Archive for "Life"
LowBrow Pizza and Beer
Posted on May 18, 2023 by Ching under Life.
LowBrow was one of our favorite restaurants in Naples last year so we took the opportunity to take mom and dad there this year.
Their menu has changed a tad since our last visit but the pizza is still top notch. They also have an excellent selection of craft beers and ciders. I had the elderberry cider which was pretty good.
The meatballs were very good as well.
And their pizzas are the best you can find anywhere.
This is the one restaurant that we will for sure visit every year that we go to the US Open. Until next time, GNG.
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Updates are So Behind Because – Life
Posted on March 6, 2023 by Ching under Community, Events, Life.
Fifteen years ago today, we moved from the old Protection One building (now the LUX) on Main to the Ruffin Building on Douglas and Broadway. We have since moved again. Now we are at the old KGE building on East Central.
We left behind so much — my old whiteboard (which I am a little bit sad about), Zumba VHS tapes (I had donated them to our wellness center when we first moved and realized we would have our own fitness area — I didn’t want these back), and fax machines (who still uses these things, anyway) — but the memories we will forever take with us.
Besides moving offices, there was also the Leadership Wichita alumni reunion hosted by the Wichita Chamber at the IMA rooftop. I wish it hadn’t been cold that day so we could enjoy the rooftop terrace but, either way, it was nice to see some of my classmates. At least those who made it from the class of 2014.
Then there is the pickleball. Lots and lots of it.
So many DUPR sessions (because I try to squeeze them in whenever I can). We also had a Dream Team Doubles Over and Under event at Riverside, which I will write a separate post about but you can read about it some here. My friend Katie’s birthday weekend (also to be covered in a separate post). And then driving up to Kansas City to have some practice games with Parker yesterday.
I was coming up for a DUPR Waterfall event but they canceled the 4.5 Division because of lack of sign ups and they wouldn’t let Parker play down because he is too good. Anyway, I ended up going up and was able to get some good practice games in so it was a productive trip. The best part is Parker showed up with the exact same pickleball bag as me. He didn’t know I had this bag (I literally had just gotten it a few weeks ago) and he just got his two weeks ago also. We just happened to order the exact same bag. Crazy! All I can say is — great minds think alike!
If you want the exact same bag for yourself, you can order it from Just Paddles here. Then we can all be matchy matchy.
There’s so much to write about. I’m hoping to find some time this week to get caught up before life gets completely crazy again. Until then, GNG.
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We Are Officially THAT Age
Posted on February 28, 2023 by Ching under Health, Life.
I’d been suffering from some health issues this past year and so we decided it was probably time for a colonoscopy. Because Brian is the best husband ever, he decided to go through the procedure first so I would know what to expect. We scheduled our colonoscopies two weeks apart. Brian went first and these are pictures from his colonoscopy.
Brian got some sexy yellow socks.
Anyway, Brian wasn’t so concerned about the prep (which most people say is the worst part). He was more concerned about going under because of potential side effects from the anesthesia. But he really didn’t have anything to worry about. His procedure went smoothly from start to finish. Even his prep, which is a nightmare for most people, was a breeze. His colonoscopy came out completely clean and the doctor gave him a pass for 10 years.
Fast forward two weeks later when it was my turn. I wasn’t worried about the procedure because I knew that they would knock me out and I wouldn’t feel a thing but I was quite worried about the prep. The stuff they had you drink tasted disgusting. And, as someone who enjoys eating, I was not looking forward to not being able to eat for several hours.
They gave me fun blue socks and everyone was super nice. They even gave me multiple blankets to help keep me warm. It’s very cold at the surgery center and even coldest in the surgery room.
Unlike Brian, whose procedure was scheduled very first thing in the morning (lucky duck – his check in time was 7:30 AM), my check in time was 9:30 AM, so I was starving as you can imagine. To top it off, they were running a bit late so I think it was almost 11:00 AM by the time they got me in surgery.
Even though I was hungry, I somehow managed to not be hangry, because when we received the final report from the surgeon (I also had Dr. Sanchez, same doc who did Brian’s procedure) he made a point to describe me as a “pleasant 45 year old woman” – LOL. They had a pretty good playlist going in the surgery room which I think helped with my mood. Of course, I was out for the whole thing so I guess you really can’t be unpleasant when you’re unconscious so I suppose I was pleasant enough while I was awake.
So my procedure went smoothly but they did find some things. Some polyps had to be removed and they banded a couple of internal hemorrhoids which had me sidelined for a week. The doc said no workout or strenuous activity so as not to bust my bands before their work was done.
I felt fine overall but did follow instructions and didn’t play pickleball for at least one week. I had my procedure on a Friday and did have to teach my Aqua Zumba class on Wednesday night because I couldn’t find a sub but that didn’t bother me too much either. By the following Sunday I was playing again so I really only missed 10 days at best.
Although the polyps they removed were benign, they were pre-cancerous so the doctor recommends that I go in for another colonoscopy in five years time. That will be something fun to look forward to in 2028. LOL.
Anyway, this is the most recent development for both me and Brian on the health front. Until next time, GNG.
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Lesson with Kas at NPC
Posted on January 17, 2023 by Ching under Life.
Finally got to check out Newton Pickleball Club when my friends Janelle, Karen, and I took a “play with a pro” type lesson with Kasandra Gehrke while she was in Wichita conducting her Empowher pickleball camps at Chicken N Pickle.
Each of us took turns playing with Kas and all the while receiving nuggets of wisdom to help us take our pickleball game to the next level. Kas was informative and helpful and I thoroughly enjoyed the time we got to spend with her. But what I loved most of all was we got to have this experience in a private setting.
Laurie’s house is amazing and her backyard pickleball setup is probably the best I’d ever seen. It was the perfect setting for our lesson with Kas. It’s also a great party house and it’s no surprise that it is super popular with the picklers. It was cold and windy that day but I bet it’s a fantastic hangout spot all summer long.
Thank you to Laurie for opening her house up for Kas’ private group lessons and also to Kas for sharing her knowledge.
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New Year’s Day
Posted on January 11, 2023 by Ching under Life, Pickleball.
Last year, I was out of town playing in a pickleball tournament on New Year’s Day. This year I decided to have a purposefully relaxing NYD by not leaving town. I did play in a fun team tournament on NYE but nothing too serious.
Brian and I prepared a hearty breakfast, consisting of bacon, sausage, potatoes, eggs, and biscuits, the next morning for our house guests. We thought we were going to have three (Katie Merrill, Ramon Lozano, and Josh McAllister) but Josh decided to just make an up-and-back trip so we ended up with leftovers.
Ramon, Katie, and several other friends played in the Hangover pickleball tournament at Chicken N Pickle that day. Speaking of Chicken N Pickle, huge shout out to them for hooking Katie up with the blue dri-fit shirt from the last sponsored athletes box so that she could match me, Ramon, and Jared (Smart) for the team event. Lindsey Vermillion actually had to expedite the package so it would arrive in time for her to wear it to the team event.
I didn’t get any pictures at the tournament but I did livestream the championship match between Vi Dang and Mitch Spencer vs Molly Sager and Austin Corley. Interestingly, Molly and Cory Sager were supposed to play together but then Jenny and Austin Corley signed up for the tournament when we were all hanging out during NYE at the Egan’s. They made a game-time decision to swap partners because Austin and Molly and Cory and Jenny are playing together in the iPickle Nation January Jam this weekend. The four of them figured they would use the Hangover tournament for practice.
Despite this being Austin and Molly’s first time playing together, they played really well and had great on-court chemistry. I think the four of them will do really well at the iPN tournament in Kansas City this weekend.
I think the highlight of my day had to be taking Rosie (Katie’s dog) to Chicken N Pickle to watch her mama play pickleball but also to show her off because she is so stinkin’ cute. Anyway, I’ve always dreamed of taking my dog there but our dogs are not fit to be in public. Molly was always too amped and Saki is super jittery and afraid of people. Everyone was asking me about my dog. I wish she was mine because she is so good and well-behaved. And, she is super cuddly.
The weather was absolutely beautiful and the way NYD went was the perfect start to the year. I remember thinking, “If the rest of the year goes like this, it will be an amazing one!” It was just a super relaxing, fun day. Until next time, GNG.
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