Wanted: A family in Cape May County has an opening for
a hard working vacuum. Requirements include being kid
friendly, mom approved, and the capability to pick
up dog hair is an absolute must. Also, picking up cheerios
and GI Joe guns, without the engine catching on fire, is
an added plus. If willing to get in corners, "get
down" with the dirt (and pick it up), and commit to at
least 1 year of employment, this could be the job for
you.

I have many strengths and weaknesses. Housecleaning
has to be one of my weaknesses. That is, not to say
that my house is a pig pen. My house could be in far
worse shape. It is dusted, mopped, and wiped down,
but cleaning the house is not my favorite department. I
can handle making the bed and cleaning the bathroom.
The jobs that seem to be endless, like picking up the
toys, vacuuming the floor, washing the dishes, and doing
the laundry just, straight up, get on my nerves. I often wonder if
the children, dog, cat, and dishes conspire against me.
When the seldom moment comes when I actually feel
like I have accomplished something, it is no longer
than 2 minutes later that Mr. 5 year old decides to
play with his GI Joe's, the dog decides to get hair
all over my carpet, or Mr. 1 year old decides to throw
all of his Cheerios on the floor. If this indeed does
happen, I now need to pick up the army guys that have
just been poured on the carpet, in order to vacuum up
the hair that has been rolled on the carpet and sweep
up the remaining Cheerios quickly before they get
stomped on, tracked, and ground into the carpet.

I don't know if it is the vicious cycle of vacuuming,
but my vacuum doesn't really vacuum any more. Is
there a vacuum strike happening that I am not aware of?
I think I am on my third vacuum in a matter of 1
year. I wonder if I am vacuuming the wrong way. They
never taught me some of this housecleaning stuff in
high school, yet I still graduated. Is there a
special technique that I am missing? Is it possible
that I am buying the wrong type of vacuum? Those
***famous*** vacuums that claim to never
loose suction are suction-less in our house. I have
tried calling the animals in to help me clean the
house like Giselle does from the movie "Enchanted," but they seem to
be ignoring me which I find rude.

I love my husband who tracks in dirt and I love my boys
who eat Cheerios and play with little army men
with little arm guns. I love my four-legged
creatures that make this house a home. We could never
let them go no matter how much hair they shed. So,
here we are in a house that is made up of love, floors
that need to vacuumed... again, and walls that have
finger prints on them. Here I am tired, listening to
housework calling my name, but thankful that we have a
roof over our heads and a house (that is semi-clean.)

I guess I have no other option except to go out and buy
another vacuum. Does anyone have any brand suggestions?