I'm Renee.....

Lionfish Lair · Jan 10, 2016

Although I signed up in 2012 and have made a splattering of posts since then, I've never really said hello. Let's see..... been in the hobby for 20 years. First fish I kept were seahorses and I kept them for 15 years. After a bout of breeding them, I was burned out on them. I like lions and that whole genre. I am NOT sympathetic to the lions in Florida. Some people think if I correct misinformation, it's only because I'm a lion lover, not because I'm right. I'm a fact lover first. We all have our little niches in this hobby, on which we're particularly keen. I like hitchhikers, nutrition and Ich..... and of course lions.

I would like to explain the business side of Lionfish Lair, just in case you run across something and think I'm trying to sneak in the backdoor. There was a write up about us in ReefBuilders, we did have a booth at the Marine Aquarium Expo and were slated to have one at MACNA. My husband did an interview with the saltwater guy (Mr. saltwater or something) about the biz. The other day I saw a picture of our business cards on the site that collect business cards, it seems. There's are a lot of things that point to us being a business, but we are NOT. Lemme explain......

In 2012, one month after the trade show I herniated a disc in my back. It resulted in surgery which created a life long issue. I "was" a unit lead in the Level IV NICU. My injury resulted in the loss of my position and the fish business. Now, I'm now working towards my masters in Clinical Informatics full time. Yuck. Anyway, throughout my whole 3 year ordeal, I lost touch with forums and now I'm ready to dive back into it all. We went from 14 to 4 tanks during that time, but I'm enjoying having only 4 tanks. I'm sad I had to loose a lot of fish through neglect to get there, however.

So, that's me!

melypr1985 · Jan 10, 2016

Well how about a belated "Welcome!" and I"m sorry to hear about your injury. It's great having you here!

joshkirkland83 · Jan 10, 2016

Great site Renee, I check it out constantly. Good info.

reefwiser · Jan 10, 2016

Renee glad to see that you are feeling better. Your story is similar to many as life gets in the way of our hobby many times we have to take time out to get real life under control. An we can then come back to the hobby we love. [emoji3]

retiredsailor · Jan 10, 2016

Hi Renee. I really like your site as well. I think hitchhikers are a pretty cool part of the hobby, at least other people's hitchhikers.

I definitely understand about a herniated disc. I injured a disc in my neck sometime in 1999 but didn't find out until late 2002 when it completely ruptured. I had my first surgery right before Christmas. A second surgery in 2004 and a third in late 2009. I think since it was injured so long some of the problems have become permanent. Meanwhile 2 other discs have begun herniating as well. Pain is not fun.

Tahoe61 · Jan 10, 2016

I am thrilled you're here!

Nice to see you back Renee.

Cheryl

Lionfish Lair · Jan 10, 2016

This time I get to experience it without an income! Oh such fun!

luxauterna · Jan 10, 2016

Ello! Thanks for saying hi

twilliard · Jan 10, 2016

Thank you!
I too have a major back issue. Levio scoliosis, 1 protruding disk, 1 extruding disk, degenerative spine disease.
No surgery as the damage is too great.
Im 41 and a retired electrician.
This has changed my future and how I care for my tank.

Its nice to see us all gather here on R2R and help each other.
Love your information

shse666 · Jan 10, 2016

Welcome back. Love lionfishlair!

Salty1962 · Jan 10, 2016

Welcome back. I know your pain. Enjoy this time around!

human · Jan 10, 2016

Nice to meet you. Herniated discs suck, luckily for me they fixed everything when I broke my back the second time, don't get me wrong I still have pain, but nothing like when I had herniated discs, at least now I can move, but more importantly wear a backpack without sharp radiating pain. Seems we all have back issues here, maybe that's why we all get along without ever meeting each other. I'd like to thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge with all of us also.

Wiz · Jan 10, 2016

Hi renee, I'm a hitchhiker guy myself. Im obsessed with seeing and learning about all the creatures in salt. In my research before I joined reef2reef I found two particular sites that I found easy to use and informative about a lot of creatures that most don't take the time to learn about. Yours and chucks addiction. I love your info. Helped me a few times.
I'm really sry to hear about your trouble. But glad to hear your hanging in there. And also glad I get to I'd things with you.

Anyway good to meet you!! :-D

Diesel · Jan 10, 2016

Inspirational Welcome, I like it.
Quite a story and worth reading it twice.

That said I never did say a Hi on this forum and I bet they will never let me

drstratton · Jan 10, 2016

Welcome Renee! Thanks for all of the information you've shared with me and others already. I've looked at your hitchhiker site many times, great information! So glad that you're part of R2R!

Lionfish Lair · Jan 11, 2016

My back is actually perfect. My diagnosis after surgery is Genito-femoral neuralgia due to retractor injury. Oops. No sense worrying about what I cannot change. I figure there's a silver lining to everything..... I now get great parking.

Thanks for the likes on the site. I feel like an ambulance chaser..... I slide in after the ID.... "I'm sorry you have a million zoa-eating nudis, but can I use your picture?" LOL! It's a project I started back in 2008. Hard to believe so much time has passed. Don't be surprised when I whip out the powerpoint presentations. LOL! I kid. O.O I'll miss talking to a room full of people, especially brand new nurses. Their eyes still glittered.....

And school over 40 sucks, btw.