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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Hello Fresh Meals
Posted on March 3, 2023 by Ching under Food and Drink.
My work recently sent everyone their first box of Hello Fresh and four weeks of discounted boxes as a reward for participating in our company wellness program in 2022. I’d been wanting to try Hello Fresh for a while but just couldn’t get Brian to pull the trigger. He is of the belief that we can plan our meals and shop for the stuff ourselves, which comes out way less than these subscription plans. The thing is, it never works out because we are always too busy to plan (let alone cook) our meals so we end up eating out most of the time.
It’s funny because a friend of mine once asked me if Brian and I eat out or eat at home more and I replied, “I guess we eat at home more because we always get carryout.” LMAO. Yes, we were eating out waaaayyyy too much. And, as you can imagine, that gets pretty expensive too.
I’m so glad we got the free trial and promotional discount because then Brian couldn’t say no. Anyway, I have enjoyed everything we’ve gotten so far and for the most part all of the meals have been petty easy to make. Here are some pics..
The pecan-crusted chicken with honey mustard sauce and mixed greens apple salad was the very first thing we made. I was immediately sold. I loved the refreshing apple salad and the chicken was perfection. I’m hoping this shows up again as an option because I will get multiples of it. In the meantime, Brian said it’s easy enough to make that he could actually make it for us anytime we wanted.
Next, we made the top tomato spaghetti chicken, toasted almonds, parmesan, and parsley. This was also a winner!
That same week we had the beef flautas supreme with pico de gallo and smoky red pepper crema. It was Brian’s pic. It wasn’t bad but not my favorite. And, I forgot to take a photo. That sums up our very first box.
The following week we had the balsamic tomato and herb chicken (pictured above) and fully loaded pork taquitos. Both were good but I liked the pasta better. I’m not a fan of taquito-type things. Once again, I forgot to take a pic of it. I think it’s probably because I wasn’t too excited about it. LOL.
We are now in our third week/box of Hello Fresh meals. Since I seem to enjoy their pasta dishes the best, I chose two pasta dishes this week. The one above is the pork sausage rigatoni in a creamy sauce. The second one (below) is the palermo prosciutto and chicken penne.
Both were very tasty but I definitely preferred the chicken pasta dish because the prosciutto puts it over the edge. Who doesn’t love prosciutto? I told Brian I think I would much rather have prosciutto at breakfast instead of bacon but we both agreed that would get too expensive.
Anyway, we are definitely enjoying our Hello Fresh so far. It’s getting us to cook at home more. Granted, it’s probably more expensive than just doing your own grocery shopping and planning your own meals but we are saving so much time in not having to think about what to make and they only send us enough for what we are making so we don’t have to worry about rotten vegetables in the fridge. And, even though it is somewhat pricey, it’s still cheaper than eating out.
If you want to try it out for yourself, this link gets you your first box of Hello Fresh meals for free. Enjoy!
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Paris Baguette
Posted on March 2, 2023 by Ching under Food and Drink.
After Brian’s colonoscopy, he wanted HomeGrown for breakfast/early lunch. Initially, that is where I wanted to go to but then I realized that, because my appointment was so much later in the morning, it would be lunch time or after when I got done. We discussed several alternatives before finally settling on Paris Baguette because we had both never been and we weren’t sure we’d have another opportunity to try it.
We probably should have stuck with our gut instinct and gone to HomeGrown because HG has way more food options. I didn’t realize that Paris Baguette was mostly a bakery and the food options were quite limited.
Below is what we ended up having…
It was fine but, having starved myself for nearly 24 hours, I would have liked to have eaten more food. I did enjoy my cake a lot though. It was really good!
I took pictures of the interior of the restaurant/bakery for those who have never been here or to Paris. I’ve never been to Paris either but I guess this is what a French bakery would look like inside.
Obligatory pictures of the hubs – BEST. HUSBAND. EVER.
He was not very happy with my restaurant choice but, because he is awesome, he took one for the team and sucked it up. For almost 25 years, this man has patiently put up with me despite all of my crankiness, bossiness, and control freak tendencies. I still have no idea how I got so lucky. Until next time, 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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Revolutsia – New “Go To” Lunch Spot
Posted on February 19, 2023 by Ching under Food and Drink.
I feel like we are going to be eating at Prost a lot this year now that work is just down the street from Revolutsia. As far as German food goes, Prost is probably the best in town. Here are some pictures of food we enjoyed a couple of weeks ago.
We explored the rest of Revolutsia after lunch and discovered a new coffee shop.
The Pennant coffee shop is next door to the barber shop with a taproom in between.
There’s so many fun little shops at Revolutsia. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend it. One of my favorite stores is the Loud Cicada which has a Card and Confetti Bar. Pickleball Weirdos (Nicole and Megan) recently sent me some stickers along with the most fun male stripper, penis, and sperm confetti so when I saw the Card and Confetti Bar at the Loud Cicada, I thought, “What a great idea!”
Anyway, Jenni is make me some pickleball paddle and balls confetti that I can use for my own cards and letters. I am so excited!
Until next time, GNG.
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