Happy 59th Cumples BB! #FBF @conexionflorida Sept. 2021

From the September 2021 Edition of Conexion this post is a Cumples Copy. 

Hope you enjoy it as much as BB has enjoyed the last 59 years...

 

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

59 and feeling fine! Telling BB’s Angels, it’s not quite her time… Si, another Cumples, and Babushka couldn’t be más feliz. Matter of fact, healthwise, besides the COVID chacha, this is the best shape BB’s been in hace tiempo.  Gracias to Dancing with Diabetes, la dieta is healthier and life, not my food, is sweeter.  Oh si, a wonderful ejemplo how saying Life- JU SO FONII helps you rethink “negatives”. Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes made la vida more precious and priorities rechoreographed.  Not that Babushka would want any of you to get this preventable disease, pero to stress a point.  “A lo malo, buena cara.”  Wake up points come at any time, many times in our vidas. Age doesn’t stop this , es más, BB would say it becomes more evident the older we get.

https://brightwatergroup.com/news-articles/16-positive-quotes-about-ageing/

We get so many prods, that turn into pushes, that are precious possibilities if we allow them to be.  How many have you gotten Beautifuls? How many have you ignored? That small voice beckoning betterment isn’t yours, lamentablemente the doubt is. The more you follow your corazon’s calling, the more you appreciate la vida, porque the heart knows. And deep down, so do you. 

https://brightwatergroup.com/news-articles/16-positive-quotes-about-ageing/

If you speak to people “getting on in years” you’ll find some common threads. There are regrets for things they coulda/shoulda done, chances missed for not following that inner voice. And there are those who have come to the conclusion that life is not for  regrets and are going after that voice, embracing it at any cost. These are the ones that know life is for living, loving life and all it’s posibilidades. Ganando con Las Ganas. This is how BB plans to live the rest of her years. Here’s hoping they’ll be many more, pero si no, she knows the daily dance will be with every cell of her soul. To quote the great musical, The King and I, “Shall we dance?”

https://quotefancy.com/quote/792643/Deepak-Chopra-Life-is-like-an-eternal-dance-The-movements-of-the-dance-are-choreographed

Babushka Besos a Todos. Cuidensen.

A post from 2012, sharing waltzing and sentiments...

https://bit.ly/BBLifeIsButADream

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/

Social Good for a Good School Year #Ebates #GivingBackPack

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!!

It's Back to School Time, and though Babushka's Trio doesn't need me to get them their school supplies (bueno, maybe My Little One with college stuff, but that's different), BB still remembers how crazy the stores would get, the supplies all over the place, and the frustration of not getting everything on the list.  Lucky for y'all you can buy everything you need online, in the comfort of your home AND get money back too!! Si, with Ebates that's exactly how you use it. In comfort with dinero back.  

Unfortunately Babushka was behind the times, deadline, and running Cubantime so it was done the old fashioned way.  Debajo de lluvia, under rains, BB drove without AC to buy the school supplies. This campaign objective is to provide backpacks filled with school supplies for kids in need. Isn't that a wonderful thing? It's a special project, therefore a special backpack was needed. If BB was going to be giving of herself, the full essence must be given. Not wanting to get "any old backpack" Babushka took advantage of Bealls Outlet "Over 50 Club Members Monday", where everything is 15% off. Had to be conscious of the $25 allowance given by Ebates, and that's a great place to start.  I found el backpack y con el descuento it was $9.08.  

PERFECCION!!!

You can't get more "Bohemian Babushka living in rural Crawfordville" than this!

Totally feliz I went to Walmart to get the local school supplies list and the rest of the needed supplies.  

If you notice, there's no mention of a backpack, but BB doesn't care.

Exceeded the $25 allowance by $5, but BB doesn't care.

Helped a child start the school year off right.

BECAUSE WE CARE!!!

May the school year be one of joy and much learning, 

and if you could help it be so for someone else,

BB promises YOU My Beautiful, will have joy and much learning tambien.

BB2U


p.s.  Ebates  rebates 3.5% Bealls and 2% Walmart

p.p.s.
Babushka was so happy to give the backpack & supplies to Medart Elementary Principal Kim Dutton. 
It's a wonderful school and grateful for the donation.

PicaPica's 6 and ready to party!- Day 19 of SMCSF 30 day blog challenge

Yesterday was the sixth birthday of  PicaPica, my son MAC's eldest son. And everyday he looks more and more like his dad. Oh si he does- even the XBox said so when it greeted my son while it was actually scanning PicaPica.  What's worse (better?) is that everyday he acts more like his dad too.  And better (worse?) is that MAC is incorporating some things I used to do to him.  Like: 

Little Bro Rinquincaya is looking and hoping there's one for him too...

Birthday Wakeup Donut!!

Loved doing this for my trio- it always brightened everyone's day and started it off with smiles.  No tired sleepyheads on birthdays.  My DIL said they actually got up quickly and laughing!!

Rinquincaya showing how old HE is.

A day of laughter.

Rinquincaya y PicaPica

Now really, shouldn't that be what birthdays are all about?

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S. For those of you who think I'm counting the days until Karma comes for Puberty ::shudder:: .  

JU SO FONII!!!

and you know me too well.

; )

A Day Without Feibu y Tweety

Babushka didn't know what to do with herself on Monday. Bueno, let's rephrase that and give y'all a little background info here.  El Dr.'s 6th bday party was on Saturday, so of course La Tata and I were going, however on Friday when my eldest picked us up I hadn't quite finished with Tweety.  Thankfully during Hispanicize I had learned about HootSuite via the preciosa Paula Bendfelt-Diaz and had scheduled most of the weekend tweets, pero I still had a few left so I took my laptop.  And then on Sunday- I forgot my laptop. ::SIGH:: Ok, si, I know.

Now how many of you have had children say "I'm bored!" and you counter with "Well, you can always clean your room." or "You can ____________ (fill the blank w/some other chore) and that will keep you busy."  Yeap, that Karma sure has a wicked sense of humor doesn't she?

 So by 11 a.m. BB had:

Laundry

This is how it's done in Little Havana

DONE

By 1:00 p.m.

 

Crocheting



Cuban Pañales aka Burp Cloths

DONE

By  2:00 p.m.
(just in time for Siesta)


Dinner

Thank Goodness for Rice Cookers!
Arroz Amarillo w/vegetales w/hotdogs cut up
surrounding a mound of fufu w/fried eggs in the middle

HEARTY CUBAN COMIDA

DONE 



Once I awoke after my 3.5 hour nap- Quuueeeee???
I was physically exhausted.  BB usually staggers her chores...over days. 
Or longer.




Babushka did notice one thing though. I was more relaxed and felt more, dare I say it - fullfilled?  I had, if only for the day, become an oldtime Cuban homemaker with the crocheting and everything! Oh my, the visions of life in the campo, the lessons of yore, the simpler pleasures... maybe I should try going without mi computadora for one day a week? What the hey, BB's all about living w/gusto- maybe the entire weekends?

JU SO FONII!!!

When my daughter swung by after work with my laptop,

I didn't know which to kiss first- her or the computer.

; )

Time for a smartphone.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

February- The Month of Love Part IV

Martinique my muse suggested I write on love and the 5 senses.  
This is part IV- the sense of Touch.


Touch.  Oh si, TOUCH.  A physical and spiritual sense.  You can touch a hand and touch a soul.  Countless are the examples, but let BB share some of her favoritos.


 Now, BB being a drama-club-member-highschooler-of-the-80's,my first thought on hearing the word "touch"  brings back memories of a dark movie theater. And for the mal pensados- JU SO FONII!!!  I meant a memory of a particular song from the movie "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"; the song where Janet sings to the creature.

 You know the song, don't play bobo- sing it with me...

"Toucha, toucha, toucha,  touuuuuuch me- I wanna be diiiirrrrrty. 

Thrill me, chill me,  fullfiiiiiiill me, creature of the night." 

Whaaaaatttt???  Random you say?  Not really. 

 If you figure it's been over 30 years since I saw that movie down in the Grove (that's Coconut Grove for you non-Miamians) and yet I still remember the lyrics , you'd have to agree that it touched me.  Of course my parents thought I was touched -in the head, but for me it was the first showing of independence and I cherish it.

You know another thing that just naturally follows this?  Money. Si, dinero, bi-lle-tes.  

Having money is independence and I cherish it.  

  "BB, you're going off topic again.  Remember, "The love of money is the root of all evil."  

Is it?  Really?

Now just unscrunch that brow and let Babushka lead in this baile.  I'll try not to step on anyone's toes.... well, not too much and not too hard. How money = independence I think you can see that, but why I cherish it and what has it to do with the sense of touch?  Let me proceed.

Primero- the physical;  I like to touch money.  The coolness of the coins, their weight, feeling the jingles as they do belly bumps- I like this.  I like the feel of paper money, the crispness of new bills and  the creases  of those that have been in circulation awhile. I like the NOW of actual currency, not the pretend of plastic.   Pretty good analogy for humans too don't you think?  Si, the physical of money- me gusta.

Segundo- the spiritual touch of money.  The true evil of loving money is wanting it all for yourself, but when you share the wealth are you not showing love?  To touch another with kindness- that is love, and vamos decir la verdad; you can touch a whole lotta  people with a whole lotta money. It's not so much what is given as the fact that someone cared about them, thought of them, that they do count and are not alone- this in our material world is shown with money.  Soup for the hungry, encouragement for the lost, skills for the seeking, beds for the beaten, and laughter for the lonely,  these are but a few ways money can touch.  Si, the spiritual side of money- tambien me gusta.

Y me gusta compartir con ustedes.  

I love to share with y'all and to prove that- another giveaway!!! 

 Yes, change of tempo, from Tango to the Pony.  That's what happens when BB plays DJ! 

 ; ) 

Let's end this post on an upnote and happy tingles; go to BB's Feibu page, and enter the 

February Extreme Cash Giveaway with prizes from $300 - $50.

Buena Suerte and remember- no matter what- SIGUES BAILANDO!!!

Babushka Besos a Todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  I'd like to dedicate this post to my highschool friend Frank Kercado who could do a 

Dr. Frank-n-Furter like nobody's business and was a rare, intense, and true talent.  Frankie, you left us as you had lived- with passion and in a blaze. I miss you querido amigo, but I know  you're getting many curtain calls en el cielo while you sing amongst the clouds.  Mil Gracias for your brilliance.

P.P.S.  My 19 year old read this post and didn't know whether to think it cool that her mom likes "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" or be embarassed by it.  Oh Sweet Karma- I love you!  

jeheje  

Rinquincaya y PicaPica

Rinquincaya y PicaPica,  this is the nickname I gave my grandsons- my son's boys.  You remember my son right?  The 25 year old former marine who was partly (ok, mostly) the reason for my puberty shell-shock.     ::shudder::

Well, karma is delightful!  Guess the Universe figured he gave me a handful, so he was sent 2 handfuls!  Remember- you always get back double of what you give - so Cuidado!!!

Rinquincaya y PicaPica is an old Cuban phrase.  The Anglo equivalent?  Hmmm.... oh yes.   The Anglo equivalent would be-  Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.  On steroids.  Seriously.  Si, I know, many of you out there are saying, JU SO FONII !!! and I am, but I'm serious too.

Let me translate a little further.  Rinquincaya to me is a human tornado or hurricane- knowing the path they want to take and just plowing to their destination.  PicaPica is the same, but to another degree.  Their destination is reached through cunning and persistance- like a mosquito.  Actually, that's a pretty good description considering "pica,pica" means itch,itch.

The eldest of the two  was originally Rinquincaya- until his brother arrived.  His little brother , which by the way has the same name as the little boy in The Omen, (parental premonition?) made it clear pretty quickly who the plow machine was, so the eldest was renamed PicaPica.  Now let me illustrate.

I was visited by my son's family last Thanksgiving.  The eldest (who had just turned 4 and adored his Babushka) came running into my room, calling my name with joy in his voice.  He stopped as soon as he saw the stranger.  Not only was it a stranger, it was a male stranger, watching TV from BB's bed!  Quickly sizing up the situation, PicaPica decides to climb over this stranger to hug his grandma, making sure to step on the intruder's manhood along the way- literally.  Have you ever seen a 6'4" man be smaller than a 4 year old?

Introductions were made with the responses being a "hello" in a child's "whatever" tone and a grownup, almost inaudible, low  grunt when in comes  the two year old pushing the stranger to get to his destination.   "Grandma- where's my lollipop?"


 Hurricane and Mosquito, Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, Rinquincaya y PicaPica.


And what ever became of the stranger?  The stranger, my poor Sweetie, who had been ignored, shoved and almost castrated by these two  grew to love the boys.

 My  boys.  Rinquincaya y PicaPica- brains and brawn, always energized, always intense.  Definitely two  handfuls and tiring.

  But I wouldn't want them any other way.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.




P.S.  A story written in Spanish about R & P is posted under Pages.

P.P.S. If you've enjoyed this post please go to Facebook and "like" my page. Mil Gracias.