Teresa Call Meyer's Grandma's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup shortening 2 cups brown sugar packed 2 eggs 1/4 cup boiling water 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla 2 cups sifted flour 2 cups oatmeal 1-2 cups chocolate chips Cream shortening with firmly packed brown sugar. Add eggs. Add baking soda dissolved in boiling water, salt, and vanilla. Mix in sifted flour and oatmeal. Add chocolate chips depending on how much you want. Drop by tablespoon full on a greased cookie sheet (or on a silpat or parchment paper lined sheet). Bake in a 300* oven for 14-15 minutes. I usually bake in my silpat and bake for 14 minutes. This recipe is also wonderful without the chocolate chips.