first toads - now this

First there were toads - now there is flooding. I am seriously expecting to be devoured by a giant swarm of locusts while I sleep. After a desert-like summer that has left our lawn looking like the backdrop for Lawrence of Arabia, we got a 4 hour storm in the middle of the night. This was no normal storm - it was the loudest, window rattling, thunder every 30 seconds, lightning so bright you can see it with the curtains closed - kind of storm ever. (So, naturally everyone but myself and Riley slept right though it.) It wasn't until later that morning that we discovered the mess in the basement. This is what's left of the playroom carpet - and as for the "art room," the floor is totally destroyed - nothing left but concrete now. We're hoping we can dry everything out soon, because three of us are very allergic, and are already pretty miserable. Wish us luck.