Windows . . .

Not talking about Windows vs. Mac. Just talking about bare windows and how tiring it's been to be using paper shades. I had been waiting for the last of six windows to be replaced before deciding on my window treatments. The six paper shades for ten bucks were getting very tired looking and I was getting very tired of lifting them up and clipping them with a plastic clip and dropping them down in the evenings for privacy. Finally the sixth window was put in about 10 days ago. Since the pocket book is still quite skinny I decided to make this a DIY (do it yourself) project. I measured each window's width three times (top, middle, bottom) since nothing's ever square. I headed off to the Home Depot but couldn't find anyone to help me so I drove a little further down the road to Lowe's and there was Mary and her miraculous Levolor cutting machine. I picked out the faux wood fruitwood color and she trimmed each blind. I was left with the task of installing them and shortening them. You have to remove the extra slats. I practiced on the first window and the rest were easy and now my writing room and office look great!

Of course, I didn't run home and tackle this job immediately. I did what I often do: I procrastinate.
I knew that the task was going to require great patience and concentration so I took a nap to recharge myself. After a couple of hours I got up,
turned on my streaming radio channel of Groove Salad (Soma FM) through my computer and tackled the first shade. Then the next, and the next, and so on until all six were installed. It sure makes the place feel more finished and it's very easy to open and close the slats instead of having to fold up the paper shades each day. I had originally planned to buy white faux blinds but I didn't have a deep enough inset so the head rails would be sticking out so I bought the 1.5" slates in the fruitwood color which really adds tremendous warmth to the room.

I had always assumed that I would hire someone to do the measure and that I would have to special order the shades, but the powerful Lowe's Levolor special computerized cutter in the hands of Mary cut through the slats and headers flawlessly. Smooth cuts. And I didn't have to pay for shipping or installation since I was able to do it by myself with the help of some lively music. The cost of the six windows was less than $300!
Here's a picture of Mary from Lowes standing beside the Levolor cutting machine. Everything is self contained and sealed off once the cutter starts and there's no need of safety goggles.

 And here's a shot of the the room where I teach writing classes. There was bright light outside when I took the pictures so you really can't see the color of the blinds very well but you can see how they finish off the room.