Hello!
Glad you’re here!!!
The name is Sheila. My dad named me after that oldie’s song “Sweet Little Sheila” by Tommy Roe. My mom wanted to name me Stephanie, but my dad won the name game.
If I’m being honest, I can’t stand my name, and last year, a friend of mine took out the I and A and started calling me “Shel”. I loved that, and that’s what I go by now. That – and many still call me “Cookie” and know me by that. I earned that cute nickname in high school because everyone kept saying how sweet I am.
They lied. Don’t listen to them. I’m not sweet at all. (Kidding! Kidding!).
I’m currently 43, and when people look at me – they think I’m lying. True story.
They don’t believe me, and when I tell them my oldest child would have been 25, they look at me even crazier and tell me I do NOT look old enough to have a kid that age. All true though.
I used to feel some kind of way about turning 40+ – but these days, I take every birthday and every year older as a blessing, because I know not everyone gets the beautiful opportunity to see 40 and beyond. So, I know I’m blessed. 💕 Hell, I have gotten some silver hairs now, and I don’t even care about dying them to hide them anymore. Plus, my youngest daughter thinks my half black – some silver / gray hairs – look pretty cool together. lol. 😶😁
I’m a mom of 4.
Yes, my oldest would have been 25, but unfortunately, she passed in a car accident with her girlfriend on Thanksgiving night 2021. Sometimes I do still cry over it, but for the most part – as years have passed – my other kids and I – can laugh about all the funny and goofy memories my oldest child left behind. Tiffanie “Jordan” was really a fun young adult with the heart of a child – who couldn’t pass the toy isle without pressing buttons or playing, and who loved to laugh. I miss that kid, but the memories left behind are amazing.
That’s what keeps me going.
My other kiddos are growing so fast, and I’ve learned that life slows down for nobody.
My son (Frankie) is 22. My daughter (Kailani) is 17 and about to graduate high school in a few months, and my son (Elijah) is 9 in a few days.
I’ve thought about adopting when my kids get a little older – because I have so much love to give, and every kid in the foster care system deserves a family, so why not?! It’s been a thought on my mind and a smile in my heart for a long time now. I tried to adopt many years ago – but that didn’t work out, (due to room sizes … which is so stupid!) – and I think it’s almost time to try again once I buy a house.
My older kids think it’s a great idea to add a child to our family, but my little guy is such a mama’s boy and the thought of sharing my love with someone he doesn’t know – doesn’t sit right with him. He likes our little family the way it is, which is one reason I want to wait until he’s a little older, more mature and understands my thought process.
Besides that, I’m originally from Chicago – born and raised.
We moved to Minnesota in 2020 because – (and I say this in funny and annoying voice if you can picture it) – “The stars are so pretty in the sky at night when it’s dark and there’s no city lights”, and “the pine trees smell so pretty”, and “there’s so many beautiful lakes and wooded areas”. We always said we were going to live here one day – every time we visited, and now we wonder what the heck we were thinking back then.
We don’t “hate it”, but we don’t really love it, either.
We miss home.
We miss what we’re used to and what / who we left behind.
Most of all – we miss the variety of stores and amazing food places that we just don’t have here in Minnesota.
We’re not crazy about driving miles and miles to get everywhere or to work.
We’re not crazy about the fact that everyone knows everyone and gossips about everyone. Nobody minds their own business here, and we learned that quickly. I say that with humor, but it’s the absolute truth. If you’re doing something or did something – the entire town is going to know about it, so you have to be careful here.
We keep to ourselves for that reason and mind our own business.
Life in Minnesota is totally different than Chicago, and I honestly can’t say we’ve gotten used to it, but I can honestly say that I’ve met some great people here that I hope to keep in my life forever – no matter where I am.
I am currently looking into buying a house in Wisconsin next year when my youngest daughter graduates’ high school, and I just started working with a new agent to see if I can make that happen. Then again – my youngest daughter would like to attend the University of Michigan – so that could be an optional move as well. Wherever the good Lord takes us – I know we’ll be just fine, and I look forward to new beginnings.
💕
Other than that, I have been in the medical field for nine years doing different things but mainly working with Alzheimer’s / Dementia and behavioral patients. I have loved every minute of it, worked with some great people and met a lot of patients that will forever have a place in my heart, but – the medical field can drain you, so I decided in 2021 – to do something I’ve always wanted to do.
Go back to college for my degrees in Criminal Justice. 📚
In 2023, I graduated with my associate degree, and just recently back in August – I graduated with my BA degree.
My heart is set on becoming a Juvenile probation officer because when I was 15 – I had one.
I got myself into some trouble and caught a pretty serious case, ending up on probation as a teenager. My probation officer was short and little, but she was one tough woman and didn’t let me get away with much. Still, no matter how many times she had to violate my probation and drag me back into the courtroom, she always asked the judge for alternative solutions – instead of asking to have me locked up.
When my year-long probation was over, I asked her why she never had me locked up, and her reply was:
“I know the really bad kids when I see them, and I know who needs to be locked up and who doesn’t. I also know the ones who are really good kids out here just doing really bad things – that need some extra love and guidance, and you’re one of the really good ones! I believe in you, and I have since the day I met you and heard how intelligent you are, so prove me right!”.
Ever since that day, I’ve wanted to be like her and help kids that are just like I was back then – change their lives for the better. I want the troubled kids and youth out there – to know there’s someone who believes in them, and I’ll do whatever it takes to save their lives – like my probation officer and a few police officers back then – saved mine. ❤️
Even if I don’t get into Juvenile probation, I’d love to just help people change their lives and help them see that they matter and someone does care about them.
I left the medical field to earn my degrees, and when I finished my BA degree, I started my work in Criminal justice – at a youth group home. I was taking juveniles to court for their cases, speaking up on their behalf, lecturing them the way I was lectured when I was younger and just trying to knock some sense into their heads – and I loved it. Sadly, it was way too far to continue to travel back and forth – especially during the crazy winter months – and I had to find something else.
I absolutely would have loved to continue there if it were closer to where I live.
Currently – I work in an awesome facility that houses those who have been homeless, and struggle with drug / alcohol addiction.
I have the best co-workers, and I adore all the clients we work with. They make me laugh daily, and there’s always something wild or new going on there – that keeps us on our toes. I enjoy helping them, and for the most part – a lot of our clients are respectful, funny, sweet and goofy – in a good way.
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I’m also working on a few books I want to have out by next year, and I’ve been trying to write these forever now, but I just want them to be really good.
My older son keeps telling me I’m probably sitting on a few “New York Times best sellers”, but I’ll never know because I won’t get started, and he’s right. So, next year – I plan to just work my ass off on getting these books going and getting them out there.
God put the love for writing in my heart and if I don’t do anything with them – I consider it wasted talent.
What else can I tell you?!
I’m an auntie. 😁
I have two nephews currently who I adore.
My nephew Timothy Jose (T.J.) and my nephew Matthew.
I absolutely love when they see me, smile so big and yell, “Auntie!”. I hate being so far away from them, but hopefully – I get to see them again soon. My brother has those children with his ex-wife, and we just found out months ago – that he and his ex-girlfriend are expecting. While I wasn’t excited about it because I knew they weren’t ready for a child, I will always be a part of my new nieces or nephews’ life – and he or she will know Auntie – just like my nephews do.
My parents are both gone.
My dad passed in 2023, and my mom passed right before Thanksgiving 2024.
I have one younger brother, and when people see us together, they always think he’s older, so I now call him my “Little big bro!”. He’s someone I’ve had some of my favorite and best memories with. Some of my craziest and funniest memories with. He can drive me totally crazy and piss me off to no end sometimes – but he’s someone I hold close to my heart – no matter what goofy things he does in his own life that I question.
My favorite colors are Yellow and Purple.
My favorite flowers are Orchids, Lilacs (because they remind me of my Grandma Ann), and Yellow / White roses.
My favorite foods are Chicken Alfredo and Hawaiian Pizza. (Yes, Pineapple absolutely goes on Pizza!). ha.
I love to read and can easily get through a good book in just a few days. I’m mostly into reading non-fiction, and learning about new things, but if it’s a good fiction book and I get past the first few chapters – I’ll try to keep going.
I have tons of favorite movies: Bronx tale, Casino, Goodfellas, The Wedding planner, The Back-up plan, and Enough – (all three with Jennifer Lopez). Brown Sugar is one of my ultimate favorites with Sanaa Lathen and Taye Diggs, Love and Basketball with Sanaa Lathen and Omar Epps, The Blind Side is a great movie as well.
Coach Carter, Dangerous Minds, Set it Off – with the amazing and talented Queen Latifah and others, Mad Money with the beautiful Diane Keaton (Rest in paradise), Most of the Tyler Perry (Madea) movies, The Perfect guy – with the beautiful Gabrielle Union and the oh-so-sexy Michael Ealy, Think like a man 1 and 2, Grownups 1 and 2, and so many other movies.
I’d be here all day, but those are just a few of my very favorites!
Pick a movie or two and give them a try on different days. Let me know what you think! 😊
Music – I listen to everything and anything.
I love and grew-up listening to Hip hop, Chicago house / Juke music, old school rap (when you could actually understand lyrics and they had meaning to them), Freestyle, oldies, 1940s – 1970’s music that my grandparents listened to, old school country music, alternative, rock, Jazz, and so many other genres. I love them all.
When I’m trying to relax or sleep – I’ll listen to classical music and different composers, or piano music. I think the only think I can’t stand – is hardcore heavy metal.
There’s not a whole lot of other things I can sit here and tell you, and I think I made this long enough, so if I missed anything and you’re curious, feel free to ask.
❤️XOXO. Shel❤️
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