Back in the U.S.A.

International Travel is full of adventure and new scenery.  But when it comes to Penny Finding, there’s no place like home.

We were on a Penny Finding streak of 439 Consecutive Days before we flew off to Australia.  Western Australia (WA) is pretty sparse as far as population.  There were zero Starbucks  (much to Doc’s dismay) and coin finds were rare.  Heck, we saw many more wallabies than wayward coins over there!

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In the 41 Days we were in Australia we found only 64 coins.  That is less than 2 coins per day; however, the total value was $14.55. That averages 35¢/day.  Pretty Nice!

Our first seven days of Coin Finding back in the U.S. yielded: 78 coins.  That is an average of 11 coins per day! Total value of $1.97.  (That is less than one of the Aussie $2 coins).  That averages 28¢/day.

Tuesday:  Arrived home from Australia approximately Noon after way too long on a plane.  That evening we headed to the grocery store.  Only one Penny. (We were pretty tired).  Warming up again.  Been a bit out of practice.

Wednesday: Grocery Store P, D

Thursday: Restaurant  P, D

Friday Starbucks, Gas Station, Dry Cleaner   P(4), N

Saturday:  Car Wash  P(50), N(3), D(7)

THIS was Penny Finding at its Finest!  I found a few coins, Doc found a few, then we went to wash them off and found a few more and a few more and a few more….gobble, gobble, gobble!

Sunday: Target, Grocery Store   P(4), D(2)

Monday: Target   P, N

It’s Great to be Home and back to the Penny Palace!

CELEBRATIONS Summary

Tour Group #1

Two Days of CELEBRATING with a multitude of diverse and wonderful guests.  People I would have never imagined came to add their JOY to the Penny Palace.  At times I was totally speechless. Now I’m wondering if I dreamed it or if it was real?  Good thing the visitors signed the guest list so there is evidence that they were actually here!

There were some touching notes and comments both during the event and afterward. Here are a few email excerpts: 

• “As soon as I walked through your front doors I felt pure LOVE and HAPPINESS!” 
• “Disneyland, which is my favorite place in the world, took a backseat on Saturday.” 
• “It was so comfortable that I just wanted to go home and get my jammies and slippers on and come right back”. 
• “It is Absolutely Beautiful! Extremely Fun!”
• “To experience the building of a dream through an incredibly thorough daily blog, and then to see the final result in all its glory – that was quite an experience”.
• “I did not expect to be amazed, charmed, blown away by all the meaning behind everything, the thoughtfulness of every detail, and the whimsy of an elf door and a dog doorbell (both functional, no less)”.
• “The house is so very inviting.  You just want to sit and take it all in”.
• “What a lovely home you have and amazing stories to share.  We didn't want to leave”.
• “I left your enchanting home fulfilled”

Those are pretty awesome reviews!

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There is no way to convey in words the “Magic” of the Penny Palace and the Spirit of the Celebrations.

            Saturday, the 6^th was the Annual Fall Potluck with Doc’s co-workers from school.

            Wednesday, the 10^th was a potluck with 20 neighbor families.

            Sunday, the 14^th was a potluck/reunion with the Solar Rayce Team alumni

            … and in between there was the Open House!

Numerous times during those events I just stood back quietly and thought, “This is the purpose of the Penny Palace; to bring people together; to infect people with Joy!”

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The day after the event I had the thought, “Some of these people ‘came out of the woodwork’ as they might possibly have done for my funeral!  Sure glad I did not have to die in order to see them.  Lots more JOY with this event.”

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People who could not attend have asked for photos.  I was way too busy hugging, leading tours, and crying joy tears to be taking pictures!  Thankfully Saturday morning, I took a quick (2.5 minute) video walk through of the house for you before guests arrived.  Hope that at least gives you a feel for the house.

 

Thank You for the Roll you have played in our Lives.

Tina (and Doc) Shelton

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 #1,353 - Dungeon Time

This morning at 8 a.m. Doc and son Steve headed to Lowe’s to purchase some folding tables.  Steve had been debating between renting or buying tables for his upcoming event.  He was hesitant to buy since he has no place to store any tables.  I was planning to buy six tables for the upcoming Open House so I proposed that Steve buy three and we buy three, then store them in the Dungeon.  Win / win situation.  Doc found a penny on that run. (Doc #1)

Insulation Tacking

If they were bringing new tables, that meant the dungeon needed cleaning.  For the next two hours I swept, cleaned, and moved things in the Dungeon.  By the time Doc and Steve arrived with the tables, I was drenched in sweat and ready to fall over.

As long as we were already under the house, it seemed like a good time for Doc and I to  re-hang some dangling floor insulation.  So for the next two hours we did a bit of  fix-ups.

Doc made a run to McDonalds for lunch and a penny. (Doc Coin #2)

The afternoon was spent writing Penny Tales, cleaning, paying bills, etc.  Doc did a little bit of school prep work.  I worked on the last few placecards for tomorrow’s wedding.

At 6:30 p.m. it was time to get out of the house.  The office supply and the other store we attempted to visit had both closed at 6 p.m.  Frustrating.  We obtained dog food at the next store.  We penny searched a 7-11  store where I found a penny at the self-serve car wash and Doc found a dirt penny in a planter.  (Coins #3&4) Doc began driving away and as I was noting those two finds in my little voice recorder, I yelled “Coin!”  Doc wasn’t sure if that was for the voice journal, or if I had in fact seen a penny?  But he is well-trained, so he stopped immediately and asked. “Do you want me to back up?”   “Of course!”  (Coin #5)

Total:  5 Coins        P (5), N (0), D (0), Q (0) = $0.05

Day #1,349 - Visitors

Waking up to find hundreds of visitors (ants) walking along my kitchen walls does not start the day in a good direction.

My goal was to get the Open House Invitations to the printer by the end of the month.  They were submitted today!  They look great and I expect them to arrive September 7.

I did some catching up on writing and posting Penny Tales.  It seems strange that I am having more trouble keeping up with the writing now (being “retired”) than I did when we were under construction.

Welcomed Guests

Since before construction began on this new house, I always felt that it would be much more than merely a residence for Doc and I.  People often ask, “such a large house for just the two of you?”  “Yes” … and “no”.   It’s difficult to explain, but I ‘cents’ that it is a ‘tool’ to be used for good purposes.  For instance today Sister-in-law Marty needed to meet with someone to give her CPR Refresher training.  That’s not something you can do at a coffee shop or restaurant with mannequins for the needed practice sessions.  So with less that an hour’s warning before their arrival, I changed out of pajamas, cleared the dining table, contained the doggies, and wiped away dead ants.  As Marty and Andre ‘Rescue’ were working, my heart was happy.  Yes!  This is what the Penny Palace was built for -- teaching, training, learning, sharing, JOY!

50% Off Sale

Added bonus:  Marty is a great cook and she brought me some pasta she had made.  Free food for using my floor?  You bet!

I was not able to complete my errands yesterday (urgent need to return home to work with the electricians), so Doc and I headed out this afternoon.  We first returned the sample upholstery fabrics we had checked out last Saturday.  The fabrics had been on sale at 40% off at the time, but the sale ended Saturday and I was wrestling because we really liked the three fabrics we chose. But at full price, that would be outrageous.  My Mom called earlier to say she had a flyer indicating all 54” Home Decorating Fabrics this week were 50% off At that store!!!  That’s even better.  So I placed my order with Eddie and expect those within 7-10 days.

There was a penny as I was leaving the fabric store.  Good Omen (Coin #1).  And while I was inside, Doc found a nickel by the newspaper stands outside.  (Coin #2)

Doc next wanted to purchase some new shirts.  He likes to go to WalMart where they usually have a good selection of 2X sizes under $10.  While he was browsing, I looked for coins.  I found two pennies  (Coins #3&4).  I returned to show Doc the coins and then I bent over to put them in my shoe (so they don’t fall out of my pocket).  There was a dime about 1” from my shoe!  I had truly “stopped on a dime!”  (Coin #5).  I found one additional  penny as we were checking out.  (Coin #6).

Total:  6 Coins        P (4), N (1), D (1), Q (0) = $0.19

Penny Palace Magic

I began writing today’s Penny Tale and had this story as part of the bigger incredible day. However, it is just a nice little “stand alone” story.

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Today when I left the drapery store at 3 p.m. I looked at the perfectly clear skies, felt the 100+ temperature and said, “Penny Angels - Graphic Designer Chaz has requested a really good photo of the Penny Palace for the Open House invitations. The photo needs to be taken in the afternoon to get light on the front of the house.  The lighting needs to be ‘just right’. Yesterday the trees created such harsh shadows.  Chaz said those photos were not good enough. What we really need is adequate light, but with cloud cover!  Angels - PLEASE provide that”.

(Keep in mind we live in Southern California where afternoon clouds do not just Magically appear).

As I was driving home Doc called.  That was not expected, so I pulled off to return his call.  The electricians were at the Penny Palace to finish off their work! (I have been asking them to come out for three months now). 

When I got home at 4 p.m., I needed to work with the electricians instead of taking those house photos.  I did sneak to the front yard and take one or two photos, but the shadows were too harsh -- just like yesterday.  However, a few clouds were beginning to form!  Finally at 5 p.m. the electricians left and I grabbed my camera … For the next 45 minutes the skies became more overcast and the clouds more and more uniform as I took photos. 

At 6:30 p.m. I sent five of the photos off to Chaz not knowing what to expect.  His response just arrived.  Hopefully this will make you GRIN as it did me….

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Dear Tina -

Did you shoot these at Disneyland?

M – I – C   See how pretty your house is!

K – E – Y   Why? Because it looks like it’s a Disney feature in Technicolor.

The sky looks like a scenic painting, and the house looks like something in Fairytaleland.

These are incredibly beautiful photos….. these really had Penny Angels rigging the lights.

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Just one more Penny Palace COINcidence!

The Penny Palace Open House invitations will be sent to the printer in the next day or two.  Hold the dates …. October 13^th and 14^th

with JOY,  Tina

Day #1,338 - Sofas Pending

Cardboard Sun Shade

Much of the day was spent at home.  At 10 a.m. we met with Window Covering Consultant Brian.  The East sun in the morning is very intense.  It heats up that side of the house and I can’t see my computer screen.  Right now I have cardboard in my windows.  The West sun in the afternoon is so hot and bright in the breakfast nook, that we can not use that area for an hour or two. 

Brian provided some new suggestions.  I did not have any good ideas about how to cover the huge doors in the Grand Room.  There is no room to the right or left to stack draperies, so he proposed shades attached to the doors.  The next phase would be to look at fabrics and make some choices.  Fun stuff.

Shrinking Pile

At 6:30 p.m. it was time for Doc and I to head out for a romantic Saturday night date.  Our first stop was Home Depot to pick up the rolls of artificial turf which Doc had ordered last week.  Our next stop was Lowe’s to return some unused brackets.  One penny found at check out.

We stopped at a little café to get a Mediterranean take out meal.  While Doc waited for the order, I walked the parking lot.  One penny found.  But of course everyone knows - you can’t find pennies in the dark!  LOL.

Today’s mail brought my final paycheck from Cal Poly Pomona with the payoff of my vacation hours.  I was quite addicted to my job and very seldom used any vacation hours.  Now my ‘vacations’ will be represented by Doc’s recliner, the new sofas, and some of the window coverings.  The Family Room sofas and Doc’s recliner were ordered a few weeks ago  and I will order the sofa(s) for the Grand Room just as soon as that pile of Stuff in the middle of the room is conquered….

Total:   2 Pennies

Day #1,331 - Motivated

Doc headed out to son Brian’s house early today.  They drafted designs for a work area underneath Brian’s house.

As soon as Doc was out the door, I switched into high gear.  I had allotted one hour to work on the garage before it got too hot out there.  I was making great progress and actually spent nearly two hours out there.

Next I worked on some concepts for the Open House Invitations.  Trying to figure out how to cater to the 5-6 very different audiences.  I created an outline for the Open House Walking Tour program.  It is likely to be 20 pages or more!  There is so much to tell about the house and various components.

Around noon I began work on the FAMILY Room (Doc’s TV Room).  I moved bookcases, washed, polished, unpacked, arranged and more.  After two hours I was making tremendous progress and called son Brian to see if he could continue Babysitting Doc for a few more hours.  I wanted to finish the job and surprise Doc when he arrived home.

Doc arrived home totally exhausted around 5 p.m.  He had stopped at McDonalds for a quick snack and a quarter.  (Doc #1)  He walked in the house, turned on the TV, and pretty much checked out for the rest of the day.  He didn’t really notice anything of what I had done in his room and garage.  I was disappointed.

With the TV on, I could no longer work effectively in that room or on creative projects like the Open House printed materials.  Plus, I needed a coin for the day.  So I showered, changed, and left the house around 6 p.m.  I asked for any Designer Angels to come along.

I went to a craft / design center which had been recently recommended to me.  Huge store.  Got some ideas for the Grand Room lighting and for the Open House decorations.  When that store closed at 7 p.m. I went across the street to just browse through an interesting looking furniture store.  I wandered through the entire store and was just about to leave when I spotted it - a sofa for the Grand Room!  I sat on it, laid on it, pulled it away from the wall, and played with the cushions.   Thanks Angels.  I think I found the perfect sofa!

It was now 8:30 p.m. and I didn’t have a coin for the day.  I stopped at a 24 Hr WalMart for a few items (and to look for coins).  Surely there would be coins in such a busy store.  No coins as I went in and looked down each of the check out lanes.  None in the coffee station, McDonalds area, or pharmacy either.  Yikes.  I went about my shopping.  Tried on a shirt in the dressing area and found a penny there.  Actually it was near the foot of the attendant, so I traded her a Penny Card for the found penny.  (Coin #1)

The penny turned out to be a Canadian one.  I said, “Penny Angels, I’m not sure if I should count that one or not?”  Within moments there was a brilliant new penny in my path.  Then a second very worn looking penny a few feet further.  (Coin #2&3)

I could have the sofa delivered in two days!!  Wahoo!  One small (actually large) problem.  There are dozens of boxes and items in that huge pile on the Grand Room floor which has now been there for two months.  It is essentially all STUFF I haven’t wanted to deal with.  Don’t want to get rid of it, but also don’t know what to do with it.  It could continue staying there until it rots, however, I can't order that sofa until I can "mock up" the furniture placement of the room.  Thus, tomorrow that pile will be Conquered!!!

Thought:  It just takes proper motivation to go from "impossible" to "done"! 

At 9:30 I stopped for a quick meal.  Doc and I had noticed Wahoo Fish Tacos when we visited Home Depot recently.  Doc does not like fish, so I used this alone time to try a new place.  The food was quite good and I found one penny, two dimes, and a quarter there!  (Coins 4-7)

Total:   8 Coins        P (4), N (0), D (2), Q (2) = $073 U.S. + one Canadian penny

Day #1,328 - Guests

This morning Doc and I had numerous things to do.  The first task was to eliminate the steady stream of ants crossing the kitchen counter.   Definitely UNinvited guests.

We were trying to get out the door early, but were delayed by incoming phone calls.  We returned the leather samples I had checked out from one store.  The furniture prices there were twice my allotted budget.  Next we stopped at Rental House #1 to collect the rent.  I found a penny there (Coin #1).  After that we met Realtor Adrie for an hour at the Pomona house to prepare a counter offer.  We also filled both the front and back yard ponds and prepared a few other things around the house.

This afternoon a termite inspection was completed.  Yippee!  Just a few dry-rot boards which may need to be replaced.

Invited Guests

On the way home we stopped at the bank, then a 99¢ store where Doc found a dime.  (Coin #2)

Recently at the Annual HOA meeting, we met Paul and Jay.  They moved into the neighborhood a few months ago.  They really like the exterior look of the Penny Palace and expressed interest in seeing the inside.  Tonight for 2.5 hours they wandered through the house looking at everything and noticing all the details.  (Invited Guests). It sounds like they completed many Do-It-Yourself projects at their former house and are now planning numerous changes to their new house.

Paul and Jay had originally planned to visit our house LAST night.  Something came up and our tour was delayed until tonight -- just AFTER they interviewed a kitchen designer.  Guess what?  They were interviewing Cabinet John - the guy we used!  So they were able to go straight from their meeting to our house where they could see at least SIX different styles and colors of cabinets as examples of his work.  Just another Penny Palace COINcidence?  Aren’t those fun?

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

Day #1,324 - Shared Tips and Joy

Lawn Shed Beef Up

This morning was reserved for Handyman George.  When he comes over, things get done!  Within the first two hours George, his wife Ana, and Doc got those reinforcing brackets on the lawn shed.  They beefed up the walls and painted the new wood.

Hanging Doc's 2nd TV

Since Ana was helping the guys with the jobs I usually do (getting tools, lifting, fetching, cleaning, painting), I used the time to do some organizing in the garage.  That is not something I can hire out.  I also dealt with some uninvited guests in the kitchen (ants).

Hanging Copper Ceiling Fans

When the crew finished the lawn shed, they moved inside.  My “To Do” list said the ceiling fans were second priority.  Doc, George, and the three male dogs did not agree.  They demanded that the TV be wall mounted in Doc’s office before any other work.  Fortunately that job only took 15 minutes.

Ceiling fans were then hung.  The wiring was not quite as expected, so that took some figuring out.  Doc also realized that one of the problems was a low battery on his multi meter which was giving us invalid readings.

First Open House

At 2:30 p.m. I headed to the Pomona house.  Realtor Adrie was having an Open House from 1-4 today.  Let’s hope some of the guests turn out to be potential buyers vs. Look-E-Loos.

On the way home I stopped at the bank.  No coins.  So I walked next door to the grocery store, no coins.  Stopped at the 99¢ store and still no coins.  So I got serious with the Penny Angels.  “You are making this too difficult today.  I want to get home and create that new mailbox display, so please cough up a coin!”

Mailbox Display

I stopped at a closed car wash.  Immediately found one penny.  “Thank Angels”.  But I could not resist looking just a little further …  I spotted a shiny penny.  There were four car wash workers sitting at the back of the lot watching the crazy lady.  They could have been waiting for a ride home or just shooting the breeze.  I flashed them the found penny and a big smile, then went on my way. 

3 Amigos

I heard a whistle, but thought nothing of it.  Again I heard a whistle and turned to look back.  The older guy was beckoning to me, so I walked back to see what he wanted.  He was holding out a dollar for me!  I’m sure it was one of his dollars from his tips today.  I don’t speak Spanish so I gave hand signals to say, “Thanks, but no.  I am Penny Finding, not desperately seeking money.”  He offered me the bill again, which I refused while giving him a Penny Card.  I introduced myself, shook his hand, and asked his name.  I thought it sweet that Guillermo would offer a stranger part of his tips.

As I started to drive away, there was the “nudging”.  This week while cleaning out my purse, I found one of the $10 bills I had stashed in a side pocket for the Day #1000 Celebration where we were giving away $10 bills.  I was going to put it back in my wallet, but instead tucked it back into that separate pocket to be gifted.  So I pulled up close to the guys, left the engine running, walked up to Guillermo with my hands closed together obviously holding something.  I held out my hands to him and he opened his to receive whatever it was.  He had no clue, but was going on faith and trust.  I dropped the bill and turned quickly to leave.  (Hit and Run).  He gave a big smile and thanks.  Hopefully that will make for a GREAT story at dinnertime with his family tonight.

Doc found two pennies today as well.  One when he went out for breakfast, one when he went for lunch, but none when he went to get dinner.

I arrived home at 6:30 p.m. determined to get several projects completed tonight.  My “fun” project was the August Mailbox display.  I figured many people would be driving the neighborhood on a Sunday, so I wanted to get that completed for their enjoyment.  Other people decorate for Christmas.  I decorate in smaller chunks throughout the year.

Total:  4 Pennies

Day #1,323 - Focused

Closet Shelves

It was great to spend a day focused on organizing and putting things away at the Penny Palace.  There were no detours to go work on the Pomona house, no work on the rentals, no subcontractors or other people to work with. 

Today I typed up a list of places / agencies / etc. which need to be contacted to change our address.  Just off the top of my head there were over 90 entities which need to be notified.  That does not include friends and personal contacts.  Yikes!  That could take several days.  I’m sure plenty more will come to mind over the next few weeks.  How do people do this moving around every few years?  It is time consuming!

Refurbished Lamp

While Doc was gone for a few hours, the dogs and I moved lots of furniture around, emptied boxes, and dealt with paperwork.  When Doc got home, he and I finished installing the shelf and bar in the coat closet.  Wonderful to hang our jackets (which we haven’t worn in months and months, but it’s nice to have a spot for them).

At 6 p.m. I headed to the office supply store.  As I hopped into my truck, a tiny dragonfly flew in and landed on my dashboard.  I told him it was too hot for him to stay there, and assisted him out the window.

I was mostly looking for today’s coins, but I ran a few photocopies for Doc of his Solar Data Tracking Form which I created for him.  There were no coins at that store, so I went over to the nearby convenience store where I collected two pennies.  (Coins #1&2)

When I returned home, Doc was just heading out to Home Depot.  He needed supplies for our planned work session with Handyman George in the morning.  He collected a penny at check-out.  He had also found penny when he went to Jacks for lunch.

I finished typing this Tale about no distractions … then an email arrived from our Realtor. 

“What an exhausting day!  The Open House went well. The amount of traffic was as expected on a Fri. We have a very serious potential buyer. She called me about an hour after the Open House ended. I ran down there to show her and her family the house. She is from the neighborhood and looking for a bigger place.”   So that generated some emails and action.

Total:  4 Pennies