My Last Name Builds Character
Whatever that means...
If you are a female and married, did you keep your last name or change?
Though I like my maiden name, I couldn't wait to change back in 1999 and I'm still happy I did. That's my man's name!
I changed to N-E-T-T-L-E-S.
Before my last name started being printed with my first at other places on-line, I kept my last name all top secret on here. Why? I don't know. It's not like I'm expecting paparazzi. Why I look out on the front lawn for big cameras and run to my car shielded underneath a dark blanket every single day, I also don't know. I can be dramatic.
You'd think that someone could see that there are two T's right in the stinkin' middle of the word, but they miss them all the time. Once when I worked at a hospital, I received a phone call. The receptionist called over the overhead speaker for everyone to hear,
"Kelley Nelly, you have a phone call. Kelley Nelly, you have a phone call."
I didn't answer it. No one is thinking my name is Kelley Nelly. If I answered that phone in front of a waiting room full of people, they'd all think, "That poor soul has the name Kelley Nelly." So, I hid inside a cabinet full of gauze and band-aids until the moment passed. Or maybe I jumped inside a sharps container? It was so long ago that I can't remember exactly.
Yesterday, someone said "Ms. Needles". NEEDLES? Needles has TWO E's, son! I've got two T's! For goodness sakes!
On mail, we often get "Nertles" and "Netless", so that's nice. Those are my favorite.
You can imagine my relief when I saw my girl, Jennifer, from Sugar Land had my same last name. I have seen her in concert twice. That girl can SANG.
One of these days, I'm going to meet her and we're going to have lots and lots of laughs over the experiences we've had with this last name that means one of the following:
Those definitions actually made me laugh out loud just now. Here are some more things I learned about nettles while writing this post (for anyone that gives a flyin' flip) from DryIt.com: they can be made into pudding, beer, and other types of food; they are high in protein and good for soups, stews and casseroles; they are great for medicine and help to stop bleeding and congestion; they can be made into tea to help relieve acne and eczema; added to chicken feed, they will increase egg production; for cows, better milk production; nettles help produce a healthier, glossier coat in animals.
What REALLY cracks me up??
In Britain, there is a National Be Nice To Nettles week in May. Ha! For real, I'm going to start a new tradition in our family where I learn to make some of those nettles dishes. I'll make banners to put in my house that say: "NATIONAL BE NICE TO NETTLES WEEK". We'll all have to be EXTRA nice to each other in our family. I'm LOVING these ideas! (Maybe I'll make some pins to wear while out and about). I just thought of them. Give me a minute to bask in my great ideas.
(A minute.)
Okay. Done. Now, what I need to know now is any stories you might have about YOUR last name. Do people always say it right? Does it mean something funny? Interesting? Historical? Does it somehow build character? Come on with the details! You know I want to hear!
If you are a female and married, did you keep your last name or change?
Though I like my maiden name, I couldn't wait to change back in 1999 and I'm still happy I did. That's my man's name!
I changed to N-E-T-T-L-E-S.
 |
| Not related to him. |
Before my last name started being printed with my first at other places on-line, I kept my last name all top secret on here. Why? I don't know. It's not like I'm expecting paparazzi. Why I look out on the front lawn for big cameras and run to my car shielded underneath a dark blanket every single day, I also don't know. I can be dramatic.
You'd think that someone could see that there are two T's right in the stinkin' middle of the word, but they miss them all the time. Once when I worked at a hospital, I received a phone call. The receptionist called over the overhead speaker for everyone to hear,
"Kelley Nelly, you have a phone call. Kelley Nelly, you have a phone call."
I didn't answer it. No one is thinking my name is Kelley Nelly. If I answered that phone in front of a waiting room full of people, they'd all think, "That poor soul has the name Kelley Nelly." So, I hid inside a cabinet full of gauze and band-aids until the moment passed. Or maybe I jumped inside a sharps container? It was so long ago that I can't remember exactly.
Yesterday, someone said "Ms. Needles". NEEDLES? Needles has TWO E's, son! I've got two T's! For goodness sakes!
On mail, we often get "Nertles" and "Netless", so that's nice. Those are my favorite.
You can imagine my relief when I saw my girl, Jennifer, from Sugar Land had my same last name. I have seen her in concert twice. That girl can SANG.
 |
| I. Love. Her. |
One of these days, I'm going to meet her and we're going to have lots and lots of laughs over the experiences we've had with this last name that means one of the following:
- (n) any plant of the genus Urtica, covered with stinging hairs.
- (n) any of various allied or similar plants.
- (v) to irritate, annoy, or provoke.
- (v) to sting as a nettle does.
 |
| Those nettles look a little naughty. |
Those definitions actually made me laugh out loud just now. Here are some more things I learned about nettles while writing this post (for anyone that gives a flyin' flip) from DryIt.com: they can be made into pudding, beer, and other types of food; they are high in protein and good for soups, stews and casseroles; they are great for medicine and help to stop bleeding and congestion; they can be made into tea to help relieve acne and eczema; added to chicken feed, they will increase egg production; for cows, better milk production; nettles help produce a healthier, glossier coat in animals.
What REALLY cracks me up??
In Britain, there is a National Be Nice To Nettles week in May. Ha! For real, I'm going to start a new tradition in our family where I learn to make some of those nettles dishes. I'll make banners to put in my house that say: "NATIONAL BE NICE TO NETTLES WEEK". We'll all have to be EXTRA nice to each other in our family. I'm LOVING these ideas! (Maybe I'll make some pins to wear while out and about). I just thought of them. Give me a minute to bask in my great ideas.
(A minute.)
Okay. Done. Now, what I need to know now is any stories you might have about YOUR last name. Do people always say it right? Does it mean something funny? Interesting? Historical? Does it somehow build character? Come on with the details! You know I want to hear!