Update 5-15-09 - Blueprints...

So I'm still sifting through all of our pictures to show more of the transformation this building has undergone in its two years of renovations. I'll post another set pronto. But the news from this last week. We are still working through the paperwork, inspections, approvals, etc. As always when we think everything is going according to plan...

We have an architect who is putting together our final drawings for presentation to the various offices requiring them (city, civil defense, public registry, etc). He's started this in November '08, very professional and making sure we have T's crossed and I's dotted.

With the house being older he's had more than he bargained for. Surprise! The previous owners made changes to the house without getting permits. Also the city was re-zoned to another district after the house was built. With small miracles and some time the architect got all of this straightened out.

So last week we thought he would be sending a file of the blueprints to our civil defense adviser to add the safety layer. That's where the adviser also tells us where we need signs, fire extinguishers... you get the idea. Anyway.

So I called to see how it was going and find out that the day before he was going to send the file the architect got mugged. Fortunately he was alright and didn't suffer any harm. But they stole his laptop, cell phone, and digital camera. And no he didn't have a backup file. So he's had to reconstruct the autocad blueprints from the paper copies he had and add the other details from memory. I feel badly for him and for us. Another unexpected setback. He said he should be able to get it re-done and sent by tomorrow.

On a positive note, our two electrical grounding rods passed inspection. I didn't think they would knowing the quality of labor of our ex-engineer's workers. (The rods were upside down and the boxes sunk and had to be re-positioned) But electrically the rods do the job and got a thumbs up. Yay!

Just as a footnote. I should have mentioned this last June but my thoughts were overloaded with a new baby. The engineer who installed the water, sewer, electrical was let go along with his men for lack of quality in labor and poor supervision. Among numerous other things the standard for electrical cable colors was not followed and in fact some of the colors change randomly. :) Also each bathroom has had multiple leaks which Eric Opland faithfully hunted down and fixed. (Thanks Eric)

I look forward to the day when all of this construction is over and we are finally open and can relax as we enjoy the peace and quiet of caring for a million babies. :)