#TBT A BB Bounceback - Gracias Tio Sam & Happy Birthday America !

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!  

This was a post originally written in 2012. Time has changed, but BB's sentiment is igual. #GodBlessAmerica

If you've been following Babushka you know I'm all about the positive, wonderful things in life. So if you think this is a political statement JU SO FONII!!! Ok, si, maybe a little, but mainly it's about gratitude. Gratitude to a country that welcomed and still welcomes my people from Cuba.

Mil Gracias to you mi querido USA,

 for as a first generation Cuban American I can never say it enough.

 I know what my fate would have been if you hadn't welcomed my family.

MY CHILDHOOD

Children indoctrinated into Communism

MY YOUTH

Control in all categories

MY SHOPPING LIST

Rations Book

STORES TO SHOP

Slim Selection




And though we are all children of immigrants,
I only need to look 90 miles away to see where I would have been
 and know what I would have done.

Exodo del Mariel



Feliz Cumpleaños America,  Happy 4th of July!
Celebrate your freedom with pride and cheer.

For my part, I'm adding gratitude to the celebration.

Bohemian Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  The photos were found on Pinterest, some on Cuban groups on Feibu.  Perdoname that I didn't find or write down the exact sources.  The author of the video is Gianluca Zanna, a former Italian Immigrant.

2013- Living a Life of Ecstasy

Que bello verdad?  How beautifully said, but not so easy to do. 

Last year Babushka had a similar "non-resolution". 

2012  New Year's-Resolution? 

So how did I fare? Did BB take life in stride, no stress, no aggravation or agitation?

JU SO FONII!!!

I'm a menopausal Cubana so surely you jest!  

But Babushka was more conscious on the whole and did remind herself (almost daily) that life should be measured by the journey and the living.  Hopefully this year my self reminders will be less frequent and this blessed outlook will be more natural to BB.  The moments of joy will be more apparent and forthcoming because I'll see everything as a reason for joy.  This is my travel itinerary for 2013, and be it in coach or first class accommodations,  the view and memories are up to me.

What are your plans for this years journey?  

Whatever they may be, Babushka wishes you a Bon Voyage.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

Chinese New Year

Don't you just love the Chinese New Year?  The festivities, the history, the colors, the pagaentry, the chance to catch up and do a New Year right!  Que Que??  You actually thought January 1 was the real new year?  JU SO FONI !!!  Maybe it's because my mother was 3/4 Chinese, but in BB's mind this is when the reality of the New Year comes in.  Bueno, truth be known I think it's more because of my Cuban side... si, further in the year is better because we're always running late.  Whaaaaaatttt??  I'm only now taking down the Christmas lights... well, I will take them down now that the true New Year has come.

No me miren asi- don't look at me like that.  Really people, think about it.  For 8 days there's a whirlwind of activities- Christmas Eve to New Year's- most people don't come out of the stupor until at least a week  into the new year and then they go into shock when they see the scale and the bills of that holiday hip hop. By the second week of January most will have abandoned their resolutions and are slumping into disappointment from their lack of determination. But should this be? I say Nay!! Nada de eso mi gente!!!  Chinese New Year is the perfect time to make more realistic petitions of ourselves.  We've now seen what we're capable (or not capable) of doing and can go ahead with expectations we can fullfill!  Let me help you with some examples.


January 1 Resolution                                              Chinese New Year Resolution

No more junk food.                                               No more junk food on Mondays.

Exercise everyday.                                                        Exercise on Mondays. 

                                                          Go ahead, w/out junk food it's a bad day anyway.

Call loved ones more often.                            Ever heard of Feibu? How about Escaip?

Spend less money.                                         52 Mondays w/out junk food = saved $$.

Lose weight.                                                         Learn to walk in higher heels. 
                                                                     You'll either sweat from fear of falling
                                                                      or look thinner because you're taller.

Be nicer to my fellow man.                                               Hide on Mondays.

May this year of the Dragon bring you strength-

especially the strength of self. 

Self knowledge and Self Love is BB's wish for all in 2012.

Babushka Besos a Todos.  Cuidensen.

BB's 1st Giveaway

A Bailair con Billetes Mi Gente!! BB is trying something new in 2012- giveaways! The more participation from readers, the more giveaways I'll sponsor. Listos? BB2U


Are you ready to jump into 2012 with some cold hard cash? Do you have a resolution that is going to take a little bit of money or are you just in need of some spending money? What ever your reason, OutnumberedMama from The Busy Woman's Guide to Surviving Motherhood has organized an cold hard - PayPal - Cash Payday of $500 for you to Jump Start 2012. A second prize of a $50 Amazon.com eGiftCard and a third prize of a $30 Amazon eGiftCard is also up for grabs.

   

All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter below to follow, friend, like, and subscibe to the participating blogs and you are entered to win one of these great prizes. You can do all or just some of them, it's totally up to you. Remember whenever you are using a Rafflecopter it is best that you are only viewing that particular post on the blog you are using. If you are having trouble, refresh the page. Since this prize will be awarded using PayPal and email, this giveaway is open Worldwide - if you have a PayPal and/or an email address you can win! Giveaway Starts January 7th and ends January 31st at 11:59PM PST. Winner will be selected by using Random.org via Rafflecopter and will have 48 hours to respond to their notification email before another winner is selected. Please visit all of the Participating Blogs:  The Busy Woman's Guide to Surviving Motherhood Retail Therapy Lounge Thifty Divas Burning Moon Travel Contests & Sweepstakes Disney Contests & Sweepstakes Savvy Sister Shop As Mom Sees It Chic Monkey Boutique Indiana Coupon Saving & Giveaways Sprinkle Me Pink Finger Click Savings My Style Spot Peanut Butter and Whine  Unconventional Librarian   A Girl Worth Saving Hearts Content of a Mama Maxwell's Mommy 3 Boys and a Dog Powered by Mom Deal Seeking Bliss Best Fragrances and Beauty Supplies Simple Wyrdings  Craft Yourself My Little House of Treasures Tidbits from a Mom Counting My Kisses Babushka's Baile Momondealz Healthy Concepts Libby's Library Reviews & Giveaways Family Fun and Life $uper $aving Momma Money Saving Mindy  Mom on the Run  Mark Your Savings Coupon Scribbles Babes and Kids Review Theresa's Mixed Nuts Write What Inspires You! Donna McDine  The Working Writer's Club Rants and Raves of a Crazed Mom    Madame Deals Carol Fraser Hagen - Literacy Specialist Punk Rock MommyMompreneur Mogul A Family Village Foodie Gems Diary of a Working Mom Debbie Does Coupons a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclaimer: This cash was collected from each of the blogs listed in this post. There was no outside sponsorship by a major corporation. Chances of winning are dependent on the number of entries.

New Year's- Resolution?

Last week on Facebook, the Tiki Tiki Blog asked what our New Year's Resolution was.  My answer?  To get older.  JU SO FONII !!!  Ok, si, but I sincerely hope this is one resolution I'll be able to keep!

Let me share with you a passage I got from Lord knows where, but I believe whole heartedly in it's message.  To the author I apologize omitting your unknown name, but I embrace and share the wisdom of your words.

As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

Think about it- a resolution I don't have to think about.  Woah- no stress, and that's DEFINITELY what I'm hoping 2012 will be. A stress free year, a stress free life; just doing what comes naturally- no expectations, just excitation.  Come on now, I'm Cuban- gotta have some blood pressure raising somehow!  So I will continue my Spanglish soliloquies, sashaying in heels, blabbing and bailando all the way.

2012-Start the music y dimelo cantando !!! 

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.