Carpet Dirt

Here is a more 'creative' post that has been simmering in my brain for a few weeks.

With the exodus of our roommate Christin, Ross and I agreed it was time to deep clean downstairs.  One of the things we knew needed cleaning was our carpet in the bedroom our roommates have occupied. Originally, I was all about paying someone to come out and clean the carpets but with our summer financial reality we decided to give it a go ourselves.  [Grateful] My wonderful mom-in-law loaned us her carpet cleaner and we got to work.  We started in the bedroom downstairs and eventually ended up carpet-cleaning our stairs and our main level, too.  Right around this same time, my parents were out of town for the weekend and knowing they had just purchased a new vacuum [grateful] and knowing our current vacuum was purchased at a garage sale in PA for 30 dollars 6 years ago, we decided to borrow their brand new vacuum [grateful].  Our vacuum literally puffs out dust when you turn it on and we figured if we're going to all this trouble to shampoo our carpets, we might as well use a decent vacuum before and after.  My m-i-l gave us good tips about what kind of solution to use - water, a little bit of vinegar and a few drops of eco-friendly dish soap - thanks Diane! :) It worked well and we feel much better about the state of our carpets [grateful].

The whole process has led me to be thankful for something MAJOR though ... here it comes ... drum roll... For all of you Minnesotans, did you know the rest of the country does not take off their shoes upon entering a home, but you, my dear Minnesotans, do?!  No matter what the state of your socks or feet (dirty, filled with holes, smelly), no matter how cold your feet might feel when the temp is negative 30 outside,  Minnesotans typically take their shoes off upon entering a home.  It truly saves the carpet from wear and tear and dirt and grime.  It's amazing.  I was astounded at how little dirt was actually in our carpets after washing them and I really chalk it up to this amazing MN habit of removing the shoes at the door.  Now, in all practicality, in the winter (which, eh-hem, lasts for like 8 months), the road salt and stones would cause havoc on floor surfaces.  It totally makes sense but it is something to be grateful about ... (even on the days when you're embarrassed by the state of your socks ... I wonder if MN sells more socks than most states since they are actually SEEN by people).

Oh ... and I must say ... I am grateful for carpet dirt because after all of this work on our carpets, borrowing the carpet cleaner, borrowing the vacuum, etc. we finally broke down and bought our first brand NEW vacuum as a married couple [grateful] and I cannot WAIT for it to arrive!!!!!!! Bring on the dirt! :)