It is that kind of day. We never thought it would come and actually, the window people have yet to appear (between 9-11 a.m.) So, here I am a bit giddy thinking that putting in new windows will solve the problem that exists between me and hurricane force winds.

We are replacing the louvered type with sash kinds that you raise from the bottom.  This will eliminate the cranks that open the louvers and which failed the test of Wilma.  She was bold enough to forego rain but used winds to force open and bend the metal frames around the glass that did not break but which ruined the mechanisms that provided us with fresh air.

I am like a great many people who place their faith in words that say, “Trust me” – I’ll be there when agreed, just look at the contract you signed and thank you for half the money now and be ready to pay the balance when we are through.

Getting new windows is like a box of chocolates.  You never really know what you are going to get.  The codes for such things in Florida change with every season when the winds seem to exponentially grow stronger. And, you never can depend on the honesty of the firm you finally decide to deal with.  In reality, we had only one choice because every other company we called: a. would not answer the phone, b. had too much business and we will not be able to get to you until next year, c. we don’t do that any more and d. call us back in about three months.

We went through that drill and Carol finally found a name in the phone book that answered the phone and after a week of nail biting a nice young man came, took measurements and gave us a price that did not break the bank.  I found that I simply had to call him almost daily to find out when the glass he ordered would arrive and when would he arrive to come and install our windows.

It occurred to me that he might also be the answer to a chronic problem in two of our apartments in this condominium.  A second floor window (that is our guess) leaks down whenever it rains into the ceiling of the first floor apartment just below.  I have asked the window man to look at it and my thought was to take the window out and recaulk it.  He demurred and said you can’t do that but we can clean up the outside and make it water tight.  I believe him for – he came when he said he would.  Now, all we have to do is wait until his crew arrives and we see real people with real windows do real work – which might work when the next hurricanes come.