Do you know, I hate using Mrs with my name.  I wonder if it is the labelling aspect of it. But I really don't care for Ms. either.  I love being married and have no problems with my husband this, my wife that but Mrs..... maybe Mrs just makes me feel old.... or reminds me of my MIL?  I don't know.  But America is a brilliant place to be able to avoid the title.  NO letters arrive addressed to Mrs Mumof4 (unless thay are bank statements from UK).  Mrs does not appear on my credit cards, cheques(US)  or even drivers license. 

When I occasionally call places in uK - from Mothercare order line to previous telephone conversations with council departments they seem to need to know my status for all of the conversation.  And it drives me mad. 

I remember a one off situation where we were at my brother in laws house and his wife ordered Chinese takeaway. She ordered the prawn fried rice etc etc and then the takeaway people obviously asked her her name ... "Mrs X' she replied... I think I had only been married a couple of years at this stage - a little longer than her but she seemed to relish in using the title in a way that I never ever do. 

Another piece of madness from me no doubt but a huge difference on US/UK culture.....

Mac turned 4 last week.  He seems more grown up all of a sudden.  He was very excited about his party at Chuck E Cheese (my idea of hell - especailly as we were wedged in at a table near a family who arrived an hour early for THEIR party and tried to 'gatecrash ours) - but he was more excited at the rides than seeing his friends really.

We got him a Shrek game (very annoying), a Thomas puzzle, the Butterfly/ Elephant game which is a big hit and a Go Diego Go cup.  Nothing too over the top. But all relating to things he is quite into

After Royal Mail lost a present at Christmas from mother in law, she now sends everything registered so it doesn't go astray.  So in Mac's registered parcel for his 4th birthday we received a Fireman Sam comic (complete with annoying blue whistle) 3 chocolate bars (fudge, choc. buttons, smarties I think), an motorised toothbrush and a box of plasters. 

Thank God that didn't get lost then.  Yes I know that sounds bitchy. 

Just been out with a few friends where there was a 5 week old baby girl - so gorgeous, so precious, so tiny.... so we were all talking birth stories etc and with 7 of us there, pretty much every experience was covered. 

One of the women was saying how she had feared where exactly her waters would break... would it be like in the movies where it gushes out in embarrassing situations?  Her South African mother in law had apparently the perfect solution.  Carry a large bottle of pickles with you at all times.  Should waters break in public, simply drop the jar and pretend the liquid is from said pickles....... "Oh, my pickles!!" can also help fool any onlookers.

I laughed so much.  I have heard some daft related birth stories in all my time but THAT!  Anyone beat it?

Wow!

I have been tagged... this never happens to me!  I always read other peoples' blogs and see the tagging thing or the awards given but I am now included.....from a nice blogger friend I met through a Canadian blogger friend who organised a real through the post book swap.  With me so far?

Anyhow, the fabulous Anglophile football fanatic sent me this.  She is very very funny and says it like it is.... go and say hello if you get chance. Oh and she has just about the best blog graphics I have ever seen....

http://anglophilefootballfanatic.blogspot.com/

So I shall do my best to fill these out.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet, current car) Digby Denali

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream, favorite cookie) Rum and raisin, hobnobs.... maybe Rum Hobs?

3. YOUR FLY “GUY/GIRL” NAME: (first initial first name, first 3 letters last name) So in blog terms I am M-Fou but in real life Slar

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Pinkdog....

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) That would be Louise Manchester.  How very Coronation Street..  Always wanted a job as a barmaid...

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters last name, first 2 letters first name) Never really got Star wars but anyway - Larst

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink and add” the”) The yellow cocoa ??? WTF?

8. NASCAR NAME: (first names of your grandfathers) Andrew Whoknows?

9. STRIPPER NAME: (favorite perfume, favorite candy) Opium Candy floss  ....Oh pleeeeease

10. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s and father’s middle names)

Janet Noname....

 So now, I am supposed to tag three people who may actually find the time or inclination to fill it in.......

Geepeemum  http://20six.co.uk/geepeemum

Midwife's Muse http://midwifemuse.wordpress.com/  (it will give her something to think about instead of itching)

and

London Southern Belle  http://londonsouthernbelle.typepad.com/

you're it......

and let me know when you are done!!!

Here's a situation to think about.  It happened to a friend of mine.

You are deputy head at a middle sized school where your own children attend.  You are divorced but the father still plays an active role in the children's lives.  There is a fundraiser at said school that you really have to attend as a member of staff.  It has a Theme - a Mexican theme.  You hear ex-husband is going to attend with his new woman,.  Oh and you were all at college together so you K N O W her - and her reputation.

The evening comes.  Name tags are issued to all the parents.  You see ex-husband and the girlfriend.  It is almost as though she has come in fancy dress, she glitters that much.  Apart from a flashing light on the top of her head, she couldn't stand out much more.  Ex-husband has also gone to town on the dressing up front complete with a fake Mexican moustache.  Mmmm.  You try to stay clear.

Then the dancing starts.  Ex-husband and glitter girl take to the floor, then take over the floor. It seems they have been taking SALSA BLOODY LESSONS in order to shine.  You stay in the kitchen as much as possible and try to keep it together.  But you secretly  hope she will shimmy on something slippy and fall flat on her face. 

I didn't know what to say to my friend at all.  It was really quite tough.  But I very much felt for her.  Very much.

So recently went to a pot luck evening..... two of the  classes from Mac's pre-school .... just the parents...each bring a dish and then a general get to know whilst eating evening.  It was quite interesting to really talk to the parents you just normally pass in the corridor on their way to drop off/pick up the kids.  There were mainly mums there and the majority of their names I have forgotten but I will at least remember them as 'Lily's mum' or 'Hugo's dad' .  There were 3 dads there - only one of whom I knew. 

So whilst we were all getting the food from the buffet table I said to two of the dads 'So whose dads are you then?'  Thinking that would be an ice breaker ...

'Sorry?' said one of them, 'Do I have a dachshund?'

YES that's JUST what I asked. 

British accents + so whose dad are you then = So do you have a dachshund.

OBVIOUSLY