Can I be Your Hero

Last night when I arrived home the "pseudo" stepdaughter says to me, "MJ you might find a surprise upstairs on your bed."

Curious to what she has created for me I walk into my room and find a hand made card. The "pseudo" stepdaughter is always making cards or pictures for me but this one caught my attention.

Check it out she thinks I am a Hero. I have been called lots of thinks Angel, Cheerleader, Sister, Daughter, along with some not so nice names but no one has ever called me a hero. I was so touched, I almost cried.

So I opened my card and on the inside I find this list:

Look a list of my wonderful qualities...I think. Although I find it odd that she thinks being on time is such a good quality. She is 8 should she be so concerned with being on time? On the other hand I am excited that she thinks I am cool...I always thought I was cool but it's good to have confirmation.

This was the back of the card. Which to be honest I found to be the most interesting (after the hero and cool part). Doesn't it remind you of an album cover/tattoo from the mid 80's? Should we worry that this is what she drew? We like to rock an 80's time from time to time but we don't have any albums lying around the house for to get inspiration from....possibly because we don't have any albums. Looking at the picture I can hear the electric guitar and mournful lyrics from my youth.

Its a Freaking Tradition and You Will Enjoy It

Does your family have holiday traditions?

As an unofficial blended family, we are trying to find our traditions. Its not always easy to establish figure out the traditions when the kids spend every other holiday with the other parent. Plus you have to combine the traditions of two different families.

This is not always easy.   

I think it's important to not focus on the time you don't have the kids but the time you do have them, for example: this year the "pseudo" step-kids will be at their moms for Christmas this year. Which means we don't have them for Christmas Eve. So this year we will open our Christmas eve gift (pajamas, hot chocolate, popcorn and a new Christmas movie to watch) we will open them the Saturday before Christmas. On Christmas Day we like to have a big fancy breakfast, so the Ex-Wife/Friend will bring the "pseudo" step-kids over early so we can eat and open gifts.

Just in case you think this is all one way...at the first of December the Ex-Wife/Friend's mom (who lives out of town) comes and visits for 2 weeks. During that time The BF is flexible with parent time, allowing the kids to spend lots of time with their grandma. When its "our Christmas" we let the gets go to the Christmas Eve service with Ex-Wife/Friend and instead of them spending time with her early in the day (like we do) on Christmas she takes them in the afternoon for a big family party at her dad's.

(Just in case you think this is only about time with the "pseudo' step-kids, we enjoy our time without them...we like to go to the movies on Christmas Day without them).

Our goal is to create a happy day without stress. I think it's about being flexible and respecting each others traditions. After all its not about you and your ego its about the kids, compromise is key. I know it's not always possible for this to happen. It takes every person putting their ego aside and figuring out, I know I also lucked out by being friends with the Ex-Wife/Friend first then hooking up with The BF.

I love when I start sounding like I know what I am talking about.

To Trick or To Treat

The Ex-Wife/Friend and The BF are mad at the "pseudo" step-son. It's become quite hostile in our home and all because he decided not to go trick or treating this year and they will have 1 less lid to steal candy from.

I have learned since becoming a "pseudo" step-mom that one of the benefits of having kids is stealing their candy but they are being a little ridiculous.

I tried to explain that you can just go buy Halloween candy on November 1st for a fraction of the cost and you don't have to share it with the kids. But I guess they feel that if they have to take one kid trick or treating they should take both kids and get the maximum amount of candy.

The keep pestering him to go trick or treating...its a little comical how desperate they are about it. Any second now their will be an ultimatum, "go beg the neighbors for candy or else." They told him that if he doesn't go then no candy. I assured him he can have candy and to remember who is really in charge in our weird little family.

I feel like he is about to give in to their demands, I am supporting him 100% and I don't have an ulterior motive....okay maybe I do. This year I am making him hand out candy to the kids while I am playing on the internet. This new development is really working in my favor, so much so I am going to go buy him a bag of marked down candy tomorrow that he doesn't have to share.. I wouldn't want him to change his mind about trick or treating next year.

Forced Family Fun

We try to have a little family time every day at least for a few moments. It mostly happens at dinner time. We actually have some serious rules for dinner time.

1. No cell phones - mostly for The BF and I (okay mostly me)
2. No TV - for the  8 year old "pseudo" step-daughter
3. If you shovel your food down so you can get on the computer you will have to sit there until the very last person is done eating - for the 15 year old "pseudo" step-son 

We don't always have a lot to say and some times we can't stop talking but I think the important thing is we try.

In that vain we try to do family activities from time to time even if its just watching a movie together. This is not always an easy thing when you have such an age difference in kids (the 15 year old is a good sport and has watched several movies and participated in several activities that he really didn't want to with a pretty good attitude). Which is why the Ex-Wife/Friend started calling family time Forced Family Fun...it has caught on in my house. 

I can't ever decide if calling it forced family fun is good or bad but you can hear me say we are a family and we are going to have fun even if it kills us. I get a lot of eye rolls and giggles.

 

Back when the weather was warm we would all go for a walk with the dogs, on one of these walks I hung back to get a picture and I noticed that the "pseudo" step-son had ear buds in and was listening to his iPod. I did what any evil good "pseudo" step-mother would I caught up to him pulled them out oh his ears and whispered we are having family time I know you don't always like us but you will pretend to and you will enjoy it. 

I am pretty sure this was not the first time he had been listening to his iPod on our walks but I am know on to this little trick of being present but not really.

Did I do the right thing, maybe? Do I remember hating family time when I was 15...yes. I thought it was horrible and my family terrible uncool. I tried to be sensitive and he is welcome to hide in his room and ignore us often. Just not during Forced Family Fun time.

Being a teenager is so very hard.

Short Courtship? I Don't Think So

The other day a friend made the comment that whirl wind relationships like mine don't always turn out as well as mine. I gave her a blank stare and asked on what planet was my relationship a "whirl wind". She elaborated by saying it all happened so fast.

And I guess compared to the life span of an oak tree it happened fast but in reality it was a slow courtship that happened over months...I just kept part of it to myself. After all I was talking and flirting with my friends ex-husband it was a weird situation at first.

Here is how it all happened.

1. September 2, 2009: The BF texted me for the first time after getting my number from Ex-Wife/Friend.
2. September 2009: - December 2009: Lots of texts and flirting. No phone conversations.
3. January 2, 2010: - First phone conversation.
4. January 8, 2010:  Went on first date. Ended up at bookstore, this may be why there was a second date.
5. January 17, 2010: Second date watching Football playoffs.
6. January - March 2010: Starting hanging out every other weekend.
7. March 2010: Meet the "pseudo" step-kids and families.
8. May 2010: Spending every weekend together.
9. June 2011: Moved in together.
10. June 2011 - present: Living in dysfunctional family bliss.

No matter what you think about living together I know people who have dated, been engaged and married in less time then we decided to live together. It was 21 months before we moved in together. It wasn't really all that fast. At least not fast in Utah...the rest of the world may have longer courtships.

My friend later amended her statement by saying it all seemed to happen fast.

I think it was the perfect length for us.

Did you have a long or short courtship?

Chores for Kids, Yeah or Nah?

Its Sunday so that means I have another list of chores to be accomplishing and instead I am taking a little break to watch football and blog.

I am seriously contemplating tossing today's list and doing it another day. The only problem with that is that I didn't accomplish everything on last Sunday's list so I have that to do and the stuff for this week.

As I look at the list I am wondering what can I pawn off on to the kids.

I am really channeling my evil "pseudo" step-mom today.

I say that jokingly but I am wondering what can they do as daily chores do I can relax a little today?

Does this make my a bad parental unit? Is it wrong? They only spent half of their day here the other part at their moms so what is to much?

I think one choir a night is okay...I don't want them to think they only do work over here but they should help out around the house, right?

Okay all you moms and dads out there, give me your advice. What is to much and what is to little for kids that go back and forth between two homes?

I guess I will get back to my list. As much as I dream of them doing all my chores I am really not an a wicked step-mom.

I Have No Regrets...Do You?

Recently I started thinking about regrets, I know its not a happy go lucky topic but even I get get serious and deep from time to time. During this time of wondering "I asked do I have any regrets? What decisions did I make that I regret? Would I go back and change anything if the opportunity presented its self?

Not to brag but I couldn't really come up with anything I regret. I had a hard time come up with anything. I know I have said things I regret, I have a tendency to speak my mind (much more in my younger days). But I  try and apologize for the less than kind words I say, so I really don't regret saying them because I own up to my mistake and try to grow from my bad choice.

But decisions and actions...I don't regret. I know you are thinking what kind of sociopath looney tune are you? And that is a valid question, let me try and explain my lack of regret.

Its not that I haven't made bad choices and decision, at times I have made colossal mistakes. Mistakes that have often defined my life and changes the course I was walking. But I don't regret them because they have all led me to this exact moment were I am contemplating if I have regrets.

And in this moment I am happy and content with my life. I know I know could I get anymore cheesy, I hope not. Being this sappy is bad for my image. I am a fun, strange, loud mouthed, slightly (sometimes more than slightly) wacky girl and such a statement from me seems out of place. I will admit being this sentimental is not normal for me but I don't think of it as being sentimental I think its more pragmatic (there is a nickel word for you).

Does this change you opinion of me?

I hope it doesn't, I am the same girl I have always been. I am just not hanging on to the past in an unhealthy way, wait does that make me emotionally/mentally healthy.  Hold on I need to go tell everyone I know that I am healthier than they are...nah nah nah. On second thought, this is freaking me out a little, its possible I don't need as much therapy as I previously thought.

LOL...like I am going to go to therapy, I would just go buy a book about therapy and call it good.

 Not having regrets follows my philosophy that this is the best time of my life. I remember people telling me enjoy high school/college/being single its the best time of your life. That never made sense to me, how could that be the best moment there is so much more to see and experience. I have believed for many years now that the moment I am currently in is the best moment of my life. All the other moments build on each other to get me here and despite the heart brakes, the drama and any sadness, I am letting go of regret and guilt and moving forward.

Okay if I have to have one regret in my life it that I some how let my Health Nut Sister and Mom know that cleaning up vomit doesn't gross me. Its a weird regret I know but I am a weird girl in case you haven't figured that out yet.

This knowledge led to a very funny incident a few years back. My Health Nut Sister hurt her back and Mom was there helping to take care of her and her two daughters. At some point in the night I started to receive phone calls which I didn't answer/ignored. The Next morning after listening to several where are you voice mails. I arrive at my Health Nut Sister's house. I noticed a pile of bedding on the floor, my 4 year old niece was in the tub splashing and playing. When I asked what happened they told me between gagging that said 4 year old got sick in the night and throw up in a glass which my Health Nut Sister almost ended up drinking (remember the hurt back) This caused the Health Nut Sister to bet sick and then my Mom to be sick.

Even the retelling of this story caused the two of them to start gagging. Which I found hilarious because I am a cruel evil person at times. I did kindly clean up my niece, who was feeling much better, and wash all the linens I even cleaned up the vomit on the floor. I am not sure I regret them knowing this, I get to mock them about this and that is always fun for me.

Now that I have rambled on aimlessly making little sense my question is....Do you have regrets?

And Me with a Shovel in My Hand and Not My Camera

Its common knowledge among my family and friends that all is fair in love and blogging. Which means that I will blogging about most anything that happens and if I took a picture expect it to appear on my blog eventually. I know that this is true for a lot of bloggers.

And like a lot of bloggers I am sure something has happened and when it was all over you thought I need to blog about this and then your next thought was I didn't get a single picture.

Well that happened to me this weekend, I didn't something that I never ever ever thought I would do and I didn't get one picture of it. To be honest I was busy and my hands were full but I was disappointed none the less.

I could tell you about it but you won't believe me...you are going to ask where is your proof. All I have is the testimony of The BF and the "pseudo" step-kids. And they can't be trusted. They would just repeat what I tell them to say. That cracks me up because they really wouldn't....they would intend to say what I want them to but the truth would come out.

Now you will never know what shocking and very country girl thing I did over the weekend. And believe me when I tell you, you would be shocked....seriously shocked.

I may be a small town girl but until recently I have had a definite big city attitude.

I really wish I had pictures. Oh well...maybe next time.

My Eulogy

If I was to write my own eulogy it would probably go something like this...

A Girl Named Michael died tragically today in a freak accident, she was crushed by a bookshelf that she had overloaded with books.

Michael was born in a small Idaho town, for 18 months her life was perfect and then her parents brought home one of several siblings. She then spent the rest of her life bossing her siblings, parents, coworkers and random strangers around. She could often be heard saying, "I told you I was right."

For years she lived an unsettled slightly vagabond life never really satisfied with what was going on, until she moved back to her small town. She loved being close to her nieces and nephews so much she decided that living in the small town was acceptable.

She meet her life partner The BF through his ex-wife, she could often be heard giggling about having the best how we meet story in the world. She took great pains trying to be a good and off beat "pseudo" step-mom...she really succeeded in the off beat part, the good part is subjective.

She is survived by her beloved dog Tashi, cat Tigger and a bunch of family. Actually a lot of family, more family then one girl should have and it would take to long to mention them all. But she loved them almost as much as the dog and cat.

She leaves behind a closet full of unfinished projects, more scarves then one person should own and a legacy of klutziness.

Sometimes A Girl Just Needs To Eat Pizza. Yum.

I don't always write about pizza but when I do its usually funny. Well...the one other post I wrote about pizza was funny. This post is not funny, I am not having a good relationship with pizza.

Don't get me wrong I still LOVE pizza as much as the next girl but it seems we have been eating it A LOT at my house.

It may be criminal and some form of child abuse as often as we have had pizza for dinner. I don't know what happened to me, not that long ago I had a weekly menu full of healthy and good foods for my family and now we get greasy pizza once a week.

I don't mean to speak badly of pizza, like I said I LOVE pizza, but it can't be good that I am at this moment feeding it to my family A LOT.

I think I am feeling guilty. It has to be guilt otherwise why would I think the people at Papa Murphy's would be judging me. Seriously any day know I am going to walk in and they are going to shout "MICHAEL". just like they yelled Norm on Cheers.

I could blame it on being sick during the busiest time at work but that would only explain the last two weeks. I need to think of a different excuse for the three weeks before that...because even when I broke my wrist I cooked more than I have been.

Of course the "pseudo" step-kids are beyond happy that we are having pizza so often. This may have been the best month or so of their life. You should see there little faces when I walk in the pizza and bread sticks. They didn't even get upset when one of the dogs ate all the bread sticks one night...because we have it so often its no longer a treat.

I just need to....I don't know what I need to do.  I wonder what we should have for dinner tonight? Tacos?

The Step-Parent Trap

In case you don't know this about me I have two pseudo step-kids, a 15 year old "step-son" and 8 year old "step-daughter". And my step-daughter may have just seen me naked. In fact I am pretty sure she DID SEE ME NAKED!!!!!

Before I continue my tale there are a few things more you should know about me.

1. When the pseudo step-kids are not here I have no problem walking around naked or in my underwear. I am completely comfortable that way. (I know TMI but you need to know). When they are here I am always covered appropriately. 
2. I am always trying to get The BF not to bother me while in the shower (he likes to to talk to me then).
3. We have an opaque shower curtain...its not clear but you can see through it.
4. And the "pseudo" step-daughter has a purple hippo that is filled with lavender scented rice that she likes to heat up and cuddle with when she isn't feeling well...right now she has a cold.

Tonight as I was taking a shower, someone politely knocked on the bathroom door, I thought oh my gosh finally The BF is knocking before walking into the bathroom. When I responded to the knock the "pseudo" step-daughter walked into the bathroom and decided to ask me how to heat up her hippo in the microwave. We had a brief exchange and she left. 

In the mean time I was freaking out. Despite being comfortable being naked I am completely freaked out by this incident.

During the exchange I just keep thinking OMG I am naked and I know she can see me.

I briefly thought about yelling at her to get out but I didn't want to upset her, she just wanted her hippo to cuddle.  To her I wasn't a naked woman, I was the mom like person who could help her who just happened to be in the shower when she needed help.  

The Ex-Wife/Friend has assured me she does it all the time to her and I know that when you are mom you are never left alone but there is a fine line when you are a step-parent, "pseudo" or not. I am always aware of that line but I don't want the kids to be nervous in their home or worried they cant talk to me about things. And when you live with people, especially kids, doors will be opened and conversations will occur with only an opaque sheet of plastic between you. But what is okay?

Obviously this was not intended naked and I will be locking the bathroom door from this moment forward but what is okay with "pseudo" step-kids? Did I handle the situation okay? Should I have talked to her about it or just move on?

She appears to be okay and I don't think it really occurred to her I didn't have any clothes and all worries don't really matter. But I do worry that I am doing it all right.

Welcome to being a step-parent.

39 Dresses and I Hated Them All

The other day The BF, the "pseudo" step-kids and I went shopping. I normally would not go shopping with the family, I am not into self torture but the cards all just lined up in such a way that we all went shopping. We have several weddings coming up this summer and everyone needed new clothes...okay I probably didn't but I felt I deserved a new dress.  First up "pseudo" step-daughter; A very cute blue and purple summer dress. That she absolutely loves and we found it at the first store we went to, within moments of walking into the kids section, talk about a score. Now on to shoes...she recently had a growth spurt so none of her shoes fit except an ugly pair of flip flops that she loves. However there were no affordable and cute shoes in her sizes anywhere in town. I am not kidding about this. She has huge feet and everything either has a heel (she is 7) or cost $25 for plastic sandals. I am not sure what we are going to do but I am open to giving her a pedicure and letting her go barefoot. Next up The BF. All he needed was a new shirt. All of his dress shirts are long sleeved and heavy and I know he will be very uncomfortable in the hot sun. But I lucked out and found him a green short sleeved button down linen shirt (casual but nice). The person I thought would be the hardest turned out to be the easiest because we found it at the same store as "pseudo" step-daughter dress and it was on sale. "Pseudo" step-son was not as easy. I wanted to get the same shirt we got for Colby but a different color unfortunately they didn't have any in his sizes. He is in that, men's sizes are a little to big and boys sizes are a little to small, size. He is kind of hard to shop for...I also want him to be comfortable and embrace his own style which is some interesting mix of skater guy, jock and rock star. So we went to another store and I walked through the men's section twice and the boys section once when I found what was the only small mans shirt in the whole store. A light weight button down shirt that he said he didn't hate and would wear without compliant (he is a good sport). "Pseudo" step-son also needed new shoes but unlike his sister his feet are not abnormally large. He found a pair he liked on sale but has stated he wont wear them often. My new favorite dress Then my turn, while shopping for everyone else I was trying on dresses...lots and lots of dresses but I hated everything. They were to long or where unflattering or to much dress for summer wedding season. After 4 stores I finally sent the family away and went into what I know is an expensive store but they were having a sale so I hoped I could find something. Here I tried on several more dresses, I found 2 that would work one I liked and one I LOVED. Even standing in the dressing room surrounded by mirrors and slightly unflattering light, the dressed work. After falling in love with the dress I noticed the price tag....ouch!!! It was the most expensive thing I had tried on all day. Whats a girl to do? Justify the hell out of spending the money and get the dress that you loved and was slimming, of course. I then decided I needed new shoes also but luckily I found a pair on sale.  Now I just need to decide how to accessories it.

Sex and Cars...What Else is There to Talk About?

This post is going to get a little naughty. If you are very innocent and blush easily you can still read this post like I said its just a little naughty. I just want to be honest from the get go.

This morning I had another issue with my car. I don't think its a bad car just a cheap car that is approaching 100,000 miles and I am pretty sure it was never suppose to get that many miles, so there are all these little things that are starting to go wrong.

Today my car would not start...when I tried to start it all I got was a lot of click click click noises. Not being as car savvy as I should be, I called a lot of people to figure out 1. Why my car was not running? 2. How am I getting to work and getting the "pseudo" step-kids to their summer program?  3. How will I get home from work? 4. How much will it cost me to fix whatever is wrong with my car?

Luckily my brother works close by my house so he took a few minutes over and determined I needed a new battery, which was not surprising my car still had the original battery and its a 2005. But during the course of all my calling I had the following conversation with my mom.

• Me: Can The BF change the battery when he gets home or is this something I have to have done at shop?
• My Mom: He can do it. You could even do it.
• Me: I couldn't do it.
• My Mom: Yes you could. I could do it. You just unhook it and put then put the new one in.
• Me: I could't do it.
• My Mom: Michael, you could do it, its easy.
• Me: Mom that's why I have sex with The BF so he will do these kinds of things for me.

My mom wisely chose to ignore my last comment, I am sure mostly because she thinks I am a smarty pants. 

Later that day after going to buy a new battery I had the following conversation with The BF.

• Me: Honey thank you for taking out my battery and going with me to get a new one and replacing it. I really apperciate you doing all this for me.
• The BF: The things I do to get laid.

That's right he said that. This is why we are together despite are many many many differences we speak the same language of smutty smart a**.

Family Photos...Am I Making This to Hard

This spring I am finally getting family pictures done. And I am being a little crazy about it. 

I don't want some stuffy formal picture because that is just not us. While the "pseudo" stepdaughter and I are very fashion forward we are all casual and to be honest a little goofy. So trying to figure out posses and location that fit us is not as easy as it should be. 

My photographer (my friend who takes awesome pictures) is very familiar with location in my home town (where I work) that are great but we live in in the town on the other side of the mountain. So where do we take the pictures.

Me, Tashi and Thomas the fish.

Then there are the outfits I briefly thought I will let everyone pick out their own clothes but immediately nixed that because they dont read fashion magazines. I want them to be casual but stylish and they also need to embrace individual personalities but still work together. So do we do a color theme...I cant imagine "pseudo" stepson or The BF wearing a lot of color. I was thinking a a more neutral scheme like black and gray with "pseudo" stepdaughter and I wearing a pop of color but I don't want to "out shine" the guys...they are important members of the family. 

Of course now I am wondering do we include the animals?

This was easier when it was just me, Tashi and the fish Thomas. Which was the last family picture I had taken. which was 9.5 years ago. I had a friend come over and we had our "photo shoot" in my living room...we took over 30 pictures. We even had to change the film (do you remember film?). Its possible there was alcohol involved, there often was in those days. I can't remember why i decided to have the picture taken I am pretty sure I was being a smart ass but no one realized it and they all wanted a picture. Most of my relatives have this picture some where in their house...or they use to anyway. One of my now 10 year old nieces then 2 year old niece use to point at it and say Tashi...she still likes the dog more than me.

Wish me luck and maybe pray that The BF doesnt leave me after all this.

Fire + Me = Bad

Its no surprise to anyone that I am not graceful and that the most dangerous place for me is the kitchen. I often have burns and cuts and in need of a constant supply of first aid. So I am not sure why I was surprised that I gave myself a 1st degree burn on my stomach while cooking a turkey.

Yup, that's right I burned my stomach. Even though I was there and know what happened I am still confused by the whole thing.

On Sunday I decided to cook a turkey for dinner. I thought I was being very clever....cook a turkey for dinner then freeze the rest of the meat and pull it out for a quick casserole dinner over the next few weeks. See clever.

I wasn't doing anything fancy with the turkey; I didn't stuff it, I didn't brine it, I just rinsed it off and threw it in the oven.  Okay I add some chicken broth and rosemary and basil but beyond that I really did NOTHING...I really am lazy in the kitchen.

Now for some reason I can not explain I always cook my turkeys breast side down...I am pretty sure I read somewhere that cooking a turkey this way will keep the breast meat from drying out. But what ever my reason about 30 minutes before it was suppose to be done I decided I wanted to turn the turkey breast side up to brown up the turkey.

So I carefully remove the turkey from the oven and placed it on my stove. I them got two forks to gently flip the turkey...unfortunately one of the forks slipped causing the turkey to fall and splashed in what I am guessing was 325 degree turkey juice. This really hot turkey juice then splashed on me and all over my stove.

I screamed, which caused The BF to run to the kitchen and ask "What happened?"

I tell him I burned myself, he looked at as I am standing weirdly in the kitchen pulling my clothes away from me and asks, "Where?" So I lifted up my shirt and look at my stomach which is red and painful.

I ask The BF to turn the turkey and calmly change my shirt. When I come back he has the kitchen all cleaned up the kitchen so I grabbed the ice pack and sat down on the couch.

The rest of the evening I was dazed and in pain. I was so out of it that as we were dishing up dinner The "pseudo" step-daughter informed me I forgot to take a picture of dinner and offered to not eat any bites on her plate until I took a picture. She can be very sweet, I told her go ahead and eat I wasn't going to blog about tonight's dinner...I guess I should have taken the picture.

The next morning I look at my stomach and realized that my burn looks like an abstract painting of a Y-Chromosome...my life is really to odd for words.

The burn isn't all bad except one part in the middle that was slightly raised but not blistered. So I guess that means I will survive to cook again.

Casserole Freezer Meals...The Not So Lazy Freezer Meals

I have expressed several times that I a lazy cook and that my favorite kitchen appliance is my slow cooker. I feel that if I have to spend longer than 30 minutes preparing and cooking dinner its wasting my time. But I like to think I am also a nice person and try to make things my family likes and my family LOVES lasagna but I never make it because it is a bit time consuming. (although a friend recently told me about a slow cooker lasagna recipe I really want to try).

In what was a moment of brilliance, "I thought I will do a few casserole freezer meals to treat the family." Apparently I need my head examined this was not a good idea and did not follow my lazy philosophy of quick dinner meals. It wasn't even quick freezer meal prep....it took for ever. 

I was very frustrated the whole time...I kept thinking I could prepare a whole month of slow cooker freezer meals in the amount of time this is taking. First you have to cook the food, then assemble it, then freeze it, then thaw it and then bake it....just thinking about all the steps involved are making me feel exhausted.

With all that being said the "pseudo" step-kids were very excited to see lasagna on the menu and ate every bite with no complaints. I am not sure if I will do it again but with that kind of response....its possible.

Since this is the first time I have done this I have only one tip...it doesn't make it easier but will help protect your food against freezer burn. Be sure to get tin foil pans with lids. After assembling your dish but a layer of press n'seal wrap followed by tin foil and then the lid for the pan. Just don't forget to remove the extra layers before cooking...trust me that does not end well and you end up ordering pizza for dinner.

Oh yea...when defrosting its best to get the pan out the at least the day before and let it defrost in the fridge until you are ready to cook. You can cook everything when its frozen but this will dramatically change cook times.

I decided to make lasagna, chicken pot pie and chicken enchilada. I made 2 pans of all three so I doubled each recipe...might as well stock up a little.

Chicken Pot Pie

• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup milk
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• salt and pepper to taste
• rosemary, thyme, marjoram and basil, powdered or fresh (I used a poultry fresh herb blend)
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 cups chicken, cut into cubes
• 2 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup flour 
• 2 frozen pie crusts thawed

Directions:

1. Cook chicken in a large frying pan with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. Once completely cooked remove from pan and set aside*. I skipped this step by cooking all the chicken in the slow cooker the night before.
2. Heat chicken stock and milk in a sauce pan. Simmer over medium-low heat then cover to keep warm.
3. Melt butter in the same pan you used to cook chicken. Add carrots and celery and cook until they start to get soft.
4. Add onions, garlic and herbs/seasoning to the pan. Cook until onions start to turn transparent. Add salt and pepper, peas and corn and cook until vegetables are no longer frozen.
5. Add the chicken to the vegetables and stir. 
6. Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and vegetables and stir until well combined.
7. Pour in the chicken and milk mixture. Stir until flour has dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside.
8. Take one pie crust and place in a the bottom of a tin foil pan with lid. This will require you to do a little "mushing to make it fit". Just make sure the bottom is covered.
9. Place chicken and vegetable mixture in pan on top of pie crust.
10. Roll out the second pie crust and place on top of the mixture tucking the edge of the crust around the chicken and vegetable mixture...be careful you don't want to burn yourself like I do every time I make it.

Cook:

1. Thaw casserole.
2. Beat an egg and brush over the top of your pie crust. Cut a few slits into the top crust to help with "venting"
3. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove lid and cook another 20 minutes.
4. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Chicken Enchiladas

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies 
• 2 cups shredded cheese of your choice
• 12 tortilla shells
• 1 can enchilada sauce (I used mild so The "pseudo" step kids will eat it).

Directions:

1. Mix chicken, diced tomatoes with chilies and 1.5 cups of cheese in bowl 
2. Place a spoonful of the mixture on a tortilla shell, roll and place in a tin foil pan with lid.
3. Repeat step 2 until pan is full or mixture is gone.
4. Evenly pour enchilada sauce over rolled tortillas.
5. Top with remaining cheese.

Cook

1. Thaw enchiladas.
2. Cook at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Lasagna

• 6 oz Turkey Burger
• 6 oz Italian Turkey Sausage
• 1 med chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 26 oz jar spaghetti sauce
• lasagna noodles 
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 15 oz container ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Cook meat, onions and garlic over medium heat until meat is done; drain off fat. Add spaghetti sauce and bring to a boil.
2. Cook lasagna noodles. Drain noodles; rinse with cold water. Drain and set aside.
3. Combine egg, ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese.
4. Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce in tin foil pan. Layer noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, meat sauce and Parmesan cheese. Repeat until ingredients are gone.

Cook:

1. Thaw Lasagna.
2. Bake at 375 degrees covered for 40 minutes. Remove cover and bake for 20 more minutes.
3. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Don't Bother Me I Am Watching TV

Last week I did something shocking...okay not shocking so much but I think I am regretting this discussion.  I upgraded our cable. It may not seem like that big of a deal but apparently in my house its a life changer. I know this because I haven't read a book or written anything since I did it. And its not just me more than ever the "pseudo" step-kids can not be pulled away from the boob tube. The only one that hasn't really changed is The BF.

Its not like this is the first time I have had a lot of cable channels but for some reason I have zoned out the world and am obsessed with watching every show that I have not seen. Seriously I watched 5 episodes of Duck Dynasty. Have you seen this show? I am not sure why I kept watching but I did.

I am not all that shocked by my actions, after all I am a product of my generation and grew up watching TV (yes I am it blaming all on being a so called Gen Xer). And I don't mean just watching prime time TV with the family...we always had the TV on at my house. We watched in the morning before school, after school, at dinner time and all the way up until bed time.

When I moved out there were times when I would have TV and times when I wouldn't. Some times I would be so disgusted with the shows that were on I would boycott and not watch TV for weeks or months at a time. Other times I would be constantly watching. But during those time I was always writing and always reading.

Often you would find me in a room reading and the TV would be on in a different room. I like the background noise....I find it oddly comforting. Its probably that always having it on growing up (again blaming it on my environment, my mom would be so annoyed with me).

I have decided to enforce a new policy at home we will have now one hour of no electronics. I am positive this will be received with open arms by everyone in the family.

Do you have rules in your family about TV viewing?

I am Thankful

What is it about November that has everyone posting on what they are thankful for on Facebook? Oh Yeah its probably because Thanksgiving is in November. 

Whatever the reason here is my list for the first week + 1 day of November.

• Day 1: I am thankful for The Savior who gives me strength when I am weak and hope when I am in despair. Through Him all things are possible.
• Day 2: I am thankful my parents. The biological, the steps and the honorary ones they have taught me some bad, some good and some very bizarre things. I love them all.
• Day 3: I am thankful for The BF, with him I can be weird, a little or a lot crazy, often lazy, and he rarely complains about my half finished projects.
• Day 4: I am thankful for indoor plumbing. I know its shallow but it makes live so much easier and comfortable.
• Day 5: I am thankful for my sisters. With them I can laugh over nothing, fight over everything and occasionally share shoes!
• Day 6: I am thankful for a job that allows me to help people and make a difference in my corner of the world.
• Day 7: I am thankful for the 'Pseudo" step-kids. They keep me on my toes and laughing.
• Day 8: I am thankful for Bram Stocker, with out him there would be no Dracula, no Interview with a Vampire, no I Am Legend, no The Strain and no Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. Happy 165th Birthday Bram!!!!

I Am Not Eating That

I rarely eat dinner on Wednesday nights.

That is not completely true...I eat dinner just not usually at home.

I use to eat dinner with my family every night and try to engage in conversation about everyone's day. The rule was we had to eat dinner together and no TV or cell phones (the last one is really hard for me).

This weeks menu

But about 2 months ago I started skipping Wednesday night dinners...here is what happened.

2 months ago I decided we need a weekly menu. And this was one of my better ideas for the following reasons.

1. The BF and I no longer fight about who is cooking dinner.
2. There is no longer any scrambling on whats for dinner.
3. By planning ahead I can introduce new recipes to my family.
4. Once a week grocery shopping.

Its truly wonderful.

Except for one little part...in my infinite wisdom I decided that it would be good for the 14 year old "pseudo" step-son should plan and prepare dinner on Wednesday night.

Do you see where I am going with this?

"Pseudo" step-son

"Some times he gets ambitious and goes all out but mostly we get hot dogs and mac n' cheese or hamburger helper. I hate hot dogs and hamburger helper. I like mac n' cheese unless its that box stuff then yuk.

I am sure I ate them when I was a kid but I am an adult and choose not to eat them whenever possible.

So now on Wednesday's instead of eating with my family I grab dinner on my commute home and then tell the family I had a big lunch and I am not hungry...I know this is wrong but I just cant seem to help myself.

Maybe I need to get him a cookbook for Christmas.

Experiments in the Kitchen

Recently I have been doing a lot of stuff in the kitchen. Some cooking, a little baking, some preparing and always lots of eating.

My family pretending I'm not taking their picture

I am not sure why I am all the sudden a kitchen maven or what has spurred me to make homemade anything but that's what I am doing.

Maybe its the rising cost of food.

Maybe its the chemicals in food.

Maybe the pod people have finally taken over.

So this week and this week only I will be sharing the ups, downs, joys and pains of my recent explorations in the kitchen. (Okay I might do it again when I get the urge to create but who knows when I will get this industrious again).

I hope you will join me by sharing your recipes.

Recipes already on A Girl Named Michael

Hard Tack Candy

Christmas Treats

White Chicken Chili

Cookies and Cocktails

Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup

Lazy Gingersnaps

Pineapple Zucchini Muffins

Nonfood Recipes

Easy Sugar Scrub

Cough and Sore Throat Remedy