Alex has settled in college very well! I think this boy was born to be in college. The change that I have seen in him is amazing and we couldn’t be prouder. He started college last year with English as his major and has recently changed it to Political Science. I hope he has found ‘his passion’.

Ever since I can remember  he’s had an interest in ‘political issues’…when he was around 5 years old he wanted to be  ”Bill Clinton”  for Halloween!  needless to say; he wasn’t  (I couldn’t find a suit for 10 dollars) so he was a Power Ranger.

But his love for politics don’t end there,  he was so interested in presidents, that I got him a little place mat for the table that contained all the pictures of all the presidents  and in not time he could name them all, with their vice-presidents and the years…

As he grew up and continues to this day: he watches every single documentary there is about presidents, Washington, Lincoln, Regan, Hoover, Kennedy,…name it

so when he changed his major, I would like to think; It was the right decision!…time will tell..

Carolina did some traveling last year to some major hospitals, such as Robert Wood Johnson in Brunswick and also at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. She loved the experience and realized there is more than her little hometown.

Don’t take me wrong; I wish I could keep her next to me for ever! but that would be selfish. I want her to grow, to see the world, be aware of so many opportunities there are in other places, other hospitals…..so many doors yet to be open!

But in the other hand, I love when she needs my advice, when she looks forward to my cooking, when she is home with me!

Why do they have to grow? why do they have to leave? and how do we learn to let go? or is it possible that we, as mothers, never let go, they remain as children in our hearts and in our minds; tender and fragile as the first day we held them in our arms….

Talk about time passing by! Whew…. my little boy starts College this coming week. I guess you’re  not a little boy any longer; but in my heart you will always have that innocent smile, that ‘Superman’ look, the tenderness of  ‘the White Power Ranger’  and the loving heart of Peter Pan…

 Why do I suddenly feel like I’m losing you,  I clearly see how they are beginning to take your own path and starting your own journey ….all without my help! Is that possible?

While my heart breaks to see grow up, I can’t tell you how pleased and proud I am to see the person you have become. I wouldn’t trade you or Carolina for anything in the world. You are compassionate, intelligent, wise for your age, loving, and my list goes on and on….

How I wish I lived long enough to see you both acquire the things in life I wish for you; love, happiness, children, of course a ‘better half’, successful relationships, friends,….

-Did you notice I did not mention work? Profession? ..if you have been following my  blog you know that to me; first and foremost in life is the relationships you build. A successful career means nothing if you have no one to share the success with!….all the worldly possessions mean nothing if you don’t have someone!

My favorite son!

So I wish them love! I wish them happiness, peace, but more than anything I wish “they never change”  I wish that no matter what, they find each other for holidays. I wish that no matter how busy their day is; that they find time to call one another in each other’s birthday.

I wish they take a few minutes a week to stay in touch with each other. I wish they take interest in each other’s life!

Because as they get older, they will realize; it was not the destination – it was the journey that made it all worthwhile….

I love you son, keep thinking ‘Happy Thoughts’….

Tinker B.

You see,  we have a child many a times when we are children too (in a sense)    - so we seem to care for this infant as we grow too into our own character, all at the same time. We watch every step they take, we look after their every move, and we are attentive to their needs, their wishes, their pleasures and dislikes, ….and suddenly just when they become your friends, just when you can actually talk to them, and enjoy and share so many things in their life…they decide to leave! And you are left feeling like your whole world is been swept from under you. You feel lost, disoriented, sad,….you wonder how did you make it before they came along!  …they leave an incredible hole in your heart!

My Baby..

But at the same time I couldn’t be happier for her!  Think of it: so many professional opportunities, so many places to see, people to meet, …to be so young and no ties down…the sky is the limit!

I really wish her well, even though my heart aches when I walk by her room, when 7pm gets here, when I watch Grey’s Anatomy,  when I go shopping,  when we have dinner, when Sunday rolls around, when I read the cards and notes she has left me….she leaves memories in every move I make – why? Because,  we have shared with other everything; our lives, our thoughts, our emotions….

We’re the best of friends and distance will not change that! 

I love you honey,  Mom

Well I baked all afternoon then I frosted the cupcakes and I was so proud of the results!! (see for yourselves) …I’ve been thinking; If I win the lottery I will open a Cupcake Bakery!

Or maybe I’ll just stay home and bake and eat…same thing!

My friend Dana walked in my office at 8:30am with this beautiful basket of flowers!  How thoughtful of her, but if you know Dana you would know that she is the most thoughtful person! I am truly blessed to call her my friend and Salsa Partner!  In the evening Jim and the kids took me out to dinner to BJ’s (sorry we forgot the camera) and after dinner we went home to have cake and open presents. I was showered with gifts and I loved it! (the child in me). I got cologne and wallets and dress pants and cookie cook books and cupcake cook books and everything so beautifully wrapped (Carolina’s doing-a/k/a Martha Stewart)  for Carolina everything has be perfect and beautiful the tissue paper has to be just right, the theme of the present must match the wrapping paper…etc!! Her attention to detail is amazing! She’s really my role model… Anyway, I had an amazing birthday, thanks to the thoughtfulness of all my family and friends! Back at you! …lots of love…

Whew, I have seen that happen in the last few weeks. Staying busy with work, clients, meetings, dinners, doing charitable work but always feeling I should be at home cleaning, cooking, talking to my kids, calling my friends, checking on my parents, replying my family’s emails and staying in touch…..but no such luck. By the time you realize your priorities, time has gone by… and you end up with the guilt of not having called, not having replied, not having taken the time to appreciate them. I can’t believe I been doing that! I have been trying so hard to teach my kids “that no matter what; your family and friends come first!!

Stay in touch, be thoughtful, reply to emails, call, text, make the effort to keep all lines of communication open….no matter what! You see…. relationships are all we have! At the end of our journey, when all the fun is over, when our youth is no longer there, when all work is done….all we have is the relationships we have built.

But the hard thing to make my children understand is that those relationships have to be “built”, you have to cultivate them! Of course I understand that they are busy, and that it might not always seem important, but you can’t expect to have friends and family interested in you when you never took time to appreciate them and enjoyed them! Better yet; loved them!

So take time to enjoy your relationships, cultivate them …you will be glad you did!

Listening for winners..

 I am thrilled to announce our excitement tonight; Primary Color was awarded 6 ADDY Awards by the Advertising Federation of Gainesville.  These awards honor the best in local advertising and cultivate the highest creative standards in the industry. Awarded by the American Advertising Federation, the ADDY® Awards are the nation’s largest advertising competition — over 60,000 entries. Local entries are judged by a distinguished panel of advertising creatives from outside our market. Local winners proceed to the District and, potentially, to National competitions.

I’m always so proud of our work, our unique design but most of all ‘our customer service’. We strive to provide excellent service. I think this can either make you or brake you. I read once that when you tell your clients that you strive to provide an excellent product while having a mediocre staff or costumer service …it’s like really telling your clients: I was kidding about “excellence”….and I find that so true!

I can’t wait to share these awards with our clients Monday! 

Happy V-Day

I woke up this morning to read my paper and I found my cup of coffee waiting for me, next to my newspaper, I had a lovely card from my Valentine with my favorite type of chocolate “marshmallow hearts  covered in milk chocolate”   hmmmm what a way to start the day!