Grandma is coming next month. This means two things- of course it will be nice to see her and the boys are absolutely thrilled.. but also it is giving me time to reflect and think about what sort of household items I am missing from my day-to-day life back in the states. What makes me laugh is that I’m missing pretty silly stuff- simple, yet things that I appreciated in the good ‘of USA.
You’re going to think this list is pretty trite- and it is. However that’s actually indicative of a good thing in that we must be faring pretty well if this is all we’re missing!
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- For my much smaller fridge- I notice that it takes on a bit of an ‘odor’. Nothing too bad, but it bothers me nonetheless.
Huggies One & Done Wipes- Well, they obviously have baby wipes here. However, my guess is much like the reserved nature of the children- so are the diaper explosions that much more manageable. Not sure why- but I have been missing our super-thick Huggies wipes from the start. We were really lucky and my husband’s company sent us a care package at Christmas that had 2 of the big packages in them- but alas! Those are almost gone now and I need more!!!
A1 Steak Sauce- I can’t help myself. I love the stuff! In the above mentioned care package we received 2 big bottles.. I try to use it sparingly but have pretty much used up the first bottle.
Duke’s Mayonnaise: What? Why would I need mayo in a country where it is served on the side of fries every single time??? Well- this mayo is strange. I only hope that G’ma can find the Duke’s in Michigan as that is one thing I fell in love with back in South Carolina (where it is made). We lived not far from a plant, and although it wasn’t nice to drive by and smell, it was nice knowing it was local.
Children’s meds- There’s a natural honey cough medicine I loved from Whole Foods as well as Children’s Mucinex for B- I need some NyQuil and DayQuil but other than that we do ok with the European version of Tylenol.
Unisom- I have been taking a 1/2 a Unisom at night for a while now. I notice on the nights I don’t I am restless, don’t sleep and am awake far, far too early. I’m sure it isn’t good for me to take this every night- but I continue to do so for the sanity of my family. I am a much better person to live with after I get a decent sleep.
Curling Iron- I know. You’re wondering who on earth still uses a curling iron??!! Well, I do, sort of. I have a straightener, but it just doesn’t do it for me. I have a 
short bob now and like the ends to be turned under. The straightener doesn’t really do it and I don’t always have time to blow dry- so at the very least I need a thick barreled curling iron. Here the cheapest ones I have seen are around 40 euros- which is way more than I want to spend on something I don’t really use or need all of the time. This is one reason I miss Target.
Yankee Candle Tarts- I love burning candles but I think with 6 little hands that’s a pipe dream. Hence my obsession with Yankee Candle Tarts which I miss like crazy. My sister sent me a bunch of my favorite Christmas ones, but those are gone. I need more!
Dial Foaming Handsoap- I love this stuff. I was recently lamenting on Facebook how I can’t find it anywhere and was informed that duh- you can make your own! Yay! So all I need are the dispensers and I am on board with making this stuff myself. I wash the boys hands a million times a day- and need it. I waste so much soap otherwise.
Food Coloring- I really wanted this stuff for my Christmas cookies. I hope it’s not the worst idea ever to ask her to put this in her luggage.
What is something that you would miss from home? It has to fit in a suitcase!
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
TOTALLY with you on the kids’ meds! That one used to confound me. My oldest, we discovered on the winding roads of Ireland, gets carsick. There’s no “Dramamine” there. I spent so much time in the aisles of the pharmacy trying to figure out what was what… And cold medicine was a whole other situation.
Hope you get a big, fat package from home!
Yes! We have an ok stockpile now- but it can always use some beefing up. Just one illness with all 3 boys nearly wiped us out. Great tip on the Dramamine. I might ask for some just in case.
Coffee creamer, they don’t have that here. Eierkoeken, hagelslag, mostly bad food stuff… But what I miss the most, day in day out, is the taste of dutch water. Just plain simple dutch water from the tap. Have one for me, will you?
OMG- the creamer must be killing you. You want me to send you some??? And agree with the water. In SC the water never really got cold- and here it’s wonderful. Love it.
Ah, that’s a nice offer, but not necessary, still have some and soon were having family over from holland; every time we do, they are ordered to bring dutch stuff over, haha!
Honestly, bagels. Everyone says that there is nothing like NY bagels and I’m obsessed. I miss them every time we are on vacation and I would definitely encourage someone to bring them to me during a visit if I moved.
Let’s see:
Cote D’Or melkchocolade
Calve Mayonnaise
Chocomel
Geklopt Slagroom
Kaassouffles
Icecream in any flavor from the Australian Chocolates shop
Wagamamas
Frites met mayo
My husband also just brought me a massive haul of candy back from the UK, but (sacre bleu) my tastebuds have finally turned American, and it’s not that tasty to me anymore. I actually prefer the Cadburys Dairy Milk we get on the shelf here to the real thing now.
I would definitely miss the baking soda. I can’t stand to have any kind of smell in my fridge or freezer…even if it is like the food I am storing. I also use it in the washing machine to help get out the odors in all of our sweaty workout clothes/uniforms. It is a lifesaver for my very sensitive nose.
I understand where you’re coming from! It’s the little things. .I hope she can bring you what you need!