a peek inside the fishbowl

01 Jan, 2012

Reno update #20 – Moving out

Posted by andrea tomkins in: Home/reno

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted an update on this topic, but it seems fitting that my first post of the New Year be about the reno because it’s going to affect us in a big way in 2012. In fact, I predict it will eat up an awful lot of time and space in my brain until this time next year.

The final (!) plans were delivered to us right before Christmas and permit applications are in. There have been a few small updates to the plans but overall it’s pretty much the same as before. (FYI, ground floor is shown here, and the upper floor is here.) The biggest change upstairs is that the shower area will be made larger. The shower head is now further back, creating space to hang a towel and a robe in there. Oh, and there’ll be a laundry chute upstairs! Woot! Next on the list: finding a builder. Construction is slated to begin April 1 (although I would prefer April 2). :)

I think I’m ready for it now. We are slo-o-o-wly packing up our things, and I’ve been checking Padmapper every day for a place for us to live during the reno because Mark refuses to live in a yurt we construct in the backyard. Sheesh. ;)

All kidding aside, Padmapper has been a really useful resource. If you’re looking for a rental I really recommend it. It collects ads from several different online sources and plots them on a map so all I need to do is a lot of clicking and reading. And clicking and reading.

In a perfect world, our neighbours would decide they need responsible housesitters while they’re away on an 8-month trip around the world, but I kind of doubt that will happen. That’s why I’m looking for an inexpensive place to live close-by. Here’s what our ad would look like if we were writing it:

Quiet and friendly family of four (plus one small non-barky dog) seek unfurnished two or three bedroom sublet for 6-8 months. We are non-smoking and responsible home owners who seek temporary shelter while our home is being renovated. Our ideal place would be located somewhere between Woodroffe and Hampton Park and include one parking spot and easy access to outdoor space.

Oh man. I hope we find something.

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5 Responses to "Reno update #20 – Moving out"

1 | Cindy W

January 1st, 2012 at 1:00 pm

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Have you checked out the places at Broadview and Carling? The only thing is, they’re furnished. Friends of ours lived there a few years ago while they waited for their home to be finished. http://www.mckellarpark.com/rates.html

2 | coffeewithjulie

January 1st, 2012 at 3:29 pm

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How much rent do you want to pay? I have a lovely suite in the basement ;)

3 | James

January 1st, 2012 at 8:44 pm

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I have a fantastic builder in your area. Shoot me an email and we can discuss.

4 | Diane Ritchie

January 2nd, 2012 at 6:35 pm

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I will keep you in mind in my day-to-day business. I was talking to a client over the holidays who is thinking of going overseas for a year. I will ask to see if she is going to move forward with her plans.

5 | Heather Badenoch

January 14th, 2012 at 4:47 pm

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Hi, love your blog! Are you familiar with Ottawa Home Renovations? The owner, Paul Gratton, was one of the volunteers that took on the CBC Scavenger Stylist Challenge and updated the YSB young men’s shelter. He and his team just finished renovating Ian Capstick’s new MediaStyle office downtown. http://ottawahomerenovations.blogspot.com/

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My name is Andrea and I live in the Westboro area of Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Piper who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. We also have two human offspring: Emma (24) and Sarah (22). During the day I work as a writer at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.

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