It's not "Supercalifragilistic - expialidocious"

It's so annoying to constantly see my name misspelled.

Shelia, Shiela, Shela, Shelah

Of course, growing up, it was even more special when my LAST name wasn't right, also.

Colburn, Colbarn, Cobourne

My married name isn't much better, but at least there is a well-known product that I usually throw in, which helps keep it from being completely slaughtered.

Because of this, I am very much in tune with remembering names correctly. Not only does it keep me from looking like a complete moron -- I prefer to come across as nice AND smart -- but keeps others from feeling slighted.

It's not a respect issue until the other person knows better, but refuses to change.

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

Everybody loves a wedding

Last weekend, I attended the wedding of a gal who works for me.

A whole group of us went together. Some, like me, were married. Others weren't. In fact, several had NEVER been married!

Weddings are so much fun. Us ol' married gals shared our fairy tales weddings. I was the only woman who said the whole shindig was more for my husband and his family, than for me. My friends stared in silence when I admitted to handing most of the control over to my inlaws. To them, THIS was my husband's first REAL marriage.

"But that's supposed to be THE BRIDE'S DAY!"

Nope, I wasn't Bridezilla. My inlaws chose the delicious food, the pretty decorations, the DJ, the photographer, even the ceremony time. I helped put together the bouquets and boutinnerres designed by my sister-in-law. A few days before, I showed up with my maid of honor and bridesmaid. It was pretty laid-back.

Still, I had my fairy tale day. While decorating the hall and going thru the rehearsal, two inches of snow blanketed the ground. Less than 12 hours later, the sunny day was fast approaching 70 degrees. How great was that?!!?

It was a lovely ceremony, a kickin' reception and the perfect start to a great marriage!
The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

Where are you now?

Not very often am I recognized when I visit my parents. When I am, it is a bit unnerving.

How do you politely say, "Geez, I didn't realize it was you because I never even think of you"? Especially when that person was a friend who showed their true colors otherwise?

Not very often will I directly answer the question, "So, where do you live now?"

It's not a big secret, but hey, if I wanted him/her to know, they wouldn't have to ask, right? Of course, this is a bit snarky, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to find me.

Although, it takes some real brain cells to actually know how to get to my home!
The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

Girl friends

Everything I wasn't in high school, I am now at work.

Popular? Check.
Pretty? Check.
Smart? Check.
A really good friend? Check, check, check!

There are a group of us that hang out regularly, going to dinner or attending functions together. Rarely do any interact without me though. Everyone looks to me to coordinate the "girls night out," dinner dates, Christmas exchange, etc.

Most people realize that when they tell me something, I keep it in my confidences. It's not going anywhere. It won't become gossip or held against them. Everyone has petty grievances occassionally, and I am their sounding board. When everything is fine the next day, I'm thrilled.

And our next girls night out will be Brat Pack movie night. With all of the unmarried gals, "true love" can again be seen in "16 candles" and "Pretty in Pink." Did any 80s girl NOT fall in love with Michael Schoeffling?

Seriously, how can anyone appreciate our true ecclectic friendships having never watched "The Breakfast Club"?

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

What's for dinner?

Let me admit that I have a wonderful husband. When it's been a long day, he's fine if I come home with a sack of coney dogs or McChickens.

Every week, he cooks dinner at least once. Usually, it's breakfast for dinner (since I rarely eat Sunday breakfast.) Or thick, juicy T-bones and fried potatoes.

Even Kar gets in on the cooking act. At least once each week, she is also responsible for dinner. Generally, she makes sloppy joes, baked s'ghetti or tacos. It's nothing fancy, but she can hold her own. The kid has learned to appreciate the ease of a slow-cooker/crockpot.

Rick is an awesome baker. Right this minute, I'm eating hot, homemade, slathered-with-butter bread. It's not uncommon for my husband to bake an apple pie from scratch, including the crust. Personally, I prefer his baked apple crisp, but it's all delish!

And when Rick goes out of town, Kar and I fend for ourselves. Typically, that means rice or noodles or breakfast cereal for dinner. We rarely partake of meat, unless a pepperoni pizza counts. Instead, we eat lots of fresh carrots and grapes and apples and bananas and broccoli.

Or a sack of McDonalds chicken wraps!

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

The Million Dollar House of MC

I realize this is an inside Marine City joke, but it's been going on for months now? A cool mill? Is Jimmy Hoffa buried there?

That aside, it's no wonder people are losing their homes left and right....

I'm looking at some Marine City SEVs on the St. Clair County site and comparing it to the current FOR SALE price over on Realtor.com.

Invariably, the sale prices exceed, by THOUSANDS, the doubled SEV, which is standard for most financial institutions.

Do these owners REALLY believe they will get that inflated price?

Every day, I get calls from people who DESPERATELY NEED to refi. I feel so badly for those who are in their 60s and 70s and need to take out a 30-year mortgage. Or worse, they have already tapped out their equity and we can't touch them with a 10-foot pole.

I hear from couples on the brink of foreclosure. They bought the house based on 2 incomes, but kids came along and they went down to 1 income or spend the 2nd on childcare and diapers and baby food.

It makes me so glad we never went the "more kids" route.

When we moved into our then-new house, we automatically had equity. A few years later, we refi'd and took out a small home equity loan to build our pole barn. That structure actually added DOUBLE the equity loan to our home's value!

And we are done using our house. I want to have it paid off in 10 years, so it won't do to owe even more!

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

"God's justice be done" *

Score one for the Macomb County Sheriff's Internet Dept. He will never walk the streets again. He will never claim to be rehabilitated.

He will never make another child a victim again. Because somewhere, there are other victims. Possibly from his youth group?

My sympathies for him top out at NIL.

* "The Three Musketeers"

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

Walkin' da hood

Nearly every day, and sometimes twice per day, Nik and I go for a walk.

That dog would rather go for a walk than eat a steak! Literally, I can hold up his leash and NOTHING else matters. It's a huge reason why I love him...he can keep up with me.

We see lots of dogs on our 2-mile jaunt. Only "The Puppies" are well-behaved behind their fence. Other dogs, including 2 chocolate labs, are kept behind link or invisible fences or just tied up. These dogs are barkers and VERY territorial. Very scary for such a small town.

Nik and I are convinced they are jealous of him and his "freedom." He gets out of his yard and his "master" spends time with him. Happily!

Nik is just a damn good dog. He isn't flustered by other dogs walking down our street. He doesn't leave our yard.

Then again, he isn't tethered and made to feel responsible for our security. That's not his job.

His job, really, is be my best friend and he does it well. The walks, well, they are just the icing on the cake!

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

The value of a good education

In this day and age, it's hard to believe kids are still dropping out of high school.

Honestly, where do they think they will be in 5 years, 10 years? Even immediately, what are they going to do?

A few decades ago, a diploma wasn't necessary, nor was a college degree. My oldest brother quit HS in his junior year and already had a mechanic job lined up. He was dyslexic and this was way before the schools really cared about kids with the condition. He was labeled dumb and lazy, but had a natural knack for cars.

In high school, I dated an older guy who had quit when he was 16, also. He actually lied to me for months that he had a GED because he didn't want me to think he was dumb. Lucky for him, his uncle had a biz and gave him a job.

It just astounds me when Kar tells me, "____ dropped out of school."

Are they NUTS? Heck, even McDonalds wants high school graduates! Most places with any type of future want at least an Associates degree. College dropouts are often viewed by HR depts as less than desirable. No commitment.

Kar is NHS. This is her last year of high school, she's a senior. We have ALWAYS preached the importance of good grades, advanced classes and enjoyable activities. We have encouraged her that college is a good choice for her. What she does is up to her, but it will be much easier if she has a good academic foundation. Thankfully, she loves school and its challenges. Sure doesn't hurt that she is just a damn good kid!

Where will she be in life in 5 or 10 years? We don't know, but we hope it's exactly where SHE wants!
The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

This is me

Not very much comes up about my past.

That's why it is so funny when I am accused of not understanding being a single mother. Or the trauma of a terrible relationship. Or being alone.

Because I don't use my past as an easy crutch or immediate excuse, many people assume that my life has always been so charmed.

Nothing matters so much as who I am now, and that I'm the best person I can be. What got me here doesn't need to be made public information and be up for interpretation.

It's more than luck to have had the brains and heart to get here.
The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

What to wear

Mango, tangerine, raspberry, grape, banana.

These aren't a new Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavor, these are the Crayolas of my professional wardrobe!

The colors pop when worn with black or grey or brown. And so do other shades, like mint, french vanilla, aqua and cherry.

Sure, I love wearing my blazers and suits. They are my work dress code and I wear them well. At home, it's all about the girly shoes! And spikey boots!

Outside of work, life is very casual. My favorite ensembles are cargo shorts with a dressy Tshirt or my Levis, tank and long sweater. No flipflops for me, just a pair of white sneakers, please! Gotta walk the dog!

And forget the makeup. Nada, 24/7. Unless, of course, cherry Chapstick counts as facepaint.
The Last of Sheila (Coburn)

My favorite day

Today is my favorite day of the year.

It's Kar's birthday!

The stories of her arrival start the night before. At various times throughout the day, I will tell her what was happening the date of her birth.

She knows what time I went into labor. She knows what time she made her grand entrance. She knows the last meal I ate before she came into this world and officially made me a mother. She knows that *I* chose her name; I knew (in my gut) she was a girl; she knows she made me a much better person. Without her, my life wouldn't be enchanted and beautiful.

It's so very important that Kar knows how loved she has always been. No matter what, she came into a house full of love for her. And she lives in a house full of love for her.

One of my favorite questions to ask parents is, "what is your favorite day?" Much too often I hear, Christmas or Valentine's Day.

That's exactly what Kar's birthday is to me: the most pure love for a precious, little baby. MY BABY!

The Last of Sheila (Coburn)