Bare Necessities.

A story from the other day:
Jeff's parents are the best people on this planet. I didn't know what I was getting into when I married Jeff. You see at the time I didn't know Jeff's parents very well before we were married because they spend their down time on missions. Currently they are on mission number five to Jordan. But if I had known the in-laws I was marrying into, well I probably would have been just as excited to marry into that family as I was to be marrying Jeff. Sorry Honey. At least I didn't know it at the time, so my motives for marrying you were pure. And if you ask me if I would do it again. The answer is yes. But I would do it again for you, or for your parents. . .well the truth is a little blurry and complicated now.
So let me tell you a little about the Lee's so you appreciate the reason for this post. Brent and Charlene. These two are possibly the most frugal two people on the planet. I think they find joy in trying to out do each other in their frugality. I don't think they have ever once thrown away a scrap of food that was still edible. Now edible is different from good. Edible means it wont kill you to eat, but it no longer looks good or tastes good. Because of this Jeff and I are always so sure to clean out our fridge because if they come and Charlene or Brent find some food that is a little past prime, they will cook it up and make us eat it until it is gone. Sour milk, no problem- bake it into bread. Three bottles of old mustard, no problem- mustard can go on EVERYTHING. And for their example of frugality we love them.
They are also minimalists. A couple of Christmases ago Charlene needed a new wool coat. Now if I need a new wool coat it is because I need it for a certain outfit. I currently have three black wool coats, and perhaps I'm still in the market for another. Who knows. The difference is when Charlene needs a wool coat, it has to be The Wool Coat to Last the Rest of her Life and must go with Everything. So we spent hours going through the entire mall (this is not an over estimation) looking for this coat. It had to be the perfect length, thickness, color, have a hood, outside and inside pockets, and be 100 % wool. Because Charlene will only own one wool coat.
Brent also is an example of this. Once upon a time I stumbled upon his sleeping bag. After looking at it and finding it oddly short (Brent is probably 5'6") I picked it up to inspect. And what did I find? Brent had realized he didn't need the lower quarter of the sleeping bag because he was too short to ever get his feet down there. So what did he do? Cut it off and resewed it. Because why pack around more sleeping bag then you need? And I put money down that he used the end of that old sleeping bag to make something else. Possibly a new hat.
Now where I am going with this is, Jeff's parents wanted a bag packed and sent to them of some items they desperately needed. This bag ended up at our house. And with my curiosity building about what could possibly be in this twenty pound bag, I finally got my wish and was allowed to open it with Jeff's parents online. So these are the items that the two most frugal Americans need when living in Jordan.

Big sexy hair hair spray, shampoo and conditioner and huge purple curlers.
Two pairs of white socks- and I would dare to say Brent wants these to use as gloves when he goes running.
A knife and a few pocket knifes.
4 lbs of bacon? Really?
But here are my two favorite items:

Vacuum belts?
And last but certainly not least:
Behold the delinter: First Class might I add

So if you ever find yourself moving to Jordan here is what you need to pack. Because if Brent and Charlene can't get by without it...There is no chance we could ever get by without it. Which leaves me wondering: I don't even own that delinter. And I bet you don't either. So for Christmas I'll be getting you one. . .