I had a pretty boring day today. The most excitement I had was when Conrad and I were treated to what sounded like a herd of elephants pounding across the roof. Turns out there were men doing work on the roof all day, but they were right over my head and hammering, dragging heavy stuff, and walking heavily. Thank goodness they didn’t start until after 10:00am, because I wouldn’t want to be woken up that way!
I wanted to get out of the apartment, but I didn’t want to leave Conrad, because I could see the noise was scaring him, so I did stuff around the apartment, packed a few boxes, and waited for it to subside. By noon it had quieted down substantially, so I put in two loads of laundry and ran some errands.
I had found three old cameras, which I am giving to my niece Ashley when I get back to NY. She’s really into photography, and even though they’re just “vintage” and not “antique” she’s interestd in them anyway! One is the MINOLTA my parents gave us as an engagement gift, so it’s 26 years old. Another is an old VIVITAR, and the third is my first digital camera – an OLYMPUS, which I used up until we got to San Diego. It’s pretty much an antique (I got it in 2003) and there was something wrong with the battery, but other than that it works fine!
In the MINOLTA was a roll of film that was partially used. I rolled it up and brought it to CVS to see what’s on it. I know I haven’t taken pictures with that camera for years so, if the film is even good, I have NO idea what might be on there. It’s exciting! I'll pick up the pictures tomorrow!
I also brought all my loose change to CVS to get another Starbucks card. I knew I didn’t have as much as last time, but I figured I might as well use it now. When I asked for a Starbucks card the machine said there was a $4.00 minimum. I wasn’t even sure I had $4, because I didn’t use quarters – it was only dimes, nickels, and pennies. Turns out it was $6.04, which made me very happy!
I left CVS and went to Starbucks before heading back home to throw my wash in the dryer. I had washed a lot of rags and drop cloths, because I have been doing so much cleaning and spackling.
I have one of those storage cases with lots of little drawers for sewing supplies, or nuts and bolts, etc. I use it for my loose craft jewels. I was packing it in a box and needed rubberbands to hold the drawers closed. I used up the few I had and then in my kitchen junk drawer I found some thin string wrapped around a brown piece of paper. I have no idea where I got it from, but I always have odds and ends like that around, which were probably in a tin of sewing stuff I picked up for $1 at an estate sale.
I unwound all the string around the drawers and it was nice and tight and I knew the drawers wouldn’t open in shipping. I used up all the string and was about to throw the piece of paper in the recycling bin, but I opened it and saw it was an old envelope. I put on my reading glasses and saw that it was from the U.S. Treasury Department. There were two addresses. One was printed on the envelope:
DIVISION OF DISBURSEMENT
Washington 26, D.C.
Return If Not Delivered As Indicated Below
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Hand-stamped next to that was another address:
DIVISION OF DISBURSEMENT
7th FL, 341 Ninth Avenue
NEW YORK 1, N.Y.
The postmark says, New York, N.Y.
February 10th, 9:30pm, 1945
I was instantly interested. I couldn’t believe how perfect this envelope was. Except for the creases (it was folded several times and the string was wrapped around it) it looked as if it was mailed yesterday! I could not believe that envelope was mailed 64 years ago! I guess the string's probably been around it for almost as long!
Inside the envelope were two small pieces of paper. One said:
TO THE PAYEE OF THE ENCLOSED CHECK:
The enclosed check represents a refund of income tax by you during 1943 (by withholding from wages, or otherwise) which is in excess of the amount due as shown on your return. The mathematical computation of your tax has been verified and corrected, if necessary, but your return has not yet been completely audited. If the final audit of your return develops that an adjustment is necessary, you will be advised.
Collector of Internal Revenue
The other had a picture of a $100 War Savings Bond Series E with the words “LET IT RIDE” in red.
On the back it says:
Why not let this money ride?
AGAINST THE AXIS – This Income Tax Refund check represents Fighting Dollars working to win the war. Keep them fighting.
AGAINST HIGH PRICES – Every dollar invested in War Bonds helps keep prices down.
FOR YOUR FUTURE – Put this money to work in War Bonds for your own security and a better life after the war.
LET IT RIDE! Take this check, plus what little more it may require, to any place where War Bonds are sold and put it into Bonds. Keep these dollars fighting.
WOW! I couldn’t believe it. I love old stuff (as you all know) and I thought this was very cool. I wonder why they don’t sell War Bonds anymore. I know they were pretty popular during WW II.
Anyway, I thought you’d all be interested to see pictures and hear of my interesting discovery!
In the late afternoon I took a nap and my Mom woke me up at 7:30pm. She, too, is very excited about my imminent return to the East Coast. She knows it will mean I can visit her and my Dad a lot more often, which of course is a great thing!
I recorded HEROES and DANCING WITH THE STARS, but I was working in the other rooms, packing, organizing, and cleaning. At 10:30pm I watched MEDIUM. Did I ever mention how much I love that show? It’s really exciting and I love that psychic stuff!
I want to try to get to bed early (but you know how that’s been going). I have a big day tomorrow: Lunch with three girls from the office (Ailien (pronounced Eileen), Nancy and Judy), then a haircut by John at 3:00pm and yoga at 7:00pm. I won’t get much packing done, but – hey – there’s always Wednesday!