Water

Yup.  Our life seems to revolve around water whether we want it to or not.  They shut off our water tonight as the City lift stations could not keep up here in Horace.  I find myself creatively getting teeth brushed, monitoring toilet usage and REALLY wanting to wash my face hoping they turn the water back on soon.

On the other hand, many are saying no water.  It has been pouring since about 5:00 this evening which is doing nothing positive for the flood efforts.  We are not really sure what to expect out here as we did not live here in 1997 and there was not a development here in 1997.  We are hoping that the Sheyenne Diversion will protect us as it is supposed to and this worry will all be over in a few days.

I didn't really realize the magnitude of the situation until I was coming home from the grocery store yesterday.  They had shut one side of 52nd Avenue down to use for dump trucks.  They were hauling dirt into the middle of a field to build a dike.  Knowing this dike is half way between us and West Fargo made it seem real and serious.  Not living on a river we don't see levels rise.  The Sheyenne River is a few blocks from us but is supposed to be regulated by the Diversion.  

Last night Ben went to help fill sandbags.  They had approximately 300,000 of the 2,000,000 needed sand bags filled.  Inmates are helping.  Concordia College cancelled classes tomorrow so the students could help.  I am so proud of my Cobbers!!!  

Ben is working on packing up his important papers in his office - just in case.  He thinks we will be fine and I certainly hope so.  But just in case, we are trying to save what can't be replaced.  We have his office, a guest/play room, an unfinished office, the game area, tv area, kitchen, two bathrooms and maintenance room down there.  He did such a great job finishing it that I really hope we don't have to do it again.  It would be a major set back in our hopes of putting our home on the market this spring.  

This brings back a lot of memories that I didn't remember I had.  In 1997 our house flooded and I remember much of the same anxiety.  Of course it is magnified now as we are the ones paying the bills.  I think the worst is just not knowing.  Not knowing how much more rain we will get.  Not knowing if the Red River will crest above or below 40 feet.  Not knowing if the Sheyenne Diversion will do it's job.  Not sure if these railroad tracks in out backyard will actually do some good.  Not knowing a lot.  I guess we'll just take it one day at a time and be thankful because there are people we know who already need help badly as they flood forecast worsens and their homes are in trouble.  I would have thought that the City of Fargo would have gotten it's act together after 1997 instead of going through this again.    I guess we are the ones who live in the bottom of an ancient lake.  Where else is the water to go?  If it's not our problem, it's someone else's problem.  

But all that aside, we'll watch Mother Nature the next few days to see what the future will hold...