Most of us sock away our change in our pockets or purses when they become a little heavy. You may take those extra coins and sock them away in a coffee can or jar, maybe a bank, or like me, I have one of those containers about the since of a big mason jar that has that change counter on top and gives you a running total as you drop coins through the slot. Well the counter doesn’t count anymore, but it’s still a convenient method of saving change. So last week it became full. I couldn’t get another coin in it and it was off to the bank to exchange it for some paper money. Right away I felt like being a smarty pants when the teller asked very politely, “Oh, are we cashing in some change today?” I really felt like saying “No, I just always carry a 10 pound jug of coins around with me.” I laughed inside, but told her, “Yes young lady I’m turning them in for some (green).” Then the standard question I hear every time I bring in the “jug”. “Do you want to guess how much is in here before I run it through the machine?”

I said “Sure!” Since the counter was shot, I just tossed out about $160.00. She then looked carefully at the coins and said “Well, there is a bunch of quarters in there, I’ll guess around $200.00.” With that, she went into the backroom and I could hear the counting machine start up, then the sound of her pouring in the coins and the machine separating and counting the various change. By the way, there has never been a half-dollar coin mixed in…It has always been quarters or a smaller valued coin. She brought out a little slip of paper and added up the totals of quarters, dimes, nickels and then the pennies. As she ripped off the paper from the machine, she read the total, $159.76. Remember, I said $160.00. She said “Wow, pretty good!” As she returned my container I noticed the sound of coins still in there. Remember that banks usually don’t accept Canadian money. I looked inside the jug and there were three coins on the bottom. There was a Canadian dime, a nickel and a penny. That’s 16 extra cents! Grand total $159.92. Ladies and Gentlemen, I was only 8 cents off my guess. I came THAT close.

Time to head down to the old drug store and guess how many jellybeans are in the big glass bowl and win me a banana split! (Those of you under 50 will have no idea what I am referring too. Ask your elders! Or watch the old Andy Griffith show.)

One of the chores I have every weekend is doing the laundry. This past weekend I stopped into the Laundromat to wash my stuff and this cute little young girl was given the task of folding Mommy’s table cloth. After 20 minutes in the corner with help of a table and chair, a laundry basket, and a couple of go-rounds with the table cloth draped over her head, she finally came to mom with a perfectly folded tablecloth. It may have taken 20 minutes and a few giggles from the patrons keeping a close eye, silently wishing her success, but she stuck with it and was so proud of her accomplishment. I, on the other hand just threw my sheets I was washing in my basket, unfolded, and headed out the door. I mean, I was just going to put them on my bed when I got home anyway. Besides, it would have taken me twice as long as her and she did a better job than I ever could have.