I hate making dinner

There, I said it. Does anyone else relate? I always feel bad about not enjoying to cook. My mom likes to cook, my sister likes to cook, lots of my friends like to cook, and apparently lots of people on Facebook either like to cook or just like watching someone else cook... Well, I appreciate all these people - and I love to eat good cooking! I just don't like to do it myself.

I'm going to be that grandma from Sixteen Candles, W/O the cigarette!

Here are my
Top Ten Reasons for Detesting Dealing with Dinner...

1. The daily question, "What's for dinner?" with answer followed by a groan.
2. The prep work - chopping, shredding, slicing, peeling, etc
3. The recipe times for prep work are usually underestimated
4. The splatter! I have an apron, but when I forget it, I inevitably stain one of my favorite shirts.
5. The smell - great during, but it sticks with you for hours after and isn't as appetizing...
6. Time to make = 30-40 min, Time to eat = 5-10 min, Time to clean up = 30-40 min
7. At least one person has a complaint or suggestion on how to do it better
8. The other annoying question, "Why can't we eat out?"
9. No help, unless threatened at gun point to take away video game time
10. Sometimes it's just not worth it.

Does anyone relate? It can be tough, but we still have to do it. So, being a problem-solver, here are some 

Ways to Take the Agony out of Dinner:

• Turn on some tunes or put on a show
• Pre-cooked and pre-chopped ingredients
• Easier substitutions
• Add-ins for personalization and picky palettes
• It's healthier with fresh fruits and veggies we don't usually get eating out.
• As the kids get older, they actually do appreciate more, try more foods, and help more.
• Mostly, it reminds me of my mom and all the wonderful things she did for my sis and me growing up. She's the best!

Happy Mother's Day! (I know it's not May yet, but we deserve more than ONE DAY a YEAR!)