I wanted to make Green Lemonade yesterday after my long run but I couldn’t find a small piece to the juicer. It’s small but it’s also a very crucial part: the nut that holds the blade in place. I figured it would turn up and had probably just rolled under the toaster oven or was inadvertently put away in the wrong place.

Last night I was feeling frustrated after the kitchen was cleaned up I still hadn’t found it. This morning I went on an all out search for it. I looked everywhere. I moved the toaster oven, the knife block, the cutting boards, the microwave, the dish rack. Nothing. Looking under the stove with a flashlight. Under the refrigerator. In drawers, on the counter, in the cupboards, the window sill. It was no where to be found.

I wondered if maybe one of the kids had run off with it and maybe it was with the toys. Maxine has a propensity to run off with small objects in a purse or box. I looked through the toy bins and still no luck.

I wondered if maybe it had gotten thrown out. And then it occurred to me: the compost.

Ughhhhh noooooooo!

More than once Zak has come in after turning the compost to return random kitchen objects that had been unintentionally scooped up and tossed in to the compost bin. Forks, spoons, small dishes.

I really did not want to dig through that compost pile, but I figured I could at least go out and look to see if I could spot it laying on top, given I last used it on Friday morning. I put on my shoes and headed out.

I scanned the pile and didn’t see it. I began imagining myself scouring the web trying to find the replacement part and what it might cost. Just as I was ready to turn around and head back in, I spotted it! Upside down and way in the back by yesterdays young coconut shell, but it was unmistakable. I leaned over and held my breath so I didn’t inhale any fruit flies and retrieved my precious. I couldn’t believe it wasn’t buried and completely obscured.

Washed and found!

So happy together.

Now get back to work! In today’s green lemonade mix was romaine, a cucumber, a gala apple, a lemon and ginger.

Green juice and the compost.

Today is a rest day. I think I might head out now to look through the compost for a running sock that’s been MIA for about a week now.