"Will Break for Pennies!"

Ok, I've either hit a new low or am so dedicated to the penny project that all pride has gone out the window. Actually...pride went out the window as soon as I started rooting in gutters for loose change. But now I've found new and improved ways to astound relative strangers with the dedication I have to giving stray pennies a home!

Part I--Plebes & Pennies
Ok, so they weren't plebes, they were firsties...but that lacks alliteration, so I took artistic license! I guess I could have called it cadets and coins. Whatever. Bygones.

Anyhow...I hosted some cadets a few weeks ago who were in town for the National Marathon. They were so much fun and made wonderful house guests! We did lots of chatting about life at West Point in the year 2008 and what they could look forward to after graduation! And of course, I told them about the Penny Project and made them swear their support by agreeing to pick up any change they saw on the race route. The may have thought I was crazy...but they were polite and hid it well.

The next day I took them to pick up their registration packets and peruse the expo (which was honestly a bit sad for a marathon!). All was well and good (and even normal) until we went to leave the expo. As I pulled out of my parking space and did a U-turn around the median dividing the road, a little copper sparkle caught my eye. Yes...it was a penny.

I know what you're thinking. "Too bad you were in a car and couldn't grab it." If you actually thought that I'm wondering...do you know me at all?! I promptly finished the U-turn, slammed the car to a screeching halt, put on the hazard lights (because what's more hazardous than running across a somewhat busy street to recover a penny?), and leapt out of the car to grab the little sucker!

The cadets looked up at me with puzzled expressions on their faces as I triumphantly held up a shiny cent. They sort of shook their heads in amazement (while still trying to be respectful of a former Captain and full grown woman playing in traffic for $.01). But then it got good. As I headed back to the car I stopped dead in my tracks and screamed, "Holy crap!"

There in the gutter (previously obscured from view as I haphazardly stopped by the median) was something that warmed the cockles of my heart (which was quite frankly necessary that day as it was FREEZING outside). Not one, not two, not even three...but TWELVE more pennies. I was ecstatic...although I think those who witnessed the event were a bit confused! But hey...12 more wayward pennies got to join the good fight and become part of something greater. That's worth confusing a few pedestrians, don't you think?!

I gathered up the dozen Lincolns as quickly as I could and got back in the car before there was too much of a scene (a little bit of a scene never hurt anyone...and it does keep life entertaining!). Off went the hazard lights and on we drove to the pre-race pasta dinner...laughing all the way at the thought of a former cadet playing in traffic to become 12 cents richer!

Stay tuned for "Will Break for Pennies" part II...the taxi cab edition!

Coast to Coast Collectors

Nothing warms my heart like getting penny stories from my friends across the country! It just goes to show that pennies can pull people together from just about anywhere. And I do mean anywhere...I found two US pennies in Paris and I've had friends find them in the Dominican Republic & Aruba. You can run...but you can't hide! And really...why would you want to?! Join the fun!

Since we started this project people tell me they really have come to love the little jolt of happiness & excitement they feel when they find a penny. They can serve as happy little reminders of friendship, warm memories, or just give you a reason to smile. Of course...not all pennies come wrapped up in a warm fuzzy. My friend Glenda almost had a storm of pennies hit her front windshield, which was cause for a bit of momentary road-rage aimed at the not-so-considerate penny tossers before she remembered her penny happy place. I guess not all penny finds are created equal!

From Glenda:
Loved reading the blog, did vote (I'm personally a quarter girl) and agree with you about the little things in life, adding a smile to your day, and how a small cubicle can be cozy and quaint.

I actually HAVE found you several pennies. People out here in Portland Oregon literally toss their money, it seems. Especially the teenagers!! Although I didn't get in on one stash of cold hard cash I saw...I do have a funny story about it. Here goes...

I was leaving Borders Bookstore, and the car right in front of me had a passenger without a brain, who opened the window on this sunny Sunday afternoon, and TOSSED out on the roadway, a handful of pennies, and I mean a HANDFUL!! Useless money taking up useless space in his pocket, I guess? Or just a smart-*** thinking it was funny?

Either way, I didn't see the logic, and after glaring at them at the intersection & thinking "yeah, I agree your LUCKY you didn't hit my car with flying metal..." THEN it hit me -- LESLIE! Her penny thing! Why didn't I swerve off & grab it (I don't have too much class to do that!)? But I figure I would have caused a pile-up near the interstate, which surely would have caused one ON it. So I had to drive past the pennies.

But even without that stash, I've got plenty to give you...I have collected 47 cents! 1 dime, 2 nickels and the rest are all pennies, baby!

Ah, another 47 cents for the cause...and from the west coast, no less! So just remember where ever you are to keep an eye out for good old Abe. I swear it will make you smile! :-)

Why Pennies Are Better Than Men

Ok, so that's a bit of generalization, I suppose. I happen to be a big fan many men I know...in fact, several of you are reading this blog (hi, Dad!). But there are a few fellows out there who could use a sit down with Ms. Manners. But I have to say...Abe & his cute little copper self have never done me wrong. I really appreciate the fact that no penny has every whistled at me from a moving car or stood me up for a date. Honestly...I thank you for your manners, Abe!

And although I could do without obnoxious whistles and no-show dates...I'm not sure I would like to do without the story that follows (mostly because my girlfriends & I have had several laughs about it).

I know that my love of pennies makes me a bit quirky and entertaining to some, for which I am grateful (especially if these people bring me their pennies!)...but I am not quite sure how one 45-minute conversation with a guy I met by chance qualifies him to be able to tell me off in a 6-part text message. Yeah, 6 parts. Seriously...you have to read this to believe it.

Text 1--
I just wanted to write you and and tell you goodbye and it was nice meeting you. I called you several times and I feel as though you are blowing me off w

Text 2--
hich is fine but the real. I came out and told you how I felt about you and you had an excuse about you seeing someone and getting over that person, that's

Text 3--
fine and I respect that, but that does not mean you can treat someone who cares about you that way. what goes around comes around, in any event never treat

Text 4--
someone who cares about you jacked up. my self confidence is way to high to trip off of this but maybe you need to work on yours, because I am real and h

Text 5--
onest with my feelings and my life. Take care of yourself and goodluck. I will lose your number so I don't have to feel I am bothering you. I was calling

Text 6--
because I really liked you. I am totally disappointed because I never thought you would be like this.....Whatever man!!!!

After receiving this message, I felt a bit like Wayne Campbell in "Wayne's World" when Stacy is ranting on & on and finishes with "You know, Wayne...if you're not careful, you're gonna lose me."

To which Wayne replies, "I lost you two months ago. We broke up...get the net!"

Wayne, I know how you feel. Only my "Stacy" and I never dated. We were strangers in the night (or the middle of the afternoon to be more specific). Get the net!