Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will have a joy in overcoming obstacles—a delight in climbing rugged paths which you would perhaps never know if you did not sometimes slip backward, if the road were always smooth and pleasant. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost. —Helen Keller.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

W is for....well....

Ordinary Lives. From a 2 z 4 u & me
Welcome to week TWENTY-THREE of my dear, dear friend Patty Wysong's From  A 2 Z 4 U and me. (can you believe it? Only three weeks to go!) We're working through the alphabet - one letter each Tuesday. No rules, other than your post has to relate to the letter of the week. Link up at Ordinary Lives and check out everyone else's post. Click on the graphic above for more details, and stop by Patty's blog  to link up.
 One of the very best days of my life was my WEDDING. Not only did I become the WIFE of a WONDERFUL, fun, giving, and special man, but I got a new name.

That name? SHER. In case you're curious, it's pronounced like "sure" - as in "Sure, WHY not?" Some people think it's funny for just that reason. I suppose it won't be too hard for folks to find a way to make fun of it.

When I'm asked to spell my last name, nine times out of ten, I get to the end and folks are waiting for "the rest" of it. You know: Sherman? Sherwood?
Wiener Dog Hot Dog Pictures, Images and Photos
But, do you know WHAT? I WON'T ever complain about it. WHY? Because the last name I traded in on May 29, 1994 was, in a word, WORSE. Much WORSE.

You think "Raise Your Hand if You're Sure" is embarrassing? Try having kids sing a certain commercial jingle to you as you WALK by. Try having your surname be an..um..unmentionable part of the male anatomy.
WienerMobile Pictures, Images and Photos
Try teaching - middle schoolers  - WITH this WINNER of a last name. (Yeah, I feel sorry for my brother, his wife, AND his precious children. But they're more self-confident than I am anyway.)

Of course, I could always have folks pronounce it another WAY. It DOES allow for another "sounding out." But even that implies I'm an annoying complainer.

Thankfully, it's no longer an issue WITH me. It's in my history. I WON'T be using my maiden name unless I need to (it WILL certainly NOT be my pennname). Sher sure is fine with me.

WELL - are you WISE enough to figure out WHAT my last name WAS? If not, keep WONDERING: and check out my graphic "hints." And if you don't care? WHATEVA!

**

Now THAT was a fun post to write! I'm sure the others will bless you as well. Be sure to stop by Ordinary Lives for more "W" posts.


Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

9 friends shared:

Barbara Lynn Culler said...

Oh this is just too funny! Thanks for the chuckle first thing in the morning!

Rita Garcia said...

Delight post! I grew up with the last name Ruth, so yep I was really happy to trade it.

Actually, I had a professor in college named Dr. Wiener. Never thought about it having other implications, of course the kids in grade school--I'm sure that's a whole different subject.

Diana Lesire Brandmeyer said...

I feel your pain! I never liked my maiden name either--Fuller --at the time there were Fuller Brush Salesmen and people called me that. I'm much happier with my two other names from my first now deceased husband and my NOW husband.
Diana
www.pencildancer.com

Melissa Henson said...

I laughed out loud because growing up I heard the song, "My bologna has a first name, it's Oscar..." all the time!! My maiden name is Meyer but kids never cared that the spelling was different. What a hoot!! Loved the post!

Diana Dart said...

That WAS fun!! And (surprisingly) I caught onto your hints. Did you dance along to the song, or just growl in protest? I like Sher - succinct and straightforward.

Patty Wysong said...

LoL--I like Sher so much better, too. ;-)

Laury said...

Do you know I've been pronouncing your last name wrong this whole time? This is hilarious. This has been most enlightening, Jo:) I've been pronouncing it Share. Hmmmm...Well duh:) lol. <3

Niki Turner said...

*giggle* No, my dear, I cannot imagine being a teacher and having your maiden name! But Sher never seemed odd to me!

Shelley Ledfors said...

What a fun post! Thanks for the giggle. And I'm with Laurie--when I "said" your last name to myself I pronounced it as "share".

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