This Weather Stuff is Serious

Another week over and we survived still more (very) wet weather.  The homestead is saturated and J. had to drain the pool again - I think that's at least the 3rd time in the past couple weeks and the most we've ever had to drain it.

The rain was pretty steady with a couple truly amazing cloud bursts - huge, HUGE rain for a few short minutes that made the house sound like a snare drum.  

Just a little bit ago, they ordered evacuation of anyone south of the Oroville Dam.  The regular spillway is damaged and the emergency spillway (never used before) has a hole in it.  They've got helicopters attempting to place rocks in the hole as a patch but if the spillway fails, there will be no way to stop the water.  The dam is at 101% of capacity.  Scary.  As much as we need the water, it's unbelievable just how much there is - and this is well before any snow melt starts.  With record snow levels (FINALLY!), it's going to be an interesting thaw.  

There was also a train derailment near Elk Grove yesterday and (because I ventured north to Thunder Valley today), I was able to see it - cars off the tracks 'head-in' to the water - scary!  Not a passenger train and no word on injuries but there were an awful lot of trucks and people attempting to figure out what to do to fix it.  The traffic north bound this morning wasn't too bad but on the way home, it was pretty slow on 99 South for quite a ways as everyone realized what they were seeing.  

It's been a crazy work week and I needed a little break.  Yesterday, I said to J. that I might head up to TV to give hitting the six-figure Thunder Strike jackpot a try.  This morning, I realized the jackpot hit in the night and was back down to $50K - and while I should have said 'so I'm staying home', I went anyway.  I've been timing my TV visits to the jackpot size - it's a good way to monitor and limit my play and gives me something big to be in the running for.  But I went anyway today - needed a little fun.  I didn't win big but I didn't lose big either, which feels like a win.  I came home with just a little under half what I took to lose so walking away with some money left for next time is nice.  I also came home with a free rice cooker and Panda Express Chinese food for the family - comped!  And delicious!

J.'s been sick the past few days - on Thursday morning, he said he'd had a huge issue with severe nausea and dizziness in the night.  Made it back to bed after retching for awhile in the bathroom - and still felt pretty dizzy.  We went to the doctor on Friday afternoon - not our regular doctor - and this doctor didn't even look in his ears at all.  He finally heard back from our regular doctor who said it happens post cold/flu and to give it a few days.  Time and the anti-dizziness pills prescribed by the first doctor seem to be helping. 

I got myself up and out of the house two days in a row totally solo!  The horror!  I really missed him in the mornings - having that extra set of hands to press clothes, pack lunch, etc. - but was happy to give him extra rest which is what he needed.  I even managed to give Chloe her injection and that's good 'cuz I'm not nervous about doing it anymore.  She's so well trained - we need to make a You Tube video of how well she does - she's amazing.  As soon as she sees the syringe, she does a couple circles, then lies down on her back (like an otter).  We give her the shot just above her back legs and she stays perfectly still.  H. even gave her the shot one evening this past week and since he's going to be taking care of her the first weekend in March (when we fly to Reno for a four day weekend), that's a good thing.  She gets an Old Dog Diabetic cookie (well, 1/3 of one) after each shot and knowing she's getting that treat makes her anxious for the shot.  She's a champ!!

We have a special board meeting tomorrow evening and I plan to get to the office mid-day to spend some time getting a jump start on board prep for the regular meeting which is on the 21st.  And there's yet another big report due to the board in March and I need to get going on that as well.  

And before I know it, it'll be time for next year's budget development and all the school-year end stuff we do every year.  

It's just after 8 and I'm ready for sleep.  3.5+ hours on the road round trip on a traffic filled freeway with lookie lou traffic made for a long drive.  I can't wait for the days I can head to a casino 20 minutes from home and be home easily in time for lunch!