“Honey, you’ve been working really hard and the book is selling, I think you should treat yourself to dishwashing detergent,” says Rob this morning. My life is getting more glamorous by the minute.

I look at him as if he just reserved two first class tickets to Australia. We don’t buy dishwasher detergent because it’s imported and.. well… we want to have enough money to actually eat.

The only place to buy this product is at the expensive grocery store in Tamarindo. A place I rarely go, but when I do, I walk the aisles with nostalgia as I pass the Pop Tarts and Keebler cookies. Those were good times, I say to myself.

Although Rob tries to convince me that this is a gift for my hard work, I’m not fooled by his gesture.

It’s not uncommon for him to use every glass, mug, or bowl before 11 AM. You can easily find him drinking orange juice out of a sauce pan in the middle of the afternoon. As the towering pile of dishes crowd the sink, I’ve been known to express my discontent through thoughtful but accurate displays of hysterics. So, as you can see, it’s not for totally altruistic reasons my husband wants this detergent.

When I press him that he can wash a glass before reaching for another one, his eyes jut out of his head as if I asked him to scale Mt. Everest without a Sherpa or supplemental oxygen.

“It hurts my back when I try to do dishes,” he tells me as he benches another 200 pounds. Apparently, this horrible condition also affects his ability to pick up clothes off the floor or learn how to use the washing machine. I’m thinking about having a telethon.

“Let’s go to the store today and pick up some. I don’t even want you going in. Once you see the price you’ll never buy it.”

We head out to the strip mall where Rob jumps out of the car and I wait in the parking lot. Tourists are happily gathered around stocking up on groceries. They talk about the many excursions they will do: zip lining through the forest, ATV tours, kayaking. It’s fun to live in a place where everyone is happy to be there.

Rob comes out and I rummage through the bags as we drive home. I not only find detergent but a few boxes of Pop Tarts. “Hey, I figured if we were blowing the budget we might as well go all the way,” says Rob.

Once home, I look in the bag and find the receipt.

Cascade Detergent-$12.

I’m about to reprimand Rob when he holds up his hand to stop me. “Listen sweetie. I love you. I really do. But I will pay any amount… and I will go to any lengths… to buy that dishwashing detergent so you will stop nagging me all day.” With that declaration, he walks away with a flower vase filled with milk and a strawberry Pop Tart.

I now put all the dirty glasses in the dishwasher and carefully measure out the powder. I’m careful never to spill any or use too much. This is still a luxury, and no matter how many books I sell, I will never look at a dishwasher the same way again.

On the flip side, Rob’s never been happier.

Happier Than A Billionaire Book About Living in Costa Rica

Nadine Hays Pisani’s Book – Happier Than A Billionaire Book About Living in Costa Rica

Nadine Hays Pisani Living in Costa Rica

Nadine Hays Pisani Living in Costa Rica

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Written by Nadine Hays Pisani who was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey and attended Rutgers University. Nadine moved to Costa Rica in 2007 with her husband and dog, Clementine. When not writing, you can find her at the beach, on the back of a scooter, or frantically tossing scorpions out of her bed. She shares her weekly adventures on her blog: Happier Than A Billionaire.

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