Old House Renovation Journal

[wildrose70]

Rose, I picked up several GREAT prints of my 125 yr. old house from the local Historical Society. The funniest part was that the photographer that took them lived in my house ca. 1890-1920.

Oh kool Arden...dont suppose you have any to post...I think old houses are sooooo darned interesting... wow that is something...I have always had a love-affair w/old houses...mine had a lot of stained glass and leaded glass windows...

 

[mbb308]

Lead Class, Day #2

Well, we survived the first day. It was information overload, too.

The book is a three inch binder which is quite full.

I spent some time after the class shooting the breeze with the afternoon instructor - actually, both the guys we had yesterday were pretty down-to-Earth sorts of folks.

I may take the State exam after this class so there is never any question in the future about my certification.

 

[mbb308]

another thrilled packed day

In all sincerity, it wasn't really all that bad.

My hip is appreciating the break, too.

There's a little Korean fish market around the corner which has a decent lunch, and that will be a treat this week.

 

[mbb308]

Rose, I picked up several GREAT prints of my 125 yr. old house from the local Historical Society. The funniest part was that the photographer that took them lived in my house ca. 1890-1920.

I'll bet s/he got to study the light that way and get the shots s/he wanted.

Thank God for places like that. These Historical review boards won't allow any exterior changes unless there is evidence the house was different once upon a time. Photoes are the best way.

 

[Arden]

I'll bet s/he got to study the light that way and get the shots s/he wanted.

Thank God for places like that. These Historical review boards won't allow any exterior changes unless there is evidence the house was different once upon a time. Photoes are the best way.

I think in general, Historical Societies are the most overlooked resource when renovating old houses. People just assume nothing exists in the line of photos.

Because I don't have to work with federal agencies, I chose to leave every wall intact... what I have been doing is more of a renovation than a remodel. I wish I had two full baths, but oh well... no place to expand. Electrical, plumbing and such has all been done working around the existing walls.

One intresting thing discovered. At the Historical Society there is a large 1900 "insurance" map of the city, showing all the dwellings, outbuildings... each little house diagram shows porches, gives a list of construction materials. This house appears to have been built in two stages, the back half was wood frame in 1900. The layout of the brick supporting walls in the basement confirms this, there's definitely a cut-through doorway where the addition was built. On the insurance map, there shows to be a wood frame covered porch on the back of the house too. It's long gone, but we could see evidence of where the porch roofline met the brick walls (that later covered the rear wood framed addition. So, the porch existed on the frame addition, was rebuilt when the addition was bricked, and later disappeared. It likely rotted, the windows on that side (south) of the house are the worst for wear.


Another thing I did at the Historical Society was to collect copies of photos of the families that inhabited the house, and also newspaper articles, obits, etc. I have a nice presentation book now that contains all of these materials. I have the original deed book too, which is fascinating.

Maybe a few pics later when I can locate them again.

 

[wildrose70]

Wow Arden how interesting...sounds like you have really done your homework...and isnt it fun to find out about the people who lived in the house....the fellow from Oregon that lived in my former home....told me all about the renovations...no indoor plumbing then....so the downstairs one was added...when we moved in there was a trapdoor in the kitchen...going to the basement....old claw foot tubs up and down....had to do some changing.....this is really very interesting to me...I always had a love affair w/old houses....big old houses....sometimes when we used to go out hunting you wld find these old empy neglected houses...always made me feel sad.....people just move out and leave them....
keep the stories coming...I love to read about your progress

 

[Arden]

Hi Rose!

I still have the clawfoot tub here!

I tend to dig deeply into history because I'm very involved in genealogy... to me, there's a story behind everything!!! And I love it!

 

[wildrose70]

Hi Rose!

I still have the clawfoot tub here!

I tend to dig deeply into history because I'm very involved in genealogy... to me, there's a story behind everything!!! And I love it!

Well at the ex's there is still the clawfoot upstairs..but we had to take the one out downstairs to make room for a washer and dryer...I agree...there's always a story behind everything...and I'm like a sponge..love to soak it all up....and when you can talk to someone who lived there...makes it all the more interesting....

 

[mbb308]

When I get a few more minutes, I'd really like to say this about that . . . .

 

[wildrose70]

When I get a few more minutes, I'd really like to say this about that . . . .

Now is that a redundant statement or what??? leave us hanging why don't you!!! I might have to leave again.....lmao...took a 5 minute catnap...woke up feisty...when dear son called ready for the rest of the nite...

 

[mbb308]

Now is that a redundant statement or what??? leave us hanging why don't you!!! I might have to leave again.....lmao...took a 5 minute catnap...woke up feisty...when dear son called ready for the rest of the nite...

Boo!!! Just passing thru after Day #3 of exciting lead class. Two to go - and an exam on the last day. Oh boy!!!!

I'll be glad to get back to the normal routine.

 

[wildrose70]

Boo!!! Just passing thru after Day #3 of exciting lead class. Two to go - and an exam on the last day. Oh boy!!!!

I'll be glad to get back to the normal routine.

OMG is your head bursting w/knowledge now??

 

[mbb308]

OMG is your head bursting w/knowledge now??

I know enough to be able to stay working around lead and to pass on the abatement part of that foolishness. That one's for the birds!!!!

 

[wildrose70]

I know enough to be able to stay working around lead and to pass on the abatement part of that foolishness. That one's for the birds!!!!

Well if you pass the test w/flying colors we will bake another cake for ya!!!!

 

[mbb308]

Well if you pass the test w/flying colors we will bake another cake for ya!!!!

I should - I usually do very well on this sort of thing.

 

[mbb308]

Lead Class - Day #4

I've managed to survive class this far - oh boy!!!!

One of the instructors informed me that he figured I'd ace the test tomorrow. I figure I'll miss at least one.

We'll see.

The come-uppance would be to flunk the thing . . . .

 

[wildrose70]

Re: Lead Class - Day #4

I've managed to survive class this far - oh boy!!!!

One of the instructors informed me that he figured I'd ace the test tomorrow. I figure I'll miss at least one.

We'll see.

The come-uppance would be to flunk the thing . . . .

Now dont ya dare say that...we know you will fly thru it!!!!!!!!! Dammmmmmmmmm your smart..and I'm feisty tonite...so watch out...lol

 

[mbb308]

Re: Re: Lead Class - Day #4

Now dont ya dare say that...we know you will fly thru it!!!!!!!!! Dammmmmmmmmm your smart..and I'm feisty tonite...so watch out...lol

Feisty Little Women - what a delightful image.

The test will be fine as long as I remember to be humble, and to study just to be sure. No arrogance allowed.

It's a good excuse to go to the Village and see all the college girls and study with them.

And no Biology field experiments, either.

 

[wildrose70]

Re: Re: Re: Lead Class - Day #4

Feisty Little Women - what a delightful image.

The test will be fine as long as I remember to be humble, and to study just to be sure. No arrogance allowed.

It's a good excuse to go to the Village and see all the college girls and study with them.

And no Biology field experiments, either.

Oh I don't think you need an excuse to check out the college girls awwwwwwwwww gee no expermiments///what has this world come too..
yep Little Missy may be short but she's dammed feisty too
I'se feel good today...no special reason....just another man who bit the dust...lmao..told you i was sooooooooooo *naughty*

 

[mbb308]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Lead Class - Day #4

Oh I don't think you need an excuse to check out the college girls awwwwwwwwww gee no expermiments///what has this world come too..
yep Little Missy may be short but she's dammed feisty too
I'se feel good today...no special reason....just another man who bit the dust...lmao..told you i was sooooooooooo *naughty*

I'd just like the opportunity to do the research, but tonight is not the night.

Men were made to bite dust - put some lead in it to make his day in spades.

 

[wildrose70]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lead Class - Day #4

I'd just like the opportunity to do the research, but tonight is not the night.

Men were made to bite dust - put some lead in it to make his day in spades.

I'll be yu wld...but all good things in time...heck dearest....I just put another knotch in the ole computer..lol....dam i thougt Lunch was on the job..he's sleepin in the chair!!!!!

 

[mbb308]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lead Class - Day #4

I'll be yu wld...but all good things in time...heck dearest....I just put another knotch in the ole computer..lol....dam i thougt Lunch was on the job..he's sleepin in the chair!!!!!

Lunch??? On the job???? Working?????

Not our boy Lunch - never!!!!

Just feeling a bit lonely this evening. Must be the rain....

 

[wildrose70]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lead Class - Day #4

Lunch??? On the job???? Working?????

Not our boy Lunch - never!!!!

Just feeling a bit lonely this evening. Must be the rain....

Awwwwwwwwwwwww sorry baby....send you a big hug and kiss....thru the net...
it's sunny and nice here...nope I think old Lunch is retired..but boy they are all over me and both in bed at nite...they missed their momma

 

[mbb308]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lead Class - Day #4

Awwwwwwwwwwwww sorry baby....send you a big hug and kiss....thru the net...
it's sunny and nice here...nope I think old Lunch is retired..but boy they are all over me and both in bed at nite...they missed their momma

I'll bet they did.

Lunch was born retired.

 

[wildrose70]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lead Class - Day #4

I'll bet they did.

Lunch was born retired.

I think your right...he's no ball of fire...thats for sure..