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Well not really.

To all you pregnant people out there, this could be your child....

When You Need a Little Oxford in Your Life

But can not get there due to you residing in the Northeast, there is closer option.

Charlottesville, VA/UVA

If you have not made the trip to this great town, I would urge you place it on your bucket list. A few weeks ago, we were able to make the trip with our good friends Jackson and MVB. They went to school at the University of Virgina, but they also understand the greatness that is Oxford. They have grown to love our town, as we have grown to love theirs. Since living in D.C., we have fortunately been able to hit up the place with relative ease. Just a short 2-hour drive and you have forgotten what is the big city.

Once you arrive to the downtown area of Charlottesville, you feel as if you are right on the square. The people, the atmosphere, the look, everything, resembles Oxford. We have the Lyceum; They have the Rotunda. Its all picture perfect. The major thing that is different: Their IQ's are "just a bit" higher. And maybe their focus. Oh well, us Rebels can't be the best at everything.

On Friday, Jackson, Lo, and I made the trip to Wintergreen. It is a ski resort located outside of Charlottesville. MVB was already there at her parents condo, getting dinner ready for us. It was a low key Friday, with us just sitting around relaxing by the fire, sipping on some red wine. On Saturday, we made the short drive to UVA and stopped at the local World Market, for the best Chicken Salad, with cheddar cheese and roasted bell peppers on a ciabatta bread sandwich you have ever had. We then strolled to the game, where we enjoyed each other's company because that was the only good thing going on at that time.

Post game, we made our way to the downtown area, where we tried the famous steamed dumplings and bar hopped for a bit. As the time drew near to the Bama game, we decided it would be better to head back to Wintergreen. We then thought it would be fun to watch the game at the local ski resort bar. Boy was that an adventure. A fun one though. A quick but fun weekend came to a close. Oh how I love weekends.

Downtown Charlottesville

The Rotunda at UVA

Lo and I with MVB and Jackson at the game. UVA is similar to Ole Miss this year.....they can't seem to find a way to win. Oh well. Still a fun game. They do have a great band.

While it does not fully compare to Oxford, it does give you that a tiny feeling you are there in spirit.

Until Next Time.....

[top pics are from google]

Fall Sundays on the Hill

Because Who Doesn't Need This.

Lo forwarded me an email this morning and when the time comes for us to renovate or build our own home, this will 100% be added to the list.. Heck, it might shoot up to the top position like a Netflix movie does on your Queue.

Disclaimer: Should I EVER visit your house and this has been installed, I will know you stole it from us and I will CUT you. Have a good Friday and always keep one eye open.

You need some wine?

Hold on a sec while I go into my secret wine cave conveniently located in the kitchen.

Oh yes, it circles down. Way down.

Tornado warnings mean nothing in the Clay house. Also, should my wife ever become missing, you now know where to find her.

Until Next Time......

pictures from an email and obviously someone's home. If this is your home, you are cool. If anyone replicates this but us, well you know what will happen.....

I Had No Idea Today was Election Day

Today We Vote for the "Enemies"!

Election Day means..........there will be a post, of course. On the way to the gym, I realized I had left my subway card at home. Lucky for me, the day I decided to leave it behind, just happens to be the coldest morning D.C. has had in months. By 7:15, it had warmed up a bit and I began my walk back to Capitol Hill. I usually pick warmer occasions to venture home outside, but without a pass, I had only one option. I picked my normal route: down 7th street, left on Pennsylvania, then onto Constitution, passing the Capitol and Senate buildings. The sunrise in D.C. is amazing.

On 6th and Pennsylvania is The Newseum. Founded by Charles Overby (The Overby Center for Journalism at Ole Miss and also a Brentwood native), this museum is one of the most amazing exhibits in D.C. A few weeks ago, Lo and I attended the opening for Covering Katrina there with special guest, Governor Barbour. Along with this exhibit, they have 4-5 floors of everything that is Journalism. Worth the money and the time.

Back to the point of my post, outside the Newseum, they display the front page of a local paper from every state. The paper changes daily, giving all a chance for representation. Today's headlines all had a similar message....Is today the day of change?

As a conservative, I hope so. So everyone get out and vote and if you live in District 1 in Mississippi, vote Alan Nunnelee for Congress! Get our country back people and lets show "those" we are not enemies, just lovers of our great nation!

Until Next Time.....

pics from the Washington Post and Southern Living. i couldn't find the ones we had taken, but they look just the same.

happy one month birthday, hadley monkeee geurl

Is this not the CUTEST BABY you have ever seen?!!! This is a belated congratulations and happy one month birthday to one of my best friend's, Ellen Fritts, sweet precious adorable baby girl, Hadley Elizabeth. Wesley and I are sooooo happy for Ellen and Danny and seriously love Hadley as if she were our own. We can't wait to meet her on NYE. She's my sweet pink monkee geurl and I love her so much. I hope yall enjoy these beautiful pictures of her! TGIF. love, lo

8 days old and already adorable. Just peering around... she must have seen an awkward. :)

Monkee girl doing a twist

Just hanging out.... loving bath time

Enjoying her one month bday w/ her beautiful mama

Its Halloween at the United States Senate

And just how does the political world do Halloween? By dressing up as a piece of legislation.....obviously. One of my co-workers dressed up as a "bill" and came to work. He rode the subway, went through security, and roamed the halls of the Capitol and Congress. I leave you with a few pics from The Adventures of Bill....

(L)I don't think they saw me, do you? (R) Do I look like George?

(L) The Rotunda (R) I love America!

Sorry Mr. Capitol Police, I just need a second to relax. That's all.

This is where I am at my greatest.

Here again

We the People, right?

Just a few of my friends, the Senate Pages.

Very Senatorial, right?

Another almost the weekend post.

I was just thinking this morning that things have been going pretty well lately. And that I am pretty happy with my life. Here are a few things that are making me happy these days....

- DC in the fall. The weather, the leaves, the outdoor restaurants to drink wine. It is seriously the best time in this city. If you haven't experienced it, you should.

- This blog. This couple lives in DC and actually on Capitol Hill. I might start to stalk them... Shh. Could they be any cuter?!!! If I am half as cute as she is when I am 30 weeks pregnant, I might cry with joy. Check them out and you will want to stalk/be them too.

- Cooking. I really have found a little love of cooking. In high school and college, you would find me as far from the kitchen as humanly possible. But being married for three years has taught me two things (well, not just two... LOTS of things... but this is about cooking, people): 1. Eating out is expensive. 2. Eating out with a man who eats like a garbage disposal in a city that costs an arm and a leg for an appetizer is even more expensive. So to that end, we have really embraced cooking at home. I started off basic and now I have really expanded to all sorts of recipes. I have also been cooking a lot of vegetarian, and adding some meat in there for Wo every once in a while. Now, let's not get crazy. I have just been following recipes. I tried to make something up.... once.... and let's just say I was overly ambitious. I will try to continue adding some of the recipes I have been making to the blog. :)

- Farmer's Markets. This kind of ties in with the above "what makes me happy", but is it weird that I could walk around and stare at produce all day? Don't answer that.

- Boots. Seriously people, I have a problem with buying boots. And why do they have to come out with all these adorable styles? Over the knee, lace up, wedge, ankle, stacked heels, riding boots... the list goes on and on. And I must have them all.

- J.Crew magazines and email. Damn you, J.Crew and your adorably put together outfits and sale emails tempting me to spend my husband's hard earned money on clothes that I don't need. But it still makes me real happy... and sad at the same time. #imbroke

- Twitter. Enough said. It's like publicly accepted word vomit. Who doesn't love a good overshare?

- The thought of the holiday season right around the corner. I am already planning a span of activities for our Thanksgiving trip to Nashville. I am thinking the Boulevard Bolt immediately followed by Bloody Marys? Sounds good to me. Friends and family, can't wait. Then we will be off to Columbus for Christmas and then over to Jackson for Margaret and Peyton's NYE Wedding Ball. :) Fun times ahead.

- And let's be honest.... my birthday is a month away. And don't worry, you won't forget because I will continue to remind you for the next month. My birthday, in turn, means Wesley's birthday which is also real fun. :)

- Three years. And after all the holidays, birthdays, etc. THE wolo three year wedding anniversary is at the end of the tunnel. Can you believe it has been almost three years?! I can't. Wesley can. Sometimes he says he feels like it has been 20 years, but I will take that as a compliment. That just means he can't picture his life without me, right? :) All of this to say that sometimes I look around and remember that I am so lucky to have a loving husband who loves me for exactly who I am. Lately, I have been thinking about this and it makes me, well.... just real real happy. That's all, folks.

love, lo

Sometimes...

I wish I was a ballerina. But I'm not... who am I kidding?! But could this picture be any more amazing. I love it. Thank goodness it is almost the weekend. :) love, Lo

One Liners That Really Hit You in the Gut

You have to realize that the unpleasant obstacles in your life are often God-ordained opportunities to make a difference. - Author Unknown