It’s finally happening.  I think I’m starting to cross the threshold into the “older” realm.

Now, I don’t look in the mirror and see anyone who looks “old” per say…oh, except for the new crop of gray hairs that have recently appeared.

I don’t feel like I’m “older” because I am still in the prime of my birthing and mothering years.

And, of course, the teens and young adults I know still, for some reason, think I’m “hip to the groove” of what’s happening in the world.  That’s got to count for some amount of youthfulness, right?

But, it’s what happens when the teens and young adults aren’t around.  It’s what my life is when it’s just me and my husband and son…and, maybe some family members who are cool with us doing “old people things”.  That’s where the reality of my age starts to show…that’s what makes me think I might be getting “old”.

Recently, we had to buy a new washing machine.  And, in all honesty, it might have been the most exciting thing that happened all week.

The large capacity!  The brushed metal trim!   The variety of settings, load sizes, wash options!  The detergent dispenser!  The rotating tub!  The glass top that allows us to see it in action!  The discounted price as it was the last floor model of a discontinued style!

(If we have any readers under the age of 25, they probably just fell asleep reading those sentences.)

Not only was I excited about all the great features, but I was actually, for once, excited about doing the mounds of laundry in our house.  I couldn’t wait to push all the buttons and use the different settings.  I couldn’t wait to watch the basin spin and fill through the glass top.  I was excited to see how clean our clothes would come out with this new, upgraded machine.

Okay, so maybe a trip to Sears to purchase a large home appliance isn’t as exciting as, say, going to a concert or viewing an exciting art exhibit.

Maybe most people don’t get a thrill out of watching the new washing machine spin around as the water pours from the top, automatically mixing in the detergent and equally distributing the clothing so that the tub is balanced (how did that sentence not just get you pumped up??).

But, “grown-up” things such as this register as excitement for me.  And, I kind of like it.

I think crossing that threshold into full-fledged adulthood is a really nice place to be.  I am not worrying about who I am supposed to marry or what my vocation is (hello, wife and mother!) as much as I am concerned with getting everyone’s underwear clean and doing it in the fewest loads with highest level of efficiency.

As far as I am concerned, this knew stage of life is excellent and I am looking forward to more of it.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a load of towels to wash.  Woo-hoo!