Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Dust to dust

I may be the first person to get rid of her spice rack and replace it with a vacuum cleaner, but that's how yesterday went.

We knew our old vac was on it's way out--THAT DOG sheds her weight in fur on a weekly basis, and for the past few months, our forays into housekeeping have involved shoving abandoned dog hair into new piles, while the machine emitted a high-pitched squeal of protest like a car left to long in second gear. Our vacuum cleaner had no gears (that we knew of) so we just shoved the piles around dutifully and hoped for the best.

Then came the burning smell, and that was all she wrote.

Last night we went out and bought a new vacuum cleaner (which was rather ironic, given that I'd spent the afternoon reading the rantings of an irate feminist who hates, hates, hates the idea that any woman would ever be excited about a new household appliance...) We got home and immediately tested it out on the small runner we installed so THAT DOG could get some traction (hardwood floors seem like a great idea until you watch your pet slide into the wall with a thud for the 47th time...) The new machine has one of those clear canisters on the front, so we could see what it was picking up.

Oh. My. Gosh. Horrifying.

"You should take a picture of this for your blog!" Steve said, staring incredulously at the contents of our new vacuum.

"No way!" I responded. "I'm not telling the whole world we've been living in a giant pile of dirt..."

13 comments:

hckygrl said...

Ha! Ha! Ha! You just did tell the whole world!

My hunky husband does all the vacuuming at my house, cleans the bathroom too!

mslizalou said...

Too funny! I actually got a new vacuum for Christmas this past year from my dad. Mine was on its last leg and he got me the one I had been looking at for months. It has a lifetime Hepa filter and you just empty all the dirt into the garbage.

~**Dawn**~ said...

I had one of those vacuums. And the more I used it, the more I thought there are just some things I don't want to know.

Krissy said...

I love love love that Steve wanted you to take a picture for your blog. Am a little disappointed that you didn't do it!

Patti said...

when we first got our dyson, i was horrified at what i saw. i thought that the dirt was somehow all ready in the vac...it couldn't be my house.

Diana Peterfreund said...

I inherited my vacuum from my great-aunt. I think it just makes noise.

Then, for the wedding, I got one of those little robot vacs. But it's neurotic. It only likes to vacuum UNDER our couch. Seriously,w e've watched it for hours and it never goes anywhere else.

L Sass said...

Frightening!

xxxx said...

Oh, I'm dying to see a picture now! Ha!

Allie said...

I hope I don't offend you here, but why would a manufacturer think people want to see the filth their vacuum cleaners are picking up?!

Unknown said...

i'm sure jason would rather live in a great big pile of dirt instead of a great big pile of hair. we literally have to cut the hair out of the vacuum coils! i try to pick it up as often as i can, but my follicles have a mind of their own! :) so see, it could be worse!

Susie said...

Oooh yay! I DO get excited over new household appliances and don't care what anyone says :)

I just got a new vacuum a couple months ago and it's so pretty and fun. And yeah, it's much better than living in dirt!!

LEstes65 said...

I think you should post a picture of the new vacuum. Dirt filled canister and all.

Kristine said...

LOL! I just installed laminate flooring in my house and my poor puppy is not very happy about it. On the up side, he's finally using the cute little bed I bought him as a sleeping spot and not just a wrestling partner.