The End of an Era. @ConexionFlorida

`This is the article written for the December 2025 edition of Conexion.

With mixed emotions BB shares this one, but it is perfecto for this time of endings & beginnings...

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Time to say Adios to this year and to get ready for the next. Hopefully learning from the past to bring freshness and freedom to the future. “Should Auld acquaintance be forgot”?  JU SO FONII !! Beautifuls, that’s part of life’s pleasures and ways. To remember with fondness, sometimes with cuidado, but to remember life’s moments. We remember momentos of la vida, both bueno and malo, to smile, to learn, to grow, to know. The birth of a loved one, the death of a loved one. The welcomes and the Goodbyes. Momentos of pleasure,  moments of pain. This is life, this is inevitable, this is how we must live, this is how we continue.

And so it is with this newspaper. December 2025 marks the last paper, handheld edition of Conexion. So many years in print, so many momentos and memories. Babushka for her part has a few boxed away for future smiles. Y si Beautifuls, there will be future smiles.  El Mundo has decreed electronic reading the way to go, and life continues, and we will adjust. The environment will lose less trees, the waste will be less, the cost to produce will definitely be reduced and the size of the publication will prosper. There will be good from this change. And there will be nostalgia. The end of the year is always a good time for both. Ribbons to go around the cherished and scanning to enter the new era. Hopefully we will be sure to do this to all aspects of our lives.

Wishing All un Feliz Año Nuevo and Many Happy Memories.

Babushka Besos a Todos. Cuidensen.

It's #MonsterJam For The Win!

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls! 

Have you ever gone to an event and enjoyed it so much that you kept going back? So much fun that it became a family tradition? Bueno, Monster Jam is just that for Babushka's Bunch in Miami. For those that have gone to one, you know of what BB speaks, and to those who haven't, let's show you what you've been missing!

Buenisimo right? Here's the official descripcion:

Experience full-throttle family fun at Monster Jam®, where these 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt
in intense competitions of speed and skill. Witness world-class drivers show off crazy skills and all-out racing in
fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship.

Families have their favorites and you can hear them in the stands cheering them on. Sometimes there are even rivalries en familia, and that's parte of the fun too!!

Monster Jam also features breathtaking
Freestyle Motocross exhibitions. Monster Jam. As Big As It Gets!TM

And as if the show weren't enough, The Pit Party fills with wide-eyed fans, children and grownups alike. Seeing their favorites close up and personal and activities galore make this an unforgettable cherry on top. The official lenguaje-

The excitement begins at the Monster Jam Pit Party fan experience on both Saturday & Sunday.  Fans can see the massive trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, get autographs, take pictures and enjoy other family-friendly activities.  New-for-2023 activities include the Sand Box play area, UNOH tire demonstration, coloring & temporary tattoo station, and the chance to take a photo with the Series trophy. This fun-filled experience is the only place that allows people to get up close access to the Monster Jam teams and get an insider’s look at how these trucks are built to stand up to the competition.  Pit Pass available to purchase for $20 each. 

Babushka was given tickets to giveaway to the fantastic family fun. 4 tickets to the 1 pm Saturday show. Eso!!!  Beautifuls, there are three questions to answer here on the blog and 4 chances mas on BB's social media. Each answer/comment counts as an entry. Make sure you answer each separately for a better chance!! Here are the questions-

1. Who would you take with you to Monster Jam?

2. Have you ever been to a Monster Jam?

3. What do you look forward to most in Monster Jam?

Now those are the 3 here, remember to go to BB'S on the other platforms for more entries. For those who want a sure thing,  get your tickets with a discount using MOM23. 

Buena Suerte Beautifuls !!

BB2U

Cubantime Calendar Countdown 2021 Part I

 

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

No se about y’all but for BB 2020 was a Blurb y 2021 a Buzz, como un bee, flying by y Babushka trying to be stingfree. So far, so good. Pero she must admit, the blogging has taken a bit of a back seat. Between acting, daily mini posts (IGrammy, Feibu y Tweety) and living, the New Year goal of monthly resumens (never resolutions- BB knows herself too well pa’ eso) Babushka's running on Cubantime. Seeing we’re halfway through the año, parece a good time to start playing Cuban Catchup. So ponte los cinturones Beautifuls, aqui vamos!

January-Enero

Started 2021 en Casa BB with Sweetie. A traditional mixed cultural cena of many items including lechon, sauerkraut, black eyed peas, shrimp, sidra and of course the 12 grapes to pop into our bocas at midnight , one for each bong of the clock, while jumping to each bong. Quee?? Cubanos do one thing at a time?  JU SO FONII!!

January 2

The next dia we started a new tradition, visiting St.Augustine with son MAC and his Minions. Of course a trip to San Agustin wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Busy Bee. Once all the senses were satisfied, off to meet la familia!

 So San Agustin will see BB and her Bunch again in 2022. 

ESO! 👍

Ok, not gonna go dia por dia, porque then it'll be Crisma by the time Babushka posts. 

Sooooo.... video con todo!!

Then Febrero- the month of Love.

And BB knows no greater love than love of Grands-

Except the love of donuts.

He had never gone inside the Dunkin.

Grandchild #5

Trip to the INSIDE of a Dunkin Donuts with BB.

Oh my. The variety... His eyes glazed over- just like the donuts!!

Took him over 5 minutes, 

but he picked two, and this was the verdict.

And now the month's video highlights-

March

Wow and Woah.

 Oh Google, JU SO FONII!!

Ya really shouldn't count the places/times BB and Sweetie had to stop for pp breaks...

And there Beautifuls are the first 3 months of BB's 2021.

Truth be told, seemed to take longer to write the post about them than to live them...

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

Rugrats, The Complete Series DVD Giveaway. Oh the Memorias!!

 

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!!

When BB saw this giveaway she knew she HAD to join in.  Oh, the happy memorias of watching this with The Trio! One of the few programs we all enjoyed and looked forward to. And of course that made Babushka look forward to sharing this with you Beautifuls!  Here's to Happy Memories!!

Welcome to the Rugrats The Complete Series DVD Giveaway!

1 Winner

Rugrats The Complete Series DVD

This giveaway is part of our Dads and Grads Gift Guide – Stop by to see all the giveaways and great products.

HOST IS MICHIGAN SAVING AND MORE

My co-hosts for this giveaway are Deliciously Savvy, Gifts for all seasons, Home Jobs by Mom, A Nation of Mom, The Stuff of Success, SaraLee’s Steals and Deals, Versatileer

Below is a list of all the bloggers involved in the gift guide.

A Rain of Thought, Deliciously Savvy, Giveaway Gator Home Jobs by Mom, Jessica Inspired by Faith, MarksvilleandMe, Michigan Saving and More, My Silly Little Gang, Simply Sherryl, Tales From A Southern Mom, The Stuff of Success, This Frugal Family, Versatileer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This giveaway's Sponsor is:

WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ INSTAGRAM ~ YOU TUBE

Available on DVD May 18, 2021

~~~

Rugrats The Complete Series DVD - 1 winner

Rugrats The Complete Series DVD

Available on DVD May 18, 2021

$49.99 ARV

See review HERE.

For the first time, fans will be able to enjoy all nine seasons from the Emmy Award-winning show in one giant, 26-disc collection. Rugrats follows the secret life of babies Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Kimi, and Dil, plus toddlers Angelica and Susie, as they embark on misguided adventures (in reality and their vivid imaginations) right under the noses of their unsuspecting parents and grandparents.

~~~~~~

THE GIVEAWAY

This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to continental United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 6/3/21. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.

If you are a blogger interested in our gift guides sign up here or more information is HERE.

Get blogger opps just like this by signing up to receive blogger emails HERE.

Sponsors interested in joining our gift guides can see the information HERE.

 

Entry-Form

Buena Suerte Beautifuls!

BB2U

#TBT- Absence Makes the Corazon Grow Fonder

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls! Looking for a post from Aprils past, BB found this one from 2012. Oh the longings of new love!  Posting this is a  little ironic considering both BB and Sweetie forgot their anniversary this año, but the longings when apart still happen. Bueno, a little look at “young” love.

💞

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. After almost 2 1/2 months away, apparently that cliché became a clincher.  Babushka's going to be a bride.  Ok, si, I was engaged before going to Miami, but the date was ambivalent and, "Well, it'll be in April. Not sure what year, but definitely in April."  Bueno, now we know the year - 2013.  Oh my.

This will be BB's third marriage, his first. I can hear y'all echoeing- Oh my.  Guess you can say "they got themselves a real live one" - and we have.  We both think we're very lucky to have found each other and actually are a bit surprised it took so long to meet.  Imaginate- he's 6'4" and I'm... Babushka, so we don't exactly blend into the crowd, especially in this little rural town.  It took us 5 years to meet, 2 years together and 2.5 months apart to set a date, but it's set. 

So, how do weddings for "mature mates" differ from the younger couples? 

 JU SO FONII!!!  Maybe because I've already had my church wedding with all the whistles, but at this point we just want FUN.  A true celebration for all involved- including and especially the bride and groom.  This being his first wedding we wanted to make sure his mother would be able to attend, so we chose to have the ceremony near her home in central Florida.  Years ago I fell in love with the beautiful and tranquil  Bok Towers and thought what a beautiful place for a wedding this would be; amazing how the heart knows long before we do. 

Carillion Tower- Bok Tower

The spiritual sense of belonging, the soul of our celebration,would be represented perfectly in this setting.  But we all know, or should know, marriage isn't all tranquility and silence- especially with a Cubana, so we needed to find a place representing the other side. A place that was loud, in color and noise, mentally stimulating, tiring, and entertaining all rolled into one- a place like

LEGOLAND

Now how apropo, perfect and FUN is that? 

Can't you just see Babushka and Sweetie at the reception?

Actually, that's one of the reasons this wedding will be more fun. You dear readers will help me plan the little details that drive brides into bridezillas.  How do you see my wedding/reception dress?  Remember I'm over the top, but a no fuss kinda gal, so the wedding dress will go straight on the rollercoasters of Legoland. The bouquet? His wedding garb? Our wedding colors are turquoise- you decide w/what, and he likes folk music while I like something danceable. The grandbabies (all 4 of them) will be there so it'll definitely be lively and with your input lovely. 

Looking forward to the day and your visions of it.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  The number of wedding guests won't be over 25, 30 at most- so let's not go too crazy.

  Para eso estoy yo.

; )

8 years despues, and plans were made and changed.

La boda ended up being a spur of the moment with his mother, brother, and family friend

in an outdoor courthouse ceremony. And it was perfecto.

De Corazon- @PicturesOnGold1 Mother's Love Heart Locket #Giveaway! $140+ RV!

 

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Y'all know that moms always have pictures in their hearts of their children, bueno now they can have those pictures in hearts physically!!  No way Babushka could pass up this opportunity to have one of you win this, or at the very least, pass to you a savings code for this maravilloso momento for mom.  Or yourself, because realmente, anyone in your heart is worth having near you siempre.

So, sin further ado, the giveaway. 

Sponsored By: PicturesOnGold.com

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

Winner Will Receive: 

A Beautiful Sterling Silver 2 Photo Heart Locket w/ 18" Chain 

from PicturesOnGold.com worth $140+! 

~*~*~*~

Can't wait to see if you won? I have a coupon code for 10% OFF your order! 

Just use "MOM10" at checkout on PicturesOnGold.com!

~*~*~*~

Love, Mrs. Mommy's PicturesOnGold.com Review:

Pictures On Gold has such an easy website to use. They take you step-by-step through the process on their website, to create a piece of jewelry you will be delighted with. Their website allows you to see what your pictures, engraving, and art will look like in real time before you hit the purchase button. You will also see the price upfront as you customize your piece.

Click here to see pictures and to read the full review!

PicturesOnGold.com will go even further to make sure your gift is perfect. They will make sure that your photos fit perfectly, no matter their size, and if there is awkward spacing in the photo, they’ll enhance the photo to eliminate blank space. Often, they can even remove the background of a photo, leaving your loved ones front and center in your favorite photo. The laser engraving is 100% waterproof & scratch-proof and is guaranteed for a lifetime!

Open To US and must be 18+ to enter
Giveaway Dates ~ 4/21 9:00AM EST through 5/19 11:59PM EST
Good Luck!!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winner will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Buena Suerte Beautifuls!

BB2U

Corazon & Caresses Over Cancer. 💗 #becauselove

#sponsored and special. via becauselove,

all opiniones are babushka's.

💞

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

In Babushka’s post God's Wicked Sense of Humor and Life Lessons with a Smile, BB shared how her daughter contracting cancer in many ways was a gift.  Naturalmente, there were some dias that it didn’t seem like it. For those moments an actual gift helped.

There are sometimes you just don’t want to speak. Even- especially to your madre. There are only so many times that as a madre you can say “Sometimes you have to get sick to get better.” “This too shall pass.” Quee??  Ok Si. A madre never tires of saying that, but her children may tire of hearing it. There are times they’d rather be solos, by themselves. Thinking, Being. Pero always knowing that anything they do is ok, that they are loved.

With these regalos from Because Love it’s easy to show your concern and  amor without having to verbalize it in person. Let’s be honestos; how many times have you been told about someone’s illness and all you can think of to say is “I’m so sorry.” Con estos you can say so much more, con thought y corazon. Be their comfort and strength when they know they need it.

Cafe & Carinos

Perfecto verdad? Arona Martin, founded Because Love in early 2018 after dealing with the loss of her close friend to cancer and was inspired to create a platform to help support others dealing with cancer treatment.  En sus palabras, her own words:

This project came directly out of my heart for a very dear friend, Jessica, who at age 31 years old, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Not knowing what else to do, and using my art therapy background, I bought a blank journal and filled it with all the love, sass, and glitter I could find – writing prompts, doodling prompts, get your anger out prompts, prompts to throw a crayon temper tantrum (on the page) – whatever would help her get through the battle of her life. She loved it, and often told me how much it helped her with all that she was going through day to day.

While sitting in waiting rooms and therapy bays, other women asked where they could buy one. She would tell me of these conversations and I would make a few more to give to these women. That is when I decided to pursue bringing the journal to market so that others could feel comforted and loved like Jessica did.

De dolor si puede venir Bellezas- Pain can bring Beauty.  And Strength, and Comfort. It has to Babushka’s first born, with the Because Love Bundle Pack, the journal & blanket.. Tambien the quality,materials, y varieties of these details help the magia in their momentos.

LOVE Heals Journal

the LOVE HEALS journal is the gift that is as precious to give as it is to receive. more than pages in a book, this journal is a dialogue, a true conversation about the days filled with strength and the nights longing for that strength to return. it’s the perfect size (appx. 9x7) to carry in purse or backpack, and the exquisite design is lovely on a nightstand or desk.

Comes with:

• over 160 journaling pages
• 28 journaling prompts
• 14 inspirational quotes and messages
• 90 blank pages with space to write, draw, etc.
• 2 metallic sticker sheets
• 1 embroidered sticker sheet
• 2 small envelopes (retail therapy, and inspirational words)
• 3 gold paper clips tassels
• silver glitter washi tape
• 1 embroidered fabric bookmark with purple velvet backing and tassels

The cover is made with a luxurious and soft blush velvet with a gold metallic faux leather closure.

That was to warm their corazones, for the cuerpos, the Big Hug Lap Blanket.

Big HUG Lap Blanket

a luxurious grey knit lap blanket with glittering metallic thread to wrap the ones you care for in love. there are 31 knit holes for you to attach personal messages. make your own or use the 6 starter tags that are provided. it is the perfect size to fold up and fit in a purse, bag, or to carry on a long, hard journey. bring the BIG HUG everywhere!

Size: 28” x 40”*

Comes with:

• BIG HUG lap blanket
• 6 grey velvet back tags (4 grey grommet closures, 2 jewel closures)

To know they've received algo de calidad, de valor on many levels. This is love they will feel con todo their heart, in their very soul. They need this Beautifuls,they need to be shown their worth, just as we need a way to share our amor without having to be there in person.

And as if this wasn't enough, if daily inspiration is needed-

From their IGrammy acct

Or daily exasperation/frustration-

how to say, Life- JUSOFONII !!

Feibu Post 

Their IGrammyand Feibu accounts, like their products, son EXCELENTE. Mas que Bueno. Babushka is glad to have found a company that truly knows in all aspectos, what the pain of loving someone with cancer is and how it affects all involved. Should you need the words to convey, the corazon to carry on, Because Love is a digno dance partner. Porque al final, that's all we can do verdad?

BB2U

2017 Auld Lang Syne- Feliz New Year!!

This post will also be in N.Florida's Premier Bilingual Newspaper Conexion. BB has a monthly column.

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls, and FELIZ NEW YEAR!!!  

They say that musica is the universal language, and Babushka definitivamente agrees with that. So, time to share the history of one of the most beloved and shared songs of all time- Auld Lang Syne. For the full rendition go to Scotland.org for a lovely share.

"In 1788 Robert Burns sent the poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’ to the Scots Musical Museum, indicating that it was an ancient song but that he’d been the first to record it on paper. The phrase ‘auld lang syne’ roughly translates as ‘for old times’ sake’, and the song is all about preserving old friendships and looking back over the events of the year.

It is sung all over the world, evoking a sense of belonging and fellowship, tinged with nostalgia.

It has long been a much-loved Scottish tradition to sing the song just before midnight. Everyone stands in a circle holding hands, then at the beginning of the final verse (‘And there’s a hand my trusty friend…’) they cross their arms across their bodies so that their left hand is holding the hand of the person on their right, and their right hand holds that of the person on their left. When the song ends, everyone rushes to the middle, still holding hands, and probably giggling.

Auld Lang Syne:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne.

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my jo,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne,

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!

And surely I'll be mine!

And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Chorus”

Ok, now who else is going to print out the words to get it right?  Quee??  JU SO FONII!!! Por supuesto BB will have them right next to her.
The rest gets very “Scotsy”, which BB adores, so if you’d like to read more click on the link and sing with your drink. For our part, Sweetie and Babushka cantamos the cancion and lift our drinks to all our friends, familia, and of course those that are la combinacion of the two.  To you Beautifuls-

2 Oldies saying Adios to the old year.

Babushka Besos a Todos. Cuidensen.