What trappings define adulthood for you guys?

Life insurance.

I'm going against everyone and say keyboard. - if you get someone that really wants to play , you can get a piano when they want one. and my main reason - getting rid of a paino or organ , even for free seems to be really difficult around here, unless it is in perfect shape. Also - I'm going to add the expense of a regular piano tuner. You want one, really. Plus , ther eare things they can do with the keyboard - like plug it into the computer and ( with the proper software) 'write ' their own music. and soundeffects might capture there interest in music as well.

Yeah, a great thing about being an adult is that nobody (excluding legal authorities and the like) can tell you what to do, and one of the worst things about being adult is realizing that you still can't do everything you want.

Yeah, a great thing about being an adult is that nobody (excluding legal authorities and the like) can tell you what to do, and one of the worst things about being adult is realizing that you still can't do everything you want.

I am saving this for my kids when they are teenagers.

My comment on the keyboard would be to find out if it's got weighted keys. On mine, you can turn on a setting that will detect the weight you use to press the keys and respond accordingly, like a piano. Much more like using the "real thing," and easier to prepare for possible future "real" piano playing.

I'm thinking if it's $400, it should have that feature, but you may want to check to be sure.

There was the time when I had a group of Buffistas visiting, and I had to ask megan walker to bring a corkscrew with her along with a bottle of wine.

Of course, now I have the mother (father?) of all corkscrews, the Screwpull, which I admit makes me feel very adult.

things that define being an adult for me:

I think it is buying things that I don't want to buy ( Hello, lawnmower) but I buy because the conseqences of not buying them ( huge gardening fees; no food , because no rifidgerator; laundremat) are way worse than spending money.

also accepting that certain things that I have always wanted ( like a swimming pool) are most likely nevers, unless I am willing to change parts of my life that I am very happy with .

Adulthood for me was when I bought my first major (as in, more than $100 and not a bookshelf) piece of furniture not inherited from family, which was my coffee table and matching end table. When I purchased my first non-inherited couch and spent mucho bucks on it, I knew I was really a grown up.

I still go back to my parents occasionally to borrow (not mooch) money for bills, but not nearly as much as I used to back in the day.

Speaking of money, I've got my performance review in 42 minutes--eeep!! I've already got the printed version, so I know it's decent (meets expectations), but I'm not expecting much for a raise (need exceeds expectations for something really good there).

I've also officially commited myself to applying for the MLS program at Illinois (Internet version of the program) by asking my boss for a reference. Double eeep!!

Go Kathy A, future Librarian Superhero! Excellent program!

hat will detect the weight you use to press the keys and respond accordingly, like a piano.

DH's does . It was the only real requirement when he wanted one. I know his i s less than 88 keys.