Wrap Up

 Today was the final day of painting work on the exterior of the Penny Palace.  Good Thing!  Doc and I are exhausted. Temperatures each day in these past three weeks have been between 90 and 105 degrees! 

 

The Penny Palace has a “fresh new look”, but that pales in comparison to the Fresh New Outlook Fernando has.  He has repeatedly exclaimed how blessed he feels to have experienced the Penny Palace and all the love and positive energy from all of you.  “I have never felt such love before.  And from total strangers!” “People who care and want me to succeed”.  “I want to be like that former student of yours who has his own company and was willing to invest in ME!”

 

Fernando definitely had some of his previous beliefs shaken to the core. I, in exchange, had my ears, eyes and mind opened to a whole new world.  We spoke of abusive parents, hanging out with the wrong crowd, children, divorce, alcohol, drugs, months of incarceration and what life is like in jail, living on the streets, protecting your belongings, peer pressure, fear, starving and so much more.  He would ask me all sorts of questions, and I would return with just as many!  My thinking will never be the same after working with him these past few weeks.

 

The work was completed with so much love.  To celebrate this life changing time together there were non-stop hugs and Doc’s delicious Boysenberry Coconut ice cream.  The painters didn’t know what homemade ice cream was, so Doc offered to teach them!

 

We parted tonight with goals established: books to read, special things to save up for, dreams of travel, and of course promises to keep in touch.

 

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This is a BIG THANK YOU to those of you who sent loving replies these past two days.  I shared each one of those with Fernando.  

 

Here is his email reply to me which I am taking the liberty of sharing with you:

  

“Thank u so much for all the love means so much to me everyone showing there love Omg I can’t believe it from nothing I’m becoming something special thank u to all” 

More JOY

 Joy is Contagious.  Keep spreading it!

 

Quite a number of Penny Pals responded to last night’s Joy Story.  I shared each of those responses with Fernando today.  He could not believe it!  Readers around the world were sharing in HIS story!!!!!

 

Also last night after sending out the Tale to you, I created a rough “Dream Board” based upon the things Fernando shared with me.  One item depicted was a pressure washer.  Over lunch today, I casually asked Fernando what it would cost to purchase a gas-powered pressure washer and start his own business.  He answered: “Around $200”.  We wrapped up lunch agreeing that $200 seemed like a doable goal.  Little did we know ....

 

This afternoon one Penny Pal (a former solar car student) sent me $100 to add to Fernando’s Piggy Bank with the $100 I had put in there yesterday.  Huh????  No way!!!  God must have “nudged” K.S. to send the exact amount to complete that $200 goal!  COINcidence???? 

When the painters finished their work today, I treated subjected them to a tour of the Penny Palace.   LOL.  I concluded by giving Fernando the Dream Board.  Then I gave him the envelope with the $100.  Talk about amazing JOY and COINcidence!!!!  This photo can not EVEN express the love, shock, gratitude which was present.  The $200 goal had been reached!   

Two days ago Fernando would have probably thought “impossible” to be able to purchase the power washer THIS week.  Today Doc taught him to think instead “I. M. POSSIBLE!!!!!”

 

 

Yesterday I read a page in the book “The Shape of Love” by Japanese researcher Masaru Emoto.  In his chapter on our roles in life and tuning forks he wrote “All things, including human beings, are incapable of vibrating on their own, so let’s give love to others unsparingly”.

 

Lesson:  Each of us can send out vibrations of JOY.

 

 

Blessed Box

 It’s been months since the last Tale from The Penny Palace.  My heart is bursting with today’s JOY story, so I’ve just gotta share it with you.

 

Doc and I hired a painter Luis to paint the wood trim on our house and repair some minor wood damages.  Luis planned to bring his nephew to assist.  Nephew got injured by a horse and unable to help, so Luis worked alone that first week.

 

During the second week, Luis brought Cousin Fernando.  Luis somehow was “led” to bring Fernando even though he really did not have painting experience.  When Fernando first hopped out of the van and shook my hand, I instantly felt some sort of connection with him.  He was so huggable and pleasant natured.

 

The guys worked diligently each day in exceedingly high temperatures.  So of course at lunchtime I invited them to eat their lunches inside and to cool off a bit.  You know me, so YUP, the guys were subjected to non-stop Penny Tales and stories about the Penny Palace.

 

Yesterday afternoon, Fernando began sharing with me.  I have no idea WHY.  I am not a counselor or have any experience dealing with the kind of help I was beginning to think he needed.  Suffice it to say, I’m glad I did not meet him when he was out on the street.

Fernando shared with me some of his dreams and goals.   My heart was somehow overflowing with love for him.  Last night for hours, all I could think about was some way to show Fernando that I believed in him and his new path.  I went on Amazon to find a Piggy Bank that I could gift him and drop in a few coins to begin his “Equipment Fund”.  The soonest any Piggy would arrive would be Wednesday, but I wanted the bank today (Tuesday).

 

I saw a Wooden Savings Box.  “Nah, not what I am seeking”.  I kept looking and looking, yet kept coming back to the wooden box.  And it would arrive today.

 

It was nearly 6 p.m. this evening when the painters were getting into their van.  The Amazon delivery arrived!  I ordered Fernando to sit on a rock in the yard and open the package.  He looked at the item, looked at me, looked at the item... “No WAY!!!!  I have always wanted one of these!”  Tina:  “You are teasing me , right?  I wanted to get you a piggy bank.  I had never seen a Goal Setting Savings Box before.”  Fernando: “I swear I am telling the truth!  I have always wanted one of these.”

 

 

COINcidence that Fernando came to work at the Penny Palace?

COINcidence that he shared so much personal stuff with me yesterday?

COINcidence that I could not sleep until I found something “just right” for him?

COINcidence that he had wanted such a Wooden Savings Box?

 

 

I love how God unexpectedly drops amazing people off at the Penny Palace. 

 

Lesson:  Listen to the “crazy nudgings” in your life even though they might not make CENTS to you!

1 Year Anniversary

 Remember how last November I wrote to you about “Little One”?  That was the abandoned doggie Doc and I met.  She was at a walnut farm Airbnb where we were staying while visiting Doc’s brother in Tracy, CA.  Little One (now named Bailey) and her human have sent some photos as they now celebrate their 1-year Anniversary together.

 

Me?  Spoiled?  YUP!  And lovin' it.

I Love Waking Up Next to You

We are heading out to lunch to celebrate 
our 1-year anniversary.

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When Doc and I left Little One a year ago in the hands of this seemingly caring woman (Michelle), I had no idea of what type of person she was, what type of living arrangements she had, her ability to provide food and medical care, her occupation, etc.  I went home and searched online.  Uhhh.  I think she is MORE than qualified to take care of Little One. 

 

 

Recently Bailey wrote to me: “Mommee and I went to Hilton Head Island Resorts wher she owns a timeshare.  We went to git away and relax for a week toogeder.  Jest the 2 of us.  Mommee plans to retire next year and sez she can’t wait for us to go on lots of road trips.  I’m lookin forward to dat as well.  Maybe we can go to California and see you and Mr, Doc!”

 

 

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If you like heartwarming stories, here is the background of this Love Affair.

 

Happy Tails

The story of Doc and I meeting Bailey and her adoption.

 

It’s a Wonderful Life

Bailey’s Flight to Atlanta and Arrival in her New Home (in her Own Words).

 

Luckee Dog

Bailey’s Letter to You after two weeks in her new home.

 

 

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This update and the anniversary photos from Atlanta sure made my heart happy.  Hope it brought YOU some JOY on this Sunday afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Price Was Right

 

So many of you seemed to enjoy the Heavenly Horse story.  Here is a good story from this past week.

 

When Doc and I were in Tanzania a few years ago, there was a young man (Chazy) who served us our breakfast at the hotel where we were staying.  He shared a little bit about his desire to be the first in his family to attend College and earn a Certificate.  Doc and I have both been in that situation so it pleased us to hear that.

 

When Doc and I returned to the States, I periodically emailed Chazy to encourage him in his studies.  I asked him about his tuition figuring perhaps I would send him a few dollars as a Christmas gift.  At the time his income was $100 per month for his full-time job as a waiter.   Six days a week. His Tuition was 794,000 TZS per semester. (approx. $293), so needless to say after rent, food, transportation, utilities and such, there was nothing left for school.

 

That’s a bit of background for you.  Now to the present….

 

Recently Chazy wrote to me: “Last night people stole my PC so sad”.

I asked more about it: “I was coming out of the hotel to go home. They passed by with a motorcycle and they stole from me by force. I had my phone with the PC. I am very sad because I don't even have a phone here.  I have gone to the police to report.”

 

Chazy’s email weighed on my mind for a few days.  Then came the “Nudging….” 

 

Voice: “Send Chazy a few dollars to help toward a new laptop.  As a student he cannot function without a computer”.

Tina:  “How much?  $100?”

Voice:  “Not enough”.

Tina:  “$250?”

Voice: “Too much”

Tina: “OK. Then YOU tell me!?!?!!”

Voice: “$175”

Tina: “OK.  It shall be done as you have instructed”.

 

After a few days I checked in with Chazy to see if he had received my gift.  He said “YES!”

And he had purchased a new laptop!  “I really appreciate it, it has great capacity, it has good speed and also its storage is big, I really like it.”

 

Out of curiosity I asked the price of the laptop.  I was wondering if my gift might help perhaps with 1/3 of the cost?  Chazy replied:  “It cost $400,050 TZS”. Gulp!  That sounded HUGE – until I did the conversion.  The $175 gift paid for the laptop with $26 US to spare!  

 

Source Knew THE RIGHT PRICE.

Heavenly Horse Hello

 Hi Penny Pals-

 

On Wednesday Nights I try to attend the online streaming video from the Miracle Distribution Center.  Tonight's Lesson was "Listening to God's voice throughout the day".  After class I wrote to the instructor about Monday's Horse Balloon Story.  Figured I would share it here with you as well.  Hopefully this brings you a smile.

 

Tina

 

 

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

Monday I realized it was the (65th?) birthday of the owner of the local UPS Store. 

There was that "Nudging" (Voice).  

 

Voice: "Do SOMETHING to recognize Tom's Birthday"

Tina:  "I don't wanna.  I am busy today.  Bug Off".

Voice:  "Do it Anyway"

Tina: "Do I have to?"  "Why?"  "Tom will never know if I don't do something".  "Are you talking deliver a card or WHAT?"

Voice: "How about a balloon?"

Tina "OK.  Let me look in my balloon box and see what is there...."  "Happy Mother's Day?  Happy Anniversary?  Happy Retirement?".  No, no, no.

 

I spotted a brown horse balloon.  Why in the world would I have a horse balloon in my box?

Voice: "That's the one".

The balloon was old and initially non-cooperative, but Doc and I finally got it to work.

We delivered the balloon to Tom.

 

Tom at first was speechless, then laughing, then kept saying "I don't believe this....!"

 

He showed me the screensaver on his phone.  It was his brown horse which he had put to sleep last year.  This balloon was like a Happy Birthday from heaven!!!

 

Coincidence?

 

SUCH JOY!!!! 

Leaping Heart

 It is a Leap Year and my heart is Leaping with JOY for all the wonderful people in my life.

 

A number of you have been checking up on me to see how I am doing after that unexpected ambulance ride to the Emergency Room three weeks ago. Now you are wanting an update!  Pushy, aren't you?

 

·       Yes, the medical staff found a heart.  

·       Yes, the heart is still functioning.

 

Summary:  I had a heart attack on Friday, Feb 9th and had a stent installed in one artery which was 100% blocked.  Two weeks later I met with a cardiologist regarding the additional arteries which are 60-70% blocked.  His instructions: "Take your meds, eat healthy, get mild exercise, see you in a year."  

 

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

Doc was a bit nervous because we had plans to visit his brother 400 miles away.  Doc asked the cardiologist about restrictions on travel.  "On your car trip, get out and stretch every hour or two".  So we made stretching a priority!  In the 400 mile drive, we had 11 stretching breaks!

 

·       Stretching at a park

·       Stretching to get snacks from the ice chest in the back seat

·       Stretching at a school

·       Stretching to reach my salad at lunch

·       Stretching to wash the car windshield

·       Stretching to wrap my arms around my brush firefighter nephew.  
I could not EVEN lift his backpack whatsoever.  He made it look easy!

·       Stretching to pick up pennies

·       Stretching to lick BACON ice cream!

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

As far as our international trip planned for April .... The Cardiologist said: "Just realize that there is no prompt ambulance service when you are up in an airplane!!!"

 

 

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Thanks for all your love and friendship.

HEARTfelt Thanks!

 A big, HEARTFELT THANK YOU to all of you who helped Doc and I through these past two days.  Your emails, texts, and prayers kept us calm and laughing throughout the ordeal.  A trip to the Emergency Room was NOT on my agenda for this week.  I am home now weighing 5 lbs. less and with a stent for my heart.

 

So many wonderful people have written.  Know that I read each one, but that I don't have the strength to write personal or lengthy responses to each.  Please understand.

 

Condensed Version:  I am home and have been ordered to take things easy for a while.

 

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Some of you have been asking to Hear "The rest of the Story".  You know me well enough to know there are probably some "behind the scenes stories".  LOL

 

Wednesday, 7 February I began experiencing some chest pains.  I was advised to go get those checked out.  My reply:  "I have never been pregnant, never cooked a turkey, and never spent the night in a hospital.  I don't plan to do either one of those for the next decade."  That declaration sure changed in less than two days!

 

Thursday, 8 February I had some chest pains on and off throughout the day.  Went for a Chinese Foot reflexology and massage session.  Severe pain hit twice while on the table. Thoughts:  a)  These people do not speak enough English to call for Emergency Services; b)  I am laying here naked.  Do not want emergency personnel to take me out of here like this!   LOL.  Pain was much better the rest of the evening, but it returned before bed.

 

Friday, 9 February I woke up to severe chest pains.  9 a.m. I woke Doc.  "Sweetheart please get up and get dressed quickly.  We need to go to the hospital.  No. We are not having a baby.  I think I may be having a heart attack."

Doc quickly dressed.  When he emerged, he saw me in such great pain, he called 9-1-1.  He hung up the phone, while I used the toilet (figuring I might not get to do that for many hours in an emergency room).  Three firefighters were at our door within minutes!  Good thing!  

 

As the EMTs hauled me down the driveway on the gurney, I felt so thankful for beautiful blue skies overhead versus the torrential rain we had for the first few days of the week.  I could have drowned in that kind of weather before even getting into the ambulance!  LOL

 

The ambulance driver was able to get through the red lights faster than Doc could have.  They took me to San Antonio Hospital which was closer than Kaiser with whom we have coverage.  The staff at San Antonio said "You were fortunate to be brought here.  WE have the better Cardio facilities and specialize in that.  The nearest Kaiser does not have that."

 

Emergency Room.  Personnel were wonderful.  First EKG showed no heart attack, but disturbing issues.  Would need to run an angiogram.  "That could happen immediately, later today, or tomorrow depending on urgency".  More tests, nitroglycerine tablets, heparin, etc.  Tech spoke outside the room with the doctor in charge.  I was informed "things have changed".  "Tests show you have now had a heart attack". Suddenly I was wheeled down to the Cath Lab.

 

Cath Lab.  Fascinating equipment!   I was awake.  Fun to watch the wiggling arteries on the big screen!  Wondering how in the world would the cardiologist run a stent all the way up my arm and insert it into that moving target?  Such a strange feeling to have this thing snake up your arm!

 

 

ICU.  Doc said I was talking in hyperdrive!  It was such fun to deal with the caring nurses.  They said they don't get much interface with most of the patients in ICU (who are on ventilators, not conscious, intubated, etc.)  We spoke of solar cars, rescue dogs, kids, their jobs, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a long, long night.  When the lights were turned out at 12:40 a.m. I was sure I would fall asleep within minutes.  I was so very exhausted.  Not the case.  I lay there watching the clock for every minute to pass.  Around 2 a.m. I suddenly got very sweaty, with vomiting and diarrhea.  Was it the shock of it all?  The numerous medications?  The chicken fajita at lunch?  The meatloaf at dinner?  Not a fun experience.  No "running for the nearest toilet" when I was literally wired to a bunch of equipment!  

 

After that nasty episode, I was wide awake.  Thank goodness for both national and international friends (from Australia, Tanzania and Russia) who kept communicating with me throughout night.  Their love carried me through that trial.

Saturday 10 February.  Finally fell asleep at 5:30 a.m. to be woken 30 minutes later for more blood testing!  Early morning visits from the Cardiologist and Doctor in charge, then breakfast. Nurse went over all the discharge instructions.  Released.  Home by noon. Managed two hours of much-needed sleep. Son Steve (medical doctor) came over to check on me.  Weary.  Tried to write this note to you, but ran out of energy.

 

 

 

 

Today, Sunday 11 February.  Doc said he was planning to watch the Super Bowl Game -- I could do anything I wanted as long as it did not interfere with his game.  He would stay out of my way.  Reminder - no lifting anything heavy or bending over, but I could certainly wash laundry, pay bills, work on some of my many projects, take a nap, complete that paperwork for prepaid cremations services, etc.  Thus, I am writing to YOU!

 

Next few days?  Rest. Heal. Find a cardiologist to take care of the other artery blockages before they also become emergencies.  Cardio therapy TBD.

 

THANK YOU for being with us on this scary experience.

 

 

 

 

Cinderella

The podiatrist a few weeks ago ordered me to " stop kicking butt, wear the boot except when sleeping or showering, and stay off the leg.  It's probably a damaged Achilles Tendon.  Rent movies and relax on the sofa."  

 

 

 

Today Doc said he would be watching football from Noon until approximately 7 p.m.  He and his fur baby Sheila would be out of my way during those hours.  

I could wash the dishes, take care of his laundry, do some financial stuff, scrub the floors and a few other tasks.  According to Doc -- most of those tasks could be completed while keeping weight off my leg!  (Notice MY dog Liesel was trying to help).

 

 

 

And THIS is Married Happily Ever After?!?!?!?!?