Raisin Toast

Take Control of Your Identity - Before Someone Else Does

In other words - learn from my mistakes.  As of last week, I had my identity stolen, and some Blast-turd hacked into my PayPal account and then my bank account and tried to convert 5 transactions totalling 1845 dollars into cash.  Wrong.  "We don't have any money, dude - and you messed with the wrong person.  I hope you fry in hell and justice finds its way to your back door.  And, if you haven't heard before now - Stealing another person's identity for any reason is a Federal Crime!!! You Fool!"  What a mess it made of our life just after Thanksgiving too.  As if we don't have enough issues right now, having to deal with understanding identity theft wasn't exactly on my list of priorities - until now.

Continue Reading in Fessin Up ...

Blonde & Blue - Moving Forward

Many of you have asked how Alison is doing and it was time for me to give you a Blonde & Blue update on my dear friend, Alison.  The move was long and exhausting, but it was the best move she has made.  Alison is with family - us - and although we have been "friends" for 34 years, I feel like she is family.  I believe that when you treat your friends like family, and your family like friends - well, you can't go wrong ...

Continue Reading in Family ...

Sometimes Life Happens in Threes

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had with family and friends.  It has been a perfect holiday weekend. Well, almost.  I'll get to that in a moment.  My Big Bear cooked the entire Thanksgiving meal, and created a fabulous dinner for all.  It wasn't like I was sitting around, though, eating bon bons.  I don't want you to think that!  Nope, I was cleaning the house and preparing for our guests to arrive...

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Roaster Winner - oops, I mean "Winners!"

Congratulations to my "Winner!"  Oh, I mean "Winners!"

Continue Reading in What's Cookin' ...

One-Bite Tomato & Mozzarella Skewers and a Holiday Contest for You!

Not only do I have this wonderful recipe from my dear friend Beth, but I have a super-duper surprise for all my readers at the end of this post.  If you are having guests for the holidays, these skewers are perfect for entertaining and keeping your family and friends happy while watching the football game and waiting for that delicious Thanksgiving meal.  So! - check out this recipe and then tell me something special about your holiday for a chance to win ... uh ... I'll tell ya in a minute.

Continue Reading in What's Cookin ...

Ramblings of a Bluebird

By Bill Simms (the other brother)
Warning: This post is not for children's eyes!

Alrighty folks, I may have written a nice story about my brother, Mike, and yes, I have another interesting brother too - Bill, who also lives in Florida (at the moment) because he, too, like my Big Bear, lost his job as a commercial mortgage broker (or whatever the heck he does) and needs a job.  And yes Bill, I'm gettin' around to writing a delightful post about you too, but I believe in the old adage "age before beauty" which might explain why I wrote about Mike before you.  Don't take it personally ...

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The Curious Bluebird - and a Contest too!

CONGRATULATIONS to Kay L. who wrote: "

"How about "Peeper". He or she looks like a Peeper to me."

You are the proud owner of a signed 5x7 photograph of "The Mad Bluebird" signed by the photographer Michael L. Smith!  I hope you will frame him and give him a place in your home that will remind you of your blessings in life...

Continue Reading in Home & Garden ...