The Baldwin Adventures

I received the following email the other day:

Hi there – I’m emailing you to find out if you’d be interested in reviewing one of our new silicone female toys from [website address removed] on your blog. My idea is this: I can send you a free [toy] or comparable toy (you can Google it), and in exchange, you’d just write a review giving your honest thoughts about the toy, and of course somewhere in the article, link to our website or Amazon listings of the toys.

If this project goes smoothly, there are probably other ways we could work together as well. My goal is to let people know about our new brand while providing you with the opportunity to write interesting content for your site. Also, I could give you a personalized discount code to leave in the review (if you like the toy), so that your readers could enjoy the same toy and also save money.

So, just email me back and we can get started. I’m happy to answer any questions you have.

Yeah, my mom and grandma read this blog, as well as numerous people I see in real life. I just don’t think I want to write about that nor do I want to attract that kind of reader. Not that there is anything wrong with self-pleasure, but once you review one adult toy, what’s next?  I could just see it being a slippery slope. And I just re-read what I wrote there. Ha!

A couple weeks ago…okay, more like a while ago, we went to visit Lucky Ladd Farms. And it wasn’t just lil’ man and I, my sister, brother-in-law and their two kids came along for the fun. MeMe was also with us.

(Just to warn you, this is going to be super picture heavy)

First off, we got a little play in on the big wheel.

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Have you ever heard a song and had to stop, rewind it and replay? Has a song ever reminded you of a specific time, feeling or even relationship? This happens to me all the time. I think music is something that I can connect with easily, which is kind of weird because I have no musical talent what-so-ever. You do not want to hear me singing, but believe me that does not stop me from belting out songs in my car.

And here is one of my current sing-out-loud songs that is on repeat in the car.

While Jason Mraz might not have meant for this to be a religious song, the first time I heard it, I felt like this was describing God’s relationship with me. Seriously, I got some tears. He loves me no matter what, and no matter what we go through, he won’t give up on us. I’m worth it.

Yep, getting a little deep on this Thursday morning, and I’ll probably write more about this sort of thing – my relationship with God. It’s something I’m working on, and I figure I might as well share. Isn’t that what this whole blogging thing is about?

Is there a song or piece of music that moves you or reminds you of a specific time or place or feeling?

And as a sidenote, if you happen to see me in my car and I’m totally rocking out with head bopping and swaying and my mouth is moving even if no one is in the car, just ignore me.

As I mentioned before, I was in Chicago last week for work. There were hopes that I would get to do some shopping and site seeing while there, but alas, it did not work out. As you can see from my pictures (or lack thereof), I did not get to venture out too much. Work just kept me too busy, which since that was the reason I was there was not a bad thing. I did get some good runs in, though.

It was a quick trip last week of just one night, and then it was back home. Then this morning I woke up at the awfully, and I mean awful, early hour of 3:45 am to catch a flight back to the windy city. This time I’ll be here for three nights – the longest I have ever been away from the lil’ man.

He is in the very capable hands of his dad, but I am going to keep telling myself that his random 2:30 am wake up this morning was to tell me bye and give me a hug. If only he had waited until my alarm went off.

Anyway, I’m here for work, but I can still enjoy the view, and the food, and probably a little shopping, and I’m hoping to catch up with a friend I have not seen in awhile. But I promise I will also be working.

Last night while I was making this…

Rosemary Pork Chops and Brussel Sprouts

Someone else was at work under my feet.

He emptied both utensil drawers and moved on to the cabinet. Then he discovered the sweet melody of banging spoons and spatulas inside that colander like a steel drummer.

With the t-shirt sticking out from under his hipster skull and crossbones sweater coupled with the straight-leg, dark wash jeans (that you can’t see), my child could possibly be a future rock star.

Can CrossFit be a verb? I just don’t feel right by saying I work out because it’s so much more than that. When someone says they work out, I picture running on a treadmill, using machines and/or something like Zumba class. For me CrossFit is like none of these. It’s more intense, takes more out of me and way more awesome. Read more »

Check out that field full of plastic eggs, ready for the hunting. I’m a little behind, but if you can’t tell, this is my Easter Egg Hunt update. It’s pretty picture heavy, but I have to say, there is one cute kid featured.

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When I received the e-mail about the Paleo Challenge, I thought, “Why not? I’m already doing it.” So I signed up, got my body fat measured, timed an initial 2k row and started keeping a food and exercise journal. For 45 days, I was strict Paleo…well, I did have wine at a wedding reception, which resulted in some points getting deducted. Other than that, I think I did pretty well.

Actually, if I can boast a bit…I know I did. Read more »

One of my big goals for me is to be able to do pull-ups by the end of the year. These are a big component of CrossFit and show up at least once a week, on average. So far I have graduated from ring rows (using the rings to pull myself up) to either jumping from a box or using a very wide band.

I don’t think I’ve ever done a real pull-up in my life. So that lil’ man does not have to go through his life with this shame, we’re starting him early.

*Please ignore his dirty knees. He had been playing for awhile in the rubbery “rocks.”

Before anyone freaks out, I am completely joking and being sarcastic when I say that lil’ man is OCD. He just likes for things to be in their places, which is a good thing when it comes to clean up time.

For example, we have a garden gnome in our front yard. I did not buy this thing, but it became a part of our household after one of those White Christmas parties where everyone brings a prank gift. Since arriving at our house, the little gnome has lived next to our front door. The lil’ man likes to walk over and look at him when we are playing outside, but the other day, the gnome had traveled to a new location.

I will now try to imagine what is going on in this little guy’s head.

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Bring April flowers

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