I just left a convenience store with a new treat in my hand. I didn’t intend to buy a treat. In fact, in spite of the alluring displays and my growling belly, I made a conscientious decision NOT to buy any form of junk food. The plan was to get in, get my Diet Coke, and get home to my salad.
But then I spied the pumpkin Reese’s Cups at the cash register. I love pumpkin! And I love peanut butter! And I love chocolate! The temptation was strong, but I could have resisted if the cashier hadn’t said, “Do you want to try the pumpkin Reese’s Cups?”
“YES! Yes, I do!” I practically shouted.
I forced myself to get into my vehicle, and close the door, before tearing open the wrapper. Wait a minute. These are not pumpkin peanut butter cups. These are regular peanut butter cups shaped like pumpkins! I had been duped.
Okay, technically I wasn’t duped. Upon closer examination I realized the package said, “Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins.” Don’t get me wrong; I still enjoyed them. I had just been really excited at the thought of this new flavor combination. It kind of reminded me of that old story of the young bride who wanted to make a special dinner for her new husband. She bought what she thought was fried chicken, but it just ended up being a big ol’ can of Crisco.
Unfortunately, this kind of stuff happens to me all the time. I’m not sure why the info registering in my brain doesn’t always equal reality, but I suspect it happens more than I realize. It has never been more evident than during our home remodeling. I will say something like, “I’d like this area covered in beadboard.” In my mind, beadboard is cheap, white paneling. But to a contractor, it’s thick wood that needs to be primed and painted. The reality of the finished project often doesn’t fit the picture in my brain.
So many things have had to be done twice that we are now in our fourth month without a kitchen. You have no idea how much you depend on a kitchen sink until you don’t have one. As of this week, the cabinets are mostly installed, and the stove is hooked up. I was super excited to use the new stove, but we had a bit of a mishap at the beginning that resulted in a visit from the gas company. After two hours in the back yard, my enthusiasm was shot and everyone was hungry, so we ended up with another night of microwave food. Now, I’m pondering, do I really want to try to cook when I still don’t have a kitchen sink for washing? Or counter tops for prepping?
It has been a long haul, but I know it will be worth it in the end. If indeed, there is an end. As long as I keep giving instructions that mean something entirely different to me than to the contractors, we are going to be at this for a while. But when it’s all said and done, I’m going to use my new kitchen to develop a recipe for peanut butter-pumpkin-chocolate pie!
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