Pumpkin Chip Cookies

Good Tuesday morning!

The Gallery Pic is one more of Roxie in her After Pageant Glory. Since I have approximately 179, I think it's okay to use one more!

The tooth drama continues. I'm shopping around for periodontists, and should make my decision sometime today, which means I'll probably make an appointment sometime tomorrow. The urgency has worn off because I am liking my temporary crown very, very much. The pain is now gone (even without taking Loritabs), and I could see myself living like this for the next two to three years easily. I'm thinking since last week was so traumatic to my sensitive system, why put it in overload by having two more painful procedures this week. Spread it out a little. Give my psyche time to heal. (Mike and my dentist say I have to take care of this NOW. I'm thinking of running far, far away. Maybe Cullman. The drama continues!)

As promised, I am showing you, the readers of A Simple Life, how much I am like Jonah from the Bible. I'll tell my story in two or three segments, and then I'll pull it all together with the points Pastor Kevin used Sunday morning. Good stuff!

Pigeons From Heaven - Part One

This was previously written for my Sunday School Newsletter over ten years ago.

Just to show you that I can deal with subjects other than motherhood, the following story is about something I have a huge problem with... not only as a woman, but as a human being... knowing (and accepting) God's will for my life.

I had worked for an attorney in Birmingham for eight years when I married Mikie. I truly loved my job and planned on working there until Mike and I started our family. However, Mike had to move to Cullman for his job, and since we had only been married for eight months when he received this news, he said he would really enjoy it if I would move with him. I didn't pray about my job situation and continued to work in Birmingham commuting over an hour each way every day.

Well, if I had asked the Lord what He wanted me to do, it is clear to me now (20 years after the fact) I was indeed supposed to move to Cullman and get a new job there. For 13 long months I made the miserable commute to Birmingham, and my job and relationships deteriorated daily because I was simply not doing what God wanted me to do. Week after week, I talked to Mike about giving my notice and week after week, he supported my decision to do what I thought was best. And then I decided. I would turn in my notice. What relief!!! What happiness!!! What joy!!! A huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders because the Most Stubborn Woman in the World was finally going to do what God had wanted her to do for over a year. The following Monday, I would give my notice.

Monday was a busy day, and I had a headache. Tuesday we had a birthday party at the office, and I got to see some old clients I hadn't seen in quite a while. It seemed a shame to mess up a good day. Wednesday my boss was out of town. I thought about telling him over the phone, but that seemed the coward's way out. Thursday was my favorite day of the week, and I tried to never spoil my favorite day. Friday was the last day of the week, and we were going out to eat that night. I wouldn't be able to enjoy my dinner at all if I had just done something as upsetting as quitting my job.

Needless to say, it was a long weekend as it always is when you are not doing what God has told you to do. Things would be different next week, I promised myself. Little did I know how different things would be.

SPOILER AND DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE "ACCIDENTS" DESCRIBED BELOW ARE ON "RECORD" AND NO POLICE WERE EVER CALLED TO THE SCENES. THUS, JUST LIKE TRAFFIC WARNINGS ARE NOT CONSIDERED TICKETS, I DO NOT CONSIDER THESE INCIDENTS "WRECKS." (If you disagree and wish to argue the point, I'll be happy to do so. As far as I'm concerned, if there isn't a paper trail, it isn't a wreck!) Also, when you see the word "ding," please know we were sitting in bumper-to-bumper, 5 miles per hour traffic jams. There... I feel better now. On with the story...

Monday - Halfway to Birmingham, I decided to wait until Tuesday. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a van in front of me (just a "ding") and a large (450+ pound) man with tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back got out of the vehicle. "How did you know he had tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back?" you may ask. He wasn't wearing a shirt (and to be perfectly honest, he was barely wearing his pants). I felt sure I wasn't going to have to quit my job because an ax murderer was about to put an end to my suffering on this earth. Surprisingly, he just growled a couple of obscenities and got in the van and drove off.

Tuesday - I knew even though I had told Mikie, "This is the day," I had no intention of turning in my notice. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a white Toyota in front of me (just a "ding"), and a businessman in a nice suit came to my window and expressed his displeasure.

Wednesday - I made it to Birmingham without a "ding," but ran a yellow/red light and was pulled over. I didn't get a ticket, however, because by the time the police officer got to the window of my car, I was blubbering so badly even the prisoner in the back seat of the police car was feeling sorry for me.

Thursday - On my favorite day of the week, I hit a red truck in front of me (just a "ding"). This time the driver didn't even get out. He just waved me on. "What is wrong with me?" I thought to myself. I still didn't take care of the problem.

Friday - I made it to work without a traffic violation of any sort. I walked in and out of my employer's office a hundred times that day and never did the right thing.

The End of Part One!

Where's the bird? What has this got to do with anything? You promised us a Woodland Animal Story and we read the whole thing and NOTHING!

There is a bird... a big bird, and it will be in Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two... tomorrow!

While we're waiting for the rest of the story, let's try a new recipe, shall we?

Pumpkin Chip Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups self-rising flour
2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars.

2. Beat in the pumpkin, egg and vanilla.

3. Combine the flour, oats and cinnamon; gradually add to creamed mixture.

4. Stir in chocolate chips.

5. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2" apart onto ungreased baking sheets.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Ta-da! Something different from a soup recipe. I love anything and everything pumpkin, so I'll be making these today, and I'll let you know how they turn out. This recipe came from my Taste of Home Halloween Party Favorites. I know it says "Halloween," but technically pumpkin can be used for Halloween OR Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

Have a terrific Tuesday! What other kind is there? Tomorrow we'll have Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition, the second part of Pigeons From Heaven and a new tooth update. I can hardly wait.

DON'T FORGET - Enter the 300th Post Contest. Read yesterday's post for details. You have until December 18, but you might as well enter today.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda