<p>I try never to think or say that D is gone for the year or 9 months. At dropoff in Aug/Sept, it was just 6 weeks to Parents Weekend–doable. Then just a month or 6 weeks till Thanksgiving, and D has more than a week off. Then just a few weeks and it’s the long winter break. Whew! Made it through the fall!</p>
<p>Then another 2 months and it’s Spring Break (quite long at her school) followed by Parents Weekend and before you know it, it’s summer. D is hoping to go on a school trip over Spring Break 2014 in which case I won’t see her at all that time…that will be hard, ya just gotta think of the great experiences they’re having and grin and bear it.</p>
<p>Last fall I pulled up horrible carpet in my bedroom which was covering up the original wood floor. I piled all my furniture in D’s room and could work at the project at an easy pace.</p>
<p>I find that preparing Care packages makes me feel better and she loves getting them. Apparently a lot of the kids that live closer don’t get Care packages. D said everybody is interested when she walks across campus with a big box that arrived in the mail.</p>