June 28, 2019
Dear Everyone:
Getting my kitchen faucet fixed last week reminded me that I have a
whole list of improvements that I wanted to get done around the house
this year. Seriously, I made
a list, in Excel, complete with some estimated prices.
When I moved in about ten years ago, I promised myself that I would
replace the tacky vinyl vertical blinds on all the windows with
shutters, or something else, as soon as possible.
While I’m at it, I might as well look into replacing the windows,
since they were over twenty years old at that time.
Caution: Dates in calendar
are closer than they appear to be.
Put another way: Time flies
when you don’t keep a gun to its head.
I suddenly realized that the year is already half over and I haven’t
even started on anything.
As our Mother would put it:
“Stop pussy-footing around and just do it!”
I decided to at least get started on the windows.
I began by doing some research into window replacement companies.
I decided to use a nationally-known company that we’ll call
“Augustine”.
I went to their website and filled out a contact form with my
information and request for an appointment to have one of their
representatives come to my home.
A few minutes after I clicked “Submit” my phone rang.
They would be more than happy to send someone; when would be good
for me?
So far, so good. We made an
appointment for last Wednesday at 2:00 pm.
I had a few errands to run that day, but got home at 1:45.
“Chester” was already there.
And he brought samples. No
kidding, a sample window, complete with a handle to haul it around with
him. Samples of types of
frames that he could take apart and put back together, the better to
illustrate how much better their product is than the competition.
Of course, there are certain limitations.
Because I live in a condominium, the Homeowners Association (HOA)
has rules about outside appearances.
Basically, the outside has to look exactly like all the other
units. Black frame, with
those black grilles that the original developer put in place in 1988,
just because they had them.
And no, you can’t replace the patio sliding-glass door with French
doors.
“Chester” knew all about the rules.
In fact, “Augustine” takes care of all necessary municipal
permits and approvals, including the HOA Architectural Review Committee,
which doesn’t exactly exist, but which has to allow any modifications,
including windows. I don’t
have to bother with any of that.
“Augustine” will handle it.
After we decided on the particulars, “Chester” called his office and
made another appointment for a technician to come the very next day to
take all the exact measurements.
Which he did. The new
windows will probably be ready for installation by the middle of August.
Programming Note: “Jeannie”
and I will be in New York, visiting “Alice”, just about the same time.
No problem.
“Augustine” will accommodate my schedule.
However. When the
installation actually takes place, all the tacky vinyl vertical blinds
on all the windows will have to be removed.
“Chester” even volunteered to do that himself, if necessary.
Since I want to replace them all anyway, I will visit a showroom
establishment next week to see what they recommend.
The possibilities are endless.
These days, they even make shades that operate by remote control,
up, down and sideways.
I can hardly wait.
Love, as always,
Pete
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