Day #467 - Holiday & Up Your Belief

Today was supposed to be a “Holiday” (Caesar Chavez Day). I guess the Penny Angels didn’t stop working - they celebrated instead!

Doc and I began the day at odds. I had stayed up until 3:30 this morning in order to make edits on the house plans we received yesterday. I was excited and anxious to show those to him and get his comments so that we could make copies and be prepared for our upcoming meeting with the contractor. Doc wanted me to get dressed ASAP and get on the road. I packed a lunch, grabbed my stuff and grumpily headed out.

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Our primary task this morning was to get new brake pads on the van. We needed to allow enough time for the work to be done before our afternoon Play Time date. As we were checking in the car for service, Doc noted a penny on the counter. The service guy said, “It’s been there for a few days”. I, of course, gave him a Penny Card and told him about Penny Tales. Shared smiles. A nearby customer was listening while feeding her baby, so I also gave her a Penny Card. More Shared smiles. I accepted the penny, but said it was only a partial find since it was on the countertop. (Coin #1) I would need to yet get a “real find” today.

While Doc was working with the auto service guy, I walked across the street and searched the Starbucks inside the grocery store, the hardware store, the donut shop and a few other places. I finally found a penny at a little fast food place. Meanwhile Doc called to say he was looking for me and had just found a dime and his coffee at the Starbucks! (Coins #2&3).

I had time to walk around the car wash before Doc arrived. I found a penny in the detail area and then a gorgeous shiny penny at the threshold of the car wash office. A shiny penny in the threshold may be a good omen regarding the new house? (Coins #4&5).

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Doc arrived at the car wash just as I spotted a nickel in the drain grate. Rats! My chopsticks were in the van which was being serviced. But Doc needed to go back and get his parking pass. So we fetched both items and returned to the car wash to claim the nickel. I fished for it a few times with the chopsticks, caught it, and then lost it. Finally I got really impatient with the process and just pulled up the drain grate, moved it aside, and grabbed the penny! Duh! Why didn’t I just try that at first? Why did I drive all the way back, retrieve the chopsticks, spend so much time playing around, and get myself frustrated? The solution was so simple. I could have had direct custody of that nickel within seconds if my thinking had not been so limited. (Coin #6)

Lesson: Expand your Thinking

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We headed to school to get some work done. With the campus being closed for the holiday, there were no students or employees as distractions.

Doc agreed to review my house plan edits before we began our school work. I was exited about some of my ‘improvements’. With most of my changes he just came back with comments like “You are increasing costs. You can’t keep doing that, We can’t afford it, With you leaving your job we can’t do this… and on and on…” I was frustrated and in tears over his pessimism. I told him the Penny Angels would help us. He mumbled something about needing more than pennies for my farfetched scheme. He then left for a coffee. He returned with a dime and a nickel! That is more than pennies. See??? Up Your Belief! (Coins #7&8).

At that point I was saying, “Quarter, quarter , quarter. Penny Angels, do you hear me? We need at least 2 quarters today in order to get a Double Hit for the Cycle”. Plus, you need to Up Doc’s Belief a little right now. (and mine too).

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We picked up the kids for our bi-weekly Play Session and headed to the big mall

. We were planning to go to Jump N Jamin. We read books at the bookstore for the first hour. Doc noticed a Quarter at the register and Ashley claimed it! That was our requested Quarter and Hit for the Cycle. That helped to Up my Belief a little. (Coin #9)

Doc noticed that the movie “How to Tame Your Dragon” was playing. So the guys went to that, while Ashley and I went to Jump N Jamin’.

At 6 p.m. when Jump n Jamin closed, Ashley and I headed for the theatre to see when the movie would be finished. There was an expanse of maybe 50x70 feet of beautiful polished granite flooring - with a folded dollar bill just sitting there for us! That was upping my belief even more!

Ashley and I had an hour to spend together while waiting for the guys. We claimed two pennies in the food court area, then a dime and a very pretty ??? I thought at first it was a foreign coin. It was a new 2010 penny! Very different design. (Coins #10-13)

Doc and the boys found one penny when they emerged from the theatre. (Coin #14). We then enjoyed dinner in the food court - along with trying numerous free samples.

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After we returned the kids to their home, Doc and I stopped at Trader Joe’s. There was a penny at the threshold area as we entered the store. (Coin #15). We seem to have quite a number of threshold finds. Good sign. I immediately searched the check out area before we began shopping. There was some crumbled paper near the foot of a customer. It could almost be paper money. Surely if it was she would be reaching for it. It was nearly biting her toe! She continued her transactions and moved slightly aside. I walked past, scooped, and kept walking until I found Doc. Then I uncurled the paper to reveal a $5 bill! Hey Doc - Does that help Up Your Belief?

Total: 15 Coins P (9), N (2), D (3), Q (1) = $0.74

A Hit for the Cycle Plus a $1 and $5! Total value: $6.74

Day #466 - Eager to Learn

Today Doc and I each had our first lecture classes of the new term. It’s always exciting to see the eagerness of the new students -- at least that’s how I want to interpret the looks on their faces. (Other people might read those expressions differently).

Doc and I are using the same classroom this term. I am sure most of the new students do not know that we are married. As he left the room he advised MY students, “You gotta know ahead of time - she’s a really tough instructor. You have now been warned”! It’s such fun to be able to work/dance/joust with your spouse.

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New House Stuff:

This morning Doc and I had our weekly meeting with the architect. Our one hour dedicated to the new house each week. We went over a few very minor details on windows, the bathroom area in the garage, treatment of eaves, etc. Then she gave us the first electrical plan. She said the outlets and switches are the default ones generated by the computer program. A 5-second glance was enough to know there is Much Editing to be done there. As Doc would say, I go overboard on lighting and outlets! I’m sure the number will double after I review the plans this weekend. I am eager to learn and tackle that next hurdle…

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Penny Finding Tale:

Doc and I realized we would be very busy once we arrived at school, so after meeting with the architect, Doc headed for a fast food place. Besides, after leaving her office we are always motivated as well as hungry! I hopped out of the car near the Del Taco to look for coins. Too many cars in the drive through area, but I managed to collect one penny in the exit lane.

Meanwhile Doc had driven next door to the Carl’s Jr. Once he places his order at the speaker kiosk, he ‘blocks’ for me so I can safely and slowly search the pay window area. It is quite a silly “dance” between us. I collected a penny there, he collected a burrito.

The Penny Angels delivered their two cents worth for today. Then we were off to work and to classes.

Total for today: 2 Pennies

Thought: Are you Eager to Learn and complete your activities each day?

Day #465 - Good Neighbors

Yesterday we “squirreled” away coins for the coming week. Good thing.

Doc went to school at 7:15 a.m. this morning. That was too early for me! I arrived mid morning. It was the first day of classes for the new term, so neither one of us put any focus on coin finding. We finally left work around 9:30 p.m. to come home feed the dogs, have dinner, and prepare for tomorrow’s classes.

I said we did not “focus” on finding coins, that doesn’t mean we didn’t find any …

As I was leaving my house this morning, I noticed the empty trash cans out on the street. So I moved our trash cans into the back yard then was “nudged” to take in the neighbor’s bin for them. I argued back to the Penny Angels, “I’m running late for work, they can certainly take in their own trash cans. It’s not a big deal”. But again I was “nudged” to Do It Anyway. Acts of Random Kindness (ARK). So I did. There was a penny on the pavement next to where I needed to park their trashcan! Reward.

Lesson: Be a Good Neighbor - it doesn’t take that much extra effort.

Doc stopped at Starbucks on his way to campus. He did not spot any coins in the drive through and was disappointed. Then he saw one in the street as he was leaving. He parked the van at the McDonald’s next door and walked back to get - a quarter! This evening he looked at the quarter in his hand (which was very battered and run over) and said, “Yeah, that coin sure depicts how I feel tonight”.

Lesson: Today you may get run over, but perhaps tomorrow you will be lovingly scooped up, wiped off, and tenderly tucked away. Or you may be put right back into ciculation to do something good. Are you prepared for either circumstance?

Total for today: 2 Coins P (1), Q (1) = $0.26

P.S. I took in ONE trashcan for the neighbor and one for us. When I arrived home this evening, my neighbor had taken in my additional TWO cans. (My initial ARK was doubled)!

Day #464 - Fun, but No Rest

This morning we woke up at the cabin. That was nice. The Blue Jays were on the deck wanting to be fed. We partially fixed the gas lamp out front, did some planning for the upcoming month, Doc read the newspaper, I did some paper work and then by late-morning we were ready to leave (and get breakfast).

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We decided to make a few stops before breakfast/lunch. Our first stop was at 7-11 to look for today’s coin. I found it at a picnic table outside the store. Done. But I couldn’t resist going inside to look for more coins. Looked carefully and did not see any coins. I was leaving the store and there was the quarter I had asked for last night! Those Penny Angels have no clue about earth time. The quarter was supposed to be found before midnight yesterday! I stretched way deep under the counter to get the quarter - plus 2 dimes! (Coins #1-4)

Next we went to the hardware store to look for replacement parts for the gas lamp. Doc asked if I had turned off the water at the cabin. Oops! So we headed back. And we saw a few patches of snow! As I hopped out of the van in the carport, there was a run-over penny! (Coin #5).

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On the way down the mountain we stopped at some fast food place for lunch. Why? Because it looked busy there (maybe good food), yet the drive through lane was empty. I quickly hopped out of the van to search. No coins in the driveway. Lots of trash and stuff in the planter - and something at the very end. I thought maybe it was a foreign coin. Doc used some ketchup to clean it - ANOTHER quarter! (Coin #6)

We were just a few miles from home when Doc insisted upon stopping at Starbucks. There were 6-8 cars waiting in line and Doc needed to use the restroom, so he parked the car and went inside while I searched for coins. I found a dime in one of the planter areas which was barely recognizable as a dime. As I retrieved it, I found two nearby pennies. When Doc emerged I was pointing to where I found the coins. He replied that was an odd place to find them, and “Why didn’t you also get that obvious one right there which you just walked past?” (Coins #7-10).

We next needed to stop for petrol. Doc was making a U-turn, but I encouraged him to make a left turn instead. That way he could swing around a donut shop on the corner. He did. I hopped out of the van to collect a penny. The air temperature was in the high 80s, so the asphalt was a little soft and the penny was slightly stuck. (Coin #11).

Doc drove off and left me to walk down to the gas station! I did. While he filled the gas tank, I headed into the convenience store. He told me to find a nickel today. I found a dime and a penny to the left of the front door, one penny when I walked into the store, then another dime and penny under the counter. That was 5 coins, but not a nickel. (Coins #12-16).

Doc was not quite done fuelling, so I went next door to the Jack in the Box drive through window - to collect 2 pennies there (Coins #17-18)

That is plenty of coins for a supposed Day of Rest!

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We were home for only a little while - to unpack the ice chest and overnight bags, then to feed the dogs. Two of the dogs were not speaking to us at first since we had not taken them along with us to the cabin!

Doc said it was time for the weekly grocery shopping. I dread the chore, yet he seems to enjoy it! I was telling him (and the Penny Angels) that we had plenty of coins today and did not need any more to write about - except for maybe one nickel please?

We stopped at the 7-11 to look for a nickel. Emerged with a quarter, dime and penny! ANOTHER almost hit for the cycle there! (Coins #19-21).

At Trader Joe’s Doc collected a penny just a few feet from the car, then one inside at the check out area. After shopping there was a penny outside the store and then as I was telling Doc about that one, he rolled across another penny with the shopping cart. (Coins #22-25).

At Sprouts I found a penny as I hopped out of the van. (Coin #26)

At the next shopping center, Doc walked through parking spaces while I quickly peeked inside the coin laundry. There was a man who looked familiar. It was Chuck whom I had met there on Day #365. He participated in that day’s celebration by donating the pennies he had in his pocket -- all 62 of them!

As we walked into the grocery store Doc said, “Three!” We laughed as I dove into that check out lane for the three pennies. And then there were two in the next Check out lane. That was 5 pennies within just a few feet of each other. Once again I had to remind the Penny Angels - in this case 5 pennies does not equal the Nickel we are searching for! (Coins #27-31).

The cashier as we were checking out was really nice. He shared about his grandfather who used to collect pennies and even after his passing has continued to send coins. Even an extra special U.S. penny found while visiting Grandpa’s homeland in Ireland.

At the 99¢ store we looked for coins. Doc found one penny near our van, I found one under a wire display outside the store, Doc found one in a parking stall, then a penny and dime next door. Again I told the Penny Angels that five coins was not the same as a nickel! (Coins #32-36)

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I was tired of Penny Finding and wanted to go home. Doc pulled into another shopping center. I found a penny in the walkway by a burger place. (Coin #37)

We were just two blocks away from home…Doc has severe Penny Fever (and was avoiding his class prep). He pulled into another self-serve car wash. I began searching the wash bays and yelled, “I found a penny!” and Doc shouted back, “OK, but you walked right over this one!”. We found 3 more pennies in the area. Again - 5 pennies does not equal a nickel! (Coins #38-42)

Then there was the final 2¢ worth at the gas pumping area. (Coins #43-44)

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The Spring Term begins at school tomorrow, so maybe like the squirrels, we are “storing” up for leaner days ahead.

Total morning: 18 Coins P (11), N (0), D (5), Q (2) = $1.11

Total evening: 26 Coins P (23), N (0), D (2), Q (1) = $0.68

Total for day: 44 Coins P (34), N (0), D (7), Q (3) = $1.79

Day #463 - Family Celebrations

Today was our family Easter celebration and my Father’s birthday, so we watched the kids hunt for plastic Easter eggs and then, of course, we all ate way too much.

It was mid-afternoon when we left my father’s house and we had not coins yet for the day, so we decided to Penny Hunt. We stopped at a nearby shopping center. I walked the Taco Bell drive through lane and collected a penny. At the grocery store I found a penny in a check out lane and Doc retrieved a nickel from under a table displaying cookies (Coins #1-3). Doc then spotted a dime under the coin counting machine, but it was firmly entombed in the thick floor sealer. There was another penny behind the machine which we also could not retrieve (2 foregones).

This is supposed to be Spring Break week so Doc and I made a break - for our cabin. It had been six months since we had visited there, so we decided to check on the place. We noticed the Starbucks at the base of the mountain had no one in line at the drive up window. Penny Fever hit. We pulled over. I collected one dime and one penny. Doc spotted a penny in a parking spot and pointed to it. I could not see it even when shown. He retrieved it. Then I collected a nickel in front of the liquor store. Nickels are the rarest coin to find. (Coins #4-7).

We stopped at the grocery store for some bread, meat and cheese for dinner. As we approached the doorway, Doc mentioned that I was passing right over a penny. I had not even seen it. (Coin #8). I kept saying: quarter, quarter, quarter ….. in order to “Hit for the Cycle”.

We finally made it up to the cabin. We had dinner, played two games of Sudoku, and went to bed early! Such a wild Saturday night!

Total: 8 Coins P (5), N (2), D (1), Q (0) = $0.25 my favorite number

Day #462 - Tax Relief

Just like my students, I waited until the very last moment to get my “homework” done. We’ve known for months that taxes would need to be completed, but kept procrastinating. Finally early this afternoon we finished assembling everything. Just in time for our 6 p.m. meeting with our tax preparer.

On the way to our meeting we stopped at the office supply place to make some photocopies. Doc found our first coin there. Then he detoured past a Starbucks coffee (a new one for some adventure in our day). It did not have a drive through, so we did not stop there. As we were getting back onto the main road, Doc spotted a Sit-N-Find in the entryway to the huge shopping center. He made me hop out, run around the car, and fetch it for him. (Coin #2). The Starbcuks at the next shopping center also did not have a drive through, but it was fairly crowded, so we stopped there. While Doc got his coffee inside, I searched the tables outside - and collected MY coin for the day. (Coin #3).

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We met with our tax preparer and told him this year we have a new tax form - for the PennyFinders business. We told him the PennyFinders story. He reached for something by his computer. It was a Schmushed penny which he had received as a gift and was now giving to me. It had lines and lines of text on it - so tiny I could not decipher it. I finally figured it out. Written on the penny are the 10 commandments!

The tax guy had a penny story of his own. It turns out that he collects and saves each of his found coins because they promote the message “In God We Trust”. He keeps them in his gym bag and carries them back and forth to his workouts.

Doc’s comment: “Using that technique - As the number and load of collected coins increases, so does the spiritual and physical strength of the Penny Finder”

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I had to stop for some broccoli on the way home. I just wanted a quick stop. But Doc wanted a target-rich environment. He chose which grocery store to search. I found a dime as we were walking in. Doc found a penny at the coin redemption machine. I found a penny standing vertically against a counter base, then a dime under a coin return while waiting for Doc. Doc found a dime while paying for his groceries, then a dime where I had just been standing! (Coins #4-9)

Total: 9 Coins P (5), N (0), D (4), Q (0) = $0.45

Lesson: Sometimes the things we must do exceed our limited expertise or strengths. It’s nice when we can relinquish our burdens to a more capable being.

Day #461 - Spring Break

This is supposed to be “Spring Break”. Sure. When does it start? This week has been an assortment of grading papers, preparing final grades, tax prep, class prep, Spring cleaning and Penny Fever. Some “break”.

This morning I was working on tax prep stuff. Doc went to the grocery store for a break, bread, and a penny (Coin #1). At noon we headed to school. Doc insisted upon a stop at McDonald’s. He got food, I walked to the self-serve car wash next door and found a penny in one of the wash bays and another penny at the vacuum hose area (Coins #2&3).

We put in a few concentrated hours of work. Cleaned up some things from last quarter and worked on preparations for classes which begin Monday. (It’s easier to get work done without the interruption of students)! As we were leaving campus Doc stopped in the parking lot and insisted we get out and walk for a few minutes. This man has a severe case of Penny Fever! He logged 1,000 steps and found 3 pennies (Coins #4-6). Plus he found an embedded penny which frustrated him.

On the way home I needed to make a stop. Doc went to the grocery store and collected a dime there. (Coin #7). Then he found a penny in the parking lot. (Coin #8).

Total: 8 Coins P (7), N (0), D (1), Q (0) = $0.17

Day #460 - Hi Five

Short and sweet tonight.

As we were driving home from work, Doc said, “We need to get today’s coins before we get home. We have much to do this evening and so we need to find a coin now!” He pulled into the Park & Ride lot by the freeway. He said, “Let’s walk until we have 5 coins.” I replied, “NO! One coins and then I am outta here!”

I wandered up and down the rows in the parking lot. Finally I went out to the bus stop area adjacent to the freeway. I found a penny under a bench! (Coin #1). I phoned Doc to tell him it was time to go. He had found a penny as well! (Coin #2) By the time I met up with him (about 2 minutes later) he had found Coin #3. I walked quickly to get in the car, but he stopped to pick up Penny #4.

We did not want any hassle of dirty dishes tonight, so we ate Mexican food on the way home. There was a bright shiny penny on the floor mat - just waiting for us! Yes - the 5^th Penny as per his request.

Thoughts: I asked for ONE penny - and that is what I got.

Doc asked for us to find FIVE coins - and that is what he got.

What does that teach us?

Lesson: Ask and Ye Shall Receive

Total: 5 pennies

Day #459 - Building Enthusiasm

A few nights ago I asked the Penny Angels for ways to include the penny concept in the new house. Just subtle symbols. With an hour I came across this window pane. I can just envision something like this on a front window. Copper circles within leaded glass and then a warm, inviting light glowing from inside the house to welcome people.

This morning we met with the architect for the new house. That is always exciting and inspiring. Little bits of progress each week. Today the focus was on the garage, chimney, windows, and details.

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After our meeting with the architect, we stopped at a grocery store to search for pennies. None to be found there, so I searched next door at the In-N-Out Burgers and found a penny among the picnic tables. (Coin #1).

Next we stopped at the bank. There were 5 employees, but no other customers in the bank. I caught the eye of the branch manager and exclaimed (loud enough for everyone to hear), “It’s Day #459!” That aroused everyone’s curiosity. So I told the story and the bank manager pulled out her Penny Card! She said she has been finding lots of coins since I shared the Penny Finding story with her. Then I went to the car to get Penny Cards for the other employees as well. Just Sharing Joy and collecting smiles.

Doc and I stopped for petrol on the way home and found a penny in the dirt planter (Coin #2).

Penny Fever is Spreading

Total: 2 pennies

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Last Tuesday night I met a lady who plants Organic Gardens for people. I told her about Penny Finders. I saw her again this evening. She told of a unique penny find this week. She found a penny on a glass inside her dishwasher! How odd!

She was also surprised by her 8-yr old son. She had not told him about Penny Finders. He told her yesterday that he had been finding a penny or coin every day since last week and thought that was really weird! Maybe not so weird J The Penny Angels like to play! Penny Fever is spreading.

Day #458 - Shining

Today progress was made on several fronts. It is now 10:45 p.m. and I have just submitted the grades for this term. Yippee!

This morning on the way to work, Doc and I stopped to get blueprints made of some of the house drawings for our meeting today. That stop was very quick and easy. We noticed a Carl’s Jr. on the way to campus - good opportunity to get today’s story. I walked the empty drive through lane and searched and searched. No coins! I was disappointed and told the Penny Angels as much. “Hey, I didn’t stop here, park and walk over here for Nothing, did I?” Then I spotted something very shiny. But it wasn’t circular like a coin. But it was the right color? But it was only a half circle. I looked closer. It was a penny! It was stuck in a metal cover plate in the driveway. It must have been wedged in the crack then run over in order

to bend it at a 90 degree angle. It took several minutes of prying with my pocket knife to free it. I just hoped no cars would come through the lane and schmush me like the penny!

Once at school, Doc found a penny in the breezeway and then a second one at the campus Starbucks.

Thought: Do you still shine even on the days when you have been run over? You may get bent out of shape, but your value is still the same.

Total: 3 pennies

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New House progress:

In order to begin getting the approvals on construction, we need to have a landscape plan.

Today we had an initial meeting with the Landscape architect. He had some great ideas. He encouraged us to pass by one of his current jobs on the way home. I was hesitant and wanted to get my grading done, but we detoured. Sure glad we did! We met the work crew, the owner of the house, and saw the work in progress. My conclusion: “Pick up that design, stretch it to fit our lot dimensions, and plop it down on our lot! I loved the designs!” I am sooo inspired tonight.

Day #457 - Gusts of Grading

I was grading student papers almost all day long. Mostly moderate and steady progress with a few intense gusts. Doc came in my room around 6 p.m. and said, “It’s easier to find coins when it’s light out. Get off you butt and let’s go searching”. So we went to the local high school.

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On the way to the school, I noticed some pennies in the coin tray of the van. Doc had gone out for breakfast and a car wash this morning. He found a penny at the grocery store, two pennies double-stacked outside the CVS pharmacy, and one median find. (Coins #1-4)

When we arrived at the school, I hopped out quickly and headed onto the campus where an outdoor fair had taken place today. I figured coins were likely to be found there. Meanwhile Doc found a dime which he said I walked over (Coin #5). I found no coins at the fair, lunch tables, basketball courts, or anywhere. I headed across the parking lot to the skateboard park. Meanwhile Doc found a penny (Coin #6).

When I arrived outside the skateboard area, one of the kids asked if I was looking for pennies again and had I found one today? I replied, “I am searching right now”. I walked up the walkway to the entrance gate and there was a penny in the dirt. So I flashed it to the young lad. Found another one in the dirt inside the park. Then another which was just beyond my reach due to the fencing around the park. It required me to exit the park and climb through tall bushes to retrieve it! I was headed back to the van and spotted another penny. Meanwhile Doc found a dime near the van. I thought we were leaving, but he started walking away again! I hopped in the driver’s seat and told him I was going home to grade papers, he’d better get in or he could walk home. He begrudgingly got into the van, but stopped to pick up one last penny.

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Doc insisted upon stopping for coffee at the Circle K store. I searched for coins. The cashier asked if he could help me find something? I answered, “Today’s lucky penny please”. He replied. “You won’t find any because I collect all the coins around here.” I then showed him the penny which I had just picked up near the chip rack. J

Lesson: The Angels will deliver coins when they decide to.

Total: 13 Coins P (11), N (0), D (2), Q (0) = $0.31

Day #456 - Wasted Time

This evening I’m grading some of the Final Papers for my class. Just taking a break in order to write to you.

This morning Sparky and Doc went for pancakes to Johnny’s Burgers. Yesterday one worker there had slipped Sparky two pieces of bacon, so he was very anxious to go back for more today. They brought home a penny for me. (Coin #1)

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Late this afternoon Doc and I went to school to do some work. Doc insisted upon stopping at Starbucks for a coffee. The line was long and seemed to take an eternity. I was frustrated at all the wasted time and wishing I had brought some work to do. I hopped out of the car and at least got some step-up exercises on the curb. Doc pointed out a very crusted over penny in the dirt planter which I fetched for him. (Coin #2).

As the car in front of us moved away from the pay window, Doc blocked for me while I gobbled up the coins I spotted. There was a nickel! And a Quarter! The gal at the window gave me a questioning look. I gave her a Penny Card to explain my behavior. When she turned to fill Doc’s order, I quickly gobbled up more coins - a dime, a nickel, a penny and four more dimes! Score!

A Hit for the Cycle all at one location! 9 coins under the window! (Coins #3-11). Maybe the time waiting was not wasted time after all.

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We worked at school for a few hours. As we were leaving, Doc found a penny in the hallway by the Materials lab. (Coin #12)

Total: 12 Coins P (4), N (2), D (5), Q (1) = $0.89

Ponderings: When things don’t happen quickly like we want them to is it Wasted Time or Waiting Time?

Day #455 - Mushroom Coins

Late yesterday the architect sent us the latest Elevation View of the front of the house. So late last night I ‘bounced the drawing’ to a few friends and had a dozen responses by mid morning. So we called the architect and met with her to provide “the Team’s feedback”. Next she will take these drawings for ‘casual reviews”. We were instructed to begin working with a landscpe designer to those plans can be submitted along with the Architectural Drawings.

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After our meeting, Doc headed for his luncheon appointment and then to school. He stopped at the grocery store to get coffee and found one penny there, then one penny at the check out. He also found one penny at school in the parking lot (Coins #1-3).

I spent the afternoon grading class papers and making the necessary phone calls to: the landscape design company for a Monday appointment, a contractor for plan reviews, a realtor for information on the Claremont lot, etc.

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This evening after dinner, Doc said we needed to go Penny Finding. There were no cars in the Carl’s Jr. line, so I walked through in. No coins either. We stopped at the 7-11 store. Our friend, Tony was working tonight. He had been working the register on Penny Finding Day #365 and gave be a gold $1 coin from his pocket in celebration. I had that coin made into a pendant which I showed him tonight. He was pleased. He took a photo of it. A customer in line smiled at our stories so I gave him a Penny Card. Of course I had to look under the counter for coins. Thee was a very visible penny. So I got down on one knee to retrieve it - and the quarter which was hidden deeper under the counter. And then another penny. And then a dime. Doc and I both said, “That’s all.” But then suddenly there was another penny. And Tony had one on his side of the counter. And then another mushroom penny on our side! We had fun. Cheap Friday night smiles all around. (Coins #4-10).

There were no coins at Trader Joe’s tonight. At Sprouts grocery store I searched the check out area three times. Doc looked too. As we were paying, I looked carefully all around us,. I told Doc, “Nothing here either.” And suddenly there was a dime beside us! (Coin #11) Mushroom coin.

At the next grocery store there was one penny in a check out line and a dime in another closed line. (Coins #12-13).

Total: 13 Coins P (9), N (0), D (3), Q (1) = $0.64 (Doc’s age)

Day #454 - Happy Hopping

Today we hopped from one thing to another - never settling at one task for very long.

Doc began his morning with his trip to Starbucks (one dime there - Coin #1) and then he hopped over to CVS Pharmacy to check his blood pressure reading and collect a penny. (Coin #2)

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This afternoon was our bi-weekly Play Time with the niece and two nephews. We headed to a local canyon for a hike by a stream. We first spend time in the nature center admiring all the snakes, tarantulas, frogs, etc. Nicolas asked if we might see frogs in the stream. Let’s manifest one!

We walked along the stream, then across the water hopping from rock to rock. The temptation was too great. The kids begged to kick off their socks, shoes, and shirts to walk in the water. I stayed dry and was crossing the stream when the cutest little green frog hopped on the rock in front of me. There was the result of our verbalized request.

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We headed next to Pasadena for dinner. We were stopped at a red light when Doc looked across the intersection, then looked back at me (I was sitting in the very back seat of the van studying spelling words with Nicholas). I had already noticed the 7-11 Store and was trying to contain my Penny Fever. Since I had not yet found a coin today, I was very tempted to stop there, but that just seemed too silly to do. We pulled into the parking lot. Brandon likes to Penny Hunt with me, so we said, “We are going to look for a penny. No, re-phrase that. We are going to FIND a penny”.

We hopped out of the van, went in the store and searched. No coins. I was by the door when Brandon spotted a dime under the chips display! Good news. (Coin #3) The cashier asked if we were looking for something. I replied, “Yes, and we just found it.” There were 4-5 customers in line, so I could not tell too much, but I did give a 60 second infomercial, gave him a Penny Card, and thanked him for being part of the Day #454 Penny Tale The first customer in line heard our story and asked me about it as we were leaving the store. I also gave him a Penny Card and shared the joy with him. (Turns out he is an engineer as well).

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We arrived at the Mongolian BBQ restaurant for dinner. The three guys entered the place while I grabbed Ashley’s hand and hopped next door to the Carl’s Jr. drive through. We found 2 pennies there and a third one in a parking spot. We then went inside the Mongolian BBQ to order our food and found a penny at the register where we were paying. (Coins #3-7).

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After dinner the kids begged to go to Chuck E. Cheese. I dread the noise and commotion of the place. Within moments of walking in, Doc found a dime at the basketball game. (Coin #8).

The kids and Doc were happy hopping from game to game for that hour. In addition, Doc found one CEC game token and Ashley found two!

Now I am going to hop to the dining room and start grading some of my students’ papers.

Good night!

Total: 8 Coins P (5), N (0), D (3), Q (0) = $0.35 + 3 CEC tokens

Day #453 - Gorgeous Sunset

Today I administered my last Final Exam for the Winter Quarter and collected the final papers. It’s fun to see the students’ tremendous growth in just 10 weeks. There were a few students who said “Thanks!” With some of the others it will take a few years before they “get it”. Now comes all the grading …

I took 5 minutes before class to run to the marketplace in search of a coin. One penny found there.

After work, Doc and I attended our first Homeowners Association for the new neighborhood where we will be building. Turns out there are 373 homes within that development. We had no idea there were so many! There were four Board members and four guests present. (Including Doc and I). They were happy to have guests who were there just to observe versus griping about something!

On the way home we stopped at the grocery store for bananas - and one penny.

Total: 2 Pennies

So what does the title “Gorgeous Sunset” have to do with today’s Tale?

I haven’t a clue. The sky tonight was incredibly beautiful and just needed to be appreciated!

Day #452 - Peruvian Centimo

It’s 10 p.m. on Tuesday night. I’m staring at a blank computer screen and wondering what to write today. I just want to go to bed.

This morning we met with the architect for the one weekly hour we have dedicated to the New House Project. It’s a small step, but it keeps things moving forward. You gotta have a dream…

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Doc stopped for coffee on the way to the architect. I went next door to the CVS Pharmacy to look for a bandage wrap for my arm - and, of course, today’s coin. There was an older cashier gentleman who was dutifully whisk-brooming the floors. Nice job, but not good grounds for penny hunting. I was nudged, “Don’t always look on the floor for the coins.” So I looked in the rows of candies and other things below the counter. There was something small and silver. I thought, perhaps it was a play coin. It was a 2009 Peruvian 1¢ coin! Neat.

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I put in a full day at work and we were headed home. Doc said, “You realize that one foreign coin is just not sufficient for today’s find…” I was in a hurry to get home so I could change clothes and get to a 7 p.m. workshop. I replied to him (edited version here). “The heck it isn’t! That Peruvian Penny was a legitimate find!”

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6:00 p.m. We were almost home when Doc pulled up to the convenience store and said “Fetch!” I quickly retrieved a dime while Doc went next door and retrieved a burrito. I was holding the dime up for him to see across the parking lot. The cashier inside the store witnessed my find and gave me a thumbs up! (I had visited that store and the cashier knew the Penny Finding Story). She motioned for me to come inside. She said, “Tell my mom (who was standing there) about your Penny Pendant and your story …” I told her and as I did, a Penny appeared on the floor next to us! Manifestation, Validation, Mushroom Coin. (Coin #3)

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10:30 p.m. Doc just came home and gave me his coin finds for today. Rats! I thought I was done writing.

12:15 a.m. Three different incoming phone calls for the past 1.5 hours. Now back to Penny Tales.

Doc found three pennies (Coins #4-6) at the grocery store this evening when he stopped for coffee before going back to school. Then he walked through the high school parking lot to get more steps on his pedometer. Nice to have the extra hour of daylight. He found 4 pennies and a nickel! (Coins #7-11).

Total: 11 Coins P (8), N (1), D (1), Q (0) = $0.23 U.S. + 1¢ Peruvian

Day #451 - Sweet Rewards

Some of my students have been petitioning for cupcakes (sweet rewards) and a party instead of a final exam today. We compromised - they got both.

On the way to school today I stopped at the grocery store to get cupcakes and muffins for the class. There were no coins. Doc went next door to the CVS Pharmacy and found two pennies in the parking lot. His 2¢ worth. Doc offered to stop at the Circle K store across the street so I could search for MY coin. There were none inside the store, but a penny found in the parking lot. Then a second penny as I picked up the first one. The score was now tied - we each had our 2¢ worth.

As I arrived at school, one of my students saw me with all the groceries and offered to assist. He flashed a big smile and said he had found a penny for me! The Penny Fever is spreading!

Once in the office, my focus was 100% on work and today’s final lecture and exam (which I needed to finish preparing). At the conclusion of the exam, the students enjoyed the pastries. I had slipped either a PennyFinders Card or copper writing pen in each of their journals and some of them noticed the trinkets before leaving. That was fun. I took the remaining muffins to the student study room and was rewarded with finding a quarter! (Coin #5).

A few students interrupted Doc and asked for assistance. He helped them, then was rewarded with a Penny Find on the way back to his office. Later when he went to get coffee, he found another penny in the walkway. As he was in the van and backing up to leave campus, he found a penny in the stall where he had been parked. (Coins #6-8).

On the way home, we stopped to get some birthday balloons. The two ladies at the registers were really friendly. While I was talking to them and getting the helium fills, Doc was finding a nickel. (Coins #9) As I was leaving the store I spotted a bright, shiny penny behind a wire display. (Coin #10) I ran back in to show it to the two ladies. I told them the PennyFinding story and gave them each a Penny Card. They smiled. Joy Shared.

Total: 10 Coins P (8), N (1), D (0), Q (1) = $0.38

Lesson: The rewards for helping others are sweet.

Day #450 - Verbalizing

I didn’t really feel like spending a lot of time Penny Hunting today, but because it is Day #450 I thought maybe the Penny Tale for today should be more interesting than just a simple Penny Find. So I asked the Penny Angels what they wanted to do.

They had lots of stories and lessons…

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Doc and I agreed to get out of the house for 1-2 hours after I finished grading two sets of homework. We would see where the Penny Angels would lead us. Our first stop was the local Farmer’s Market. Doc detoured over to Starbucks while I searched the various stalls. I found one dime (Coin #1) and bought a bouquet of flowers to celebrate Day #450. That only took a few minutes and we had allowed 1.5 hours of “play time” today.

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Doc and I did not feel that one coin was sufficient for such a landmark day, so we headed to the Claremont High School parking lot. We agreed to part ways and meet back at the van in 20 minutes. Doc walked the parking lot to get steps and find coins while I headed onto the campus. I walked all through the lunch tables, bike racks, etc. to find nothing. As I was walking down one hallway, I realized how quiet I was being. So I said Out Loud, “Good morning Penny Angels. People say that Verbalizing goals helps make them stronger. You’ve shown me and the other Penny Finders numerous times how Verbalizing seems to make things happen. So WHY don’t I do that more often?” The halls were deserted so I said out loud, “OK Penny Angels, do your stuff!”. Within 60 seconds there was a penny! Nice. Coincidence I’m sure. I stopped to pull out my voice recorder to docment that incident. I was speaking and saying “coincidence” when I spotted a nickel next to me. I laughed and recorded that find. Then I began walking and said, “Penny Angels. So that’s two coin. I still say it is Coincidence!” And instantly there was another penny. I was laughing. (Coins #2-4)

Those finds had taken less than 10 minutes, so I still had time to search. I headed for the Senior Center next to the school. Singsong here:

Hey Penny Angels won’t you come out to play, come out to play, come out to play? Hey Penny Angels won’t you come out to play - it’s a gorgeous day today.

I found a penny. “Hi Angels, that was cute. Anything else you want to say?” There were lots of bottle caps. I told the Penny Angels how in heaven bottle caps and coins might both be useless, but here on earth I preferred to find coins. I then found a Canadian penny. “Neat!” “I have 3-4 minutes remaining. Anything else you want to say?” I found a penny immediately, then another penny shortly thereafter. (Coins #5-8)

Lesson: Verbalizing seems to make things happen.

Doc was having a less productive time; however he did find two pennies. (Coins #9&10) One penny up against the grass, shining brightly in the sun. Another penny in a parking stall. Plus a nice softball! He teased and said I was STILL the expert and he was merely a Rookie.

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I hopped into the van and told Doc about the verbalizing. I said, “We need a quarter to hit for the Cycle. Let’s ask for that!” So I started repeating, “Quarter, quarter, quarter…”

We stopped at Trader Joe’s. Found a dime immediately as I walked in. (Coin #11) I paid for groceries while Doc went to the parking lot. He found a penny under a dining table of the burger place (Coin #12)

We were heading home to make it back for my self-imposed Noon curfew. However, I was saying “Quarter, quarter, quarter …” So Doc detoured into the 7-11 store. Nothing in the parking lot. Just one penny under the counter inside the store (Coin #13).

We walked next door to the self-serve car wash. We looked in all the bays, nothing. The drains were all full of soappy water so we couldn’t see anything. The clogged sink with all the crud where we had found numerous coins that one night, was now dry and clean. Bummer! There was trash all over the vacuum hose bays, but no coins. I was disappointed. I began walking away … and spotted something! No way! Yes, it was a quarter! “Good job Penny Angels!” (Coin #14)

Doc and I hurried back to the parked van in the other parking lot and drove back to the car wash to get a picture of that Find. I hopped out of the van and there was a penny by my foot! (Coin #15) Somewhat of a P.S. to that story. Fun stuff!

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It is 6 p.m. and I was taking a break from school stuff to write today’s Penny Tale. Doc went off to Starbucks because he needed to take a break from his afternoon napping. He just returned and handed me some coins. …

Doc found a penny in the dirt planter at Starbucks. He also found a Quarter at the window! We did do a lot of verbalizing this morning. There was a dime which he had to drive over (foregone). (Coins #16&17)

Doc stopped at the grocery store and found a dime under the coin counting machine (Coin #18). Then Sparky took him to the high school for a walk. They found two pennies there (Coins #19 & 20)

Doc was approaching a stop sign and spotted a dime - not in a median strip, just in the street. So he parked his van and walked back to get it. An elderly couple walked across the street and snatched the coin in front of him! He was so disheartened. But then spotted something shiny! The Penny Angels gave him another chance - another dime! (Coin #21). Nice.

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I just asked Doc to open a bottle of White Zinfandel for me. He is laughing in the kitchen and shouting - “Your $1.99 bottle of wine is cheaper than my coffee!”

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Lesson: Humor Helps - Rage Does Not

As Doc was driving home, one car (Car #2) squeezed in between him and the car behind him (Car #3). Driver of Car #3 sped up and made threatening and dangerous maneuvers. That driver then swerved back, hit the curb, hit a light pole and rolled his car just down the street from our house. Doc came home, called 911, then walked back to the scene to provide his account of what happened.

Total: 21 Coins P (14), N (1), D (4), Q (2) = $1.09 + one foregone dime