Not to change the subject of the post, but... (I think the question has been answered anyway) Dobesrule... the Dysons are great vacuums. The only thing that makes that model called the "Animal" is the air driven turbine tool which is supposed to be good for pet hair. The hose and cords are very long, and the dirt chamber is very easy to empty. If someone must have bagless (most vac guys don't like bagless, I feel the same) a Dyson is the only way go to. They don't lose suction and they are a dream to empty. Powerful too... there is some debate about the agitator not being strong enough for American carpets. Also, long hair will wrap around the brush roll because it is very slender so keep that in mind. If you have bare floors, you can just turn the brush roll off, or release the hose, flip the hand grip and insert the bare floor attachment. It works wonderfully! Can't break the belt... When I worked for Sears, I would throw a sock on the ground and run it over. The brush roll will stop and you will hear the most terrible racheting sound you've ever heard in your life. The clutch is preventing the belt from breaking, and the user will certainly know to remove the obstruction. Lots of ports to remove clogs too! No headlight, and it's very "tall" at the base so if you need to do under something you will need the attachments. If you are used to an Oreck it will take a while to get used to the bulk of the Dyson. The head is tall, and it weighs I believe 19 verus your flat 8 pound Oreck. But, you will be happy with the performance. You can even change the angle on the dusting brush and upholstery tool, and the upholstery tool and crevice tool have slits in them so the air flows and they don't "stick" to the surface you are vacuuming. They thought of almost everything! I hate all the plastic on the modern stuff, but I guess we have to grow with the times. I'm 23 and I like the vacuums that were made before I was born! If you can afford a Dyson, by all means get one. Orecks are traditionally known for small motors and fans and being loud, but I only know of them by their reputation among vacuum people.

I have a friend in physical rehab (since December) and when I was visiting before Easter I decided I wanted to get each patient on her hallway a little something. Food was not acceptable so I found little flowerpots with silk flowers at the dollar store. They were so pretty- - sure didn't look like dollar store items. I packaged each one (25) in a little gift bag also from the dollar store and made little tags decorated with flower and butterfly stickers and wrote a few words on each. They were a hit and when I go to visit now I see many of the patients have put them on their window sills. It sure was fun.

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is doing a "Home for the Holidays" promotion too. Every dog and cat over the age of 5 gets adopted for free, and 15 dogs, and 11 cats were adopted just today! Every available dog was adopted. How awesome is THAT???? https://www.facebook.com/humanesocietypikespeakregion/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf

I think I got turned off on dolls b/c of the “can’t play w/them” rule. My grandma had a cabinet full of dolls, I wasn’t allowed within two feet of the cabinet, ha. I distinctly remember a doll dressed as a nun. I was mesmerized by it. The dolls ended up in the garbage as nobody wanted them when granny was ready to part w/them. Mom adored dolls and her fave was Roberta, a baby looking type of doll which she had in her bed til day she died. Brother threw in in the trash when she passed. I had a fake Barbie, Ken, Midget and I loved sewing outfits for them more more than playing w/dolls themselves. my fave neighbor had an incredible collection of Madame Alexander dolls which went into storage but she eventually abandoned storage and I guess dolls ended in the trash.