Let's Pause For a Moment of Silence

Well, I did it.  I bought a Dyson.  Your glowing feedback convinced me.  And I hope you were right, because I had to sell one of the children to pay for it. 

(Joke!  That's a joke!)

Once I finished hyperventilating over the fact that I WAS SPENDING $400 ON A FLIPPIN' VACUUM CLEANER I got a little excited.  (It normally costs $500, but I used my 20%-off coupon at Bed, Bath and Beyond--a big thanks to those of you who suggested that).  When I opened the box, I halfway expected a bright light to shine down from Heaven and that British guy from the commercial to jump out. 

And then I turned it on.

Oh-for-the-love-of-all-that-is-good-and-HEPA-filtered, now I get it.  I think the earth's gravitational pull shifted just a little bit.  Seriously--they advertise that this vacuum sucks with 100,000 times the force of gravity.  This is a helpful feature, since I was able to use that suction to pick my Hubs OFF THE FLOOR when he found out I'd SPENT $400 ON A VACUUM CLEANER.   

But truly, if you could see how much stuff that thing sucked out of my carpet...well, you probably wouldn't let your kids come play here, that's for sure.  See this picture on the right?  See the nasty stuff in the canister?  That's from one quick pass around my living room.  I'm so proud.

So far, I'm pleased.  It's much lighter-weight than I expected, and the motor has a different "purr" to it than any other vacuum machine I've ever seen.  Using the attachments is a little awkward, but I think that's because I don't know what I'm doing yet.  I'm counting on it to get easier.  The real test will be in a year or so, after it has faced twelve months of the carpet crud this family can generate.  I'll keep you posted.

And in case you were wondering, no, the Dyson people didn't ask me to say all this nice stuff.  But if they want to cut me a $400 rebate check, that would be fine.  So I could, you know, get my child back.

(Joke!  That's a joke!)

Comments

[Pastormac's Ann]

Wow! Congrats.

Do not covet....do not covet....do not covet. I'm trying to convince myself, but I don't think it's working.

Enjoy it. Hope you get your kid back. (joke!)

[stayathomemotherdom]

They're amazing. I spent the first week playing with it and was amazed at how much it picked up.

It's worth the price of a kid...maybe two:)

[Michele]

Hey, congrats on being up for more awards. Can you stand the excitement? If you don't win the Weblog Awards, you have the Sweet Scent Awards to take its place.

[misslionheart]

Santa,I want one!!!

[Amy]

My my 20%-off coupon from Bed, Bath and Beyond says "does not apply to... Dyson" which was the main reason I got a different vacuum. Yay for your coupon!

[Anne Glamore]

Just a tip-- BB & B WILL apply the couplon to a Dyson-- they did for me and I know they have for others. Don't let that be the reason you don't get one! We still gather around the dirt cannister to ooh and aah!

[Fiddledeedee]

Here's the thing that I love about your new vacuum. It's purple!!!! I think I'd vacuum more if my vacuum were a "happy" color. I think I'm going to leave my old tired vacuum out in the rain a day or two, just so I can campaign for a new one!!

Just kidding. But really, that looks like my dream vacuum!

[Big Mama]

My favorite part of this whole post is that you used it to pick Hubs back up after he found out you spent $400 on a vacuum cleaner. Oh, and that you sold one of your children.

[dcrmom]

LOL about hubs on the floor! Enjoy it. There's nothing quite like a good vacuum.

[Liz]

fewer kids equals less dirt, right? kidding :) I feel the same way about my oreck

[green3]

This is on my Christmas list, but the thought of DH going to actually buy me one makes me laugh. Won't happen.

[Joanne]

I love mine and have had it for more than a year. (I got mine BEFROE they toned down the colors-so it is Red and Purple.) I still love it. I would love to get rid of a certain dog, though, so I wouldn't have to get the darn thing out every day to remove the dog hair.

[nicole]

I want a purple one too. However, our goal is lamniate floors in the next two years so I know O.H. will not even consider buying one. Good for you for taking the expensive plunge. I hope the affection lasts! :)

[sam]

I have had mine for over a year now and I still love it. A few of my friends have followed my recommendations and bought one and it seems we all do the "one pass over the carpet and marvel at the stuff in the canister". It must be some weird right of passage.

Happy vacuuming!!

[Miriam]

Like the purple! It's kinda (ok, a lot) scary that there is more crud in my carpet than my vacuum cleaner picks up. Wonder how much would be in the canister if you came over to my family room?
Also, FYI, BB&B will honor coupons that are expired and apply them towards most anything in the store. Also, you can use mulitple coupons during one visit, one for each item you buy. At least, this is my experience. So save your coupons!

[tracey]

I told ya so!

BTW--- I did find mine on clearance at Target--- anyone wanting one should keep an eye out- Target had a PINK breast cancer awareness Dyson this model year- the year is over- so the leftovers are clearancing....;)

[Jamie]

Oh my gosh, you are so funny.

[Lindsey]

Oh, you got the one I have! You are soooo going to love it! Congrats on your new lifesaver - and I hope you get the kid back soon ;-).

[Marmee]

{In my incredibly whiney voice} I wanna purple Dyson vacuum cleaner!!

Do let us know how this baby is working for ya. You get what you pay for, right? I've had my eyes on those sweet Dyson vacuums since they came out. I can justify a new vacuum cleaner with my daughter's allergy problems!!

[Amy]

Congratulations!!!

And after one quick pass around my (small) living room, the canister is full. Seriously. So my kids can play with your kids any time. And my kids will bring the dog so you can see what a REALLY dirty carpet looks like! Heee...

[jodi jean]

ohhh i covet as well, target has a pink one that i'd almost consider not getting the 20% off, because, hey, it's PINK!

[Stacey]

We need a new vacuum, too. I'm so tired of the one we have not picking up half the stuff in the house. I don't think my guy will go for $400 though :(

[Honor]

I love, love, LOVE my Dyson. When we moved into our house last year, the previous owners had left the place very clean, including vacuum tracks on all the carpets. The day we moved in, I took my brand-spanking-new Dyson out of the box, vacuumed the 'clean' carpets, and got up gobs of previously invisible dog fur and various unmentionable crusties. Ick! There's NOTHIN' my Dyson can't do.

Congrats on your purchase. Well worth the loss of a kid. ;-)

[Holly]

May you have many happy years with your DYSON (and the angels did sing with the opening of the box) Ahhhhhh!

[s@bd]

funny joke.

[Shannon in Arizona]

awwwwwww i am so proud and i feel as if a baby has been born! JK
anyways note to you keep the spinning brush thingy clean a lot hair gets tied around it...since your hair is short it may take some time, but string and stuff gets in there just cut it with scissors. try it in the car it works great there too. my man ended up selling his shopvac cuz this works better. oh i am so pleased..........oh and don't forget to clean the filter every 6 months just rinse it under water and air dry. it is a spongy little thing......ok bye!

[Kate]

lol Dysons are the thing to have here. People actually ask what type of hoover you have? Telling them you have a dyson means you are someone! LOL

[Tanya]

I have the same one and I still love it after a year. It's a lifesaver! We've got a Labrador and it's amazing how much he sheds but the Dyson picks it ALL up! Congrats on your new purchase :)

[Shalee]

You started a trend. Our vacuum cleaner just died a horrible, smoke-emitting, stench-releasing death. And the very words out of my mouth to Mr. Right was "Shannon just blogged about this very problem. We should get a Dyson from all the comments I saw."

So now, it's nice to actually have proof as to why we should get one... even if I will have to rent one of my kids out to get it... seriously - not kidding if it's $400!

Anyone need a babysitter?

[wife of another atypical gamer]

Hmmmm....If only you'd done this a couple months ago, I could have maybe sucked it up and gone for the big mama as well.

[Kelley]

Congrats, Shannon! Enjoy!

[C.]

My neighbor got hers at Kohls when they had it on sale and when they were doing their get $10.00 for every $50.00 you spend. She walked out with a $400.00 vaccuum and $80.00 in free money (which she used on herself). I would have never thought about going to BBB what a great idea! I want a vacuum for our anniversary I will let you know how that works out!

[Kim]

Congrats on being a Weblog finalist and your Dyson

[John Merland]

In a strange twist of fate I just completed this entry http://mplsmerland.blogspot.com/2006/12/my-mortal-enemy-james-dyson.html
when I happened upon your site...

Happy carpet cleaning!

[Heidi]

You won't regret it! We've had this one for 3 years now and I still love and rave about it! BTW- we have 2 dogs, a toddler and a *ahem dare I say mud tracking in hubby. :)

[Keziah]

Good choice! Off to vacuum the house now as I am so excited!

[Susan]

I want the pink one. So much that I may REALLY sell one of the kids.