Fixed and Broken

46 comments
Life seems full of breaks and fixes. It seems like I just get one thing working and something else breaks. Do you ever feel like that? Kind of like the plate juggler trying to keep all the plates spinning on the sticks, I guess.
My 4 year old Dyson has had a complete break down. I've had little breaks now and then with plastic on the vacuum but now it just won't pick up at all. And I have to admit, at my house it gets used a ton. I have central vac in my house but my home is 15 years old and that hasn't really ever worked well so we just went to a Dyson 4 years back. True, the Dyson had a good run and I've thought of trying to have it repaired but there are several things wrong with it now and it seems like it would be throwing good money after bad at this point.

So my question for you is: Dyson or Shark? The Shark is half the cost of Dyson and promotes itself as having the same functions. I'd love some input if anyone has an opinion.I fixed my problem with my cutting mat and purchased the June Tailor on sale. I read all the various comments about color and type of cutting mat and did a little shopping research. I decided on the not so pretty color with a functionality promise and one that fits my cutting table perfectly. This is the hard surface mat (not self healing type) that is supposed to be easier on the wrist when cutting. We'll see. I'll let you know how it is after some use.
Oops my shadows in the photo. Oh well. I am working on binding my basket quilt and you can see right away my situation here. All my corners are cut off by the binding. I'm not sure how that happened. It wasn't really a problem while setting the blocks together but it is a problem next to the binding. Maybe my seam was a bit too large and maybe I just trimmed way too much. It does bug me but at this point I'm not sure there is a good fix for it. And after last week's marathon unpicking, I'm not doing that. I keep telling myself what Flora says: "It's only fabric." Allison
Allison came to visit. Look at that lovely red polish her Auntie Chelsey painted on her nails. Life is pretty darn simple when you are 5 months old. Mom takes care of all the breaks and fixes of life and you can nap all you want.

Added: Mr. Hive just phoned and said my daughter's car needs a new transmission. Another break. Oh well. I guess I'll be purchasing the Shark .

-nanette
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46 comments

Simone de Klerk said...

Congratulations on your new mat! I would go for functionality too.
Allison has a very sweet look. Such beautiful eyes!

Needled Mom said...

After spending waaay too much money on vaccuums, I bought a Kirby. Had the first one for 21 years and am on my 16th year with the second one. The only service I have had done on both of them was for belt changes. Well worth the expensive pricetags.

Your basket quilt still looks adorable!!!

Love the red toenails - soooo girlie!

Unknown said...

On the vacuum cleaning front, the only thing I can tell you is I have had a Kenmore for about 8 years, no problems. Not familiar with Dyson or Shark. Love the mat, looks really big!! The binding on your quilt is just perfect. I love the black with the dots. What a cutie that Allison is!! Love the fingernails and toes.

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Hi Nanette!

I have a Dyson and I love it! It picks up everything.

Congrats on the new cutting mat. You will have to give us your review of it.

AND Miss Allison is so super cute! I could just pinch those cheeks.

Enjoy your Monday!

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Hi Nanette!

I have a Dyson and I love it! It picks up everything.

Congrats on the new cutting mat. You will have to give us your review of it.

AND Miss Allison is so super cute! I could just pinch those cheeks.

Enjoy your Monday!

Unknown said...

You just can't get a break....my computer died on Friday and since it is not even 3 years old, I about croaked! It was a $120 fix a lot better than it was going to be. We carry on some how!
What a little cutie, love her puggie feet and hands, so cute!

Tressa said...

I would check out consumer reports and then see how they rate with price/noise/suction/etc. Libraries generally have a copy you can look at or at least print one out while you're there.

Trisha said...

Sorry about your vacuum. What a pain. So cool that your cutting mat fits your surface so well. Great idea to tape it in place. Mine is too big to tape and is always sliding around. I love the look of your basket quilt. Allison is such a cutie. I bet you just eat her up every time she visits. What a doll!

sallgood said...

I have a Kirby and an Orek. The Kirby's very heavy and it was expensive! But it's worked really well for so many years that I can't remember when I bought it.

I also have an Orek- got it when I needed an iron, and they geve one away "free" with purchase. It's my light duty upstairs vac. But light means plastic, and they just won't last like the heavy metal Kirby.

Sorry about your basket corners, but I love the polka dots with the striped handles!

Abby and Stephanie said...

I find vacuums either to cumbersome, heavy or loud. I have 3...one for each level. No recommendations. Sorry. I don't think anyone would have noticed the basket points if you hadn't told us. :o)

Catsngrams said...

I have a bagless Bissel and it is marvelous. I have never had a vacumn that works this well. My hubby just takes it out every once in a while and completely blows out all the hoses and I think that add to it's life. Cute toes and I love the quilt. I am experimenting with machine quilting and it is not as easy as it looks. Oh well practice makes perfect. Have a great week.

Jennifer said...

Vacuum cleaners just don't last like they used to. I remember my mother having the same Kirby for nearly 20 years.

Your grandbaby is adorable! I used to paint my daughter's nails when she was a baby too... and I still do today.

Jennifer :)

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

The good news things come in three, the washer, the dryer and now the vacuum! I use a Hoover Wind Tunnel with a Hepa Filter, it lasted for about 10 years and I just got a new one, the same kind. I love it
As for your quilt, leave it, only you would notice that.
And look at how big Allison is getting and such a lady with her polish!!

Sherri said...

Allison is way too cute with the red nail polish! I agree that I wouldn't have noticed the basket points if you hadn't pointed them out...and it helped me make a decision too...I have a quilt with a few basket feet cut off...I've not quilted it yet because I was going to redo about half the blocks...I don't think I will now...I think it will be fine and no one will notice!

Em said...

The baskets on the quilt are almost as cute as those toes....Just kidding, love them both!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the black for the basket handles because of the POP! If you ever feel like you need a little fixin, come by my blog and hope you will leave with a giggle!

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

I like your baskets even if the corners are cut off! Look at those little toes and fingers! She's precious:)

Mary Grace McNamara said...

Your Dyson looks like it could use a little professional tune up. I bet it would work like new if you took it in for some regular maintenance. I've had mine for about 6 years and about every 6 months, I take it apart and clean it real well, take the beater bar off and remove all the hair and thread and stuff, clean the filters and everything. I've never had a problem with it. It's worth the money to pay for a tune up!

MGM

Thimbleanna said...

It's always something, isn't it? We have a huge list of things that need to be done -- and none of them are happening at the moment -- I think I'm in analysis paralysis! (Not that the transmission we replaced in December required any analysis, but still....)

As for vacuums -- is there any chance that you could find an old used/rebuilt Kirby somewhere? I've had mine for 25 years and it's been a workhorse. My mom has had hers for even longer -- we love them!

Brandie said...

So sorry about all the breaks. Don't let it get you down.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Oh, Nanette, I am so sorry, and I know exactly what you mean. After I told you how much I liked my GE washer - it broke. Not quite 2 years old and the motor burned out. We ended up replacing the machine. This past weekend the water heater, again almost two years old, quit. Fortunately it had a 9-year warranty! They sent a repairman out on Saturday and we're back in business at no cose to us. But is does seem to always be something. Are things just not lasting as long? Sure seems so.

Annette said...

They say things come in three's...the car made three so maybe you are okay for a while now. Hopefully. Little Allison is so precious. I love her cute "toe-berries" (as my daughter calls her baby's toes).

Joanna said...

We had a Shark, and it sucked...and not like a good vacuum should! We love our Dyson. We've had it for 3 years (the DC 17 Animal) and it's fabulous. The amount of pet hair it picks up is amazing!

Love your little quilt. Can't wait to see how the cutting mat works out for you.

pratima said...

Congrats on the new cutting mat! It fits so well on your cutting table :)
The corners of the baskets doesn't seem very noticable, Nanette. I'm looking forward to see the prettiness of it all when you're done with binding!
Allison is just the sweetest! So cute :D

Jan said...

Oh so sorry your Dyson has bit the dust! I've heard good reviews on the Shark and I believe it costs a lot less. We have an Oreck, but I'd love something else cuz it doesn't have any attachments. It is light as a feather tho. Love the new mat; and for the record ... I didn't even notice those missing points on the baskets :) It's gonna be lovely and Miss Allison is a cutie pie :)

Lynn said...

Do you remember when people had appliances that lasted for years and years. My mother got a vacuum for a wedding gift and had it for 45 years before it died. My father replaced the cord and plug a couple of times but it lasted forever. I'm on my 4th vacuum in 20 years. My current on is a Meile I've had 5 years and I like it alot it. Darling picture - how on earth did Aunt Chelsea get her to sit still while putting on the polish. That must take lots of patience. Lucky little girl with so many aunts

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

So sorry about all the breaks. Based on the performance of my Shark iron, I wouldn't recommend a Shark vacuum. I have two Hoovers...a Windtunnel for the first floor and a smaller vac for the upstairs bedrooms. Allison is so cute!

Nedra said...

Our little grand daughter sits in the very same pink seat. Aren't they the cutest?
We've had a series of things go kaput here too. Must be something in the air.

Pat said...

Love that red nail polish on your little sweet grandbaby!!! Sorry about the things breaking down. Doesn't it always seem to come in bunches? *sigh*

Ginger Patches said...

I totally know what you mean about stuff always breaking. Especially vacuums and cars...and refrigerators and....I'll stop. Like a friend of mine says every time something breaks or goes wrong "Well it's not heaven yet". I didn't realize that there were non-self healing mats. I will await your review!

badlandsquilts said...

I love the charcoal grey sweater Allison is wearing, so cute with the nailpolish!

I have a Kenmore progressive vacuum (the one that won the consumer reports awards) and have been happy with it...long hose and the attachments are so narrow I can really clean out the lint in my dryer.

I need a new mat soon so I'll be watching for your feedback.

Carrie P. said...

When it rains it pours.
I have a yellow Dyson and I had to get the beater bar fixed a year after I got it. Maybe the Shark is better. I don't know much about them.
Glad you were able to decide on a mat. Let us know how it works.

Sentimentally Me said...

HI Nannette!

Love your bloggie AND all your quilts! I've had a dyson for 3 yrs. Hate it. Cheaply made. Latest issue is the hose splitting. Just ordered a new one, but you have to order directly from Dyson and then have a local vacuum guy put it in. NOT AT ALL HAPPY with it and wish the darn thing would just die all together so I could justify the expense of a new one. I vote for the SHARK :) Patrice

Sentimentally Me said...

HI Nannette!

Love your bloggie AND all your quilts! I've had a dyson for 3 yrs. Hate it. Cheaply made. Latest issue is the hose splitting. Just ordered a new one, but you have to order directly from Dyson and then have a local vacuum guy put it in. NOT AT ALL HAPPY with it and wish the darn thing would just die all together so I could justify the expense of a new one. I vote for the SHARK :) Patrice

Jana said...

Hope you enjoy the new mat! I bought a larger one too and am just waiting for it to get here. We will both have to compare what we think of it after using it for awhile. The verdict is out on the smaller one I bought. I loved it at first but took it to the cabin over the weekend and the white lettering comes off when you cut. A bit irritating to say the least. I hope I didn't steer you wrong---that certainly wasn't in any of the reviews I read!!!

Cathi said...

I seem to go through vacuum cleaners in a couple of years. My mom had a Hoover that lasted for years and years and years. Wish I could find one of those!

strawberrycream39 said...

Hi Nanette! Ugh, when it rains it pours! Well, about the vacuum, I also have a Dyson and I love that thing like it's a member of the family. LOL Since yours is only 4 years old, I would go on the Dyson website and see where you can get it serviced. They could at least take a look at it and tell you how much it would be to repair.

I don't know about the Shark...just don't buy a Dirt Devil! Loudest and heaviest vacuums ever!

Kim D. said...

I had a Sears canister vac for about 22 years, it finally looked so old I bought a new one. Put the old one in the garage for the cars. Love it and never had a bit of trouble with either one. Bought a small shark dustbuster type for our RV and boy does it have power, love it for the small stuff. I don't know about the larger one.

Love the polka dot border, sorry about your points. I hate it when that happens. No one will notice unless you point it out. It's beautiful! Allison is a cutie, love the polished nails and tootsies.

dee said...

Run from the Shark-like the wind...run
After having a great super sucker like the Dyson, you'll be horrified.
If you can't find a Kirby-get another Dyson. Nothing like the suction on those two.
Hope this helps.

Momoo said...

Allison is growing so quickly, such a living doll. Love her red toenails. I will be interested to see how your new mat works out, I've noticed stores no longer carry the large mats like my old one. I love being able to have half of my dining table covered with the mat.
Your basket quilt is coming along nicely, looking forward to the finished quilt.

Sherry said...

Your basket quilt is sooo cute. Speaking of cute, Allison looks adorable with her red nail polish!

Unknown said...

I guess after reading all of these comments I have a question, shouldn't a Dyson that cost hundreds of dollars last longer than 4 years???? I woudl go for the Kenmore...I also had a basic Eureka for 15 years, it seems that a vacum should last at least 10 years that costs that kind of money! Just my 2 cents worth! :)

Gayle said...

Eureka, The Boss SmartVac...the best vacuum I ever bought! I went shopping with the intent to buy a Dyson, and the salesperson highly recommended this (at about 1/4th the cost of the Dyson). It's the best one I've ever owned...it's a little loud but powerful.

Caesar Beezer The Wonder Dog said...

My Dyson died 6 months ago...I was so mad!! It was only 3 years old...so I decided to have it repaired...cost me $150! It works now but not like it did so about a month ago I went to Target and bought the new Wind Tunnel...it was $99 and it sucks up EVERYTHING!! I don't care if it only last me a year - it's worth it! We've had about 10 vacuums in 30 years of marriage...let me know if you get the Shark! And Little Allison couldn't be any cuter! xo, The Other Nanette

Lina said...

Nanette, we have the same vacuum and problem... no more suction? right? Take it apart, clean and change the filter. You'll have the same powerful suction.

Allison is so CUTE!

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