ARE YOU FEELING CRABBY
I bet I have something in my little town that you don’t have. I know that you gurls that live in the big cities, or even medium cities, probably feel sorry for little country bumpkins like me. No shopping, no entertainment, no night life, a whole bunch of no’s. BUT, I’m pretty sure we have something you don’t have, and probably have never seen.
First, I am going to tell you a little about where I live. It is in EXTREME southwest Virginia. There is no easy way to get to Grundy, it is at least 1 1/2 away from the nearest interstate. I remember the first time I visited, Joe and I had been married about 2 weeks, and he took me to his home for Thanksgiving. It is a 5 hour trip from were I had been living, but the last 45 minutes of the trip is down the mountain. As we wound our way down the mountain, I just kept thinking that we would have to reach the bottom soon. Ha! That was wishful thinking!!!
It was a beautiful drive though, and every time you rounded the curve there would be another mountain in front of you. It has gorgeous mountains and the river runs along side the highway most of the way. It is a fairly quite little town, and everyone is super friendly. It is becoming more of a college town, because we have the Appalachian School of Law and the Appalachian College of Pharmacy here. We still have that small town mentality here, if you see someone walking, you stop to see if they need a ride. There is a nice feeling knowing that if your car breaks down, you will have plenty of people stopping to lend a hand.
This is also the heart of coal country. I am sure most of you know the plight the coal industry is in today. It is not a pretty sight back here in these mountains. People are afraid that their jobs will not be around next week, or maybe the next. I understand that those who have never been around an industry like this, thinks that coal is dirty and it needs to go away. Here is the problem. Remember when the auto industry was in trouble and they kept saying they couldn’t let them go under because if would have a ripple effect? Well, it is rippling here in the mountains. If the coal isn’t harvested, then you don’t need the truckers. That does away with the drivers, mechanics, auto parts stores, gas stations, tire repairs, etc. Then, those workers quit buying extras like clothing, dishes, decorations, furniture, appliances, etc. The wives of the miners don’t go to the beauticians, nail salons, or spas. Do you think there is going to be a lot of building in this economy? EVERY business in this town is hurting, and not just in our town, West Virginia and Kentucky are also being hit hard. These mountain folk are a resilient bunch, and I hope they will be able to weather this storm, like the many others that have already come and gone.
But I still haven’t told you what we have that you don’t. We have a Wal-Mart. But, not just any Wal-Mart, ours is 2 stories tall. Have you ever seen one like that? There is a two level parking garage, and then you ride the escalator up to the actual shopping floor. When you leave, your buggy rides down on a special escalator also, right beside you. Pretty cool, huh? One more cool thing is, when it rains, who cares? We are under roof, no hurrying to the car and trying to put your stuff in quickly as you juggle the umbrella. Haha
Are you feeling crabby? Get it, crabby? Crab shirt? Who could feel crabby when wearing this shirt? It’s fun and cheery. I think it is just jolly. I don’t have a lot of orange in my wardrobe, but I really liked this sweater when I saw it. I bought this on the clearance rack at Belk. It was 75% off the original cost, bringing it to around 16.00, at least that is what my memory thinks it was. This is a brand called Crown & Ivy. They always have the cheeriest colors.
The navy ankle pants I have on are from Van Heusen. They are pull-on. I couldn’t help myself, they are so comfortable.
I loved those cute block heel shoes, but I decided not to actually wear them to work. I knew I was going to be on my feet a lot, so I quickly changed shoes before heading out the door. The little blue flats matched my Dooney & Bourke patent leather satchel almost perfect. Here are a couple similar flats.
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Tania, I love your blog and read it every day! I love the fact that you write for everyday people and not all your clothes are designer and that you shop at the outlets! I follow several fashion blogs (because I do like to look nice and sometimes can’t come up with the inspiration on my own to put outfits together) but it seems that a lot of the bloggers seem to always reference the higher priced stores and labels. But you keep it real!
I live in Texas and we are having some of the same problems with the oil industry! Lots of people have lost their jobs in Texas and Oklahoma! Sending thoughts and prayers to your community and all the other communities affected by the industry!
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR on the Gili’s!!!!!!! I sooo need to get to a QVC outlet I see all your sales!!!! I love my Lisa Robertson she was a huge spokes woman for Gili, miss her!!!! YOu look great love the sweater too!!!! cute cute today!!
I loved the Walmart story! I am a Kentuckian who loves traveling around my state, West Virginia and Virginia on weekend trips. I don’t think there could be a prettier place in the country. Thanks for sharing the plight of the coal industry. It’s important that everyone recognizes there are two sides to this story. Love your outfit too by the way!
Love your outfit. I am feeling your pain with the coal industry. I have a business in Norton, Va. Not that far from you – times are tough! Praying lots for our communities and our people. Thank you for sharing.
Love the sweater and the shoes. I understand living in a small town. Live in one all my life in Canada .
Hello! Trying to figure out how to get your blogs through email. Hopefully I can sign up through this? Love reading your blogs and checking out your styles. This blog was especially good because I live in West Virginia. Have watched so much change over the years–especially in the small coal towns.
Love your posts! You look great and thanks for caring about the economy and the impact and importance of coal!
We lived in Tazewell, VA for 13 years, and it was a shock for this Okie when I saw the coal communities. We visited Grundy a few times and have been gone from the area for 13 more years now. The pharmacy school was built after we left. Was so glad to see it come there. I’m a pharmacy tech, and had considered pharmacy school, but the closest one was 300 miles away. I haven’t seen the WM there either. SO COOL! And I thought the big one in Bluefield was great! In January we moved to middle TN to be near family, and love it!
Love you and your blog! Thank you for your hard work in finding us cheery, fun but such classy up to date wardrobe pieces!
I’m very sorry to hear about the hard times for the coal industry and will say lots of prayers for everyone. Although I’m from Michigan, my grandpa worked for the coal mines. My grandma worked for the garment industry. They lived in Honaker all their lives. I have very fond memories of that place when I would visit as a child. It’s so beautiful there! The Walmart sounds awesome! Why don’t they build them all like that? Thank you so much for your blog, Tania. I look forward to it every morning when I get to work.
I do feel for the people who are affected by the shut down of the coal industry…You don’t have to publish what I am going to say next but this is the result of years of democratic rule… Where are we going to get our electricity for all those fuel less cars air conditioning etc… People wake up coal can be produced cleanly… I love Walmart it has allowed more people to afford things they could not otherwise, in N.y. city people have fought against it.
we have been brain washed by an elite group who has not the interest of the rest of us at heart.. Don’t get me started on immigration, as there are less jobs to be had what is the future of our children going to be…
Anyway after this rant I have to say I always look forward to see what you wear everyday, a bright spot of sunshine in my day…
Annie v.