Pinaymama's Corner

Date Night: Bowling for Two

"Love is not just for fun, but fun makes love for us." --Source Unknown

When was the last time you had some good old fashioned fun? If it's been awhile, this date night may be just the thing to renew the spark. Grab your partner and head to the nearest bowling center. To make the most of this date night, see our ideas below!

Romancing the Alley

Silly Feet
For fun, buy each other a silly pair of socks they have to wear while bowling.

Nicknames
Instead of entering your actual names for scoring, make up cute nicknames for each other.

Bowl for favors
Make every strike or spare worth something like a kiss, a trip to the snack bar or some other favor that is personal to you both.

Winning Round
Each person should write down what they will give to their partner as a reward for winning. Put the paper in a sealed envelope and put your partner's name on it. Whoever wins gets to open their envelope and claim their prize.

Pinned
See if you can get a spare pin from the bowling alley. Write the date of your time shared together and keep it as a special memento.

In Our Own League
If you both really enjoyed your time, consider making it a regular date night by joining a league.

Tips

• Call the bowling center ahead of time to see which night is their least busy night or time. Many bowling centers have league nights and finding an open lane on these nights can be extremely difficult.
  
• Wear or bring socks.
  
• Most bowling centers have some sort of arcade within them. Bring some extra change to play a few games together.
  
• Call ahead for special events such as cosmic (glow-in-the-dark bowling or 80's night).

Create Your Own Couple's Web Site!

A great project for couples to work on together is an Internet site. It offers something that even cyber lovers can both do. Each person's input and addition to the web site will help bring you closer and let you know more about the other. If this is something you'd like to do, read on...

The first thing you'll need to do is decide on what items you'd like to include on your site. Here are a few of our suggestions:

• Your Love Story
  Include in your story, how you met, what each person thought of the other and interesting details or facts about your relationship.
  
• About Yourselves
  Write a little something about yourselves to let your visitors know who you are. Be sure to include your interests and hobbies.
  
• Pictures
  If you have pictures of yourselves together, use those. If not, put at least one picture for each of you.
  
• Links
  If visitors enjoy your site they might enjoy your favorite places to visit on the web. Let them know with links to your favorite sites!
  
• Information About Hobbies
  Let your visitors know more about you and your interests with information relating to your interests and hobbies. Simple links to web sites that have information are perfect for this.
  
• Miscellaneous
  Anything else you both enjoy or would like to place on your web site. This can range from guest books, so people can let you know what they thought of your site, to chats.

Your next step will be to gather all your information. If anything needs to be typed, type it. If you need pictures scanned in -- get them done. Have everything ready before you get to the next step.

Things To Do As A Family

Ways to spend more time with the people who matter most!
by Jennifer Good

In a busy family lifestyle it can be easy to forget that families, as a  group, need love and attention too! Spending enough quality time as a family will strengthen your bond with your children, and truly teach them what a family is about. You may pleasantly discover that most squabbles in the home are due to a lack of time spent with each other. The more your children can expect to be with you, the less they'll have to fight for your attention. This is where a weekly family night or date really makes great strides toward family unity. In fact, you can go even further and help grow your child's confidence in the real world by letting them plan the family nights. Give them a budget and time allowance, and let them do the arrangements. For younger children, give them a few places or things they can choose from. Make sure to keep in mind what they want to do.

Now that you're ready to tackle the world together, what should you do? Below are a few suggestions for perfect family time activities to get you started!

-- Include your children in your hobbies. My husband and I were pleasantly suprised that when we took our daughter to the driving range, she wanted to play as well. Now, our golf time has become a family activity that we all enjoy!

-- Make a day or time period JUST for your children. This works best when you do it individually with each child. During your time let them do whatever they want to do. For our daughter, we do this about every other week. We have a room full of games and toys and she just picks whatever she wants to play with, usually games, and we play for up to a few hours together. She absolutely loves the time, and always feels closer with us when our time is up.

-- Like I mentioned before, set a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly family date night. Here are few suggestions of places you can go:

• amusement park
  
• local carnival or circus
  
• miniature golf
  
• movie theater
  
• out for ice cream or a special dinner
  
• local zoo or marine park
  
• roller or ice skating
  
• day at the park, beach or lake
  
• nature walks
  
• musuems, especially ones with children's exhibits
  
• local landmarks
  
• go sky watching
  
• sporting events

No matter what you decide to do, or how you spend your time together, just make sure you keep family time an important part of your everyday life.

Love Compatibility Test

ARIES AND LEO COMPATIBILITY

You get up and go with Leo; there is action and there are new starts in new directions. Your creative urge is stimulated; the Sun of Leo combines with your Mars to create physical response. Natives of Leo attract you in a basic sense; you are drawn, almost magnetized. The Sun and Mars combination symbolizes a spark, ignited into a fire, which turns bright and quickly. Leo affects that part Of Your Solar horoscope having to do with children, sex, and creative endeavors, speculation. The two signs - Aries and Leo - are well aspected; the combination is excellent for enthusiasm, excitement, the creating of methods, operation. With Leo, you tend to break off old relationships and to enter a new phrase of activity.

With Leo, you are seldom in one place for very long. Questions are asked and answers demanded. With Leo, there is much affection and some of it could be showered on children. You tend to regard Leo as your opportunity to express inventive qualities. If you want to play games with emotions, find someone else. With Leo, You could become inextricably involved.

+ =  When Aries and Leo come together in a love affair, the sparks will fly! Both are Fire Signs, passionate and dynamic, with a healthy love of sportsmanship and competition. There is a lot of action in this relationship. Both Signs want to be the boss and problems can arise when their equally-large egos get in the way. These partners have genuine admiration and respect for each other, but they need to learn to take turns commanding and giving orders--even when they're only choosing a movie at the video store! This partnership is all about fiery passion, domination and who's on top--and when! Both Signs can be impatient and proud. Leo likes to be adored and their egos to be stroked, services which easily-bored Aries may not want to provide. Aries may also be bothered by Leo's flirtatious nature--but this relationship is always exciting. Despite their sometimes noisy differences, Aries often looks to Leo as a guide or counselor. Leo is the Lion and, with Leo, Aries can be the lamb. As in the myth (The Lion and the Lamb), any differences between these two can be overcome. Both Signs are usually respected by others and it's important that this respect exists within the relationship as well. Aries is ruled by the Planet Mars and Leo is ruled by the Sun. Both are masculine energy archetypes, and together they make a good combination--they understand each other because they're coming from the same place. The Sun is about the self and Mars is about aggressive energy, so they're highly compatible and can make a powerful team.

Romantic Things To Do!

Romantic Things To Do
compiled by Romance Staff

In one of our weekly questions we asked, "What's your favorite romantic thing to do?" We've compiled the responses and made a list of romantic things to do!

• Cuddle in front of a fire and watch your favorite movies.
  
• Walk on the beach and stargaze.
  
• Make love in the kitchen.
  
• Sit on the beach, watch the sunset and talk.
  
• Make love all day.
  
• Hold hands.
  
• Share a quiet moment together.
  
• Cook dinner together.
  
• Dance by candlelight.
  
• Give a massage.
  
• Take a bubble bath together.
  
• Cuddle on the sofa and watch TV.
  
• Cuddle
  
• Spend time alone with each other.
  
• Look into each other's eyes.
  
• Make love in the rain.
  
• Hold hands while taking a walk.
  
• Make love in front of the fire.
  
• Kiss your love.
  
• Have a romantic dinner followed by a walk on the beach.
  
• Sip champagne in a romantic bath together.
  
• Go on a weekend getaway at the beach filled with candlelit dinners.
  
• Make love on the beach.
  
• Lay together in front of the fireplace and just talk.
  
• Go out to a romantic dinner then go to a play or go dancing afterwards.
  
• Dance together in a candlelit room.
  
• Have a candlelit indoor picnic.

Who Wears the Pants... You or Your Guy?

Both of You Wear the Pants

You and your guy seem to have stuck the perfect power balance. It's not that you don't disagree - it's just that you've learned how to compromise well. You're both mature enough to know that you can't always get your way... And usually, you're both adult enough to reach an agreement - even if that sometimes means giving in a little.

Name Meanings

JOSHUA

Gender: Masculine Usage: English, Biblical Pronounced: JAH-shu-wa, JAW-shwa   [key]

From the Hebrew name יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshu'a) which meant "YAHWEH is salvation". Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan by Moses in the Old Testament. After Moses died Joshua succeeded him as leader of the Israelites. The name Jesus is derived from this name.

JOY

Gender: Feminine Usage: English Pronounced: JOI   [key]

Simply means "joy" from the English word, ultimately derived from Norman French joie, Latin gaudia.

JOEL

Gender: Masculine Usage: English, Jewish, Biblical Pronounced: JOL (English), JO-ul (English)   [key]

From the Hebrew name יוֹאֵל (Yo'el) meaning "YAHWEH is God". Joel was a minor prophet in the Old Testament, the author of the Book of Joel.

Aries and Leo

Aries (me) and Leo (hubby)

Aries and Leo love compatibility
Both Aries and Leo have aggressive temperaments. Both have got egos to burn and both like to lead. Aggressive Aries wouldn't dream of taking second place, and kingly Leo needs constant admiration. This is particularly true if Aries will allow Leo to hold the center of the floor on occasions. Sharing the limelight is important on Leo's part however, as Aries will feel the need to be on stage once in a while as well. Aries should flatter the Leo on his/her physical fit. Being so much alike sexually can be one of the important things that will keep them true to their commitments. Between the two of them, if one is loving and tactful with the other, meeting that persons emotional needs they can create a steady and long term union.

Birth Months

I was born on April:

Active and dynamic
Adventurous and aggressive
Attractive and affectionate to oneself
Brave and fearless
Decisive and hasty but tends to regret
Diplomatic and gets jealous easily
Emotional, friendly and solves people's problems
Good memory
Loving and caring
Motivates self and others
Strong mentality, suave and generous

Hubby was born on August

Work Alcoholic
Angry when provoked
Brave and fearless
Careful and cautious
Independent thoughts
Knows how to console others
Loves to dream, joke
Loving and caring
Romantic
Sensitive, suave and caring
Take high pride of oneself
Talented in the arts, music and defense
Thirsty for praises
Too generous and egoistic

Our son was born  on January

Always looking at people's flaws and weaknesses
Ambitious, serious and loyal
Easily jealous
Hardworking and productive
Homely person, knows how to make others happy
Loves children
Quiet unless excited or tensed
Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds
Romantic but has difficulties expressing love
Sensitive and has deep thoughts
Smart, neat and organized

Intimate Gestures That Anyone Can Do!

10 easy ways to be romantic on the spur of the moment!
by Jennifer Good

Romance is more than flowers and a card on Valentine's Day. It is the simple, everyday things you do to make your partner feel loved. Below are ten easy ways to spark your romantic fire -- anytime you desire. You won't need to spend a penny completing these ideas or take precious time planning them out. In short, they are simple ways to show your affection that truly anyone can do, whenever they feel like it!

• Leave messages of love and lust around for your partner to find.
  
• Have a candlelit bath awaiting when your partner gets home from a busy day.
  
• Slow dance to your favorite song, just because.
  
• Sneak up and give your partner an unexpected hug and kiss.
  
• Whisk your partner away for an impromptu picnic or to watch the sunset.
  
• Make eye contact across a crowed room and mouth the words, "I love you."
  
• Surprise your partner by doing something unexpected like cleaning the house.
  
• Share a glass of wine or a cup of coffee while watching the night sky.
  
• Cuddle up in front of the fire and talk about your lives together.
  
• Make a surprise candlelight dinner for your partner.
  

101 Reasons Why I Love You!

"101 Reasons Why I Love You"
Jennifer Good

A very large number of romantic ideas that have been added to this site involve writing down reasons why you love your partner. This, when it comes to a large number of ideas, can be extremely time consuming and sometimes difficult to be creative with. Use this list to help spark your loving imagination and create an "ultimate" romantic gift for your love! Please note: Not all of the items on this list will apply to your relationship. When you see one that doesn't, just substitute it with your own reason.

1. I love the way we finish each other's sentences.
   
2. I love the way I know you'll never give up on me.
   
3. I love the fact that I wouldn't ever give up on you.
   
4. I love the way you look at me.
   
5. I love how beautiful your eyes are.
   
6. I love the way I can't imagine a day without you in my life.
   
7. I love the way if we were ever separated I wouldn't know how to go on.
   
8. I love the way we cuddle and watch sunsets together.
   
9. I love the way we sometimes stay up all night and just talk, then watch the sunrise together.
   
10. I love how I know you'll always be there when I need you to be.
    
11. I love the fact that I will always be there for you too.
    
12. I love how when I dream of my life partner, the only person that I can see is you.
    
13. I love how complete I feel when I am with you.
    
14. I love how our bodies just fit together.
    
15. I love the way you make me laugh.
    
16. I love the way you laugh.
    
17. I love the way you won't compromise yourself when we are together.
    
18. I love the way you won't let me compromise myself.
    
19. I love your thoughtfulness.
    
20. I love your tenderness.
    
21. I love your ability to speak without saying a single word.
    
22. I love the way we glance at each other across the room and know what each other is thinking.
    
23. I love the way, how even though we may be miles apart I still feel like you're right here with me.
    
24. I love the way you surprise me with the perfect gifts that show you pay attention to me.
    
25. I love the way you'll watch a sporting game with me even though you may not be interested in it.
    
26. I love the way you treat my friends.
    
27. I love your love for the things that interest me.
    
28. I love the way you let me live my life freely without jealousy.
    
29. I love how you demand respect but are not controlling.
    
30. I love how I would do anything in this world to make you happy.
    
31. I love how you would do anything in this world to make me happy.
    
32. I love the way your voice sounds over the phone.
    
33. I love the way your voice sounds when you whisper sweet nothings in my ear.
    
34. I love the completeness and oneness I feel when we make love.
    
35. I love your sensuality.
    
36. I love how our romance feels like the perfect romance movie.
    
37. I love how you are my soul mate.
    
38. I love the way you handle troubled times.
    
39. I love the way you respect me.
    
40. I love the way you protect and defend me.
    
41. I love how you feel when we cuddle.
    
42. I love the softness of your lips against mine.
    
43. I love the softness of you lips against my body.
    
44. I love the feeling of your hair brushing against me when we make love.
    
45. I love laying in bed at night talking about nothing.
    
46. I love waking up to find we've been cuddling together all night.
    
47. I love the surprises you leave for me.
    
48. I love your intelligence.
    
49. I love your ingenuity.
    
50. I love your ability to make friends where ever we go.
    
51. I love your love for life.
    
52. I love your passion for your hobbies and interests.
    
53. I love how every time I look at you, you take my breath away.
    
54. I love how I thank God everyday for bringing someone as wonderful as you into my life.
    
55. I love the fact you gave me the gift of our children.
    
56. I love the special moments that we shared that will remain my fondest memories of you and I.
    
57. I love spending the holidays with the one person I love the most.
    
58. I love how my heart skips a beat whenever you walk into the room.
    
59. I love how you love me.
    
60. I love how I love you.
    
61. I love the ways you choose to show your affection for me.
    
62. I love the way you inspire me to be more than I am.
    
63. I love the way you spark my creativity and imagination.
    
64. I love the way you make me feel like anything is possible as long as I'm with you.
    
65. I love your sense of humor.
    
66. I love the way you make me feel like royalty.
    
67. I love the way you dress.
    
68. I love your understated elegance.
    
69. I love you just the way you are.
    
70. I love your spontaneity.
    
71. I love our life together.
    
72. I love how if I died right now I would be the happiest person alive knowing I found my one true love.
    
73. I love the fact that we will grow old together.
    
74. I love your way with words.
    
75. I love the way you look when your sleeping.
    
76. I love the way you think you look awful when you first wake up when it is actually then I find you the most beautiful.
    
77. I love your willingness to share everything and most especially your heart with me.
    
78. I love your strength of character.
    
79. I love taking showers together.
    
80. I love the way you leave me love notes to find whenever you're gone.
    
81. I love the way you treat me.
    
82. I love the way you take care of us.
    
83. I love your cooking.
    
84. I love the way you take the time to thank me for doing every day things.
    
85. I love the way you show your affection when we are around friends and/or family.
    
86. I love the way you are not scared to show your affection when we are in public.
    
87. I love your confidence.
    
88. I love your ability to make me feel better when times are tough.
    
89. I love the way we make up after a fight.
    
90. I love how you treat our children.
    
91. I love the way you support me when I'm off track.
    
92. I love the way you take the time to show me how much you love me.
    
93. I love your beautiful hair.
    
94. I love your body.
    
95. I love your openness to try new things.
    
96. I love your ability to talk things through.
    
97. I love your courage to be you.
    
98. I love your greatness.
    
99. I love the fact that you want to be with me and only me.
    
100. I love how I am and feel when I am with you!
     
101. I love you for you!

Snuggle Up!

Snuggle Up!
20 hug-filled opportunities for loving!
by Jennifer Good

A hug is a silent acknowledgment of your appreciation and  understanding of your partner. A hug can communicate a thousand words, when words would otherwise fail. When you couple this with the added well-known benefits of physical touch, it is easy to see why the underrated hug can do wonders for any couple. Make it a point to include hugging in your everyday life; by doing so, you will show your partner that you value their intimacy as well as their companionship. Below you will find 20 ways to get you started!

The Best Hug-Filled Opportunities...

• In the bath together.
  
• On a blanket while watching the stars.
  
• In bed, before you get up for the day.
  
• While waiting in line together.
  
• When you greet or say goodbye to each other.
  
• In the shower together.
  
• On the spur of the moment just because you love them.
  
• While reading a book together.
  
• Unexpectedly, when your partner is on the phone.
  
• In the back of the car at a drive-in movie.
  
• After your partner has done something you appreciate.
  
• During a romantic picnic.
  
• When your partner is upset about something.
  
• While watching a movie.
  
• In a cozy booth at an intimate restaurant.
  
• When your partner gets out of the bath or shower.
  
• After a play wrestling match.
  
• On a cold winter's night in bed or in front of the fire.
  
• Before giving them a token of your love such as a flower, love poem, etc.

Positive Reinforcement...

• IF YOU ARE THE HUGGER: Tell your partner why you are hugging them.
  
• IF YOU ARE BEING HUGGED: Share why you enjoy being hugged with your partner.

On Hugging...

• "Hugging is the ideal gift. Great for any occasion, fun to give and receive, shows you care, comes with its own wrapping and, of course, is fully returnable. Hugging is practically perfect. No batteries to wear out, inflation-proof, nonfattening, no monthly payments, theft-proof and nontaxable."
  --Source Unknown
  
• "A hug overcomes all boundaries. It speaks words within the mind that cannot be spoken."
  --Submitted by Buzz
  
• "A silent hug means a thousands words to the unhappy heart."
  --Source Unknown
  
• "My favorite place to be is inside of your hugs where it's warm and loving."
  --Submitted by Haslinda Haniff

Things To Do As A Couple

Things To Do As A Couple
Jennifer Good

Go in search of the most romantic places to kiss. At each place you find have someone take your picture while you're kissing. Keep a journal with the photos and any memorable thoughts you want to remember.

Start a weekly betting game on your (or your partner's) favorite sport. Each week the winner gets to choose a romantic treat of their choice! This is a great way to learn about your partner's favorite sport as well.

Learn one of the romantic languages and take a class together at a local community college.

Start a collection of something you both like. For example, old tin signs, beanie babies, matches from places you visit, etc. Try to pick something a bit unusual. Every time you see something that will add to your collection, get it!

Pick something you both have wanted to learn more about. For example, wine, cooking, etc. Set out to learn as much about the topic as you both can.

Set up mini challenges like who can find the oldest printed love letter or what is the oldest love poem, etc. first. Whoever wins get to choose the romantic treat of their choice.

Have a set weekly game night for two. On the night play your favorite card, video, computer and/or board games. Keep a tally of who has won the most games throughout the night. The winner gets to choose the romantic treat of their choice! Make sure to keep the games balanced so one person doesn't always win every week!

Our Family Website!

I just got updated our website at  Garden Of Moments , on this webpage, you can check our love book which tackles where and when did I and my husband Joel met, everything about it, ok! our love story! you can visit our wedding site too which takes place in Davao City, Philippines, our Renewal of wedding vow site which happened here in Michigan, our baby's site where you can check more of his photos, milestones and developement, his journal and more, plus, you can check more of our photos from our family album website and you can read from our blog about our trip, outings, events and memories that we had for a past couple of days.  You could even see some of our faves sites and links, and some stuff we liked.  I always kept it updated, so just keep on visiting us! But, just don't forget to leave me a comment on my guestbook!  Thanks for visiting guys and have fun!