Week ending 6/19/09

On Monday I got just 15 min of sanding done. I got the ducts cleaned so not much done. It seems like I should be equally or almost as productive with someone here working but it never works out that way. Total on woodwork and windows to date: 267 hours.

Tuesday I was busy with appointments and orthodontic pain, but today was a landmark day in that first window shade arrived. But, mounting the brackets is going to be a huge pain. The window jamb slants upward from back to front (like a beveled picture frame), so the surface to which the blind bracket is to be mounted is not level (it's higher in front than back). The bracket has to be level, so that means I have to shim it. That's a minor pain, one I anticipated but wasn't sure about until I got the bracket in hand. The real pain is that the bracket has no flat surface on which I can use a level. I'm not sure what to do - I'm going to the hardware store tomorrow to see if I can find a level that will work and to buy shims. All house work stops until this blind is up. I cannot wait to have it up and have one finished, nice looking window with a functioning blind. Ah, the little things you take for granted until you don't have them.

The second problem is that the header on the blind, where all the mechanics are, is missing an end cap. It's in the package, but it popped off and I'm unwilling to risk damaging the shade by trying to put it on myself. If I damage the shade, I have no recourse and will have to buy a new one. Plus, I am entitled to an undamaged shade, so I want the company to remedy it. But, that means sending the blind back and waiting. Unfortunately, I haven't actually seen it up, so I still don't know if it fits (i.e. I measured correctly) and I like it. The instructions say not to operate the shade until it is installed, and anything you do that's not per the instructions may void the warranty. So, first thing tomorrow I'll be calling the company and sorting this mess out. Fun.

Wednewday I talked to customer service, they assured me I cannot break the shade so I popped the end cap back on and it's fixed. But, you know it couldn't possibly go that smoothly. The problem? The shade doesn't fit, it's too wide. Somehow, I measured wrong which is why I only ordered one. Measuring for shades is so tricky that it costs $60 per window to have done, and mine are extra tricky because of the bevel. But two good things came out of it - I figured out how to measure (I'm going to use the width of the sash {the moving part of the window} which I know fits in the jamb with a bit of room to spare) and I saw the brackets that came with the shade, and saw a drawing of the brackets for my 3/4" pleat shades compared to 3/8" and the smaller brackets will be easier to install. I'd be fine with either size, I only ordered the 3/4 because it was suggested for a more contemporary look.

I finished one more box from the unpacking. I have things to get rid of piling up - it's so easy now that things have been in boxes for 3+ years.