Home and Garden

As we travel down the road of our lives we pass certain mile markers. Some of these markers, we are very proud of: graduating from high school/college, marriage, buying a house, all come to mind. I recently experienced a new level of grownup-ness that left me in a cloud of confusion that I am still trying to sort through.

I've had conversations before about "adult" moments. Adult moments occur when you are transitioning from young adulthood to a fully independent adult. Often times you have this realization that you are not a kid anymore because you have to sacrifice a recreational act for a more responsible one.

One of my most memorable adult moments came when I was paying bills and watching a favorite childhood movie. I don't remember what was going through my mind when I watched the movie BIG for the first time, (I was ten years old) I can tell you with 100% certainty that I was not thinking the next time I watched this movie I would be writing a check to the water company 12 years later. That was an "adult" moment!

There have been countless more since then. The first time you go to bed at 9:30 is always a tough pill to swallow. Aches and pains after physical activity are depressing. Shopping for health insurance and for some reason buying mulch or fertilizer is always a sobering experience.

This current event/ experience was an adult moment to the 3rd power. It took place April 11 at Heritage Hall inside the famed Rupp Arena. The event: The 35th annual Home and Garden Show. My better half and I have committed to a more spontaneous, more outgoing schedule this spring/summer (while we have the opportunity). Our attendance WAS a spontaneous act, discussed and decided, while reading the Sunday paper (adult moment), that morning on the patio of our new favorite brunch spot "Doodles". It is an important detail to note because we did not anticipate attending this event, this was not a "Dave Matthews Concert" that was circled on the calender months in advance.

First of all, I expected a lot more garden and a lot less booths involving the latest and greatest fruit cutting technology. As soon as we walked in to Heritage Hall, I realized that our sanity for the remainder of the day was going to depend on navigating through the crowd and vendors in the least amount of time while spending least amount of money.

As I stood watching the presentation of the all new versa grater, (which grates countless different cheeses and peppers) it hit me, "I just passed a new mile marker". I am not ashamed of seeing the appeal in the latest foam insulation technology, or wanting a Pergola and new Patio area. I don't want a hundred different garden flags but trellises are cool.

At the end of the day, I was 24 hours older but felt like I aged ten years and I am comfortable with that. I came to the realization that I acted ten years older than I am around age 11, when I bought a short sleeved button down shirt with my OWN money (don't worry Linda, it was on sale). The Home and Garden Show was just another button down shirt....