Pushing the Creative Limits

Last year for Halloween I created the "5 Dollar Challenge" for myself. I the past I have stuck to the day before Halloween to making my costume. Due to my injury this year adding WAY too much time to sit and think to my daily schedule, decided to dial it up a notch. 

First I looked at my assets. My hair wasn't getting any shorter and was the longest I have let it grow in years. So, why not try and find a costume that specifically needs long hair to make it work. 

This led me to Gimli. With the beard in the bag, the rest of the costume had to take shape on a very tight budget. I took inventory of what I had and how I could make it work. Then constructed a list of all that I needed to make. Here is how it played out...

Have:

Two old T-shirts that could be used for "tunic"

Brown pants

Grey shirt and sleeves for "Chainmail"

Hiking pole for rod of ax

Black, white, and gold paint

Old T-shirt strips

Old bike tire tubes

Packing tape, painter's tape, scotch tape

hot glue

Cardboard

Need to make:

Helmet (key piece)

Tunic

Ax

Belt including crossing straps

wrist braces

Shoulder guards

Need to purchase:

Flour 

(used paper mache to make part of the helmet)

Boots

(Found for $2.50 at a thrift store)

Paint

(Brown, Red, and Silver/grey)

Clear Hair Bands

(To make the beard a reality)

I didn't log the number of hours I worked on this costume. I needed the goal. I needed the process. I need the challenge to prove to myself that I am still capable of something. AND I was able to stay within budget keeping the tradition alive. The added bonus: I walked away with 3rd prize for the costume contest. 

I think if I would have been fat, I would have been more recognizable and therefore walked home with second place. However, padding was not an option as I was already sweating with a long beard insulating my neck. (If this was in Michigan. I would have welcomed the extra warmth.)

Now the only thing left is to figure out what to go as next year. 

What is it About Sisters?

One of my co-workers had a visitor this week - her sister. When she told me that her sister was coming we talked about different ideas of what they could do. Naturally, I suggested the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens as it is one of my favorite places.

When I suggested it, I had no intention of inviting myself along; however, the invitation was extended. How could I refuse? After all, my enjoyment of this place is only enhanced be watching others experience its beauty for the first time. This time, I had the wonderful privilege of witnessing more than that.

Having an older sister, I found it fascinating to watch two other sisters interact. At times I felt like I was looking in a mirror as they laughed at each other's jokes. I too love the way just being around each other brought out the silliness like they were back to being school girls living in a care free world.

Time and the shared experience of growing up together as family can't be replaced. Having a sister is truly the best.

I 

Solo Camping

Sunset

As the car-sitting continues, I had to attempt to cross another item off my list: Sunset behind Mauna Kea. Well, it might not have been the best evening to attempt this with cloudy skies and the smell of rain in the air. However, my one and only attempt was worth it. Seeing rain in the distance, hearing the swell of the waves hitting the rocks, the wind tossing my hair...I couldn't help but stop and take in slow, deep breaths. In those moments, I found exactly what I needed.

Lauapahoehoe Point

When someone asks me if I will go to the airport with them in their car, then keep their car while they are away with the condition that I have to pick them up when they return; I always say YES! I loving call this action "car sitting" and today is my first full day. With opportunity to explore on my own schedule, I drove North on the Hamakua Coast and made my first stop at Lauapahoehoe Point. I could have done research about it. I could have looked for historic markers of some kind. Instead, I found the perfect rock formation that created a natural recliner and dove into my book while absorbing the peaceful sounds of nature on a beautiful afternoon.