Choosing a Vacuum Cleaner

I hate shopping in general. The whole physical process of going out among other shoppers to look for something I might or might not buy is such a pain I would rather have another root canal … while giving birth.

I hate shopping for major appliances especially, but they are necessary. My husband will ask me what kind of dishwasher or oven I want and I give him a blank, deer in the headlights stare. We have discussed before on this blog how I was not born with 100% of my female genes and so the shopping and decorating thing just skips over me.

Alas, with my big and messy family, things like a washing machine, a dryer, a vacuum cleaner are all necessities to keep things clean. Comparison shopping is a pain! I hate perusing site after site to figure out the best price and best ratings.

I really have to check something like a vacuum cleaner out online before I buy because the kids help do chores now. That means the vacuum goes BUMP BONK BANG up and down the stairs and vacuums up Lord knows what, like Perler (iron on) beads, various LEGO pieces and STRING. I don’t know if you know this, but vacuum cleaners LOVE string. Not.

Photo courtesy of Household Appliance Judge

So I need an online site what helps a girl out by saving her some time. I need a site that has done all that work for me! This article makes it a little easier to choose from the wide variety of vacuums out there. I hope you find it helpful and that it keeps you from pulling your hair out before shopping.

This is the part where Household Appliance Judge comes in! For vacuums specifically, they even help me out by giving tips on handheld vacuums (yes, please, since things find themselves in crevices all over the house), vacuums under $200 (yes, please, since our grocery budget now matches our monthly mortgage), and best for Berber carpet (which is, why oh why oh why?, what we have had in our kitchen for 15 years!).

All this is to say I need a vacuum cleaner than can work with our hard-wood living room, Berber kitchen, shag-ish upstairs and I-have-no-clue-what-it-is family room downstairs.

It even talks about the best car vacuums, which I desperately need, especially since I got the huge van. I need to know which one has the longest cord, for one thing! Mr. Kerrie is always getting on me about letting the kids eat in the van but when you feel like you live in it and your kids are growing like weeds, you do the culinary math!

Conversely, I also need to know which vacuum cleaner can best make a ponytail, like we did with one of our kids here. This means it will need some killer attachments.

Check it out and you could save a lot of time, which is something we can all appreciate! I’m heading there now since our vacuum is getting pretty old and it’s about time to replace it! Wish me luck!

*2015* Fall Jamberry's Retiring Wraps List: Going, Going, Gone!

Have files of article reprints that you own but have no clue where to start reselling them? Have ideas for some fantastic new pieces but no idea who might want them? Check out my 386-page PDF of tips, tricks, and insider information, as well as 384 paying parenting and family markets for only $9.99! Just head to this page to download How to Get Published (and Paid!) Writing About Your Kids and get started immediately!

Sign up for an email subscription to The Published Parent and get two amazing freebies: 10 Parenting Markets That Pay $100+ and 10 Markets That Pay Writers to Write About Writing! And join my Facebook group called Parenting Magazine Writers ... it's FREE and full of tips and tricks and markets and like-minded writer friends!

OMG My Mother Was Right About Everything

My mom gave me this and I had to get a shot of my own daughter holding it!

Runs/Walks in Kansas City: Monster Dash October 24, 2015

Before I was the homeschooling writer mom of 5, I used to love to walk all the time as a stress reliever and to stay in shape. Walking is something you can do as a parent anytime, but now that my youngest is 5 and my oldest is 14, it's a lot easier for me to fit in time for my own fitness. Over the winter I walked some at the gym on the treadmill and track. Now I can walk the neighborhood or the field at the school by my house. I'm not a jogger or a runner yet ... special equipment needed for my upper lady parts ... but might be someday! For now I walk in my OOFOS sandals because they are the most comfy thing I have ever worn and work perfectly for summertime.

Because I love walking so much, I'll be posting upcoming walk/runs in Kansas City as I find them. This does not mean I'll be participating in all of them, so don't show up expecting me to sign autographs or anything. I MIGHT or MIGHT NOT be there, depending on household funds at the time, Mr. Kerrie's travel situation, my sanity level, etc. Enjoy the race info, and go out and find some in your town!

What: Monster Dash 5K and Lil Monsters Fun Run

When: Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 7 a.m.

Where: City Market

The Monster Dash 5K is proud to have Newhouse as the charity partner for the event. The mission of Newhouse is to break the cycle of domestic violence by providing the tools which allow women to make positive choices and lead self-sufficient lives. The organization provides shelter and therapy, children's services, community education, legal advocacy, and a 24-hour hotline.


Fun facts: my uncle used to coach track at a high school in Lee's Summit for many years and my dad has taken up jogging ... it's in my blood! (Happy birthday to my grandma today, mother of both of these cool guys!)

Check the link (above after WHAT) for more info!

P.S. I get my info from the fabulous KC Running Company website.

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day a couple of years ago with an update.

When you're all done, you'll be hungry! Grab a copy of my Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook and whip up a batch of happiness for dinner!

Take Your Kids Ice Skating This Winter #winterbucketlist

*originally published December 20, 2013

I have to admit I did not brave ice skating with the kids until last spring when Mr. Kerrie was off work one Friday. There's a twice a month homeschool skate at KC Ice Center and it's only $3 per kid (adults are free) and it includes skate rental!

There's also a roller skate that's monthly at Skate City but I haven't braved that yet. The problem is that it's more expensive, jam-packed with people (I hear) and you pay to rent those walker thingies and I also might never leave the skating rink if my butt got out on roller skates. I do love skating in circles to Blondie and Queen, friends.

Both times Mr. Kerrie went/is going, but I am ready to take it on myself if Samuel continues to skate around like BOSS OF THE RINK! We went on Eva's birthday for something fun to do but Eva, it turns out, HATES skating! Callie loves it, though, so we keep going. And it's good exercise.