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/

Another Year, Another Candle- Almost 50

Last Thursday I turned 49.  Almost 50.  ÑO.

As I start this 49th year cycle towards 50 let me reflect.  I've completed 7 full cycles (cycles of 7 years each- a mystical, metaphysical grouping, which I'm  into, but more on eso another time) and just what have I done so far?  Bueno, let's break it down shall we?

0 - 7  Pre birth to 7    
I hear mi mamá had a good pregnancy, nothing extraordinary except for it being her first child, and of course it being me.  ; )   At school I  was very shy and quiet.  Yo se, no need to say it- I know what you're thinking; I definitely grew out of that one. JU SO FONII !!! Don't blame you though-  if I wouldn't have seen those teacher's comments I wouldn't have believed it either.

7 - 14  Child, Tween and Teen
Woah- what a span.  Is it just me or does it seem like my generation didn't have much variance between the groups?  I for one was still playing w/baby dolls at 12.  And still had my baby fat at 14.

14 - 21  True Teen and not too true Adult
Now 14 marked a real shift.  It was during this year that I decided I was no longer a baby, thus I no longer was going to need my baby fat.  No way was I going to be a  Quinceañera gorda.  So good bye baby fat and hello bulimarexia.  The rest of the cycle is the start of dating, social blooming and suffering.  Oh the poems I wrote during those years!  And let's not forget the nights of chocolates and  Diet Pepsi with girlfriends as we pondered the mysteries of life- and boys.  Then the college years.  Being a good CAP  (Cuban American Princess for the uninitiated) I went to a community college while living at home.  Truth be told I kinda liked this arrangement and kept withdrawing from classes because breakfast at Denny's with my BFF was infinitely more satisfactory than Algebra....

As in life, the following cycles will be quick.


21- 28  Adulthood and Motherhood- not necessarily in that order
Got a car, got a job, and since I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, got a husband.  Ok, ok, I feel your sejas raising and eyeballs popping, but I had already tried to go into the armed forces for "direction"  pero the jobs they offered weren't appealing so I took the traditional route.  Sooo Private Benjamin right?  Bueno, by the end of this cycle I had another car, another job and on the way to another husband, but my beautiful babies made everything worth it.

28 - 35  On A Roll-  up and down hill
Went back to college and actually graduated.  Go me!!   Life lessons were also in store as I remarried and had My Little One.  The marriage ended, and at the end of this very emotional and challenging cycle I was sustained by my children and strengthened by their love.

35 - 42  All a Blur - trio of teenagers
Who remembers?  It must be true, self preservation through memory blockages.  I vaguely recall this being the period my children hit puberty.  And we all know my view on that subject.  ::shudder::

42 - 49  Change of Scenery-  coming out of the trance
A trio of teens, a mini breakdown, and a feeling of perpetual claustrophobia, I had to move from CAP mecca Miami.   By this time my two eldest had their own families and it was just me and My Little One.  Both of us growing up in a little rural town south of the state's capital.  Que?  You thought I'd go farther than that?  Por fa-  once a CAP.... besides, with nietos no way I 'd stay too far away.

"In these years we move from old stereotypical roles with a new found confidence in our individuality. We are prepared to please our self, rather than society and gain a real understanding of our uniqueness, accompanied by a sense of urgency to express our true self before it gets too late."

 http://dreamhawk.com/body-and-mind/every-seven-years-you-change/

49 - 56  I've Gotta Be Me-  what else can I be?
The above quote describes perfectly my past year.  I left a "steady" state job ( oxy moron perhaps?) to pursue my inner calling.  I am a performer, a storyteller, a believer in beauty in all its' forms.  And I'm ready to blab it too!  Be it in person, in blog, or over the airwaves, I will follow my music, singing and sharing.  Y siempre, te lo voy a decir BAILANDO.


So all in all?   I done good!  And looking forward to the next round.





Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.




P.S.  Plans for this cycle start off with a radio show for BB, so if you are so inclined please donate towards this, humbly speaking, very worthy cause.  Corporate contributions and sponsorships are also very welcomed.

Don't you just see it now?  ""BB Bailando con Bustelo"    Oh SI!!!


P.P.S.  If you are truly inclined and "no quieres perder la costumbre", donations for BB are also greatly appreciated.  Mil Gracias.