The "anaconda" has to go.......

The "anaconda" is in fact my central vac system.  In theory it is a great machine, but having to drag a 50 foot hose with you wherever you go, gets annoying pretty fast.

So I have turned my focus to one of these; a Dyson cordless vacuum:

Now I have no experience with any of these; but Dyson has a good name.  They are expensive and there are different models.

The Dyson V6 Slim retails for $399.99
The Dyson V6 + retails for $499.99 and is pictured above
The Dyson V8 Animal retails for $599.99
The Dyson V8 Absolute retails for $699.99

Now which model is the best?  Do I buy the most expensive or just go with the cheapest?  Has anyone had any experience with these?  Should I be looking at another brand?

Currently I try not to vacuum more than twice a week.  We mainly have hardwood in this house with the bedrooms being carpet and the area rugs on the floors elsewhere.

I will not be buying this anytime soon.  It's on my wish list; like a 48 inch tv is on dh's wish list!!!

Thank you so much..

We are very touched by your thoughts and concern and really appreciate what you have said.  It's getting easier, only had tears a couple of times on Sunday.  We are getting used to our routine's minus Molly.  I swear the chipmunks were constantly looking into the house on Saturday looking for Molly.  We are leaving the table in front of the window as we enjoy watching the squirrels, chipmunks and birds feeding.  However there is something missing and it does tug at your heart:

On Saturday we went out mainly to give us something else to think about other than our dear Molly.  We went to the dreaded Wal-Mart and I bought this vacuum cleaner:

Ironic it has all the pet features, it was however recommended by the assistant manager in the store, as we were talking to him.

I am not sure if you can see it clearly but see the amount of dirt and hair it picked up.  It has major sucking powder that's for sure.

We paid around the $100 mark after taxes.  I did notice a huge difference in my rugs, and they look a lot cleaner.

Anyhow, onwards and upwards as they say.............

Home of the week and more on vacuums

Although pricey at $4.4 million this week's "Home of the Week," has a lot of good things going for it.  Love, love the kitchen that is a perfect kitchen for me and my tastes, I wouldn't change a thing, though not sure about the maintenance of the soapstone counter tops?  The owners seem to have a bit of a fetish for ladders, they are everywhere.  DO NOT like the red bathroom and I personally can't see the point of the hot tub on the roof top deck?   I also think the choice of art work is to modern for the period of the house.  Other wise if someone was giving it too me, I wouldn't say no!!!

It's now past cottage season they are all closed up for the winter, so no Cottages of the Week for a while now.  So we jump right into the "Condo of the Week," and I'll pass on this one!!! It does not feel like a home at all.  I am guessing by the closet a guy lives there on his own?  It feels so sterile and unloved to me, how about you?

There was an article announcing the opening of a new restaurant in Toronto called "Skin and Bones."  Now I don't know about you but that name really turns me off that restuarant?  I can onlyimagine what they are going to be serving up!!!

I published another book review here.

I was out all day on Thursday and it was nippy cold.  We had a hard frost in the morning.  Still no heating on, but did put the fire on first thing in the morning.  I am hoping to go another week or two before putting the heating on, wish me luck!

When do you normally put your heating on?

I went into Wal-mart on Thursday and saw a couple of Eureka vacuums including this one  So I may pop in there on the weekend and have another look at them.

Question for you all......

My vacuum cleaner is on the fritz.  I picked up the part I needed for the power head today and it was around $12 + so no too bad.  However I need a new hose, a couple of new filters and some bags.  The hose is $138, by the time I get the rest of the stuff it will be cheaper buying a new vacuum cleaner.  Its a Sears canister vacuum cleaner by the way.

I have mainly wood floors in the house, but I do have area rugs that I need to vacuum on a daily basis to get rid of the dog hair.  I called in at Canadian Tire on the way home and they had a number of vacuum's on sale, some for under $100.  As money is tight at the moment, I would prefer to keep it under $100.  If I had plenty of money I would buy a Dyson like this one:

So my question to you what would you suggest?  Do you have a cheaper vacuum that works well and where did you get it from.  For those of you in other countries outside of North America, just give me the name and model number and maybe I can find a similar on here in Canada.

I tend to lean towards canister ones rather than upright ones.  Also which is best, bagless or one with bags?