Ten out of Five Stars

 Day 6 - Friday, Dec. 10, 2021

Today we wake to 65 degrees, enjoying a warming trend in this early part of December, and are happy to remember that today is the day our windshield and side window shades project will be complete.  I can't wait to show my favorite photo of all -- Brian leaning outside a window to do something that can't be done with the window closed.

But let me not get ahead of myself.  

Upon waking, the first thing I see as I head toward the coffee pot is what I call my 'Faith Photo.'  It is not a Bible verse, but a quote attributed to Ralph Abernathy, Sr., an American Civil Rights activist and Baptist minister.  The photo was hanging on the wall of Sweet Georgia Brown when we purchased her;  we liked it, so we left it there.

Lest we forget, I take a photo of the side window just behind the driver's seat that has the original accordian shade, which works well.  It will be replaced.  Brian begins his day by spreading the blue blanket over our sofa for its protection, then holds up the new shade that he will install.

The shade goes in easily, and the next photo shows it after being installed.  These are not motorized, but raise or lower with spring action.  It may take me a little practice with the thumb to set the 'stop' -- half way down or all the way.

Brian assures us that he will finish the project and we can be rolling down the highway toward Dallas by Friday afternoon, if we choose to.  We ask if there is anything we can do to help (and I think it was gently suggested that I stay out of the way LOL).  I did hand out bottled water.  Herb helped by taking out the screws from the window trim so it could be removed, making way for the new shade.

Brian now moves to the back window which is at the dining table, and finds this one needs a different approach.  "Where there is a will, there is a way," and the contortionist braces himself to lean out the window and do the next step.

Yay, yay, again!  The shades project is complete.  Brian gathers up his tools, folds up the blue blanket, and returns everything to his work cart.  I ask the guys to pose for a photo, and I think Herb may be patting him on the back, while I give him ten out of five stars for a job well done.

He finishes an hour earlier than the 5pm promised, and Sweet Georgia Brown is smiling.

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown,

   and of Walldog and Willie

   December 10, 2021

Sweet Georgia Brown -- Almost There!

 Day 5 - Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021

Yay! Yay!

Today's the Day!

The day that some of the shades have been manufactured and are ready to be installed.  The first order of the day is for me to clear our tables of anything that would be in the way of the installation.  This includes the sentimental photo of Herb and myself, along with silk flowers that we had in our boat, Willie's Tug.

I really don't have a problem with the blinds we have on the side windows, but I think they should all match the new windshield shades -- that we really do need!  At 9:30a Brian comes with an armload of blankets to protect our freshly vacuumed and shampooed carpet, carefully spreading them and placing his tools on top.

He then pulls out the television above the dash for access to connect to wiring under the dash that will control operation of the windshield shades.  The first photo shows the television pulled aside, then the next one shows Brian working in a small space, and lying on his side in front of the driver's chair.  

What a day!!!  It takes all day to install the motor for the windshield shades.  I love seeing them being raised and lowered by pushing a button, as Brian tests his work. He smiles after he completes his workday, and promises the project will be completed by Friday afternoon.

The next photo shows the opaque nighttime shade partially lowered, the daytime shade partially lowered -- and our black Jeep parked outside in front of Sweet Georgia Brown.

My test is to lower only the day shade, which allows us to see outside, but no-one can see anything inside, then I go outside to take a photo of the windshield.  Herb is standing inside waving to me, but all I can see is a reflection of the sky and the MCD building behind me.  Thank you Brian, and MCD Innovations!

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown,

   and of Walldog and Willie

   December 9, 2021