Signature Coin

It has once again been more than 300 consecutive days of Penny Finding and I think the Angels wanted to do something extra cute today.

Doc and I headed out to do some errands.  We parked the van outside the grocery store and within a few feet found a penny and a dime.  CUTE!  We often joke that Doc finds silvers and I find coppers.  (Just like our hair colors).  At CVS we collected a Nickel and a Quarter.  That gave us four coins and an EXACT Hit for the Cycle.  (One of each primary coin type: penny, nickel, dime, quarter).   CUTE!  What are the odds of that?

We found a few more coins, then there was a Coin Mine (12 or more coins at one location) at the next grocery store. 

Doc had been in quite a grumpy mood this afternoon due to some dealings with our wireless phone service.  He was ready to take “strong actions” with them.  After finding the silver/copper coin couple, the Hit-for-the-Cycle, and the Coin Mine, Doc was laughing.  We both agreed that Penny Finding is Good for the Soul!

I was thanking the Angels for helping Doc overcome “The Dismals”.  I told them I appreciated their presence with us every day.  As if to acknowledge that my thoughts were being heard, look at this ”Signature Coin” which I found next …..

 

Was that a COINcidence?

Since both sides are stamped the same, there is no “Heads or Tails” on this coin.  

I guess there is really only one side to take – the Angels’ Side!

Default Mode

What is your Default Mode of Thinking? Mine was tested today.

JOY moments can be found in even the most mundane tasks.

They can instantly CHANGE our attitude and teach us valuable lessons in the process!

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This morning Doc asked me to wash some of his pants – and be sure to get out the stains.  Grrr…. My heart was less than JOYful about that request.

I CAREFULLY checked every pocket in each of the pants to ensure there was nothing in them.  The washing was completed and items were moved into the dryer.  After about fifteen minutes, the dryer began making loud noises. My first thought was, “Crap!  It sounds like a loose part in the dryer.  I sure hope the bearings haven’t gone bad or some other significant failure”.

Question Here:  WHY do we often DEFAULT to a Negative or Yucky Thought???

WHY didn’t I default to a positive “I wonder what good thing made that noise?”  Or at least a neutral, “Hmmmm… that is a strange new sound.”  WHY Default to the Negative?

So of course Liesel and I went to investigate.  Look what we found… TWO Super Shiny Pennies!  God’s Two Cents worth for today. 

I can just imagine the Penny Angels saying, “We heard you tell Doc this morning that you didn’t need to leave the house today.  So we Delivered!” 

Or perhaps Source was saying,

“Yes, YOU checked all the pockets, but do you really expect THAT to deter Me?”  “I am ALWAYS Present in EVERYTHING you do!

Captain Norman

It’s been 9 days since Norman and I had that unexpected “date” at the Emergency Pet Hospital.  Despite the plastic cone on his head, he has devised some very ingenious ways to scratch his face and eye area.

Today Doc and I did a bit of work at the Montclair rental house.  As we exited the freeway and were stopped at the offramp red light, Doc flippantly asked, “Any coins on your side?” I spotted a penny, then a quarter!  Crud.  I was torn.  I told Doc I did not want to jump out of the car with the leg boot hindering me.  Dangerous enough with two good legs.  He insisted I retrieve the coins. I argued for a few more seconds, but then obeyed.

Captain Norman

Norman could not be left at home with the other dogs and could not be kept in his cage while we were gone, so he went to work with us today.  He loved it!  At Home Depot he looked like a proud Ship’s Captain as he steered our course from his position in the shopping cart.  He realized his cone was not a liability - it was an asset to attracting attention from people!  He was like a performer on stage and thoroughly enjoying himself.

At the rental house, Norman inspected our every move to make sure we did quality work. 

Norman’s “handicap” has him crashing into many things, but it has not affected his feisty attitude.  Plus our little “cone head” has come up with some hilarious ways to obtain his food!   A lesson we can learn from Norman:  “setbacks” can be major or minor depending on how we deal with them. Often times the needed “healing” is more in the form of an attitude adjustment versus a physical improvement.

Two coins found later in the day for a total of 3 Pennies and a Quarter

1/25

Yesterday I ‘centsed’ that a friend might need some ‘walk and talk’ time.  The weather on the previous day had been overcast with heavy rain and the same was expect for the following three days.  Not the greatest conditions for taking a long walk.

In the morning Doc and I were on our way to fix a leaky toilet at one of the rental houses.  He stopped for his for his coffee and asked if I was going to get out of the van to look for coins.  I had a bad attitude at the time and replied,  “Who gives a ____ about a wet penny?  It doesn’t matter if I find one today or not.  It’s raining outside, so I will just sit here in the van and wait for you.”  Doc headed out and had traveled about 20 ft. before he picked up a penny and flashed it back at me.  I was “nudged” to get off my butt and penny hunt.  My attitude was still confrontational.  I said, “Hi Penny Angels, if I’m out in this rain, you had better deliver!”  Then I softened and said, “If my friend does need some walk time today, then: a) confirm that for me with a penny and b)  arrange our day accordingly”.  Within 5 minutes I had three pennies in hand: one from the sidewalk, one from the courtyard, and one from in front of the bank!  Was that a “yes”?

After fixing the toilet, I texted my friend to see his schedule for the day.  He was very busy and not sure about having time together.  I asked the angels to take over to do what was best.

Around noon, my friend texted to say he was on his way. I told him I would be at his office in an hour.  He replied that he was on his way to my house!  Eeks!  NOT what I had planned.  There were dirty dishes, the house was a mess, I had planned several errands over in his area, etc.  Poop!

Friend arrived and I was able to show him some things at the Penny Palace.  That was nice.  Then we went for a walk!  The skies were so incredibly clear, blue and picture-perfect with white puffy clouds.  What a dramatic change from earlier in the day.  Absolutely amazing!  It was a comforting sign that there are ‘blue skies ahead’.  After the walk, the clouds started forming again.  Throughout the night and next day there were heavy rains.

There’s more:  After friend left, I gathered my gear to go run those errands.  I hopped into the truck and it would not start!  I spent the next two hours trying to get Pippy going.  Had that happened earlier in the day when I was planning to meet friend at His office, our meeting would have been aborted and we would not have had that great time together.  I guess the Angels WERE arranging my day for the Best.  J

Coins Found:   3 Pennies

Day #1,343 - New Sofas

Doc laughed at me saying that I was doing the same things this week at the Penny Palace as I was doing at Cal Poly Pomona, but at least I there I got a paycheck at the end of each month.  Now I am doing these crazy things, but just for Love!

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Dungeon

Much of today was spent on printed materials.  The First draft of the Open House Invitation was laid out.  I tried to devise a place card template for a friend’s wedding.  Some work was done on the Open House Tour Book and more of those sorts of things.

Freecycle.org is one site from which I get emails.  Great place to ‘gift’ (get rid of things) and help other people.  Two days ago Angie posted that she wanted Moving Boxes.  I’ve got just a few of those underfoot and Doc has been complaining about them.  He wanted them cut up and put in the Blue Recycle Bin.  I thought someone could probably use them instead.  So this morning Doc and I spent time in the Dungeon dragging out dozens and dozens of boxes.  I was not looking forward to cleaning the dungeon and would probably not have done it for several years.  However, since it was helping someone instead of merely cleaning, I was motivated.

Sofas Arrive

I finally got out of the house at 10 a.m.  Today’s focus was window coverings.  Went to a discount yardage store to get sample swatches.  Then went to Lowe’s to look through their books of shades and blinds.  Found one penny at that stop.

Needed to be home by 2 p.m. since the sofas were scheduled for delivery between 2 and 6.  At 2:30 they arrived.  They look great!  The Grand Room feels really good with some furniture in there instead of construction items and boxes.

Sofa Testing

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COINcidences???

a)  Today I called Chaz who is designing the Open House Invitations.  He had not yet received the Mock Up I mailed him TEN days ago!  Gr… he had not yet seen any of my ideas.  While we were on the phone he tried finding past files he had for me.  He asked to call me back after he had found my files.  Meanwhile he went out to his mailbox and my letter had arrived. Yipee!  Perfect Timing.

Looking Good

b) Today I was questioning my sanity and trying to figure out WHY I was creating such a complex and expensive event - pretty much like a wedding.  When I went out to meet the sofa delivery guys, a neighbor pulled up and introduced himself.  He asked about seeing the inside of the house.  I told him October for the General Open House and that I was considering a special session just for Neighbors. That might be a Potluck dinner so people could meet one another.  He seemed genuinely excited about that! 

Moving Boxes

COINcidence that he should introduce himself and express interest just as I am needing reassurances?  THIS is why the Open House needs to be more than a simple “open the front door and let people walk around”.  There is too much more involved here.

c)  When Angie came to collect the boxes around 4:45 she was quite Thankful.  I told her that the Penny Palace is a special place built on miracles and love.  She asked  “You mean THIS is the Penny Palace?  I heard you talk about this at a workshop we were attending together and have thought about your Penny Tales ever since then.  You are STILL finding the coins? It was such a neat story.” 

COINcidence that she should cross my path on a day when I needed reassurance?

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There were lots of emails, calls and other things going on this evening, so no time for more Penny Finding.  I met the one penny minimum daily requirement.

Total:   1 Penny

Day #1,336 - Aggravations

This loan stuff is becoming quite aggravating.  This morning Doc started my day by saying several different times that WE needed to provide that 5-year agreement letter to the bank.  I again suggested where HE could look.  He did not.  Then he started saying that maybe we needed to contact CPP to get a copy of that letter.  I again asked if he had looked in the file box I suggested. Nope!  So I put the file box in front of him, took out the well-labeled file, and showed him the letter.  Grrrrrr….  We did get that scanned and emailed to the loan underwriter.

Stripping the Roofing

We expected the roofing crew to begin working at 8 a.m. so I moved Pippy, opened gates and prepared for them.

Next it was time to tend to Mom; breakfast, bracings, etc.

Feeding the GrandDogs

The Loan Underwriter called to answer some of my questions (they neglected to include several key items) and to say that 5-year agreement was not adequate.  They needed ANOTHER document.  Very aggravating …

At 11 a.m. the Roofing crew arrived. Last week I was told that the roofers were not working past lunch time due to the extreme heat conditions.  Today they stripped off the Old (as in 1 year old) roof, laid the felt, and stacked the new concrete tiles before they left for the day.

This afternoon was spent dealing with Loan issues.

At 6:30 p.m. it was time to get out of the house and “stretch our legs”.  Doc stopped at the 7-11 so we could search for coins.  I found two pennies and a nickel inside.  (Coins #1-3). Doc found a penny and two silverish blobs in the parking lot.  (Coins #4-6) He thought they were dimes, but they were just really, really run over pennies.  He had found a dime earlier in the day when he went for coffee.  (Coin #7)  I said out loud, “We just need a Quarter now”.  My Mom questioned why and I explained about a “Hit for the Cycle”.

We proceeded to the pet supply store for dog food, and then El Pollo Loco for people food.  Doc then insisted upon a quick stop at a grocery store for ice cream.

Closet Work

As we hopped out of the car I said ten times, “Quarter, quarter, quarter…” before I even locked the door of the van.  Within 60 seconds as we approached the door of the grocery store, Doc found the quarter!  (Coin #8)  Things were looking good!    Mom was amazed.  I found a penny as we entered the store, then Doc claimed a final penny when we paid for our groceries.  (Coins #9&10).  Penny Finding is good for “Attitude Adjstuments”.

This evening Doc and I spent two hours in the Master Bedroom closet.  We assembled one bay of shelves for sheets, towels and other linens.  Hopefully this weekend I might get 2 or 3 more boxes of stuff put away.

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Any suggestions from any of YOU about a new banner for the front of the house?

Current one reads “Moved In  --  80% Chaos”

Think something cute and SHORT.

“Found: Grand Room Floor”

or

“99 Boxes of Stuff on the floor, 99 Boxes of STUFF.  You take one down, toss out the guts, 98 Boxes of Stuff on the floor…”

Total:   10 Coins        P (7), N (1), D (1), Q (1) = $0.47

Day #1,292 - 30 Year Fling

Writing to you at 2:15 a.m.    Today is Doc’s and my 30^th Wedding Anniversary.  Hey, maybe today will be a good day to transport our wedding photo album from Pomona to the Penny Palace.  We often joke about our 60/40 rule.  That usually relates to food portions, but now it also means 30 years in HIS house, then 20 years in MY house.

The IRS allows for extensions when people are not prepared to file their taxes on time.  Can I request an extension on our Anniversary?  I am not prepared for it.  Let’s just plan to celebrate it with all of you on October 13&14 when we have the Penny Palace Open House.

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This morning we had a few phone calls to make before heading out to our meeting with a loan officer.  Before we even got onto the freeway, Doc needed to make a ‘comfort’ stop at McDonalds.  I found a dirt penny in the flower bed and he found one when exiting the building.  (2 Pennies).

We found a credit union who was willing to give us the going rate despite our loans on the rentals.  The rep said to allow 30-45 minutes to fill out the paperwork.  He was superfast at it, but it still took an hour and 45 minutes.  He said we were not his average customer.  No kidding!  In school Average = a ‘C’ grade.  I can’t imagine striving to be average.  I always planned to excel and earn ‘A’s.

Doc and I had worked up an appetite reading all the fine print and correcting the loan rep when he made clerical errors or miscalculated things.  So we stopped for lunch at Honey’s Diner.  That was our big 30^th Anniversary Celebration.  Then we worked at the Pomona house for an hour before I took my mom to the dentist.  She needs three teeth pulled, three crowns, and a bridge to hold it all together.  Thousands of dollars of work and zero way to pay for it.  It made me grateful that Doc and I have dental coverage from our jobs so that we won’t be in a similar situation as we age.

Doc and I arrived home and unpacked some of the stuff. 

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We were expecting someone to come by the house for a delivery at 7 p.m., then Doc and I were going to have dinner and a glass of wine.  I was trying to tidy the house a bit.  Doc said he would help out by getting that new chlorine “floaty” off the dining room table and into operation.  He inserted the tablets then hurled the device into the pond.  We both had a good laugh when I exclaimed!  “Honey - that was our Anniversary Fling!”

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By 8:30 our guest had not yet arrived and I was getting hungry. I called her.  She would be another hour yet.  That did not make me too excited.  When she arrived of course I had to show her around the Penny Palace.  I mentioned it was Doc and my 30^th Anniversary today.  With a wistful look she shared that she and her husband would have had their 15^th Anniversary in two weeks.  She was looking forward to a lifetime with him and their three children.  Not too long ago she awoke to find him gasping next to her.  A few hours later he was dead.  Talk about an Attitude Adjustment!

Total:    2 Pennies

Day #1,290 - More

Doc's Pomona Office

More cleaning, more packing, more transporting, more unloading, more organizing, etc., etc.

This morning Doc headed out to meet son Brian for coffee in Pasadena.  I cleaned and sorted and tried to make a little headway in all this chaos.

Tina's Pomona Office

At 9:45 Doc and I met for breakfast in Glendora.  One penny at the restaurant.  (Coin #1)  We were driving separate vehicles, so Doc headed to the post office to mail the bills I had paid last night.  He found a very run-over quarter (at least we think it is).  (Coin #2)  I went to the bank.  I reached the Pomona house significantly sooner than Doc and wondered what happened to him. He detoured through the high school parking lot to search for coins.  Penny Fever.  He collected a penny and a dime.  (Coins #3&4).

Tina's Pomona Office

At the Pomona house I continued packing up stuff in my office.  Doc spent the first hour downloading photos and compiling the Penny Tale videos for the past two days.  He wanted to get caught up with those before disconnecting and transporting his computer.  Who knows if it will work at the Penny Palace?

Another Load to Transport

It took a few hours to get the van and Pippy loaded with the gear.  Then we headed back to the Penny Palace.  I think the heat and all the loading and unloading got to me.  By 4 p.m. I was no longer able to function.  With only four hours sleep last night, a nap was now essential.  Nap?  How about just the second part of last night’s rest?

At 8:30 p.m. Doc and I headed out to do this week’s grocery shopping.  We went to three stores as usual, but these were local versus the ones we have frequented for years.  I found 3 pennies at the first grocery store, none at the second store, and three quarters, two dimes, and a penny at the third store.  That was a nice welcome to the new neighborhood and good for an Attitude Adjustment. (Coins #5-13)

Total:    13  Coins        P (6), N (0), D (3), Q (4) = $1.36

Day #1,251 - Shattered

I never realized how attached I am to my computer and email.  While packing things in my office it seems every few minutes I was turning my head to look at the computer screen, but there was merely an empty spot there.

Doc collected one penny at McDonalds where he went for breakfast.  Then he stopped for a coffee at the Bad Ass Coffee Company where he also found a penny.  I walked next door to the pharmacy, grocery store and other areas.  No coins found.  Not a good start for the day.

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Today’s main objective was to get internet, phone and cable service operating at the Penny Palace.  The appointment with the installers was from 10-12.

Doc and I packed up boxes and many delicate items for transport to the Penny Palace.  We arrived at 8:55 a.m. to give us time to unpack the van before the service company arrived.  However, they arrived at 9 a.m.!  Armando walked around looking at things.  He told us we did not have the right connections in the wall outlets and would need to have our electrician run the proper wiring.  That shattered my expectations.

While the tech and Doc were going over some things, I carried in the box with our wedding cake top and toasting glasses.  The box contents were rattling!  My heart sank.  I opened the box to find my prized pieces shattered.  I wanted to cry at that moment.

Shattered Glass

The communications tech went outside to look at things. He reported that we did not have lines running to the house yet.  Duh!  That is why I called a year ago to ask what we needed to do.  And again a few months ago, and again a few weeks ago…  He said their first appointment for undergrounding would be at least two weeks from now.  Two weeks without internet after I had made several calls to ensure things would be ready?  I was not pleased.  Going without Penny Tales for that long?  I was shattered.  He suggested I call a supervisor with my notes in hand.  So when I got home this afternoon I pulled out my journal and called.  Now, we are expecting installation to begin tomorrow at 8 a.m.  That’s faster.  However, Thursday and Friday were to be my packing days. The movers are scheduled for Saturday.  Can’t be in both houses at the same time.

Doc was very sweet the entire day.  He could see that I was not very happy.  He connected my computer and printer so that I can write Penny Tales, I just can’t post them.

This afternoon Doc was getting hungry and grumpy.  We stopped on the way home for a Chinese lunch.  Found a dime and a penny.

This evening Doc had a coffee date with one of his former students and current colleagues.  One penny found there.

Toasted Doc

I was at home trying to pack things in my office.  The tension kept growing.  Don’t know what to do with all the stuff.  Where to put it all?  Too much stuff.  Can’t put it all in boxes, ‘cause then it would not be readily accessible when needed. Not enough time or energy to figure it all out.  I grabbed a puppy dog, curled up in a ball, laid in the middle of the floor and just had a good cry.  Weary and tired of the details.  Feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Then I thought of a half dozen people I know who have been (or are currently) involved in situations which are truly overwhelming (Loss of a spouse or child, medical issues, foreclosures, abandonment, loss of a job, etc.)  Boy was that good for an Attitude Adjustment!

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

Day #1,249 - Increasing Chaos

Curio Cabinet

This morning Maribel worked with me at the Pomona House to box up my glass collectibles and items in the curio cabinet.  Then we attacked one of the shelving units in my office.  I kept putting that off and putting that off.  So today I pretty much threw everything off the shelves and all over the room.  Maribel and I then tried to get the 89” tall cabinet down the hall and out the front door.  Tried several different ways; none of them worked.  Finally took the shelves out the back door and around the side of the house.

Family Room

At the Penny Palace Maribel cleaned the garage fridge.  Then we cleared out the stuff from the pantry and Maribel cleaned it.  It is now ready to accept the incoming food and cooking gear.  Although I preferred having the hand tools there and easily accessible.

Tina's Office

On the way home from the Penny Palace I made a quick stop at the store.  Doc wanted peanut butter and I needed more vinegar for my tonic.  One penny there.  (Coin #1)

I already have some shelving from IKEA in several rooms, but I needed some additional pieces.  I called the store to verify that they had some in stock. 16 minutes on hold.  They finally said OK, they had plenty.  I went to the store.  I emerged 2 wasted hours later without the shelves.  Yes, the store had the shelves, but they were up on the racks on a pallet.  Employees could not use a forklift in the aisles until after the store closed.  I was very frustrated and ready to do some damage.  I called Doc to vent.  “and there is not even a bloomin’ coin to be found anywhere here!”  Just then I spotted a penny.  (Coin #2)  OK.  Deep breath.  Attitude Adjustment.  The Angels are here right now.

This evening I headed back to the store at 9 p.m. in order to pick up the shelves at 9:30 when employees could finally use the forklift.

At 10 p.m. the phone rang.  It was Shirlee - our angel in Australia with a Care Call.  Her TLC is the best medicine.  Great Attitude Adjustment.

Total:    2 Pennies