FMJ - Day 249

November 30, 2006: 11 cents found - a penny and a dime. The first find was the penny. It was found in front of the ATM at Premiere American Credit Union on Madera Ave. The dime was found along Biscuit's afternoon walk. It's just too windy outside. I went for a walk earlier and was almost blown down! When will these Santa Ana's winds subside? I'm getting cabin fever... one more day, I hope. The kids and I are staying in and watching DVD's for the rest of the day. So, I've posted early... maybe my lady will get us out tonight, or maybe not.

A stop to the recycling center at Wood Ranch Shopping Center to turn-in our collection from the last two days, we received $1.92. Didn't cash in the return receipt slip on this go-around... will do on my next visit to the Ralph's Grocery. I don't add our returns, or "turn-ins" if you will, to the totals until we cash the slip.

Today's Stats
Finds: 11 Cents
FMJ - Total Found: $633.79
Since Blog Inception: $173.18
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 29
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $606.52

End of Month Stats:
Total found this month: $9.28
Average Amount Found per Day: 31 cents
Stock Held: 15 shares/PEI Worth: $592.50 11/30/06
Excess Value of Stock Over Cost: $395.85
Undeposited funds still in JAR: $9.42
FMJ Savings Account: $520.46
Interest Received YTD 2006: $.94
Dividends YTD: $25.65
Total Dividends Received: $91.80

Value of FMJ Fund: $1,122.38

Total Bottles & Cans collected this month: 407
Increase in B&C Fund for November 2006: $37.08

FMJ - Day 248

November 29, 2006: Hee, Hee, Hee... Ajay found a penny at Carl's Jr. that one of the employees swept across the floor. That's our only find for the day. Too cold and windy! Bonechilling 59 degrees outside. We've adapted well to the californian climate. We now think any temperature below 60 is way too cold! Yippee!

Stopped by the recycling center to offload some bottles and cans... $1.88 received.

FMJ - Total Found: $633.68
Since Blog Inception: $173.07
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 16
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $606.52

FMJ - Day 247

November 28, 2006: 11 cents found. Lunch at McDonald's in Moorpark and we find a dime behind the L.A. Times box. After school, the kids wanted a snack at the Wendy's on L.A. Ave. in Simi Valley -- found a penny in the brush next to our parking space.

FMJ - Total Found: $633.67
Since Blog Inception: $173.06
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 7
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $604.64

FMJ - Day 246

November 27, 2006: Today's finds... 4 pennies. The first find occured in the parking lot at Jon's Market on Cochran Ave. -- 3 pennies. The second find was at the McDonald's in Moorpark... our 4th penny.

Recycling update: Received $4.76 for our "efforts" and Uncle Joe's bottles.

FMJ - Total Found: $633.56
Since Blog Inception: $172.95
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 12
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $604.64

FMJ - Day 245

November 26, 2006: 2 cents found but one was the canadian type. So, I'll just count the lonely U.S. Penny. Found the canadian one first at the Jack In The Box on Cochran Ave. I guess Canadians toss pennies, too. The U.S. penny was found walking Biscuit in the afternoon. Today was full of fun... we met Uncle Nicky and Mayma at the California Science Center in Exposition Park. We saw an IMAX film called Hurricane in the Bayou... It was a real eye opener on the Katrina fiasco --- Highly recommended by me, if your interested. The kids loved the exhibits on communication and sound. Making music was their favorite. I enjoyed the prisms and magnets.
Bending light is cool!

In the evening, we went out to dinner at India House in Cerritos. Butter Chicken... so, delicious. Uncle Joe gave us his largest donation of bottles and cans, so far.... several large bags.

FMJ - Total Found: $633.52
Since Blog Inception: $172.91
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 15
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $599.88

FMJ - Day 244

November 25, 2006: Total found $5.82 for the day. This was a very busy day... First, I played doubles down at Rancho Simi Tennis Courts then my wife went to work to prepare for a very big presentation on Tuesday to the "second-in-line" at her company. Maya made our first find of the day at the Ross Store's parking lot -- a penny. In the afternooon, we went to the Westfield Topanga Mall to look for the perfect outfit for the presentation. Ajay and I found a $5 bill and a dime at the "over-priced yogurt stand" in our first mall find... we, also, found another 36 cents roaming the mall -- 3 dimes and 6 pennies. In the evening, we scooted over to The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks, CA. We found a quarter and 2 nickels there.

FMJ - Total Found: $633.51
Since Blog Inception: $172.90
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 4
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $599.88

FMJ - Day 243

November 24, 2006: 6 Cents found in 2 finds. Our first find occurred at the Wood Ranch Shopping Center as we arrived at the Subway. A nickel nicely placed in the open space next to ours. The second find -- a penny -- happened at the Target in Moorpark, CA. It was lying in the next cashier's lane... pays to check the lanes.

FMJ - Total Found: $627.69
Since Blog Inception: $167.08
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 3
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $599.88

FMJ - Day 242 A.K.A. "Turkey Day"

November 23, 2006: While walking Biscuit this morning we found a single dime. Chalk up another 10 cents to the Found Money Jar fund.

We garnered a donation from Aunt Anju of soda cans and water bottles. The family also decided to put an offer on a house for my mother-in-law... Everyone in the family was in agreement that it was the most perfect house for her. Even the address is good karma as it's... 13029 Carolyn St. All their previous houses had "13" in the address. And, the 13th is my wife's only brother's birthday -- april 13. Also, it's Maya's birthday day -- September 13. The 29th of May is mine. And the street name of "Carolyn" resembles their old house's street name... "Coquelyn." The house itself is just our style with vaulted ceilings, an open and flowing floor plan, large sliding glass doors off the family room and master bedroom to the back yard and a walled yard with water features -- Koi pond and waterfall. Also, there's a patio with half walls in the front of the house. Stucco and brick. I'm really hopeful that they'll accept our full price offer... can't let a perfect house get away.

FMJ - Total Found: $627.63
Since Blog Inception: $167.01
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 2
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $599.88

Happy Thanksgiving!

To our troops serving stateside and overseas and especially for those in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan...

My thoughts and prayers go to all of you who are serving in our military. Be safe, and may you all return soon home to your families. What ever support you need from my family, we will give without exception. Keep up your spirits and do your best in this tough fight for our freedom, way of life and democracy! You have our full and undivided support!

God bless you and keep you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Recycling Turn-in Day

November 22, 2006: As tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought that we should clear out all the bottles and can that we've collected and had donated to us by family and friends. Total received $10.08 -- NICE!

Also, we found two pennies this morning... first found at Del Taco on L.A. Ave. and the second was found at the Target store on Cochran Ave. where I went to return a fold-up camp chair that broke on its inaugural sitting... cheap chinese made junk! Why don't we make anything in America anymore?... Shame on us!

FMJ - Total Found: $627.53
Since Blog Inception: $166.91
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 19
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $599.88

FMJ - Day 240

November 21, 2006: This morning at the Rancho Simi Tennis Courts I found a penny in the dirt near the parking lot... seems it has been there for a while as it was corroded and dirty. Funny thing about this find is that I've probably walked over the ground where the coin was found many times... never noticed it before... maybe it was turned up by someone walking just before me? Hmmm. On the court, I found a quarter beneath bench and a nickel resting on top. Also, a stop after tennis back at the house to meet my wife for lunch and I walk across a penny in the parking lot. This find was also peculiar as the coin was imbeded in a wide crack in the pavement. I've most likely cross it many times, too.

So far, total found on this day is 32 cents. Maybe more tonight... going shopping for furniture.

FMJ - Total Found: $627.51
Since Blog Inception: $166.89
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 5
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $589.80

FMJ - Day 239

November 20, 2006: During an after school stop at the McDonald's on Tapo St., we found 11 cents -- a dime and a penny.

FMJ - Total Found: $627.19
Since Blog Inception: $166.57
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 9
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $589.80

FMJ - Day 238

November 19, 2006: A single quarter was found in the parking lot of the Wal-mart in Simi Valley. Spotted it between cars as we were walking back to our car.

FMJ - Total Found: $627.08
Since Blog Inception: $166.46
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 6
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $589.80

FMJ - Day 237

November 18, 2006: Total found for this day -- 14 cents. This afternoon, I played in the La Habra Open. My first round match was against one of the top players in Boy's 18 and under in southern california. Needless, to say it was a blow-out... the score -- he won 6-2, 6-1. I could barely hang on... every shot from this kid was a rocket and his serve was so fast you'd think he launched from Cape Canaveral. I'm still about 2 steps short but I do feel I'm getting better.

Coins finds: Find #1 --- a penny at King Taco on Olympic Blvd. in Commerce City. Find #2 -- a penny at the Fullerton Tennis Center where I got my butt kicked... Find #3 -- a dime and 2 pennies at the Burger King on South St. in Cerritos, CA.

Aunt Anju donated 2 shopping bags on bottles today. We picked up a few more at the courts.

FMJ - Total Found: $626.83
Since Blog Inception: $166.21
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 3
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $589.80

FMJ - Day 236

November 17, 2006: Twelve cents -- a nickel and 7 pennies. Late last night I made a stop at 7-11 on Cochran Ave. at Tapo Canyon Rd. There, I found a nickel and 2 pennies. Dinner tonight, I took the kids to Jack In The Box on L.A. Ave. We found a penny. At the Alliance Gas station down the street, we found 4 pennies.

FMJ - Total Found: $626.69
Since Blog Inception: $166.07
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 6
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $589.80

FMJ - Day 235

November 16, 2006: 3 pennies found in three finds on day 235. First find occurred outside the Jack In The Box on L.A. Ave. as I was walking to the BBQ Hut which is two shops down the street. The second was made in the front of the nondescript donut shop at the corner of Stearns and Cochran Avenues. The last find happened at the McDonald's on Tapo St. (afterschool snack with Ajay.) Where going to Santa Monica tonight... maybe more finds there.

FMJ - Total Found: $626.57
Since Blog Inception: $165.95
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 16
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $589.80

FMJ - Day 234

November 15, 2006: Total found, so far... 47 cents -- a quarter, a dime, a nickel and 7 pennies. This morning, the kids and I drove mommy down to Long Beach Airport for her 8:00 a.m. flight to Dulles Airport. At the McDonald's on Lakewood Blvd. in Long Beach, we found 37 cents... the quarter, dime and 2 pennies.

After dropping the kiddos at school at 9:40 a.m. and my tennis play at Rancho Simi Park, I made my way to the 99 Cents Only store on L.A. Ave. There I found a penny near cashier #3.

In the afternoon, the kids and I stopped for Lunch at New Panda on Cochran Ave. and found 2 pennies. A restroom stop at the Jack In the Box on Yosemite Ave. --- picked up a penny near the side door.

In the evening, we made a stop for gas at the ARCO on L.A. Ave. and found a nickel. At Topper's Pizza, we found a penny in the game room.

FMJ - Total Found: $626.54
Since Blog Inception: $165.92
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 34
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $589.80

FMJ - Day 233

November 14, 2006: Total found on day 233 -- 28 cents (2 dime and 8 pennies.) Wendy's on L.A. Ave. provided our first find of the day -- a penny. A stop for gas at the ARCO down the street and another penny was to be had. We left Biscuit at the Happy Dog Ranch the last few days... on the way to pick him up this afternoon, we made a restroom stop at the Jack In The Box on Yosemite Ave. and found the dime.

In the evening, we went to Simi Valley Towncenter Mall for California Pizza Kitchen and some pre-trip shopping. My wife is going back to D.C. for business, again. Seems we never really left D.C., between family, friends and her work... we're there every other month, or so. Anyway, the kids found 6 pennies and I found a dime in the parking lot.

FMJ - Total Found: $626.07
Since Blog Inception: $165.45
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected: 13
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $589.80

FMJ - Day 232

November 13, 2006: No money finds... we did, however, come across a couple bags of bottles at the car vacuums at the Self Serve car wash behind the Jack In The Box on L.A. Ave. -- 32 bottles total from there and 7 more were collected at the Rancho Simi tennis courts.

In the morning, I went to the recycling center in Wood Ranch to turn in our horde... $5.40 worth to add to the B&C Fund.

Total Bottles & Cans Collected: 39
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $589.80

Welcome Piggy Bank!

Just want to give a shout out to our newest club member..... Piggy Bank! You can find his blog site at: http://let-it-be-know.blogspot.com/

Good Luck.

FMJ - Days 229, 230 & 231

November 10 - 12, 2006: A single quarter was found late Thursday night while entering the Mann's movie theater at Janns Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, CA. It was spotted by my wife... she's a good contributor to the cause. She once found a quarter hiding under a fallen autumn leaf in darkened bike path tunnel. That find was almost divine.

We had a great time at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa... We did a couple's swedish massage. My wife had a facial and a honey scrub body wrap. Neat stuff... I was afraid she might start attracting bees after the honey body scrub. Saturday afternoon played at the Inn's center court... A few of the club members sat and watch our play... My wife and I have played so long together that we make tennis look easy. She's a former college player and I played professionally for 6 seasons. Needless to say, we put on a good show! Sunday evening, we drove down to Cerritos to retrieve our kiddies... They had an awesome time with their Mayma, Aunties and Uncle Joe. They spent saturday at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and sunday morning went to a street fair.

A good time was had by all.

FMJ - Total Found: $625.79
Since Blog Inception: $165.17
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected over weekend: 8
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $584.40

FMJ - Day 228

November 9, 2006: My wife and I are going to the OJAI Spa and Resort for the weekend on the company dime -- a little reward for her saving the company from a $24,000,000.00 disaster last March. Well, anyway, we'll be away for a few days.

On FMJ day 228, we found a dime. The find was made in Tommy Hamburger's on Madera Rd. I stopped in for a quick bite after dropping Biscuit at the Happy Dog Ranch.

FMJ - Total Found: $625.54
Since Blog Inception: $164.92
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected Today: 14
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $584.40

FMJ - Day 227

November 8, 2006: 3 cents found. First penny was found at the Simi Valley Post Office. The second penny was found near the door at El Pollo Loco on First St. Our third find of a penny was made while stopping for a prescription at Sav-on at the Albertson's grocery store on Madera Rd.

FMJ - Total Found: $625.44
Since Blog Inception: $164.82
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected Today: 40
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $584.40

FMJ - Day 226

November 7, 2006: Bummer, No Finds. Election day was quite a turn-around. I'm not a fan of the Dumbocrats... I voted the LIBERTARIAN PARTY SLATE! Of course, we never win. We do, however, send the message that we're not for big government or taxes... hey, someone's got to stick up for the individualist.

Bottles and Cans collected today: 4

FMJ - Day 225

November 6, 2006: 4 pennies found, all at Jack In The Box on L.A. Ave. in Simi Valley.

FMJ - Total Found: $625.41
Since Blog Inception: $164.79
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected Today: 34
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $584.40

FMJ - Day 224

November 5, 2006: Total found -- 61 cents. This morning, our USTA Moorpark #2 Doubles Team played another Moorpark #3 Team. One of our opponents played lefthanded and had a "big" serve. Thankfully, I got lots of practice with the lefty serve yesterday in my singles match. I had less problem with returning a lefty serve today... We won our match in three sets... 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Good win for us. I played with one of my buddies from Rancho Simi park. We've played many pick-up matches together... never an official team match. I think our playing styles serve each other well... maybe the team captain will let us play the next match together.

In the afternoon, we went to the Camarillo Outlets. I wanted to buy a new tennis shorts and shirts --- found some nice prices at the Nike outlet. We found 51 cents shopping the outlets -- a quarter, 2 dimes and 6 pennies.

An evening run to the Ralph's grocery store in Wood Ranch for the recycle center and to stock up on vittles... found another dime in the change counting machine's reject slot. Not a reject to me. $5.68 from the bottles and cans.

FMJ - Total Found: $625.37
Since Blog Inception: $164.75
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected Today: 12
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $584.40

Flint Canyon tournament -- Day 223

November 4, 2006: Day 223 was a tournament day for me. I played in the Flint Canyon Men's Open which was held in La Canada, CA. I got a "bye" in the first round and had to play Goleh Karapetian in the second round. I didn't know he was ranked #4 in all of Southern California in year 2000 and that he's competed in challenger and Futures ATP tournaments attaining a top 400 world ranking... Personally, I didn't play bad but I certainly couldn't handle his attacking game and pinpoint shots. I was only able to win a single game at 5-luv in the second set. In the last game, his service, I was up two break points... he quickly turned that around and won the match -- 6-0, 6-1. My analysis: I need to find a few open players to practice return of serve... the older guys I play in the park just don't serve with such authority. I believe I can return the open player's serves... I did get some good returns in this match but not a high enough percentage to put real pressure on Goleh... next time I'll be in better form and a few steps faster. I'm now down 27 lbs. since Aug. 30th and I'm seeing the results of this weight loss in my on-court footwork.

Now for money finds...

11 cents. Ajay found a penny in Santa Monica at Barney's Beanery where we had lunch with Uncle Nicky, Auntie Reshma and Grandma... It was Grandma's 75th birthday this week. In the evening after dropping Grandma in Cerritos, we stopped at the Citadel Outlets to return an Anne Taylor suit jacket... Ajay and I found a dime during another installment of our "spy game."

Uncle Joe gave us two shopping bags full of water bottles and cans.

FMJ - Total Found: $624.76
Since Blog Inception: $164.14
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected Today: 18
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $578.72

FMJ - Day 222

November 3, 2006: We found 6 cents -- all pennies. The first find happened at Del Taco on L.A. Ave. in the morning. There I found a penny near the condiments. After that, a stop at the 99 Cents Only store across the street and... a penny in and a penny on the way out. The next find was made at the vacuums at the Alliance Gas station on L.A. Ave. -- after picking up the kids from school we stopped there to wash the Jag and found 2 pennies. Topper's Pizza for dinner and our final penny find was made searching for a table. So, there you have it.

We recycled a week's worth or more of bottles and cans making $9.28 for the B&C Fund.

Administrator's note: The actual bottle we use for the "Found Money Jar" is at capacity just about and we will soon need to roll up all the coins. I recently made a bank deposit to account for it's contents upto a few days ago. I'll take a picture before we empty it. It usually sits right here next to the computer on my desk. Any suggestions for its glamour shot?

Hey, if you want to hear some good music check out the duet that Micheal Buble sings with this italian singer -- Laura Paulisini. WOW! They sing the old Lou Rawls song "You'll Never Find..."

FMJ - Total Found: $624.65
Since Blog Inception: $164.03
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected Today: 16
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $578.72

FMJ - Day 221

November 2, 2006 -- 2 pennies found while making a stop for gas at the ARCO on L.A. Ave. We have to go to LAX this evening to pick-up my wife. She left yesterday for Washington to attend her best friend's mother's funeral. Mrs. Theresa Dryden was a great lady. She raised 6 great kids who all have done well in adulthood -- Accoutants, Doctors, and a human rights activist. She was tough and sweet... I'll miss our conversations. Very wise and cultured she was...

(More to come later.)

Here's the later: At LAX, we found 3 pennies near American Airlines arrivals.

FMJ - Total Found: $624.59
Since Blog Inception: $163.97
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected Today: 8
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $569.44

FMJ - Day 220

Nov. 1, 2006 -- 3 pennies found while having the BMW washed at the Shell station on Lincoln Ave. in Santa Monica. The Beemer was really dirty. I had left it on the street near my brother-in-law's house since I bought the Jaguar. Santa Monica has street cleaning once a week and you have to move your car or suffer a huge ticket of about $50.00. Birdies and pine trees... not a good combination for a clean car. I re-parked it in a better spot. Next week, I'm taking the car to have the front seats reupholstered. My babies...

I'm posting a little early... I guess we're staying home and watching the tube... anyone for Adam Sandler in Spanglish?

FMJ - Total Found: $624.54
Since Blog Inception: $163.92
Number of Bottles and Cans Collected Today: 15
Bottles & Cans Return Fund: $569.44