Holiday Season 2009

Wesley and I are sitting back at home after a whirlwind of a holiday season. I can't believe that it is already over. Since we have been MIA bloggers as we have flown all over the eastern seaboard, I will recap what has gone down over the last couple of weeks. We first spent Thanksgiving in Columbus with Wesley's parents. We had a great week spending time with his family and relaxing. One night we had a bonfire and cooked hot dogs and smores... so much fun. We also went to the Ole Miss / MS State game.... annndddd that's all I have to say about the game. haha. We got to see Kayla and Kevin's new house, Brantly's new puppy, spend time with Wesley's parents and of course got to see Mason.
After Thanksgiving we came back to DC for two weeks of work before heading back south for the Christmas holidays. The day we got back from Columbus I made Wesley take me to Eastern Market to pick out out Christmas tree. We found one that had a little character and was a tad bigger than the one we had last year. We got the tree and some live garland and carried it all home in the back of the car. Here are some pictures of our decorated apartment... Wesley hung some ornaments (well most of them... including the lights... but hey I directed!) We got the rest of the decorations up too so that we could enjoy them for the two weeks we were in town. The mantle with stockings... And our apartment fully decorated! During all of this I turned 25 (wwaaahhhhh!!) and Wesley had his birthday as well. Sometimes it's so weird for me to think that we met when I was 19 and he was 22. Here I am with some friends at Sonoma for some birthday drinks. :) We had some visitors come to town - Jordan and her boyfriend Ryan came and stayed with us for a weekend. We went to dinner, went to a couple bars and watched the Ole Miss game. Such a fun weekend (even though Ryan gave us colds :)!!!) The weekend after that Wesley and I took the bus to NYC to stay with Elizabeth and Ryan - Candace and Charles were in town too, so it was such a fun time! We went out to dinner and shopped around 5th Avenue. It was fun getting to see the Christmas decorations in NYC. The weekend after that we were off to Jackson to start our holidays beginning with Mary Margaret and Matt's wedding. We stayed with the McFatters on Friday night at their wonderful new house. We cooked out there and went to their neighborhood Christmas party - I love the Reunion neighborhood! Saturday night was the wedding - Mary Margaret was beautiful and we had so much fun!



After the wedding we were off to Nashville for a week for Christmas break. It was great spending time with my family as well as my friends from high school who I miss so much. We ate A LOT of good food and drank a lot of good wine. It made me realize how truly blessed and lucky we are and that God has been so good to us.

It was very nice to have a break away from work and the hectic streets of DC, but back to the grind now I suppose. So needless to say we have had a whirlwind end of November / December and are excited for 2010. I think 2010 is going to be a great year for us. Who knows what it is going to bring - all I can say is that we are excited to find out.

Written Dec. 18th

As I sit on the plane, I am overwhelmed with excitement. I must first say that Lo and I are surrounded by a family of thirty Japanese. (Ellen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Not lying or exaggerating. We are headed to Jackson for Mary Marg and Matt's wedding. Our most favorite couple the McFatters are picking us up and we are headed to their house.

I can't believe it's almost 2010. The time has flown this year. I almost forgot. I am an uncle!! Brantly's little addition to our family is so precious. Another female has come into the Clay household. I can't wait to spoil her rotten! Don't worry peeps, I am talking about a puppy! The Columbus gossip wheel was spinning really fast there for a moment.

Post wedding, we are headed to Brentwood where we will get to spend some time with Lauren's family and longtime friends. Gonna be a good time. Maybe a little honky Tonkin or ghetto dancin with John Vaughn..... Who knows.

Last weekend, we visited New York . I love that city. I could move there seriously. Another adventure? Maybe. Liz and Ryan were more than gracious to allow us and the Clunkett's to stay in their apt. Lo and I are already planning another trip back. Because we are not going to the cotton bowl, Liz and Ryan are coming to DC. Will for sure be a good time... Ryan and I drinking our fav whiskey and coke while the girls tell Kramer stories (those never get old)......

Lo is posting soon..... maybe..... probably not pics of our apt at Christmas and a recap of thanksgiving and her recent purchases.

Until next time....... Wait, should I go ahead and say "see ya next year"? Haha guess you will have to check back to see.

Today is Thursday, that's my Birthday!

Today marks another day in Lauren's life. She turns the Big 25 and continues to keep me young. I hope she has a great day. I found a couple of flash back pics, I thought I would share. Now its off to work before dinner tonight!

This is an interesting pic because I took it in 2004 in Tuscaloosa. Lauren and I were not dating or in any direction to begin dating. Pretty funny how things work out.


This is one of the first pics of us post dating. We obviously were very young then.


Just could not resist this pic. Happy Birthday Lo. I love you!

Eternal Love Still Exists

Yesterday, Senator Byrd became the longest serving Senator in the history of the United States. However, what stuck out the most to me was how he reacted when he talked about his wife. Scroll over to around the 8:30 mark and watch. It's priceless.



Did you wish you had a tissue while watching that? Lo did. Both times she watched it.

So to all the non-believers of eternal love, this is just another example that proves you wrong. They were married for 69 years and he still feels the same way today. Can you imagine Lo and I 69 years later?!?! haha. Classic. I look forward to the memories. Many of our readers will be part of these.

Lo Now.


Lo in 69 years. I must note she is in FULL Chanel.


Me Now.


Me in 69 years.


Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. - The Wonder Years

7 Week Fly By

Is it really November?

It is probably a safe assumption that The Clay's have lost a few followers since our last posting. We apologize profoundly. Life has been a bit crazy the last several weeks. I am about to summarize in a nutshell what has occurred in our lives since we last spoke.

August Recess equaled more work, The Clay parents came, found out you have to pay to see Mount Vernon, Ole Miss started off hot and ranked (not the case now), Watched the SELA game on the computer, cried after the South Carolina game , went to Richmond with our friend Marcus, came back, was the only husband/boyfriend to watch the Lady Gaga concert in D.C., flew to Nashville, watched the Vandy game with tons of friends, flew back to D.C., flew to Oxford, stayed with Daniel and Watkins at The Watkins ' house, went to the Grove, saw shirtless college grads sing Party in the USA and Kings of Leon, refused to pay $20 to get into the Library, listened to the Little Mermaid, drove to Nashville, flew to D.C., got our car repaired ....twice , spent a weekend in D.C. finally, was able to maintain our double income (Thank the Lord), went to the Blue Ridge Mountains/Charlottesville, sat in the box at UVA and watched the game (it was very nice since it poured the entire game), were Chuck & Blair for Halloween (Gossip Girl for those who do not know) and now are getting ready to fly to Columbus for Kevin and Kayla's wedding tomorrow. It should be a great time.

I know us in a nutshell is not the same as detail blogs giving insight on exactly what we have done, but after getting up to go to the gym before work, WORK, then dinner, and Lauren's occasional swim lessons (teaching not taking), we have just a smidgen of time for each other. We choose that over blogging. We will get better. Promise.

Why are elevators awkward?

Note: This was written yesterday evening, but I was just able to post it today. No, I am not going home to eat turkey burgers and drink wine for lunch.


I take the elevators probably a thousand times a day and the ride is always the same. Awkward. There are so many different situations that can occur on the elevators:

1. Silence. Most of the time, this is the case. You could hear a pin drop on the elevators. Everyone stares straight ahead as if their ex is next to them and they do not want to make eye contact because it would mean a conversation. I have been on the elevator with co-workers chatting up a storm, but just as soon as an outsider steps on, the vator space gets silent. I don’t understand. I often times say “crickets” to try and lighten the mood.

2. At least one loser a day gets on and can’t use the stairs to go up one flight. I have already blogged specifically about this, so will not go into detail.

3. The one person who is on the phone talking about everything that is going on with her life. Yes I say HER because 9 times out of 10, it is some girl who doesn’t realize or care that others are standing next to her. I honestly do not care if Suzie’s roommate is shackin’ with her co-worker and how she is so super excited to be with all the girls for cosmos… This happened to me every day for about a week a while ago. Equally as annoying, it was the same girl who thought vator space was time to call her mom and give her every detail of her life that occurred the day before. Torture. It was also 8:15 in the morning, while in a bad mood for having to go to work.

4. People getting on the “Senator’s Only” elevator. Can people not read? It is there for a purpose. Interns LOVE to do this. So do Dems.

5. Staffers babbling about what their boss just introduced/is going to introduce or how obnoxious the Republicans or Democrats are. Its public knowledge and it doesn’t make you cooler to talk so loud others can hear you. We don’t care if you boss introduced a bill. All of our bosses do that. It’s their job.

I’m sure there are several more, but at the moment I cannot think. I only had one cup of coffee all day and my mind does not really want to think after working all day. I also had to stand in a meeting for an hour and a half..…Yes stand….. Because there were not enough seats in the room. Typical.

So random, but I despise Glenn Beck. Literally DESPISE HIM. He makes my job miserable. A lot of people in Mississippi think he is right on everything, and then follow his orders when he says to call the Senator about stupid shit. They seriously call and say “I was watching Glenn Beck and tell the Senator he needs to listen to Glenn Beck. He stands for America and our rights.” Umm…Glenn Beck exaggerates for ratings. I handle MIS issues, among many, which means Glenn Beck. He is MIS…….ERABLE.

Well I am off. Lauren had a bad day at work today, so we are eating turkey burgers and drinking wine. Hopefully her mood will change. Until next time….

You thought Politicians were crazy.......

I think I have noted in previous post how weird the squirrels are here in DC. Anyways, I confirmed this a few months ago when one threw a bagel at me as I left my house. Seriously. Lauren and I were walking out of our apartment and a bagel flew by my head. We looked around and then up and starring back at us was the culprit.

Today took these rodents to another level. As Lo and I walked home from parking, we were stopped in our tracks as we saw the unthinkable. A DC squirrel standing with his front paws perched on the bumper of this red car........eating away at the bumper. Again. SERIOUSLY. We can not make this stuff up. I nor Lauren am not that creative. We stood there a foot away from this rodent and saw where he has gnawed his way across the length of the bumper of this car.

I told you they are strange.

Confessions Part II

Greetings readers. The SAH is back in action. I bet you thought it would be a lot longer wait before your next confessions. Tonight is your lucky night. I think.

Shit. I almost forgot....Guess what!!!!! We found the black leather JACKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well at least we bought one..It hasn't arrived, but we have high hopes we will soon complete the look and have a totally cute outfit. You, of course, will be the first to know if it worked or not.

Back to my reason for blogging. Another confession. As I am blogging, Project Runway is playing in the background. Obviously I am not tuned in, as I am typing on the computer, but as an SAH, I am required (yes, required) to watch this t.v. show. Guys who read this blog should not act like they are never required to do things by their significant other. You're not pulling my leg or your significant other that is probably reading this too.

But again back to my topic. Project Runway has been a staple in our relationship. We have watched this for six seasons. Lauren picks a front runner favorite and goes with that designer. She gets ideas and inspirations and then looks for it in the department stores, boutiques, and vintage stores.

Note: This show has the most weepers I have every seen (and they are not female). Annoying.

Oh the life of me...Until next time.

Should be working.....

So this is a secret post...shhh...I'm at work, but just had to reflect on how the taste of certain foods can take you back home. Well I just had that moment. Our Legislative Director, who just happens to be from Columbus, had her birthday this past weekend. What was her cake? Just the most amazing Turtle Cheesecake from Jubilations......I had a slice a minute ago and was instantly taken back to Columbus.

If you do not know me that well, then I have to tell you that Turtle Cheesecake from Jubilations is my favorite and just so happens to be my birthday cake. Has been for many years. So if you are feeling generous, send one to me :) It's not my birthday, but will be soon. Oh yeah, and I like the cake to have a nut less crust. They make it, I know.

Confessions.....

You know the book, you know the movie, but do you really understand its reality? I'm about to take you deeper than you can imagine. The reality is that you may not understand the true meaning of a shopaholic; that is, until you see it from my perspective……….. these are the confessions of a shopaholic’s husband. That’s right. Yes, a shopaholic can “confess”, but never whole heartedly. They leave out little secrets or make their “confession” seem sweet and innocent so you end up feeling sorry for them. From my perspective and my confessions, you will get the truth; open to public, without buffering.

Shopping for labels, shopping for love. Oh wait. She has already found love (uughh me!) so it’s the first part that still continues, right? Or is the love really me? She shops for labels AND for love. The love of finding that perfect black, long-sleeve, leather, crop jacket that features a zip closure and waist zip pockets, handmade in Italy that will go perfectly over that flowing Rebecca Taylor top, bottomed with her black Blank Skinny jeans and of course her to die for black patent Jimmy Choo booties. Now that is true love. Why can't she just find that jacket! Geeez, that outfit would be like totally perfect and cute. For sure.
And you wonder how I know all about the labels? Because I am a shopaholic’s husband. I have to know what brands are “in” and “out” for the season. I have to know what brands are Contemporary (which means of the time, i.e. Rebecca Taylor, MINT, Milly) and what brands are staples in fashion (i.e. Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, etc.). Yes, being a shopaholic’s husband is much different from being a regular husband. It takes a strong person to be one; you can’t just become one overnight. You must be educated, knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated. A normal husband doesn’t get the pleasure of receiving countless emails from their wives during the work day with nothing in the text but “so cute”, “I love this”, or just simply “please?” followed by a link to a dress, a pair of shoes, or a hand bag. Wait…..did I just say “hand bag” and not purse…That’s a Shopaholic’s Husband for you, SAH for short.
Part I- The Beginning

Where did this begin? I have to wonder if it began years ago. One picture comes to mind. Lo as a tiny person dressed in her moms knee highs and pearls singing at the top of her lungs. The singing didn't last, but boy did that love for fashion. Since then it has been a nonstop ride. Flash forward to the side ponies, oversized shirts, stirrup pants, and keds. Then on to high school, where the days were filled with school dress codes, but fear not… bebe was waiting every Friday for that perfect top for the weekend...ahhh the glorious bebe tops.

College. Oh. My. Her addiction is in full effect. She has moved from phase 2 - Mental Addiction to phase 3 - Physical Addiction. Phase 3 is the last and most serious form of addiction. Intervention should have occurred. Endless hours of online shopping consumed most of her time, but those miniskirts and high heels made the boys turn. I must admit, that online shopping got me. So should I thank shopbop.com for bringing us together? Or her parents? Or both? For if it wasn’t for her parents buying her that computer and mini mouse, that shopbop website would have not utilized. But then if shopbop had not been created, that black mini skirt and lime green heals would not have been purchased. But then again, if mommy and daddy's credit card did not contain the perfect numbers for easy memorization, then those items would also not have been available for purchase. It gets really complicated.
During the writing of this, I realized this cannot be just one post. It deserves multi-posting. Therefore, I will sign off for the moment and let you wonder what happens next with Confessions of a Shopaholic’s Husband.