things i took for granted before i lived without them for a few years

When we moved to Scotland (We miss you Scotland friends!) we took 4 large suitcases, 2 small suitcases, and two personal items. And a guitar. Getting home with that same amount of luggage might have soured me from international travel for the rest of my life. Even though we had called the airlines to see how much we could bring back with us, they've tightened the rules since we traveled to the UK in 2008. It didn't help that we had the most convoluted itinerary of all time which included five airports, 2 of which were small and regional, and three different airlines (all in the same 'network' but each with its own luggage restrictions).

Our generous friends in Scotland gave us lots of great baby stuff, so that was the top priority when packing to come home. We had also collected necessities like a complete set of the British version of Harry Potter that we weren't about to leave behind. That meant that I had to be CUT-THROAT when it came down to my own personal items that returned to the states with me. I left an entire box of clothes in hopes that someday I would return to collect them. I left towels, sheets, books, shoes, etc.

At almost every airport I had to throw something out to make my luggage fit the requirements. My only pair of brown shoes got thrown out really before we had even started the journey at the Aberdeen airport when security said that my carry on was too heavy. I left my UK blow dryer at the hotel we stayed in overnight outside of London. I threw away a DVD, some great reusable shopping bags, and my hairbrush at Heathrow. Let's just say I left a bit of a trail between Aberdeen and Idaho.

The scene at Denver International was the worst. We had made a three day layover in Denver in order to spend some time with Darren's parents right before Christmas. So, imagine how embarrassing it was having to open up our luggage in front of the thousands trying to travel during the holidays and frantically handing over half of everything we had for his parent's to keep in Colorado. Yes, we were THOSE people, all because the airlines were going to make us pay for extra luggage AGAIN. I ended up in tears because after five days of travel I had just about had it with airports. I just wanted to be home.

Anyway, Darren and I have learned to live on very little over the last few years. Even now that we're home 95% of everything we own is still (hopefully) in a storage unit somewhere in Colorado, so we continue to live without a lot of our 'luxuries'.

But since we are currently living with my parents until we have a baby and figure out where we are going to live this fall, some of the things that I lived without in Scotland have now reentered my life.

In no particular order, the things that I CAN live without, but have found nice to have around.

1. KitchenAid Mixer
2. A television/American cable
3. More than one spatula, knife, cutting board, and mixing bowl.
4. Full-sized vacuum
5. Washer and dryer in the house
6. Sewing machine
7. My own cell phone
8. Dish washer
9. A Car/Driving
10. Fountain Diet Cokes (I've only had like 2 since I'm pregnant, but it's nice to know they're available)
12. Choosing between a shower OR bath

But the very best thing is being so close to family and friends. We're missing Scotland so very much, but it's awfully nice to be in the same time zone so that I can call my sisters whenever I want to. And do crossword puzzles with my mom and dad over dinner.