Fear of Vacuuming

As a child - I was scared to vacuum.  I was scared that I would go over something that I shouldn't and the vacuum would blow up.  I was so motivated NOT to vacuum, I would try to trade chores with my brother to get out of my vacuuming duties.

As an adult, I do not have that fear - you suck up enough strings, bobby pins and other oops items and you get over the fear. Don't get me wrong - I still don't love it - hauling out the vacuum, unwrapping the cord, dancing around trying to get everything, wrapping the cord back up and putting it away. And for me - I don't have room where the vacuum fits anywhere - except the attic.  So it takes me longer getting ready and putting away than it took me to vacuum.

I have two cats that never stop shedding - so ideally, I would vacuum and sweep at least every other day.  (I mean I do hate a dirty house more than the hassle of vacuuming).  Or even worse, when I travel for work and am gone longer periods - I come home to tumble weeds of hair.  Coming home to a dirty house is horrible.

So I made a big purchase.  I bought an iRobot - which is a robotic vacuum.  This purchase has been a game changer in my house.  I can clean other stuff, watch TV, cook, or even leave to run errands or go to work - all while my little robot is busy sweeping and vacuuming my entire house! Rocked my world!

The first time that I ran this - I had to empty the bin 3 times (gross - and this was with me sweeping and vacuuming 2 days before!).  I now can just dump the bin once it is done - running it every 2 or so days.  I still can't believe how much stuff this thing finds every time.  Granted, it goes under tables, beds, couches - things I normally didn't hit with the broom or vacuum. 

My house just feels cleaner.  Now you still have some effort in this cleaning - dumping the bin and cleaning the brushes - but it is minimal compared to my old routine.  Is it perfect - no.  Is it better than my old methods - yes.

Now if I can just teach my cats to ride around on it... 

A Pause in the Happiest Time of Year

I consider myself a very positive and happy person - mainly because, I guess - I am happy.  I love my life.  I have wonderful friends, an amazing boyfriend, a job and career I love, and the best family that I could ever dream of. 

This year, I have started working with my hometowns youth group.  It has been beyond frustrating at times, but for the most part, beyond rewarding.  On top of working with the youth group - I have reconnected with friends from old - through the church's "Young Adult Ministries" group - although I am not sure how "young" I consider myself anymore - but I am okay with that.

All in all, it has been a wonderful year that has flown by too quickly.  I was driving into work today thinking about and running through my holidays lists... the few gifts I still need to get, the groceries I need to buy to make that mac'n'cheese dish for the holiday party tomorrow, and on and on.

But then I paused.  I thought of Pete.  Pete was my grandmother's boyfriend who pasted a few years ago.  I thought of how much I missed him and how, even though he was never "family" marriage - he was a grandfather to me for over ten years.  This naturally led me into remembering my Pop and Meme - I am getting choked up just trying to write about them now...

...

Christmas is suppose to be the happiest (and probably busiest) season of the year.  However, it is hard not to think back to everyone who can't be here with us during this wonderful time and feel a little sad because they are not here to spend it with us.  I try not to linger long on these sad thoughts - I know they would not want me to shed any tears over them.

At this stage in life, everyone has been touched by loss or some unhappy event in their life.  So, I wish for you this holiday season happiness and hope - and a peace within when you do pause to remember.