Prim and Proper

So, there are many things I'm having to get used to here in SA.  For example, the other day some one made a comment about a dummy in Em's general direction.  The flash of "I-know-you're-not-referring-to-my-kid" dissipated somewhat when I was informed that the 'dummy' was Em's pacifier.

  Oops. 

 I also had a hard time when people kept asking me about my 'pram'.  It wasn't until someone showed me the pictures of the strollers for sale, that I understood what in the world was going on.  We've been trying to figure out the kilometers/miles conversion as we purchase our used car and I have to tell you, when someone says its 20-something degrees, my first reaction is still to laugh.  Today, however, this language barrier became a serious stumbling block.  You see, Sunday, on our way to church, I started feeling achy and tired.  I told Todd that I didn't feel well, and by the time church was done, all I wanted was the couch (the bed is up the stairs, so that wasn't happening).  Then, Em started to get fussy.  When she woke up this morning with a 100.5 degree temp, I gave her Tylenol and waited for it to work.  When after a few hours, Em was still acting abnormal and her temp hadn't really come down, I called the pediatrician.  I informed the desk clerk that we'd just moved and that they'd been recommended to us.  We then informed her that Em had never seen the doc and then continued on sharing what was going on with Em.  After I told her the temperatures, she hastily, but calmly, asked, "Ma'am, was the thermometer in centigrade or Fahrenheit?"  Yet another blunder on the road to understanding English here... although, I doubt any kid could survive a temperature the same as that of boiling water, but I could be wrong!!!   ;)  Love and miss you all!