3 days...21 hours...and 56 minutes...until Kaylin and I are on a plane back to the good ole' US of A!
A lot has changed recently and the more that develops, the more I am thankful to be leaving Germany. Yes, I will miss my friends, who have become more like a family away from family. But everything else, I'll be glad to leave behind. With the exception of McDonalds nuggets...its like Ashlee crack or something. Anyways, I am trying to keep it all pretty positive and not focus on what we're leaving, but what we are going to. Its a new chapter, not the closing of a book. :)
The movers came for the majority of our stuff on Tuesday. It really sucked watching our life be packed away, but as the evening came upon me, it wasn't nearly as sad as I thought it was going to be. I took Kaylin to the CDC just because I knew that it would be easier to not have her here. Being away from her for 8 hours, really sucked though. I honestly think that's the longest I've ever gone without her!
Wednesday the movers came later in the afternoon and took the rest of our stuff, basically the stuff for Kaylin. Her crib, her high chair, the umbrella stroller, her second car seat, and whatever else random that was left from the previous day. Moving is gosh darn stressful, I'll tell ya that!
Now we sit in our house full of government furniture and random things until Tuesday. Tuesday, and our feet will be on American soil, back in American time zones. My adds on Facebook will be back to English, no more having to find IP blockers online to watch my favorite TV shows, no more stupid AFN commercials. Don't get me wrong, I love the opportunity and the things we saw together. Germany is an experience on its own and I'm sure that if we had traveled more I would have loved it here even more. Its rough when you don't speak the language at all, every word looks like jibberish (I can't even imagine going to Korea :-/). I remember telling my parents that I knew now what it felt like to be unable to read. Because to me, the majority of the German language looks like letters put together.
Soon we'll be saying auf Wiedersehen Germany and HELOOOOO America!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Happy Birthday Little One
My Kaylin-
How can I even begin? You mean the world to me. 1 year ago today I laid in a hospital bed waiting for you to arrive. The day was long, and sometimes it seemed unbearable; but in the long run it was the most incredible experience of my life. At 9:42 I heard you cry for the very first time. It was a while before I actually saw you, but the wait was completely worth it. You laid in my arms completely and I had never felt so much innocence. You were completely dependent on me. When they brought you to me later on that day, I laid you on me for the first time and was in love. You loved me more than I could ever imagine, and I knew it then, your very presence made my world completely.
Over the last year I've seen you grow from a tiny little baby to a beautiful little girl. You are so smart and so cute. You're personality is amazing and contagious. You have made the darker days lighter, the cloudy days sunnier, and the bad days better. I can't believe how much you've learned over the last year. You pick up on so many things it amazes me. I love to see you're little mind work and problem solve. Every day is something new and I am so glad I get to share it with you. You are the light of my world and I love you more than anything. I thank God that you are here every day. Its like He knew I'd need you, you are my blessing from Heaven.
I love you Kaylin, you are my everything. Happy Birthday big girl!
How can I even begin? You mean the world to me. 1 year ago today I laid in a hospital bed waiting for you to arrive. The day was long, and sometimes it seemed unbearable; but in the long run it was the most incredible experience of my life. At 9:42 I heard you cry for the very first time. It was a while before I actually saw you, but the wait was completely worth it. You laid in my arms completely and I had never felt so much innocence. You were completely dependent on me. When they brought you to me later on that day, I laid you on me for the first time and was in love. You loved me more than I could ever imagine, and I knew it then, your very presence made my world completely.
Over the last year I've seen you grow from a tiny little baby to a beautiful little girl. You are so smart and so cute. You're personality is amazing and contagious. You have made the darker days lighter, the cloudy days sunnier, and the bad days better. I can't believe how much you've learned over the last year. You pick up on so many things it amazes me. I love to see you're little mind work and problem solve. Every day is something new and I am so glad I get to share it with you. You are the light of my world and I love you more than anything. I thank God that you are here every day. Its like He knew I'd need you, you are my blessing from Heaven.
I love you Kaylin, you are my everything. Happy Birthday big girl!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A First Birthday
Being in Germany throwing a birthday party can be quite the challenge. Top it off with a one year old and a Mommy that has never thrown a birthday party and you've got yourself quite a story.
It all begins by looking for a theme. And over here the chances of having 1st Birthday party supplies are slim to none. So the online search began! I checked all over the place, Amazon, Party America, Google, and finally found a theme I fell in love with at Party City. Hugs and Stitches was the decided theme. Its cute, girlie but not a lot of pink and frills. I made a tentative guest list, counted and re-counted the people invited. I bought her party supplies and even had a coupon for $4.99 shipping. Shipping things to APO is always a hit or miss situation. Sometimes stuff takes a week, other times it takes a good 6 weeks. There is just no telling, so I had to get it ordered in plenty of time and keep my fingers crossed it would get here. So instead of banking on it, I decide to pick a back up theme. Zoo animals, definitely not girlie but still cute. I didn't buy anything. I'll never forget when I got her package in the mail, I was so excited I had to open it up in the office! Once I had invitations I started writing them all out, and cleverly saved one for Kaylin's scrapbook later. I had to pick a place indoors because the weather here is so unpredictable that taking the chance for an outdoor party isn't going to happen. I managed to book our golf course clubhouse for the day before her actual birthday. Since her birthday is on a Sunday, it's easier to get people together Saturday rather than on Sunday.
I've invited quite the crowd and quite the mix of kids. So I had to think of something to for the older kids to do. Kaylin would be happy with a few toys and a big room to crawl around in. So I decided to buy a pinata. Simple and more for the older kids to play with. I found a nice flower one from Ramstein, cute and simple. I also grabbed pink and purple streamers as the decorations because I already have a nice "Happy Birthday" banner for her in the set. I didn't bother with balloons because I planned on getting some from our arts and crafts center.
Next task was the food. What to serve older AND younger people? I went back and forth for days, do I want to do cupcakes or an actual cake? Do we want home made or store bought? So many options, so little time. I looked at both our commissary and the one in Ramstein but didn't see any cakes that jumped out at me. No first birthday cakes or anything, so time to go home made. I got a normal yellow cake and it'll have chocolate frosting. Don't forget about the letters I plan on using, pink and purple. Then some pink icing for the border. I practiced with some of the tips and I think I'll be able to make it look good, so I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed! Keeping on the simple side I figured Little Smokies in the crock pot, home made Mac-N-Cheese, and my friend offered to make meatballs. I figured no big "lunch" food, just more snacks. Cheaper and easier. Then I also bought a few different types of Capri Sun (but the good German kind :D ) and a few things of soda. Lets not forget the ice cream, Neapolitan that way everyone is happy. I bought the only mixed bag of candy I could find...Wonka. So now there are a mix of nerds and laffy taffy that are going into the pinata.
Next came the balloons. The arts and crafts center didn't have any 1st Birthday either, so we settled for a nice princess balloon that said happy birthday. Those will be blown up and picked up on Saturday. Now all I really have left is getting a picture of her in her pretty dress and get it into the frame for her. And then we'll be done. My sweet baby girl will be 1.
I hope the day will be perfect my little girl, she's going to have so much fun!
It all begins by looking for a theme. And over here the chances of having 1st Birthday party supplies are slim to none. So the online search began! I checked all over the place, Amazon, Party America, Google, and finally found a theme I fell in love with at Party City. Hugs and Stitches was the decided theme. Its cute, girlie but not a lot of pink and frills. I made a tentative guest list, counted and re-counted the people invited. I bought her party supplies and even had a coupon for $4.99 shipping. Shipping things to APO is always a hit or miss situation. Sometimes stuff takes a week, other times it takes a good 6 weeks. There is just no telling, so I had to get it ordered in plenty of time and keep my fingers crossed it would get here. So instead of banking on it, I decide to pick a back up theme. Zoo animals, definitely not girlie but still cute. I didn't buy anything. I'll never forget when I got her package in the mail, I was so excited I had to open it up in the office! Once I had invitations I started writing them all out, and cleverly saved one for Kaylin's scrapbook later. I had to pick a place indoors because the weather here is so unpredictable that taking the chance for an outdoor party isn't going to happen. I managed to book our golf course clubhouse for the day before her actual birthday. Since her birthday is on a Sunday, it's easier to get people together Saturday rather than on Sunday.
I've invited quite the crowd and quite the mix of kids. So I had to think of something to for the older kids to do. Kaylin would be happy with a few toys and a big room to crawl around in. So I decided to buy a pinata. Simple and more for the older kids to play with. I found a nice flower one from Ramstein, cute and simple. I also grabbed pink and purple streamers as the decorations because I already have a nice "Happy Birthday" banner for her in the set. I didn't bother with balloons because I planned on getting some from our arts and crafts center.
Next task was the food. What to serve older AND younger people? I went back and forth for days, do I want to do cupcakes or an actual cake? Do we want home made or store bought? So many options, so little time. I looked at both our commissary and the one in Ramstein but didn't see any cakes that jumped out at me. No first birthday cakes or anything, so time to go home made. I got a normal yellow cake and it'll have chocolate frosting. Don't forget about the letters I plan on using, pink and purple. Then some pink icing for the border. I practiced with some of the tips and I think I'll be able to make it look good, so I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed! Keeping on the simple side I figured Little Smokies in the crock pot, home made Mac-N-Cheese, and my friend offered to make meatballs. I figured no big "lunch" food, just more snacks. Cheaper and easier. Then I also bought a few different types of Capri Sun (but the good German kind :D ) and a few things of soda. Lets not forget the ice cream, Neapolitan that way everyone is happy. I bought the only mixed bag of candy I could find...Wonka. So now there are a mix of nerds and laffy taffy that are going into the pinata.
Next came the balloons. The arts and crafts center didn't have any 1st Birthday either, so we settled for a nice princess balloon that said happy birthday. Those will be blown up and picked up on Saturday. Now all I really have left is getting a picture of her in her pretty dress and get it into the frame for her. And then we'll be done. My sweet baby girl will be 1.
I hope the day will be perfect my little girl, she's going to have so much fun!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Hawaiian Chicken :]]]]
So I've never posted a recipe, mostly because I am terrible when it comes to cooking. Though in the words of my Grandma, "If you can read, you can cook!" Well bi-golly I can read...
Cooking during a deployment is rough. Especially when its just me and Kaylin. I can get away with eating cereal 5 nights a week if I want too. But I have GOT to break that habit. Soon she'll be 1, and no more formula. So I am going to have to provide her with the nutrients she needs. That means I have to start cooking.
So lately I've been trying out new recipe's and sharing with Kaylin. Sure the portions are way smaller and I avoid left overs...but its still not THAT bad. Here's the latest recipe I made, it actually was quite pleasant.
Ingredients:
-Chicken Breasts (enough for the family)
-Regular Italian Dressing
- Pineapple Rings
- Swiss Cheese slices
Directions:
1. Marinate the chicken breasts in Italian dressing for desired amount of time (I did about an hour).
2. Cook chicken breasts on medium heat with Italian dressing in pan until done and slightly browned, with dressing becoming thick and saucey. (Add extra Italian dressing if more sauce is desired).
3. Remove chicken from heat and place pineapple rings in the same pan on medium heat until slightly browned to enhance flavor.
4. Add chicken breasts back to pan, and place pineapple rings on top of the chicken.
5. Add sliced Swiss Cheese and cover the chicken and pineapple rings; allow cheese to melt.
6. Enjoy this simple meal with brown or white rice and green beans, or simply whatever you like best!
So my friends, don't be afraid to try this one out. Its actually pretty good and very filling! Kaylin and I shared this one tonight.
Cooking during a deployment is rough. Especially when its just me and Kaylin. I can get away with eating cereal 5 nights a week if I want too. But I have GOT to break that habit. Soon she'll be 1, and no more formula. So I am going to have to provide her with the nutrients she needs. That means I have to start cooking.
So lately I've been trying out new recipe's and sharing with Kaylin. Sure the portions are way smaller and I avoid left overs...but its still not THAT bad. Here's the latest recipe I made, it actually was quite pleasant.
Ingredients:
-Chicken Breasts (enough for the family)
-Regular Italian Dressing
- Pineapple Rings
- Swiss Cheese slices
Directions:
1. Marinate the chicken breasts in Italian dressing for desired amount of time (I did about an hour).
2. Cook chicken breasts on medium heat with Italian dressing in pan until done and slightly browned, with dressing becoming thick and saucey. (Add extra Italian dressing if more sauce is desired).
3. Remove chicken from heat and place pineapple rings in the same pan on medium heat until slightly browned to enhance flavor.
4. Add chicken breasts back to pan, and place pineapple rings on top of the chicken.
5. Add sliced Swiss Cheese and cover the chicken and pineapple rings; allow cheese to melt.
6. Enjoy this simple meal with brown or white rice and green beans, or simply whatever you like best!
So my friends, don't be afraid to try this one out. Its actually pretty good and very filling! Kaylin and I shared this one tonight.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
A Military Funeral
Today I had the greatest honor, mixed with the deepest sadness; I had the privilege to attend a military funeral. I have never been good when it comes to death, and to be honest I have avoided these until today. I did not know the man who passed, and he was not even deployed but I still felt compelled to pay my respects.
It was a warm and sunny afternoon as the attendee's gathered outside of the chapel. There were plenty of hugs and tears even before the service started. My friend and I took our seats, toward the back but not at the end. Seeing the American flag, the German flag, the Warrior's Transition Unit (WTU) Battalion flag, and the Brigade flag all placed perfectly behind the picture, boots, weapon and helmet of a fallen soldier hit me harder than I thought. We stood as the pianist played the German National Anthem followed seamlessly by our National Anthem. Hands immediately went across hearts, people stood up straight and everyone kept their eyes on the flag. We were asked to remain standing as the family entered the chapel. Honestly this is one of the most heartbreaking moments to watch. His wife's eyes were filled with tears, red and her mascara was running. She was assisted down the main aisle by family and another soldier. The eulogy was read by a fellow soldier followed by the battalion chaplain, the 4-70th Armor (the man's previous unit) Family Readiness Liaison (FRL), the WTU Commander and the WTU Battalion Commander each shared their thoughts on our fallen soldier. Then the 1st Sergeant did a final roll call, and when the soldiers name was called, obviously he did not answer. It was after repeating his name three times that the firing squad fired its 21 gun salute. For those who do not know, the firing squad is made up of 7 men and women who each fire 3 shots into the air. After just 1 experience to a live 21 gun salute, you will forever have a moment that takes your breath away. After the 21 gun salute came the trumpet call. That song will send chills down any military wife's spine. Lastly after the man's wife paid her respects, the church followed suit and row by row, paid their respects to a fallen comrade.
As my friend and I approached the front of the church an amazing feeling took over me. This man had served 2 tours in Iraq, defended our freedom, and just like that he was gone. Its amazing how quick a good thing can turn bad. Its unfortunate but things like this always have a way with sticking with us.
Even with everything going on in my life, I still know that no matter what I do I am proud to have been apart of something like this. A military funeral is not one like I have ever been to in my life. Even though I didn't know him, he was part of my community. He was a friend, a neighbor, a father, and a husband. Its different in the military, when you lose one of your own not only do you grieve, the entire community grieves too.
It was a warm and sunny afternoon as the attendee's gathered outside of the chapel. There were plenty of hugs and tears even before the service started. My friend and I took our seats, toward the back but not at the end. Seeing the American flag, the German flag, the Warrior's Transition Unit (WTU) Battalion flag, and the Brigade flag all placed perfectly behind the picture, boots, weapon and helmet of a fallen soldier hit me harder than I thought. We stood as the pianist played the German National Anthem followed seamlessly by our National Anthem. Hands immediately went across hearts, people stood up straight and everyone kept their eyes on the flag. We were asked to remain standing as the family entered the chapel. Honestly this is one of the most heartbreaking moments to watch. His wife's eyes were filled with tears, red and her mascara was running. She was assisted down the main aisle by family and another soldier. The eulogy was read by a fellow soldier followed by the battalion chaplain, the 4-70th Armor (the man's previous unit) Family Readiness Liaison (FRL), the WTU Commander and the WTU Battalion Commander each shared their thoughts on our fallen soldier. Then the 1st Sergeant did a final roll call, and when the soldiers name was called, obviously he did not answer. It was after repeating his name three times that the firing squad fired its 21 gun salute. For those who do not know, the firing squad is made up of 7 men and women who each fire 3 shots into the air. After just 1 experience to a live 21 gun salute, you will forever have a moment that takes your breath away. After the 21 gun salute came the trumpet call. That song will send chills down any military wife's spine. Lastly after the man's wife paid her respects, the church followed suit and row by row, paid their respects to a fallen comrade.
As my friend and I approached the front of the church an amazing feeling took over me. This man had served 2 tours in Iraq, defended our freedom, and just like that he was gone. Its amazing how quick a good thing can turn bad. Its unfortunate but things like this always have a way with sticking with us.
Even with everything going on in my life, I still know that no matter what I do I am proud to have been apart of something like this. A military funeral is not one like I have ever been to in my life. Even though I didn't know him, he was part of my community. He was a friend, a neighbor, a father, and a husband. Its different in the military, when you lose one of your own not only do you grieve, the entire community grieves too.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
For.ev.er
Its been quite a while since I've had time to sit down and type out something here. If its not school its Kaylin, if its not Kaylin its the FRG. I feel like these last 2 months have flown by yet crept ever so slowly all at the same time.
Now I'm in planning mode for our trip to the States. I'm researching car seats, trying to decide which ones sound good, and all that jazz. Plus I'm trying to keep up with 4 classes and (on average) 14 chapters a week to read on top of assignments. Man I wish the days like this would just end.
Kaylin is getting so big its amazing. She's learning stuff everyday and it is so incredible to see her little personality coming out. Sadly, she's going to be a talker. She yells at people, at me especially. She's even getting her 3rd tooth, this time its a canine. So she'll have no front teeth but a canine. I knew this child was part vampire. =]
For now my loves, that will have to be all. I'm tired and I've got so much stuff to do...but its all going to have to wait until tomorrow. My brain hurts and I can't take it all anymore.
Now I'm in planning mode for our trip to the States. I'm researching car seats, trying to decide which ones sound good, and all that jazz. Plus I'm trying to keep up with 4 classes and (on average) 14 chapters a week to read on top of assignments. Man I wish the days like this would just end.
Kaylin is getting so big its amazing. She's learning stuff everyday and it is so incredible to see her little personality coming out. Sadly, she's going to be a talker. She yells at people, at me especially. She's even getting her 3rd tooth, this time its a canine. So she'll have no front teeth but a canine. I knew this child was part vampire. =]
For now my loves, that will have to be all. I'm tired and I've got so much stuff to do...but its all going to have to wait until tomorrow. My brain hurts and I can't take it all anymore.
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Chicken Story
Dennis and I have been married only 2 Thanksgiving's. The first Thanksgiving we went to our friend's and this year we ended up making a turkey roast because we went to Dennis' platoon sergeant's house. So in all fairness...I have never cooked a turkey. However, this story is not about a turkey....
Sitting here, my last day in Wiesbaden, Jennifer and I decide dinner will be oven roasted chicken, pasta sides, cheese and broccoli casserole and biscuits. Sounds delicious, I must say.
Finishing up the experience in Wiesbaden, Jennifer and I complete one last trip to the gummy bear store downtown (amidst the mass of downtown traffic, German parking, and sheer confusion). We bundle Kaylin up, and we're on our way. Yeah we get some funny looks from the Germans because we don't have her in a heavy coat but she's got warm clothes on and a few blankets, she's fine for an outdoor trip that lasts 10 minutes. Anyways, we successfully retrieve our new stash of gummies for Dennis and back in the car.
Off to the Commissary we go to pick up the chicken for dinner. Naturally we get all the ingredients and realize we are having issues finding a chicken. DAMN. We wander around the whole store, Jennifer in the lead, me pushing the cart with Kaylin. Around the corner into the frozen section...there it is...the last chicken. We snatch it up, holding it like it is golden. A few more items and we're off with our prized possessions!
We swing by Burger King for lunch and head back to the house. After attempting to thaw the chicken in a water bath in the sink while washing dishes our dear chicken makes friends with a bowl of warm water instead. About an hour later we pull the chicken out, its soft and moveable so we figure that its done. Jennifer goes to start getting it seasoned and all the sudden I get a call....
"Hey, come get the ickies out of this chicken!"
"What?! I can't do that, I've never even cooked a turkey!!" I exclaimed not quite ready to lose my chicken/turkey inside taking out virginity!
"Me either! Just come do it!!! Plus its a chicken, not a turkey!!" She yells back. I set down my computer and head to the kitchen with Kaylin. I look at the chicken in the sink and sigh. I have NO idea what I'm about to do. I ask Jennifer one more time what the heck it is supposed happen, and she replies, "Take off the neck and remove the insides..." Greatttt....
I pull on the neck a bit and it doesn't give. Duh, vertebrae! Now I have flashes of anatomy class in my head. This is going to be interesting to say the least. I decide the neck can wait and flip over the bird, trying to avoid as much contact with it as possible. CRAPPPPP. The inside isn't thawed! I toss it under some warm water hoping to avoid having to wait longer for dinner. However after a few minutes this too fails. *sigh* The insides are frozen solid and not giving way.
But waittt...there is a MICROWAVE! YES. Hello waves of heat going to nuke and flash cook this chicken. Plate...check...chicken...check...turn the dial and BAM. A few minutes later I pull the chicken out...OH NO...
Well I guess it went in too long because the outside is cooked a bit and the inside is still frozen. *sigh* Guess we'll have to resort to the water again. I run the water inside the bird in attempts to assist the thawing process. All the sudden...DUN DUN DUN!!! We have success...the chicken has now lost a kidney. A FREAKING KIDNEY. These parts aren't nicely placed inside or anything like a turkey, they are still completely in their normal place. I remove said kidney and return my focus to the rock hard, frozen insides. After a little while I decide that since the water is only scalding my hand and the insides haven't budged (except for the lone kidney) I'm going to try to remove the neck again. After some pulling, pushing, knifing and swearing I finally break the neck free of the bird. Why the damn thing is left on has left me completely curious!
Now that the chicken no longer has a neck, I can clearly see the little bit of a path to the other side of the chicken. Now water can drain out of the chicken and hopefully I can remove the rest of the insides with less difficulty. The rest of the insides came out without much effort, I found the other kidney, the liver, heart and stomach. I studied and oogled at each of the parts to make sure my diagnosis was correct. By the way, they are gross looking! I rinse off the chicken and pat the damn thing dry. I set it on a plate to await seasoning and Kaylin begins to fuss because she is hungry. I feed her and Brian (Jennifer's husband) goes into the kitchen and comes back out telling us we are going to order something because that chicken does not look right!
So much for our attempt at oven roasted chicken. Next time I'll make sure I don't add the chicken and the microwave. Needless to say, the chinese food place delivered twice this weekend.
Sitting here, my last day in Wiesbaden, Jennifer and I decide dinner will be oven roasted chicken, pasta sides, cheese and broccoli casserole and biscuits. Sounds delicious, I must say.
Finishing up the experience in Wiesbaden, Jennifer and I complete one last trip to the gummy bear store downtown (amidst the mass of downtown traffic, German parking, and sheer confusion). We bundle Kaylin up, and we're on our way. Yeah we get some funny looks from the Germans because we don't have her in a heavy coat but she's got warm clothes on and a few blankets, she's fine for an outdoor trip that lasts 10 minutes. Anyways, we successfully retrieve our new stash of gummies for Dennis and back in the car.
Off to the Commissary we go to pick up the chicken for dinner. Naturally we get all the ingredients and realize we are having issues finding a chicken. DAMN. We wander around the whole store, Jennifer in the lead, me pushing the cart with Kaylin. Around the corner into the frozen section...there it is...the last chicken. We snatch it up, holding it like it is golden. A few more items and we're off with our prized possessions!
We swing by Burger King for lunch and head back to the house. After attempting to thaw the chicken in a water bath in the sink while washing dishes our dear chicken makes friends with a bowl of warm water instead. About an hour later we pull the chicken out, its soft and moveable so we figure that its done. Jennifer goes to start getting it seasoned and all the sudden I get a call....
"Hey, come get the ickies out of this chicken!"
"What?! I can't do that, I've never even cooked a turkey!!" I exclaimed not quite ready to lose my chicken/turkey inside taking out virginity!
"Me either! Just come do it!!! Plus its a chicken, not a turkey!!" She yells back. I set down my computer and head to the kitchen with Kaylin. I look at the chicken in the sink and sigh. I have NO idea what I'm about to do. I ask Jennifer one more time what the heck it is supposed happen, and she replies, "Take off the neck and remove the insides..." Greatttt....
I pull on the neck a bit and it doesn't give. Duh, vertebrae! Now I have flashes of anatomy class in my head. This is going to be interesting to say the least. I decide the neck can wait and flip over the bird, trying to avoid as much contact with it as possible. CRAPPPPP. The inside isn't thawed! I toss it under some warm water hoping to avoid having to wait longer for dinner. However after a few minutes this too fails. *sigh* The insides are frozen solid and not giving way.
But waittt...there is a MICROWAVE! YES. Hello waves of heat going to nuke and flash cook this chicken. Plate...check...chicken...check...turn the dial and BAM. A few minutes later I pull the chicken out...OH NO...
Well I guess it went in too long because the outside is cooked a bit and the inside is still frozen. *sigh* Guess we'll have to resort to the water again. I run the water inside the bird in attempts to assist the thawing process. All the sudden...DUN DUN DUN!!! We have success...the chicken has now lost a kidney. A FREAKING KIDNEY. These parts aren't nicely placed inside or anything like a turkey, they are still completely in their normal place. I remove said kidney and return my focus to the rock hard, frozen insides. After a little while I decide that since the water is only scalding my hand and the insides haven't budged (except for the lone kidney) I'm going to try to remove the neck again. After some pulling, pushing, knifing and swearing I finally break the neck free of the bird. Why the damn thing is left on has left me completely curious!
Now that the chicken no longer has a neck, I can clearly see the little bit of a path to the other side of the chicken. Now water can drain out of the chicken and hopefully I can remove the rest of the insides with less difficulty. The rest of the insides came out without much effort, I found the other kidney, the liver, heart and stomach. I studied and oogled at each of the parts to make sure my diagnosis was correct. By the way, they are gross looking! I rinse off the chicken and pat the damn thing dry. I set it on a plate to await seasoning and Kaylin begins to fuss because she is hungry. I feed her and Brian (Jennifer's husband) goes into the kitchen and comes back out telling us we are going to order something because that chicken does not look right!
So much for our attempt at oven roasted chicken. Next time I'll make sure I don't add the chicken and the microwave. Needless to say, the chinese food place delivered twice this weekend.
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