packing for move-- essentials?

We have bug spray and mosquito netting here, too, so, if you need the space, you can leave that out and pick up some when you get here...

PinkCoconut and AnnNYPisces shipped so much stuff here that they could have saved on shipping! When I was over for T-day dinner, we laughed and laughed at the amount of things that they had shipped that they could have gotten once here...things like candles...or Q-tips! haha!

Well my shipping expenses are partially covered by my job, so I don't want to waste the opportunity not to have to re-buy things I already have. And I know it seems silly, but I'm shipping a couple boxes of decorative items -- I can't go without my indian pillowcases and christmas lights!

But my concern is more on not bringing something that I nearly can't get there or is way overpriced. I'll make a note on q-tips! haha

Let

Hey, Let -

First, congrats on making the move! Been on STT just over 2 months now, and LOVE it...especially as I see the snow is beginning to fall back home!!

As Marty says, Pink and I did go a bit overboard in shipping certain items which, of course are available here (candles, shower gel/moisturizer, peanut butter and glassware come to mind!), but it was great to be re-united with the stuff that I shipped from NY. So to answer your initial question, yes, most everything that you'll need or want can be purchased on island; if you must have certain scents or brands or designs, you should bring or send them. Am finding things are generally more expensive here but thanks to this board I was prepared for higher prices. Also seems that my taste far outweighs my budget when it comes to decorative items, so was glad that I shipped 5 silk pillows for my bed, some extra high-thread sheet sets, my assorted candles and serving platters. So honestly, there's nothing item-wise that I miss...but if TJ Maxx or Marshall's ever open a store here, I am NEVER going home, LOL! As for the Q-Tips, they're here, but well, let's just say I'm glad we shipped 'em from home...not looking to start a Q-Tip debate on the board (-;

And Marty? We didn't ship EVERYTHING here that we had at T'giving - how 'bout those adorable little mini gravy boats that we bought at a house sale off St. Peter Mountain Road?!?!? LOL!

Wouldn't they be "Gravy Skiffs'? They were so cute!!!

And, about those Q-tips...I saw that the shelf at K-mart was looking a little bare...should we offer some to them? Haha!

Bedding here is a mystery for me. Maybe others who have been here longer than I can explain.

It is almost impossible to find reasonably priced 100% cotton sheets. One would think that in a hot, humid climate like ours natural fibers would be readily available - WRONG. Even good ole K-mart has many sheet sets that are blends and very few all-cotton. And the prices are out of sight!! Most things at K-mart are comparable (well, for an island) to prices in the states, but bedding is outrageous!!

This is one thing I do bring back with me when I visit the states --- or buy on-line.

So, what's up with that?

eBay has become my favorite place to shop in the last few years! haha! Got some really nice 400 count sheets not too long ago for only 20 bucks! Score!

Maybe some STT need to come to STX Samson House downtown has 600 and 800 cotton sheets for $150 or so a set 🙂 Now that is a first that STX has something STTers cant find 🙂

A first?!? Well, maybe a SECOND! What about gasoline for less than an arm and a leg?!? Haha! We're so jealous of you STXers! What are you paying now?

I paid $177.9 per gallon today, but I've seen it at $203.9 and a few places are even higher. It still beats the $298.9 it was six weeks ago!

Yeah, rub it in, Alex!!!!! I just paid $3.49!!!!!!!! Thank goodness I can only fit 3.5 gallons into my tank!!! Sheesh! Why doesn't our new governor do something about THIS farce?!? Crikey!

shipping small quantities of fuel to STT does add a chunk to the overhead for the gas stations. We have the benefit of cheap transportation from the refinery to the pump. Even so, the stations here add about 60cents per gallon as their profit margin, which is about triple (or more) of what stations tack on per gallon on the mainland. But they can get away with it, so why not?

Well, I can get away with robbing banks, too, so why not?!? It ain't RIGHT! That's why!!!!! How about beating up old ladies and stealing their social security checks? I'm SURE I could get away with that! Again, it ain't RIGHT! That's the problem with our way of life. Too many people looking the other way....sorry, lemme get off my soapbox here....

I agree it isn't right. It's still the "free enterprise" way for private businesses to make whatever profit they can from the public. I don't like the prices placed on many things, but that doesn't mean the seller or vendor is going to drop his profit to appease my desire. If you were robbing banks and beating up old women, you would be committing crimes against specific laws on the books. Ultimately you shouldn't be able to get away with it. But for businesses to jack up their prices to pad their profits, no laws are being broken and you're talking about a whole different issue. This isn't about somebody looking the other way. Unless you can prove "price fixing", which does have some legislation they would have to comply with. And that may be partly what is going on. Proving it is another matter.