WOW, Krystyna! I guess that makes you "land rich and money poor". Glad to hear things are taking an upward turn. Have they put in regulations about how high you have to rebuild? Across the river from me, where it floods every so often, they have to be almost a whole story up. Can't imagine how that would work out up there with winter winds.

Honestly, Nancy, I just don't understand it. 25 years ago you could buy a cottage here for $30,000. As time went on the young, upwardly mobile discovered Long Beach and it became both the "Hamptons West" and the bedroom community of choice for commuters from New York City. Beach front condos with an ocean view were going for just under $1 million. It is a city of great contrasts, however. There are plenty of poor people here, too. The city tore down the adult homes for the mentally ill and build pricey high rises, but there are still public housing projects and lots of little rickety homes that illegally rent out rooms. Working for the census in 2010 was quite an eye opener for me.

Our hope is to rebuild a very nice modern home -- sell it -- and move south to a place with no snakes, no alligators and no ocean! But that is still just a hope with a lot of prayers behind it. And yes, we have to raise the house to about 8 feet above the land. FEMA's ICC program gives you up to $30,000 to do that, but in our county $30,000 doesn't go too far at all.

Quiltnut be careful if you have that "Sinus Flu" thing. My 9 yr old DGS was sick for about 7 or 8 weeks...every time he felt better he got sick again. It really takes the energy out of you! I hope you are better, Louise.

Krystyna...what delightful news for you and your family!!!!! Prayers are there for you...I do love and miss the Atlantic Ocean but always was a bit in awe of it. Lost my swimsuit top once at Jones Beach...I was mortified until I realized I luckily did not know anyone that saw me...my family was down the beach. I dream of the NJ shore but know it is not like it was at all. I was lucky..we only did summer rentals and never followed the urge to buy!

That was one great package sent from Vanogay!

Awww, come on now ... snakes and alligators can't help how they look. I just don't look at them. I totally agree with the moving to a "warm" place. Just don't go so far south that warm tends to turn to "hot".

Sorry, but it's not you! We have some very dear friends in Skokie and have been to Ill several times. So you don't fit that requirement! My SP is a bit more South then Ill.

On another note, just as we were on the way out the door last night, a nice large package was on our doorstep. When we got home, I tore into it in bed and had to fight DH for the flashlight. Yes, Vanogay, we can surely use it for camping, or around here, we're always losing power. And thank you for finding the second book in the Steig Larsson trilogy. I'm really looking forward to reading it. I just had a quick look thru the farmer's wife sampler quilt book, looks great. And a pack of Twizzlers! A yo-yo maker and binding tool. A cute quilting notepad. A pattern, a pack of needles, 3 marking pens, a cute tub with bobbin holders on an empty spool (hadn't thought about storing them that way, thanks), a cute little to go gel hand cleaner, a darling hand done stiletto, a prescious little thread catcher made out of a wonderful oriental golden fabric and filled with tea bags, some wonderful fabrics in bright, bright colors and a lovely batik in purple and turquoise, plus a very nice note.

Thanks, Vanogay!!

Sharon, no delightful news yet. Just because they assessed it at that, doesn't mean a darn thing. I still have to come up with the $$$ to rebuild. Miracle needed!

Nancy, we're looking at northern Georgia by the Tennessee border - I cannot abide by anything kind of animal without fur or feathers. And last night my husband added that wherever we go, they better not have any kind of weird bugs either!

Too bad not the TN/VA border!

http://ecoterrariumsupply.com/images...0Centipede.jpg

K, check this out! In Vanuatu, we have NO poisonous snakes or spiders at all, but we do have these nasties, which aren't native, but brought in, probably on some dirty logging equipment or something, and they have really thrived. I have seen them in our yard up to 7 inches!! They give a really painful, but non-lethal, bite.

We would love to have you in GA Krystyna, or Tennessee either, I have a place in both ;)

They are paying replacement value. What it will cost to put your little cottage back!

Hey, Krystyna, I'm almost on the TN/GA border - about 200 miles north. We have neat weather (except right now, it's cold and we have had snow), but normally, quite nice. Only problem, everyone here speaks funny - course, they think I speak funny, too. I've had to learn to listen slower. There's some neat areas between Chattanooga (on the border) and Knoxville (up I-75), but they've had some miserable tornadoes. Watch out for them. Ringold, GA, just over the border had a real bad tornado. The only quilt shop was demolished. They've since rebuilt and I try to go there every so often when I have a day I want to drive. Can't think of any wierd bugs this area might have - nothing that I've seen. Don't like the stink bugs we get, though.

Good luck Krystyna hope all works out for you. Prayers.
Don't think I saw any clues for me.

Krystyna, come straight across the US from your home to the NorthWest. We haz great summers and springs! Also, I hear the NE is gonna get a big snowstorm again, none of that here either. lol, plus no weird bugs. Most places we don't even worry about fleas or ticks.

Wanda Lou: Great Package!!

Re-regifting: I don't think I've had anything I made given away, but then I don't make too much lately. I would be hurt though if I made something and someone re-gifted it the next time. Books, mags, patterns are fine, but hand made stuff? If it isn't wanted, give it to someone off the board :)

Krystyna, I am headed to the Eljay/Blue Ridge Ga. this Saturday. It is gorgeous there. They had 4-5" of snow but it is all gone now. I am hoping to find some cute quilt stores to get something that I can't buy here for my SP. My SP likes vintage items.

Okay, I want to add my two cent to the re-gifting. Please, if I send anything, please regift if it is not your style, taste, or you have too many. It will not bother me. I always try to make things I think others will like, but totally understand if they don't. I often crochet scarves, and not every one likes them. Sometimes I take the chance.

Clue set #3
SP #1 - Your state animla is the American Buffalo and your state motto is "Equal Rights." In addition, you collect something related to sewing.
SP #2 - Your state animal is the gray squirrel and your state motto is "United we stand, divided we fall." In addition, you can do outstanding things with a 1800's bureau.

My SPals zip adds to 17. I bought candy for her today.

Krystyna I will come and live with you when you move south. The older I get the less cold I can stand. I am freezing all the time. My home is usually about 63degrees. Heating oil is too expensive. Yes we are expecting 12-18 inch of snow, if the storm turns back in we could get 2-4 ft. The wind is going to blow up to 60 mph as well. That Northeast wind blowing off the water will be extremely cold. I am sure we will lose electric as well.

My zip in 17...maybe this could be me!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]393741[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]393743[/ATTACH] This is Abbigail (turned turn in Jan) taken when I was out in Colorado, will show pictures of my other GC when I get back from meeting at apt where I live.

What a beautiful little girl!

How about the Georgia/ Florida border???

Lori, she is gorgeous! She looks like a China doll!!

My SP package went out today and I'm hoping it gets to it's home before the storm in the NE....

I live up here in the cold north, we are not going to get the bad weather that you are going to get. Just wanted to say "stay safe, praying for you to come out OK."

Lori she is beautiful.

K good luck with everything, you and your family are always in my prayers.

Stay Warm Krystyna and everyone else that is in the blizzard's path.

We are preparing for the storm, not going to be good for us since it is going to be a coastal storm. DD and I were suppose to go to a quilting retreat this weekend, but the hotel canceled it. The hotel was concerned about snow removal and the loss of electric. The hotel was worried about our safety. DH went aboard his lobster boat to add some security lines. Everyone stay safe.

Guess you will have to wait to find out.

Oh Lori she is sure a cutie!
Krystyna hope everything goes well. My sister has been through that twice now (yep twice) they love living on the water so they've had to almost totally rebuild both times. This last summer they rented a storage unit away from the water and moved their furniture when we were suppose to have a storm and luckily it went further west of us. But I sure do not envy you all of that paper work. Keeping you and your husband in my prayers that it all goes smoothly for you! I've got family in both Chattannoga, Tenn. and Ring Gold, Georgia I'm sure you would like either place.

I received a wonderful package from LindaR. It was a goodie. I receved the most awesome handmade bag (in bright colors) loaded with items. I got pins, chaulk, a great sticky not pad, a file, tans and browns quilting squares, scissors, thread, snowman lifesavers and batting seam tape.


My son was so happy to get the chocolates, but brought them back to me and said, "I think these are for you." They were quilting squares. I was ROFL.


Thank you for a wondeful SP package LindaR.

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Oh My, I forgot the dog bones... the dogs will love them and I am going to have a cup of tea.

Oh Lori she is just precious!

I don't mind waiting if it is me...just stay safe and warm. Thoughts are with all of you on the East Coast.

Wow It's been like Christmas in my house, this month I had two pals...
And I recieved my second package today...
a big thank you to reeskylr for a great package, she sent me a pair of pinking shears( something on my want list) and a blue mason jar filled with buttons ( both of them I collect) and best of all the jar is a number #3 and I don't have one , she also sent me lots of fabric, thread , lace, beads and buttons of all shape ands and sizes... I am one happy gal.

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I'm glad you like it Wanda Lou!! I had all those white buttons from that estate sale and since I don't do much with white, I figured you would with your crazy quilts. I know nothing about those jars, a friend was thinking one time to collect because they are supposed to be worth money, but apparently not. lol I hope the tiny white on white is tiny enough too. Have a great day!

The blue ones do hold value, the last one I bought I paid 10.00 for it, I am still looking for a number 13 those are hard to find, because in the alcohol making days they broke them into pieces, they thought they were bad luck... but one of these days I will find one.
I am so happy with my package... thank you so much.

SP HINTS:
My SP seems to be fairly new at this swap.
I haven't really seen any posts on here from them except maybe to say they were in for the swap.
Zip adds up to 19 in normal math, not krystyna's.
Has not even been a member of this QB for a year yet.
Does not have any pets.
New to quilting.
Has 3 vowels and 3 consonants in their name.
Lives south of me.

That is all! Will get pkg early next week and is a medium flat rate box!

No. Sad to say, they are NOT paying replacement value at all. So far I've gotten about $70,000. About $15,000 went for the rip out demolition. Not the demolition of the house. The bank has the rest of it. Each engineer will be about $5,000. The lawyer is getting a LOT that he didn't earn. The money is flying out the door at a mind boggling pace with nothing to show for it. I got $6100 for a new roof and new garage door and roof. Maybe I could get them made out of cardboard at that price. Not even going to talk about the contents settlements. The bottom line is you have to fight for every last penny.

Sorry Krystyna. I will be gone all day today going to Des Moines. Taking Marty to John Stoddard Cancer Center for appt. Talk to you when I get back. Lori

I don't think I will get my package today...LOL first major snow in Michigan this year so can't complain...DH is getting ready to move it all...will take him all day...

Lori, what an adorable little girl! How could you bear to leave her?

Jill, I don't care for centipedes either. Stink bugs? Hmmm ... I'll have to rethink the south! A friend of ours lives in Stone Mountain, GA and my sister-in-law is in Smyrna, TN. Both love where they are. But then I used to love where I was/am. As long as my son is willing to relocate, I'm good.

Now to figure out the important things - is there a Joann nearby? A church? Decent health care? A low cost exterminator/trapper -- just in case there are unpleasant critters!

SP, hoping to make something for you today before the power goes out.

Everyone in Nemo's path -- be careful! Stay warm!

Linda, how beautiful!