Don't use that, I might need it later!

I brought a few consumable things from the US that seem to be irreplaceable here in NL (see my other post You Cant Get That Here for other things that can't be found here in NL)*. For example: ZipLoc baggies, Reynold's Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil and Kleenex Tissues. Yes... I am partial to these brands. And it's not necessarily that these generic items cannot be found here in NL. It's more that what the NL use is not up to my standards.The foil doesn't seem as heavy duty, the tissues aren't as soft, and the baggies (at least the ones that I've found) are closed by either a twist tie or via a tab that is pulled across the top. These all work fine, it's just that, for me, it's like having to use regular grade gasoline when you've become accustomed to premium grade.

Since these things aren't readily available here, I have resorted to hoarding. They sit, rarely used, waiting for me to cave and make use of them. Much like when people keep a fine bottle of wine around for that 1 special occasion**.

The other night Hubs was kind enough to help make dinner. Now, before you feminazis get your panties in a knot over why shouldn't I EXPECT him to help make dinner, I'd like to remind you that I am NOT working. He is the sole provider so far and as such I am (exceedingly happy to be) responsible for cooking/cleaning/shopping. But, even if that weren't the case, having one's spouse/SO/mate/partner in crime/etc actually want to help with domestic duties should still be appreciated... but I'll leave that for a future post which will probably be titled "Where has all the empathy gone?"

But I digress... so, Hubs was kind enough to help make dinner. When he asked where the aluminum foil was I flipped. "DON'T USE IT!!! I'll just wash the cooking sheet." This, of course, aroused suspicion in him and I had to explain my desire to not use foil. In hindsight, I recognize just how silly that was. It's aluminum foil, not gold bullions set aside for our retirement. Hubs was considerate enough of my irrational fears that he only used as much foil as was absolutely necessary.


* If you go onto 1 of the "expats in NL" related FB groups you will quickly be told that whatever you are searching for can be found at Kelly's Expat. Kelly's is a store that specializes in British and American consumable items (sweets, medicines, baking goods, etc). The only problem is that you have to pay about 5x more at Kelly's than what you'd pay in the US. And since I'm more frugal than I am paranoid, I refuse to pay that much for these things.

** Except for the boxes of Kleenex tissues. Those we are using and as the number dwindles, I get more and more anxious about what will happen when they're all gone. The box of tissues Hubs bought prior to my arrival is NOT soft!! (I know... FWP)