Mr Gatsby and the third flood of 2023.

We live in the 150 year flood plain. When we had the elevation survey, I thought I was always going to be more concerned about the depths of water outside of the house. Little did I know, water and this house really seem to enjoy each others company. 

A few weeks ago, the lowest level of the house flooded. That was thanks to someone, (the mysterious kid named “not me” that lives here), who doesn’t know what should and should not be flushed down the toilet. That was not fun and also fairly expensive, and time consuming. We have water issues so often that even with my hearing starting to fade, I can still hear a water drip clear across the house. 

Last night, while making idle conversation with Mr. Gatsby about something, I hear what is best described as a trickle. I look at Mr. Gatsby, and he returns the glance with, “Yup. I hear it too.” I opened the door to the sump pump room and there before me, a pond. Fabulous. As always, it’s been such a dull news day around here, I welcome the extra challenge set before me. Not. 

Mr. Gatsby and I set out to determine where all the water was coming from. He is usually very helpful and was determined to fix it for me. I, on the other hand, really just wanted to get it cleaned up before hubby got home and he had to deal with it. He’s stressed and all I could picture at that point was him coming home and his head popping off. 

Shopvac in hand, I sucked up water. As fast as I got it up, more would appear. Mr. Gatsby had not found the source and after a hour or so, I gave up and sent the hubby a text to alert him that I may be in over my head… soon, very literally. I told Gatsby that if I know hubby, he’s going to walk in and immediately know where the water was coming from. Gatsby nodded and I continued my futile water clean up. 

About 20 minutes later, hubby walks in. He asks a series of questions, and walks into the sump pump room with a flash light. He emerges and says, “Someone filling the pond up outside?” I look at Mr. Gatsby, who is trying very hard not to give himself up with the look on his face, but he just can’t control it. He runs up and shuts off the hose outside, which at this point has been running for a ridiculous amount of time. 

Mr. Gatsby, “You were right, he did know exactly what it was!”