If there is one time of the year that I actually enjoy pulling out the vacuum it is in January. This thought occured to me this morning as I pulled out our dilapitated, one wheeled Mr. Hoover. One wheeled you ask! Yup. One wheeled.
Over the course of the last 15 years I've owned at least 10 vacuum cleaners. With the exception of the new fangled "rides like it's on rails" $500 version, I've tried just about every other model. First there was the fancy bagless version with a state-of-the-art HEPA filter. Then there was the high-powered "quiet" vacuum, a version that sounded divine when the only 5 minutes I had to vacuum came during naptime. But they failed me. Every last, over-priced one of them. Each, in their own time, just gave up. Stopped sucking up our messes, deciding to do something better with their lives.
So one day, five years ago I loaded the kids into the car and went to Target. I purchased the only vacuum whose box I could fit into the cart along with the two boys I had at the time. It was a $49, bright red, Hoover devoid of all bells and whistles. I brought it home, very pleased with myself. This time, when Mr. Hoover inevitably failed me, at least I would lose only a minimal investment. But humble Mr. Hoover surprised me. He's a hard worker cleaning up cheerios, Christmas tree pine needles, and enough legos to build a castle.....and he's still going strong. Over the years he lost one of his wheels - it cracked right in half, beyond repair. But I would not let Mr. Hoover go. Why would I? Had he not shown me the true measure of his devotion to our family?
Now Mr. Hoover thanks me - each and every January - as he limps across my livingroom rug. Having previously sucked up all of our fallen Christmas tree needles, their delicious scent wafts through the 50 cent brown paper bag he carries. And for one month of the year, I actually enjoy spending time with this trusty old friend!
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