@GoodwillIntl Not just a name, but a Mission. #DonateStuffCreateJobs

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!

Today Babushka gave you a Twofer!! 2 posts in one day. Quee?? JU SO FONII!!! True, it's Halloween and BB's been dipping into the candy bags, but that's not the reason for this post.  As part of the BlogginMamas network, we were asked to help with a social good project, and when BB saw it was for Goodwill??  ESO!! The number of times I've shopped and donated! Matter of fact, the trio learned how to budget, appreciate, and be creative with things found at our local Goodwill stores. Halloween was our all time favorite reason to visit. I'll never forget finding the perfect dress for My Eldest and her Miss America costume, it was bella! Only for her to later add wilted flowers, zombie face, and dress up as "Dead Miss America".  And y'all think I kid when I say I'm still shellshocked from their ::shudder:: Puberty.  Continuing.

Goodwill's been around forever, and since there's no reason to reinvent the rueda, here is some information from them.

A simple item donated to Goodwill® can help provide job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face other challenges to finding employment. In fact, Goodwill is the leading nonprofit provider of job training programs and career services in the United States and Canada.

Did you know that donating one bag of clothing and one bag of books can equal up to 2.3 hours of on-the-job training for someone in your community? Add to that a used lamp, a dusty computer and perhaps a box of DVDs and CDs, and that number nearly doubles to 5.2 hours! Click Goodwill’s Donation page and see the “Donation Impact Calculator” - it’ll tell you how many service hours will be generated thanks to your tax deductible donation.



Once you see how vital you can be to your community but giving items you no longer use or need, I’m sure you’ll be happy to donate. Here’s the Goodwill Locator tool that not only specifies drop off locations, but it can help you find Goodwill stores, headquarters, and job training facilities nearby.




About Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America’s top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2012, more than 6.7 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

To find a Goodwill near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. 

You can follow them on Tweety:  @GoodwillIntl, and on Feibu: GoodwillIntl.

Como BB mentioned, this was a Social Good post in conjunction with BlogginMamas.

 As a single mom of 3, and even now, I enjoy shopping at my local Goodwill store. 

They've even made Babushka look forward to Mondays. 

All clothing is marked 50% off.   

; )

BB2U

Ageless Derma Face Cream - Too Good for BB!

BB was provided the product for evaluation and review. No other compensation was given, and all opinions are Babushka's - and La Tata's.  

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

Have you ever tried a product that was sooo good, too good, that you had to give it away??  Quee?? JU SO FONII!! Of course it wasn't cafe ni chocolate,Babushka would never part with those. It was face cream.  The Ageless Derma Face Cream to be exact.

From the moment I received the cream I knew this was a product that every little detail had been studied and polished. 

 The packaging, the container, all of it classy and quality, and Babushka wasted no time in trying it.

En seguida, right away I felt the moisture and then something I had never felt before in any other face cream... Do you see the shine on BB's cara? My face felt smoother, as if a light mask had been placed over it. Babushka has had toning masks and this was similar, but it was not constricting, just smoother.  As I said, the first sensation was moisturizing and BB's all for that.  Matter of fact, for over 20 years moisturizers have been a twice daily part of mi vida.  Gracias to La Tata and her example, this is one of the few beauty must haves of Babushka.  

For two weeks BB religiously applied the creme, morning and night and never ceased to marvel of how smooth my face felt.  Apparently it was too smooth. In the busqueda of wrinkles, the "smoothers" ended up drying up my face.  If you can stand it, look again at the foto of Babushka without makeup. You may see dark spots, dark under eye circles, and even a chunky face roll, but no wrinkles. 

During that time BB was in Miami staying with La Tata and as soon as the exclamation of my face peeling left the lips, she quickly said, "Pues trai pa' ca!"  So, Babushka did just that. My grandmother, 92 years old, wrinkled but still hoping not to be, took the cream and proceeded to apply it.  "Oye, este si esta bueno!"  "Hey, this one is good!" When asked if the cream made her face a little tighter, made it feel smoother, she said," Por eso me gusta! Me lo suavizo y estiro tanto que me he quitado 10 años!"  So she felt 10 years younger and Babushka was having flashbacks.  Scenes of bb and La Tata over 30 years ago, her showing the correct way to apply face cream- with the ring finger, gently around the eyes, then the face- paying attention to the area around the lips with extra cream there and under the neck.  I cherish those memories, just as I cherish the woman who's gushing about the marvelous face cream that's sure to bring back her youth.  Bueno, BB doesn't know about that, but I can tell you a couple of things-

1.  No matter the age, our appearance is important to us.

2. It's the little things that make the biggest memories.

3. Ageless Derma Face Cream works- it's potent and "esta bueno"

And the #4, main thing- the reason that made Babushka smile the most??

4.  BB's face can wait a little while longer before having to use it.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  BB found the marvelous Ageless Derma Face Cream via the BloggersRequired.com network and was sent the product for review.  This post was all my own opinion and the only other compensation received was seeing La Tata's face light up with happiness and smoothness.  

$200 Toysrus GC Giveaway - Oh my and Oh Yeah!

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!!

First a $40 Cash giveaway for after Halloween candy sales, and now a $200 Toys R Us GC before Christmas giveaway.  

Ya gotta admit, Babushka loves the holidays and loves her readers!!

Hosted by:  

NYSavingSpecials

Co-Hosted by:

Shortcut Saver, The Stuff of Success, Barbara's Beat, 

Blog by Donna, Rainy Day Pennies, Capri's Coupons, 

Simply Sherryl, TOT Runway, Luv Saving Money, 

An Ordinary Housewife, Nest Full of New, 

My Devotional Thoughts, Uplifting Love, Java John Z's, 

The World of ContestPatti. Mommy on the Money, 

Mamas Around the House and Heart of a Philanthropist

One lucky winner will win 

$200 Gift Card for Toysrus

Details

Dates:  October 29 12:01am to November 19 11:59pm.

US Resident Only

We appreciate the support of our co-hosts, please show your support by following them on their social medias pages.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Buena Suerte My Beautifuls!!!

And don't forget to thell them Babushka sent ya!

Disclaimer: Babushka's Baile is not responsible for the awarding of the prize.  NYSavingSpecials is responsible for prize fulfillment. 

If you have any question about this giveaway, please email the host at nysavingspecials @gmail.com

Papa Nic & the Boo Bees

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

Throughout the month of October, Babushka attended many Tweety Fiestas stressing the importance of breast self-examination and mammograms and in memory of My Mom I would attend, but in all truthfulness it had been over two years since BB had gone to a doctor. Apparently the S Sisters thought it was time to change that. 

 My Little One's wisdom tooth had developed a painful cavity and we went to the health department for a dental exam. While waiting, BB saw this and immediately knew I had been set up. 

The program provides a free Pap test and mammogram to qualified ladies.

Those sisters- they know BB can't pass up a twofer!

Quee?? JU SO FONII!!! Of course it wasn't a twofer of the best kind, but it really wasn't all that bad either.  Babushka was attended very well by the ladies of the Wakulla Health Department, matter of fact it was the best exam of that kind I had ever had. Sherry Bramblett RNP and her assistant Celeste were very personable and professional. Sherry explained the procedure step by step, which although we both knew this wasn't BB's first Pap, it helped to relatively relax, and their sincere attention to any questions was most appreciated.

Wakulla County Logo, Pap Schedule, Poster on ceiling to help relax

 Did you know that bb (that's BB as a child) in her Spanglish innocence would hear La Tata talk about Papanicolaou and think she was talking about Santi Clo. Truly. bb knew of  Papa Nic. Quee?? Y'all never heard of Father Christmas?  Bueno, we all know a Papanicolaou or as BB now calls it, The Pap Test has nada to do with Christmas, but you should look at it as a gift to yourself and your family.  A monthly self exam and your mammogram and Pap Test is the best defense- early detection could be a life saver.

Go on, be a good Bella

Visit your Mam & Pap.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

p.s.  For those lucky enough to live in Florida, 

go to http://www.floridahealth.gov/ to see all available services.

#WhirlpoolWashsquad - Wow,Woah & Whoopee!!

Whirlpool Washsquad

Que que?? A free app that'll have my family working as a team?

JU SO FONII!!!

Right now Babushka y Sweetie are still doing the newlywed dance between houses. We haven't begun to decorate my place ( 1/2 owned with my brother, which is a story within itself) because the AC is broken and we're staying at his home. Sweetie's not my hermano's. Continuing.

We were doing the washing of clothes at Sweetie's because his washer worked, but not his dryer- mine did, but not the washer. Now, neither washer nor dryer works at my place. What can BB say? They both came with the house. The washer and dryer, not Sweetie. The perils of homeownership and cheap appliances. So right now Babushka's team plan for laundry is us doing the clothes washing and BB running to the laundromat to dry. The clothes, not BB. Matter of fact, I leave there pretty drenched. Continuing.

I know what you're thinking- why haven't they bought a dryer yet? Quee??  Remember I just came back from Miami and there hasn't been time to really shop for the set; so for now that'll have to do. Let's just say we're all grateful Babushka doesn't have to leave the house for work. 'Nuff said. Continuing.

Here's some of the info I received on Whirlpool's WashSquad app.

  " It lets you:

- Assign laundry jobs to your family 

- Track and reward their completed chores 

- Create custom laundry guides with wash and dry instructions tailored to your Whirlpool® washer and dryer 

And the WashSquad features a Stain Eraser guide and Fabric Coach to help get you through even the toughest of loads without breaking a sweat. Download the free application now and you’ll be on your way to perfectly clean laundry that you didn’t have to do. Now that’s one kind of laundry we can get behind. (LINK TO DOWNLOAD: http://bit.ly/GPZeAg) "

Very nice verdad? You know what's also very nice? In December the temps here Up North in The South will be cool, no AC needed, so instead of repairing the AC, maybe we can get a quality Whirlpool washer/dryer set. AND since My Little One is moving back home with us at that time I'll be able to use the app too.  A twofer!! Y tu sabes, y'all know Babushka loves those.  

Whirlpool and their Washsquad, they got BB saying

Wow, Woah & Whoopee!!

; )

BB2U

"Presented by Mami Innovative Media, this is a sponsored post on behalf of Whirlpool. 

All opinions expressed here are my own.”

Spooktacular Amazon Giveaway

Ok My Beautifuls, the holidays are fast approaching, and since Amazon.com is where BB does most of her shopping for grandbaby presents (gotta love that free shipping), I know you wouldn't mind shopping there too.  Aqui tienes el chance- here's your chance for a good time shopping spree!  Babushka's joined some other excelente bloggers to bring you-

ESO!!!

Welcome to the Spooktacular Amazon Giveaway! We’re giving away a $200 Amazon gift card to one lucky reader!

Prize: $200 Amazon Gift Card

Co-Hosts: This Mama Loves, Searching 4 Savings, Blog by Donna, Broward Saves, Stacy's Savings, Our Small Hours, Mom and More and Oh My Gosh Beck! 

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Besides the mandatory blog comment entry, all other entries are optional. Giveaway ends 11/2 and is open worldwide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buena Suerte My Beautifuls!!

BB2U

Peace of Mind- Card.com

BB was given a preloaded card w/$25 for facilitating this review; no other compensation was given.  All  opinions are purely Babushka's. 

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

Today we talk about budgets, and credit, and college children- Oh my!!  

Of course, if your name is Rockefeller you may not need to read on, but for the rest of us...

Isn't it Cutisimo??!!

Now THIS is a twofer BB can really get into!

As you well know My Beautifuls, Babushka's Little One is attending college, and a set limit, you-fill-as-needed card, is a must have.  Now what you don't know, but can probably imagine and maybe have had this happen to you, is that BB at one time maxed out her credit cards and was left "con un mano alante y el otra atra".  Barely covering myself- almost nekid as it were.  Let's just say it's not a place Babushka would like to be in again, so I am very credit card weary now.  And budgets? Another area Sweetie and I are learning together.  A viable option, a prepaid card; BB was mucho happy when Card.com asked me if I'd review their card.  

First they asked me to go to their site and pick out a card.  What marvelous choices!  I picked out a peace sign made out of flowers, but they have so many to choose from.  Sweetie wanted the Popeye, My Little One was torn between the Salvador Dali and Spock from Star Trek. Quee?? JU SO FONII!!! Of course Babushka was already dancing with the company, they really were living up to their slogan- 

CARD is the prepaid debit card that’s fun to use

Within days of picking my card, BB received- 

Ahora, as stated, BB's weary when it comes to cards- except gift cards, Babushka loves those. Pero sabes que? You know what? BB's loving this card too!   Babushka doesn't have to worry about overdraft or over budget. If it ain't in the bank, it don't get bought.

 NO Credit Check  Use everywhere Visa® or MasterCard® is accepted
 NO check cashing fees  NO overdraft fees or late fees  Access to ATMs worldwide

Nice verdad?  You know what's also nice? Their customer service. Babushka was doing research for the post and noticed how heavily card.com uses the internet.  Writing to them about this I received this answer-

"When you sign up for your card, your email address is automatically linked to your account, so you will get email notifications on things like low-balance and a monthly statement. The ways to avoid fees are just tips that you probably already know about, like setting up direct deposit and using check-outs to get cash instead of ATMs, etc. our company is pretty new, so our products and services are still evolving. You will get notifications on the new and improved services as well as perks, etc., so it's important to pay attention to the emails from us. :)"

Amable verdad? And to further the online usage, look at another no bank needed option Card.com has-

Coolisimo!

Don't know about y'all, but Sweetie still gets an oldfashioned pay check, and Babushka's main bank is 30 miles away, so we're loving this option! Just take a pic of the check and it's deposited.  Of course for you Beautifuls who get their monies direct deposited, the $5.95 monthly maintenance fee is waived when you load at least $800 in the prior 30 days through direct deposit.

So, Babushka gave it a Cutisimo, a Coolisimo, and still has money left on her card.  If you're looking for a prepaid debit card, this is certainly worth the getting.  Go to Card.com and let BB know which card is your favorite.

BB2U

P.S.  And because Babushka's still not clear on the Federal Disclosure requirements, I shall state again that
 all opinions on this post are mine, and that BB was facilitated with a $25 prepaid card for my review.

HerbalMagic- if ya gotta lose weight, do it right.

This is a sponsored post in partnership with the Niche Parent Network & Conference, pero story and opinions are all pure Babushka.

Did you know Babushka was bulimic, borderline anorexic in her teens?  

Ok si, it was nice to be size 0/3 for the first time in my life, pero it wasn’t without sacrifice and definitely not without repercussion.  BB would spend 3 hours minimum exercising daily, a low carb diet that caused bodily harm, 14 exlax chocolates a day to contradict the harm and of course wipe out any food that may have been eaten. This was the desperation Babushka felt to become slim.  No thought of health ever crossed my mind, just the joy of seeing my clothes size go smaller and smaller.  Thankfully I “outgrew” this- no pun intended.  No se how, maybe my saving grace was being more Cuban than American.  Maybe it was having Latinos with their curve loving ways start paying me more attention, maybe it was marrying young and having children right away, but whatever the reason, I am very thankful. I was definitely headed down a camino with no positive outcome.

Being older and hopefully wiser- at least when it comes to losing weight, Babushka knows the only real way to lose weight is to go slowly and healthy.  If BB were to choose help with weight loss I’d go to a place that showed you how to eat REAL FOOD.  Babushka’s done the prepackaged deal, and yes, they work, very well. Until you stop buying their food.  No no My Beautifuls, the next time BB decides to entrust my body and health it will be, must be a plan that works with MY way of living, with the items I can get at my local grocers, and the items that I would really eat for the rest of my life.  Sorry, tofu isn’t one of them.

HerbalMagic seems to be reading Babushka’s thoughts. Taken from their site:

Real Food

We don't sell you diet food or subject you to embarrassing group weigh-ins. We teach you about health and nutrition so you enjoy real food purchased at your local grocery store. You'll start looking at food labels in a whole new way. To help you, we have created many recipe books with hundreds of healthy, delicious recipes for weight loss as well as a Guide to Dining Out - for those times you can't eat at home.

Now that’s a weight loss site BB can get into!

Weight Loss, Stabilization and Maintenance

Oh My!!

Pity they’re just in Canada.

Oh well, a comer Platanos maduros a little while longer.

;  )

BB2U

This is a sponsored post in partnership with the Niche Parent Network & Conference, pero story and opinions are all pure Babushka.

BB Reviews: Power Rangers Super Samurai- A Christmas Wish

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

You know the old saying, "Everything old is new again."? Quee?? JU SO FONII!!! No, I'm not talking about Babushka, although this DVD truly did bring back memories of a younger time.  BB was in the group of mothers who stood hours in line for the first set of Power Rangers toys in the US. Yes, my son is that old. Pero you know what?  Lady Karma is Bella, because now it's MAC's turn to stand for hours waiting for his child's toy. Except for this one- this one Babushka's happy to share with him.

BB's aware there have been many incarnations of the Power Rangers, so the cover wasn't that much of a surprise.  However the theme song...

as you can hear, they've kept it pretty much the same.  

Matter of fact, the whole premise hasn't changed too much since Babushka my son watched it.

The Power Rangers are still teenagers protecting the Earth from Aliens.  The costumes are brighter, the graphics better, and the giant monsters don't look so Lego-ish, but the fun and cheesy dialogue with pantomine overacting still crack me up and still entrance their tiny fans.  Oh yes, they still have the two Power Ranger wannabe bunglers, though now they're fans.  The Episodes:

1. Super Samurai Stuck On Christmas 

"The Samurai Rangers are stuck in Megazord's cockpit when it breaks down after battling a Nighlok on Christmas Eve.  By using their smarts, determination and teamwork, will the Rangers make it out in time to celebrate Christmas?"

http://www.samuraicast.com/episodes/prss-22-stuck-on-christmas-episode.php

This was a good reintroduction for BB. 

Via flashbacks of the characters, those of us who hadn't seen them for awhile will be pleased and the little ones will love the action that starts right from the start.

2. Alpha's Magical Christmas

http://www.nakspowerrangers.com/nakshtml/Guida%20Di%20Episodio/Mighty%20Morphin2/alphasmagicalchristmas.html

No real action scenes, just a sentimental, silly smattering of Christmas Scenes and carols- perfect for us old sentimental and silly folks who like that kind of stuff and the original Power Rangers. Billy (Blue Ranger), Kimberly (Pink Ranger) and Tommy (Green Ranger) help Alpha celebrate Christmas. 

3. Forever Friends

"Shawna, Aisha's former best friend, goes up against Kimberly in a gymnastics competition. She's jealous of the current bond between the two Ranger teens, and makes her dislike of Kim well known. When Shawna and Kim are captured by Goldar, will their mutual broken homes help unite the pair? Meanwhile, the Ranger guys' work in woodshop leads to Lord Zedd turning a saw into the Jaws of Destruction monster!"

http://www.nakspowerrangers.com/nakshtml/Guida%20Di%20Episodio/Mighty%20Morphin2/foreverfriends.html

With the emphasis on Girl Power and winning Groaner dialogue like this one, how can you not love Power Rangers?

Jaws of Destruction: Rangers! Ready to be polished off?

Rocky: No way! It's you who's in for a good shalacking!

; )

So what's Babushka's final say on this DVD?

GO GO POWER RANGERS!!!

Thanks to you, lots of good memories will be remembered and made.

BB2U

P.S.  BB was sent a copy of the DVD for her review, no other compensation was given.

Power Rangers Super Samurai: A Christmas Wish (66 minutes — Not rated) 

released on DVD Oct. 8, 2013 at a suggested retail price of $14.98.

BB will Tumblr for ya!

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

http://funny-pictures-blog.com/2012/01/06/cell-phone-ancestors/

Ok, esta bien, I'll admit it.  Babushka is not one for the latest tech fads and programs. BB three weeks ago got her first smartphone. Queee?? JU SO FONII!!! I had one of those antiquated contracts where you pay an extra $40 a month for data- you thought Babushka was actually going to pay that? Which reminds me, this current pay per month reception/phone isn't the best, so if you know a good one...  Continuing.

BB used to question the longevity of certain platforms- like Feibu and Tweety, but they're still here. Not only are they still here, but they're so fun- and addictive!! So addictive in fact, that when it's time to write a post Babushka has to close the Feibu and Hootsuite ( another winning platform that I couldn't live without- thanks Paula for the intro) or I'd never have the time to post.  Speaking of which, Sonia wanted to have a schedule, set days to post, which at first was ok.  Every Wednesday, and for the first year it was working. Then came Hispanicize and Babushka started bailando a little more and more. (Gracias to all my Hispanicize friends) Sonia then started scheduling BB's post twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Ok Buddy Boy, things were starting to really jump! Pero ahora, after the last Hispanicize Sonia wanted three times a week! Que que?? I was going through boxes of Dr. Scholl's insoles like chocolate!  Ok, si, maybe not that much, but you get my drift.  And then a forced slow down.

Babushka's only NOW catching up to July and we're already in October!  Wow and Woah.  Needless to say it's time to tell Sonia to chill; BB's playing DJ from now on.  I am taking the views and pasos of my learned friend, My Capitan Maria, and writing full posts on Babushka's Baile when Marti my Muse dictates it to be so, not when Sonia commands.  Jehe, as if Marti ever really let anyone else command, but that's another cuento alltogether.  So will this mean the slowing down of BB? Again, JU SO FONII!!! No My Beautifuls, Babushka will be dancing just as much, but shorter songs.  You'll see more of BB in Instagram, Pinterest and Babushka's new infatuation- Tumblr.  

Culture Club - I'll Tumble 4 Ya by CultureClub-Official


You didn't think I'd let this classic from my youth get by did you?  


Oh the fun!  

Here's hoping you'll continue the fun, enjoying Babushka's Baile and following with BlogLovin, RSS, Networked Blogs, or Google+.


Until the next spin of the disco-


Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.