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A blog about my experiences with men and what I feel black women need in order to be loved right.

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Thursday, December 31, 2009

What can be said in New Year rhymes, That's not been said a thousand times?



The new years come, the old years go,

We know we dream, we dream we know.

We rise up laughing with the light,

We lie down weeping with the night.

We hug the world until it stings,

We curse it then and sigh for wings.

We live, we love, we woo, we wed,

We wreathe our prides, we sheet our dead.

We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,

And that's the burden of a year.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox



Happy New Year from Sylvia Hubbard, Blogger of How To Love A Black Woman










Sunday, December 27, 2009

7 Tips for More Intimacy in 2010

Prepare for more intimacy in your relationship for 2010


As you ring in the New Year, let your personal relations flourish more by adding these new tips to strengthen yours.

In 2010, there needs to be an intimacy revolution going on not just in your bedroom, but in your house and what better way to change is to take these tips starting January 1st and apply them to you.

A relationship expert said once, Don't start making love when the time comes prepare before going in.

1. Make eye contact outside of the bedroom

2. Kiss longer than ten seconds when saying good-bye

3. Hug longer than ten seconds when greeting

4. Do an unexpected thoughtful action

5. Find a way to make them smile

6. Compliment something they said or did

7. Rub some part of their body longer than ten seconds.
To master this start to make this your weekly to do this. Since there are seven things on the tips, do one each day. Mix up the days if you are inclined to keep the other on their toes.

Soon start trying to do these all on a daily bases. Make the first 5th week of the year your week to try to do each one of these tips every day.

Please return and let us know how it goes.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Holiday Eating Tips (guest post)

 I was forwarded this from a friend and wonderful assistant!
Author is Unknown but this was funny but good.


Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!



HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1.  Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls. 

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat. 

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission. 

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello? 

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog. 

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards. 

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by: 

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!" 

Have a great holiday season!!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Holiday Romance on A Budget


Being broke ain't no joke for Christmas and whether you're in a long, short or temporary term coming up with ideas can be difficult when the cash is strapped.

All ideas are under $10.00

1. Flash drive 
For the person that likes to carry around everything or the person that needs to carry around everything a flashdrive is something they would enjoy.

These are electronic data holders that range from 1Gig of memory to 128Gig (that's the one I want).


The best thing you can get for them is the Mini SD Card. With so many new phones out, buying them a 4Gig for on $5 bucks off of Amazon will make anyone swoon! (Cause they'll think you paid a lot more for it.)

2. Coupons

This is an oldie, but goodie when it comes to thoughtful budget friendly ideas for a romantic gift.

Take ten idex cards and punch holes in them. (use colored cards for a better effect) On each one in Black market, write out something you'll do for them.

a. Wash your car


b. Pick up your dry cleaning


c. Back rub


d. Draw hot candlelit bath


e. Day without the kids


f. Full body massage


g. Drop off and pick up from work (on time)


h. Take over all your chores for one day


i. Have it Your way day


j. Breakfast in bed.

The only limit in making this coupon book is your imagination.


3. CD of their favorite tunes all complied on one disk.  You all know Brian McKnight is my fave and just check out my Zune profile to see what i'm listening to the most. LOL.

4. Gift Basket

This can get you nice stuff at the dollar store or what I like to call a care basket. socks, toothbrush, lotion, lip balm, travel packs of items can easily be thrown together in a box and wrapped up nicely for them.

5. Candles

These are about the cheapest thoughtful gifts you can give to anyone, especially the one you're with.

So this is a hint to all you cash strapped persons who constantly telling "people" (namely me) you're broke. Now Please don't take this as I'm pointing fingers, but I just thought in a neutral way I should let you know, the holidays can still be the holidays if you stop stressing over money and just go with your heart.

In all, it's the thought that counts and that's what should really matter. The effort you put in the presentation of whatever the gift is, will reflect what you feel for that person.

Have a great holiday this season.


Tuesday, December 22, 2009

The Miseducation of Sex Ed... from FailBlog.org

Oh-kay, now I know in this day and age we tend to think all young people know about sex.

With the movies and videos, songs and books, there is so much sex in the media, I'm almost becoming sick of it.

This morning, I'm opening my emails and www.Failblog.org graces me with this Sex Ed fail picture that I just had to share with you.

How would you answer her question?

Posted: 20 Dec 2009 04:00 AM PST


epic fail pictures






Sunday, December 20, 2009

Forgive Me, Please? from Dr. Gary Chapman


December 10, 2009

Chapman Header


Forgive Me, Please?

When is the last time you apologized?  What did you say or do?  Did the person to whom you apologized seem to accept your apology?  Did they forgive you?  Was the relationship healed?  If not, I have an idea as to why they found it hard to forgive you.  They did not hear your apology as being sincere.

When someone hurts us and is now trying to apologize, the question in our minds is: are they sincere?  We judge sincerity by how they apologize.  If they simply say, "I'm sorry,"  that may seem a bit weak.  We may want to hear them say, "I was wrong.  Will you please forgive me?"  There are five ways to apologize.  If you speak only one, you will likely come across as insincere.

What do you consider to be a sincere apology?  What does the person need to say or do that will make it possible for you to forgive them?  I have discovered that there are five ways that people typically apologize.  I call them the five languages of apology. 

1.  Expressing regret.  "I'm sorry for what I did."
2.  Accepting responsibility.  "I was wrong."
3.  Making restitution.  "What can I do to make things right?"
4.  Genuine repentance.  "I don't want to ever do that again."
5.  Requesting forgiveness.  "Will you please forgive me?"

Which of these is most important to you?  That is your primary apology language.  Why not share this information with your family and friends so they will know how to apologize to you.

I was giving a lecture on the five languages of apology.  At the break a man approached me and said:  "For the first time in my life I understand the value of apologizing.  My father's philosophy was that 'apologizing get's you nowhere.  Do the best you can and never look back.'  That's pretty much the way I lived until my wife committed adultery."

"So, what would it take for you to forgive her," I asked?  "I want her to admit that what she did was wrong and to promise me that she will never do it again.  If I knew that she would never do it again, I think I could forgive her."  This husband was demonstrating the necessity of apologies.  There are no healthy marriages without apologies and forgiveness.

Do you have a relationship that is presently broken or fractured?  What would it take to heal the relationship?  I'd like to suggest two essentials: apologizing and forgiving.  When we have hurt someone, it is time to apologize.  Don't let your pride keep you from admitting that you were wrong.

When someone has hurt you, it is time to confront.  Jesus said that if someone sins against you, then you should tell them, and seek reconciliation.  Don't let fear keep you from confronting the person who has hurt you.  Healthy relationships must be authentic.  You cannot suffer in silence and hope things will work out.  Apologizing and forgiving are two essentials for healthy relationships.

Do you know how to apologize?  Chances are you do what your parents taught you, but that may not be enough.  Dr. Jennifer Thomas and I discovered that people have different ideas on what it means to apologize.    In fact there are five languages of apology.  If you don't speak the right language you are not likely to have a favorable response.

If you aren't sure how to apologize, consider saying this: "I value our relationship.  What do I need to do or say in order for you to consider forgiving me?"  Their answer will reveal their 'primary apology language'.  Express your apology in that language and will likely receive forgiveness.


Adapted from The Five Languages of Apology by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.


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Building Relationships Radio Building Relationships

Saturday, December 12: Gary's Christmas Memories

 

With Christmas just a short time away, it's a great time to think about relationships. The ones you and I have, and the ones Jesus had. On the next Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, we'll talk about our own Christmas memories, as well as look into the life of Jesus and the relationship that he had with his earthly mom and dad, the shepherds, and others. Don't miss this Christmas edition of Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman.




Tune in to Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, the weekly radio broadcast brought to you by Moody Radio and Moody Publishers. Listen live online Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. CST at moodyradio.org,check your local radio station, or download free podcasts and get more information.

 



Updated Edition: January 2010




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Monday, December 14, 2009

Book: The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Do You Know Them?

I often speak about the five languages of love, but a lot of people don't know about them.


I figured with the end of the year and so many resolutions going out, there needed to be a refresher course for your relationship and before all that, one needed to understand how they love and what they needed to be love.


Gary Chapman has a great book called The Five Languages of Love, that clearly goes in depth to each one of these and more.


I highly recommend it.

Check out his website as well: http://www.fivelovelanguages.com



The Five Love Languages

Words of Affirmation

Mark Twain once said “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”  Verbal appreciation speaks powerfully to persons whose primary Love Language is “Words of Affirmation.”  Simple statements, such as, “You look great in that suit,” or “You must be the best baker in the world! I love your oatmeal cookies,” are sometimes all a person needs to hear to feel loved.

  The Five Love Languages
The Five Love Languages:
How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
Aside from verbal compliments, another way to communicate through “Words of Affirmation” is to offer encouragement.  Here are some examples: reinforcing a difficult decision; calling attention to progress made on a current project; acknowledging a person’s unique perspective on an important topic. If a loved one listens for “Words of Affirmation,” offering encouragement will help him or her to overcome insecurities and develop greater confidence.
To learn more about this Love Language, take a good look at Gary Chapman’s best-selling book, The Five Love Languages. Click here.








Quality Time

Quality time is more than mere proximity. It’s about focusing all your energy on your mate. A husband watching sports while talking to his wife is NOT quality time. Unless all of your attention is focused on your mate, even an intimate dinner for two can come and go without a minute of quality time being shared.
Quality conversation is very important in a healthy relationship. It involves sharing experiences, thoughts, feelings and desires in a friendly, uninterrupted context. A good mate will not only listen, but offer advice and respond to assure their mate they are truly listening. Many mates don’t expect you to solve their problems. They need a sympathetic listener.

An important aspect of quality conversation is self-revelation. In order for you to communicate with your mate, you must also be in tune with your inner emotions. It is only when you understand your emotions and inner feelings will you then be able to share quality conversation, and quality time with your mate.

Quality activities are a very important part of quality time. Many mates feel most loved when they spend physical time together, doing activities that they love to do. Spending time together will bring a couple closer, and, in the years to come, will fill up a memory bank that you can reminisce about in the future.

Whether it’s sitting on the couch and having a brief conversation or playing together in a tennis league, quality time is a love language that is shared by many. Setting aside focused time with your mate will ensure a happy marriage.


Receiving Gifts

Some mates respond well to visual symbols of love. If you speak this love language, you are more likely to treasure any gift as an expression of love and devotion. People who speak this love language often feel that a lack of gifts represents a lack of love from their mate. Luckily, this love language is one of the easiest to learn.
If you want to become an effective gift giver, many mates will have to learn to change their attitude about money. If you are naturally a spender, you will have no trouble buying gifts for your mate. However, a person who is used to investing and saving their money may have a tough time adjusting to the concept of spending money as an expression of love. These people must understand that you are investing the money not in gifts, but in deepening your relationship with your mate.

The gift of self is an important symbol of love. Sometimes all your mate desires is for someone to be there for them, going through the same trials and experiencing the same things. Your body can become a very powerful physical symbol of love.

These gifts need not to come every day, or even every week. They don’t even need to cost a lot of money. Free, frequent, expensive, or rare, if your mate relates to the language of receiving gifts, any visible sign of your love will leave them feeling happy and secure in your relationship.

Acts of Service

Sometimes simple chores around the house can be an undeniable expression of love. Even simple things like laundry and taking out the trash require some form of planning, time, effort, and energy. Just as Jesus demonstrated when he washed the feet of his disciples, doing humble chores can be a very powerful expression of love and devotion to your mate.

Very often, both pairs in a couple will speak to the Acts of Service Language. However, it is very important to understand what acts of service your mate most appreciates. Even though couples are helping each other around the house, couples will still fight because the are unknowingly communicating with each other in two different dialects. For example, a wife may spend her day washing the cars and walking the dog, but if her husband feels that laundry and dishes are a superior necessity, he may feel unloved, despite the fact that his wife did many other chores throughout the day. It is important to learn your mate’s dialect and work hard to understand what acts of service will show your love.

It is important to do these acts of service out of love and not obligation. A mate who does chores and helps out around the house out of guilt or fear will inevitably not be speaking a language of love, but a language of resentment. It’s important to perform these acts out of the kindness of your heart.

Demonstrating the acts of service can mean stepping out of the stereotypes. Acts of service require both mates to humble themselves into doing some chores and services that aren’t usually expected from their gender. However, these little sacrifices will mean the world to your mate, and will ensure a happy relationship.

Physical Touch

Many mates feel the most loved when they receive physical contact from their partner. For a mate who speaks this love language loudly, physical touch can make or break the relationship.

Sexual intercourse makes many mates feel secure and loved in a marriage. However, it is only one dialect of physical touch. Many parts of the body are extremely sensitive to stimulation. It is important to discover how your partner not only physically responds but also psychologically responds to these touches.

It is important to learn how your mate speaks the physical touch language. Some touches are irritating and uncomfortable for your mate. Take the time to learn the touches your mate likes. They can be big acts, such as back massages or lovemaking, or little acts such as touches on the cheek or a hand on the shoulder. It’s important to learn how your mate responds to touch. That is how you will make the most of this love language.

All marriages will experience crisis. In these cases, physical touch is very important. In a crisis situation, a hug can communicate an immense amount of love for that person. A person whose primary love language is physical touch would much rather have you hold them and be silent than offer any advice.

It is important to remember that this love language is different for everyone. What type of touch makes you feel secure is not necessarily what will make your partner happy. It is important to learn each other’s dialects. That way you can make the most of your hugging, kissing, and other physical contacts.
Check out Gary Chapman's website as well: http://www.fivelovelanguages.com

Monday, December 07, 2009

When the affair goes public


I swear I was not going to go into the tiger woods mess, but the title of this blog just crossed my mind and I had to expound upon it.

At a recent relationship seminar I learned that most people are willing to take the spouse back as long as other did not know of the affair.

Now with all the crap hitting the fan for Tiger and his wife (a seemingly very private couple), a VARIOUS women are coming forward to admit having a relationship with him, this makes it more and more difficult for the couple to work out their problems.

And it's even worse with the public attention.

For the public it's the same as watching a car accident and right about now, they're pulling out the bodies. We stand around and speculate and blame of course the man.

Yet, with neither party saying anything I really don't think we should judge a man by what he has done.

If neither party is running to file the divorce papers, I really think we need to keep our TMZ nose's out of it.

I've been asked lots of times if I found out my partner was cheating on me what would I do and it became public:

I'd answer as such:

  • If we were dating and there's no ring on this finger then I step. I drop him like a bad habit and don't look back.
  • If we're married, I have every biblical reason to step, but I'd first evaluate the friendship between us. Would we still be good friends once the hurt is over with? Would I still want to be with him and share experiences with him? And would I be willing to bet our friendship that he would not do this again?

I'd really think about that before running down and filing the papers.

Of course during this time, I'd lay the guilt out on him thick and get some really nice queen treatment until I've made my decision.

I know tha sounds wrong, but I'm just being honest with myself and you.

Now it's your turn. Would you take a partner back if the affair became public?

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Just Married: Groom Changes Facebook Relationship Status at the Altar [VIDEO]


Is this taking the intertwining social network and relationship just a little bit too far.


The groom whips out his phone DURING the ceremony and changes his Facebook status to married AND THEN tweeted his new status to all his friends.


Tell me what you think?













I don't know if I think it's cute or it would be dog gone annoying and I'd get insulted to the point of saying if he thinks networking is that important maybe he thinks that little of me and my special day.

I think I would lean more toward that it was cute though.

What's the worse thing u found out bout a person u were datin?

I asked this question on my facebook a couple of weeks ago and got great responses from friends. Wow! It's just amazing how you can be with a person, but really don't know what's really happened to that person.


Relentless Aaron
Relentless Aaron
that her father shot her mother, in front of her


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
Oh wow. Did it affect yr relationship with her?


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
The worse i guess 4me: he had attempted suicide 10yrs b4 meetin me w/a gun 2his head but lived.


Shante Moseley
Shante Moseley
That he had been raped by his father and his mother knew and she stayed with the father until he finally left her for a man :O


Author Kanika A Reese
Author Kanika A Reese
OMG these stories. I cant top these. I'd have to create them in a book.


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
That's awful deep! That definitely affected his current relationship viewpoints.


Almari Jonson
Almari Jonson
He'd been responsible for a robbery shortly earlier than a date we'd had & the fool was driving around in the same car on our date. Saw him arrested on the news a few days later. *smh* Yes its been 22 yrs and I'm still angry that he put me at risk.


Shante Moseley
Shante Moseley
Yes it did he was soooo, needy and emotional scared, and often talked of killing hisself


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
We really never know how blessed we are til we know other people


Shante Moseley
Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
Funny i dated a guy once then never heard from him again. Few months later i found out he robbed a jewelry store and is now servin 3yrs as we speak. He w


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
as a really sweet guy too. Darnit!


Edwin Lewis
Edwin Lewis
They went both ways


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
Wow edwin. And was this a good thing for you or a bad thing


Almari Jonson
Almari Jonson
@Sylvia, mine was cute too and I really liked him.


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
@almira now he writes me and its just depressin to know things could have been so different.



Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
Oh lord. With another woman while you were datin him or did HE have the baby?


Shenika Colston
S. C
Long story but with another woman...


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
Now that's a book!


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
Lord da help!


Shante Moseley
Shante Moseley
OMG, thats awful (((shenika))) hug for u that sounds heartbreaking & painful.



Shante Moseley
Shante Moseley
so true, I will pray for you, stay stronger & remember Jesus loves you


Ben Harrison Parks
Ben Harrison Parks
Now Almari, you know the brother pulled the robbery so he could show you a good time. And just think, you could've been a part of a thrilling police chase and been spread eagle on the ground, part of a spine tingling arrest & everything. I mean THAT'S Entertainment!!! Of course there's the fact that you'd probably soil yourself & wish to commit a homicide... but I guess you can't have everything, ya know?


Alicia Ware-Wilson
Alicia Ware-Wilson
That he REALLY had 5 kids instead of the two he told me about and one of them was my cousin by way of adoption! Small world....smh


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
oh dang Alicia. now that brings recollection of the ex who told me a month after the marriage instead of one child, he really had four with three baby momma's.

oh yeah, i was shocked to say the least. And no, The marriage didn't last long


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
i must add this has been the most interesting question to boot. I might put this all on the how to love a black woman blog. http://loveablackwoman.com


Alicia Ware-Wilson
Alicia Ware-Wilson
Oh my goodness! Yeah there were three baby momma's in this situation too. That was over 10yrs ago and he swears it was said to protect me (are you really serious)???? He still believes that one day I will give him a chance and perhaps say, "I do" - what a nut case!


Alicia Ware-Wilson
Alicia Ware-Wilson
You should add it to the blog!


Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard
oh kay, that's scary, cuz mine used the same excuse too. His first name initial wouldn't happen to be C would it?

Jessica R. Simmons
Jessica R. Simmons
That he just wasn't that into me.

@Creature1969 
found out my fiance had impregnated his sister when she was 12 and he was 19....of course I backed out of that engagement


@JamesDDickson That she'd been DP'd

@inpraize That everything they told me about their life and their achievements were a lie.

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