Did you ever have one of those days where you finally felt all grown up?
Hubby got the dishwasher installed/ hooked up today, so when i came home from work I was able to do an entire load of dishes and get the dishwasher almost fully loaded with a second wash. I made dinner (enchiladas… beef for him and bean for me) and had enough left over stuff to make a vegetarian chicken enchilada casserole to cook and then freeze. Not only that, but I actually cooked it, cut it into pieces, wrapped the individual servings in wax paper, placed them in a plastic bag, and froze them! I even labeled the bag! Normally I make the casserole, then put it in the fridge and think “eh, I’ll do the rest later.” (which, of course, I never do). The dog is walked, the kitchen is cleaned up, I’ve put away enough frozen food for 6 lunches, and I’ve even had time to putz around on the Dope and Neopets and watch an episode of Monk. Tonight… I am a grownup.
I’m 22.75, and I’ve definitely done that “Remember when…” with some of my friends, especially about cartoons we loved when we were younger or songs that were awesome when we were in the sixth grade. It works both ways, though - a lot of my friends are in their thirties, and I tease them about being old fogies, but then I teach an ACT prep class, and the kids are looking at me like I need a cane while I’m thinking “Hey! I’m only a couple years older than you!” Then I look at their records and see that they were born in 1991, and I feel old again.
I feel most like a grown-up when I write out my income tax cheques and paying the bills, and organising my day. Aside from that, I haven’t grown up at all.
Ok, I can totally be all growed up and still care about finishing the latest Neopeys plaot! And the fact that they’ve relased the third incantation of the Daily Dare! That is a legitimate, adult-type concern. I mean, if I missed out on that… um, something adult-ly could happen. I have retirement accounts! That has to cancel out the Neopets thing, right?
Actually, every time I’ve had “meat” from a can it’s ended badly; I generally use Morningstar meal starters. The ground beef is excellent, as is the “bacon”; the sausages aren’t bad and the chicken is ok if you’ve no other choice. However, I use the ground beef very often and find myself addicted to the bacon, and I haven’t died yet. Good luck with your own choices; let me know if you’ve any questions, as I’ve been veg. for 11+ years now and might be able to help.
Sorry, I’m a meat-eater. But you may want to explain (maybe in another thread?) how a vegetarian chicken enchilada uses no chicken. I think Rick had questions.
I always have to giggle when I read a 22 yr old talking about feeling old.
Revisit the topic in about 20 years kiddo.
Then revisit again in 40!
When I was younger, I thought 30 was ancient, now I think 90 is old.
I was looking through old threads, and found this. Not quite 20 years later, but I can say that almost six years later, with a 17-month-old running around, I feel extremely not grown up. In fact, I’m frequently baffled that I am somehow in charge of this whole other person, as I cannot possibly be grown-up enough for the task!
Currently on holiday in South Asia, staying in a little grass shack on an awesome beach, eating street food, frolicking in the sea on my inner tube, and covering my bungalow porch with seashells and coral bits, Fuck growing up, I’m 57 and still feel 23!
In my estimation you’re a grown up when one of four things happen.
You have a problem at work or home and you don’t call your parents to help you fix it
Your parents come to visit you for the holidays rather than the other way around
Your parents try to tell you how to do something you’re responsible for (work, life, mate selection, kid management) and you tactfully tell them to butt out. This doesn’t mean you’re right/they’re wrong, it’s just that you handle it without a screaming fit.
You don’t sulk when things don’t go your way, and you realize the world doesn’t orbit around your ass
My dad was an awesome, funny, very cool dad & human. When I turned 21, he told me that just because I was grown up, it didn’t mean he had to be. He died two years ago, a month to the day before I found out I was pregnant with his first grandchild, and I know if he was here he would be crawling around making dinosaur noises with the little guy who shares his name. He never lost either of his parents, and I hope I don’t have to do that kind of growing up again for a very long time.
