Things that suck.

Disclaimer: These are also not the promised surprise pictures.  They are coming, however.  After I take them.

A story:  A couple of years ago, when we moved into our condo and immediately bought a dog that was too large for the regulations, we also made another important, related purchase.  After squeezing the last drops of life out of the very used vacuum I had purchased for $20 off of a roommate in college, it was time for our very own sucking machine.  We sidled in to the Walmart down the street and dropped some hard earned cash on one of their in stock models.  Off we went, proud to clean up our brand new dog's hair with our brand new vacuum. 

Fast forward to a new house with the same dog plus a Cheerio dropping toddler, and our not-so-nice-to-begin-with Walmart vacuum was decidedly missing the mark.  An online visit to overstock.com was needed, and an order was placed for a Shark-- a brand we had heard was comparable to the legendary Dyson without the large price tag. 

It came in the mail yesterday.  While Schmoopsie and Bug worked on assembling the machine, (I don't do Styrofoam.  shudder.)  I decided to conduct an experiment.  I carefully vacummed the floors with our old machine, and then excitedly made the rounds with the new one. 

Cue gross-out mode.  Here is the cannister after one pass of the living room and half of the hall.

In case that visual doesn't get the point across, here is the first load of filth in the garbage on top of a bread bag.



So far, we are over the moon with our purchase.  Besides the all-important sucking power, which the Shark appears to have plenty of, I am also thrilled to pieces with the perfect vacuum lines it leaves when I am finished.  It's the small things in life, really.

P.S.  The title of the post.  Aren't I punny?