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R.I.P., carpet shampooer.

July 10th, 2008 at 01:12 pm

-SPENDING (7/9/08)-
Gas For My Truck (DC): $58.41 ($209.52/$600.02)

+INCOME (7/9/08)+
Bro's Loan Check: $110.00
Survey Checks: $27.50

Well, good news for yesterday is that I finally made the deposit for my brother's reimbursement check (I pay the bank, he pays me) and two survey checks I had been holding. So a total of $137.50 added to our BBT account.

And what appears to be great news - my mom deposited her reimbursement check (same thing, I pay the bank, she pays me) into my old checking account to cover my gas emergency the other day. I just checked the balance, and the deposit is showing, but the gas transactions aren't! Even though I would have thought since it's all electronical now, the transactions would've posted overnight, apparently being two states away does make a difference. So unless something weird happens where they back-date the transactions (you never know), then I am saved of the $30 overdraft fee! Oh yes.

Yesterday did have its bad points though. As soon as I was able to pull myself from bed, BF met me with some bad news. Apparently, in the hour that they had been awake before me, the pup had chewed completely through the cord on the carpet shampooer. Sigh.

He had already looked up the cost of replacement (he knows me too well), and it looks like they range from $85-$130 for a similar model. I really hate to spend that much money on something that we shouldn't have to replace yet, but I also don't want to run out and get the cheapest one that isn't going to work.

We have a vacuum, but since we've been using this shampooer, I've realized how much cleaner you can get your carpets. That is especially important to us because we have both a cat and a dog, and we are renting... so we'd like to get our deposit back eventually. Plus, it gives me piece of mind to vacuum & shampoo really well before we are expecting guests, because I know everything smells fresh.

I thought I might still have a 10% off coupon for Lowe's, but it expired in May. I did dig out an older BoA Visa gift card that my mom had given me earlier this year, which has about $18 on it. The only thing is that those gift cards are so darn hard to use. It seems like there is always a catch - you can't use them to partially pay for a purchase, you have to know exactly how much is on them, can't purchase online without a pin number, etc. But it's worth a shot if it will save us $18 of cash.

Today is my last day off, then I work 5 days straight. At my last job, I was used to Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:30, off on the weekends. Now that I'm working retail, I've been getting off on Thursdays and Sundays, but other than that my schedule changes a bit.

However, I volunteered to work this Sunday if I could get off on Wednesday/Thursday for BF's family coming to visit. BF is still not sure what day he will be off. I kind of hope that he gets both days, even though I know he probably won't, just because it will be kind of awkward to spend all day alone with his sis/bro-in-law/niece. Plus, I have a feeling his niece is going to be scared to death of our pup, because she's only used to little house poodles. And he's definitely not that.

I put some of my clothes up on Craigslist in different lots. I figured that I should at least try to get a few bucks out of some of them, since they've only been worn a few times (or not at all). Especially since it's free... and if it doesn't work, I'll donate them. No bites on them yet though.

There are a few things on my to-do list today. I still need to call the pup's surgeon back and see what the game plan is for the future. I also need to run to the library either today or tomorrow. It's more fun when BF goes with me (and he's working 2-10 today), but I'm sure I'll enjoy it when I get there and pick out some new books. I'm going to see if I can renew InkSpell, since I haven't finished it yet.

My week-long conference for work is getting closer. It's the first time I've done major travelling for a job, so I'm kind of nervous. I keep thinking I'll forget something important - like I won't pack something, won't fill out the right expense reimbursement forms, won't fax in everything I'm supposed to beforehand, etc. I also have no idea what clothes I'll take. It's supposed to be business casual (khakis & a nice collared shirt), but the only khakis I have are the cheap ones I wear to the store to work. They have stains all over them! I can probably dig up some shirts to look nice, but the pants will be a problem. I also have no dress shoes, just boots and tennis shoes. When did life get so complicated, and where did all my clothes go? Ahhh!

8 Responses to “R.I.P., carpet shampooer.”

  1. scfr Says:
    1215695253

    Congrats on (hopefully) avoiding the bank fee ... There is nothing I dislike more than unnecessary fees, so I understand how you feel.

    On the carpet shampooer, could you just repair or replace the cord? Do an internet search and/or ask at Lowe's to see if it's possible. I'll bet it is. I don't know how to do it, but I did rewire a lamp of mine where the cord had gotten frayed. And I am most definitely NOT a "handy" type...In fact, I'm the opposite of handy. I just found instructions in a home repair manual and made a trip to Home Depot for a new cord. It was a relatively easy thing to do. Good luck!

  2. sillyoleme Says:
    1215697958

    Thanks for the tip, scfr. It does seem outrageous that we might have to buy a new one just because of the cord. I am going to do a little research!

  3. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1215698743

    For your pants situation, try a thrift shop. Or, if you have any skirts, you could just wear a skirt/top combo and get a pair of low pumps from Payless for $10 - 15.

  4. Swimgirl Says:
    1215699478

    Definitely just get a new cord. It can be done, cheaply, and it's not hard. We just replaced the cord in our vacuum.

  5. sillyoleme Says:
    1215701383

    As for the clothes - I have alot of dress pants, but no nice khakis or skirts. Also, a couple of the conference days we are doing "team building" activities, which might not be too fun with a skirt on, lol.

    I am in the process of researching the power cord deal. BF has to work today, or I'd recruit him too. It looks like I'll need to take it apart and see if I can find out where the current power cord connects.

    Any ideas on where I could get a replacement cord? I don't know if I need to get a specific kind or anything, or if Lowe's would carry something like that.

  6. Petunia Says:
    1215704376

    Do it! Replace the power cord! If you have a smaller, local hardware store that would be a place to call first - they are likely to have someone who could trully answer your questions. We have an ACE hardware store near to us, and they are very helpful. If you saved the owner's manual for your shampooer it's likely to have a simple schematic of your machine and that could also list part numbers. The power cord should have a part number. Maybe that info is available via the internet as well.

  7. sillyoleme Says:
    1215724452

    Well, I tried. It took about 45 minutes of unscrewing, unhooking, and sifting through some VERY NASTY remnants of carpet grime, but I finally followed the power cord to the place where it attaches on the interior of the shampooer.

    Unfortunately, at that point, the cord splits into three parts, going into two different "holders" (I have no idea what to call them). The holders are rubber/plastic and seem to be sealed around the ends of the wires, where they meet other wires coming from somewhere even deeper inside the motor of the shampooer.

    The shampooer is an old one that my mom let us have when she got a new one, so I don't have the manual or anything. I'm not even sure about the model, I just know it's a Hoover of some sort. I tried googling some different models, but nothing seems to match.

    So 45 minutes and 17 screws later, it looks like we'll be shelling out the money for a new shampooer anyway. It does make me feel a little better to know that I've tried to fix it. Thanks to all of you that offered advice, I appreciate it!

  8. scfr Says:
    1215735759

    Sorry it did not work out, but good for you for trying! Don't be afraid to try something like that in the future ... Not only can it save you money, but there's a really feeling of empowerment that goes along with doing something new and a bit challenging. I still remember how proud I felt of myself after I re-wired that lamp.

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