Day #862 - Home Base

On the way to the jobsite we passed a Carl’s Jr. with no cars at the drive up window. I could not resist a quick run through. The result - one nickel and two pennies. (Coins #1-3). A good “base” to begin the day. It was ironic to find the coin there because some teenagers were running a car wash to raise funds. And their water hose ran right across those coins!

Doc stopped at Starbucks for his AM fix. I collected a nickel at the Chick-fil-A next door, then a dime in front of Starbucks as I met Doc. (Coins #4&5).

After a few hours at the construction site, Doc went to CPP to work for several hours. I cleaned house and did some food prep for a luncheon tomorrow. On his way home Doc stopped for a car wash where he collected 5 pennies, then one more penny at CVS. (Coins #6-11).

I thought we were done Penny Finding for the day, but then had to make a quick run to the grocery store. I found 5 pennies and a dime in various places and then a nickel in the precise spot (at the pay phone) where Doc had looked on our way into the store! (Coins #12-18).

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Penny Palace Progress:

Framer Danny pretty much finished the floor supports today. Goal accomplished! Doc says now we have the “Home Base!”

Plumber Bryan and his son, Jake began their portion. You can see waste pipe stands where the toilets and sinks will be.

Total: 18 Coins P (13), N (3), D (2), Q (0) = $0.48

Day #861 - Flowers & Floors

On the way to the jobsite, Doc stopped at Starbucks. The drive up window for Chick-fil-A was void of cars, so I ran through. Score! Three pennies, a nickel, a dime, and three quarters. Hit for the Cycle at one place!

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Today: Framing crew at full speed trying to make the end of the month goal to have floor supports and floor joists in place. Interfaces with plumber, Edison and others. Doc on site to see the progress.

I planted our first flower next to the porta potty. I like California Poppies and noticed a few growing in the corner. Nice. Take time to enjoy the flowers.

After being out at our site for a few hours, we stopped to see the status of son Stevie’s house. Laura and kids were there, so it was our first “official” new neighbor visit.

Later this afternoon Doc went to have blueprints made, then to campus to check on the 3-D printing machine. He has set it to produce a job over 41 hours and wanted to make sure it was still operating properly. Then he stopped at the grocery store where he found one penny with a huge gash in it, plus a 1939 wheat penny.

Total: 10 Coins P (5), N (1), D (1), Q (3) = $0.95

Day #860 - Three Pairs

Such a full day! I was working away on stone veneer quantities, drywall finishes, invoices, and many other things. Looked at the clock - 9 PM. Thinking: “I’d better start writing today’s Tale so Doc can proofread it when he gets home from work. Then I realized … I hadn’t found any coins today. Too focused to even think of them! Time for a grocery store run …

I entered the grocery store hoping for an easy find around the check out areas. Looked in each of the aisles with no coins to be found. Time for a serious discussion with the Angels. “Do you really want it to end like this? Show me a coin!” I immediately found a dime and penny (Pair #1) at the change counting kiosk! Whew! and ELEVEN is supposed to be a very spiritual number. (Coins #1&2) “Thank you Angels. Now let’s get Doc some fruit”.

When I purchased my groceries there were another dime and penny in that lane!. (Pair #2) Then as I was leaving the store I spotted a third set of dime and penny! (Pair #3) Then one more final penny. (Coins #3-7). Seven is a nice number as well.

Earlier this morning, Doc and Sparky found two pennies on their McDonalds run.

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House Progress:

When Doc got home he asked for today’s photos from the jobsite. Oops! I was too busy to think about taking any! Danny and the framing crew were going full speed to meet their deadline. Concrete Rick was going over plans for the columns and for the retaining wall. Grader Craig called in. Manager Daryl was talking to me about insulation and many other topics. Then brother Greg called because he was excited to be moving lots of dirt today for the foundation of his new house! We need some of the dirt he is removing. Too bad it’s several hours away.

Lots more, but must get back to work and stop chatting here with you.

Total: 9 Coins P (6), N (0), D (3), Q (0) = $0.36

Day #859 - Self Talk

This evening a co-worker sent an email to say thanks for editing her homework essay this past Sunday morning. She received a score of 100 on it! That was sure energizing. This is from someone who said she had just changed her way of talking to herself.

“This quarter I am going in with a positive attitude saying I can write and not get nervous about it. I want to see if this will make a difference. I'm tired of being scared about writing.”

Do you think self talk makes a difference? Is self talk the same as talking to Angels, or to God, or to a Higher Source? Is it perhaps “tapping in” to the resources available for us?

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This morning my mom needed a ‘chauffeur’ for the one-hour drive to a low-cost dental clinic. Neither one of us are morning persons, so 5:30 AM was difficult. A filling had fallen out, so we expected it to be repaired and be home again by 10 AM with the job completed. Surprise. Mom needs a crown and two more visits. Ughhh.

Mom and I stopped quickly at the jobsite before taking her home Things are looking great! Craig was bringing in more loads of dirt. Danny and crew were working on the floor support system.

Since Doc had not been to the site this week, Doc and I headed back out there. Stopped at Home Depot for some shelving units and a quarter. (Coin #1). Once on site Doc and I assembled the shelving units. It was really warm in the shed, but much better than outside in the sun where the rest of the crew was working. It’s exciting to see their progress. Just look at the lumber used so far!

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This afternoon was our bi-weekly Play Sessions with the nieces and nephews. Brandon and Ashley wanted to go bowling, while Nicholas wanted to Walk and Talk. We walked at least a mile together and collected a penny, dime and quarter at the only store where we stopped to search. (Coins #2-4)

For dinner Nicholas requested Go-Go Chicken for Chinese food. We found a dirt penny in the planter as we were leaving. (Coin #5)

Total: 5 Coins P (2), N (0), D (1), Q (2) = $0.62

Day #858 - Contentment

Doc and Sparky collected a penny at Johnny’s Burgers along with their breakfast burrito. (Doc Coin #1)

On the way to the jobsite, I stopped to buy a trash can and other supplies. Got a penny there. (Tina Coin #1).

Today I was sitting at ‘my desk’ (a folding table) in the ‘office’ (the new lawn shed) and looking out the window. The coffee pot was brewing coffee for the workers, the nail guns were shooting off their ammo, the birds were singing, and the lizards were romping on the rock pile. It was a feeling of quiet contentment; a very nice glow. As I stepped out of the lawn shed something shiny was gleaming in the gravel area and caught my eye. It was a penny! (Tina #2). I have to wonder now if the Angels or the workers are placing those coins?

One photo shows Daryl (Project Manager) at the “cellar door” (access to under the house). The second photo shows Joey and Jaime working on the support walls. The goal is to be framed up to the floor by Friday.

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This evening my mom dropped in. (My brother lives three houses away from us and he is on travel, so she is feeding the dog). She asked about our new house. (She does not have a computer to read Penny Tales). I have product samples and ‘test items’ all over our current house. Mom did not like any of my choices of flooring, countertops, wood, cabinet knobs, door trims, cabinets, etc. etc. Definitely NOT contentment time. I am soooooo anxious for the Penny Palace Celebration when you, the Penny Pals, can see it and form YOUR opinions.

Doc arrived home after 9 PM again - just as Mom was leaving the driveway. At school today he spotted some blobs under a bench. Those turned out to be two pennies and a nickel. Seven cents. Nice. (Doc Coins #2-4).

Total: 6 Coins P (5), N (1), D (0), Q (0) = $0.10

Day #857 - Copper Cures

This morning Doc headed for school. I made calls, took care of a few tasks, then headed for the job site. I needed one item from the 99¢ store. Walked in there, claimed a dime, saw the long lines, and left. (Coin #1).

It was great to have the Dragon’s Lair (shed) to work in today. Protection from the sun, a coffee station for the workers, and a homework table where Joe, the son of the framer could do his homework.

Much progress today. Several loads of dirt brought in which raised the driveway level a few inches. Many more support walls built.

I noticed the framer was changing out his shoes. He has been placing pennies in his shoes! He said he did not believe it, but was told that Copper has healing qualities. He tried it one day last week and noticed a difference, so he was trying it again today!

Lesson: Copper is good for the soul and the soles.

On the way home from the site, I stopped at some flooring stores, then the grocery store. Did not see any coins. After doing the grocery shopping, I was approaching my car in a very full parking lot. I said, “Look Penny Angels, Doc is going to give me grief if I don’t have a Penny for Penny Tales. Anything you want to do about that?” I immediately looked to my right and there was a very run-over penny! (Coin #2) Thanks Angels!

I made one final quick stop at the office supply store. As I drove into a parking spot, I spotted a shiny something in the planter. Parked the car, then hopped out to collect a dime. Sit-N-Find. (Coin #3).

Total: 3 Coins P (1), N (0), D (2), Q (0) = $0.21 Lucky 21

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After I had typed today’s Penny Tale, I received an incoming email with some medical information. Tip #8 said: Copper - Your bones need copper to make collagen, an essential component for bones, joints and other connective tissue. In fact, multiple studies show that low levels of copper raise the risk of bone fractures. In studies of both healthy adult men and elderly, bedridden patients, supplementing with copper reduced bone loss by slowing down the breakdown of bone.

Interesting that information should arrive just before sending out tonight’s Tale.

Day #856 - Coin Hunting

Doc spent the day at school preparing for the coming week. I spent the day designing features for the new house and other miscellaneous tasks. After Doc got home around 7 PM we headed out for our usual Sunday night grocery shopping. Two of the three usual stores were closed! Since we celebrated Easter yesterday, we forgot that everyone else was celebrating today!

At the third grocery store (but the first open one), we found one penny outside, then four pennies, one nickel and a dime inside. (Coins #1-7).

There were no cars at the drive up window for a Mexican Food place, so I ran through and collected a dime (Coin #8). We next visited the CVS Pharmacy. Didn’t see anything at first, but then the light reflected on something. It was a dime which led me to another dime and then a penny. (Coins #9-11). I stepped back and there was another dime at my feet! (Coin #12).

The In-N-Out Burger was closed for the holiday, so we couldn’t resist looking there. One shiny penny. (Coin #13). Doc found a nickel in a pay phone coin return (Coin #14).

Total: 14 Coins P (7), N (2), D (5), Q (0) = $0.67

Day #855 - Family Day

Today was spent with family. Most of the time was at the Annual Easter Lunch and Egg Hunt at the home of my father and his wife. It is a 75 mile drive from our house, so my mother carpooled with us. Since she had not seen our new property since construction began, and she does not have a computer in order to read Penny Tales, we detoured the 3 miles off the freeway to show her the site. (Photo of Doc with Mother-in-Law).

You can see in the photo that a few of the flooring support walls have been framed.

Since it is only 17 houses to our son’s new home, we drove past there to show Mom his new house as well. Son Stephen was out there working! And so was other son Brian! That was a nice surprise to see them. We had a few Easter Moments with them as they were pulling down drywall in the garage.

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It was a long drive to Hemet, so Doc needed a mid-way stop at Starbucks. He got coffee (it was free since they did not have the decaf he wanted) and I collected two pennies. (Coins #1&2). Doc then gave me the penny which he and Sparky had collected at their McDonald’s breakfast run (Coin #3).

We spent many hours eating and talking and egg hunting at my father’s house. The plastic eggs this year were filled with assorted coins! Couldn’t I have just “Found” one of those eggs to qualify for today’s Tale? No. “No adults allowed”.

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On the drive home, Mom was thirsty so we stopped at a grocery store. She got water, I collected two dimes and two pennies. (Coins #4-7). As we returned to the parked van, Doc said, “You just walked over a quarter!” (Coin #8). He teases me about only looking for pennies because he looks for “silvers’.

Lesson: Think Bigger. Be open to greater rewards. Don’t have such a limited focus.

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Once we got home and put things away, I just wanted to go to sleep. Doc headed for McDonald’s. He got his dinner, plus a dime and two pennies. (Coins #9-11).

Total: 11 Coins P (7), N (0), D (3), Q (1) = $0.62

Day #854 - Take Five

This morning after visiting the construction site, Doc stopped for lunch at Chick-fil-A. He got a burger, I collected two pennies, a dime, and FIVE quarters! That is very unusual. (Coins #1-8). We just needed a nickel to have a “Hit for the Cycle”. (Penny, Nickel, Dime, Quarter).

We stopped at a grocery store. One dime there (Coin #9). Still seeking that nickel, we stopped at a convenience store. Found four pennies there. (Coins #10-13). That was five more coins, but no nickel.

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Today I attended a session at the Healing Shoppe in Upland. In those quiet few moments, I wondered why we don’t “Take 5” each day to slow down, be quiet, give thanks, and tune out the commotion of life? Five minutes really does work wonders.

I was asked about Penny Finding and I told how sometimes I play with the Angels and give them Challenges. So on the way home I challenged the Penny Angels to Provide a Nickel within the 5 miles home. I was ‘nudged’ to stop at a car wash. Found four pennies in various places. I said, “OK Penny Angels, Thanks, but that is not what I asked for. I want a NICKEL please! One more chance for you and then I am going home.” I was nudged to stop at a convenience store. I did not park in front of the store, but was “nudged” to park in a stall next door. As I hopped out of the truck, there was a super duper shiny penny right in front me! I was laughing and talking to the Angels. “So that’s why I am parking way over here?” “Cute. Now I have 5 pennies. You have the math correct, but that is still not a NICKEL!” As I uttered those words out loud, I looked 10 ft. to my left and there was a shiny spot …. It was a NICKEL! I took the five cent piece. I was laughing. (Coins #14-19)

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Penny Palace Progress:

Met with a tile installer this morning. He seems promising and was not opposed to setting up things, then staying out of my way while I create a tile stream on the floor. Then we went to a plumbing supply center and selected the two water heaters. Next we visited the job site. Framer Danny was placing the rim joists. If you look closely in the photo you can see the red string line where the floor will soon be built (about 4 ft. off the ground). That string represents the first support wall.

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Lesson: Reminder to “Take 5” each day, to be grateful, give thanks, be quiet, and listen.

Total: 19 Coins P (11), N (1), D (2), Q (5) = $1.61

Day #853 - Movin' Up

We are movin’ on up! Getting some height to the structure. No time for Penny Finding.

This morning I mailed off the contract for Gas Service, then went to the nearest Gas Co. office to pay for the new meter and connection fees. The service area was quite stark and small. No furniture, and hard floor, and essentially void. I carefully scanned the entire floor as I entered the room. I conducted my transaction at the window and turned away. There was a penny in my path! A young boy and father were my witness, so I gave them a Penny Card and we shared a moment of Joy.

Doc and Sparky collected a penny on their coffee run this morning.

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I ‘test parked’ Pippy in her future parking spot in front of the Dragon’s Lair. She fit nicely. Glad we added that extra foot of width on the driveway to allow an easier turn around.

House Progress: Ordered gas meter and new line. Dropped off payment and a goodie basket for concrete crew at their office. Met with several people on site. Doc set up coffee station in the Dragon’s Lair to keep the workers hyped. Spent three hours with cabinet designer for laundry room and bathroom cabinets. Treated sill plates were bolted down on all foundation walls. The strong walls next to the fireplace were lifted into place.

Off now to prepare for tomorrow’s stuff.

Total: 2 Pennies

Day #852 - Dragon's Lair

Since I have been called “Dragon Lady”, the new Lawn Shed has become the Dragon’s Lair.

Today we ran an extension cord across the lot to it, set up a table and chairs, hung a white board, and hung out my sign. Tomorrow Doc wants the fridge and coffee pot in place.

Framer Danny was on the job today. Marking more wall placements. Found one foundation footing 4” off. Four inches doesn’t sound like a big deal across a hundred feet, but when you realize that it means our 28” door would shrink to a 24” door; that doesn’t work well.

Doc stopped to get petrol. I didn’t find any coins at the convenience station or the car wash, so wandered over to the Carl’s Jr. and collected three pennies. (Coins #1-3). At the job site Daryl was leaving when he found a penny in the gravel area!

Doc and I stopped for lunch where I collected a dime and a beautiful shiny new penny. Both were “tool finds” requiring the use of a slick, glossy business card to slide the coins out from their hiding place. Doc found a car wash token (equal to 25¢).

Total: 5 Coins + one token P (4), N (0), D (1), Q (0) = $0.14 + one token

Day #851 - Snapped

On the way to the job site, I noticed there were no cars at the Carl’s Jr. drive up window. I quickly walked through there hoping to take care of that ‘action item’ for today. Found one penny. That was a snap!

Yesterday I took an electric file to the copy store for a print out of a banner. The dragon graphic did not show. I saved the file as a pdf and tried again this morning. Done in a snap - and laminated as well. While I was paying for the quick job, I spotted a dime and two pennies. (Coins #2-4) Shared the joy with Samantha, the sales assistant.

Doc was at work all day. He found a penny while fueling the car. (Coin #5).

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Today there was good progress made at the site. Framer, Danny, snapped out the sill plates for all of the house walls. Found that one of the concrete footings is 8” off. This is not good. Also the front footing is 1” too tall. Time for creative solutions.

This morning the porta potty service did their weekly routine. He was done in a snap! One minute to suck the tank; one minute to swish cleaner around the inside of the unit; one minute to hose down inside and out. A fresh roll of paper, a quick sign off on the posted log and he was gone. Wish I could clean my bathroom that quickly!

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The lawn shed was supposed to be a one day job, but due to the rain, the crew worked today as well. They have done hundreds of similar sheds and made it look so easy. They expected to be done by noon, but it did not snap together as quickly as they planned. (One minute of video).

I had printed out a fresh set of the plans I had drawn for them, but was told “I’ve got it all memorized”. When the job was nearing completion, I mentioned a dividing wall that was missing and some dimensions which were not close to what I had requested and drawn. Oops. I also wanted decorative strap hinges vs. the plain ones normally provided. Unfortunately I did not buy enough, so made an emergency run for more. Oops.

One of the workers heard about Penny Finders, so he left a penny in the shed for me to find. That was cute. I left it there for good luck - and he painted the floor right over it! He could have at least centered it in the doorway or something! As I was sweeping up after the guys, I found a second ‘planted penny’ on the garage slab. Cute.

It’s such fun when the construction workers also catch Penny Fever.

Total: 5 Coins P (4), N (0), D (1), Q (0) = $0.14 + 2 planted pennies

Day #850 - Rain!

A few months ago we were told: “No matter when you start construction, it will rain on the day you begin the framing”. In the past three days temperatures have been over 90 degrees with not a cloud in the sky. We had the air conditioner on yesterday.

This morning we awoke to overcast skies. There was a slight mist as I drove to the construction site. There were two crews beginning work this morning - the framing crew and the tool shed crew. The framers expect to take two weeks on the floor. The Tool Shed crew was supposed to be finished this afternoon.

It misted for the first few hours, then turned to rain! By noon it was really too wet to work. By 2 PM everyone had gone home. I went to a flooring store to do research.

I stopped at WalMart on the way home for supplies and today’s penny.

On his way home from school at 9:30 PM Doc stopped at McDonalds to get a burger as an appetizer before coming home for the dinner I had prepared. He also found a penny.

Total: 2 pennies

Day #849 - Final Score

In comparison to yesterday, today was pretty mellow. Doc and I had a fun challenge going. Nothing official, we just kept “one upping” each other on the Penny Finding.

Doc insisted upon going out for breakfast. After that, he cruised the high school parking lot. He spotted a Sit-N-Find, then I found one. He wanted to get out and walk the skateboard park; I did not. We walked anyhow. He found a penny, then I found one. He found another, then I found one. The score of the game was tied. Then we found a few more. We left there with the score: Tina 6, Doc 4. (Coins #1-10)

Doc collected a coffee and a dime at Starbucks on his way to school where he spent the afternoon preparing for classes. (Coin #11).

While grocery shopping this evening, Doc found one penny at each of the first two grocery stores. (Coins #12&13).. Score now: Tina 6, Doc 7. At the third grocery store I collected a dime and a penny. (Coins #14&15). I win!

Final Score: Tina 8, Doc 7.

Total: 15 Coins P (13), N (0), D (2), Q (0) = $0.33

Day #848 - Running

Today a colleague, Dr. Jawa, ran the 15.7 miles from our home in Pomona to our new home in Alta Loma. That is one heck of a long run with several hundred feet of elevation climb - especially those last few miles. He wore a GPS device which tracked his route and provided all sorts of great data! See: connect.garmin.com

Talk about goal setting. Two years ago Prof. Jawa could not run 2-3 miles. He read the book Born to Run and was inspired to set a goal - to run his first half marathon within three months. He accomplished that goal!

As Jawa left our Pomona house this morning he said, “and I will find a coin for you, Tina”. Sure enough, as we congratulated him at the completion of his run, he presented me with a quarter! (Again the number 25).

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Penny Finding:

After Dr. Jawa left our house for his run, Doc also went for a run - to Starbucks. (coffee Run #1). I walked around the closed In-N-Out Burger to collect three pennies (Coins #1-3). Doc would return in a few hours there to collect what HE wanted (a double-double burger).

After Dr. Jawa’s successful run, he and Doc went for a celebratory beverage at Bad Ass Coffee (Coffee Run #2), I wandered the shopping center to collect a penny. (Coin #4).

Early afternoon son Brian called to have a few minutes with Dad. (Coffee Run #3).

This evening after dinner for some fun, Doc and I went to the hardware store for parts to fix an electrical cord. Stopped at the grocery store for 6 pennies as well. (Coins #5-10).

Total: 11 Coins P (10) + Love Quarter = $0.10 +

Doc’s Rebuttal when reading this: “It’s half decaf, thus it’s only equivalent of 1.5 cups of coffee”.

Day #847 - Tax Day

Today is Tax Day. I have been pestering Doc for weeks to finish off the taxes for the two little properties which he and Stephen own. Finally this morning at 8 AM Doc said, “You can help me with the taxes now so we can mail them today.”! Gee whillickers, just what I wanted to do last minute like this. Grrrr….

We had an 11 AM meeting with the guy who is going to build the tool shed next week. That went well and I’m looking forward to that project.

Grader Craig was sifting the rocks out of the debris pile and backfilling the septic system and driveway area.

On the way home, Doc stopped at Bad Ass Coffee. (A Hawaiian coffee shack). He collected three pennies. (Coins #1-3) I wandered next door to the grocery store and found a penny, Canadian nickel, and a dime. (Coins #4-6).

At Home Depot we bought paint and hardware for the tool shed. Found pennies at three different locations, then a dime at the exit door. (Coins #7-10).

Lunch was Johnny’s Burgers for two pennies. (Coins #11-12).

This evening at the grocery store I got all the items Doc requested, plus two dimes and three pennies. (Coins #13-17).

Total: 17 Coins P (12), N (0), D (4), Q (0) + Canadian Nickel = $0.52 US + ?

Day #846 - Draining

Went to school and “worked” for 4 hours today. That was draining! Not sure I could handle working a regular full time job again. I am exhausted this evening! But I did get to share the Penny Finding Story with a few new people.

This morning the City Inspector approved the septic tank placement. Looks like things should be draining properly. Now those huge holes can be backfilled.

Piping was installed along some of the foundation walls. That should ensure proper drainage.

After work at CPP, I went to the paint store for supplies. The new Tool Shed is scheduled to be built Monday. Found one penny on that trip. (Coin #1).

It is now 10 PM. Doc just walked through the front door. He looks pretty drained after his work day. Time for dinner …. Bye.

Total: 1 Penny

Day #845 - Shining

This morning Doc stopped at Starbucks en route to the job site,. He actually spotted a penny outside the store from where he was standing inside the store! Is that a Stand and Find? He said it was “shining like crazy”. (Coin #1). Meanwhile, I walked past the Carl’s Jr. window and collected a nickel and 3 pennies. (Coins #2-5).

We had a 9 AM meeting on site with two reps from Edison. Discussions of the trenching of electrical lines and placement of the electrical box. They should have final designs for us within the next few days. Penny Cards distributed.

I did a PP presentation today. (See photo). That was a Porta-Poty Posting!

Grader Craig was working all day digging and connecting the septic system.

Matt finished the waterproofing of the North wall.

Framer Danny was on site working and off-loading the delivery truck. Framing to begin Monday.

At 1 PM the first load of lumber arrived on an 18-wheeler. (We were told to expect a small truck). Doc estimates 12 tons of wood. That is only the wood for under the floor. A pallet loaded with the various boxes of hardware was also delivered. Shared Penny Tales and a Penny Card with the lumber company rep.

We stopped for petrol and coffee after leaving the jobsite. Doc found another shiny penny. (Coin #6)

Although it was overcast today, the sun must have come through, because when I got home, my face and neck were shining. (Got to remember to cover up).

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This afternoon was Play Time with the nieces and nephews. Doc and I were pooped (See Monday Penny Tale), so we offered to take them to a movie versus a park. (Much easier on our bodies). On the sidewalk in front of the theatre Doc found a shiny 2 Euro Coin. (Coin #7) That’s worth $2.90! That would pay for one and a half movie tickets! We thought it strange to find a European coin there. Another COINcidence? The movie (Gnomeo and Juliet) was based in a European setting and featured characters with British accents.

After a scrumptious Mexican dinner, we spent 25 minutes at Chuck E Cheese’s play center. That place is filled with kids, crowds, noise and commotion. I dread it. After the first five minutes I was ready to leave. I found a shiny penny.

Message: Angels are here with you!

After another 5 minutes I was counting down the remaining time. Found another penny. I was laughing with the Angels and saying “Thanks for the humor”.

After another few minutes there was another penny. That one was amazing. I was watching Jamie play. I am sure that penny just popped out of the carpet next to me. No one was nearby, yet the shiny coin suddenly appeared!

I was trying to “hide from the noise” in the dining area. There was a penny on a bench there.

Message: We (Angels) are still here with you, Hang In There!

Ånother penny where the kids were playing, then another penny as we were gathering together to leave. Seven pennies spaced throughout that short time. Thanks Penny Angels. (Coins #8-14).

Total: 14 Coins P (12), N (1), D (0), Q (0) + 2Euro = $0.17 US + $2.90 value

Day #844 - Keyed In

Doc wanted to visit the construction site before heading off to work today. On the way out there, he stopped for his Starbucks coffee while I collected 5 pennies at the Carl’s Jr. and Chick fil-A. (Coins #1-5)

At the jobsite, Grader Craig was digging holes 17 ft. deep for the seepage pits. He needs to get those keyed in to the right elevations so stuff flows properly.

Matt was the solo member of the concrete crew today. He was painting Smurf walls. (Blue waterproofing).

Doc went off to work, and I made/sent many phone calls and emails. Trying to get Edison, the plumber, the electrician, utility trencher and others ‘Keyed In’.

Then I ran errands for several hours. First stop was a key cutting shack. The attendant was out for lunch. (The “Be back in 10 minutes” sign was hanging). So I walked the parking lot. Found 3 dirt pennies. (Coins #6-8). An older couple was my witness, so I gave them a Penny Card and shared the story.

At the office supply store I printed a sign for the construction site. The gal there was very nice so I gave her a Penny Card. And there were many more encounters and smiles throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening. It just seemed like people were ‘keyed in’ today.

Total: 8 Pennies

Day #843 - Poop

Since Doc had not yet seen the septic tank and seepage pit liners, we headed out to the construction site first thing this morning. So the day began with investigating Poop Processing devices! Those liners can hold hundreds and hundreds of gallons of the stuff! (See photo)

Thought: How much “stuff” can each of us process every day without overflowing or getting backed-up? I guess that is part of what we are here to learn.

Doc playfully “sat” on the future garage toilet. He was showing how the poop will be flowing.

As we were walking around the site and I was stepping on some loose rocks, I grabbed onto some wood for support. I collected a splinter. “Poop”! I had a pin in the car, so on the drive home, I dug out the irritant.

Thought: With the right tools, Poopy things can be dealt with effectively.

I spent an hour waiting in line at the Main County Records Office only to get up to the counter and be told they could not provide what I needed. Poop!

Next I headed to the Records Office in Long Beach. It was 1.5 hours of standing and waiting in a long line. People were bored and in their own “elevator mode”. (Looking at the floor, the walls, the cell phone, etc.) Very much detached. Some young guys were talking cars, so I chirped in and we strayed from Camaros to Solar Cars! I did a mini-presentation on solar cars and sunraycing to anyone within earshot.

Thought: With the right attitude, even Poopy situations can be OK.

Doc of course was at work until after 9 PM again.

Oops! Pennies? After going out to the lot, we stopped to get some dog food. (Which certainly leads to more poop). We were down to the last can and Norman had expressed his concern with the empty cupboard. I collected one penny at that stop.

Total: 1 Penny

Lesson: We need daily poop in order to stay healthy. With the right attitude and tools, it can be dealt with in a positive manner.