Superwife When Husband is out of Town

Why do I get so much done when Clay is out of town? I even cleaned out my junk drawer, as you can see from the BEFORE and AFTER pics.

I can't figure it out.

It's not like I have to take care of Clay (that much). He doesn't really distract me. It seems like I would get the exact amount done when he is in the house... especially on Sunday. Clay generally naps and watches golf, football, or baseball on Sunday. He stays completely out of my hair.

These are my guesses:

1. When I see him sleeping on the couch, I want to join him. I can't resist a cuddle opportunity.

2. I can't "putter" when he is here. Puttering is a word I learned from Alexandra Stoddard, and it means to wander around just doing little things in no particular order. I like to do this in fuzzy socks so that I can slide across the kitchen floor all day.

3. I feel obligated to eat something other than cereal for dinner when Clay is home.

4. I can't vacuum at the EXACT time I want to because I might wake him.

5. Clay forces me to talk to him, thus eating up my productive day.

6. If Clay pets Shelby, I feel obligated to pet her, too... so that we can have family time.

7. If he is looking for something, I alwatys help him. I'm so sweet.

8. If he finds a movie on TNT, like The Notebook, I feel compelled to watch it for the 48th time, even if we have it on DVD.

Playing Together

Clay and I only dated for nine month before we got engaged. I think part of the reason we fell in love so quickly was because we both had so much fun playing together. We played softball, basketball, flag football, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit and more.

Even after nine years of marriage, we still love to play! We play Wii Sports and real sports. We run together, play tennis together and even compete in the Alphabet Game in the car.

When we moved to Lake Dow, I just knew that Clay and I would play golf together. I started going to the driving range and I played a few times. I still want to learn, but for now, I just enjoy riding in the cart.

Here are a few ways you and your spouse can play together, even if you don't share the same sporting interests:

1. Take up a new hobby together. When Clay and I moved to Marietta, neither of us had played tennis competatively. We had a blast learning together (until we lost a few matches and then we had to come up with a new set of marital rules).

2. Find a few board games that you can play with other couples. I recommend: Scene It, Taboo, Outburst, and Cranium.

3. Consider buying a Wii as an investment for everyone in the family.

4. Go to the gym together. That way, you can both run on the treadmill at your own pace.

5. Walk and hike up little mountains together. I miss our hikes at Kennesaw Mountain!

6. Train for a 5K, 10K or some other event as a couple. Even if you are running at different paces, you will most certainly bond through the experience of preparing for the big day.

7. Join a co-ed team at your local church or YMCA.

6 Reasons I am Ready to Beat Clay in Tennis

Most of you know that I hate to lose. So, why do I continue to play my husband in tennis? Because sooner or later, I am going to win one. It didn't happen this week, though.

Clay and I are down in Orlando, celebrating our nine-year anniversary, so we have had plenty of time to hold hands and give kisses. Yesterday, we hung out at Discovery Cove, my new favorite place in the world, but after a day of swimming with the dolphins and overeating, we were both ready for some exercise.

We made a bet that whoever won the tennis match would get a massage. And yes, after two hours of tennis, I owed him a massage. It was humiliating. But after 24 hours of feeling sorry for myself, I am cheering up. I feel pretty confident that the next time we play, I will OWN HIM. This is why:

1. New Court: Although he has beaten me on concrete and clay, next time, we are playing on a grass court. That will throw him off completely.

2. New Shoes: My birthday is July 21st, so I am planning to buy some new tennis shoes that will give me the extra bounce I need.

3. Wimbledon Lessons: I have been carefully watching Roger Federer and I think I have gleened a few lessons that will keep Clay guessing.

4. Mom - My Mom has always told me that I can do anything and I believe her!

5. Tiger's Concentration - I recently read John Andrisani's book, Think Like Tiger, and even though he plays golf, he has adequately prepared me for the mental challenge of winning.

6. Strategy - I have a new secret strategy that I cannot share on the blog... even though Clay never reads it. I can't be too careful.

8 Birthday Presents for Men

Clay's birthday was last week and the girl in me REALLY wanted to throw a big party. I wanted to buy him clothes and send him on a scavenger hunt, but he honestly does not want any of the hoopla. More than anything, he wants to relax (or chillax as the students say). He does not want me to blow the budget. And he certainly does not need the typical presents like cologne, ties, or a man bag. However, he does like to get some attention and he does appreciate thoughtful presents. So, with those stipulations in mind I have compiled a list (with the input of Clay and some other MANLY MEN) of gifts that almost any man would appreciate:

1. Good golf balls and a round of golf at a new course - Apparantly, certain golf balls are better than others.

2. Sports Massage - The masseuse will focus on overworked muscles or old injuries due to exercise. Even if your spouse is not a serious athlete, men often have scar tissue or pain around their shoulders, lower back and knees that can be helped by this kind of massage.

3. Concert tickets - You know your man's favorite group. Check out http://www.ticketmaster.com/ for upcoming events.

4. The Andretti Experience - Men can go 180 mph and feel like racecar driver for only $22.95. Didn't every little boy want toy cars for his birthday? He still likes them! http://www.andrettikarting.com/

5. Car Detail - Speaking of cars, more than one man told me that he would love to have his car detailed. At first I was surprised to hear this, but now that I think back to my brother washing his car in our driveway, I realize that this must be one of those man things.

6. Guy Time - Of course your man loves to be with you, but they also need quality time with buddies. Your husband will love it if you plan time for him to watch the game with just a FEW friends. Be sure to invite the people he REALLY likes (not just your friends' husbands and boyfriends). Provide the food and cigars and stay out of the way!

7. Letter Describing Your Respect for Him - Even though you tell him what you admire about him, writing it is more permanent. Make a list of all the ways you think he is the greatest. He can read it again and again.

8. Cold, Hard Cash - You know your man. If he likes to save money, nothing will surprise him more than your ability to save money or make extra money that he can spend anywhere. This takes true dedication because it requires planning and work, but it is a gift that fits everytime.

6 Indicators that You are On the Same Team

Every Friday morning, Clay and I play basketball with some friends. Well, the guys play and I run up and down the court and they let me shoot now and then. Usually, Clay and I are on opposite teams and I have to guard him (since Clay is the dork who brings his wife to play, they force him to guard me).

This morning was different because we played on the same team, and I have decided that it's a better that way. I would rather be excited when my husband grabs a rebound or hits a three-pointer. I like running in the same direction that he is running rather than trying to get in his way, stop him, foul him or steal the ball from him (yeah right).

The game this morning was so much more enjoyable since we were working together toward the same goal. I would like to think that Clay and I are always on the same team, but below are six ways to check my actions and make sure. You know that you and your spouse are playing like teammates when:

1. You cheer for his/her success even if it means more work for you.

2. You pick up the slack and work harder when your teammate is having an off-day, or even an off-season.

3. There is an unwritten understanding that the team is more important than the individual glory of a single team member.

4. If a team member is hurt, he still shows up for practice to support the others.

5. Everyone understands their role on the team.

6. Success and failure are met together. Your teammate's success is your success. Your teammate's failure is yours as well. Blame is useless on a team. You work together to fill the gaps.

10 Reasons My Bracket Always Beats My Husband's

Every year, my husband and I create NCAA brackets and we bet dinner and a massage on our ability to predict the best college basketball teams in the nation. Since Clay watches ESPN almost as often as he checks his phone for scores, you would think he'd win easily. But I almost always win! And below, you will find 11 reasons why:

1. I don't believe the announcers when they predict an upset (actually, I don't even hear them because they are not on Bravo, Lifetime or E!).
2. The color of a team's uniform is as good a reason as any to choose one team over another.
3. I have no loyalties to any team because I don't know any of them.
4. I have no pride to drag me down.
5. I make my pick and never look back. In fact, I don't think about the bracket for more than 2 minutes).
6. I am not influenced by pointless issues like strategy, match-ups or injuries.
7. If a team name sounds weird (like Akron or Stephen F. Austin) I don't pick them.
8. I don't hate any coaches, teams, conferences or players.
9. My choices are mainly based on feelings and tinglings in my spine (generally very accurate)
10. I have no idea why I win, but it is so fun to see him shake his head and roll his eyes when I do!