Day #1,381 - Helping Hands

Door Wreath

This morning Doc and I tried to create a video from the photos we had selected.  After several unproductive hours, we were both frustrated.  Doc went out for food, I cried, sent two emails to friends I thought might help, and then attacked a few boxes.  One friend did call back and gave Doc some pointers.

Doc has a sore throat and has been coughing and sneezing all day.  This afternoon he just wanted to sleep.  But Fil had emailed and offered video advice, so Doc spent a few hours organizing the photos and trying to figure things out.

Wood Polishing

At 2 p.m. our friend Lita arrived to help me prepare the house for the upcoming events.  She oiled all the dining chairs, polished the wood tables and helped hang the front door wreath.   Then we created a poster of the neighborhood layout so guests could put indicators showing their house.  We assembled more Open House invitations and Neighborhood flyers.  It was over 100 degrees today, but we headed out for 45 minutes and delivered the remaining invitations.  Good to get those finished - especially since that event is just 10 days away.   It was really nice to have her loving pre’cents’ and helping hands.

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In order to find today’s coin I needed to get out of the house.  At 7:30 Doc and I headed out.  Doc said we should stop at the 7-11 store and look there.  We found 5 pennies and 2 dimes in the gas pumping and parking areas.  (Coins #1-7)

For dinner we visited an El Pollo Loco drive up window.  Doc had to get out of the van to “get to his wallet”.  (Which he keeps in his back pocket). He also bent over to collect a dime and two pennies. (Coins #8-10)

Doc had a craving for beef jerky, so we stopped at a convenience store.  We collected four pennies there.  (Coins #11-14)

Doc had also collected a nickel when he went to McDonalds for lunch. (Coin #15)

Total:  15 Coins        P (11), N (1), D (3), Q (0) = $0.46

Day #1,380 - Saturday 7

Aussie Artifacts

Spent much of the day working on the Penny Palace Video.  We reduced Doc’s initial selected batch of photos down to 425 photos.  Tomorrow we will attempt to make them into a video with music.

This afternoon Gardener Raul mentioned that plants in some areas of our yard are dying and in other areas they are being overwatered.  So we spent an hour with him trying to figure out which sprinkler valves controlled which zones and then how to adjust the run times.  That was an unexpected detour.

Sprinkler Checks

Doc had a craving for steak, so around 6:30 we went for a buffet dinner.  I found one penny on the floor by the cash register.  (Coin #1)

We needed some supplies, so our next stop was at a home improvement store.  One penny in the electrical aisle.  (Coin #2)

Doc had a sore throat and was not feeling very well.  We stopped at the pharmacy store for some throat lozenges.  As we entered, I collected one US penny, then a Canadian penny.  There was third penny near the soda display.  (Coins #3-5)  I was standing in  the check-out line looking around.  No coins within sight.  I moved up to make my purchase and suddenly there was a gleaming penny a few feet away!  Mushroom coin (Coin # 6).

Doc likes the number 7, so I said, “we just need one more coin”.  When we arrived home, I noticed the penny which Doc had found earlier in the day.   That made 7 coins.

The highlight of the day was when we hung our prized boomerang award.

Total:  7 Coins        P (6), N (0), D (0), Q (0) + one Canadian Penny = $0.06 + ?

Day #1,379 - Free Coffee

I had hoped to get so much more accomplished today. 

Video Assembly

Mandy arrived at 8:30 a.m. with her dog Sugar.  I grabbed Sparky and the four of us went for a quick walk.  One-third the way into the walk, Sparky decided he had gone far enough.  I had to carry him at that point.  That was probably a good thing when a few minutes later a coyote trotted past us on the other side of the street.

Headboard Assembly

The printer emailed around 10 a.m. with the final edits to the Walking Guidebook.  At 6:15 this evening he called to say they were ready for pick up.  Not tonight. I’ll get them Monday.

Doc and I secured the Aussie headboard, then worked on the headboard lighting and wiring.  That took a few hours.  Then another few hours to polish the unit.  What I thought would take 2 hours, took 5-6 hours.  Ugghh.

Knee Guards

While I polished wood, Doc put foam on the wood corners of our bed frame.  That should make it a little softer when we hit our knees on those.

Layer of Lint

We worked on 3-4 months worth of photos for the video we are assembling.  There is a long way to go on that project.

By 7:30 I was drenched in sweat, tired and grumpy. I needed a break. So Doc and I headed out to mail more invitations and find today’s coin.  I noticed the drive up window at Jack’s looked fairly empty.  So we pulled over and I searched the driveway where I found two pennies and a dime.  (Coins #1-3).  Meanwhile Doc collected a nickel near the gas pumps.  (Coin #4)

Next we headed to the grocery store to get 4 cases of water and 10 cases of sodas for the first two potlucks.  That’s a lot of lifting.  One dime there.  (Coin #5)

Earlier today Doc had found three pennies when he got his breakfast and redeemed his Free Coffee coupon.  (Doc #1-3)

Total:  8 Coins        P (5), N (1), D (2), Q (0) = $0.30 

Day #1,378 - Higher Gear

Hello Neighbor

Only 9 days until the first Potluck here. I need at least 9 weeks to get things ready!   I need to shift my production into a higher gear.

New Poster

We have moved from Construction Phase, to Moving Phase, to Previous House Fix-Up.  Now we are in New House Detailing Phase. Looking forward to the Organized and Settled in Phase.  Hopefully Soon?

Strangled?

This morning:  Cleaning, organizing, getting things prepared for the upcoming events.  Doc helped me take down the front yard banner and put up the new poster.  A neighbor walked past while we were working and stopped to chat.

Doc went off to school to do his prep and then teach classes.

This afternoon I visited 11 places  in order to mail invitations, order the Elf sign, get nametags, get fix up items, deposit checks, get dog food, etc.   Two pennies at one store and two pennies at the pet store.

This evening I was responding to phone calls and emails, working with the photographer and volunteers for the events, editing Verision 3 of the Event Program, moving furniture and of course, writing Penny Tales!

Total:  4 Pennies

Day #1,377 - Penny Rescue

I used to do this ‘events coordinating’ stuff on a regular basis.  I must be getting rusty ‘cause it seems like I do not have many of the key components secured yet.  (Food, staffing, set up, logistics).  I’m still working on getting the straggler invitations mailed!

This morning I actually blocked time to work on three things:  the Command Center, the Laundry Room, and the window shelves.  It is 6 p.m. and I haven’t even looked at those yet.

Kitchen Rail Set Up

There were some emails and correspondences to deal with first thing this morning.  Then I got inspired to move two shelves on the craft supply wall.  That led to emptying two boxes. (Which is a good thing because it is difficult to walk through my office).

Doc left for school around 9:15.  At 11:30 Iron Jimmy called.  Could he come install the decorative sink railing?  Huh?  Last week he said he was too busy to begin that project until Oct 4^th.  And now he wanted to install it?  Sure!  So I scrambled to move plants and dishes out of his way.

Then I sat down with the Open House Walking Tour printed program.  I compiled the edits and prepared a new working draft for the meeting with the printer at 2 p.m. 

The meeting with the printer went quickly and by 2:30 I was off to other things.  Stopped at the Pomona house just for a few minutes.  Then I went to four stores for supplies and things for the upcoming events. 

At the final store I said, “Look Angels, this is my last stop for the day, you need to provide today’s coin here.”  There was no coin to be found.  I was stopped at the signal for the freeway onramp.  I was talking to the Angels, “I don’t like having to force Penny Finds.  You are supposed to have them for me in my regular routine.  Just where would you have me stop now in order to collect today’s coin?”  I looked out my window and there was a penny in the median strip!  There were no cars behind me, and the light had just turned red.  So I took Pippy out of gear, set the parking brake, tossed my water bottle out of my lap (Pippy doesn’t have a holder that works), unbuckled the seat belt, unlocked the door, fetched the penny, did all those things in reverse, and proceeded promptly when the light turned green!  Whew!  All that for ONE penny!

Total:  1 Penny

Day #1,376 - Promises

I met Cleaning Maribel at the Pomona house at 9 a.m.  On the way, I stopped at the bank to get cash with which to pay her and found a dime and a penny.  (Coins #1&2)   We cleaned until 10:30.  Then she headed to the Penny Palace and I headed to the sign shop and then to a 99¢ store for some poster board.

Doc left for school at 11:30 just as I arrived at the Penny Palace.  I wanted to help Maribel vacuum the floors, dust things, or even scrub the toilets. She would not let me. She insisted that I deal with all the boxes and Stuff which was already here and then the new incoming stuff.  But I don’t wanna deal with it!

Finally at 4:30 Maribel left for the day.  That was all I could take of trying to deal with the stuff.  I dropped off some signed paperwork with the solar array rep, then rushed to get to the lighting store before it closed.  The last of the ceiling fans arrived and is now in hand.

By the time I returned home, the printer had sent a proof copy of the Walking Tour for my review. That took an hour.  Will need to meet with him to make these edits.

Spent another hour this evening tracking ‘straggler’ subcontractors.  I promised people who worked on the project that they would be invited to the Open House.  Most of them did not believe I would remember them.  One guy has moved to Hawaii.  I tracked him down because I still intend to mail him an invitation.  A promise is a promise.

Total:  2 Coins        P (1), N (0), D (1), Q (0) = $0.11 

Day #1,375 - Big Move #3

Empty Aussie Shelves

The moving company called around 8 a.m. to confirm our scheduled move for today.  Doc and I shifted a few things at this end and then headed over to the Pomona house.  Of course Doc stopped for coffee before getting on the freeway.  I collected two pennies in the parking lot.  (Coins #1&2).

Last BIG Move

The moving truck arrived at 9:15 and by 9:40 we began loading.  The movers packaged and transported the furniture, while Doc and I dealt with the contents and wall décor.  On one trip to the van, Doc found a penny on the sidewalk!  (Coin #3).

When we arrived at the Penny Palace, I think it took more time to assemble the furniture than to bring it in the house. By 12:15 the movers were leaving and Doc and I were ready to collapse.  We unpacked a few things, then at 2 p.m. Doc headed off to school.  I kept unpacking and dealing with mail, RSVPs, rental issues, etc. 

At 4:15 the upholsterer called.  I was elated, yet dreading the thought of more lifting.  It took me 40 minutes to carry eight chairs out of the house and then load them into Pippy and tie them down. My body was complaining.

Kitchen Chairs Ready to go Home

Arrived at the upholstery shop at 5:15.  The coffee bar stools and breakfast nook chairs look great.  There was stop-and-go traffic on the freeway, so it took until 6:10 to get home.  I offloaded the 7 chairs.  My body was resisting the overtime work. I fed the dogs and was back on the freeway by 6:45.

My mom had offered to make dinner for us tonight!  She had too much food in her fridge and it was going to spoil.  So from 7:30 - 8:00 Doc and I were treated to a wonderful outdoor dinner.

At 8:00 p.m. we had an appointment at the Pomona house to meet someone who wanted to buy the washer and dryer.  We waited for an hour, but the person never showed.  Doc and I spent the time packing the contents of the Australian Room. By the time we left at 9 p.m., that room was cleared.  One more room down, only 4-5 zones remaining.

Total:  3 Pennies

Day #1,374 - Mellow Day

Spent the morning catching up on the Construction Daily Journal. (I had not worked on it since April!)

Video Work

Son Stephen returned borrowed tables and then worked with Doc on the video for the Open House.

Aussie Room Prepped

At 3 p.m. we headed out to the Pomona house to prepare for tomorrow’s move.  Doc stopped for coffee and a banana. I found two coins in the planter next to the van.  It was difficult to tell, but one coin was a dime, and the other a penny.  (Coins #1&2)  Then Doc and I searched the 4-5 parking spots in front of the store.  Neither one of us saw any coins. I turned around and suddenly there was a gleaming penny behind me.  I bent to pick it up and found a vertical penny in a crack. And then there was another penny!  (Coins #3-5)

Washer & Dryer Prepped

Inside the store I spotted two silver coins under the counter right next to one another. One was a loose quarter which I had to use to pry off the stuck nickel. (Coins #6&7). Hit for the Cycle at one location!

After working at the Pomona house, we went to the bank and grocery store next to it.  I spied a gleaming penny in a dirt planter.  Bent to collect it and saw a second penny, then a third, then another, then another… Six pennies there.  (Coins #8-13).

Inside the grocery store, there was a dime as I walked in.   Then Doc spotted a dime as we entered the check-out lane. (Coins #14&15).

As the tall man in front of us paid for his items, he dropped a penny.  He looked at it, stood on top of it, completed his transaction, and left. My coin now!  (Coin #16). There was one more penny before we left the store. (Coin #17).

Total:  17 Coins        P (12), N (1), D (3), Q (1) = $0.72   Hit for the Cycle

Day #1,373 - Pandora's Box

3 Amigos

A friend from Texas was in town and wanted to see the Penny Palace.  At 7:30 Bob arrived for a house tour.  Then it was off to breakfast.  I think I made a big mistake in putting the three big guys together over biscuits and gravy. Conversation went all over the place.  Topics included: motorcycle riding, construction, motivating students, solar bikes, efficient vehicle components, the Abu Dhabi project, recruiting more females in the technology field, and then settled on tentative plans for an Electrathon race next year.  Pandora’s Box was opened!

Exciting Possibilities Ahead

I found one penny at the restaurant.

We took Guest Dan to the Pomona house for more packing work.  Since he is tall, he could take down our ceiling-hung coffee mug collection without using a ladder!  Saved me a bunch of time.

At noon we locked up the Pomona house and headed back to the Penny Palace.  Dan spent an hour coaching Doc and I on the Open House video we are creating.  That was a blessing.

Doc took Dan to the airport while I dealt with the plants and some of the boxes we had brought home.  Doc was exhausted from all the excitement of solar car talk.  He NEEDED to watch football in order to recover.

Total:  1 Penny

Day #1,372 - Doing Time

9 a.m.  Just conquered a Procrastination Project - the boxes in the Aussie Foyer.  Why am I finally tackling that? Because Doc is on his way to the airport to meet an incoming out-of-state guest who will be here later today.  Doc stopped for coffee at 7-11 before going to the airport.  Two pennies and a token of some sort there.  All three coins were very run over.  I stayed home to prepare the Guest Room and tidy the house just a wee bit.

Tablet Training

I expected the guys to head straight to Orange County for the scheduled meetings. Instead I stepped out of the shower to find them walking up to the front door!  Yikes.  Guest Dan spent and hour showing us his Tablet and telling us about the pilot program at his College.

Dan was here to meet with organizers at the Orange County Great Park where the Solar Decathlon will be held next year.

Shelf Moving

The guys left around 11:30 a.m. and I figured I had a good 6-7 hours to work on various projects - especially the upcoming Open House activities.  The guys called just after 2 p.m. and said they were on their way home! 

  

By the time the guys returned to the house, I had a “To Do List for them”.  They leveled the fridge, hung skeletons, adjusted shelving, etc.  At 5:30 p.m. we headed out to the Pomona house.  I wouldn’t feed Dan until he had “done an hour” of packing.

Delicate Moves

Doc stopped en route for a Starbucks coffee.  I found my penny in the parking lot there.  As we exited the freeway, Doc collected a Sit-n-Find penny.  Dan thought us insane.  We packed boxes at the Pomona house then headed home.  Stopped for a Hawaiian take away dinner on the way home.

Total:  5 Coins        P (4), N (0), D (0), Q (0) + a token = $0.04 + ???

Day #1,371 - In Escrow

When I checked emails this morning there was a message from Realtor Adrie -- the Escrow Instructions would be ready by 10 a.m. When could we meet with her in the next three days?  Since we have an out-of-state guest arriving tomorrow and one the following morning, it needed to happen today. Doc needed to be at school by 12:30, so we agreed to meet Adrie at 11 a.m.

Doc had a (coffee) stop to make on the way to the meeting.  I also had several stops to make.  The Angels were really helping out.  They kept signals green when asked, and found very close,  shady parking spots several times for me. At the first bank when I hopped out of the truck , there was a penny. I was satisfied.  That took care of that issue for the day.  Moments later I found a dime in the lobby of the bank!  (Coins #1&2)

At the second bank, I emerged to find a penny near the truck. (Coin #3)

Sale Now Pending

We met Adrie at the Pomona house. It took about an hour to review and sign the escrow documents.  She said the only remaining action item (other than removing all the furniture, wall hangings, cleaning items, and other personal effects from the house) would be to get the Grant Deed notarized.  But that could be done any time in the next few weeks before escrow closed. 

Doc with Notary Tony

Doc said, “Let’s get that done today!”  I called ahead to be sure Banker Tony would be available and not out to lunch.  We rushed to meet him shortly after noon.  Adrie followed us.  We notarized the Document and she took the completed package to the escrow company.  A three hour turnaround time!  This sale is moving VERY rapidly.

As Doc headed to school he noted, “My goal was to have the house sold before school started. My first lecture is in three hours!”  Example of Goal-setting.

I stopped at a whole series of places and it seemed like the Angels were having a good time tagging along.  I fuelled Pippy, hand-delivered invitations, mailed bills, and more.  At the office supply place I let two gentlemen go ahead of me because it looked as though they were in a hurry.  One man was returning an item (lengthy process) while the other man was ‘hanging around’.  Since I had nothing better to do, I started up a Penny Finders conversation and gave him a Penny Card.  Shared stories and JOY.

While traveling to the next destination I was ‘nudged’ to shift one lane to the left.  As soon as I did that, a lady blew through the ‘right-turn-only’ lane and would likely have hit me had I still been in that lane.

Upon entering the thrift store I asked the Angels to help find appropriate items for my Elves.  I primarily wanted some black shoes.  I made several passes through the aisles and did not really find much.  So I asked the angels for creativity and imagination; to open my eyes and mind for ideas.  Emerged with black shoes, bedding (sheet, comforter, pillow), bowls, and a table, for the elves. Plus two pennies!  (Coins #4&5)

3 Weeks of Pennies to Log

Temperatures were near 100 degrees.  I was very hot and uncomfortable driving around.  I noticed a guy on a bicycle and wondered how he could even breathe in such heat.  Then I noticed he was also smoking a cigarette!  Crazy.  Guess he was not biking for health reasons.

I arrived home after a full work day.  Spent an hour on rentals of the tables, chairs and linens for the upcoming Open House events.  Spent two hours logging penny finds and catching up.  There was laundry to do, emails from Realtor Adrie with data needed, and more.

Doc did not arrive home from work until 11 p.m.  I dared not ask him to download photos or create a video tonight.

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

Day #1,370 - Procrastination Pile

Chair Cleaning

Doc left early for school this morning, so by 8 a.m. he was gone and I was able to get to work.  I washed, prepped, and loaded chairs to take to the upholsterer.  The drapery place had wanted two weeks to do the job.  I can’t go that long without kitchen chairs.  I found a local upholsterer who said he could have them done in two days (and for a lower cost).

Chairs Loaded

On the way home I stopped at a grocery store to get a salad (to look for coins).  Two pennies there.

The afternoon was spent conquering one of the many Procrastination Piles around here.  It contained things I kept avoiding: insurance declarations, tree removals, rental issues, etc.  Also spent time with Penny Tales, emails and lots of other things.

Doc was at school until 8 p.m.  He stopped at a grocery store on his way home where he collected one penny.  He had already found three pennies when he stopped for his morning coffee.

At 9 p.m. we had a nice dinner in the Grand Room (Hawaiian take away meal Doc purchased on the way home) and then proceeded with our Evening Shift work.  I assembled and addressed another  50-60 Open House invitations.  Need to finish those SOON!

Total:  6 Pennies

Day #1,369 - Offer Accepted

I woke up this morning to a day planned full of activities.  Did an early check of my emails. Realtor Adrie had said last night that we would probably not hear from her for a day or two.  The Buyers would need time to consider the counter offer we signed last night at 9 p.m. The Buyers accepted our counter offer during the night and we are to open escrow immediately!

Side Story which occurred to me while driving down the freeway this afternoon:

The Pomona House had been on the market for one month (all of August).  There was no serious interest.  For the past two weeks as I have been driving and doing errands, I have been talking out loud to the Angels.  “Look guys.  I need some assistance on the Pomona house project. Can you take over here?  Of course, we have the sales price issue - we need a certain bottom line amount.  But you know me … I want More than the Minimum.  Please find us a Buyer for whom it will also be financially good. (Not someone who would be overbuying).  Let the buyer be someone who will be a good neighbor for the people around the house.  Let the buyer be someone who respects the house and treats it with care - the house has been good to us.  I have left the furniture to ‘show’ that house, but I need some of it soon for the Open House Party at the new house.  So can you find this buyer and get the house into escrow fairly quickly?  And to top it off … could you find someone who appreciates ‘old fashioned country décor?  That way they won’t gut the place and take away the charm of it.”

The Buyers have a decent down payment, they want a short escrow, and they liked the décor so well that they wanted it all!  Of course, I won’t give them the quilt Doc’s mother made and a lot of other sentimental things, but yes, the house sale can include many of the items.

Our Realtor said she has never, ever had a Buyer ask for ALL contents.  Normally people do not want other people’s stuff.  Angel Intervention?  Another COINcidence?

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Housekeeper Maribel called to say her other appointment today had cancelled.  Did we want her to work more than the two hours today at our house?  Sure!!!  Just cleaning all the floors could keep her busy for two hours.  She arrived at 9 a.m.

I was out the door at 9:20 to stop at the bank to turn in our rolled coins and stop at the post office for more postage stamps (for the Open House invitations) before meeting the printer.  At 10 a.m. I gave Printer John my Open House Walking Tour Guidebook and files.  He made some good suggestions on layout, paper type, cost cutting, etc.  John and Ginger are the grandparents to Merlin (see Penny Tale Day #652) and I had a wonderful time getting to know them.

Printer John with Mocked Up Guidebook

I made a quick stop at the Pomona house.  Said hello to it.

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Aussie Map:  One of the hundreds of little things to do has been to laminate a map I ordered months ago (from Australia). I had tried one print shop when the map arrived, but they did not want to take the risk of doing it.  That project had not made my top 10 Action Items, but I was passing near the blueprint shop today.  Called ahead to see if they could do it while I waited.  Nope.  They would send it out, it would take two days, and there was a $50 minimum order.  No thanks!  So I called upon the Angels: “Find a better way”.  I was nudged to call a shop near the freeway I would be taking to the Drapery shop at 1 p.m.  “Yes, they could do it in an hour $15”  Much better.

I dropped off the map for lamination and continued to Pasadena to pick up the bolt of fabric for the dining chairs.  That was only a 5 minute stop.  The map would not be ready until 2 p.m.  I made a stop at Target to use the bathroom (and look for a coin).  There were a dozen check out lanes and I searched through them from two different directions - no coins to be found. I purchased some nuts for lunch. The open lines were long, so I asked the Angels which one to choose.  I was ‘nudged’ toward one.  There was a coin!  As I left the store, I said, “Thanks Angels, it’s a dime. Appreciate that, but this is Penny Tales”.  As I said that, I found a nickel!  I was laughing.  Nickels are the rarest to find of the four basic coins.  I jokingly said, “What?  No penny?  Are you going to give me a quarter next?”

I picked up the laminated map. The charge was only $12 instead of the $15 quoted.  Thanks Angels.

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On the way home I stopped at a 7-11 store to look for a penny.  Guess what? No penny there - only a Quarter!!!  I was laughing.  I walked around the parking lot saying, “Angels, I know there is a penny here. Please show me ‘cause you have played with me enough already. I want to go home now.”  Instantly there was a penny!

A Hit for the Cycle with just four coins!  What is the probability of that?

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I arrived home to find a 36” x 36” enlarged map of our neighborhood.  Neighbor Craig provided that as his part of the upcoming Neighborhood potluck.  Now I must devise a way to hang it.

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At 6:30 Doc called from Campus.  He was exhausted, but happy. The Angels had found his tie clip!  He had lost it at the wedding on September 1 at the Raas Garba.  Evidently it had taken a ride with the bride’s Grandmother ……

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Doc wanted to know what we were having for dinner tonight?  I told him “Penny Tales”.  I am now four days behind and needed to write - not to cook or eat.  And he needed to download photos and compile the videos.  He said maybe he should stay at school!

Total:  4 Coins        P (1), N (1), D (1), Q (1) = $0.41

Day #1,368 - Purchase Offer

Over the weekend several people reviewed my Penny Palace Walking Tour Guidebook.

Garage Time

I had a noon goal to integrate the edits and complete the working draft.  I was intensely working on that project when Doc summoned me out to the garage to assist him in creating bicycle hangers!  Yesterday he had stated his intentions to finally tackle that project and said it would not take very long for him to do.  I gave him my blessing and said to go ahead -- as long as he did not need my assistance. I had a deadline to meet.

HVAC Brian

Doc asked me for 15 minutes; I was out there an hour.  During that hour HVAC Brian also dropped in.  He wanted to look at the system in our attic as an example for another job he is doing.

It was mid day and I was STILL working on the Walking Tour Program with much left to do.  Realtor Adrie called.  We had just received our first official offer on the Pomona house!  The Buyers offered a lower-than-listed price and they wanted ALL FURNISHINGS they saw in the house.  They also wanted a 21 day (very short escrow) since their current house is already in escrow.  We needed to meet with Adrie as soon as possible to determine our Counter Offer and to establish a list of contents we would leave with the house.  We agreed to meet her at 8 p.m. at the Pomona house.

Table #2 goes to Pomona

Of course we can not leave the dining table we finally obtained after years of it being on my Wish List.  But we did have another table … Remember on Day #1,233 when we found that nice set of oak chairs and table at that roadside estate sale?  At the time I said I really just needed the chairs - I did not NEED another table.  (Although I do really like it).   Maybe the Finding Angels gave me that table for this reason.  COINcidence?

Counter Offer Signed

At 6:30 p.m. Doc and I loaded up Table #2 and headed to the Pomona house.  We stopped for dinner at a Mexican food place.  Although we were eating inside, I did run outside to check for coins at the drive-up window.  I was disappointed that there were none to be found.  Doc was placing our order when he noticed a penny in the toothpick dispenser!  I fiddled with the container and managed to obtain the penny and a dime!  (Coins #1&2)  The penny was super shiny and looked brand new - just like the ones I had been seeking to glue on the Invitations.  I turned it over to discover it was a Wheat Penny!  (Old One - 1957)  Doc said it looked uncirculated.

We met with the realtor, signed the counter offer, and made a list of house contents to remain with the house.

Table #1 Comes to Penny Palace

We arrived home with Table #1.  Called son Stephen to please come to our rescue.  Doc did not want to take the table to school with him in the morning and I was too weak to carry my half of it.  What a blessing to have strong and nearby help.

Total:  2 Coins        P (1), N (0), D (1), Q (0) = $0.11