Reviews from

Two Men and A Boy

New carpet has it's own challenges

32 total reviews 
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Excellent
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Well written. Good work.
I have pushed your vacuum.
But I 'would' like to offer a couple hints (not counting ripping out the carpet). Check that the vacuum is on the right setting. Check that the belt is operating properly. Oh, but first check that the electricity is on.
(smiley face here)
I've been in homes where every inch of carpet area where people actually walk is covered with a rug. Now I know why.
Best wishes.

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2023


reply by the author on 13-Apr-2023
    Hello Wayne,
    thanks so much for the suggestions. Yes, it was on the correct settings, it just had so much suction that it was like trying to push an SUV across a magnetized floor. Humpwhistle had suggested inventing a riding vacuum cleaner, something I'd considered myself. How great would that be? Of course storage might be an issue, and if stairs were involved, that could be a problem, but nothing that a little ingenuity couldn't solve.
    Have a blessed day.
    Tom
Comment from jmdg1954
Excellent
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Oh I feel your pain and humiliation T.B. to speak about this. I'm sure you've widened it a bit to make it comical as you have. But still this is a great post!

I enjoyed reading it and laughing WITH you!

Cheers, my brother...
John

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2023


reply by the author on 13-Apr-2023
    Hello John,
    thanks so much for your understanding and compassionate review. I wasn't pushing the envelope too far. I should just forgo my daily exercise routine and vacuum the floor every day. What doesn't kill me would make me strong. I'm so glad you enjoyed this.
    Have a blessed day.
    Tom
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
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Okay, here's the key question: Did you apologize to Jan for secretly thinking that SHE was a wimp for not being able to push the vacuum?

Tom, don't feel bad, I have a floor rug at our entryway that is not thick like your carpet, but there's something about the fibers that make it nearly impossible to push a vacuum across it - and I AM a bodybuilder!

This was a humorous, homey slice of ordinary life that many can relate to. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Pam

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2023


reply by the author on 13-Apr-2023
    Hello Pam,
    I can't recall if I apologized or not. She is a wimp though, but that's OK. I was truly surprised at how difficult the chore was. I was glad there were no small animals or children in the path, it might have sucked them right into the canister. So, I'm curious, do you eat Wheaties for breakfast? What do body builders eat? If you ever feel the need for a workout, feel free to come up and vacuum my carpet, I won't stand in your way. Thanks so much for the humorous review gal.
    Have a blessed day.
    Tom
reply by Pam Lonsdale on 13-Apr-2023
    LOL, Tom, bodybuilders eat lots and lots of protein!
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2023
    Wow, I guess your husband doesn't argue with you much huh? By the way, how is he doing?
reply by Pam Lonsdale on 14-Apr-2023
    To be clear, I'm 15 weeks into training for my 23rd marathon next month, so I'm pretty skinny right now, lol! As soon as I'm done with that, it's back into the gym and into the pool for my cardio.

    Jim is still receiving "bad news" each time we visit one of our three doctors (oncology, urology, and radiology). More scans coming to look at possible spread, and there is a "spot" that needs to be looked at a little closer. Jim is a little depressed by the fact that as hard as he tries to do all the right things, it doesn't always seem to matter. Of course, it DOES matter, and we just have to keep chipping away at these issues.

    Thanks for asking, Tom. Take care and have a wonderful weekend.

    Pam
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2023
    Wow Pam, I'm impressed. You are one tough cookie. Ever thought of moving to Alaska? You would fit right in. I'm so sorry that Jim is still dealing with these various issues. I'm sure it's disheartening. I hope he takes comfort in the fact that so many people are praying for you both. Please keep us informed. You have a wonderful weekend too gal.
    Tom
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
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This is really amusing. Who knew carpet cleaning could be so strenuous?Ours is the cheapest possible as we had four kids between 4 and 9 years old when we had it laid. The great grandkids are between 2 and 9, so it is going to have to last a few years more.

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2023


reply by the author on 13-Apr-2023
    Hi Carol,
    I'm glad you enjoyed this. I understand about the grandkids. Ours don't visit too often, so it's not too much of an issue. We try to keep them herded into the kitchen/dining area where there is a vinyl plank flooring. Have a blessed evening gal.
    Tom
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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I clean out the church rubbish bins in the church and offices, (and there are plenty) consign the large bags to a much larger dumpster, then the vacuuming. All the ante rooms the offices, and the restaurant and the main hall with a powerful vacuum cleaner, there is a pressure relief valve near the top of the hose which makes life a little easier in the hard to vacuum areas, I'm pretty old too, heh heh, but I don't think the girls would find it easy, but it's a good work out, you should see my biceps! Enjoyed your treatise Tom, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2023


reply by the author on 12-Apr-2023
    Wow Roy,
    Good for you! I used to do janitorial work for the forest service back in Hoonah. There was a huge area to vacuum, but the carpet was like indoor/ outdoor, so the pile wasn't very high. Dolly mentioned that all the vacuuming she does gives her good abs. I told her I don't have abs, I have flabs. I'm sure she would beat me in a vacuuming contest. Have a blessed day my friend.
    Tom
reply by royowen on 13-Apr-2023
    Good job
Comment from humpwhistle
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Honestly, Tom, I consider all household chores to be backbreaking. Alas, I live alone, and I'm not part an offshoot of the porcine family, so I struggle through. To me vacuuming is the same chore as mowing the lawn. The only difference is, one is done outside. So, why don't they make self-propelled vacuum cleaners? Or, better yet, riders!

Love your story about the foibles of going first class--there's always an extra price, right?

Well done, Tom.

Peace, Lee

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2023


reply by the author on 12-Apr-2023
    Hello Lee,
    Thanks so much for the great review. Honestly, great minds think alike. I was just contemplating an indoor riding vacuum earlier in the day. Of course things like moving the furniture might be an issue, but it might be so much fun to use that you could charge people to come vacuum your floors. Getting it up the stairs would probably be a challenge, but that's what they make ramps for right?
    Have a blessed evening.
    Tom
Comment from aryr
Excellent
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The picture was absolutely perfect compared to your words and the narrative notes, Tom. I can only imagine what it was like to vacuum this particular carpet. Very well done and enjoyed immensely. Blessings!

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2023


reply by the author on 12-Apr-2023
    Hello aryr,
    thanks so much for the fine review and comments. I'm glad you enjoyed this. Fortunately the rest of the house doesn't have the newer carpet, so the only time it's a problem is when I'm doing the living room. Humpwhistle and I were just discussing the idea of having a riding vacuum cleaner, like a riding lawn mower. If it was electric, you wouldn't have to worry about fumes. It would be really advantageous if you were vacuuming a large office building with big rooms and long hallways. I better patent the idea before someone else steals it. Have a blessed evening.
    Tom
reply by aryr on 13-Apr-2023
    You are most welcome, Tom. Better get that patent.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
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This post had me laughing. Thank you for sharing it. Please keep the use of 'that' in mind.

Now, after I had my breast cancer surgeries, and a bunch of lymph nodes removed my doctor told me I would never be able to do repetitive back and forth motions example vacuuming. I had my husband do it for many years, but I now do it, just take breaks when my arm starts hurting.



Of course I didn't say that out loud, (comma after 'course')

I had to explain that I was vacuuming the carpet. I'd probably be laughed right out of the office. (omit 'that')

I think that a new sport should be introduced for the Olympics (omit 'that')

I'm glad that our living room isn't any larger. (omit 'that')

I think that the merchants who sell carpeting should have a sample of (omit 'that')

Who knew that staying tidy could be such a chore? (omit 'that')

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2023


reply by the author on 12-Apr-2023
    Oh my Barbara,
    I should have kept your previous suggestions in mind when I wrote this. Thanks for the fine review and the corrections. When I'm writing, I don't always see the problems (obviously)
    Have a blessed day.
    Tom
reply by barbara.wilkey on 12-Apr-2023
    When I write, either do I. Not a problem.
Comment from LJbutterfly
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I enjoyed this well told, humorous story. Since I could easily relate to it, I thought you would have a solution. No. You know what I've known. Nicely padded floors are difficult to vacuum.

I voiced my complaints to my daughter and a few weeks later, an Amazon box arrived at my house with a new vacuum cleaner. It was just as difficult to use. She didn't get it. It wasn't the brand, it was the weakness of the user.

Thank you for the smile, and for letting me know my husband and I are not alone.

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2023


reply by the author on 12-Apr-2023
    Hello LJ,
    I never used to have that problem. I don't know if it's just because I'm getting old and weak, or if it's because I can afford better carpet and pads and thus they are harder to vacuum. Either way, I'm stuck with the problem. I'll just make a habit of asking my kids to do it when they come over. It might make them less willing to visit so often, who knows.
    Have a blessed day.
    Tom
Comment from Mintybee
Excellent
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This made me chuckle. I like the idea of having test vacuums in carpet stores. That's clever. Your tone was consistently funny, and lightly self-mocking. It was kept me interested, was relatable, and was fun to read.
Mintybee

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2023


reply by the author on 12-Apr-2023
    Hello Mintybee,
    thanks so much for the great review and comments. I'm so glad yo enjoyed this post. You have to find the humor in situations or you'll go nuts I suppose. Have a blessed day.
    Tom