Vacuum

I bought a vacuum cleaner this past week when we found out that our 10 year old one was going to cost $80 to fix. I poured over websites and reviews and every time I thought, "This is the one!" I would read a negative review or two and then think, "Oh, not THAT one! Our lives would be RUINED." There is nothing better than strongly worded Amazon reviews to make you second guess yourself a million times. I don't know which reviewers are being reasonable and which are crabby unhappy people who are always complaining about something. I mean, some of the reviews complained that the vacuum was LOUD. WHAT? A LOUD VACUUM? SAY IT AIN'T SO.

I hemmed and hawed for hours and then overnight. Twitter told me that I should get a Dyson or a Roomba and I patted Twitter on its head and told it that those are more than twice what my budget is, bless its heart. Finally, a friend with a Consumer Reports subscription told me the top two under $200 and I bought one of those. I don't even want to tell you what it is in case you've had an awful experience. I just want it to arrive tomorrow before 8 pm like the tracking says so we can vacuum our increasingly filthy rugs.

Twitter also reassured me that I do not win at the Laundry Folding Procrastination game, although I think the three weeks worth in this picture is my own personal record. 

We had another snow day on Monday and, if you're keeping track, in the last three weeks we've had two days with a sick kid at home and two snow days and NOT ONE has been on a day that I'm off work. I only work three days a week! I feel like ONE of them should have been on my day off. This one was because of icy roads, so A was going to work from home anyway and it all worked out. 

Comments

[Christine]

I love my Dyson, but I got it massively on sale (under $200). I am way too cheap, although the idea of Roomba + cats amuses me.

[Jody]

I have to go pick up my new Hoover WindTunnel this morning. I hemmed and hawed and did the Amazon review dance and then went with the updated version of the vacuum that is dying after eight years. This time, I tell myself, I'm going to replace that HEPA filter thingy every 12 months like they say to.

The thing with the Dyson was, besides the money I mean, I have a kid with bad environmental allergies. I cannot deal with the whole "emptying the collection unit, dust flying everywhere" problem. Nor do I want to then be washing out the collection unit and setting it aside to dry whenever it gets gunky (which in my limited experience/observation, happens a lot). I know many people who rave about their bagless vacuums and Dyson in particular but I also have baskets of unfolded laundry because somehow that last step is a step too far, and the whole "emptying the vacuum" process needs to be easy for me. Which means, bags. Which meant, in this case again, Hoover.

Now I just need to find my receipt so I can go pick it up at Sears.

[el-e-e]

What are the odds about your work days?! That is crazy. I've been having to juggle sick days and school-volunteer commitments with my work schedule too, and it sucks. I feel ya.

[Erin]

This is what happens when I ignore Twitter for a few days. I bought my Dyson on eBay at their refurbished store. It was over half off a brand new one and I must admit, I love it so!

[Liz S]

Record snow and freezing rain here in Utah and yet to get a snow day. We don't close for nothin'

Seeing someone else's laundry pile up makes me feel so much better about mine.

[Dr. Maureen]

Andrew has recently told me that he totally doesn't mind folding all the laundry while he watches TV at night. My life has changed markedly for the better.

[Laura K.]

I am really, really, really embarrassed to post my unfolded laundry pic...'nuff said. Hope you are vaccuming like a boss! ;)