Day #1,320 - Adios Job

My official date for retirement from Cal Poly Pomona was June 30.  One goal for July was to get over to campus and “check out”.  Just like my students, I waited until the very last day to complete my assignment.

Turning in Keys

My “JOB related” portion of the day began at 11:45 a.m. when Doc and I met with a co-worker for lunch.  The waitress asked which table I wanted.  “That one across the room with the penny under it”.  (Coin #1).

Doc and I were on campus by 1 p.m. and for the next few hours I scrambled to turn in my keys, turn in my computer, sign out, change my contact info, etc.

At one point I was headed to meet JR who is also a Penny Finder and reader of Penny Tales.  I said, “Angels, I really must find at least one coin on my way to see him.  Please make it on his turf just to irritate him a little!”  As I dashed past the first bank of vending machines (my old stomping grounds), I didn’t find any coins.  I was going to head into the building, but was nudged to quickly check the second bank of vending machines.  I spotted a coin.  Yipee!  It was a dime.  When I retrieved it, there was a second dime within reach.  As I turned to leave, there was a nickel.  Total: 25¢.  My favorite number!  (Coins #2-4).

Wind Tunnel Models

At 3 p.m. I met Doc for our time in the solar car closet.  We spent the next three hours sorting through some of the memorabilia from our raycing days.  What to do with all the photos, trophies, awards, banners, posters, wind tunnel models, etc.?

Doc found a much run over penny in the handicap spot where he parked.  (Coin #5)

By 6 p.m. Doc and I were tired and somewhat discouraged at not knowing how to deal with all these precious items.  We quit for the day.  We stopped at a grocery store on the way home.  Doc said, “We need a quarter to hit for the Cycle”.  He found a Chuck E. Cheese’s token.  (It’s value is 25¢, but it is not a recognized form of international and official currency).  So close.   I found a penny.  (Coin #6)

****************

Doc just HAD to stop for a coffee.  I wanted to go home.  I found zero coins around or in the convenience store.  I walked over to the closed car wash and found a nickel. Doc spotted a penny.  Then I found a dirt penny, then another penny.  We were laughing.  Mushroom coins! I turned around and there was a penny in the mud-filled crack in the concrete.  Then Doc found one as well.  As we walked back to the van there was a dime.  Eight coins at that stop.  (Coins #7-14).

***************

Tonight I emptied my work satchel, vacuumed it out, and packed it away.  Haven’t used it in the past two years and don’t expect to use it again.

Total:   14 Coins        P (9), N (2), D (3), Q (0) = $0.49 + a CEC token

Day #1,319 - Productive Day

Note for Neighbors

It was quite a productive day and a good start for the week.  Doc headed to the Pomona house for much of the day which helped quiet the Penny Palace.  I actually got semi-caught up with my construction accounting.

The Penny Palace was peaceful and I was getting much accomplished.  I was thinking, “Sure wish I did not need to leave the house today because this is nice being here.  But I must go out and find today’s coin(s)”.  At that point I was passing through the kitchen on my way to the computer. There was a dime in my path on the kitchen floor!  I was laughing.  The Angels were having fun with me.  I did not consider that a legitimate find (since it was in my house), but it was a cute response to my thoughts.

At 4:30 it was time for a run to the bank, Home Depot, and the pet store.  I found one penny before entering the bank.  (Coin #1).  I worked with the bank rep to change addresses on our accounts and then ordered new checks.  I said, “I hope those checks are reasonably priced, or at least close to the prices I can get on line.”  His reply, “Is FREE OK?”  Sure!

As I was driving away from the bank there was a glowing penny in the parking lot.  Had to park the truck and go back for it.  (Coin #2).

***************

Doc had a very productive day at the Pomona house.  He worked with the gardener on extra projects such as trimming around the lawn shed, over the back wall, etc.  Doc washed out planting pots, took in the trash cans, drained and refilled the pond, washed the filters, and transplanted boysenberry vines.

At one point Doc called to ask me how many Aluminum trash cans we had. “Two, Why?”  “There are currently THREE cans in our side yard”.  Manifesting!  Doc then found a dime in that side yard. (Doc Coin #1).  The Angels were playing with him too!

Doc next found a dime inside the garage.  He was shocked. The garage is fairly clean and vacant right now.  He had taken all the coins out of his pockets before doing his work in the yard, so he did not think the coin came from him.  Later, as he was pulling out his car keys from his pocket, that ‘found dime’ jumped out and rolled under the van.  He looked, but could not find it again.  Easy come, easy go. 

For lunch Doc went to McDonalds.  He collected two pennies in the drive through without his backside even leaving the car seat!  (Doc #2&3).  Then on the way home he collected a Sit-n-Find dime when he stopped for a coffee.  (Doc #4).

Total:   6 Coins        P (4), N (0), D (2), Q (1) = $0.24

Day #1,318 - Screwing Around

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest … but that would be boring.  Instead we spent time goofing off and screwing around.

Screwing Kitchen Hook

Doc FINALLY finished installing the clothing hook in the Master Bath.  He tried using a longer 2” screw, but it still did not grab into the wood.  I suggested using those plastic hollow wall anchors - they worked.  He said, “That was easy and it worked!  Why didn’t we do this sooner?”   Yes, Dear.  I suggested it a few weeks ago.  Maybe you should LISTEN to me sooner?  LOL

Motivated by his success in the bathroom, Doc moved to the kitchen where he screwed in a decorative hook for the hanging fruit basket.  Then we moved to my office where he screwed some of the shelving supports.  We were laughing saying that he could just continue screwing his way around the house one room at a time today ….

Meanwhile I was trying to get MY work done - paying bills, dealing with rental property issues, writing Penny Tales, unpacking at least one box, etc.

Trash Night

At 3:30 p.m. we headed out to the Pomona house.  Doc found a very runover median dime as we exited the freeway. We stopped at the bank, post office, and my mom‘s house for some salsa she had made for us.  It was 100 degrees out and I did not feel like working outside at the Pomona house.  I found my missing dinner forks - in the dishwasher there!  Nice find.  We took out the garbage cans and tidied up.

Our usual Sunday night three-stop grocery shopping tour did not yield any coins at the first two stops.  I was getting a little nervous. Found a dime at the third stop.  Then Doc found a quarter at the newspaper stand.  I found a dime inside the store, then said “Thanks Angels.  That is WAY more than a penny, but this is PENNY Tales.”  I immediately found a Penny.  Manifesting.

Tonight more of the Olympics are on TV.  I normally don’t watch any TV, but the performances do tempt me to at least turn my head as I am passing through the room where Doc is parked.  If I sit down, I might get hooked and would not want to continue unpacking and cleaning as I should be doing.  The Penny Palace Open House is merely two months away….

Total:   5 Coins        P (1), N (0), D (3), Q (1) = $0.56

Day #1,317 - Nesting Games

Ancient Wheelbarrow

Making Pea Soup

Shelf Modifications

I sure did not want to work at the Pomona house again, but we needed to.  We were stopped at a red light just before we got to the freeway.  Doc (who was driving) said, “Any coins out your window?”  I said, “No.  Blob, blob, battery, trash, blob …penny!”   The light was still red, so I stashed the papers and clipboard I was holding, hopped out of the van, rescued the penny, hopped in, buckled up and was ready to proceed.  Doc rolled forward a few feet when I exclaimed, “Another penny!”  The signal was turning, so Doc made a right turn, then parked in the lot near the street.  I ran back to rescue the other penny.  (Coin #2)  Is that insane or what?  People cast aside pennies, yet we go out of our way for them.

When Doc stopped for his coffee, he also collected a penny.  (Coin #3).

Leaf Sucking

On the way to Pomona we stopped at the recycle station to drop off Household Hazardous waste (glues, paints, fluorescent bulbs, etc.) and Electronics waste.  Good to get rid of that.

At the Pomona house we offloaded the OLD wheelbarrow and put a “Free” sign on it.  Then the phone rang.  It was Iron Jimmy and he had our Lawn Shed brackets already completed!!  These were custom made brackets and yet he made them for the price we would have paid at Home Depot for the standard ones (which did not work).  Angel on Earth.  The Penny Palace is blessed with people like this.

Doc had to stop for some protein.  A dime found at the convenience store.  (Coin #4)

Planting Solar Lights

Back at the Pomona house I told Doc we could only come and go through the garage and yard since I did not want to dirty inside the house!.  We were there to work on all the sprinklers lines and the waterfall.

On the way home, we stopped for petrol.  Doc said, “”There is a coin under that car.  Keep you eyes open when it drives away.” Sure enough, there was a dime.  I picked it up, walked a few feet away, and there was a quarter!  Doc was not finished fuelling, so I kept looking.  Two more pennies were found. (Coins #5-8).

This evening Doc and I kept busy with a few projects around the Penny Palace. We offloaded the van, “planted” more of the solar lights, and assembled shelving, and modified some closet storage.  Doc thought it interesting that the shelves were designed by IKEA in Sweden, made in Russia, purchased in Southern California and modified by Doc.

The Olympic Games are underway in London, while our “Nesting Games” are going on at the Penny Palace.

Total:   8 Coins        P (5), N (0), D (2), Q (1) = $0.50

Day #1,316 - Contract Signed

Today we signed the contract to put the Pomona house up for sale.  After 30 years in our “starter” house, it’s now time to begin life in our retirement house.

On the way to the Pomona house Doc stopped at Starbucks for a coffee, while I walked around the parking lot and found a penny.  (Coin #1)

This morning I met with the gardener at the Pomona house to see what could be done to spruce up the yard.  Today is his regular “mow, blow and go” service, but he will return Monday to work on additional items.

I did some cleaning, then went on a whirlwind trip to donate (get rid of) some things.  First there was the Goodwill stuff for household items, then the Children’s Thrift store with school items, then Habitat for Humanity to give some tools and construction items, then the animal shelter to drop off blankets and linens for the doggies there.

At the animal shelter there was a water feature with a note to toss a coin and make a wish.  I tossed a nickel.  As I backed the van out of my parking spot, I looked out my window.  There was a nickel next to the van!  I parked and collected the nickel.  (Coin #2)

Thought:  “Give and it shall be Given Unto You”.

Final Touches

At 1 p.m. Realtor Adrie arrived to sign the dozens of papers needed to put the house on the market.  I had my camera out and ready to take pictures.  Got so busy reading all the fine print, that I forget to get the photo.  Rats!

When Adrie left, I did some final staging of the house (arranging the furniture, placing flowers, activating air freshener, hanging clean towels, and restocking the toilet paper).

Doc and I were looking forward to seeing the Olympic Opening Ceremonies on his new big screen TV.  So we stopped at a grocery store for some frozen dinners.  One penny found there.  (Coin #3)

Thought:  It was fun watching the London ceremony as the whole world was Celebrating with us in FINALLY putting our starter house for sale!

Total:   3  Coins        P (2), N (1), D (0), Q (0) = $0.07

Day #1,315 - Meet the Neighbors

This morning Doc made his requisite stop for coffee.  I looked carefully around the check out area three times for any wayward pennies.  Saw none.  I shared briefly with the cashier about something Penny Finding related. She mentioned that she had visited my cute website.  Instantly I spotted a penny!  As I bent to retrieve it, there was a second penny and then a nickel!  (Coins #1-3).  As Doc and I walked out of the store, we each found a dirt penny as well.  (Coins #4&5)

***************

Doc insisted upon stopping at a 99¢ store for some bleach to pour in the back yard streams (at both houses).  I was not excited about the detour.  As we walked in, I spotted a penny in check-out lane #1.  The line was long, but I took note to check out using that lane.  I grabbed four quick items, put them in my basket, and headed to Lane #1.  There was no one there and the penny was waiting for me.  Doc was nowhere to be found.  I searched for him and then found him in check out Lane #4.  I told him he could stay there, but I was going back to Lane #1 to claim that penny!

Wallpaper Work

By now, quite a number of people were in the check-out line.  I watched anxiously as the customers ahead of me walked over the poor forlorn penny.  I had my $5 cash noticeably in hand to make my purchse quickly.  The man ahead of me was buying ONE item at a 99¢ store and he was using a card to make his payment.  I thought to myself “Isn’t there a minimum amount in order to use a card?”  So I jokingly said to him and the cashier, “Just add my items to his card as well.”  He replied, “Yes, do that!”  HUH??  I said, “No, I was just joking.”  He told the cashier to ring it up!  I handed him the $5 but he wouldn’t take my money.  By this time the rest of the customers were engaged in the fun.  The lady behind me was cheering “let him pay!”  So I gave Kevin a Penny Card and told him that  Penny Finders promotes Acts of Random Kindness (ARKs) and he just performed one!  I distributed a few other Penny Cards to the people sharing the joyous experience.  Such fun!  When I looked to retrieve that penny, it had disappeared!  I guess it had served its purpose in creating a moment of JOY.

Painting Under the Stairs

I did find another penny before leaving the 99¢ store.  (Coin #6)

***************

Today we spent a few hours working at the Pomona house.  I glued loose edges on wallpaper, took more items off the walls, and cleaned.  Doc washed and painted the walls under the staircase in the garage.

***************

Tonight Doc and I attended the Annual Homeowner’s Association Meeting and Dinner.  On the way, I dropped off some phone books for recycling.  As I hopped out ot the van, there was a very run over penny by my foot.  (Coin #7)

Raffle Winner

The meeting was such fun.  There was a raffle with prizes of wine, plants, restaurant vouchers and more.  When they got to the $50 Starbucks Gift Card, Doc said, “That one is MINE”.  Sure enough, we won the card!

Neighbors at the meeting had such really great comments about the Penny Palace.  “Oh YOU are the ones with the wagon wheels and creative mailbox!”  The positive feedback left me motivated to create the next mailbox display … and to get the house readied for the Open House in October.

Total:   7  Coins        P (6), N (1), D (0), Q (0) = $0.11

Day #1,314 - Clear View

Brian Washing House

This morning Doc visited Iron Jimmy to submit our designs for the lawn shed support brackets.  Last night Doc did some calculations to determine the size iron to use, hole diameters, etc.  This morning I added a decorative triangulation piece to make it look like other truss work around the house.

I met window washing Brian at the Pomona house at 10:15 this morning.  Assisted him by moving aside window treatments, wiping the floors as he power washed the house, etc.  The windows were so dirty we could barely see through them any longer.  What a difference when you have a Clear View.

On Roof for Cleaning

Lesson today:  periodically step back from the daily grind and do something to wipe away the pollution in order to get a Clear View.

When Doc arrived, we worked on the front half of the garage.  Moved all the sheets of lumber, molding, and other items.  At 3:30 we headed back to the Penny Palace to cut up and discard much of the old lumber.  Dirty job.

Doc Cleaning Garage

Doc went to fuel himself while I stopped to fuel Pippy.  There was a dime in the pumping area.  (CoIn #1)  I said, “Thanks Angels, but reminder that this is PENNY Tales”.   So I had to go inside the convenience store.   There was a bright shiny penny just inside the door on the floor mat. (Coin #2)  That was pretty obvious. Thanks Angels.  Doc meanwhile collected four pennies and a dime at McDonalds.  (Coins #3-7)

At 6 p.m. Doc headed out to meet a co-worker for coffee and a foot massage.  I stayed at the Penny Palace to wash our dirty work clothes, draft out five Penny Tales, address some rental property issues, and deal with the yucky garage stuff we have been bringing home recently.

After Doc’s “meeting”, he stopped at the grocery store for a few items and two pennies.  (Coins #8&9)

Total:   9  Coins        P (7), N (0), D (2), Q (0) = $0.27

Day #1,313 - Dirty Day

Hauling Bark

Recycle Center

This morning neighbor Craig said now that we are living at the Penny Palace, he hardly sees us.  When the house was under construction, we would see each other on a daily basis.  Now we sleep here and work at the Pomona house.

We stopped by Home Depot to buy bags of bark.  As I was looking for a shopping cart to use, I spied the wheelbarrows. Then I remembered that several months ago I had planned to get Doc a new one for his birthday.  With the kidz here, I totally forgot about doing that.  Doc’s wheelbarrow is sooo old, even the concrete and landscaping guys were commenting on the dinosaur!  So today got him a new one.  Of the six color choices I got him a COPPER colored one!

Garage Cleaning

Today was a very dirty day.  We arrived with five bags of bark which we spread to cover the dirt areas by the lawn shed.  We spent the rest of the morning cleaning the contents and filth out of the lawn shed. By noon we had a pile of aluminum and steel scraps to take to the recycle center.

The scrap metal place was hot, crowded, dirty, and the flies were bothersome.  A dirty place. But I did get one penny there.

For lunch we stopped for a counter meal. I found a penny there.

I thought we would have the garage cleaned out by 4 p.m. today.  Not a shot.  We finally left at 8 p.m. with only the back half of the garage cleaned.  I was Disappointed and Dirty.

Total:   2 Pennies

Day #1,312 - Cousin Time

This morning Sparky spotted a coyote across the street.  He and Norman were all set to attack their first coyote. Thank goodness for that wrought iron gate.

Doc and I had breakfast at the Upland airport café before going next door to Lowe’s to order the ceiling fans for the dining room.  That model fan caught our attention a few weeks ago due to the hammered copper finish.  Hopefully the two will look great at the Penny Palace.

Removing Dead Grass

Doc and I met Handyman George and Robert at the Pomona house at 9:45.  He worked our butts off for the next 6 hours.  We tackled many of the items on the Pomona fix up list.  Some of the items completed were: painting cabinets in the laundry room, refurbishing garden lights, replacing ballasts in the kitchen lights, removing and replacing sink and shower caulking, hacking out dead grass and more.

At 3:15 we headed out with our 24 ft. ladder and air compressor on George’s truck.  (Pippy can’t quite haul those large items easily).

At the Penny Palace George hung the ceiling fan in Doc’s office. Doc is very please to finally have light in there!

Doc's Office Ceiling Light

***************

At 6 p.m. we headed back to the Pomona house - not to work, but for a family dinner!  Doc insisted upon stopping for coffee and petrol on the way.  I collected a dime just inside the store.  Of course I said, “Thank You Angels, but this is PENNY Tales”.  As I walked out there was a bright shiny penny standing upright in a crack - where I had looked when I entered the store.  Doc found a penny where he was pumping gas.  (Coins #1-3)

***************

Dinner with Cousins

Dinner was at my brother Mikey’s house.  (He lives three houses away from our Pomona house).  He and his wife graciously agreed to host a family Memorial Dinner.  A cousin of ours was found dead in his Long Beach hotel room last week.  He has a brother and two sisters who flew out from Ohio to deal with the coroner, personal belonging, cremation procedures and such.  We had an enjoyable evening getting to know those three people.

Finally at 11 p.m. it was time to go home -- too pooped by then to write the Tale for the day.

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

Day #1,311 - Not Standard

I wrote and posted two Penny Tales this morning.  Trying desperately to catch up.  Lots of chores around the house, then headed out at 3:45 p.m.

Changing Lightbulbs

Doc insisted upon stopping at the 7-11 store for coffee before we reached the freeway.  I collected one penny inside and he got his silver coin when he walked out.  (Coins #1&2)

We worked at the Pomona house until 6:30.  One task was to change out the old fluorescent light bulbs in the kitchen.  Not so easy.  It was challenging to get the old bulbs out and the new ones in.  Then we discovered that one of the four electronic ballasts was bad.  Ugg.  Will address that tomorrow when George comes over again.

Installing Towel Rack

Stopped for a Mexican counter meal.  Doc spotted a Sit-N-Find penny as he pulled up to the diner.  I found another penny when I walked around to the drive up window.  (Coins #3&4).

When we conducted our Sunday night grocery shopping Doc collected a double penny (2 stuck together) at the coin counting kiosk.  Evidently the machine didn’t like fat coins.  (Coins #5&6)

I have a long lists of “Quickies for Doc” posted in the kitchen.  Those are 15-20 minute tasks which he could be helpful with (instead of watching TV or if he wants to score ‘Brownie points’ with me).  Tonight Doc offered to tackle one of them - the towel rack in the Master Bath.  According to the box, one at a time you just pull out the hinge pins of the standard bathroom door, drop on the towel rack, and replace the hinges.  Easy. Simple. No tools needed except a screw driver and punch to get the hinges out.  Wrong.  Nothing at the Penny Palace is standard.  Of course we had to measure and drill new holes to fit the spacing on our door.  Doc was not excited.

Total:   6  Coins        P (5), N (0), D (1), Q (0) = $0.15

Day #1,310 - Pomona Fix Ups

Penny Tale Catch Up

Unclogging Vaccum

Seven days of Penny Tales to catch up on.  I thought running a construction site was grueling. With 4 kidz who wanted full-time attention, there was no time for a shower let alone concentrated working time on a computer for a few hours!

Doc met Handyman George and his wife Ana at Home Depot at 7:30 to buy needed materials for the day.  By 8 a.m. they were hard at work at the Pomona house refurbishing all four side gates, fixing up the lawn shed and various other tasks.

I managed to get one Penny Tale written and posted this morning. Then I had numerous chores and errands to run before getting to the Pomona house.  I was at Home Depot by 10 a.m. to get supplies.  The check-out lines were long and I had been in the store for over an hour.  I was impatiently standing in line and the customer ahead of me was having difficulties.  The nudging said: “Hop over to the other line”.  I did so and KNEW there would be a penny waiting for me there.  Sure enough, a bright shiny one.  (Coin #1)

Lawn Shed Renovations

George left us at 1:30.  We were totally exhausted but kept working for a while.  On the way home we stopped at Home Depot to return some items.  Another penny there.  (Coin #2)

At the Penny Palace Doc pretty much collapsed and shut down for the day.

At 4:45 Gardener Raul arrived, so I worked with him in the yard. While he blew and sucked leaves, I pulled weeds, cleaned up the dog poop, etc.

I found one penny by the street when I went to check the mailbox.  (Coin #3)

When Doc came back to life, he headed for dinner at McDonalds where he claimed two pennies.  (Coins #4&5)

Total:   5  Pennies

Day #1,309 - Busy Bee

Today was just an average day running errands and cleaning.  Nothing spectacular like our days with the kidz.   That week was our summer vacation.

By 8 a.m. I was at the office supply store to make photocopies.  After that it was a quick stop at Target for lights and then the bank to make deposits.

By 9 a.m. I was at the Pomona house to work with Maribel until1:30  She and I took down and cleaned the light fixtures, washed walls, etc.   When Doc arrived he worked on the stream filters.

I worked with Doc for an hour until 2:30, then had errands to run.  I needed to check in with Mom’s dentist.  Stopped to buy a banana for lunch - found one dime.  One penny at the key shack when I stopped to have more keys made.  (Coins #1&2)

Pippy needed a rinse off - two pennies at the car wash when I stepped out of the truck.  In the wipe down area as I walked over to Pippy, the guy with the car next to me cast aside a nickel, dime and two pennies as he was getting into his vehicle.  I waited until he drove away before collecting those.   (Coins #3-8)

The dogs needed more food - one penny in the parking lot at the pet supply store.  (Coin #9).

When I arrived home, son Stephen called asking if tonight would be a good one to take Doc out for a birthday dinner.  Of course Doc agreed.  We enjoyed a great meal at a Mongolian BBQ restaurant which recently opened.  I found a dime there.  (Coin #10)

Total:   10  Coins        P (6), N (1), D (3), Q (0) = $0.41

Day #1,308 - Catch Up Day

After a week of playing with the Kidz, it was time to catch up on chores and then get serious about fixing the Pomona house.

Today's Guest

Maribel arrived at the Penny Palace promptly at 9 a.m. and for the next 4.5 hours we cleaned house.  It sure needed it.  

This morning I walked out to the garage and noticed a copper-colored dragonfly buzzing around Pippy.  It settled on her radio antenna.  I gently spoke to it as I got closer and closer … It flew away, yet returned repeatedly.  After several take offs and landings, it stayed and allowed me to stroke it’s body, then it’s wings!

Then there was laundry, a large pile of mail to review, emails, issues with rental properties, etc. 

Doc spent much of the day at the Pomona house. He met cleaning Sharon there and instructed her on her final work session.  He also cleaned out a few of the things from the lawn shed.

At 7 p.m. I headed out to run errands.  There were three pennies at Target (Coins #1-3).  One Quarter at the next store.  (Coin #4).  No coins at the next few stores.

Although I was not excited to get the 6 p.m. call regarding rental fix its, by 9 p.m. I was on site reviewing the situation  So thankful the call did not come in during Kidz week.

Total:   4  Coins        P (3), N (0), D (0), Q (1) = $0.28

Day #1,307 - Uncle Doc's B-day

Kidz Week had passed way too quickly.  This morning the Boyz packed their gear and were ready to go.  Oma Karrin called to say the Girlz were still sleeping so we should arrive as late as we could.  The Boyz figured that was an opportunity to visit another Big Lots store for Angry Birds erasers and then make a final Starbucks run.

We arrived at Oma’s house shortly after 10 a.m. (versus the 9:30 we had planned).  I found one penny out in the street as we were loading the van.  (Coin #1).

Wheels Surprise

Lunch was an All-you-can-eat buffet in Palmdale.  During lunch son Brian called in from York, England to wish Doc a Happy Birthday.

We arrived in Tehachapi just after 2 p.m.  My brother Greg and his wife Val were at the construction site for their new home.  They are just a few months behind us with their building project.  We had planned to surprise them by placing the two huge wagon wheels with ribbons by their front door.  But they caught us.  It was fun.  Now their house has wheels as does the Penny Palace.  I was going to get just one wheel for my brother, but as Ashley so insightfully said, “It takes Two to carry a load”.  How true of a marriage.

Doc's Bday Cake

At 4:30 we headed back to the Kidz’s house.  They showed us their Lego projects, toy guns, guitars, and trampoline.  Little Jamie brought me two pennies to add to my collection.  Valerie and Greg prepared a delicious BBQ dinner of steak, stuffed potatoes, and salad plus a cake for Uncle Doc’s Birthday.  We enjoyed a wonderful family dinner overlooking the hills and animals.  At 7:30 we headed home (we had planned to leave at 6 p.m.).

Of course Doc needed to visit a Starbucks before getting on the freeway.  I collected one dime there.  (Coin #2).   We next stopped at a gas station so that I could fuel Pippy. Quarter.  (Coin #3).  Half way home we stopped to get Doc a soda, one penny there.  (Coin #4).

Doc was not thrilled to be driving in separate vehicles - especially on his Birthday evening.  He was also concerned about staying awake while driving alone. He needn’t have worried.  My mom (Mother-in-Law) called him and chatted for a while. That kept him quite alert.  J

Total:   4  Coins        P (2), N (0), D (1), Q (1) = $0.37

Day #1,306 - Boyz Day

Late last night on the way home from the circus we dropped the Girlz at Oma’s house.  Today was Boyz Day.

Bank Appraiser

I had wanted to keep our time with the Kidz totally void of any “work” related activities.  We have put in the paperwork for our new, permanent loan and this morning was when the Bank Appraiser could squeeze in a visit out to the Penny Palace.  I told him he had one hour (or less) to complete his work.  He arrived a few minutes before 8 a.m., said hello, and began measuring.  The two boyz awoke around 8:30 a.m. and when I went inside the house, they were already helping themselves to breakfast.  They are getting so grown up and they are a delight to host.  I had left them each a package of Angry Bird Pencil Erasers at their table place settings and they were delighted.  Their sister had mentioned how the boyz had been seeking to find those erasers where they live, but had not been successful.

Angry Birds Procured

The bank appraiser left at 9 a.m. and we were ready to start our day.  Doc and Nick headed for car dealerships to look at Corvettes and Camaros.  Brandon and I stopped at the post office to mail a parcel, then proceeded to Big Lots to investigate more erasers.  As we walked from my truck into the store I looked at my watch which read 10 a.m.  I smiled and told Brandon.  This is great.  People where I used to work are busy with their job activities and, now being retired, I am spending my morning with you!  His reply was precious: “So I guess you are One Happy Bird out looking for Angry Birds!”  Yes. I am!

Knowing that Brandon likes video game arcades, I took him to the Boomers play center for a little while.  On his very first game he hit the Bonus pocket for 50 tickets.  He was hooked.  He used his entire allotment of tokens on that game.  Then he redeemed his coupons for some tiny trinkets.  We had not found any coins yet in our day, so I detoured into a 7-11 parking lot where Brandon found a penny.  (Coin #1) 

All You Can Eat Buffet

We ventured into the Pegasus Hobby Store.  Brandon was awed at the thousands and thousands of model cars, trains, boats, planes and more. There were remote vehicles of every sort.  He declared that Nicholas really must see that store as well.

We met Uncle Doc and Nicholas at noon for an all-you-can eat buffet which everyone enjoyed.

Digging for Fossils

Dinosaur Appetizer

Then we discovered the Alf Paleontology Museum in Claremont just a few miles from our Pomona house.  It is world renowned and on a private high school campus.  I had never even heard of it until today.  The boyz had been asking about man’s existence relative to dinosaurs and this museum sure answered that question.  It was a great experience.

Next the boyz wanted to go to the Bass Pro shop to explore and do some indoor shooting.  Doc found his penny there.  (Coin #2).   I was having trouble walking through the huge store and wondering why my legs should hurt so much today?  Doc quipped, “Could a walk all the way around the Lake, followed by several steep nighttime laps around the water tower possibly have anything to do with that condition?”  I had forgotten about those.

The boyz wanted to hunt for more Angry Birds. We left Doc behind so he could take a break and get some groceries.  We got more erasers and were heading home when I was ‘nudged’ to pull over and look at a large metal dinosaur on display at a garden center.  We were looking at the artwork when Uncle Doc called. He did not get the motor oil as planned - could we stop and get some?  We just happened to be parked right in front of a huge, open 24 hours a day auto supply store which I had never even noticed before!  We bought the motor oil and as we emerged from the store I said, “I have not found a coin yet today”.  Nicholas responded, “Me neither.  I’m dry”. And instantly there was a penny by his foot!  (Coin #3)

We began driving home and I started talking to the Angels: “Look.  There is one more shopping center between here and the house.  I am going to pull into there and I expect you to do your part in delivering today’s coin”.  I parked Pippy and hopped out saying “I’m dry, I’m dry”.  In the next parking stall there was a dime and a penny.  Done.  We got back into the truck and headed home.  (Coins #4&5).  Doc had found an additional penny at the grocery store. (Coin #6)

Add caption

The evening was spent cracking Macadamia nuts, ‘hanging’ together, and watching the Daddy Day Care movie Oma Karrin had given them.  Such fun.

Total:   6  Coins        P (5), N (0), D (1), Q (0) = $0.15