Double Tale

Last night Doc and I attended a Christmas Eve service at a local church.  The entertainers put on quite a performance (actually five of them throughout the day).  It was very loud and high tech.  This morning’s Christmas performance by the Penny Angels was every bit as impressive – and much quieter).

Doc with Double Tails and Knee Braces

***********

This Christmas morning Doc wanted to a) get his coffee and b) break in his new knee braces.  He insisted I go with him (and get my coin for today).  The dogs, of course determined this now to be a Family Christmas activity.  The Two Tails demanded to go along as well.

Our first stop this morning was at a closed car wash.  I set out to find merely a coin or two.  Doc hopped out of the van and said we should go find …….25 coins?

We walked the doggies, logged in several hundred steps and found my requisite coin.  (Actually we collected 24 coins [20P, N, 3D] which is a double Coin Mine).

Our second stop was at a shopping center where Doc planned to get his coffee.  The grocery store was closed, so we walked the parking lot to get a few more steps logged.  We collected 10 Pennies and a Dime on that walk.

The third stop was to get Doc’s coffee.  He headed toward the shop, I headed in the opposite direction across the empty parking lot.  I was talking to the Angels,

“We have pennies, a nickel, and dimes.  If you want to make for a good story this morning, you could deliver a quarter to me right now and complete a Hit for the Cycle”.  Within 3-4 minutes there was a shiny quarter in a dirt patch!  And as I bent over to retrieve it, another quarter appeared!  TWO quarters.  I guess that means the Penny Angels wanted me to write a (Double) Penny Tale today (since they delivered a Double Hit for the Cycle).

Coin Finds in Starbucks Courtyard

***********

I headed back to Starbucks to meet Doc.  He had his coffee; I had my quarters.  But the Penny Angels were not through with us.  Doc spotted a penny in the Starbucks courtyard.  We retrieved it.  There was another penny and another penny and another… it felt as though we were surrounded by coins!  Within moments we had gobbled up 69 coins!  The coins had crusty white sediment on them.  It wasn’t until we got home and I could wash them, that we could determine we had collected 62P, 3N, 4D at that spot.

Then, as we returned to our van to leave, Doc spotted a Wheat penny!  (Perhaps from the Angels of Christmas Past)?

Instead of SPENDING money on Christmas, we were FINDING money on Christmas…. And enjoying Playful Time with the Angels.

Christmas Count:   P (94), N (4), D (8), Q (2) = 108 Coins

Some Lessons Today: 

·     The Angels enJOY when we Play like a Child with them

·     Set your expectations / goals higher than the minimum daily requirement

·     The Angels are there to assist and will generally perform much better than humans will

Bullied

Last night on the late night news there was a segment on Financial Bullying and how detrimental it can be to a marriage.  Doc and I were expressing how grateful we were that we are so compatible in that area.  All our accounts are joint accounts; our values and priorities are similar.  Neither one of us “bullies” the other in financial aspects -- or so I thought until this afternoon…

Today I worked from home and was getting so much accomplished.  I did not want to leave the house, but realized I was not likely to find a coin or walk my 10,000 steps if I stayed at home.  Around 3 p.m. I called Doc (who was at school) to let him know I was going out for one hour to walk and find a coin.   His reply, “Find a dime and don’t come home without it.”  Was I being Bullied?

This morning while at the car wash, at the auto service center, and then at school Doc had found a nickel, quarter and some pennies.  He wanted to have a “Hit for the Cycle” today, so he was strongly insisting that I find a dime!

Around 4 p.m. I headed out to a nearby convenience store to find today’s coin.  I wanted it to be quick so I could get back home and continue my work.  I purchased two waters in order to dive for the two pennies on the floor near the register.    Not a good Return on Investment (ROI).

On the way back to the truck I found a quarter!  Yipee!  I was grateful for that.  Then I remembered Doc’s words.  “Angels - it needed to be a dime and not a quarter.  I can’t go home without one”.

So I went to another small shopping center.  Found a penny, then another quarter!  Geez!  “Angels I requested a Dime!”  They said, “and you are complaining that we gave you MORE than you asked for?”

I walked next door to the car wash and found a penny and a nickel in a planter bed.  Nickels are rare.  “Angels it is silver, but still not a dime!”  I looked across the lot at the Jack’s drive through window.  Usually there are 3-8 cars lined up there. One single car was pulling away from the window.  I jogged over there, spotted a penny, then a penny, then a penny … The gal in the window began talking to me.  I spotted two more pennies -- and a DIME!  I grabbed the dime, left the two remaining pennies (foregones) and made a hasty exit.

YIPEE!  When I took those marriage vows I promised to “Love, Honor, and Obey”.  I still try to do that.  (When it suites me).  LOL

Lesson Today?  You tell me

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

P.S. I had today’s Penny Tale all written and ready to post.  Doc came home from school and announced. “I stopped at the grocery store on the way home for bananas and I got that dime I requested!”  So from now on the man can get his own coins and stop bullying me!   LOL

            Coin Counts            Tina:  7  (P), 1 (N),  1 (D), 2 (Q) = $0.72

                        Doc:   7  (P), 1 (N),  1 (D), 1 (Q) = $0.47

                        DUAL Hit for the Cycles!!

SURPRISES

Yesterday was looking like a pretty mellow day.  Doc and I attended a training class in the morning.  Then in the afternoon there was a bit of a scramble, phone calls, FAXes and such regarding the final papers for the selling of Doc’s parents’ house. 

Doc left around 6:30 p.m. to work on his 10,000 steps/day goal and get a few groceries.  I was putting some Autumn decorations up around the house and just appreciating the tranquility and peacefulness.  Thinking it was nice to have such a mellow evening.  That was about to change.

Doc came home a few moments before 8 p.m.  The dogs got super excited when they heard his car and were rough housing with each other.  This time they were louder and more aggressive sounding than usual.  I ran to the door to find that Dundee had pinned Norman down by the neck and Norman’s right eye was bloody and popped out.  I didn’t know if I should restrain Dundee or try and get Norman off the floor.  I hollered as loudly as I could for Doc to come quickly to assist.  We separated the dogs, called the vet clinic (which closes at 8), got the address for the nearest Emergency Animal Hospital, threw some of the groceries in the freezer, locked down the house, and headed out.  That was not the plan for the evening.  SURPRISE!

We arrived at the Emergency Center.  Fortunately Doc was carrying Norman because just before we entered the building, I tripped on something and went down hard on the concrete.  SURPRISE!  The right ankle twisted and made a loud noise.  The left knee took the majority of the impact.  Got a huge hole in the knee of my jeans and painful road rash on the knee cap!

Poor Doc!  He wasn’t sure if he should leave me laying there, carry me inside, continue on with Norman or what?  I was able to lean on Doc and shuffle inside.  The attendants in the Admissions area didn’t know which patient to deal with first.  Of course I told them to work with Norman immediately!  Time was of the essence with his eye.

Paperwork

After Norman was taken in to ‘see’ the doctor, I was given ice packs and instructed to get off the leg.  Doc had performed gallantly to that point and hates paperwork, so he told me to take care of business while he got himself a coffee in the next room.

The vet was funny when he gave us his assessment. He said Norman had been sedated to make him more comfortable.  At that time Norman was “singing to the pink kitty cats dancing across the exam room ceiling”.

At 9 p.m. Norman was prepped for surgery and Doc and I went home.  At 1 a.m. we called the hospital.  The surgery had gone as expected and Norman was doing OK.

We planned to leave Norman at the Hospital until later today (Friday) in order to have him under professional care and away from Dundee.  The phone rang at 8:30 a.m.  Doc jokingly said, “It’s probably the hospital asking us to get the little monster out of there”.  Sure enough!  The physician’s assistance was calling to say Norman was not happy there and trying to bite everyone.  Could we please come get him?  Not really a SURPRISE.

On the way to get Norman we stopped briefly at a grocery store so Doc could get a coffee and I could look for coins.  (Got a penny and a quarter).  I ran into a former co-worker which was definitely a COINcidence story in itself.  A nice SURPRISE.

Next we stopped at a 7-11 store.  Doc looked for coins in the gas pump area while I went inside.  We both returned to the car without any coins.  I said, I didn’t find any pennies … except for THIS ONE next to the van!  And this one, and this one …”  There were 4 pennies a few feet from my door!  SURPRISE!

Going Home

By 10 a.m. we were at the Animal Hospital to retrieve Norman.  He was not pleased with the resort amenities or the treatments he had received and was letting people know his opinions.  The doctor was able to keep the eyeball in place, but Norman is not likely to regain sight in it.

Note:  Last Thursday I took Norman and Sparky (other Dog) to each get a physical exam and establish a relationship with a vet clinic in our new residence area.  I noted that Norman had an initial vet appointment when we adopted him 11 years ago, but none since. He was “cheap to keep”!  He quickly made up for that with this one little incident!

Before dinner this evening Doc went out to get more steps.  He called back to say, “Don’t’ send out your penny tale yet today …. I just found some coins. It means we got a Hit for the Cycle today.   SURPRISE!

Life is just full of SURPRISES -- some “good” some “not so good”, but each of them helping to create our “uniqueness”.

Coins Today:  9P (one 1943 wheat), 2N, D, Q and one Canadian penny.

Popping Pennies

We have been living at the Penny Palace for over a year now.  In that time I have taken numerous walks around the neighborhood by myself or with various friends, but never with Doc. He does not like to walk.  This morning he surprised me by asking to go for a walk!  We did.  I found a shiny penny in the street of this quiet residential neighborhood!  My response was, “Thank You Angels.  You are correct.  My mind was thinking of a million other things.  I had not even thought about anything remotely ‘spiritual’ today.  Thanks for the reminder.  Good Morning!”

I figured that was my Penny Find for today.

***********

Our patriotic celebrations today consisted of decorating our mailbox.  My heart was a little sad in thinking about Sasha.  Wish he was here.  He was to have attended a 4^th of July BBQ and parade with Host Family #6 in Clayton, CA. 

***********

This evening just after 7 p.m. Doc said he wanted to get out of the house.  He proposed going Penny Finding.  I told him to go alone since I had already found a penny today. (After being with him all day, I wanted some time to tackle a few of MY tasks).  PLUS I was concerned that the obnoxious Penny Angels would do something note worthy and then I would feel “Nudged” to write about it and today is a Holiday and I did not FEEL like spending a few hours writing a dog-gone Penny Tale!  However, Doc insisted I go with him to walk the streets.

Doc drove to the local car wash and gas station.  Within a few seconds of getting out of the van, I found a penny and told Doc we could go home.  He wanted to get 2,000 more steps on his pedometer, so he kept walking -- and finding coins.  I then found a quarter by the air pump, then a penny and dime inside the convenience store.  Of course I began repeating: “Nickel, Nickel, Nickel …” in order to have a “Hit for the Cycle”.

Meanwhile Doc was walking around the Car Wash area.  He had at least 18 coins in his hand. 

The sun was setting and most “normal” people were home enjoying 4^th of July BBQs and preparing for fireworks.  I wanted to go home, but Doc wanted more steps so we kept Searching together.  A romantic sunset walk - through the Car Wash!

***********

Detour here for a Side Story:  Yesterday for our 31^st Anniversary we enjoyed an extravagant classy lunch.  Home Town Buffet all-you-can-eat Senior Special with Free Beverage for $7 each!  Then we went shopping together.  At the first store Doc said, “You can choose any 3 items in the whole store!”  (We were at the 99¢ Only store).

We spent a few hours at the next store where Doc picked up a few items.  It was an Apple Store and the items there are definitely more than $1 each.  My computer is seven years old and its operating system will no longer support newer software - including my webmail.  Thus, I had been planning a new computer this year, but still unsure about a desktop or a laptop.

Doc was intrigued by the capabilities of the new devices.  I dreaded the thought of trying to learn how to operate a new computer and didn’t want to think about it.  The knowledgeable, cute young Apple sales tech (Jenny) showed Doc how the iPad could navigate and ‘talk’ directions.  Doc said, “OK, we’ll take it”.

Additionally we found 5 pennies while at those stores.

***********

I was laughing at how Doc was having me “Walk the Streets” today in order to earn money for that shopping spree we had yesterday.

I was ready to go home, but Doc was not yet satisfied.  He spotted three pennies deeply imbedded in cracks of the concrete driveway.  I took out my pocket knife to retrieve those.  So now I was using “special tools” to earn my money.  (Good for another laugh).

I was saying, “Angels, please find that Nickel so maybe Doc will let me go home”.  A few minutes later I found a nickel in a dirt planter!  Yipee!  I excitedly showed Doc and he said, “Find Another One”.  I replied with: “*##*#*”    The rated G version was, “Look.  We only found two nickels in the entire month of June and you expect me to find two within a few minutes today?”

Doc had to use the restroom, so I used the time to count the coins.  There were 48 coins!  Definitely a coin mine!  Plus the one from this morning made a total of 49.  I told Doc “We just need ONE more to make 50.  That would be a good number on this 4^th of July to represent the 50 States.”  So we kept walking and searching.  I told Doc to find ONE coin, no extras please.

***********

We took a quick 5 minute walk through the parking lot across the street.  I said, “C’mon Angels.  Just ONE more coin please to make that 50?  Within moments I had a dime!  Yay. The 50^th coin.  But then another coin -- a NICKEL!  WOW!  That second Nickel!   Incredible.  OK.  That one can represent Washington D.C.   Then as I was walking back to the van, there was a dime. That makes three coins for 25¢ in that lot.  (25 is my favorite number).

I could almost hear the Penny Angels laughing.  We were probably their “dinner show” this evening.

Coin Count:   52 Coins            45 (P), 2 (N), 4 (D), 1 (Q) = $1.20

Day #748 - Kick Off Day

This morning Doc and I stopped at Starbucks and the grocery store to get the ‘nourishment’ for the Kick Off meeting at the job site. There were no coins found. We were headed to the freeway and I said, “Penny Angels, you disappointed me. I expected you to provide toady’s coin so that I could Share that with the subcontractors at the meeting.” We were stopped at a red light. I saw something shiny. A coin? No. A bottle cap? No. A coin? Perhaps. But this was a Major street with lots of traffic in both directions. I looked in the side mirror to see all the traffic stopped at the signal behind us! It felt like the parting of the Red Sea. Doc confirmed: ”Safe to dive for it!” It was a quarter! (Coin #1). 25 has been such a special number on this project, so that made for a very good sign.

The Kick Off meeting at the job site was terrific. All the subs were EARLY and we began the meeting even before the 10 AM scheduled time. Imagine that! The Angels have assembled an incredible team.

By 4:30 I was exhausted (running on 3 hours sleep and fairly high energy output for the past three days). I took a quick nap. Doc went walking. He walked the high school parking lot where he collected 2 dimes, 6 pennies and a few thousand steps on his pedometer. (Coins #2-9)

Then he walked at the grocery store for 3 more dimes and two pennies. (Coins #10-14)

This evening Doc wanted to run to CVS for something. We got really adventurous and went to a different one than usual! There was a Smart & Final discount store next door so we walked over to that store. Saw a penny in front of the store in the drive area. Picked it up. Then Doc spotted a penny, then another, then I got one. It seemed they were popping out of the asphalt all around us! We were laughing and saying, “Reminder - You can’t find pennies in the dark”. It is our way of saying, “Don’t limit your thinking”. We collected 17 pennies in under 60 seconds. Coin Mine! (Coins #15-31)

We quickly stopped at a grocery store for bananas. Collected 1 dime and 2 pennies. (Coins #32-34). Saw a former student of ours so had a wonderful chat (and of course we Shared About Penny Tales).

Total: 34 Coins P (27), N (0), D (6), Q (1) = $1.12

Day #628 - Vacation Day

For months Doc had been really looking forward to flying somewhere this summer for a week; getting away before beginning another year of teaching. He collected brochures from the Auto Club and has been browsing the travel sections of the newspaper.

In July and August we had the unexpected projects of the Duarte fix up, moving out of my Cal Poly Pomona office and the Chevy 38 Angel we met. The new house project, funerals, weddings, events and a few other commitments took the rest of our energy and suddenly we found ourselves in September.

Last night Doc and I looked at our calendar for the rest of this month and realized today might be the only day we could take as our “Summer Vacation!” before school starts. Since we had an appointment with a roofer this morning, we couldn’t even make it the entire day. We had been given two gift passes for Disneyland a few years ago which we had been too busy to use. We had not been to Disneyland in 15-20 years. It is only a 30 minute drive and we had free entry admission (it’s $74/person now), so this seemed like a good thing.

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

Yesterday I told the Penny Angels they would need to do some creative financing on the new house versus just providing pennies. Today the shuttle van dropped us at the entrance to Disneyland. As I hopped out, there was a lost debit card at my feet! Hmmm… How much is that worth?

Disneyland is known for its cleanliness and the non-stop team of street sweepers. It was tough to find any wayward coins. But we did.

There were so many people and KIDS everywhere.

There seemed to be a river of baby prams and crying munchkins. I had reached my saturation point with all the commotion and stopped to say hello to two beautiful little sparrows who were eating crumbs in a planter. Doc pointed out the two ducks also in the planter (sparrows on Steroids) and as I looked at them, I found today’s penny. (Coin #1). Thank you Penny Angels for this brief encounter.

Doc says we found a “Duck with Copper Penny” but we need a “Goose with a Golden Egg”!

The It’s a Small World attraction was a ride of Temptation and Torture. There were hundreds of coins of every denomination throughout the course. And some of the coins were easily within reach. It was tough not to just “collect” one or two of them. (Not allowed according to Penny Protocol.)

A few hours later I was voice recording the earlier penny find and as I began speaking, Doc spotted a penny in a corner of some crated items. (Coin #2). Then while waiting in line for the Thunder Mountain ride, there was some sort of dirt coated coin in the planter. (Coin #3). As we were leaving, we strolled through one of the arcades and found a “no cash value” game token.

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

On the way home Doc wanted a snack, so he stopped at McDonalds. He claimed he had worked up quite an appetite after logging over 15,000 steps on his pedometer today. Doc got a burger; I got two pennies in the drive through lane. (Coins #4&5).

Total: 5 Coins 5 Pennies + one token

I have my Prince, now I just need my Castle!

Day #602 - Early Birds

Friday the 13^th. It was a good day for Penny Finding and we weren’t really even trying hard.

This morning we needed to be at the rental unit by 7 AM to receive the new kitchen range. That meant leaving our house at 6:15 AM. Ughhh! We allowed for LA morning traffic, but were pleasantly surprised to arrive 20 minutes ahead of schedule - so Doc went to Starbucks. While he got coffee, I walked the parking lot and found a penny, then a second and a third. I spotted a fourth, but let Doc retrieve it. (Coins #1-4).

We still had a few more minutes, so Doc and I walked toward the grocery store. Doc instructed me to check the newspaper stands. “I never find coins in those”. But then I spotted something shiny - it was a slug (a very pretty one at that).

Doc suggested I look around the vending machines. Sure enough, a dime! I kneeled to retrieve it and spotted a quarter under the machine and then a penny even further under it. Had to practically lay on the concrete to get it. And then there was a penny under the other water vending machine. (Coins #5-8). Doc said, “See - you get rewarded when you obey your husband”.

We walked inside the grocery store where Doc found two pennies near the coin counting machine. (Coins #9&10)

Thought: TEN coins before 7 AM! The early bird catches the coins.

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

We arrived at the condo on time. As we approached the front door, there was a penny in the path. (Coin #11) I instructed Doc, “Please pick up that penny, then check around the washer and dryer.” He emerged with a dime. (Coin #12). My comment, “See what you get, when you listen to your wife’s advice?”

By 8 AM we had the new stove in place, the cutting board sanded, vines trimmed, and 12 coins in our hands!

Late morning we made a run to Home Depot for a light fixture and bathroom mirror. Found a penny at the Contractor’s check out area. (Coin #13).

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

We worked until late afternoon, then stopped at Home Depot for more supplies. After that we took a break at the Mexican Restaurant near our house. Emilio, whom we had met two weeks ago (story on Day #587) walked in and said, “Hello Penny Lady”! He offered a trade for another Penny Card. J

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

We finally made it home. After unpacking gear, Doc offered to go for groceries while I fed dogs, put things away, and wrote up Penny Tales. He came home with more coins! That man has Penny Fever.

Doc stopped at Circle K for coffee (yes, that is his third stop for coffee today). He found a penny as he was driving away. (Coin #14) . He had to stop, hop out, and get it. Sit-N-Find.

Then Doc searched the high school parking lot (he claims he was just getting a few more steps on his pedometer). He was leaving empty handed when he spotted a penny. (Coin #15). Sit-N-Find

At the bank Doc spotted a penny under a bench out front. He had to lay on the ground in order to get it! Severe Penny Fever! (Coin #16). That was definitely not a Sit-N-Find. (Perhaps a Lie and Stretch)?

At the grocery store, there was a cashier waiting for customers. Doc entertained her by picking up a penny and smiling. (Wish he would distribute Penny Cards as well). Then he found a quarter as he was getting his shopping cart. Two more pennies as he was checking out. (Coins #17-20).

Total: 20 Coins P (16), N (0), D (2), Q (2) = $0.86 + a pretty slug

Day #583 - Walkin' and Rockin'

This morning son Brian and his fiancée came over. Doc and Brian worked on the 38 Chevy while Celeste and I did some work on my Neighborhood Watch project. After the guys installed the new fuel pump, Celeste was treated to her first ride in the car. Joyous moment.

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

This evening we were invited to join some friends at a local Concert in the Park: a cappella Doo-Wop music by The Alley Cats. When we arrived at the park, Doc dropped me off to carry the chairs and ice chest while he parked the car. He found a dime in the street gutter while walking back to join me. (Coin #1).

We had 20 minutes before the 6 PM concert would begin and Doc was getting cranky for a coffee. We were told there was one just 2 blocks away. I wanted to get back to our seats, but Doc insisted we go for the coffee! We walked, and walked, and walked …I was mumbling to the Penny Angels out loud, “Penny Angels you had better get me a coin on this walk! I am here under protest, but obeying my husband. I am expecting to find a coin!” We finally arrived at the coffee shop to find they close at 3 PM on Sundays. I was not a Happy Hiker. I said, “Look Penny Angels, I am going to go 10 ft. in that direction, then I am returning to the concert.” At the end of the 10 ft. was a dime! (Coin #2).

As Doc and I were walking back to the park, he said, “There really ought to be more than one coin on this long walk.” At that moment he looked to his left in a planter bed and spotted a face-up quarter! (Coin #3).

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

After the concert Doc needed to use a restroom, so we stopped at a grocery store. Before getting out of the van Doc said, “We don’t have a penny yet today, so you really ought to go in and get one of those”. Inside the store I was talking to the Angels: “This store is kept way too clean. No chance of coins on this floor!” And then I collected a Penny. (Coin #4).

After getting his coffee, Doc found me and asked if I had found any coins. I told him the floors were too clean to find much in that store. He then began searching in earnest. Spotted something under a coin changing machine and tried to show me. I could not see it. So he got down on both knees, set down his coffee, reached under the machine and pulled out a dime! (Coin #5) He’s good!

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

We came home and did some work on the New House plans. This should be a Rockin’ Week ahead.

Total: 5 Coins P (1), N (0), D (3), Q (1) = 56¢

Day #563 - Rude Awakenings

I went to bed this morning at 5 AM because I was inspired during the night on some projects. At 6:30 AM the trash truck came hurdling through the neighborhood. No one had their trash cans out on the street because today is a holiday! So Doc and I flew downstairs in a bold attempt to get as many trashcans as we could out to the street before the truck completed his loop. We didn’t make it. I called the disposal company and told them a 6:30 AM pickup on a holiday was really a Rude Awakening! However, it did get our pulses racing.

Doc wanted to go for his morning coffee. While he did that, I got a penny across the parking lot (Coin #1). We went to one 99¢ store to look for something. Didn’t find what we needed, but Doc found HIS penny for today (Coin #2). We proceeded to the next 99¢ store. There was a bright shiny penny as I walked in, then another by the register (Coins #3&4). Meanwhile Doc was walking through the car wash across the street in his efforts to walk 10,000 steps today. He collected Penny #5.

The second 99¢ store also did not have what we were seeking, so we headed to a grocery store. I went inside while Doc and Sparky walked the parking lot. Upon going our separate ways, Doc said, “Let’s find more than pennies.” As I walked into the store, there was a dime in my path. (Coin #6). Meanwhile Doc spotted “something white” in the lot. It turned out to be a nickel. (Coin #7) Each of us found “more than a penny”. Doc also found a penny in the lot. (Coin #8). Doc met me inside the store and while he was waiting for me, he walked - and found three additional pennies. (Coins #9-11).

Lesson: Verbalizing leads to Manifesting

I had today’s Penny Tale written to this point and thought I was done for the day. We received a call from our tenant in Duarte. (We now rent out the condo where I lived prior to marrying Doc). The tenant moved out today and left all the keys under the doormat. Doc and I figured it was not good to leave the keys there very long, so at 10 PM we headed out. When we arrived it was a Rude Awakening. The place is trashed. It will take much work to make it rent-ready. This is not how I wanted to spend my summer. But we did find two dimes and 7 pennies upstairs. Maybe a sign that the Penny Angels will be with us on this additional project? (Coins #12-20)

Total: 20 Coins P (16), N (1), D (3), Q (0) = $0.51

Day #450 - Verbalizing

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

They had lots of stories and lessons…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lesson: Verbalizing seems to make things happen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lesson: Humor Helps - Rage Does Not

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

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