SUNDAY - FUNDAY - OCTOBER 1, 2023

 SUNDAY FUNDAY - OCTOBER 1, 2023

WARM-UP

Do you realize this year is ¾ over?  And that Christmas is less than three months away?

And, time for many things to come out as “Pumpkin Spice Flavor.”  

*****

Some things I liked from friends:

I believe my house is haunted. Whenever I look in the mirror, a crazy old lady stands before me, so I can’t see my reflection!!!

Carol’s house is haunted too: “Happens at my house as well! And sometimes there’s a grumpy old man, too!

*****

Another friend shared this on her Facebook page (it is NOT her story):

“Something wonderful happened recently. My wonderful husband of 52 years, Bill, told me he wanted to marry me. As most of you reading this will know, Bill has been living with dementia for nine years. Bill has been unaware of our relationship for the past year or so and no longer knows my name.

So, when Bill told me that he ‘Really REALLY liked me and wanted to be with me forever’ - I was really touched. Bill doesn’t use many words now and finds it hard to express himself, but I got many kisses and hugs as I accepted his ‘proposal.’ It was so lovely. Another memory to treasure.

I wasn’t prepared for him to remember the next day. He wanted to know when we were getting married. This was Thursday, and I suggested Saturday.

My daughter Andrea said I needed a dress. Really? ‘Of course,’ she said. ‘How else can it be a wedding?’

So, I got a dress that afternoon, expecting to return it unworn. But Bill was still remembering on Friday, so together we bought a special cake, my cousin Lynne gave me flowers for my hair, and Eva planned and prepared a renewal of vows with a special bit for Bill, so he felt we were getting married.

The next day, with beautiful homemade bunting made by Lynne the day before, a beautiful flower arrangement made by Eva, perfect flowers from Susan for my bouquet, stunning weather all day, and our wonderful family around me, Bill and I got ‘married’ again

It was the most wonderful day. We are so blessed to be supported by family and close friends who love us and do everything they can to help Bill and me enjoy our lives together. I never dreamt we would renew our vows, but we did. And it was wonderful. Bill was wonderful. And what is even more amazing is that Bill still thinks he’s just married his new girlfriend two weeks later, which makes him very happy.

Please take from this that you can never assume that just because someone has advanced dementia with all the difficulties that presents, they can’t still surprise you in the most unlikely ways. Bill has made me very happy yet again.”

*****

Another friend shared this humor - comparing 1966 and 2023:

1966 : Long hair
2023 : Longing for hair

1966 : KEG
2023 : EKG

1966 : Acid rock
2023: Acid reflux

1966 : Moving to California because it's cool
2023 : Moving to Arizona because it's warm

1966 : Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2023 : Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor

1966 : Seeds and stems
2023 : Roughage

1966 : Hoping for a BMW
2023 : Hoping for a BM

 1966 : Going to a new, hip joint
2023 : Receiving a new hip joint

1966 : Rolling Stones
2023 : Kidney Stones

1966 : Screw the system
2023 : Upgrade the system

1966 : Disco
2023 : Costco

1966 : Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2023 : Children begging you to get their heads shaved and wear a mask

1966 : Passing the drivers' test
2023 : Passing the vision test

1966 : Whatever
2023 : Depends

 *****

Another friend posted this on Facebook:

I was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, I first noticed that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for me.

He handed me a laminated card and said: 'I'm Wasu, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk, I'd like you to read my mission statement.'

Taken aback, I read the card. It said: Wasu's Mission Statement:

To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest, and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.

This blew me away. Especially when I noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Wasu said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.'

I said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.'

Wasu smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water, and orange juice.'

Almost stuttering, I said, 'I'll take a Diet Coke'

Handing me my drink, Wasu said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have Good Housekeeping magazine, Reader’s Digest, The Bible, and a Travel + Leisure magazine.'

As they were pulling away, Wasu handed me another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play if you'd like to listen to the radio.'

And as if that weren't enough, Wasu told me he had the heater on and asked if the temperature was comfortable.

Then he advised me of the best route to my destination for that time of day. He also told me he'd be happy to chat and tell me about some of the sights or, if I preferred, to leave me with my thoughts.

'Tell me, Wasu,' I was amazed and asked him, 'Have you always served customers like this?'

Wasu smiled into the rearview mirror. 'No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. During my first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard about the power of choice one day.'

'Power of choice is that you can be a duck or an eagle.'

'If you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. Stop complaining!'

'Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'

'That hit me right,' said Wasu. He continued and said, 'It is about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I changed my attitude and became an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'

'I take it that has paid off for you,' I said.

'It sure has,' Wasu replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year, I'll quadruple it. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message.

Wasu made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.

**

It worked. Whenever I needed a ride to or from the airport, I called Wasu!!!  And, every trip has been magical.

**

Have an eagle life ahead.....

*****

WRAP-UP

Bluebonnet Philharmonic Orchestra - Sunday, October 8th at 3:00 at Pfluger Park, 515 City Park Road, Pflugerville, TX

Oktoberfest at Walburg Restaurant - Walburg - Bridge Brats, Fire Ants, and whoever - Saturday, October 21st - (the group I play with starts at 7:00 p.m.) 

Have a fantastic, awesome week!!!