Various Updates and Coming Soon…

I haven’t posted in a while.  Things get busy and with the nice weather, they got even busier.

A few updates:

Outbuildings - The architect is finalizing plans for our rear outbuildings.  There were some questions regarding whether the existing buildings have a 4’ frost wall foundation or were just on on-grade footings.  It looks like we’ve got 4’ frost walls, which is good news.  He also has to visit the city to see if there are existing plans for them, and finalize some issues with the engineer.  I hope to have final plans, including approved demolition and building permits in the next few weeks.  I’ll post the plans once they’re approved.

Bathroom - Second floor bathroom is pretty much done.  We finally finished all the tiling (most of it in 3”x6” marble subways).  Just waiting on the glass tub screen, which should be installed early next week.  Pictures coming…

House History – I posted an ad in the local community newspaper asking for alumni and former staff of Carleton College (now Carleton University) to contact me to help with my personal research project.  Our house was owned by Carleton and used as their student union building from 1949 – 1958.  I’m trying to gather more information on how it was used and when the rear outbuilding classrooms were built.  I’ve spoken to two former staff (a librarian and a professor) and five former students.  I know which rooms were used for council meetings and which room housed the student newspaper (my son’s current bedroom).  I also know that the most popular activity was Bridge playing on the main floor, and that the basement was used for gambling (mostly poker)!  I also have leads on a number of photos that depict our house during that time.  More to come…

Sorry for the lack of photos.  This post if more of a stub so I can fill in the details in future post.  I hope to be back posting on a more regular basis.  I have noticed that a lot of my favourite house blogs have been pretty slow lately too.  I wonder if people are just too busy to blog, or are getting bored of it.