I’m sitting here on my laptop by the cozy lights of our Christmas tree with red eyes and a stack of tissues.  My oldest daughter (11 years old) is heading to 6th grade camp tomorrow.  She will be gone through Friday and aside from leaving her with my parents for quick couple getaways, this is the longest she has ever been away from home and away from me.  She is SO excited.  And I am SO sad!  I put on a brave front for her.  We packed her bags today and I told her how she is going to have a blast and to remember to wear sunscreen when it’s hot and a coat when it’s cold and to make sure she eats (even if it’s food she doesn’t like) and to brush her teeth in the morning and at night and to keep track of her stuff and about 15 other things to remember.  I told her how much I love her and how we will be lost without her (we really will – she is our peacemaker!) and how proud I am of her.  Then I kissed her good night and came downstairs and started to cry.  I quietly sobbed and sniffed on the couch while my husband watched his recorded episode of Survivor until he finally turned to me and said “are you going to be ok?” Continue reading “Cyber Monday Deals (when retail therapy is needed..)”