You can't debone 20 lbs of chicken in 30 minutes.

Last night, Hubby had given me the “night off” so I could de-bone chicken and watch Dancing with the Stars. So, I got home, pulled out the chicken and started to work. I noticed that some of the chicken was PINK. UGH! Despite the fact that I had checked WITH MY MEAT THERMOMETER and it indicated the chicken was done, it was not. So, I deboned 4 or 5 quarters, then put that meat in a baking dish and covered with foil. I put all the rest of the bone-in quarters in baking dishes and covered with foil and put in to the oven to roast for a while.

Then I bagged up my chicken broth. My girlfriend told me she freezes her chicken broth flat in freezer bags that can be stood up in the freezer after freezing. I am sure I have heard that idea before, but had not used it, so that is what I did. We will be able to fit them much better in the freezer that way. I put 2 cups per Ziploc and think I have 8-10 in the freezer. I quit counting as I was just ready to get it done. They are in the kitchen freezer and I will transfer to the big one tonight. Just gotta figure out something to stand them up in.

After the chicken roasted for a while, I took it out of the oven and the bone-in stuff went back in the fridge to de-bone tonight. The stuff I had de-boned, I bagged up and it is in the freezer. This was definitely not a regular weeknight activity! Since I am off tomorrow and can sleep a little later, I will be getting the rest of the chicken processed after getting home from the hospital tonight. I have all night to get it done. J

Hubby and I are both excited that he is coming home tomorrow! It will be so nice to just work and go home every night for a change. I am TIRED.

Happy Tuesday! 

20 Pounds of Chicken and 2 Dozen Cupcakes

No, that is NOT what I had for dinner last night.

First I wanted to let you all know that Hubby is doing GREAT! He was transferred to inpatient rehab on 9/19 and told he would be there 2 – 3 weeks. He is being released this Wednesday, 10/1. Yeah! The doctors and therapists are thrilled with his progress. And we are thrilled he is getting out so quickly.  11 days in rehab, with 2 of those being “off days” is great. There are people that have been there for MONTHS. I am so glad Hubby is not going to be there that long. I need him home! This is a pic of Hubby on his birthday. He looks SO good!

This weekend was a good weekend for us. I got some rest and was feeling so much better after treating my sinus infection that I got a lot of stuff done at home that I had been letting go while Hubby has been in the hospital. I did several loads of laundry including bed linens and pillows, vacuumed, did a lot of straightening of the second bedroom which is still full of boxes of books and other non-essentials. I just organized it a little so hubby will be able to get to the big freezer in his wheelchair.

The freezer which is totally stocked by the way.  While Hubby has been hospitalized, I have been stocking up on easy to fix meals. He insists he will be doing the cooking again as soon as he is out. I am confident he will, too. He has cooked from a wheelchair before. But still, I got some heat up entrees like lasagna, chicken parmesan, turkey and gravy. Things that only need a salad and mashed potatoes or pasta to make a meal. We also have loads of fish, chicken, hamburger and frozen veggies.

Speaking of chicken…..yes, I was speaking of chicken. I to a great deal on chicken quarters this weekend. $.49/lb in 10 lb bags. I bought 2. Yes, 20 lbs of chicken for $9.80!! Even better, I had a $2 off $10 meat coupon on my card which came off since I also bought some lunchmeat for Hubby. I am counting the $2 toward my chicken. Last night after getting home from the hospital, I threw all that chicken in my giant stew pot and simmered it until done.

In my fridge today is this giant bowl of chicken and stew pot full of broth. Tonight after the hospital, I will debone and portion the chicken into freezer bags and portion the broth into freezer containers. Then we will have chicken ready to just defrost for recipes. I have never done this before, but decided to try am make cooking a little more convenient. We will see how it works out.

I also made 2 dozen carrot cupcakes for Hubby’s return. To keep us from eating them all within the first few days, I have frozen them and put them in freezer bags so we can just thaw a few at a time. We will see how THAT works out. LOL!

I also bought 12 cans of tomatoes to make salsa next weekend. I am going to try making it in my jam maker that Hubby got me for Christmas. I will still can the jars afterward, but we will see if it is a time saver.

That’s all I can think of right now. Happy Monday everyone! 

Update on Hubby.

It has been a long week, but the end has been better than the start.

Hubby had his surgery on Monday. It went well and the surgeon was really pleased with how it went. I had only scheduled to take off Monday. I usually only take off the day Hubby has surgery and the day he is released, as he is fine by himself in the hospital. This time, wasn't as easy as previous ones. This surgery hit me harder than previous ones. I guess because it was so major.

I kept tearing up throughout the day, which has not happened in years. Not in front of Hubby. I know that it was harder for him than me.

We are both okay now. As Hubby said when he made the decision, it is what it is. We will make the best of it.

Hubby was transferred, last night, from the hospital to an inpatient rehab center. It is almost across the street from where we live, so very convenient. He has a short rehab session today and is off tomorrow, then start into intensive rehab on Monday, to help him learn to get around and to build up his strength. The staff seems really good and caring and we expect it will be a good stay. They project 10 days to 2 weeks, but it depends on how he does.

I worked 2 days this week, then spent the evenings at the hospital. The days I took off I was there all day. I have been just exhausted, more than I thought I should feel. And I finally realized that I have a stupid sinus infection. Fortunately, my doctor's office is open on Saturdays for urgent care, so I ran down there this morning and got a shot, an antibiotic and some steroids. I should be feeling better in a few days. Thank goodness.

I will be back at work this week, but my boss is super understanding and I can take off when I need to. Plus I have about 5 weeks of vacation days left. LOL!

Hubby's birthday is tomorrow. Poor thing. But it is not the first birthday he has spent in the hospital. I will be going to spend most of the day with him. At least until he runs me off so he can watch football.

How is this about anyone but Hubby?

I do not understand why some people have to make things all about them, no matter what it is.

As I told you previously, Hubby has decided that it is time to have the inevitable below the knee amputation. We have both come to grips with it and have been preparing for the surgery that takes place tomorrow.

Hubby has not told his mom. He never tells her before he has a surgery as she worries herself sick about every little things. She would do the same over this as well and he does not see any reason to do that to her. He will, of course, tell her after the surgery. He will have to...LOL! She will notice his missing leg at some point.

I was surprised that he did tell each of the kids already. He has let them know it was time and it is his decision and I was under the impression that they were very supportive.

Today we went to have an early birthday lunch for Hubby, as his birthday is next Sunday. Our 3 kids, 3 grandkids and Hubby's mom all came. The surgery was not mentioned and everyone had a really nice time.

Hubby created his ode to Breaking Bad:

That is a 58 made out of bacon, in case you cannot tell.

So, we ate and visited, then Hubby and I came home. He is now packing for the hospital. I vacuumed, cleaned litter boxes and started surfing the 'net.

The reason for my title? Our son posts on Facebook that he is frustrated with having to come to grips with some news and feels "put in a tight spot" by being asked to keep secrets. I messaged him asking if he was referring to his dad's surgery. And he was. I was SO mad. How does this become about anyone but Hubby??? Son said he just knew that MIL would be upset by not knowing. I was even madder. I love my kids, but how DARE any of them get mad about their dad sharing his news with who he chooses to share it with??? I told Son that if it made him that uncomfortable, I would see to it that it never happened again. He then did some back pedalling about how he and the girls are just worried about their dad.

Well, kids, if you are so worried about your dad, call him once in a while. Don't expect him to coll you all the time. And if he blesses you by sharing his information with you, then just pray for him and go on your way. Don't post about how you don't want to keep secrets.

And, by the way, shall I go ahead and share with your grandmother all of your deeds and misdeeds that we have never shared with her???

Okay. My rant is over.

"It is what it is."

That statement is one of the many reasons I love my hubby. I have been trying to figure out how to write this post without being a whiny baby, but I am just going to have to jump in feet first.

Hubby has now been on IV antibiotics for 8 weeks. When he got out of the hospital in July, after having an abscess drained and the doc finding osteomyelitis (which is infection in the bone), his infectious diseases doc determined he would need to be on iv antibiotics for 6 - 8 weeks. He has been in a lot of pain for the last couple of months and that has not eased.

A few weeks ago, he told me that he had been discussing with both docs, foot & ankle and infectious diseases, and that he had made the decision to have a below the knee amputation. Apparently, the iv antibiotics are not getting rid of the osteo which is in all his foot and ankle bones. The drugs and the infection are at a standoff and the infection is not clearing up. It has not spread higher, but it has not decreased. 

Amputation will get rid of the infection 100% as well as the pain that is in all the bones of his foot and ankle due to the infection. He decided it was time. He was worried about telling me as he thought I would be really upset. Don't get me wrong....I am sad that he is at this stage and I feel for him, but I have been preparing for this day since he had his first foot surgery. Other than this issue, his health is really good, so I am not going to complain at all since Diabetes is such a horrid disease and many people suffer much more from it than we have.

When I asked him how he was feeling about it, his response was, "It is what it is." He is not the, Woe-is-me-how-unfair-that-I-have-to-go-through-this type of person. And for that, I thank God everyday. Not that I would have married him if he were like that, but he could have become that way and I am grateful that he has not.

So, we have been preparing, as much as you can prepare for something like this. He is scheduled for surgery next Monday, 9/15. We have unpacked and arranged all that we have to. There are still some boxes that are not unpacked, but it is Hubby's stuff and he is not worried about it, so I am not going to. 

Hubby has been told that the healing time will be about 3 months, then he can get a prosthetic leg. He said one of the reasons he decided to do it now is that we have hit his max out of pocket for the year, so we will have not expenses for this or the prosthetic if he gets it before the end of the year. 

He says he is being frugal. :-)

I will post updates along the way.