Catching up

I don't even know how to begin trying to cover the events of the last month, so instead...I'm doing a list. ;-) 

• I created a second compost bin. The steps in this process are way too complicated to detail out, but I'll try, because I think my creative genius deserves to be shared with the world. Okay- first I got a used pallet that was laying on the ground in the front yard (because we're classy like that), Then I propped it up against a stonewall and tossed a ton of sweet potato vines between the pallet and the wall. (Oh wow, I guess that was easier to share than I'd thought.) Feel free to try it yourself, if you're daring. I didn't copyright the process.
• I almost got a nighttime job at the airport for flight benefits, but then realized the benefits might not be worth the true cost... It was something that had been on my job bucket list for years, so I'm glad I explored it and was able to rule it out (oddly enough, I feel as satisfied as if I'd done it). 
• I got a new local client for the HR job! Without marketing (which I don't do, because my marketing skills are right up there along with my compost bin building skills), even! We're already enjoying a few fun perks from the association.
• We've had a second worm genocide (I'm taking that as a not-so-subtle cue from the universe that I am not suited to foster parenting worms). This time, their worm blood is on my hands (their habitat got too dry).
• On the note of fragility of life, we also had an unexplained baby bird massacre (this one wasn't my fault). We had our very first bird nest pop up with three beautiful, blue eggs. One started to hatch, which we excitedly witnessed. But then it never really emerged, and soon there was a trail of ants leading to the other two unopened eggs. So sad!
• The bestie from Auckland came back for a visit, again! (She was just here in October). We got in a few runs, and all felt normal and good again.
• Our lanai renovation project? This may shock people who are in the construction business...but we've had another delay. Our six month wait has been amended to a nine, maybe ten-month wait. I think our lanai will crumble before we renovate it. So, expect more 'Appalachia 1847' out there for another 4 months!
• Our friend took us on the most amazing hike in the world a few weeks back! (Pics below)
• I lost ten pounds. This sounds pretty impressive, but it has taken me about six months, and since I'd gained fifteen...Ms. Porkchop is not quite in the 'comfortable' zone yet.
• I just read 'Not Without My Daughter'. I might be a few decades behind the rest of the populace in doing so, but it was gooood. I love nothing more than a contemporary story set in Persia.
• Someone is celebrating his birthday this weekend! I admit that this year, I've gone a little overboard. We're going with a carnival theme- complete with games, a prize redemption table,  a nephew will be hawking peanuts & popcorn), a spread of 'carnival food' (you could sub the words 'carnival food' with 'heart attack') and a big top tent pinata (that was a homemade Pinterest fail, and more strongly resembles a very ugly Swahili hut that is being fumigated). 
• Only two more weeks of school! It doesn't feel very nice to say that, since I'm a teacher and not a student...but holy smokes. The kid's are definitely feeling the burnout, and in tweens, this behavior means LOTS of resistance. So I've had lots of frustration lately, but am so grateful for the experience. It was great to get to know the culture and operations of the school, and the teaching part was very humbling. As a bonus, I met a lot of really special kids that I hope to keep in touch with. I've extracted promises from most of them that if I ever see them up to no good, that I will be permitted to pull their ears all the way back home to their parents and tattle on them. I would be doing this now (because it's all about the children), but I'm still employed a state agency that regulates against such conduct, and I'm very prison-adverse (they don't color hair on the inside)
• I procured a few recycled water barrels from a co-worker whose husband works for the local brewery in town. I'm also replanting all the garden beds because I'm waiting for the shipping lanes to shut down once Donald Drumpf starts bombing ISIS and they retaliate against the ports. Sadly, the immediate starvation that will fall upon our islands will finally give me the beach body I've always dreamed of, but I won't be able to post about it.  
• I got Ryan into a summer art class! There aren't many options for children in rural communities on rocks in the middle of the Pacific, but he got in! (I think) He still chatters excitedly about the last one he took, so I was hoping all school year that we'd get back in (attendance is limited). He'll also resume swimming lessons (since we haven't taken any since last summer), but soccer is out as it conflicts with art. There will still be the usual play dates, karate, Zumba and academics (Japanese, math and language arts), but I think he'll be sufficiently distracted for the summer (since his cousins and FOUR sets of friends will be away).
• Nearly ten months after I got Achilles tendinitis, I'm pleased to say- I still have Achilles tendinitis. I'd read about this affliction having a very lengthy recovery period (I'd been told a year), but I pooh-poohed it as nonsense that only applied to 'common' people. The weak. I was experienced runner with a TENS machine, after all. Sniff! I'd be back in weeks, months at the worst! And...here I sit. Stiff, sore...hobbling a bit. A common, weak person.
• I had an amazing Mothers Day with my mom and sister in law! I hosted an AM brunch, and my father put on an impressive dinner that required the sacrifice of a small herd of livestock. Most importantly, he procured a large guava cheesecake (I think, from a very upscale, high end deli here in town, wink wink) that was to. die. for.  Oh Lord. Just call me a 40+ year old mom, because that is the shiz we live for these days.
• In just a few weeks, the baby daddy and I make 19 years. Crazy, right? I still feel like a kid. Well, if we're being honest, an older kid...one with Achilles issues and gray hair and who really only cares about guava cheesecake.

A few pics from the last few weeks...

The White Road hike in Waimea far, far exceeded my expectations. Over the years, I've seen a variety of friend's photos of the trail. But. Oh. My. God. The beauty. The hike runs alongside one of the old irrigation canals, with moss-covered tree branches overhanging much of the waterway. The hike does require a few hundreds of yards of trespassing on private land (we offered a gratuity to a gentleman who was working that day, as recommended), but for the most part, was on state land. It took us about an hour of careful, slow walking (mostly because it's muddy and slippery) to get to the waterfall view, but is far from difficult. Our friend's GPS said the hike was 3.4 miles round trip...and my guess is that at most, it's a very gradual climb of maybe 500-700 feet in elevation?

The million dollar view at the end of the hike: a sweeping, 180 degree panoramic view of 3-4 waterfalls. Next time we return (and we will, with the family for sure), we'll make sure that we have enough time to continue on to the water slides.

Get ready for the carnival! Rich will be a scary clown, and I will be a grouchy, middle-aged mother with a bad hair-dye job and puffy eyes. I haven't dropped the truth bomb on my family yet that as carnival game hawkers, that they will also be expected to don bright red vests. (In my experience, these types of requests are best done in front of a large group of smiling, expectant children).

I felt obligated to offer up more meat-free menu options, so there will also be caramel apples (very, very healthy) and some broccoli/kale salad from a very upscale, high end deli here (maybe you have one...it's called 'Costco').

Sniff. No more birdies.

Part of my early AM crew (missing Y and R)...

So yes. Aunty Jo is back. Still a little busy, a little lazy, a lot self absorbed, and increasingly sweaty now that summer is upon us (roughly ten pounds lighter, but still no more agreeable to humidity and heat).