I apologize for my absence.  Once the tryptophan finally dissipated and I awoke from my foma (food coma), I spent the next few days in a self-induced shopping coma.

As much as I love shopping on Black Friday, I lacked the same enthusiasm in previous years.  This year, I only visited Wally World to score a $9 Kung Fu Panda and some $4 fleece pajamas.  I suppose I could have stayed in bed and slept off the trippy tryptophan feeling, but I love the excitement of Black Friday and the crowds.

Over the years, I have learned to stay clear of overly cheery Black Friday freaks fans.  These ladies wear their merriest holiday ensemble.  You will hear their jingle bells as they run you over with their cart to grab the last Wii bundle. 

This year, I spotted a herd of ladies dressed like Christmas cheerleaders.  They wore red holiday tees bedazzled with “Shine” in sparkly letters across the front.  They completed the look with shimmer red and green headbands that looked an elf exploded on their heads.  Although the outfits were a riot, I found their conversation even more comical.  In true Target Lady fashion, they made comments about every little item as they shopped.

“Well, isn’t this lovely?” 

“Have you ever seen anything so cute in your life?”

“And you can’t beat the price!”

This holiday version of the Target Lady made it worth getting up at 6:00 a.m. to shop.

In past years, I would find myself waking up at 3:30 a.m. to begin a marathon day of shopping.  Around 8:00 a.m., my girlfriends would make a pit stop at my house to refuel with a hot cooked breakfast prepared by my DH.  Then, my family and I would head out for round two of crazed crowds in shopping malls.

But this year, my DH needed to work on Black Friday and so my mall shlepping would be trimmed. 

After Wal-Mart, I continued my holiday spending spree with some on-line shopping.  That’s when I found my moment of Zen.  With no screaming, fighting or crying children begging me to buy every fuzzy and shiny object, I shopped at 6 different stores all at the same time.  My children happily played while I loaded my shopping carts.  It was fabulous. 

For this Black Friday, I saved my sanity as well as a few dollars.

But then, this morning on the news, I heard about a relatively new retail phenomenon: Cyber Monday.  WHAT?!  More rock bottom prices?!  Once again, I shopped till my eyelids dropped searching for bargains and all from the comfort of my ass home.  I have a new love. 

Move over, Black Friday!  Cyber Monday is serving up deals with no lines and no waiting!