Thursday, February 28, 2008

This is Why I May Lose My Mind

A serial closet-emptier: (this brings back traumatic memories from my childhood when my younger siblings would empty all the games and STUFF in my room while I was at school. Even when I put a little lock on my door, those little fiends would shake the door till the latch was pulled from the wood in the door. Tears and screaming ensued.)







And a dead vacuum. If you know me at all, you know I like clean floors. I've already been depressed because the carpets need to be shampooed so badly from Conor's drips and dribbles, but now one of the children has broken---permanently---my only ally against the filth. And no money to buy a new one, of course. How come vacuums only break when you're broke? (pun intended.) sigh.



My wish is for a vacuum that will be reliable and stick around for more than a year! And since I'm wishing, I'll take one of those carpet shampooers too, please! Six kids and a ton of friends and piano students and ping pong opponents wreak havoc on my carpets and I need all the help I can get! (Although Conor and his sippy cups are the biggest forces working against me. We do have a shoes-off policy.)

15 comments:

Laski said...

Aweeeee . . . I feel your pain. Our vacuum spews dust (and Lord knows what else) every time we use it. I just keep hoping it'll get better . . . Nope.

My carpets need a desperate cleaning. Soon J will be crawling and I HATE to imagine what is in my run. Ick.

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Ours died this week and my husband was able to fix it, but I don't know how long it will last. ;( I still have a phantom closet-emptier. Drives me nuts.

Laurie said...

I'm so sorry about your vacuum. I panic when my vacuum breaks. I hope your husband can fix it. I got a shampooer last year with tax returns. I have only used it twice but I do not know how I lived without it. I wish I could loan you mine.

As for games, I go nutty when the games are messed up. I hope your day gets better!

Saint Holiday said...

So, Jenna, here's what you should do. Go into survival mode. I'm the expert. Call your local Kirby dealer. They LOVE to give demonstrations. They'll send their salesman out to your house with their fancy, expensive machine and demonstrate how effective it is. They'll even shampoo your carpet with it, without any obligation on your part. Of course, you won't be able to buy it, but you can justify the freebie by telling yourself that it gives Kirby an opportunity to spread goodwill, which may carry weight with you when you are in that elevated income strata that would make it possible for you to buy one of their magnificent machines. However, I must warn you: be prepared to be totally grossed out by what their vacuum pulls out of your carpet. It will suck dirt up from China right through your foundation, and the salesman is trained to humiliate you with his special filter gadget that makes it all so obvious. But, hey, your carpet will be cleaned, and the price will be only a little indignity. They did this for (to?) me, and I have a big plan to pay them back someday, and on that glorious day, I will laugh to high heaven. By the way, if you're in my neighborhood, I have a spare vacuum you can borrow. I'll bet your genius husband will repair your broken one by dawn. I feel your pain, believe me I do. I love you.
Love,
The Ancient of Weeks

Jenna said...

Dad, You're funny. Unfortunately, the Kirby dealers have done one too many "demonstrations" here to not be on to me if I tried that again. (And they only do one room anyway.) But good idea. I've been in survival mode so long there isn't much I haven't thought of at one time or another. Maybe I get that from you? And, also unfortunately, the vacuum is dead. Adam tried. He is usually successful, but this time it's the motor. He took the whole thing apart, motor and all, tried turning it on and sparks started flying out the back (along with a horrendous smell) and a spark flew onto the carpet and set it on fire. So, now we have filthy carpets with a black burn hole. But on the bright side, it's not too big. :) Love you.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Oh hun that's horrible! I hope and pray that some generous benefactor stumbles across your blog today and decides to grant your wish!

Jacquie said...

I would be lost without my vacuum. We bought it almost a year ago and I have been on love ever since (I know weird huh). If you ever get the chance get a Dyson, they are awesome!!

Annette Lyon said...

I hope you find a vacuum before your mind is completely lost.

Why didn't you mention the burn hole in your post?! It just adds to the drama.

And this whole things reminds me that I need to vacuum. And clean my carpets.

Like I have time.

Laurie said...

Wow, I am so sorry! When we realized we were buying a new vacuum every 6 months we decided to invest in a nice one. So we used our tax refund to buy a Dyson. I LOVE it! It is the best vacuum EVER and totally worth the investment! It picks up everything kids, dog and hubby leave behind! Is it okay to be in love with a vacuum?

Luisa Perkins said...

Bummer. Our good vacuum died a few weeks ago; we've been making do with the cheapy little one that belongs in P's office. Grrrrr.

I have to say, though: our good one lasted more than 10 years, and might still be repairable. I wouldn't know, since it's been sitting in our basement since it expired.

Angela said...

I am with you I hate dirty carpets / floors! Good luck with surviving until you can get a new vacuum.. you should check with your neighbors someone may have an old one you can borrow or buy for cheap until you can get a new one. I have an extra one too but alas you live to far away!

Good luck!

Deb said...

Okay, darlin', get yourself down to Best Buy or Target, take out second mortgage on your house, and buy yourself a nice Dyson. If you have any animals, get the Dyson Animal (big purple one). I have four, large, hairy dogs, and my Dyson hasn't let me down in five years.

YogaNana said...

Well, there's getting down on all fours and trying to brush up all the crumbs and then hand scrub out the stains. You know I've been there. Over and over again.

We had to get a new vacuum last summer and we checked out the Dysons (huge cat hair issues here) but ended up getting a good Kenmore instead. LOVE it! When that magic moment comes, don't overlook the appliance department at Sears.

Love and commiseration,
Mom

Josi said...

There is nothing worse than not being able to vacuum a floor in need. Not that mine are always vacuumed, but it's not being able to clean it that fries me. And I hate closet-empty-outers, makes me crazy! Best of luck, Jenna dear.

Anonymous said...

are there vacuums that last longer than a year? The pet fur in my house usually winds up bringing mine to premature ends. lol