I can't flare my left nostril, and other things you always wanted to know...

So I finally went back to the dentist today. It was a million-dollar experience.

First, I am in the operating room, reclining at an extremely awkward position. My mouth, which is being held open artificially with a rubber-block-thing, is also covered with a rubber-band-type-cloth-thing. There is a clamp-thing fastened around my decaying tooth, and I can't feel the whole left side of my mouth. I also can't move my tongue or breathe or swallow. Tell me then, what makes the dental assistant think that I am going to be able to answer her when she is NOT asking yes or no questions? Why would she even talk to me? I can breathe through my nose, but I can't talk through my nose, people! It was so excruciating not to get to participate in the conversation.

A word about anesthesia. The anesthesia they give me usually lasts for a good 3 hours after I leave their office. So, on my way home (aka Starbucks), I peered in the mirror to see if my mouth looked any different. (For those of you who have never had a cavity, the anesthesia makes your mouth feel swollen and tingly.) I smiled... and decided I was bearing resemblance to Greta Van Susteren. If you know who that is, you will laugh. If you don't, Greta is a Fox Cable News anchor with a crooked smile who talks out of the side of her mouth.) It gets better.

My nose was feeling tingly, so I tried to flare my nostrils. Even up till now, ONLY ONE NOSTRIL IS FLARING! Talk about weird. I opted not to take a video, but trust me, it's awkward!

I have two experiments for you.

1. Go look in the mirror, and try to ONLY flare one nostril. I have a feeling it will be difficult.
2. Try to talk out of your nose.

Let me know how it goes. Till next time...

a coming-of-age story

It's not often I cook something almost totally from scratch - or something with more than 5 ingredients, as you may well know. A good dinner in the Gibson house usually equates to of a piece of meat or fish with a side of veggies and bread. Fortunately, Matt and I are both satisfied with a simple menu. (Note: Matt's diet in college consisted of spaghetti, mac n cheese, and turkey sandwiches. Very appetizing.)

Anyway, tonight our Nearly-Newly Married Group is coming over, and we are having a pot-luck of sorts. However, this is not your typical potluck. After almost three months of meeting twice a week with this group, I discovered that at least two of the girls (and their fiances, by default) prefer to eat gluten-free. Since the start of our group I've tried all sorts of gluten-free desserts for the first time.

Anyway, tonight we are having lasagna. (Leave it to the church group to have a potluck with lasagna - how predictable!) My original plan was to take the easy way out and just buy a frozen one - totally my style. But just for grins, I googled "Gluten-Free Lasagna," and found a yummy-looking recipe at http://glutenfreemommy.com/lasagna.

The kicker? The recipe calls for like 18 ingredients!!! (And a little love... But either way, it's way outside my comfort zone.) Anyway, it's hard to believe, but after some thought, I decided it just doesn't feel right to serve my guests a frozen lasagna (with gluten) that takes no time and no love.

Oh my! Did I really just say that? Maybe I'm growing up. Maybe.

I'll let you all know how it goes! :)

backseat driver

There are times in our marriage when I've been accused of being a bit of a control freak backseat driver. I have to admit that when Matt is at the wheel, I tend to get a little critical (or in my own defense, freaked out). I don't want to point out all of the little mistakes that I feel he is making, but when I sense that I am about to die, or that I see something he doesn't, it's only natural for me to scream bloody murder.

Now don't get me wrong; Matt is a responsible driver (ahem, when he's not trying to use his crackberry at the same time - and I have a story about that, too). It's just that I am also paranoid. So, someone could be putting on their brakes 1/2 a mile up the road, and if Matt doesn't break immediately, I'm screaming or hiding my face in my hands - freaking out - much to Matt's chagrin. And traffic makes it worse.

Ask Matt about the last few times we have gone to Houston to visit my sister and her family. From the time we hit Houston traffic till we pull in her driveway, we are both pulling our hair out. I think this last time I told Matt, "I just don't think you are driving very defensively!" (And what a civil way of putting it!) I think his response was something along the lines of, "Ughhhh!" He is always faithful to remind me that he drives every single day without me, and that he hasn't had a wreck since he was 17. Still.

Anyway, I am pretty sure the intensity of my paranoia is a big part of the problem. Next time I feel like I am about to die, I should probably pray first, and then if I still feel the need to scream bloody murder, I'll have at it.

panera bread and k-mart

Let me get this out of the way. I stumbled upon Panera Bread's Pre-Grand Opening today at their new location in the Gateway shopping center, and somehow earned free lunch for me, Matt, and my MIL, Kathy. It was total luck. If you think that sort of thing never happens to you, I am proof that there is hope! Anyway, they gave us free lunch under one stipulation, which is that we tell our friends that tomorrow is their GRAND OPENING. So there you go.

Now, here's another thing. Matt and I are not wine snobs. We like it, but if it's just for home, we will go cheap. Granted, we won't stoop as low as Sutter Home or Franzia, but still. So yesterday I called Matt from TARGET to tell him that the Barefoot Wine, which is usually $6 a bottle was on sale there for $5. Big savings right there.

Anyway, I decided to pass on the $1 savings, and tonight Matt said to me, "You should have gotten that wine at K-Mart."

Excuse me? K-Mart?

I love you, but how could you confuse TARGET with ANY discount store EVER? Target is the best, and should not ever be confused with ANY other. BTW, didn't K-Mart run out of business like 12 years ago? That's what I thought.

Sweet husband. I love him.

My Second Nephew!

BG on his way home! You can't really tell in these pictures, but he has so much hair!
He was born at 10PM on 4-20-09, and he weighed 7lb, 9oz, and was 20 inches long. He has long skinny legs, and dimples like his big brother and his dad.

With his proud Aunt Leah. Apparently the kid didn't cry during his circumcision, which seems amazing to me.


Bennett and Mommy from Cindy Buescher on Vimeo.

A proud big brother! When Peter met his baby brother, he said, "Hi ______, do you want some Chick-Fil-A?" This guy's world is about to change.