Titre de Sejour - Delay Tactics

Having arrived here 5 months ago, with all my paperwork ready (I had previously been to the French Embassy in New Zealand), I naively applied for my titre de sejour at my local Maire Office. (Letters of Introduction had already been sent to Mairie by Embassy). No receipt, but am told by the Mairie all is in order. It will arrive in 6 weeks. Eight Weeks later, a telephone message saying I can pick it up. Excitedly I rush to the Mairie but just get my recipisse (receipt), and a letter reporting I must now have French Social Security. This is almost impossible, it was hard enough trying to open a bank account. However I find insurance at my EU husbands bank, the CM from Hell, (Overpriced E422 per month for 2), and off to Colmar Prefecture. Yes they say you have everything, it will be ready in 10 days. Another 10 days and an empty letter box. I ring Colmar every week, and it will always be ten days. I have now had about 6 sets of ten days. Is this a usual response. I have been trying for months to return to NZ, as my father is hospitalised, but am told if I leave, I must apply all over again. French Embassy staff member in New Zealand reports that is why she left France in the first place, blatant mis information, and extraordinary timeframes. Apart from ringing the Prefecture, is there anything else you can do, is this usual in France. Apparently all has been approved it is all away being manufactured. Is this a usual situation, because 5 months no income, is a bit rough. Anyone want to share their experiences.