Day #1,015 - Visitors

Another really full day. Good stuff! Feeling like a dog with 20 fire hydrants to choose from!

I met the metal worker at 8 a.m. regarding the fireplace arch insert. Visitor #1. We cut away a little bit of the wire lathe which the stucco crew had put in. It looks like the template will fit, so Jim will create the “real” insert and install it this weekend.

Around 9 a.m. I heard footsteps coming in through the garage and kitchen. Who could that be? It was Bill the roofer. Visitor #2. He was checking the progress so he will know when he can continue with placing the roofing tile.

Note: I have my 10-year old nephew Brandon sitting here with me and reading out loud as I am typing. It’s like having an echo. Plus, when I cut

and tape or re-write, then things get really screwy!

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After Roofer Bill left this morning, I continued trying to devise a pleasant arrangement for the keystones on the fireplace arch. I was frustrated and unskilled at the task. I was wishing for some help with this project.

Do you believe in angels?

I was getting ready to leave, but a man appeared in the driveway. At first I didn’t recognize him. He presented me with two bags of concrete dye. Ah yes! It was Ken the delivery driver from the stone company. Visitor #3. He had driven all the way out today merely to give me those dyes which had been forgotten on yesterday’s delivery. Turns out he has done hundreds of fireplaces and arches in his lifetime. He spent 30 minutes giving me all sorts of advice (hindsight). What a COINcidence that a fireplace expert appeared within moments of my request for assistance!

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My next action item was to take the dolphin bathroom tiles to a kiln for baking. They should be ready next week.

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I stopped to fuel Pippy. Inside the convenience store I spotted two pennies under the counter. Since they were quite a distance apart, I needed to actually make a purchase and stand in the line. Bought a banana as my excuse to be at the register. Dove for two pennies and came up with five pennies, a nickel and two dimes! (Coins #1-8). Almost broke even on that transaction.

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This evening we had somewhat of an unexpected sleepover party. The nieces and nephews are in town for a wedding, so Doc and I seized the opportunity to have some time with them. Visitors #4-7. Dinner was at the Cal Poly Pomona dorm cafeteria where I assisted little Jaime in seeing a penny next to her. She was excited. (Coin #9)

Slightly after 9 p.m. cousins and sister-in-law dropped in to say hello. That was a lively 1.5 hours. Visitors #8-10.

It’s now 12:15 a.m. The kiddies and Uncle Doc are all nestled in bed. The house is quiet. It’s a nice time of day (or night).

Total: 9 Coins P (6), N (1), D (2), Q (0) = $0.31

Day #1,014 - Hosed

This morning I planned to spend a few hours on the Action Items from the first three days of this week. Around 9 a.m. there was an incoming call from Daryl “The drywall crew finished a day early and wants you on site at Noon to look things over”. I scrambled to get as much done as I could, then headed for the jobsite.

The drywallers have done nice work. Really nice. Everything was hosed down and cleaned up. Wish I could give you that wonderful feeling of standing there with another major element completed.

I quickly stopped at the cabinet shop. I had requested a 48 hour checkout of some samples. Returned them within 45 hours. Went next door to the grocery store strictly to search for a coin. Easy find of one penny. (Coin #1)

Arrived home around 2 p.m. and for the next 4-5 hours the phones rang constantly. Solar rebate needs one more component by tomorrow’s deadline, reformatted Title 24 needed, metal worker has been out of town so fireplace insert not installed, fireplace workers cancelled for tomorrow, painter to start Monday, new front door on order, appointment for tile baking, and more.

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Around 6 p.m. I received a call from new neighbor Cindy: "FYI: I hear water gushing from behind the fence in your front yard!"

THANKS for that call! I immediately called Neighbor Craig's cell phone. No answer. Rats! I called his house. He was home!

Craig checked out the water problem. A hose in the front yard was left under pressure and it had burst. Thankfully a piece of plywood had been left against the stucco scaffolding and it acted as a shield for the stream of water. The water was diverted to run across the front yard versus spraying into the garage. That plywood also helped create a noise which the neighbor heard and then alerted me.

Angels watching over the Penny Palace.

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Doc came home from work after 9 p.m. He found his penny when returning to his office after teaching classes today. (Coin #2)

Total: 2 pennies

Day #1,013 - More CPP

There are so many things happening right now on the Penny Palace. Constant Positive Progress (CPP)

I arrived around 8 a.m. and started cleaning and making way for today’s stone delivery. “Uncle” and one other guy from the stucco crew were hard at work in hauling loads of stucco debris to the pile in the back yard. Cesar and the drywall crew continued their high-paced action. When I left this afternoon, they were beginning to spray the texture coat (light orange peel).

Around 9 a.m. the porta-potty cleaning truck came. That service was much needed.

A few minutes later the trash hauling truck arrived. The driver took away our full large dumpster and delivered a low boy bin to fill with the plaster and concrete debris. That was pretty much filled by the end of the day.

Annette arrived a few minutes early for our 10 a.m. meeting. We had just sat down to begin working on molding selections when the stone delivery arrived. Dealt with that for the next 15-20 minutes. Had the forklift operator move some of yesterday’s delivery around to the back of the house so that it will be ready to put on the fireplace next week.

Made some selections on baseboard, door and window moldings. Tonight I need to calculate all the footages for those in order to now get a price quote. Also made door lock selections. What type of lock do you put on an elf door which leads to attic space?

After Annette left I made some calls, then did some more site cleaning. Stucco Tommy dropped by to show me some foam stucco samples. They are very plain to match the style of the house. Nothing fancy.

Next I headed 25 miles East to San Bernardino to return those stone veneer sample boards which I showed you a while back (and some of you gave your votes on those). I ordered the fireplace mantel. That should have taken 10-15 minutes, but took over an hour. Every component on this Penny Palace seems to need “special handling”. Even standard items seem to cause hiccups or demand “extra attention”. It’s almost as if every piece of this house says “I AM SPECIAL”.

It was after 4 p.m. but there was time to visit a tile shop in the older part of town. I am searching for some blue tile to create the stream on the floor. I found one option, but they must be purchased by the case and I only need 2-3 tiles.

It was now 5 p.m. and I was getting hungry for lunch. Stopped at the grocery store for a banana (and hoping to find a coin). No coins and the lines were long, so I left.

Went home to work on emails and some of the Action Items from today’s work.

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Doc arrived home around 7:45 p.m. with the quarter he had found at school by the vending machines. (Coin #1). He asked how many coins I found. “Zero! There was one penny on the freeway offramp, but too many cars behind me and a stale signal, thus it was a foregone.” Doc’s reply, “Hop in the car, we are going to the grocery store.”

There was a penny on the floor as soon as I walked into the grocery store. A second one a few feet further. (Coins #2&3). We did our shopping and while Doc was loading the conveyor, I was looking around. I found a quarter and three pennies. (Coins #4-7). There was a nickel found as we were leaving. (Coin #8).

Now it’s time for a shower, then window molding calculations …

Total: 8 Coins P (5), N (1), D (0), Q (2) = $0.60

Day #1,012 - Camera Malfunction

Both the plaster and the drywall crews were working again today. The plaster crew was taking off all the plastic and cleaning up the jobsite. They will continue with the color coat of stucco in 2-3 weeks. The drywall crew continued the mudding and sanding process.

I must have had the video camera on instead of off, so today there was 15 minutes of garbage video. Then it was full when I needed it.

I left the jobsite for my 9:30 meeting to finalize and write up the cabinetry order. Since we have already spent dozens and dozens of hours designing the cabinets, I figured 2-3 hours to write up the order. Wrong! 5.5 hours!

During that marathon ordering session, Doc called me. I told him I was really busy and so he had 60 seconds to tell me just the most important aspects of what he needed to say. He replied, ”I love you, You are intelligent, I like being married to you, Thanks for taking care of the house stuff while I go off to work ….” I was laughing. Gotta love that man!

At 3 p.m. I stopped quickly to refill the water jugs for the workers. Then it was back to the jobsite. After that I stopped at the painter’s house to pick up some of his leftover paints from other jobs so tonight I can make up some sample boards and explore color options. Made it to the tile shop just before they closed in order to get the 4 sample pieces which arrived today. Need to design those bathroom layouts.

By 6 p.m. I was getting hungry for some lunch. Doc had prepared eggs and sausage this morning which was very sweet of him. After 9 hours though, it had worn off. I stopped at a 7-11 store (yes, I was also looking for coins). I spotted a white blob. Tina: “That is either paint or gum” Nudging: “Go look”. Tina: “I tell you it’s bird poop!” Nudging: “So take a few steps and verify that”. Tina: “OK. It’s a dime” (Coin #1)

I went inside the store to purchase a piece of beef jerky (and look for coins). Nothing. I left the store saying, “Penny Angels, how can I write PENNY Tales without a penny? I looked back into the store through the glass windows and there was a penny under the counter which could not be seen in a typical customer position inside the store. Back I went to make a quick rescue dive. (Coin #2)

This evening’s activities include scrubbing laundry, painting color samples, preparing for tomorrow’s meetings, responding to emails, etc.

Doc arrived home after 10 p.m. with a penny he found on a break between his lecture classes. Good thing he does not expect a meal when he arrives home. He walked into the kitchen to find paint sample boards drying on cooktop. I was unable to get the big 5 gallon bucket open, so he had to help with that. His comment, “All this work and it’s not even something to eat!”

Day #1,011 - Brown Coat

Now that Autumn is here, it’s time to get out the coats. (Well, maybe in other parts of the country). Today the Penny Palace put on a new coat - the Brown Coat (next layer) of stucco. That ought to keep it a little warmer. Next week it will get a more formal color coat.

The drywallers were continuing their work on the inside.

Calls were made regarding: painting, HVAC, door delivery, flooring, stone veneer delivery. We visited the paint store for some sample colors. I need to now paint some test boards.

Doc stopped at Jack’s for lunch. He got a burger, I got a penny. (Coin #1).

Here’s a nice note: When I spoke with our HVAC guy today he said, “I like stopping at the Penny Palace. It has good karma and it makes me feel good, so I often just stop in there.”

This afternoon Doc went to school while I had my monthly physical therapy treatment. The therapist said, “It would help you to stay off the computer. Could you just write Penny Tales once a week instead of daily?” I don’t think so.

Total: 1 Penny

Day #1,010 - Tens

A day of Tens: Day #1010, a $10 tip, and dime finds.

When we went out for breakfast, we left a $10 tip for the waitress just in honor of Day #1010.

I spent much of the day doing mock ups of cabinetry, playing with sample materials, measuring floor thicknesses, etc.

As we headed out to do our weekly grocery shopping and Penny Hunting, Doc’s comment was. “OK. You look for the pennies, I plan to get the silvers.” And he did!

Doc drove West instead of East from our house and I knew immediately that he was headed for a sunset stroll - through the high school parking lot. I was not pleased at the delay. I knew we would find coins at the grocery stores and did not appreciate the detour.

When we arrived at the high school, I hopped out and began a SingSong. “Hey Penny Angels won’t you come out to play, come out to play …”. I immediately found a penny and was ready to leave. (Coin #1) Doc wanted to search more.

I wandered through the lunch tables. I was ‘nudged’ to turn down one corridor where there were only two tables. I argued, “I have searched dozens of tables and haven’t found anything, why go over and look at those two?” I was nudged to go look. “It’s not worth going over there. What for?” Continued nudging. “OK! I’m going!” Found a penny. (Coin #2) Did a SingSong on the way back to the van and instantly found a penny. (Coin #3).

Doc found a nickel (rarest silver to find). (Coin #4) He was on his way to fulfilling his statement of finding the three silvers tonight.

Doc needed to make an urgent stop at a bathroom, so I searched while waiting for him. One quarter! (Coin #5)

Tonight Doc had Penny Fever, so our next stop was a romantic twilight walk at the 99¢ store and car wash. He found two pennies in the store and I found one at the car wash. (Coins #6-8)

The 7-11 store was an easy stop. Found one penny in an aisle and one way under the counter and very green in color. (Coins #9&10)

Three pennies at the first grocery store. (Coins #11-13)

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On the way to the next grocery store Doc and I were both chanting, “Dime, dime, dime” in order to get a Hit for the Cycle. I said, “Hey Penny Angels, I challenge you to produce a dime”. I walked in the store, and immediately saw a dime! “OK. Angels. You did it!” (Coin #14) Then I spotted a second dime, but it was under the foot of a cashier at a very busy lane with a boxboy in the way as well. Foregone?

I spotted another coin in Lane 3. Too many people to retrieve it. Another Foregone?

Then I found another dime! WOW! (Coin #15). Doc found a quarter on the floor. (Coin #16). We did some shopping and when the line in Lane 3 shortened, I went back to get what I thought was a penny - it was a dime! (Coin #17). When we checked out, I chose the lane next to the dime under the cashier. As she reached to bag groceries, I dove for the dime. (Coin #18). After paying for groceries I took one more look back. There was ANOTHER dime! (Coin #19). That was FIVE dimes within 15 minutes of issuing my challenge. No other coins for me - just FIVE dimes.

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Lesson: ASK and Ye Shall Receive!

Total: 19 Coins P (11), N (1), D (5), Q (2) = $1.16

Day #1,009 - Cheap Date

We had a meeting scheduled for 8 a.m. on site with the Phantom Plumber. On the way we made quick stops at the bank, the post office, and then at Starbucks. I searched the parking lot and outdoor tables while Doc got his coffee. There was a groundskeeper sweeping the area and I thought, “There won’t be any coins because this guy has just cleaned the area.” Wrong. I found two pennies. (Coins #1&2)

Once again the lesson: “Don’t Assume”.

At the jobsite, Cesar and drywall crew were working diligently. More taping and mudding of the drywall.

There is a huge pile of sand in front of the garage which is ready to use for the stucco brown coat.

The plumber did a walk through of the site and said all is good on his end. We discussed where to locate the whole house water filter. One more item to research and procure.

Next, we headed to Mentone for a 10 a.m. appointment. We picked up the matching hutch to the ‘Table from Heaven’ which we got last week. That will work well in the Main Bathroom.

Doc did not have a coin yet for today, so before getting back onto the freeway, he stopped at a 7-11 store. He found a dirt penny in a planter bed while I found a penny in the parking lot. (Coins #3&4).

This evening after dinner Doc said, “I want to go out somewhere”. I replied, “Lowe’s or Home Depot?” We spent two hours at Lowe’s mostly in the appliance area, then also in paint, cabinetry, garage supplies, etc. Hot Saturday Night Date! It was cheap. We didn’t spend any money (except for petrol) and even collected two pennies while there. (Coins #5&6)

Note: Seeking a silly and inexpensive date? - go Penny Finding!

Total: 6 Pennies

Day #1,008 - Taping and Hosing

This morning we worked on edits to the package and plans for submittal to SCE for the solar system credit. Stopped at a copy center to run copies. While waiting for assistance, I searched the floors in the work area three times looking for coins. I completed my order, and while waiting to pay thought, “Penny Angels, I only plan to go to the job site and then home. This is your chance for today’s coin. Don’t blow it!” I paid for my copies, turned around, and there was a penny behind me! No other persons had come or gone during the time I was in the store. Mushroom coin. (Coin #1).

Doc and I headed for the job site. He had not been there for 5 days so was astonished at the changes. The drywall crew was taping and mudding today. I spent an hour watering the house. (The stucco contractor said it would be good to wet it again today).

We stopped briefly at son Stephen’s house. Doc found a penny where we parked. (Coin #2).

This afternoon I decided to head out to the paint store. Once the drywall is finished next week, it will be time for painting. I took along the samples of tile, flooring, fabrics, wallpaper, etc. Why can’t it be simple and just paint one color throughout the house? because that would be boring.

[Doc’s comment here]: “My wife can’t do anything just ‘average’.”

I just did not feel like going home and getting back to work, so I took an hour break. Went to the bed and bath shop to browse at pre-made curtains. They come 84” long for regular height windows and doorways. There was nothing available for our 8 ft. high windows. Yikes! Now what?

I did find a nice table cloth on sale. Tablecloths are wider than standard fabric bolts, and much less expensive when on sale than raw upholstery fabric. I can probably create four seat covers out of one $18 tablecloth. Found two pennies on the floor by the cash register. (Coins #3&4).

Total: 4 Pennies

Day #1,007 - Scratched

Things are moving rapidly. Dozens of minor things happening today. The two major activities were scratching and taping.

There was a crew of 7-8 guys working on the stucco team today. In one day they scratch coated the whole house! Amazing process. Of course they taped off all the woodwork, doors, and windows. Great for protection of those features, but horrible for the guys working (cooking) inside the house.

There was a team of five guys taping and mudding the drywall inside the house. Temperatures outside were in the high 90s with very high humidity. Inside the house it was like a terrarium.

Both crews sure earned their wages today. They were going through gallons of drinking water. Around 2 p.m. I headed out to refill the water jugs. At the store I collected 3 pennies, 3 dimes, and two quarters! Great stop.

It was Doc’s first day lecturing. By 9 p.m. when he came home, he was exhausted. He assembled today’s video (Priority #1) and then “checked out”. I’ll talk to him tomorrow regarding all the other contracts, calls, emails, etc. which came in today.

Total: 8 Coins P (3), N (0), D (3), Q (2) = $0.83

Day #1,006 - Dolphin Cooking

Lots of progress at the jobsite: drywall mud delivered, corner bead finished, sacks of sand delivered for the stucco work, scaffolding erected for the fireplace stonework, metal lath wrapped around the fireplace, plastic protection of timbers and windows on the exterior before stucco, protection of timbers on the interior before drywall mudding …

I spent a few hours this morning on calls, edits and calculations for a revised Title 24 Energy Report now that we have made field changes to the original designs. (Smaller windows with higher efficiencies, better HVAC, etc.)

There were so many incoming phone calls and emails I can’t begin to list them. Shipping companies called to deliver flooring and interior doors. I asked them to please “put those on hold” for a week or so. There were contacts made regarding door locks, molding, plumbing, framing, tile, tile decals, countertops, cabinetry, appliances and much more …. Things are sure moving rapidly!

Penny found at the gas station on my way home from the jobsite. I had almost forgotten about Penny Finding today.

Doc came home this evening to find dolphin on the cooktop. I spent 2 hour this afternoon wrestling with two dolphin. I was applying a mural across six bathroom tiles for the guest room shower. I screwed up and the process which should have taken 20 minutes, took two hours and I was uhhhh….. frustrated would be the nice term. By the time Doc came home I had the dolphin tiles triumphantly drying on the stovetop burners. He took one look and said, “Guess we are going out for dinner tonight!” Gotta love that man.

Day 1,005 - Cornered

This morning I found a nickel at school by the vending machines and Doc found a dime as we were leaving campus. (Coins #1&2)

Cesar and crew nailed on much of the drywall corner beading and taped off much of the woodwork for protection.

Doc stopped at the grocery store on his way home tonight and found two pennies on the floor. (Coins #3&4)

Numerous things throughout the day did not go very well. Attitude Adjustment definitely needed tonight. Good night.

Total: 4 Coins P (2), N (1), D (1), Q (0) = $0.17

Day #1,004 - Great Feedback

The persons who participated in the “Give 1,000 Pennies ($10) Challenge” sure have some Great Feedback. Here is one example:

From W.G.: Remember the crossing guard who would only take the $10 if she could pay it forward? I talked with her this morning and found out that she gave away 1 night's rental for her cabin ..... I think she had the ‘Pay It Forward’ mentality and wanted to do that for the couple.

I know there are more ripples from this!

YOU can STILL Do This! Who cares if we are beyond Day 1,000? Give $10 to a random person anyhow. You can still say “I’m Celebrating that PennyFinders made Day #1000.”

I DARE YOU!

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Today was the first day of the Fall Term, so Doc went to school.

I went to the jobsite, then to a Home Design Center, then to the Iron Shop to ‘visit’ the spiral staircase displays.

On the way home I realized I needed a coin for today. Made one stop where there was a gas station, 7-11 store, and Jack’s. Claimed a nickel, two pennies and quarter. (Coins #1-4)

I was stopped at the traffic signal nearest to our house. Looked out the window thinking, “Doc is the Median Find expert, I rarely find coins that way. No use looking here since he looks thre almost every day.” Wrong! There was a penny. I took Pippy out of gear and dove for the coin. Doc would be proud. (Coin #5)

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Penny Palace Progress

ALL of the drywall has now been hung! That drywall hanging crew was incredible! Tomorrow the inspector will check the nailing of it all, then Cesar and team will begin installing the metal corner beading.

Total: 5 Coins P (3), N (1), D (0), Q (1) = $0.33

Day #1,003 - Summer's Over

This morning Doc wanted to go out for breakfast. I was not enthusiastic about the idea; I had other plans. We went. We found lots of calories and only one penny. (Coin #1).

Every day is a Celebration of some sort. This afternoon was Grandson Ethan’s 4^th birthday. Wow. How quickly time flies. The photo shows son, Stephen, cracking the piñata because the little kids were tired of trying.

I enjoyed looking at Stephen’s house and all the renovations they have done since purchasing it earlier this year. I also had a few quiet moments with Leo (the dog) whom I had not spoken to in a long time.

Since our construction site is merely 17 houses from Steve’s house, of course we stopped to check on the progress. Wow! The drywallers are at least half way done hanging the sheets - in just one day of work! The video shows the results of their work yesterday.

This evening Doc and I shopped our usual three grocery stores. One penny found. (Coin #2).

This is the final day of summer vacation. School resumes tomorrow.

Total: 2 Pennies

Day #1,002 - Drywalling

This morning Doc and I scrambled to get to the jobsite and prepare things for the drywall crew which was scheduled to begin working at 7 a.m. Thursday we had brought much stuff to the jobsite for the Day 1000 Celebration and Tour. Friday was spent at a funeral and then several hours on Penny Finders write ups and emails. This morning we tried frantically to get things out of the way for the crew. By around 7:07 we had at least evacuated all the items from inside the house. (Then spent a few hours dealing with where to put them).

On the way to the jobsite Doc stopped at a 7-11 store for a coffee. I found today’s penny. (Coin #1). When Doc went out for a mid-morning coffee, he found his penny (Coin #2).

Have any of you ever hung drywall (sheetrock)? It is tough work! The crew which worked today was incredible. Doc and I just stood there in awe. One guy was standing on scaffolding at least 15 feet in the air, holding a sheet of drywall with one hand, and nailing with his other one! Where is the extra hand to hold the nails?

Fortunately Framer Danny decided to drop by and check on things today. He was able to quickly add a few blocking pieces where needed.

On the way home we stopped at the bank to deposit this month’s loan reimbursement check. Then I spent a good 8-9 hours writing up all the Penny Finders stuff regarding Day #1000. It’s almost like having a full-time JOB!

Total: 2 Pennies

Day #1,000 Ten for Ten Challenge Results

TEN for TEN CHALLENGE

We may have started something with this TEN for TEN CHALLENGE! I may offer it again in the future in hopes that even MORE persons would take me up on it. That JOY is so infectious I want to keep spreading the Penny Fever!

In honor of 1,000 Days of Consecutive Penny Finding, I challenged Penny Tale Readers to give 1,000 pennies ($10) away in the 24 hour time frame of Thursday, September 15, 2011. That was the BASIC Challenge. Those persons who participated experienced such JOY! Their stories are inspiring.

The Advanced (TEN for TEN) Challenge was offered: I would reimburse anyone who gave away $10 to TEN persons and submitted the data to me by 11:59 p.m. on Day #1000. My bank manager assured me that I was insane! The response from those persons who accepted the Challenge was overwhelmingly positive. I want to do it again!

I’ll bet many of the $10 recipients told at least two other people about how the “craziest thing happened to me today …” And those persons smiled. Do you realize how much JOY was generated today?

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CHALLENGE RESULTS:

THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE WHO GAVE A FEW $10s AWAY.

THREE PERSONS (four if you count Doc and I as another one) COMPLETED THE ADVANCED CHALLENGE.

I am trying something new by placing the compiled stories and spreadsheet into Google Docs so that anyone can read them. Hope this works!

Here is the link to Doc’s and my Ten Stories

Here is the compiled spreadsheet of the stories submitted.

*****

WG at 5:23 p.m.

I had so much fun doing this. Now I have to go back to the Apple store with a basket of apples. It's only fitting.

*****

JR at 9:15 p.m.

You never said what time zone. I wasn't going to bother with this at first. Turns out, I was able do this all in person.

The recipients are strange, but not strangers, and the kindness wasn't exactly random. But smiles occurred (mostly). And there's plenty of wiggle room in your specifications.

*****

PR at 9:38 p.m.

Do you know how hard this was for a completely introverted person to do?!? But I did do it, sharing the joy with my husband as well as most recipients. Please don't send me any of your money. This was a good thing for me to do. I am anxious to read about others' experiences.

Day #1,000 CELEBRATION

Numerous Penny Finders filled the day with JOY encounters.

There were congratulations and well wishes from people around the world.

Here is one example:

Dear Tina and all team of Penny Pals,

Let me congratulate you with this significant day in yours and our li

ves.

I Wish you much joy, many smiles and jokes on this day, as well in your life, and to be as creative and lively as you are now.

With the warmest greetings from distant Russia

Allways yours, Sasha

Penny Tale Readers had numerous suggestions of what to do in honor of this day. It was great fun. Even MORE exciting was what other Penny Finders did and the results of the TEN for TEN CHALLENGE.

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In Summary for Day #1,000 we:

— Spread JOY by distributing $10 bills (1,000 pennies). Read our Ten Stories.

— Visited the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands (which we didn't even know existed until it was suggested).

— Visited a church (In God We Trust)

— Visited a bank (needed to get those $10 bills)

— Found coins (see daily blog)

— Donated $1,000

— CELEBRATED with friends at the Penny Palace Champagne Tour

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CHAMPAGNE TOUR

At 5:30 p.m. the guests began arriving at the Penny Palace. There was a table of appetizers and munchies. Pippy’s tail served as the wet bar for the ice chests of waters and ice teas. There were blueprints and schematics on the tall stack of drywall. Sample materials of flooring, countertops, stone veneer, cabinets, etc. were on display to browse.

The guests who attended included former students, co-workers, long-time friends, Penny Finder Guidebook Stakeholders, construction team members, Penny Pals from reading the Daily Blog, and others.

There were brief introductions in the garage, then a Champagne toast in front of the Penny Palace. (see video) The Tour began at the front door and wound through the Aussie Guest area, Master Suite, Grand Room, Dining Room, Family Room, Her Office, His Office, Primary Bathroom, Laundry Room and then concluded in the kitchen at the Table from Heaven. There was a wonderful exchange of Penny Stories and JOY there.

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Disclaimer:

Doc has many wonderful talents. Video filming and editing are not his strengths. He did his best. Maybe at the next event we’ll FIND someone to video. LOL

Day #1,001 - Continuing

Today we had a family funeral to attend. It seems the only time we ever see any of Doc’s family is at funerals.

Of course Doc “needed” to stop for coffee before embarking on the 210 mile journey. When we got out of the van at Starbucks Doc said to me: “Go find a penny. On second thought, make it something silver.” I replied, “Something like YOU!” LOL

I walked through the coffee shop and out to the patio. Saw nothing and was leaving. Suddenly there was a DIME (a silver) in my path. (Coin #1)

We arrived at the church for the service with 15 minutes to spare. The parking lot was full, so we needed to park down the street in a residential area. Penny on the sidewalk. Nice omen. (Coin #2).

The Celebration of Life was WONDERFUL! The church was overflowing. So much JOY and sharing. Mary Ann had about 10 months of living to the fullest after she was diagnosed with brain cancer. It appears she touched many lives in a very positive manner. I would hope people would be saying similar things at my passing. It was touching.

For the drive (or Crawl home in Friday afternoon LA traffic), we stopped for petrol. I evidently walked right over a penny which Doc then claimed. (Coin #3)

Total: 3 Coins P (2), N (0), D (1), Q (0) = $0.12

DAY #1,000!

There were several beautiful facets to today. There was the regular penny finding and Penny Palace Progress, the special Day 1000 Activities and Celebration, the Table from Heaven and the TEN for TEN Challenge. Thus it has taken two days to sort and compile it all.

It was certainly a Major Milestone Day. Penny Tale Readers had numerous suggestions of what to do in honor of this day. See more Details on Day #1000 Celebration.

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My first stop was to get ice for the champagne. I arrived at the water store at 8:45 (15 minutes before they opened). The jewelry store next door had a 10 a.m. opening time posted. I thought, “Hey Angels, wouldn’t it be nice if the Penny Pendant could be polished for tonight’s partyt?” Instantly Coco, the owner of Rodeo Jewelry appeared behind me and for some reason had chosen to open his store 1.25 hours early today! He agreed to polish the Penny Pendant as soon as the equipment had warmed. COINcidence?

To kill time, I walked over to the grocery store to find today’s penny. (Coin #1).

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Meanwhile Doc and Daryl were at the Penny Palace. Inspector Mike conducted the Insulation Inspection. Of course we passed. That one was easy.

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After and hour or two of cleaning and setting up at the construction site, Doc and I headed out to Mentone where we looked over, then purchased the Table from Heaven. (see separate story)

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The next few hours were spent pursuing the TEN for TEN Challenge along with Day #1000 Festivities. Some of the stories brought hugs and tears. The first stop was a church; the second a restaurant. Click here for more details of our TEN Stories.

At the Lincoln Memorial Shrine Doc and I each tossed a penny into the fountain. (Minus two). We enjoyed a private 1-hour tour conducted by Docent Smith which concluded with an impressive display of Lincoln pennies. (Trivia: Lincoln was the first president to have his image placed on a US coin).

We were “nudged” to stop at a hospital to give one of the $10 for the Challenge. There was a penny at the entrance to the Emergency Room. (Coin #2).

As we returned to the construction site to set up for the Champagne Tour, we stopped at a 7-11 store. Doc found a penny in the parking lot. I found a penny and quarter inside the store, then a dime in the fuel pumping area. (Coins #3-6)

Stopped at the grocery store for platters of food for the party. There was a penny as I hopped out of the van. (Coin #7).

By 5:30 p.m. the guests had begun arriving for the Sunset Champagne Tour. (See separate story).

Lessons Today? Too Numerous to List!

Total: 7 Coins P (5), N (0), D (1), Q (1) = $0.40

Table from Heaven

There were several times recently where Doc and I were sitting in the Breakfast Nook of the Penny Palace. I realized I could not see the street through the windows while seated. Not good! (The windows had originally been designed at 5 ft. tall, but we shrunk them to 4’6” to reduce costs and west-facing solar exposure).

We decided a counter-height table might be a good solution to my dilemna. I spent a few hours over several nights looking on-line at hundreds of dining sets. They were either the wrong size or way too modern looking. I did not see any chairs with the “country style” look which I desire. I finally put that project aside saying, “This is too soon to look for furniture. When the time is right, the table will manifest”.

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A few nights ago I was searching Craig’s list. People keep saying how great that website is, so I went exploring in the Materials / Construction area for potential savings. Somehow something slipped and I landed in the furniture area. Right on a photo which had been posted only a few hours earlier. It was of a white hutch in an attractive style. I read the description. A counter height table and chairs were also being offered! “Please contact for more details on the dining set”.

Of course I requested info and photos. The owner, Judy, quickly responded. The style looked good. I was concerned about the white color. Our kitchen cabinets are cream. Would that look OK?

Doc and I drove to Mentone to look at the dining set. It was sturdy, had only a few blemishes, could be cleaned pretty well, and the chairs were a great style! For the color question I took along a sample of our cabinet doors and they looked great together!

And the matching hutch was a size which can serve as a linen cupboard in the bathroom!

What is the magical number with Penny Finding? 25.

The price for the six pieces: $250

Bonus: As we were carrying the table out, we noticed a penny at the threshold of Judy’s home!

The furniture was meant for the Penny Palace. We hauled it to the construction site and used it for the very first time to hold the party favors and desserts for the guests at the Day 1000 Champagne Tour. Such JOY to have people seated there and enjoying the “kitchen”. (A mocked up version using large cardboard boxes and OSB scraps).

It really does work to ask for assistance in all things.

Just another COINcidence.