Lists, lists, lists

Because I know that no matter how hard I try to remember not to do it, I will probably lose my visit to the States planning notebook at some point before the summer is over, so I am going to share some of my list making here.  This will serve two purposes: I will have a back-up in case (read when) my notebook goes missing and you can see the kinds of things that are hard to find in Qatar, just in case you were wondering.  You weren't?  Too bad!  Here we go!

Groceries

• Basil couscous (this is one of my kids' favorite foods and I have tried and failed to make it from scratch, so we need a few boxes)
• taco seasoning (naturally)
• onion soup mix (have you ever thought about how much onion soup mix you use?  I apparently use it for everything since I miss it quite often these days)
• ranch dressing mix (this is for E mainly, but also for making dip since the made up at home version I have tried really doesn't cut it)
• chili powder (the version here is made with Thai chilis and is good, but not the same)
• dried onions (I use pounds of these and am down to my last few shakes)
• Mrs. Dash (salt substitutes do NOT exist here in any form)
• passion tea (ohmygoodness, how I love this Tazo creation)
• Asian 5 spice (I am sure all these spices exist here individually, but I would rather just buy them already mixed, since I only use this one on occasion)
• craisins (available but super expensive)
• chocolate chips (ditto)
• there are a few other items on this list but I'm not totally sure about them yet, so we'll see.

Clothes

• boys' shorts (they have almost grown out of all we had)
• boys' pajamas (they have already grown out of these)
• boys' white Sunday (aka Friday) shirts (in the next two sizes up)
• boys' black and white socks (required for their school uniforms)
• boys' black shoes (ditto)
• boys' flip flops (again, they have grown out of theirs)
• sun hats for everyone
• jeans that fit me (all mine have shrunk, darn my silly dryer)
• assorted items of temple clothes for the husband and me
• linen pants (never thought I would want these but I wear the one pair I have to death)
• thin capri leggings (to wear under skirts/dresses that might be a tad too short for the locals)
• a more modest swim suit or two for me (not that mine were very risqué but swimwear here is VERY conservative)
• rash guards for everyone (the sun!  It burns!)
• maxi skirts and dresses for me (already ordered from Target, hooray!)

Toiletries and Meds

• children's Tylenol and Ibuprofen (children's meds are not available at all here except by prescription)
• Benadryl (also only available by prescription)
• kids' vitamins (very hard to come by and uber-expensive)
• Nyquil/Dayquil (similar drugs only available by prescription also)
• sunscreen (totally ineffective varieties here)
• deodorant for the husband and me (the only varieties here are all sprays...?)
• tampons (the lack of these kills me!)
• cough drops (the only ones here are just candy)

Miscellaneous

• stain remover (the stain removers they have here are women who scrub the living daylights out of their employers' white clothes.  I need Shout to do that for me!)
• ziplock bags of all sizes (the ones here are not very sturdy)
• stickers (the kids love them and the only ones available are licensed characters)
• gifts for friends' birthdays
• gift bags (cost more than the gifts here, and that's saying something)
• books for everyone
• art supplies (in short supply here)
• printer ink (of course our printer isn't supported here)
• printer paper 
• small toys like silly putty, play dough, matchbox cars, etc. (for traveling, bribes, last minute gifts, etc)
• travel backpacks for all of us (for using on our next adventures)
• portable booster seats (also for travel)

It looks like a lot, I know, and I haven't even included some of the other clothes items we have already bought and had sent to our parents' houses, but we are only bringing two suitcases with us for vacation and we will leave with 8 between us (we also ordered new luggage), not counting carry-ons, so I am confident we will fit it all in.  I can survive without many of the grocery items (I have so far), but we're going to use my master packing skills and make it work!