“How did you come up with the name Mrs. Odie? Strictly based on the cartoon strip? And if you’re Mrs. Odie, how come your husband is Odie instead of “Mr.” Odie?”
Thank you, Michael, for the question.
My husband is one of those people who can’t call anyone by his real name. It’s probably a remnant of his frat boy days (daze?). The first time I scrolled through the contacts on his phone, I felt like I was playing a game of “Clue.”
Sunshine? Candy? I prepared to have the conversation with him about “No more strippers” now that we’re engaged. It turns out that Sunshine comes from “Mr. Sunshine” which is an ironic name they gave to their sardonic friend who can find a dark cloud for any silver lining (not surprisingly, the friend of my husband’s I get along with best). The other is a moniker for rotund funny guy who reminded the brothers of the late, great John Candy. They tried “J.C.”, but everyone kept thinking that meant Jesus Christ.
Odie the Dog (shortened to Odie) got his name for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that he will chase absolutely anything a person throws, preferably a Frisbee. I had to laugh the first time we took Viva to the park at six weeks old and Odie packed a bag with a Frisbee, a football, and a soccer ball. I have chosen to remain ignorant about “The Dog” and all of its connotations for a college man.
As for “Mrs. Odie”, it was a quick decision when I wanted to start the blog, but wouldn’t allow myself to spend weeks procrastinating because I couldn’t think of a title. I meant to change it to something better, but then I got a little following and it became like my former therapist who still practices under her married name even though she’s been divorced 25 years and is remarried. Once she established herself under her husband’s name, she was stuck.
Sunshine’s wife, Mrs. Sunshine, invited us to an auction for her company and her parents were there. Her father was in a wheelchair as the result of a drug therapy that left him weak. His wife leaned over to his ear and said, “This is Odie’s wife. Mrs. Odie.” That then became my playful nickname. Which was frankly a relief because I was sick of “Bummer Girl.”
As for why I’m “Mrs. Odie” and he’s not “Mr. Odie” it’s the same reason that Bruce Willis in Die Hard is just “MacLean” and no one calls Bond “Mr. Bond.” It’s not The Great Mr. Gatsby, or even “Jay.” It’s Gatsby. So, by that same token, I’m Mrs. Odie, and he’s just Odie.
The Friendly Pedant by Mrs. Odie 
You know that you’ve been the subject of speculation on FB about your REAL identity, right? I’m kind of jealous of your mystique, actually.
That kind of freaks me out! Trust me, I’m nobody. Okay, you got me. I’m Kelle Hampton! Just kidding. I’m BRETT Hampton.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!!
Maybe Papa? LOL
Finally! I was waiting for this moment.
In the ealier stages of Mrs. Odie formally Mrs. Odie 2’s blog there was one picture maybe of her….I can’t recall it to memory but she most definitly isn’t the magestic unicorn sparkle shitting Kelle Hampton…nor her father….. lol thank god. I think the world only can take one of her and him.
I love Mrs. Odie, adore her writing and especially the way she handles her children with humor and love.
Thanks! And you reminded me of something important. I am still “Mrs. Odie 2” because I am my husband’s second wife.
Initially, I thought, WTF… what kind of nickname is THAT? And then I remembered that MY nickname (self-chosen) is also a derivative of my husband’s nicknames. *sigh* How did that happen??? *sigh*
“So we meet again, MR Bond”. No point to this comment really, but Bond is called mr. By the villain, that’s true, but still…
True. Bond was probably a bad example. I have never seen a “Bond” movie. Here is a short list of characters known by one name:
Reece (Terminator)
Ripley (Alien)
Mulder and Scully (The X-Files)
House (House, M.D.)
Kramer (Seinfeld)
Vaughn (Alias)
Smithers (The Simpsons)
MacGeyver
It’s a throwback to a time when first names were reserved for very close, intimate friends, and sometimes even wives called their husbands Mr. Beckam, rather than David. Or, Becks, as I prefer.
All villains, feel free to call my husband “Mr. Odie.” I don’t object.
I’ve come to the “end” of your blog. I admit I found you via search, “Kelle Hampton hate.” I didn’t get hooked because of that, I got hooked because of, “Toxic Best Friend,” I wanted more about that story. I ended up reading your entire blog, and I found that I could relate to it. I have two young daughters, I’m married, I follow Dooce and Kelle Hampton (and they both annoy me). Is there a novel coming? I’m am a follower not because of annoying KH or HA (although it’s fun to read, and misery loves company), I’m a follower because I like good reading, and this is good reading. I am looking forward to more posts!
Thank you so much! I know that’s the route many people end up here, and I’m glad you found more to stick around for. Just last night I was talking about my blog with some people who don’t read it, explaining the “I Hate Kelle Hampton” phenomenon, wherein a well-meaning aquaintance wondered, “Why would you write about hating someone? Shouldn’t we all support each other?” My official story is she “slipped and fell” and that’s all I have to say about that.
I found you via GOMI. More often than not I was entertained by your comments. However what finally convinced me to visit was the many regular GOMIers commenting you were a SOMI! I didn’t stand a chance after that 🙂 and they were right. Definitely a SOMI.
Thanks! I do so enjoy the GOMI forums. Lots of good writers there. Thanks for coming over!