Dear December... #TBT Conexion Florida Dec 2021

From the December 2021 edition, Babushka's article for trilingual newspaper, Conexion. 

Feliz Holidays to you Beautifuls and may 2022 bring all you wish for.

 

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Es Diciembre, it’s December. Wow and Woah. Everytime when this month comes it seems to have arrived so quickly, and at the same time the realization of another year passed hits us.  Another year, another memento, yet this one is not quite like most.  It is indeed a time for reflection and hopefully realization.

For her part, Babushka’s life after Covid has had its awakenings and advantages.  First of all, it hit home how precious la vida is. Precious and precarious life is. While in the deadly fog, BB prayed for another day, another chance to see loved ones. Thankfully she did. Also en vivo, full force, was the promise to self to not hold back, to go full gusto for things wanted. Ahora, when BB says “things”, she doesn’t mean material (although a real concrete house, not a falling apart trailer would be nice), she means aspirations and inner desires.There are people and places to visit, time to share the passions and knowings in the soul.  So back to ridesharing, raising dinero and los espiritos of passengers. Si, each day at 6 am it’s off to a new adventure, each ride a chance to share a smile, a laugh, or just good vibes. Everyone needs algo diferente. For some, the candy offered helps. Quee? BB not offer her riders some grandmotherly love?? JU SO FONII!! It’s a token of life’s sweetness y dulzura, a simbolo of noticing them, a moment of surprise pleasure, simple but smile producing. Sometimes an encouraging word, a reminder that waking up each morning is a blessing of itself is what’s needed. What do you need Beautifuls? 

“As the year comes to a close, iit is a time for reflection-a time to release old thoughts and beliefs and forgive old hurts.  Whatever has happened in the past year, the New Year brings fresh beginnings.  Exciting new experiences and relationships await.  Let us be thankful for the blessings of the past and the promise of the future.” ~Peggy Toney Horton

Be thankful Beautifuls, know you are Blessed and Loved.

May your realizations and hopes bring you paz and knowing.

Babushka Besos a Todos.  Cuidensen.

November Nuances-Niceties y Necesidades. Nov. 2020 @ConexionFlorida

 From the November 2020 edition of @ConexionFlorida is a BB reminder of what the month is for...

swtblessings.com

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Hay dos major events that happen in Noviembre this year. El primero, Thanksgiving, Día de Acción de Gracias, is about being thankful, grateful, and feeling blessed. Ahora, eso si, aunque we should feel los tres, you realize there is a difference verdad?

To be thankful is el momento we think of who gave, what the gift is, y quien receives the gift. Nosotros somos the recipient and offer our thanks to the giver . El Diccionario Merriam-Webster defines thankful as “conscious of benefits received”. A conscious act from the person who received the benefits. For example, when someone opens or holds a door open for you, one should say “thank you”.  Aunque nowadays that is not at all common, so for Babushka that is in the Grateful banda. Grateful that there are still people who are courteous and conscious of others. And here’s the definicion of grateful.

Grateful is the feeling within, for something or someone which is not momentary, not necessarily action generated. So you say, pero BB, JU SO FONII! You just gave the example of someone opening the door for you as grateful, gratitude. Si, the accion of opening the door was momentary, but knowing that manners and caring of others still exists fills Babushka con long lasting felicidad y gratitud. Being grateful is also about appreciating what one has, as opposed to what one wants. To see the blessings of our lives is what gratitude encompasses. So, now, what is Blessed?

For many Blessed has religious connotations, pero for Babushka it is simply being conscious of your thankfulness and gratitude. To be aware of both and living daily in that awareness. In the American tradition, Thanksgiving came about when the Pilgrims celebrated their first successful corn harvest and invited their Native American allies. After all the hardships they endured, this truly did encompass being los tres, Thankful, Grateful, Blessed. And now BB writes on the second US November event that happened - Elections.

 

pic from pinterest

Whatever the outcome, whether it agreed with your wants or not, let us live the first part of this writing. In this difficult year of 2020, let us be Thankful for all the ways we had to vote; feel Grateful that the right to vote is ours, and know we are Blessed to live here. Beautifuls, let’s live November with this knowledge.

Cuidensen. 

BB2U

Crawfordville Cares- Operation Santa 2016

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!!

They say Charity begins at home, and if there’s a town that embodies that, it’s Babushka’s home town of Crawfordville .  It’s wonderful living in a place where people come together to help others, usually total strangers. The sense of community is strong here and BB hopes to share some of the amor, starting with the unbelievable Operation Santa.

“Operation Santa is a community effort sponsored by the Wakulla County Coalition for Youth (WCCY) who with its partners build support for the youth, individuals and families in Wakulla County. In the past six years, Operation Santa has helped thousands in need of a hands-up to experience the joy of the Christmas Season. 2016 is the seventh year of Operation Santa of Wakulla helping Wakulla residents in need of a hand-up. There is no qualifying; we expect only those that truly need help, to experience a joyful Christmas, will apply.

This effort could not be done without the help of volunteers, businesses, the adoption of families, donations of new and like-new items and cash donations.” 

BB not donate? JU SO FONII!!! Babushka likes to give Thanks that The Grands and The Trio have always received gifts during the holidays and that we have always been blessed with shelter and comida, so for every child/grandchild we give at least the same amount back. That was 9 regalitos for Operation Santa, and this year we went straight to Santa’s Workshop.

At 6'4" Sweetie is enjoying being Santa's biggest elf. 

Este año  there were 181 familias that signed up for holiday assistance. 81 of them were “adopted” by individuals, leaving 100 for Operation Santa to provide for. And that they definitely did. With help from the community, with toy drops around town, online monetary donations, 100 families will be having a better holiday. Pero it’s not only the families receiving the presents that are having a better holiday. Did you notice the volunteers (they call themselves elves) arriba? They came in different shifts, were from all demographics and ages, and the spirit of giving filled them all. Gracias to the “elves” for being part of Babushka’s home town. They fill the air with love and goodwill, raising the vibes all around, making Crawfordville a place that cares.

Hopefully BB will highlight other such giving groups and individuals, at least one per month.  Try to do the same Beautifuls.  If we all are on the lookout for givers, we will receive so much. To know there are those who care for our community helps us see the beauty there, and that in turn will spark more care and love from us. Imagínate if we all raised the vibes, how vibrant we’d all become.

Who will you highlight in your home town ?

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S. If you'd like to know more about Operation Santa Wakulla,

to donate or maybe even start one in your hometown,

Feibu Wakulla Operation Santa

Website http://www.operationsantawakulla.org/

Imainlove with Amaluna @CirqueduSoleil Miami

 #Autism #ArtforAutism #Grandparents #lifelongmemories #spon #100%BB

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

As you well know, BB is always thankful for her familia and her profession-blogging. The chances Babushka can turn them into a Twofer the blessing is doubled. These double blessings make for lifelong memories, impressions, and lessons. I'm counting on this next adventure to be exactly that for La Princesa, my granddaughter. Because of her autism,she doesn't join us in many shows. We really don't know how she'll react to the loud noises and sudden movements. However, if there's one thing we do know is her love of music and dance. BB also knows that mi querida nieta has the "magic power" of killer memory and answering questions correctly w/the dialogue of a tv program or video she's seen, y that she also understands the essence of people and things. For this reason Babushka will take her to see Amaluna. Gracias to the kind folks of Cirque du Soleil, she will experience the joy of a live performance and hopefully the message of female vitality & empowerment.

Babushka can hear you Beautifuls saying, "Quee? A circus starring women and their powers? #JUSOFONII !!!" Who'd of thunk it right?  Pero si, here's the story behind Amaluna.

Amaluna invites the audience to a mysterious island governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Their queen, Prospera, directs her daughter's coming-of-age ceremony in a rite that honors femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance which marks the passing of these insights and values from one generation to the next.

In the wake of a storm caused by Prospera, a group of young men washes ashore the island, triggering an epic and emotional story of love between Prospera's daughter and a brave young suitor. But theirs is a love that will be put to the test and the couple must face numerous demanding trials before they can achieve mutual trust, faith and harmony.

Amaluna is a fusion of the words ama, which refers to "mother" in many languages, and luna, which means "moon"; a symbol of femininity that evokes both the mother-daughter relationship and the idea of goddess and protector of the planet. Amaluna is also the name of the mysterious island where this magical story unfolds.

A TRIBUTE TO THE WORK AND VOICE OF WOMEN

For the first time in Cirque du Soleil's history, Amaluna features a cast that comprises 70% women, with a 100% all-female band. "Amaluna is a tribute to the work and voice of women", explains Director of Creation Fernand Rainville. "

Pass up a chance to see this with my nieta?  Now it's BB's turn to say, JU SO FONII!!!

Of course Babushka wants to share this blessing with you My Beautifuls,
 so here's a giveaway for 4 tickets to see Amaluna.
Si, Cirque's Sensational aren't they?

Entry-Form

For those that don't want to miss it, but don't want to wait either,
for BB's Beautifuls on Cyber Monday:

https://tickets.cirquedusoleil.com/webshop3/index.html?channel=8&seriesCode=AMAMIA&language=en&lfMix=CDSGP&promoCode=LNCYBER&cid=dp:aml_us-fl-04_2014:amaluna-miami-2014:Babushka's Baile:Display|babushka-special-offer-cyber-monday:tks:lvn&adsrc=Babushka's Baile&adcnt=Display|babushka-special-offer-cyber-Monday

Oh my and Oh Yeah.

Buena Suerte con Blessings & lots of other great deals for all this shopping weekend!

BB2U

Oprah's Message O-O-O x3 Part 3 #Oprah #Orgullosa #Olay #LifeYouWantMIA

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!

No. Grandson's 8 bday 2day Family 1st... pero #Oprah is REAL CLOSE 2ND RT @meeshsparks: @BBabushka @Oprah #LifeYouWantMIA are you here ?!
— bohemian babushka (@BBabushka) October 25, 2014

This was the tweet I shared with y'all in Part 2 of this series.  The reason I didn't attend day 2 of Oprah's #LifeYouWantMIA weekend event - PicaPica's 8th Birthday.

Being a chip off the old Babushka, my grandson decided for a twofer.  He combined his birthday- 10/25 with Halloween.  It really was a spooktacular combo. There were ghouls and ghosts.

Games & Good Eats

But mostly, there was a good time between family & friends.

Matter of fact, such a good time was had, that The Trio all stayed over.

And that My Beautifuls, that my children should so enjoy each other,

 that they continued the fiesta until the morn... 

THAT surpassed anything Oprah could have said.  

Sorry that I missed Day 2 of Oprah's event?

JU SO FONII!!!

THIS is Babushka's #LifeYouWantMIA

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

The Shower for @BabushkasBebe - Blessings All Around. #MundoLanugo #AVENTparents #WinnDixie #Ford

This is BB's thank you card to the wonderful brands who sent gifts for BabushkasBebe baby shower.

Our appreciation can't be expressed enough- though Babushka is certainly gonna try.

BabushkasBebe, La Princesa, Daddys Sweet Science,El Dr.

Pic taken during Baby Shower

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!!

At 1 am Sunday, my daughter Babushkas Bebe went to the hospital with contractions.  Turns out it was a false alarm, but before it becomes the real thing and I'm an abuela for the 5th time, BB thought this would be a good moment to write about the baby shower.  Actually, not so much about the shower as much as the gifts given by some very special folks.

The first to give to the shower was Ford.  

Without them there was no way all the preps, nor the party itself would have been possible.  

Fabi the Fabulosa- and she definitely was!!

Gracias to Fabi, BB was able to get the supplies to make the centerpiece diaper cake. And gracias to blogger friends Ana of +Miami Mommy Savings and Tiffany- +Broward Saves ; through their Tweety Fiesta I was introduced to @WinnDixieLatino who in turn was able to give me a  +winndixiestores gift card.  By the way, talk about a giftcard and place that has so much to offer!! 

So now mi hija and future grandbaby had Kuddles products and a toy, but what about the other necessaries??  Here another blogger bella, Erica aka @MamasMission  introduced BB to the wonderful folks of @AVENT_US .  They were darlings who made sure to send my daughter bottles, pacifiers, and a state of the art baby monitor. 

And for those of you who don't think a baby monitor is a necessity... please read up on La Princesa.

Now the last group of presents come from a company who BB has written about before.  Babushka has personally met and become amigos with the owners of this company and cherishes that friendship.  Upon receiving the gifts my heart was touched and eyes teared.  This is not a big company, yet they shared their cariño and gifted Babushkas Bebe their quality goods, wishing the family and new baby love y bendiciones.  LANUGO

Onesies, Burp Cloths, Baby Lap Tee

Just seeing that video BB knows she's surrounded by bendiciones, by blessings.

My daughter, my child who is happy and looking towards the future.

Companies and Beautifuls who believe in and enjoy Babushka.

To All of you and for All of you.

1000x Gracias

de ♥.

BB2U

P.S.  And if y'all think that's all I'll be writing about the above gifts/companies.  

JU SO FONII!!!

Relishing Rainbows- Day 14 of SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.

Author Unknown

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.