account. I wore a dress by Chanel and some Top Shop shoes. The dress has beading trim around all of the edges. I found the dress in a thrift shop. The shoes were a big hit and got a few compliments.
Preston is restoring a Chevelle. Gotta love the makeshift seats!
Mimi is into genealogy and made a poster of her family's heritage. The poster of the Chapa Family is now on permanent display in the HB Library in the genealogy section.
On September 12th, I wore my version of the Canadian Tuxedo to go on a walk to Barnes and Noble bookstore.
On September 16th, we went to the swap meet. I got this Tinted sunscreen for $1, and it retails for $36.
I also go these Steve Madden maryjane shoes for $5, and they retail for $89.95.
These next three items were $1 apiece. First, some Loft culottes, retail $80
Next, a Michelle Lynn bolero, retail $28
Finally, a Boston Proper Tank top, retail $100.
This is how I plan to style the culottes.
On September 16th, we took Mimi to her memory doctor. She is much improved. I wore a knit dress from Nordstrom with matching accessories.
My September Birchbox came. Inside, from left to right:
1) Amika Flash Instant Shine Hair Mask
2) Wander All Inclusive Shampoo and Body Wash
3) Aromacology Sophisticated Perfume Oil
4) Lise Watier Magnifix Makeup Fixative with White Tea
5) Naturelab Repair Treatment Mask Color Protectant
6) Collective Laboratories Revive Activating Serum
My Ipsy bag also came. From top to bottom:
1) Les Beauty Matte Face Primer
2) Innisfree Green Tea Vitamin C Brightening Cream
3) Mudmasky Pearl Polish Superglow Pink Clay Mask
4) Sophia and Mabelle Blush Duo in Strawberry Sorbet
5) Blinc Eye Repair Peptide Complex
We have seen this Western Kingbird hanging out on our telephone lines. I'll try to get a picture of him.
On September 19th, I went to Great Clips for a haircut. I used a coupon for a $12.99 haircut, and the nice lady did a good job.
On September 20th, we welcomed a new member to the family - Jen, our new Tesla! We really like her.
On September 22nd, I got my flu and COVID vaccinations. I wore a dress from Saks Fifth Avenue Black and Kurt Geiger shoes.
On September 23rd, I got my Botox touched up - it was badly needed. I wore a dress by Dateline and a scarf that I got in Truckee, California. It was a week of needles.
On September 24th, we just went dog walking after I picked up some documentation to register Jen with the DMV. I wore a dress from Chantel and Vicky, and some Hermes Oran dupe sandals.
Same agenda for September 25th, and I wore Paige jeans and another piece from Saks. It has cold shoulders and embellishment around the neckline.
On September 26th, we went to HB Central Park, and I went for a nice walk in nature.
On September 27th, the Salvation Army had their last $2 sale - until after Thanksgiving. I wore a Loft cardigan, White House Black Market slacks, and Coach loafers.
Here's what I got:
A Christopher Radko holiday pie plate, retail $45
A Voice of Voices sweater, a Korean brand, retail $100.
A Banana Republic merino wool sweater, retail $120
An H&M Basics V neck sweater - I always buy all the nice white and ivory pieces that I see, since I seem to like to destroy white things. Retail $40
Some brand-new unlabelled sandals.
On September 26th, I went to AAA to take care of putting Jen on the auto insurance. I wore a dress by Sharagano and the maryjane shoes.
On September 29th, I went to US Bank to roll over a CD. I wore the Loft dress that I got at the last $2 sale at the Army, sometime during the summer.
On September 30th, more dog walking. I wore a sweater from Loft with Old Navy joggers and Temu shoes.
On October 2nd, I was supposed to take an old coworker out to lunch, since he is leaving for a new job. But he was sick. I went out anyway and wore this dress by Wyldr and my Sam Edleman boots.
While I was out, I stopped at Eco Town and got a few goodies. First, a Zara belt, retail $29.90, paid $5.
Then a Perry Ellis sweater vest, retail $99, paid $3.
Then another belt with no label, but a cool snake buckle, paid $5.
And the best find - an Alberta Ferretti blouse, retail $1200, paid $5.
The kids arrived Sunday, so we got Cafe Rio for dinner. I wore this outfit, purchased at Eco Town back in the spring.
And yesterday, to the aquarium, I wore a teal sweater from Alfani with teal corduroy jeans from Donna Karan. The silver jewelry is from the Southwest Indian Foundation.
So that's about all for now - stay tuned for more October shenanigans, including Mimi's 92nd birthday !
