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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Old Relics and Duct Tape

What is it about this old bucket of bolts and hoses that I just can't part with? I've had this vacuum cleaner for more than 20 years going right back to my wild, crazy and independent single days.

Maybe that's the connection.

Could this old vacuum somehow symbolize that life and how it was sucked right out of me with the onset of middle age, marriage, motherhood and menopause? Is it now trapped somewhere deep inside this old vacuum among the dust and dirt?

I guess I've got issues.

Either way, in spite of having central vac roughed in for the past three years, I cringe every time my husband threatens to install a shiny new vacuum system and kick this old relic to the curb. I've even had the motor replaced and the worn out cord repaired.



Just like new, or so I thought. I was using it yesterday and wondered if the bag was full because I wasn't getting enough power. Then I felt the breeze on my hand and spied the damage where years of dragging the old thing around had finally caused the hose to separate from the top of the suction bar.

No problem, I went out last night and bought a nice big roll of duct tape. Hell, you can't even notice the repair, the tape is the same color as the hose and I've got the rest of the roll to keep right on taping it.

Good as new once again, at least for today!

Am I the only one who has an old appliance that they won't part with no matter how ridiculous it is to hang on to? How about your own duct tape stories. What have you used it to repair that should be put to rest in the nearest landfill?
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38 comments:

Matty said...

LOLOLOLOL........is the same woman who posted about her husband holding on to things?? LMAO

Anonymous said...

I wish I could get more than 2 years out of a vacuum cleaner.

Ally said...

A little less than two years ago we got a Dyson for our bridal shower. I called them because we were having problems with our Dyson hand held vac and I learned that I'm supposed to be cleaning the filters and all this maintenance stuff I never thought to do. I better get on it because for 400 something bucks, I don't want to have to get a new one--even if it was a gift!

Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing

Ally said...

PS My husband uses duct tape to tape up all of our wires. Our cat eats through them and has destroyed many of our electronics :(

Bunnym said...

besides duct taping my mouth...I use it for quite a lot of stuff...taking the cat hair off the pillows, taping the cat car box at the bottom because my cats fall through it, placing it on fabric when I want to stencil or print a straight line...a fireman costume using yellow duct tape for my grandson...and on and on.
What would we do with out it? hmmmm..

tootles,
bunnyh

Frugal Vicki said...

You must be awesome at keeping up at the vacuuming. Because I SUCK at it (literally, no pun intended) and I rarely have a vacuum for more than two years!

Connie K said...

Wow i thought i was the only one who goes through vacuums so quickly about once a year for me i think am just hard on them :) I think you should get a new one :) treat yourself !

Unknown said...

Duct tape is the best thing since sliced bread! Seriously, just think of all the money you are saving in having to replace a 20 year old vacuum? You're ingenuous!

Kathy said...

I love my Sears cannister vacs, but they don't make them like they used to. My first one lasted for years...but not 20 of them.

As for duct tape...I recently learned that it is a great cure for a plantars wart on the bottom of your foot. I had one that I had been treating for months. A friend told me she'd heard about duct tape curing them...I googled it, and sure enough, it was there. Tried it and it works! Who knew???

Dee at Pedestrian Palate said...

My vaccum is 12 years old, missing a cover and all the utensils are gone. . .and the only way you're getting it is when they pry it out of my 100 year old fingers after I go.

Unknown said...

My son came home the other day with duct tape on the crotch of his pants. Apparently he had developed a small hole tht decided to become a big hole in a bad area to do that. Schools answer. Duct tape his crotch o f his jeans closed..

Amber said...

You and my husband would get along great! He thinks you can fix or repair anything with duct tape :)
As for hanging onto old appliances, does a 5 year old hair dryer count? I just can't bear to get rid of this beast. It only has two temps...blazing hot or room temp. It has also literally shot out a flame or two while I was using it (true story!) I'm still hanging on to it though!

Dual Mom said...

I don't think I own duct tape. Perhaps the boys have some in their bedroom.

I'm a thrower outer. Stuff that doesn't work properly drives me crazy.

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

I get weird emotional attachments to appliances too. I hate the whole throw-out nature of our culture. I still have an electric typewriter from when I first started getting poems published in the mid 80's. I don't use it, but I won't toss it.
And duct tape is AMAZING!

One Photo said...

Er yes, I think you have a similar problem to the one your husband has, only in your case it is household objects and not clothes!!!

Simply Suthern said...

If a vacuum cleaner really sucks, is that a good thing?? Duct Tape is like "The Force". It has a dark side and a light side and it holds everything together.

Stephanie said...

Duct tape is for everything! If you can't fix it with duct tape around here you throw it out or call in the professionals. There is no in between:)

Caution/Lisa said...

The absolute illogic of it is wonderful.

The only thing I've held onto that long is my husband and that is only because we are duct taped together.

Unknown said...

Did you ever tried to duct tape your boobs together?! Long story …..Involve a dress and big important date…So embarrassing!
Anat

Buckeroomama said...

I don't think we own duct tape! :( I'm totally not handy, so even if we have duct tape, I probably might not even think of doing that!

Mama-Face said...

I'm the only relic in my house.

I am also known as the murderer of vacuums. I don't know what I do...but I've killed far too many. :)

Danielle said...

Shit, I can't even hang on to a man for more than a couple of months. So an appliance is domed!

Anonymous said...

Duct tape is my hubby's best friend. Something needs fixed, get the duct tape lol! I have my grandma's hand mixer. This thing is older than me and still works. Hubby wants to get me a new one but I love the one I have. Makes me feel good to use something that my grandma used. She passed away when I was 8 and I miss her dearly.

Posh Totty said...

Several parts on my vacuum cleaner are duct taped together lol. My vacuum is about a billion years old, very big and very ugly, but being a kirby it is super powerful and nothing cleans quite like it, so it will stay duct taped as long as it keeps performing well.

Posh Totty said...

As I finished typing my last comment, my mobile phone went and it reminded me, my mobile phone is also duct taped together right now ... now that is highly embarrassing lol.

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Unknown said...

Well... I love getting new appliances so I can't really say I'm much into the duct tape- my kids like it though ;-)

Macey said...

I don't hold on to anything like that. I love shopping and if I have to get something boring like a new vacuum, then damn it, that scratch is annoying me and we need a new one!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Yep, part of this chicks fix it arsenal along with Gorilla Glue and WD~40! A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! Good as new, baby!

God bless and have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

MrsBlogAlot said...

I think it says a whole lot of great things about a person who hangs on and repairs for years rather than discarding at the first sign of age or disrepair. I bet not only the old vac is lucky to have you (-:

Together We Save said...

Duct Tape fixes everything... and it comes in so many colors why not use it! LOL

Tammy said...

I am laughing at your very loved vacuum! My mom had hers for years and years and years...:) I like uprights and have gone through way too many to count (I use to be an obsessive vacuumer). LOL Duct tape is the best. Why not use it, if it fixes things!

Sarah at The Stroller Ballet said...

I throw out anything and everything. My husband accuses me of not being sentimental, at all, and I guess I'm not. But I think this is a very sweet story, despite my strong need to purge!

sitting on the mood swing at the playground said...

I save lots of stuff but a broken appliance goes in the trash.

lifewithquads said...

I finally had to let go of my 15 year old Kirby. Well, that's not exactly true. I was starting to get unhappy with it so one Saturday my husband just went out and bought a new vaccum. The Kirby is still in the closet. lol

Heather said...

Just a few days ago, I threw out hubby's duct taped item. A cooler lunch box that I know had to be at least 15 yrs old. Everytime it got a crack in the plastic, it got duct taped. It finally had to be completely covered in the stuff. So glad to be rid of it!

Time to move on and give that old vacuum a decent funeral.

gayle said...

I wish my vacumn would break so I could get a new one!! Everything I love breakds and everything I hate seems to last forever!!

cheeky rose said...

No duct tape, but i have had 4vacuum in 10 years, one I gave away because it reminded me of mhy X, two were second hand and I still have, they are good machine, Yeh I know they are not working and the last is a Vac, the belt has snapped twice, what can I say.