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19 · Thursday, February 11, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Breaking out of the Valentine's monotony (NC)--Many people celebrate Valentine's Day out of obligation for their loved one. This day rarely lives up to the hype, nor should we only show love on one day of the year. So, how can you break out of the mold and show love for the whole year? Create a Calendar: Select pictures from the previous year to represent each month of the year. Each month a new memory will be displayed resulting in a full year of love. Sponsor a Child: This monthly donation to a charity such as will not only be a reminder each month of the difference you are making, but you will also receive one letter a year from your child and an updated photo and letter from the program. Purchase a Magazine Subscription: Select a magazine of interest for your loved one and order a full year's subscription. Each month when they receive their magazine they will remember how much you love them. Create a Scrapbook: Using pictures and other mementos collected throughout the year create a book that can be reviewed throughout the year. Highlight your favourite memories and why they are your favourite. Also feel free to include things you would like to do together in the future. The time put into this craft, along with the memories, will serve as a reminder of the fun you have had as a couple and the fun that is still to come. Engraving or Monogramming an item: Whether it be a key ring, a piece of jewelry or a cloth bag, creating a personalized message for your loved one is always a huge hit. Pick an item that they will carry with them on a daily basis such as a key ring. Have a special message engraved in it so, each time it catches their eye, they will remember their special message and the personal touch that went into this gift. 14 different kiss ideas Kissing is one of the easiest ways to show your love for someone. However, the history of kissing is a little more difficult to come by. Historians aren't really sure when and where kissing originated. There are texts documenting kissing in India around 1500 B.C. Kissing may have been brought to the Western world by explorers, such as Alexander the Great, when they visited or invaded foreign lands. It wasn't until the days of the Roman Empire that documentation of kissing was really made in the West. In fact, Romans came up with categories for kissing: · Osculum was a kiss on the cheek; · Basium was a kiss on the lips; · Savolium was a deep kiss. Kisses were commonplace during religious ceremonies, and the kiss after a marriage ceremony became tradition. Kisses were even legally binding. The term "sealed with a kiss" was used to mark a legal or business agreement. In honor of Valentine's Day, spend the days leading up to the holiday trying out 14 different kisses on the one you love. Here are some ideas. 1. Winter's kiss: Place an ice cube in your mouth or on your lips. Find your special someone and plant a chilly kiss on his or her lips. 2. Trail of kisses: Leave a trail of flower petals, chocolate kisses, or notes that end at your lips. 3. Let it snow: Grab your coat and boots and head outdoors for a kiss under the snowflakes. 4. Up, up and away: Cut out tiny lips from tissue paper. Fold the lips and place inside of a balloon. Fill the balloon with helium and tie it to something of your loved one. Pop the balloon and reward him or her with the same number of real kisses. 5. Pay the toll: Every time you drive through a toll booth or are about to cross a bridge or tunnel, give a kiss. 6. Coded kiss: Kiss out a message in morse code. 7. Movie kiss: Act out one of your favorite movie kisses. 8. Dramatic kiss: Steal away to a balcony or staircase and kiss passionately like they do in those romantic novels. 9. Underwater kiss: Kiss under the pool, spa or bath water. Or simply pretend you're scuba diving and wear swimming masks for your kiss. 10. Kissing rendezvous: Leave a note to meet your loved one at a certain location. Once he or she gets there, reward the person with a kiss. 11. Marathon kiss: Spend five minutes longer than normal on any of your daily kisses. 12. Surprise kiss: When he or she least expects it ... lean in for a kiss. 13. Begging for a kiss: Get down on your knees and ask ... no beg ... for a passionate kiss. This will elicit giggles. 14. Valentine's kiss: Spend as much time as possible on Valentine's Day showering your special someone with kisses. A Sweetheart of a Deal Thursday February 11 and Saturday February 20 SAVE UP TO On selected in-store Shoes & Apparel ASK ABOUT OUR RUNNING & WALKING CLINICS 118 Thomas Street, Downtown Oakville (905)815-1952 therunningcompany@cogeco.net 50 % Running Is Our Business