It sure ain't Taco Bell!

Going shopping with my mom is a day trip. We love to visit the resale shops on Gratiot @ Metro Parkway. The best day to go is on Wednesday because she's old enough to get the Senior discount.

As I like to tell her, that earns her keep.

Lunch is usually at Del Taco in Roseville. Rick used to tell me about this place in Dover back in the 80s that had the biggest and best burritos he'd ever had. Much to his horror, the franchise was gone when we visited back in 2000.

Fast forward to The Big Trip. We were scouting for a clinic in Flagstaff to give my stepson his allergy shot and LOW AND BEHOLD, there was Del Taco! We pulled right in and I thought Rick was going to cry joyous tears.

It was pretty good, except I was a bit freaked out at fries being served with taco meal deals. We found 3 or 4 more on the trip and always stopped in. Then, they came to Michigan! Not to our area, but I introduced my mom to the different fast food place last year.

For our laid-back shopping trips, it's perfect. And our lunchtime entertainment is me calling Rick @ work and making him "guess" where we are. I'm in big trouble if Del Taco comes to our area!

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

Made in Michigan

Rick and I recently stopped at a fuel station called, "Beacon and Bridge." Inside, there were all kinds of signs stating, "Made in Michigan." Potato chips, pop, bread... that is a really cool idea to market our products!

Instead of just buying chew, we ended up spending another $5 on Better Made products. Hey, it's pretty neat to know that the potato was probably grown here in Michigan, too!

And, the coolest newscaster ever, Bill Bonds, whom I credit my "devil's advocate" talent, is the spokesman for Better Made.

I bet he's even Michigan-made!

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

D town

This afternoon was spent at Comerica Park watching the Tigers cream the Kansas City Royals in less than 3 hours.

Kar used the second ticket given to me by my work.

We had the BEST time! Neither of us had been to Comerica Park, neither of us had ever seen a pro baseball game. It wasn't on our to-do list, but the tickets were gifts and I figured Kar might like seeing Detroit.

Detroit positively sucked next to Chicago! The screeching and wobbling of the People Mover ride almost made her cry in fear. We walked around Greektown, but the only really worthwhile place there was the yummy Astoria pastry shop. We munched baklava while I took her for a walk thru the old Trapper's Alley, now the Greektown Casino.

Thankfully, I'd already promised Kar a trip to Mexicantown for dinner. The weather was still beautiful, the food was good and the Tigers WON!

Best of all, she and I had a wonderful time together!

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

The wonder years

Sure, the Bethany years are long over, but I still have my investigative skills.

It's almost impossible for me to be challenged online now. Homeownership, biz ownership, phone numbers, divorces, traffic tickets, foreclosures... Pretty much nothing is off my grid, thanks to the Net. I truly relish roadblocks. It's like the scene in "The Italian Job" where Charlize talks about how a few extra seconds give such a thrill.

Just for the record, I refuse to pay for info, even for a subscription to Classmates. That seems almost like cheating!

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

Christmas shopping

Seems like as soon as school starts, it's Homecoming, Christmas shopping and my favorite day of the year, Kar's BIRTHDAY!

Over the summer, I try to get in some Christmas shopping. This year, I have Rick's dad done, my Big Boss and Kar started. Rick and I have spent some big bucks already and consider those to be our gifts to each other.

He paid for our Chicago vacation this past June and I bought him "just a bow" and tree ladder in July.

This helps us keep Christmas focused on the kids and our families, instead of stressing about "what to get." December is more about baking and going to parties and appreciating our decorated indoor trees.

And if I get my favorite tree done early enough, like November, I won't leave it up for the whole next year!

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

Just don't call her an "over-achiever"

Kar is my pride and joy. It's so difficult to truly believe she will be in college full-time in less than a year.

Notice the word, FULL-TIME? That's because she's already a part-time student U of M through her high school. By the time she graduates in June, she will have 2 real college credits, plus 3 "advanced" classes, which will transfer to U of M as college credits.

Kinda sucks that she doesn't plan on attending U of M, eh?

My girl has much grander plans and is working to hard achieve them. It's exciting to watch her mature a bit more every day. Of course, she's still a kid, so not everything clicks, but she uses common sense more often than many 20-something college grads.

She recognizes the value in good grades. She appreciates the free college credits she is earning. Even if they don't count for her at the school of her choice, she knows they will still look darn good on paper!

Brown is the new black

Never would I have believed that one day, my wardrobe would be comprised of mostly black, brown and dark blue.

Until a few years ago, I only wore black for funerals.

Now, brown is really my basic black. I love brown and it actually looks good on me! Who used to wear pink every day! And baby blue and mint green!

As a manager, it's easier to look more professional in darker and neutral colors, than in baby shades. OK, so baby shades often highlight my suits. It's not a crime.

The fashion police haven't issued me a citation yet!

Setting up on Blogger

Last weekend, I visited MC to take pictures of Painted Ladies for the annual Christmas book I put together for a girlfriend. Arriving so late, I didn't really spend time in town. The light was fading much too fast.

Still, I stopped to watch a freighter go up the river and was reminded of the natural beauty of my hometown. I didn't see anyone I knew, nor did I look up any of my old school friends. It's been 20 years. Would anyone even know me now?

Maybe next year I will make more of an effort. Maybe not.