Shannon and I have been talking about cooking up a little bloggy rivalry this week since our alma maters are going head-to-head on the gridiron this weekend.

But the problem is that we’re both good Southern girls. Which means that our version of trash talk ends up being something along the lines of what Patty Simcox says before she launches her Student Council campaign in Grease: “I hope [we] don’t make too poor a showing!”

Because here’s the bottom line: if I were sitting in Shannon’s kitchen right now (drinking diet Coke, no doubt), I could probably give her 100 reasons why Arkansas will win. For starters, they’re on a roll. They’re dominating everyone they play. They have two tailbacks who run like trains. They’re confident. They’re well-coached. They’re GOOOOD.

So in all honesty, I know that things don’t look too great for my Bulldogs tomorrow. We’re not nearly as talented as they are. We’re plagued by injuries. We’re inconsistent. And we’re underdogs.

Big time.

However, I have one little glimmer of hope.

We’re playing at home.

And we’ll have our cowbells, which means that even if my Bulldogs don’t bring their A-game, maybe the crowd can frustrate the Hogs with the noise. It’ll be a loud, raucous environment, no doubt – an SEC gameday at its finest.

So, in the spirit of the weekend, I give you this:

May the better team win.

And please please please let the better team be mine. :-)

Go ‘Dogs.

1. Septic Man has finished all the repairs. Only instead of it being $900, it was $1150, because he said it was “a bigger job” than they thought it would be.

I’m not positive, but I think that what he was really saying is that D and I are full of it.

And I’m not even insulted. :-)

2. Alex is going to my parents’ house for a few days. When he found out that Mama was leaving today, he immediately asked her if he could tag along.

He’s terribly, deeply attached to his daddy and me, as you can tell.

But believe you me: if I had the chance to go somewhere and eat donuts and drink diet Coke and watch movies all day long?

Can you say “IN A HEARTBEAT”?

3. Overheard yesterday while walking behind a group of teenage girls:

“OH MY GAH – did you, like, GET BANGS?”

“Uh-huh. I TOTALLY did. I mean, I HAD them before? But they weren’t this short?”

“OH MY GAH – THEY’RE AWESOME! They look, like, SO! GOOD!”

Re-playing that conversation in my head has entertained me more than I can tell you.

It’s the little things, you know?

You know what TOTALLY ROCKS?

When the people who are buying your house are coming for their inspection at the exact same time that the inner-workings of your septic tank are exposed for all the world to see!

Or smell, as it were!

I’m trying not to panic.

But the not panicking is harder than you might think.

You see, our repairman was supposed to be here at 8:30 yesterday morning, but he didn’t get here until 4:30 in the afternoon. And then he said that he didn’t have enough daylight to do anything but dig the hole.

Which made perfect sense to me SEEING AS HOW HE WAS EIGHT HOURS LATE.

And then this morning the heavens opened up and poured down the rain and as a result, no work was done.

So when D called the repairman this afternoon to see if he’d be here tomorrow morning, Septic Man (who is actually very kind) asked if there was any water in the hole that he dug yesterday.

D calmly replied that why, yes, strangely enough, there was a good bit of water in the massive pit.

Septic Man said, “Hmmmmm. That’s not good.”

LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LET’S SING THE DENIAL SONG LA LA LA LA LA LA

Because here’s a funny story. And a true story, too: I’m not nearly as worried about the rainwater in that hole as I am by ALL THE OTHER DELIGHTS that are creating such a pleasing array of olfactory sensations when I step into our backyard.

Anyway. Our realtor has assured us that the buyers are really laid-back and very relieved that we’re taking care of the repairs.

But we’ll see what the inspector thinks.

By the way, just typing that last sentence made me sick at my stomach.

Maybe I should let the buyers know that I have a blog with the initals “BM,” and really the whole septic tank thing is just part of a themed home-buying experience.

OH lordy.

Pray for me.

Paige had a little boy yesterday morning around 3:15.

His name is Joseph.

He weighs 8 pounds and is 21 1/2 inches long.

Mama and baby are doing great.

Daddy stayed outside the nursery window until about 6 yesterday morning just staring at the little fella.

And I can’t wait for Alex and Joseph to meet.

I think they’ll be fast friends.

Mark your bloggy calendars, everybody!

Feel free to steal the button as well, but for the love of pete, keep it small. Because the resolution? Not so great.

(But this is as good as it gets button-wise because I nearly ruptured a retina scrutinizing my humble button-making efforts.)

(I’m enjoying the use of the word “button” coupled with a hyphen, if you can’t tell.)

(I’m feeling somewhat button-challenged.)

Anyhoo, I only ask a couple of things if you’re planning to participate in this humble little tour:

1) That you actually post pictures of your holiday decorations (and by all means, if you celebrate Hanukkah and not Christmas, please join us).

2) That you don’t mock the season. Or the Reason. Or the people who are participating. And I shouldn’t even have to say that because MY WORD WE’RE A BUNCH OF GROWN-UPS, PEOPLE!

As for what kind of pictures we’re going to post…well, I’m thinking pictures of your tree…pictures of a particular collection that you love…pictures of your favorite nativity scene…pictures of your front door…and pictures of your outside decorations if you’d like to share them.

So basically, you know, whatever.

And really, it’s only fair that you should provide some refreshments (I mean, you ARE inviting us over and all), so I think it would be great fun if everyone posted his or her favorite quick and easy holiday recipe along with the pictures.

Just an idea. Feel free to ignore.

Let me know if y’all have questions or suggestions…and remember, I’ll put a Mr. Linky up the morning of the 15th, and everyone can link away!

Feliz Navidad, y’all.