Howzit Gang,

I am a happy camper.  I have a new computer and a new ISP.  Loving it.

Almost done going through breast cancer reconstruction.  In fact, I'm in the last stages of the reconstruction process.  It's almost a year since I was diagnosed.  It's been an incredible journey.  I still need to take some time to sit still and reflect.

Through this journey in my life I came to realize the strength that I possess... something I thought I could never go through without a major meltdown or even survive.  But here I am, wondering how I can make the most of the rest of my life.  I also met a lot of people along the way, medical professionals, other patients, family and friends who stood beside me and who didn't.  All in all, I consider myself to be blessed with a great medical team and great support.  Mahalo nui loa!  (thank you very much).

My Happy, Happy!

A hui hou (until next time) and Aloha,
Lei

ALOHA!

Aloha!  Monday was my birthday.  I celebrated with a treat for myself from my favorite frozen yogurt spot, Menchies near downtown Honolulu.  A really nice way to cool off on a hot and sticky day.  

I got tart flavor which is my favorite and my "go to" choice.  This time I snuck in a pop of pistachio and chocolate fudge for a change.  Then I topped it off with gummy bears, strawberry and mango boba, plain and peach mochi and a candy sprinkles for the occasion.  Yummy!

Leaving the yogurt place I eye-spy another street art.  

This is how I felt after the yogurt was totally consumed.  A tiny portion of a bigger street art wall mural.

Then over to my Moms home and found out she has the flu.  So, I talked to her from the outside.  I the meantime I play with her puppies.  A better celebration will be next weekend... bbq at my house.  

When I returned home I was greeted with a bloom from a native white hibiscus with a hint of pink.  Well, that's all for now.  I'll be posting soon.  

Aloha and Sois Sage,

Lei

August

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I Love August!

Fragrant white Ginger blossoms in my yard.

I'm partial to the month of August... not only because it's my birthday month.  I also love August because of the other birthdays of people that are dear to me,  my family and friends.  It's a summer month.  I automatically think of picnics, swimming and shell combing on the beach, going for a walk or just relaxing alone or with friends slurping a tall glass of lemonade.  I imagine reading (I have a lot of unread books... waiting) a book under the shade of a tree, a movie with a friend or out to have a cup of coffee.  

Colors explode during the summer.  Shades of pinks, turquoise, yellows, orange and white are everywhere.  People are more relaxed, kids are out playing and it seems happiness is oozing everywhere.

So, with that being said, I took a different route after a checkup with my plastic surgeon to stop at a frozen yogurt bar.  OH YEAH!  Yummy.  Plain tart flavor with a smudge of fudge cake flavor with fruit pearls and mochi.  I'll have to visit again and show you a picture... good excuse for a return trip to get more frozen yogurt.  ;)  On my alternate route I took on my way home (while slurping yogurt) I came across some incredible street art aka graffiti.  I immediately found street parking and took some pics.  Well, I ate my yogurt first because it was not frozen by the time I found parking.

Take a look...

if you look closely,

you can make out the artist signature on most of the artwork.

Wild and crazy at a local surf and watersports outfitter.

Seems like a woman exhaling kakau (tribal tattoo).

Tame Iti, a maori man with moko (facial tattoo) in western attire including a fancy hat and bow tie.

These pictures were taken in an area called Kakaako.  Its an area where my parents grew up.  Many kamaaina (people of the land) have fond memories of growing up in the Kakaako neighborhood.  

This last picture was taken in a park called Mother Waldron Park honoring Margaret Waldron a beloved schoolteacher who taught at Pohukaina School from 1913-1934.  Mother Waldron as many fondly called her, opened and ran the schools playground for 24 years for the community of working class and indigent citizens, mentoring many children and helped many adults. The park is on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places and the only park in the area.  This art deco/art modern style of landscape architecture was designed by Harry Sims Bent.  This hardscape playround design is historically important both locally and nationally.

Modernization of this industrial/business district is slated for Kakaako impacting many buildings in the area and Mother Waldron Park.  This revitalization will be completed in 15 years changing the climate and culture that stretch through these few blocks.     

I'm happy to have some pictures of the hybrid culture of the area.  Especially where my families roots have gone deeply throughout this section of downtown Honolulu.

As I park my vehicle at home I turn and marvel at the beauty of the green mountains and cooler climate of the countryside.  Happiness!

God's natural "graffiti" right outside my door.

Come back for more Street Art photos and more August happenings... until then be safe.  

God bless you and keep smiling.  Lot's of love.

Aloha and Sois Sage, 

Lei

Aloha!

Approaching sunset at Mokuleia Beach, North Shore, Oahu.

An old water tank in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park forest.

Wow.  It's been awhile since I've posted (over a year) and I apologize.  I was a rough year for me and I'm planning on a strong comeback.  I've been sick for awhile, well to be more frank with you, I was and I'm still in the recovery and reconstruction stages of breast cancer.  Last year I decided to get healthy because of my diabetes.  I got into a exercise routine and lost quite a bit of weight which I am proud of.  Then a month before my annual mammogram I felt a weird bump, more like a welt. I though it was a heat rash. It didn't disappear and grew rapidly into a hard ball and by the time I got to the mammo it was huge.  I had a lumpectomy right away and 3 days later I was told I had a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer and would need a mastectomy.  I was also informed that I wouldn't undergo chemotherapy or radiation because it wouldn't have any affect on this form of cancer.

Native Ohelo Berry plant in the middle of the lava fields.

 So, here I am 10 months later, going through the last half of reconstructive surgeries and lots of free time on my hands.  You see, in February my boss passed away unexpectedly and I am currently without a job.  Yes!  It's been wild!  With all this free time in between surgeries, I've been doing research and planning to start a small business.  Beginning with craft fairs this upcoming Christmas season to get a feel of the market.

 Steam from the active volcano.

I need to really decide on products that I would love to make and sell.  I would like to manufacture a few dresses, hand printed pareo (sarong), tote bags and some jewelry, along with some holiday decor items.  I would need a easy-up tent, tables and a camera.  Yes, I need a new camera.  Sand dust got into my Nikon and scratch the lens in the body.  Augh.  Oh yeah, and man power... to help me set up and break down.  Gotta start cracking at the whip now to have enough product by October.


I have a positive outlook on my situation.  I get that from having faith.  Think a little about my situ, a rare (less than 1% of all breast cancers) breast cancer which means almost non-existent research.  Before becoming a cancer patient I always told myself I would choose not to have chemo/radiation because of the bad rap that it has.  But now, I wish I had that option as another layer of protection.  I don't have that option. I am unemployed which just throws another monkey wrench into the mix.

Trunks of the native Ohia Lehua tree are tinged bright orange from the sulfur coming out of the volcano steam vents close by.

And some other factors that I won't mention here for privacy issues make living with cancer and diabetes more challenging for me.  One of the first challenge was finding a internist.  My surgical internist was not the first choice that was selected for me, but a recommendation from the nurse practitioner from my primary dr because the first was unable to take new patients.  The surgical internist oversees the OR drs and critical ICU at the hospital I was set up with. She is a firecracker and set me up with the plastic surgeon and oncologist, both excellent drs.  She held my hand, guided me and provided me with the structure I needed when my world was caving in.  She pushed and reminded me of my strength and of my fighter instinct. "I think you are a brave person.  I don't get too many fighters in my office", she said as she hugged me.  I felt a great weight was lifted and astounded to receive a great team of doctors.

Angel statue in my Moms garden.

 I have faith in God and have many prayer partners who I am eternally grateful for.  I get my strength from God, whom I rely on and continuously give thanks to.
Also, my Mom and brother helped and support me a lot.  I couldn't do it without them and love them dearly. My true besties are great and stand behind, encourage and love me.  It is a blessing also to have the love and support from my extended families
.

)

Plant and white berries of the native Pukiawe plant grows in the lush volcano forest.  Favorite food for the endangered  State bird of Hawaii, the Nene Goose.

A shout out to a dear friend and her family (her parents, sister and her family) came for their Christmas holiday vacation and took me with them on a day trip to Hawaii Island (The Big Island) to cheer me on and spend some time with me (that's were I took the volcano shots) before the mastectomy surgery.  Last but far from least, to my friend who is going through her own journey with breast cancer (love you).  We both share and swap stories, cry, laugh, encourage and sound off with each other.  What a great bunch of people! Thank you all for my many blessings.

An overhead canopy of bouganvillea blossoms on a portion of my walking trail.

So, there you have it.  I will start to post regularly and use an old camera to take photos until I am able to purchase a better camera.  But, for the next few postings I will use older pics.  Hopefully ones that you haven't seen from me previously.
I think this is enough for now.  Until my next posting.

Sois Sage (french for be wise) and Aloha,
Lei

Yipee!
I just logged into my new laptop computer.  I'm so happy to be back.  Now, I have familiarize myself with my new toy.  It's taking a little while to get the hang of it.  But, I'm sure it won't take too long before I get the gist of all of the bells and whistles.
Also, I haven't been using my camera too often.  Or sewing.  I've been under the weather and waiting for results from a very important health test.  More about that later.
I'll be posting soon.  So get ready for more adventures from Lei Jolie.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is official, my home computer went to the grave.  It died!  However, it did live a long life and traveled with me.  The computer was a gift that was sent to me in Colorado from Hawaii in 2004.  Then, it traveled to Seattle, Hawaii, Utah, Tennessee and Nebraska.  Now, I have to figure out how to remove the hard drive to retrieve information from it.  Mainly pictures and things I've written for Conservation Council for Hawaii.  So, we'll see what happens with that.
Well, that computer lived a very long life of 8 years.  So, what is that 400 in computer years?
Until I find a new computer my posts will be without pictures.  **sigh**

That's all for now.
Aloha,
Lei

Hiya, it's me. Just a short post until I get up and running again.

Happy New Year!
I know it's been awhile.
I've had an exciting new year so far.  Here's a brief of what's been happening in my neck of the woods.

I fought the flu.
Then had several chipped and cracked teeth.
Had a blind date that never happened.
A broken toilet tank.
Six weeks of chronic disease awareness classes.
Walking three times a week with a new walking partner.
Visiting a new church with a old lady friend.
Had a pitbull dog growl at me in my yard (new neighbors).
Lost a dress size.
Helping a friend cope with a FUCC (fraudulent use of credit card).
Saving money for a TIN number.
Applying as a vendor (juried) for a AlohaFest in Colorado.
Camera problems (unsolved).
Computer problems (need a new computer).
Went whale watching.
Got addicted to self serve frozen yogurt shops.
Created a couple of new designs.
And have a hundred stuck in my memory bank (my head).



It has been an exciting first two months of 2012.   How has your 2012 been for you?

Once I solve my computer and camera issues I will be back to regular posting.
Until then, take care and God Bless.

Missed you!

Aloha.

I'm back from a brief hiatus from blogging because of my injury to my foot.  Growing old pains!  My foot is not a 100% percent yet, but pretty close.  I couldn't take it anymore.  Today, I went outside in the garden, cleaned up a bit and found that my bleeding heart plant was blooming.
Yeah, just in time to start the Christmas season.

My foot seems to be healing really slow, more than the normal 8 weeks.  I didn't want to chance tweaking it again.  Especially sitting too long at the work/computer table or trekking outside on the uneven landscape.

See the lump? taken at 4 weeks.

While in my absence from blogging, I did manage to sew a few tote bags.

Bags waiting for packaging and delivery

And sewed a couple of Christmas hale (house) for hanging on the tree.

I'm glad to be back in the saddle again.  Until next time - take care, love each other and keep the flame of creativity burning!

Love and Blessings,
Lei

I will never ...

I'm laying here, foot propped up with a cold pack on it.  Today, it was painful.  A gnawing pain similar to shin splints.  Earlier today I was sitting in a car waiting for the driver to come back with cups of latte.  We parked fronting another business with a irritating neon sign that matched the pulsating pain in the front of my leg.  Now I will forever relate my foot pain to the pulsating buzz of a neon sign.  Great!
Well, I'm getting tired of being immobile.  So, I went outside last night and snapped some pics - a long story made short - I was in pain all night.  It's going to be a long 5 weeks.
Other than that, my best friend that lives in Colorado Springs (my old home town) had her birthday October 24th.  I have her box with gifts at home waiting to go to the post office.  I spoke to her on her birthday and sang her a song.  Her presents are different from normal presents.  Things to make her laugh, some sentimental and another that I know she will really like.
Since I've been on the mend I have been doing a lot of handwork.  Which I love to do, but now it's getting boring.  I guess I miss my sewing machine.  I've made a lot of handmade christmas ornaments and glass plate/soldered jewelry.  I'm really excited about these two projects, especially the jewelry using pages from the original pages from Degener's Flora Hawaiiensis.  The book in good condition is rare, however, the copy I have is not in good condition and missing the original cover and pages in horrible condition.  I love using the pages because it gives it a historical and vintage look.  Other than that, nothing much is going on.

So my mantra at the moment is:  I will never sit inappropriately for hours while sewing ... I will never ...

I'll have some pics to share with you all.  Soon.

Aloha,
Lei

On the mend

Aloha Gang,

Well, it's been a couple of weeks without a post.  The reason for my lack of blogging is that I hurt my foot.  More specifically, I believe I sprained of strained my foot just above my left ankle and going towards the front of the leg just above the foot.  My naturopath says that I strained it with unending hours of sitting in one position in an inappropriate chair when sewing.  WOW!
It has been almost 3 weeks now.  And the pain is more intense, but shrunk in size, which the doc says is normal.  The deal is that I need to be off my feet once I'm at home.  Let me tell you it's a hard thing for me to do.  Sit still.  Also, elevate my foot (uncomfortable) and alternate ice and heat therapy (bothersome).  What interest me is when will I be back to normal.  The doc reminded me of my painful stubbed and fractured toe that I suffered earlier this year, and how long it took (8 weeks) and the pain (lots) associated with that injury.  Boy, do I see a pattern here!

Also, once I heal I will be shopping for a recommended chair for the sewing/craft room (yeah!).

With the rapidly approaching holiday season, I am behind schedule with finding craft fairs to sell my wares.  I'm also behind in my sewing.  Such is life, nothing is set in stone.

I will try to snap a few pics and move my computer away from the inappropriate chair area and download a few pics and type up a post.  I can't promise anything, but I'll try.

Aloha,
Hop-a-Long aka Lei

My new colorful banner

Aloha,
Well, now that you know that I love to create things from the top of my head.  Hee Hee!  I decided that if I would be selected to have a booth at a craft fair, one of the things that I would love to have is a colorful banner.
LEI JOLIE would be in big and bold letters in different colored aloha print fabric.
First, I drew out the letters on a regular sheet of paper until I came up with a style that I liked.  That took about 30 minutes.
Then I decided how large I wanted the letters.  And drew them out and hung them outside, on the ceiling beam of my porch to see if I really liked it.  Made a few changes.

a little windy

My next move was to decide on the different color choices and arranging them to flow nicely.  That took longer than figuring out the font.  Once I made my choice, I colored the letters and hung them out for a final review before selecting fabric.

constant wind

Fabric selection was the hardest and longest task.  I needed the letter the flow and feel right next to each other.  I actually cut out 3 letters that I didn't feel like they belong.  So, off to the fabric store I went.  Hunting for over an hour finding the right fabrics.  And only purchasing 3/8 of a yard each, I sighed, thinking that this is crazy.  Trying to be cautious about spending too much money on this project I decided to use an old stretch sparkly denim for the background and a green calico for the backing.

The second hardest task, of course, the sewing of the letters.  I decided (just kick me) to hand sew the letters on.  The problem was the denim proved to be really thick and I had a hard time getting the needle through the denim.  Also, made the letters a little lumpy in some places.  And, of course, I was too lazy to find my leather thimble.  I had tender fingers for a couple of days.  Sometime during the hand sewing process I decided that the next banner I make I will be fusing the letters on or use a different fabric for the background.  I added tabs for hanging and machine embroidery around the edges.  Which also didn't work well over the thicker areas of the banner.  Also, I should have made it wider, next time.  But, all in all, I love the look of the banner and it's still nice to use.

colors from the left; red, yellow, blue, purple, pink, orange, green and fuschia.

Well, that's all for now.

Trying to complete a caftan style top for myself and maybe a dress for the CCH Annual Membership Meeting on October 1st (LOL).  Didn't I say I love this kind of stress, which is not really stress because I thrive on creative stress.  The other types of stress I could do without.
I also have to put together thank you packages for the volunteers for the event (I'm the volunteer coordinator and decoration coordinator), package a children's door prize or auction item, select greens for table decoration, etc. etc. etc.
Maybe I won't have time for the dress.

Aloha,
Lei

A new handle on things.

I love tote bags.  They can go anywhere.  To the beach, shopping, overnight stays, to the gym, school, work (lunch bag) as a baby bag, just to name a few.
I've been having a hankering to design and sew me up a new tote bag for a long time.  Not that I needed a new one.  I have  a lot of totes.  I just love the challenge of creating something new.  I know - most people would be perfectly fine buying a ready made pattern - no, not I.  This is my weird side, the stress of challenging myself to make a pattern that I have in my head.
So, I took a old square-bottomed tote to get the measurement for the body of the tote.  Shifted the handles from the sides to the front and back.  Rounded the edge between the handle and the body, so it's not just a square bag with handles.  Then I took an old leather handbag and measured the elongated oval shaped bottom.  And I gathered the bottom of the tote body, gathered it up and sewed it to the oval bottom and VOILA!  (I love the word voila.)  A stylish tote bag, fully lined with a inner pocket.  Oh!  I added a drawstring pouch that I can insert a folded tote bag into it or use as a separate bag.
What I really love about this tote bag is that I can sling it on my shoulder and have the ability to look in the tote bag without needing to take it off my shoulder.  I can carry a lot without it being cumbersome.  I can also put my wallet in the large pocket and go for a quickie to the grocery store for small purchases.  Carrying both a purse or handbag and slinging the tote bag on my shoulder is no problem for me.
I made 5 of them before I decided to take pics.  I have 2 for myself (without the drawstring pouch)  made from old fabrics that I use to carry my lunch in. These 2 were the "test" totes. The other 3 were for a contract from a friend who saw me carrying one of the "test" totes.

I call them the 'Any Kine Tote Bags'.  Any Kine is a Hawaiian pidgin for anything or any kind.

Here they are!

Sienna, tan and white on black cotton/poly fabric

going into the drawstring pouch

closed up

tropical barkcloth 

2 sets made with vintage barkcloth from the early to mid 70's.

Mr. Gateway aka Crooked-ah (for his very crooked tail) pronounced with a japanese accent  croak -keed-aah.  He was given his alias name by my ex-mother-in-law who is originally from Kyoto, Japan.

Crooked-ah was very curious of my picture taking and followed me everywhere although he doesn't let us touch him and he doesn't like the rest of the cats.  My ex-sister-in-law has several on the property.

hanging on a macadamia nut tree next to spanish moss.

in the front yard

on cut Norfolk Pine logs

 I'm getting ready to cut another bag that I will be donating to the Conservation Council for Hawai'i.  They will be having their Annual Membership Meeting and silent auction on October 1st.  I can't decide between two fabrics to use.  With only a week before the event I need to choose the fabric soon.
The 2 choices are:

1) A vintage (late 60's - early 70's)  barkcloth which has very large orange and black bamboo motif on a white background.  I need to find a coordinating lining fabric for this one.

OR
2) A modern barkcloth design with pink and white lehua leaves and flowers and tan colored palm leaves on a black background. I also need to find and coordinating lining.

 Which fabric do you think I'll pick?  Which one would you pick?  I'll let you know.

See you soon.
Aloha,
Lei