This post is a work of fiction sponsored by Boyes & Farina. You can find the first section of this story here. Enjoy!

Mary rose from her wicker rocker and turned off the table lamp. Night had fallen while she sat lost in her memories. Now it was full dark except for the light of the moon and the twinkling stars. She could find her way through this old house blindfolded if she had to. Fortunately she wasn’t required to prove that tonight. Lights had been left on all over the house when everyone had left. She headed towards the staircase turning lights off as she went.

Morning came as it always does. Mary turned onto her right side and stared at the side of the bed where David had slept. Tears filled her eyes and she wondered how long it would take until the pain of his passing quit shocking her at every turn. She ran her hand lightly across his pillow and turned her thoughts to her morning prayers.

“Father, thank you for the wonderful years that you gave us with David. Thank you for making him the fine man he was. And thank you for not making him linger in pain. I don’t think my heart could have stood watching that. Please tell him I love him. And that we’ll be fine! Amen”

It wasn’t a long prayer but Mary didn’t think the good Lord minded. She sprinkled little prayers all through her day and she thought that was pretty close to what He had in mind when He had told His people to pray without ceasing. She sighed, patted David’s pillow again, and then eased herself out of the bed.

After dressing, Mary opened the curtains and gazed out on the morning sunshine. It was early but soon enough children would be riding bikes up and down the street and screaming their way through yard sprinklers. This had always been a wonderful place to live with children and she supposed, in a way, it was selfish for her to stay here alone. These walls, this yard, it almost seemed to yearn for the vitality that comes with a young family. And somewhere there was undoubtedly a young family yearning for the sanctuary of this home.

“Doggone it, Lord! Am I going to have to admit that they were right and listen to the lot of them muttering platitudes like ‘it’s for the best!’ It’s bad enough that I lost my husband, and will have to give up my house, but if I have to listen to I told you so … I’m liable to lose my mind!”

Mary continued to mutter prayers as she made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen. She put coffee on to brew and then sat at her desk to make a to-do list to keep her on task through the day.  First item was to call Jupiter Trust Litigation to start making plans for the rest of her life.

Mourning and Morning is a post written by Beth Zimmerman . Please consider visiting the post, on Masterpiece - created to love people and bring glory to God, to leave a comment and find similar content. I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, or Twitter Thanks! Beth

I used to be a naturally organized neat freak … with a phenomenal memory! My house was nearly spotless and my chore list full of check marks. I had phone numbers, birthdays, and appointments stored in my physical brain from which I could retrieve those facts quickly and easily. I knew where everything was … even if I wasn’t the one who put it there! My husband was renowned for asking, usually in frustration, “Where is my thingie?” and I could not only accurately guess which thingie he was talking about but tell him where to find it! I tried using various organization methods and planners but found them to be a waste of time since I remembered all that stuff anyway. Why waste time writing it down? Those days are gone! Faded into the dust with the rest of my memories! So I recently decided that if I was going to survive, and treat this blogging gig as a business, I needed to get organized! To facilitate this goal I purchased 2 planners.

I looked at several blog organizer options and ultimately decided to purchase one from Dani Schnakenberg, of Simplify Mommyhood. (affiliate link) Options included a spiral bound print version or a PDF version and a choice of covers. Trying to keep my life simple I purchased the spiral bound planner with a trio of flowers on a blue cover. Once I have filled this up I will most likely choose the PDF version, for a future purchase, so that I can create my own (blog themed) cover and have it spiral bound at Office Depot. Not sure yet how that will compare cost wise.

I took several photos of the organizer to share with you (and realized that the light in my house is very yellow) but I will share more details here of the features of this planner.

Calendars – annual calendars for 2013 & 2014 plus monthly calendars for 12 months. These are blank calendars (not dated) so you can start at any point in time and use the planner for the next 12 months. Being VERY Type A this is important to me because it would be hard to force myself to leave all those bank pages from January – April!

Post Planners – Rough outlines for Post Ideas. Write those ideas down when you have them. Then when you have time … the ideas will be waiting for you! LOTS of pages for this! Also a spot on each page is a box to jot down inspirations or theme ideas.

Series Planners -A section to plan out several blog series; title, dates/frequency, post ideas, and bloggers you want to have guest post for you

Guest Posts – both incoming and outgoing, includes blogger, topic, and dates sent/received, scheduled, and published

Finances – If we’re going to even attempt to treat blogging as a business we need to track the income and the outgo. This section covers both beautifully!

Website Information – Analytics tracking on one neatly organized page. Affiliates page includes login and payout info. A Login Tracker. (Because we are supposed to change those logins often!) Link Parties organized by day. Great tool for those of us who are self appointed meme-queens!

Giveaways & Reviews – Information on any giveaways or reviews that you post on your blog and a spot to write down ideas about business/brands that you would like to work with.

Notes – Lined sheets to keep track of any random thoughts that don’t fit in the other sections. Or for doodling!

Now … onto the Life Planner. I wasn’t sure if I really NEEDED this one. I use the Google Calendar and will continue to do so but this Organizer from ErinCondren.com was on sale, strongly recommended by a number of people, customizable, and so cute that I decided to give it a try! (As far as I can tell this website doesn’t have an affiliate program. Tell ‘em I sent you anyway. LOL)

There were a number of options for cover design. I chose *favorite things* which asked me to type a comma separated list of my favorite things which would then be printed in beautiful rainbow colors on both covers of my planner. I actually had to cut my original list in about half because there was a limited number of characters for this option.  The cover also has my name printed in gold. Here’s my list:

Jesus, family, home, marriage, Bert, sunshine, fresh sheets, daisies, friends, hope, rainbows, ocean, mountains, Bible, candles, stories, new mercies, butterflies, old lace, chunky jewelry, blogging, Masterpiece, writer, Tulsa, blue jeans, Isaiah 41:10, country roads, pearls, pine trees, mercy, waterfalls, Coke Zero, faith, bulky sweaters, Crocs, Facebook, Isaiah 66:9, thunderstorms, photo albums, Josiah, sea shells, denim, faith, iPad, sunsets, Oklahoma, holding hands, church, dimples, warm vanilla sugar, satin sheets, John 10:29, forgiveness, quilts, baskets, pottery, naps, music, praise, sea glass, mani-pedi, text messages, love notes, flower power, twinkle lights, “BwaHaHaHa!” audio books, my computer, Twitter, prayers, words, truth, bubble baths, turquoise, sterling silver, dreams, hugs, open windows, porch swings, rocking chairs, iPod, grace, Pinterest,, sailboats, lighthouses, boho style, Maine, flip flops, Zephaniah 3:17, worship, laughter, love, memories, fresh starts

When I open this little beauty up the first few pages are designated to birthdays and anniversaries. Then there is a 2 page layout calendar that covers 18 months. Because I purchased this planner in April I chose an option to buy just April – December (at a lower cost) so there is one section for each of those months. First a 2 page layout that covers the whole month and then a 2 page weekly layout with each day divided into morning, day, and night. There’s also a small one month calendar and a section to track goals and to do lists each month.

One of my favorite things about this planner is that it truly is beautiful! Each page is printed in vibrant colors. April is teal and lilac. May is pink and mint green. June is the red and green of a ripe watermelon. July is … red, white and blue! August brings the greens and golds of harvest. September – green and purple. October comes in brown, orange and gold. November is tan and teal. And Christmas … well … it’s blue and green!

Another feature that I LOVE is the inspirational quotes and friendly little embellishments throughout the organizer. So pretty! And feminine without being girly-girl!

After the calendars there are a number of lined and unlined pages for taking notes, jotting down thoughts, or just doodling. Then there’s a page for important numbers followed by a page  to keep track of contact info. I was a little surprised that this is JUST the one page but then again … we keep most of that data in our computers these days and only need SOME of our contact file to be stored in our life planner. Besides … who wants to fill all of that in every single year? Not me!

Next comes one of my favorite sections. STICKERS! There is page after page of cute colorful stickers for adorning the calendar pages of the planner. Printed stickers include birthday, play, concert, hair appt, doc appt, dentist appt, no work, no school, mani/pedi, girl’s night, sale, vegas (?), camping, vacation, wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, date night, massage, babysit, vote, party, game, and payday. Then there’s a page of blank stickers so you can make your own.

Finally come two sections to help me (or you) stay organized. A pocket page titled “keep it together” to hold stamps, greeting cards, etc. And then a plastic zip bag to hold small items that would be easy to lose. Knowing me … I should put the stamps in there!

And, just to make this even more fun, Erin Condren threw in a sample pack of gift labels (just a little something from Beth), some “let’s get together” contact cards, and some other colorful stickers personalized with my name.

Now I just need to USE these things!

Organize Me is a post written by Beth Zimmerman . Please consider visiting the post, on Masterpiece - created to love people and bring glory to God, to leave a comment and find similar content. I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, or Twitter Thanks! Beth

I’m never quite sure what to call it when I listen to an audiobook. Is it reading even though I’m listening? This is my First World Problem for today … not knowing the right word! And spending 2 hours soaking acrylic nails off because I can’t afford to maintain them right now!

A couple of months ago, I was first introduced to Brennan Manning, when he died and several people commented on Facebook about his passing. Then my friend Tracie, of From Tracie, wrote a post about how his writing had impacted her life and I was intrigued enough to add The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out and All Is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir to my Audible Library. I listened to both of those and a week or so later purchased two more: Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging and Souvenirs of Solitude: Finding Rest in Abba’s Embrace. I devoured both of those rather quickly and “read” Ragamuffin Gospel and Abba’s Child again! Then I picked up the last two of his books available through Audible: The Furious Longing of God and Patched Together: A Story of My Story.

These books have been exactly what my heart has needed to hear at this time in my life. In fact, I started my third time through Abba’s Child last night. I will probably pick up a print copy as well to make it easier to highlight. (Ever tried to highlight an audiobook?) So much wisdom in those pages!

“In Love’s service, only wounded soldiers can serve.”

Thornton Wilder via Brennan Manning

I have also begun to strongly consider looking for a way to go on a solitary retreat, some time soon, for a week or two. The thought of being alone with God, nature, my Bible, a journal, and a good inspirational book or two, is really appealing! I’m not sure my life is ever quiet enough for me to clearly hear God’s voice and I would really like it to be.

“I want neither a terrorist spirituality that keeps me in a perpetual state of fright about being in right relationship with my heavenly Father nor a sappy spirituality that portrays God as such a benign teddy bear that there is no aberrant behavior or desire of mine that he will not condone. I want a relationship with the Abba of Jesus, who is infinitely compassionate with my brokenness and at the same time an awesome, incomprehensible, and unwieldy Mystery. ”

Brennan Manning

Among other thoughts that Manning has managed to get through my rather hard head is the total love and acceptance that Abba (God) has for me just as I am!

“It takes a profound conversion to accept that God is relentlessly tender and compassionate toward us just as we are—not in spite of our sins and faults (that would not be total acceptance), but with them.”

Brennan Manning

“To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life story, the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side I learn who I am and what God’s grace means.”

Brennan Manning

I think these are books that I will read and/or listen to repeatedly, gleaning new treasures each time! And I will, undoubtedly, share many of those treasures with you! In the meantime if you can choose just ONE of his books to start your own Brennan Manning collection, I heartily recommend The Ragamuffin Gospel or Abba’s Child. Especially Abba’s Child but in many ways it builds on Ragamuffin Gospel.

“To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life story, the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side I learn who I am and what God’s grace means.”

“My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.”

“Real freedom is freedom from the opinions of others. Above all, freedom from your opinions about yourself. ”

“Christianity is not primarily a moral code but a grace-laden mystery; it is not essentially a philosophy of love but a love affair; it is not keeping rules with clenched fists but receiving a gift with open hands.”

“Do you believe that the God of Jesus loves you beyond worthiness and unworthiness, beyond fidelity and infidelity—that he loves you in the morning sun and in the evening rain—that he loves you when your intellect denies it, your emotions refuse it, your whole being rejects it. Do you believe that God loves without condition or reservation and loves you this moment as you are and not as you should be.”

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

I Am A Ragamuffin is a post written by Beth Zimmerman . Please consider visiting the post, on Masterpiece - created to love people and bring glory to God, to leave a comment and find similar content. I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, or Twitter Thanks! Beth

This post is a work of fiction sponsored by Camp Chateaugay

Eleven year old Kami tapped her pen against her lip, tilted her head, and pondered how she should describe the last two weeks in her journal. When her parents had told her that she would be going to an Adirondack Camp she hadn’t been thrilled. Which was probably why her mom had waited until the last possible moment to tell her! Literally! They were in the car driving into the mountains when her mom had turned around and asked her to watch a video on her iPad. Kami had sighed dramatically, removed her earbuds, and accepted the iPad from her mother’s hand. The video was a montage of kids at summer camp, playing, laughing, swimming, crafting, etc. It looked fun enough but she had no clue why her mother insisted on making her watch the thing!

“Looks fun enough,” she muttered as she passed the iPad back to the front seat and started to put her earbuds back in her ears so she could retreat from this forced family fun trip to her music.

Her mother stopped her. “Kami, wait. We need to talk.” She glanced nervously at Kami’s dad who kept his eyes focused on the road ahead. Obviously no help was coming from there. “Kami, you know that we have wanted to send you to summer camp the last couple of years?”

“Yeah. I don’t want to. I like the city. I’m allergic to nature. I have enough friends.” Kami was enumerating the reasons that she had talked her parents out of shipping her off to camp until now. She was quite sure that she could avoid it again this year!

“Kami, your dad and I both loved summer camp when we were kids and it’s an experience that we really want you to have! It will be fun!” Her mother had sighed and then dropped her bombshell announcement. “I knew you would fight us again if we tried to talk you into going so we decided to just make the decision for you. You ARE going to camp!”

“No. I’m. Not.” Kami muttered.

That was when Dad decided to join the conversation. “Yes, young lady. You are! I wasn’t sure about springing it on you like this but … Your mom has packed everything you need and it’s all in the trunk. We’ll be at the camp in about 30 minutes.”

“You have got to be kidding me!” Kami exclaimed. Upon seeing her dad’s eyes in the rearview mirror she decided to switch tactics and try begging. “Daddy please. I don’t want to go to camp. Please take me home!”

“Not this time, K! We have let you talk us out of it the last couple of years but we truly believe that summer camp is an experience you should have. You are going and you will thank us for it later. Honest.”

Somehow Kami knew that they were serious and she wasn’t going to be able to convince them to cancel this plan but she tried one more tactic. “What about my ballet, art, and music lessons? I can’t afford to miss those. Besides … you already paid for them. They’re counting on me to be there!”

Mom responded this time, “I have spoken with all of those programs, Kami. They know that you are going to summer camp and will be back in a couple of weeks. It’s going to be fine!”

Kami had thrown herself back in the seat and began to cry. They were really going to make her do this and she was going to be miserable!

She laughed to herself as she thought about how silly she had been. The Adirondack Camp had been every bit as wonderful as her parents had promised and she had loved it! She had been assigned an older camper, Rebecca, as a “big sister” as soon as she got there. Rebecca had helped her settle in and had agreed with her that it was awful for her parents to sneak her up here the way they did. But then she told Kami that she did agree with them that she would love it here as long as she would relax and let herself have fun. Kami had agreed to try.

Summer Camp is a post written by Beth Zimmerman . Please consider visiting the post, on Masterpiece - created to love people and bring glory to God, to leave a comment and find similar content. I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, or Twitter Thanks! Beth

I sit here today feeling blessed. Thunder is shaking my house and I can hear the rain pouring down but my family is safe and we still have our home. So many in my beloved state (Oklahoma) are not able to say that today. The images, videos, and news reports are horrific and heart breaking. Yet we hear again and again messages of hope, faith, and inspiration. We will rebuild. We will overcome!

If you want to know how you can help … there is a comprehensive list here.  In the meantime please pray for those who are facing such devastating losses.

Here are a couple of items from that larger list:

American Red Cross
The Red Cross has set up shelters in various communities. You can donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund here, and the organization also suggests giving blood at your local hospital or blood bank. Fundraising efforts were buoyed Tuesday by a $1 million pledge from Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team, via his family foundation.

If you’re searching for a missing relative, check Red Cross Safe & Well’s site. And please register if you’re within the disaster region. The site is designed to make communication easier after a tragedy like this.

If you want to send a $10 donation to the Disaster Relief fund via text message, you can do so by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. As in the case with other donations via mobile, the donation will show up on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your balance if you have a prepaid phone. You need to be 18 or older, or have parental permission, to donate this way. (If you change your mind, text the word STOP to 90999.)
Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief

This organization says donations will “go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters.” 

It is requesting monetary donations (It says clothing is NOT needed). For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief’s website.

You can send checks to: BGCO, Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK., 73112.

My Oklahoma Home is a post written by Beth Zimmerman . Please consider visiting the post, on Masterpiece - created to love people and bring glory to God, to leave a comment and find similar content. I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, or Twitter Thanks! Beth

I don’t know if he is oblivious to my pain or if he is just afraid to go there (conversation). Some times I am so frustrated. So alone. So scared of a future where everything is so broken and dark and scary.

I decided last night that I need a break from Candy Crush. It was making me tense, raising my blood pressure, and I was near (literal) tears when it told me I had failed. Again.

Josiah and I watched Safe Haven last night. Really good movie. I won’t give away the story line but there was some background tension. I felt it in my neck through the whole movie and I was physically shaking afterwards. I think I am living on the edge too much of the time and it takes little or nothing to push me over.

I woke up during the night last night have some weird “headaches.” It was like I could see, hear, and feel lightning sizzling in my brain. Never had one of those before.  Halfway expected to wake up dead this morning.

Sorry … just having a broken day …

Broken is a post written by Beth Zimmerman . Please consider visiting the post, on Masterpiece - created to love people and bring glory to God, to leave a comment and find similar content. I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, or Twitter Thanks! Beth

I picked Erica up and we headed off to get her registered for the Sober Living House. I don’t think she stopped talking the whole time we were in the car. I did a LOT of biting my tongue!

First she was telling me about a recent conversation with her parole officer in which that woman told her that some time in prison might be what she needed since she seems to believe that the rules are for everyone else and don’t apply to Erica. I bit my tongue and raised an eyebrow as she continued, “I told her I’d heard that speech before.” Um yeah … most of her life! She followed up with a noncommittal ”maybe everyone’s right,” and kept on rolling.

The one that really gets me, and she repeats it every time I talk to her, is a speech about how the root of her problems is a failure to put her own needs ahead of everyone else. The girl believes this crap! I won’t deny that she was swept away by unwise friendships and bad relationships but she entered those relationships with her eyes wide open. Often with us screaming “what are you doing,” in the background! And when she separated from the fathers of her children, we advised her to seek full custody, and she refused because she “deserved her own life and some free time.” I think her problem is rooted in the fact that she doesn’t see anyone’s needs BUT her own!

But therein lies the root of all sin. Wanting whatever I think is best, most convenient, or most comfortable for me, regardless of whether it’s right or wrong or if it hurts someone else! And we are all prone to that temptation. It is only love that allows us to see, and prioritize, others.

I don’t know what the future holds for this girl. I love her but she is not the same person she was when she left our home as a young adult. Life and loss have hurt her. Drugs have damaged her. I don’t know if she can be healed and restored. I know God is capable of that miracle and we will keep praying for it! But He works in surrendered lives and she’s not there yet.

Thanks for praying with us.

Biting My Tongue is a post written by Beth Zimmerman . Please consider visiting the post, on Masterpiece - created to love people and bring glory to God, to leave a comment and find similar content. I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, or Twitter Thanks! Beth

image courtesy of Bill Frymire

 

My husband and I have grown weary of our adult daughter calling ONLY when she needs something. And to be honest … I guess I blame her for at least part of the stress that we have been through in the past couple of years. Having your child make such destructive choices makes you question who you are as a person and what you did as a parent. We know that she is responsible for her own choices. But some times the inner voices taunt us and tell us that it’s our fault.

Several months ago her parole officer told her that she needed to go to a halfway house. She was determined to avoid that. She told her parole officer she was living at home. The p.o. came by and asked. I told her the truth. She wasn’t. Then she somehow managed to get an apartment and I guess she thought that would suffice. She called a week or so ago panicked because they had told her she was out of time. She could go to a halfway house, as required, or she could go to prison.

She called my husband yesterday and told him that she needed $325 to move into the halfway house. She doesn’t have the money and if she doesn’t move in by this weekend she will be in violation of her parole and be sent to prison. Part of me thinks … so be it! Yet another part knows that I can’t do that! Well … I probably could. I know though that Bert cannot.

Among other problems … we don’t have spare cash! I haven’t even been able to pay all the bills yet this month! And I need that $325 to make the car insurance payment! But we agreed, with some help from Josiah, to loan her the money so she can move in. However … we also agreed that this is all we can give her! There is a weekly charge to be able to stay at the residence and we cannot, and will not, cover it!

I was going to go to the bank and pick up cash for Bert to take to her. Josiah came in and said that he didn’t want us to give her cash. (Which I understand! I have said the same thing on numerous occasions!) If he was going to provide the money … he wanted it paid directly to the facility. And I’m the only one available to go so I will take her tomorrow and give them the money.

I expressed some frustration because she only calls when she needs something. Also I have offered to pay her to help with housework, yard work, cleaning out our sheds, etc. She never shows up. Like I said … there is part of me that wants her to start facing the consequences of her choices. And I said so.

A few minutes later, Josiah, my tenderhearted son, came into the living room and told me that there is nothing in Erica’s life to indicate that she has been saved. (Christian) And if she died tonight … she would go to Hell. Therefore we must take every single opportunity we have to speak love, mercy, forgiveness, grace, and truth into her life!

He’s right. And in my focus on how offended and hurt I am … perhaps I am not as loving as God calls me to be. But this part of my life … it just isn’t easy!

Justice and Mercy is a post written by Beth Zimmerman . Please consider visiting the post, on Masterpiece - created to love people and bring glory to God, to leave a comment and find similar content. I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, or Twitter Thanks! Beth

I have sat down to this empty text box several times this week. Just can’t seem to find words … or energy. I have allowed myself to slip back into a few bad habits, or out of good ones, and I need to find a way to change that.

I came home from church, and lunch with friends, on Sunday and changed into shorts and a t-shirt. I was still wearing them this morning when I FORCED myself to go take a shower. Such is life with depression (some times). Too much work to change into pajamas, bathe, put on clean clothes, etc. But like I said … I forced myself through it, took a shower, and put on clean clothes. I will make good choices again tomorrow. I promise.

I allowed myself to get addicted to Coke Zero again. Really bad thing about that is that I am convinced that aspartame is responsible for the majority of my (non-tension) headaches. I have got to give the stuff up again! This isn’t going to be pretty! I drank the last Coke Zero in the house yesterday so I have 24 hours down. The next 48 will probably be rough but then it becomes more a matter of choice rather than addictive “need.” I just better remember this next time I am tempted to indulge!

The other habits that I have slid back into are late nights of TV and internet, followed by sleeping in, and eating wrong. I allowed myself some “leeway” during BlissDom, and a visit with my parents, and I can’t seem to pull it back together. I’m eating sugars and grains (both major no nos) and I am not exercising. I have got to get back to water aerobics and some strength training!

I know! I know! The caffeine, in the soda, is interfering with my sleep! And eating wrong, no exercise, and poor sleep, mess with my depression! I think I need a keeper!

I have already given up the soda. I will eat right as soon as we buy groceries. And I will go back to the YMCA next week if it kills me!

Bad Habits is a post written by Beth Zimmerman . Please consider visiting the post, on Masterpiece - created to love people and bring glory to God, to leave a comment and find similar content. I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, or Twitter Thanks! Beth

A few years ago we needed to buy a new vacuum cleaner. I, always looking for the most efficient way to do my work (more time to blog), wanted a Dyson. Hubby, with an eye on the budget, picked up a Eureka, at Sam’s, for $69.95. He thought it “looked like a Dyson.”

The first time I used it, it did a pretty good job. But I still wanted my Dyson and I grew increasingly frustrated with this machine’s full dirt cup, filthy air filter, and progressively less effective suction.

This past Saturday I was home alone and determined to get my house really clean.  One of my self-assigned tasks would be vacuuming. I sat down with my non-Dyson to dump the dirt cup before vacuuming and sighed in frustration as buts of dust and hair filled the air and covered the carpet around the trash can. I tried to pull as much debris as possible off the filter before wedging the dirt cup back into position. As I sat glaring at my assorted vacuum cleaner parts, I noticed some directions written inside the machine … behind the collection cup.

1. Thoroughly wash and dry filter screen and foam filter ring. Regularly.

2. Replace air filter every 6 months.

3. etc.

So as I said, I’ve owned this thing for years and never even considered washing the parts! (A natural housekeeper I am NOT!) I wonder if you have to do that with a Dyson? And I had never even considered replacing the air filter. I wasn’t going to go to the store to buy a new filter at that moment but I did figure I could at least attempt to clean the innards of the offensive machine.

I knocked the air filter against the edge of the trash can until it stopped dispensing dust and debris. YUCK! Then I took the filter screen (a metallic mesh cone) and foam filter to the kitchen sink to wash them. I ran hot water over the filter screen and it rinsed clean fairly quickly. Next I held the foam filter under running hot water and watched in disgust as the water flowed, in a steady black stream, from my hand and disappeared down the garbage disposal. I would periodically squeeze the foam to get more filth out of it. I’m not sure how long it took. I wouldn’t have believe a little foam ring could hold that much dirt. Finally the water was running clear so I squeezed the foam firmly to get it as dry as possible and then left the pieces on the counter to air dry. An hour or so later I put my little Eureka machine back together and proceeded to vacuum.

I couldn’t believe the difference it made in the results to start with a clean vacuum cleaner! It was able to work far better and pulled a lot more dirt out of the carpets. I actually enjoyed walking on them barefoot for the next couple of days!

Don’t get me wrong … I still want a Dyson! But at least now I know what it takes to get this wannabe to do a halfway decent job! If your vacuum cleaner isn’t working as well as you would like … you might want to consider reading the directions! =) And clean the filters!

But I Wanted a Dyson is a post written by Beth Zimmerman . Please consider visiting the post, on Masterpiece - created to love people and bring glory to God, to leave a comment and find similar content. I'd love to connect with you on my Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, or Twitter Thanks! Beth