1). When I was living with my mom, her making me clean up my room/the kitchen etc. would make me feel like a child. Now I take pride in keeping my house clean, and it makes me feel grown when people come in and say "Dag, your house is always so neat!"
2) Knowing that if I don't happen to clean up before I leave to go somewhere...NOONE IS GOING TO SEE IT!!! Things will be exactly the same way I left them!
3) Buying groceries and cooking real meals, I think I have gotten to be a better cook since living on my own.
4) Clocking in everynight, and getting a regular paycheck.
5) Getting mail/bills/voicemail!
6) Being able to tell my mother about something in my life and when she starts in on me, say "Thank you Mother, but I wasn't asking for your approval!"
7) Slipping in a curse word while talking to G-Ma and after excusing myself and expecting a reprimand, I get a laugh and a "That's my grandbaby, at least you got it honest!"
8) Deciding at a moment's notice to go out of town and just gas up Silvie and hit the highway...not asking for anyone's permission.
9) Being asked to HOST the family dinner!
(My family is supposed to be coming down for Thanksgiving this year!)