Snippets of Family Life November 24, 2007
Posted by charmingbutsingle in Family, My family is sure I will never marry, NaBloPoMo, We Get It -- You're Stressed About Getting Old.trackback
“I find it really sad that all people watch on TV is politicians lying to them and shows about people getting murdered,” my Brother said.
“So you’re not going to let your children watch TV?” my Mom asked.
“They will be able to watch 30 minutes a day.”
We all groaned.
“And then they’re going to read and play the violin,” my Brother said.
“Geez, violin lessons? How are you going to afford private violin lessons for your kids on a professor’s salary?” I asked.
“I’m going to be a tenured professor.”
“In fifteen years, maybe, if you’re lucky,” I said. “What’s your plan up until then? Wait to have kids?”
“I’ll figure it out. But they’re not going to watch TV. They’re going to play violin and read and enjoy the arts.”
“Well, I hope you also teach them how to take a punch, because your kids are going to get beat up everyday.”
—
“Your brother seems to really be in to having kids right now,” my Mom said, referring to how he smiled and patted his fiancee’s flat stomach, saying she’d be finished with graduate school in a year and a half and he’d hopefully be starting in January, and soon they could have babies and a golden retriever. She’d just rolled her 25-year-old eyes, like, “Oh, ok, glad you’ve got it all figured out.”
“I’m really into having kids,” I said. “I think having kids would be amazing and children are something I want so much.”
“Yeah,” my Dad said, ignoring me. “Your brother needs to get married first and consult with his fiancée before he plans out the kids.”
“Why does no one take me seriously when I say that I want kids?”
“Because you don’t have a husband, or even a boyfriend, right now,” my Dad said. “You’re lacking a necessary biological component.”
“I’m a modern woman, I could go get that taken care of right now,” I said.
“GOD,” my Sister interrupted, as if she’d had enough of this conversation and had to speak up. “Please please please DON’T start yourself off as a single parent.”
—
“The guy in Trader Joe’s looked at my ID like it was a fake,” I said as we sat waiting for our breakfast to come. We’d stopped to grab snacks for the car on the way out of town and I’d also loaded myself down with two six packs of Fat Tire, my favorite beer that I can’t get at home, and two bottles of Two Buck Chuck, because we were talking about it at dinner with The Producer the other night and I figured why the hell not buy some. (Also grabbed some pumpkin butter, for glorious toast in the mornings.)
“I mean, I appreciate him thinking I was young, but how many 20-year-olds buy beer at Trader Joe’s at 9:30 on a Saturday morning?” I continued.
“Did you say, ‘Hello, I’m 28 years old!’” my Mom asked.
“I’m not 28 yet! Not for another month. I am still in my mid-20s.”
“Oh yeah,” asked my Dad. “So when are you going to admit to being in your late 20s?”
“When I’m 29 and a half.”
I finally admitted to being in my late 20s this year - after turning 28 in June. It’s actually not so bad. Best I’ve felt - in so many ways - in my life.
Your family, btw, is hilarious!
It’ll be interesting to see what you think of the Two Buck Chuck. To me, it’s not even worth that much.
Thanks for sharing a few moments from your Thanksgiving Weekend.
Oh my - I turned 25 yesterday. Then tonight, I found pictures of myself on my 22nd birthday. I know it’s a cliche, but it literally feels like YESTERDAY. I do NOT want to admit to myself that I’m in my mid-20’s. I could kind of skate by the issue at 24, but now…*sigh*
I think I want to stick at 25 for 5 more years, then stick at 30 for the 5 years after…you see the pattern
Dad said “You’re lacking a necessary biological component.”
Of course said equipment can actually be found in almost any kitchen (turkey baster), and all other required components can either be purchased or obtained fairly cheaply. For the price of a six pack even… But the bottom line is that it’s certainly possible, and much quicker than anyone imagines too!
But yeah, bro’s fiancee is no doubt a gem. Long suffering no doubt only partly covers it. We hope they’re mutual plans he’s speaking to or else he’s in for quite a surprise. Check that, he’s in for surprises all along actually. Tenure & tenure track jobs are about 30% or less of all present teaching posts. And in this and all things, you’ll still probably be making less than a good plumber does, all things considered!
Sorry about LSU, they’ll be playing the Vols now too for the SEC championship.
Glad it was a fun time with the family. Cheers & Good Luck, ‘VJ’
My kids won’t watch tv. They won’t be taking violin lessons, but heck they can go chase each other around the yard a bit instead. ; )
I was just thinking the other day how I’m just 3 years away from 30… 27 doesn’t feel that old yet, but 30 seems like a big jump. That’s gonna be weird….
I hope your Brother has his kids take some self-defense classes after all those violin lessons. They’ll need ‘em.
It’s fun to watch all of you complain about reaching the end of your twenties. On the other hand, it does make me feel a bit like the old man in the room!
This was just so funny, it sounds like my family when we are sitting around, on holidays and when the conversation gets to deep I have to run out of the room because I know I am going to be the target.. Catch me if ya can!! is what I have to tell my parents when the bf talks start.. I love your blog…
Your family reminds me of mine! Conversation with my Mom today discussing my lack of boyfriend, “You’re 27… you have time before you’re in your late 20’s to find someone.”
Me: “Mom, I just turned 26!”
Mom: “Really?”
Good luck with the brother having kids before you…
Hahaha… your family sounds just like mine. I’m almost 28 as well, and my mom has all but given up hope that I’ll actually get married one day. Now I just roll my eyes and tell her that I’m choosing to be single for the rest of my life… just to get a reaction out of her.
In all seriousness, though, we’re still so young! There is plenty of time, and professional women are getting married later and later these days. And besides, who says you need a husband to be happy? Good for you for speaking up and asserting that you’re a modern, independent woman.
Lol, a friend of mine would have said she wasn’t 30, but 29 and 12 month old. And indeed, your family is hilarious.
mmmm… Fat Tire. Very sad you can’t get it at home.
Your family conversations remind me of some similar ones in my family.
wait till your brother gets married and your parents are then realizing that a legitimate grandchild is in their future. It just lovely. Then you will officially never get heard, as your mother oggles over the 25 year olds fertility and ignores yours. Good luck.
I’m 29 years 5 months old and single. My younger brother’s wife had a baby two weeks ago, my older brother’s wife announced she was pregnant last month. Both got married with the last two years.
My older sister-in-law’s mother prophesied last Thanksgiving that I’d be in a serious relationship by this time, in between berating her son for having a child out of wedlock and not letting her name the new baby. I spent Thanksgiving blissfully alone this year.
I’m sorry, I truly wanted to say something at least marginally smart but - pumpkin butter?? Seriously? And it’s tasty? You already had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! Anglos are mad.
Also, I’m 36 and nowhere near impregnantion, so kindly shut up.
I’m sorry, I truly wanted to say something at least marginally smart but - pumpkin butter?? Seriously? And it’s tasty? You already had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! Anglos are mad.
Also, I’m 36 and nowhere near impregnantion. Kindly shut up.