I bought a Dirt Devil canister vacuum when I moved to Da’burgh 8 months ago. It’s not quite the dog-hair-sucker upright Kenmore – with what seemed like 382 settings and attachments – that I left behind, but it is more portable and gets the job done.
The double D came with an owner’s manual, which I promptly put in the junk drawer along with the microwave manual and the toaster oven manual and the range manual and the Cuisinart manual and Harrison Township’s 2011 garbage and recycling schedule. (I know it’s garbage day when I look out the window. If the neighbors have their garbage out in the morning, I slap on my sandals and roll the can to the curb.)
Last Saturday, Cooper the Wookie came to visit for the weekend. The boy is a very hairy Flat-Coated Retriever you can groom and groom and groom again and still leaves a silhouette every time he gets up off the floor or couch. When he went home yesterday, he left behind enough fur to stuff several accent pillows.
After he left, I took out DD and started to vacuum. I’d noticed a few months ago (yes…a few months ago…*hanging my head in shame*) that it wasn’t picking up as much as it used to, but I lived with what it could do because I wasn’t curious enough to find out why it wasn’t working at her highest potential. But yesterday, when it was merely moving Cooper hair around and not sucking it up, I gave it the attention it needed months ago.
Of course by “attention” I mean I assumed I knew what was wrong. First I checked the hose for a clog. That wasn’t the problem. I cleaned out the dirt cup, which – surprise, surprise – wasn’t very full. That wasn’t the problem, either. Finally, I disassembled part of the canister and gave it a shake – a vacuum version of a smack on the TV when the screen goes wonky. But when I reassembled the canister and turned on the power, it still had little suction.
That’s when I reluctantly walked to the junk drawer and dug out DD’s owner’s manual buried under the batteries, the loose-change bag, the matches, the box of birthday candles, an extension cords, a Clorox bleach wand, a bag of thread, a first-aid kit, an address book and a hot water bottle. I turned to page 9 and began reading the troubleshooting guide.
Problem: Cleaner tools won’t pick-up. Possible reason: 1. Hose clogged (“Nope.”); 2. Dirt container full (*eyeroll* “Duh…no.”); 3. One or both filters are clogged (*sigh* “I clean the filter all the…wait… BOTH filters? There’s a second?”
(For some reason, at that moment, I started hearing Darth Vader in my head, “So, you have a twin sister... Obi-Wan was wise to hide her from me. Now his failure is complete. If you will not turn to the dark side, then perhaps she will!” Mental note: rent “Return of the Jedi” this weekend.)
I flipped back to page 2 and the diagram of the vacuum. Sure enough, there is a second filter located inside the first filter inside the dirt cup. I unscrewed the filter and took out the most gawdawful dirty filter I’ve ever seen. I mean, that baby was filthy. I brought it to the kitchen, and it took 15 minutes of brush scrubbing and butter-knife-poking to get all the dirt out of the folds. Once it was dry, I reassembled the filter and put it back in the dirt cup, sealed up DD and pressed the power button. Holy suction, Batman! My DD was alive again.
Understanding the functionality of a vacuum or a microwave or a car isn’t innate, even though we like to think so. The whole point of an owner’s manual is to educate us on the use and care of whatever it is we bought. However, it’s often easier to assume we know what’s wrong, even though it takes us into a frustrating maze of “you have no idea what you’re doing, you idiot.”
The same thing’s true for our bodies. We weren’t born with personal owner’s manuals, but by virtue of our experiences we write our own owner’s manuals every day. Yet how many times do we hesitate to take out that manual and learn from our experiences for how best to correct whatever’s wrong? It’s easier to assume.
God knows I’ve been making a lot of assumptions lately about my body. I get caught in that perpetual cycle of thinking, ‘I know what’s wrong,’ and not stepping back and analyzing what works for me to stay fit.
For instance, the muffin top thing I’m sporting. I was looking at it the other day while eating a fistful of melba, wondering – even though the melba was in my calorie allotment for the day – where it came from.
“Um…duh, Lynn. Carbs like that cause you to gain in your belly,” said the voice in my head.
But here’s the deal. I wanted those melba in the moment. They sounded good, looked good and so I ate them, despite copious amounts of evidence in my food journals that, to the contrary, they’re not a good choice for me. You all know I’m all about living in the moment, but eating in the moment? Not so much. That’s not what being mindful is about.
My owner’s manual, when I stop being complacent and assuming I know everything about everything, teaches me to “clean the filter,” so to speak; to remember that when I eat a smoothie before a workout, I perform better, or when I lay off a few workouts to give a sore joint a chance to heal, I don’t hurt later.
Too often I am content to work with what my body can do in the moment, even when it throws out warning signs that its filters are dirty. So my goal? To be less reluctant to consult the past and instead, work with my experience to help my body perform at its peak. Complacency and assumptions can have no place in maintaining my weight loss.
Showing posts with label Manual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manual. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
BRAND NEW 2009 PAPERBACK EDITION. SOME SHELFWEAR MARKS. OVERSTOCK MARKPrice: $11.00
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Set of 5 ProSource Premium Latex Resistance Exercise Bands Tubes Cords w/ Door Anchor and Exercise Manual.
The number one selling set of resistance bands on Amazon.com. Don't believe us that this product is high quality? Look at all the reviews. Don't be fooled by the imitators, get that beach body you always wanted courtesy of ProSource Fitness! All the bands measure 48 inches, and include cushioned foam handles to ensure a secure, comfortable grip. Plus, the bands come with a convenient door anchor, so you can do your exercises anywhere in the house. Resistance bands are a great alternative to free weights and workout machines. They are also perfect for all types of physical therapy including rehabbing torn rotator cuffs, bad elbows, and damaged knees. This resistance bands set is light and compact enough to travel with you anywhere and supports some of the latest workout routines, including but not limited to P90X, CrossFit, Slimin6, Insanity and TurboJam.
Don't buy cheap knockoffs. Train like a Pro, train with ProSource™
Price: $59.99
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Portable Oxygen Bar/oxygen Therapy/Flood Your Body with Power of Oxygen/O2 Innovations Portable Oxygen Bar Kit (Includes Headset, Bee Happy Aromatherapy, Nose Hoses(5), Storage Cover, Extra Filters, Relaxation CD Set, Oxygen Booklet and Manual)
This Portable Oxygen Bar filters dust and delivers 40% (+/- 2%) oxygen enriched air with quiet operation, sleek design and is user-friendly. This Unit provides the highest oxygen output of any non-medical personal
oxygen concentrator.
Comes with 6 Spa CD's, 1 Aromatherapy 30ml blend, owner's manual.
Light weight and portable. Comes with built in 10, 20 and 30 minute timer.
State-of-the-art headset & 5 nose hoses. FREE additional air intake filter.
FREE protective cover. 10 Day Money Back Guarantee (less S&H). 1 Year Limited Warranty. Extended Warranty available.
Listed by Underwriters Laboratory. Technical support available.
Oxygen is vital to your immune system, memory, thinking and sight. Promotes healing and counteracts aging.
Frequently Asked Questions: What is this? This is an oxygen bar. This oxygen bar dispenses 40/% oxygen enriched air with optional aromatherapy - double what you breathe in fresh country air.
How much oxygen is in the air we normally breathe? About 19% - 21%.
How am I supposed to feel or what will this do for me? This oxygen bar combines oxygen enriched air with elements
of aromatherapy for an uplifting, energetic, refreshing and positive experience.
How long should a session last? A 30-minute oxygen session is an optimum session. A 10-minute session will give
you the beginning effects. Is this medical oxygen? No. Medical oxygen is 100% pure oxygen and you must have a
license to dispense and a prescription to receive.
Disclaimer: Oxygen bar personnel are prohibited from making any specific claims as to the benefits of inhaling pure oxygen. This is recreational oxygen only and is not a cure nor is it meant to address or treat diseases and or any medical problems of any kind. None of these statements have been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Price: $729.00
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Portable Oxygen Bar/oxygen Therapy/Flood Your Body with Power of Oxygen/O2 Innovations Portable Oxygen Bar Kit (Includes Headset, Bee Happy Aromatherapy, Nose Hoses(5), Storage Cover, Extra Filters, Relaxation CD Set, Oxygen Booklet and Manual)
This Portable Oxygen Bar filters dust and delivers 40% (+/- 2%) oxygen enriched air with quiet operation, sleek design and is user-friendly. This Unit provides the highest oxygen output of any non-medical personal oxygen concentrator. Comes with 6 Spa CD's, 1 Aromatherapy 30ml blend, owner's manual.
Light weight and portable. Comes with built in 10, 20 and 30 minute timer.
State-of-the-art headset & 5 nose hoses. FREE additional air intake filter.
FREE protective cover. 10 Day Money Back Guarantee (less S&H). 1 Year Limited Warranty. Extended Warranty available.
Listed by Underwriters Laboratory. Technical support available.
Oxygen is vital to your immune system, memory, thinking and sight. Promotes healing and counteracts aging.
Frequently Asked Questions: What is this? This is an oxygen bar. This oxygen bar dispenses 40/% oxygen enriched air with optional aromatherapy - double what you breathe in fresh country air.
How much oxygen is in the air we normally breathe? About 19% - 21%.
How am I supposed to feel or what will this do for me? This oxygen bar combines oxygen enriched air with elements
of aromatherapy for an uplifting, energetic, refreshing and positive experience.
How long should a session last? A 30-minute oxygen session is an optimum session. A 10-minute session will give
you the beginning effects. Is this medical oxygen? No. Medical oxygen is 100% pure oxygen and you must have a
license to dispense and a prescription to receive.
Disclaimer: Oxygen bar personnel are prohibited from making any specific claims as to the benefits of inhaling pure oxygen. This is recreational oxygen only and is not a cure nor is it meant to address or treat diseases and or any medical problems of any kind. None of these statements have been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Price: $729.00
Monday, December 13, 2010
Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
BRAND NEW 2009 PAPERBACK EDITION. SOME SHELFWEAR MARKS. OVERSTOCK MARKPrice: $11.00
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Set of 5 ProSource Premium Latex Resistance Exercise Bands Tubes Cords w/ Door Anchor and Exercise Manual.
The number one selling set of resistance bands on Amazon.com. Don't believe us that this product is high quality? Look at all the reviews. Don't be fooled by the imitators, get that beach body you always wanted courtesy of ProSource Fitness! All the bands measure 48 inches, and include cushioned foam handles to ensure a secure, comfortable grip. Plus, the bands come with a convenient door anchor, so you can do your exercises anywhere in the house. Resistance bands are a great alternative to free weights and workout machines. They are also perfect for all types of physical therapy including rehabbing torn rotator cuffs, bad elbows, and damaged knees. This resistance bands set is light and compact enough to travel with you anywhere and supports some of the latest workout routines, including but not limited to P90X, CrossFit, Slimin6, Insanity and TurboJam.
Don't buy cheap knockoffs. Train like a Pro, train with ProSource™
Price: $59.99
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
O2 Innovations Personal Oxygen Bar (Includes Headset, Storage Cover, Extra Filters and Manual)
This Portable Oxygen Bar filters dust and delivers 40% (+/- 2%) oxygen enriched air with quiet operation, sleek design and is user-friendly. This Unit provides the highest oxygen output of any non-medical personal
oxygen concentrator.
Comes with 6 Spa CD's, 1 Aromatherapy 30ml blend, owner's manual.
Light weight and portable. Comes with built in 10, 20 and 30 minute timer.
State-of-the-art headset & 5 nose hoses. FREE additional air intake filter.
FREE protective cover. 10 Day Money Back Guarantee (less S&H). 1 Year Limited Warranty. Extended Warranty available.
Listed by Underwriters Laboratory. Technical support available.
Oxygen is vital to your immune system, memory, thinking and sight. Promotes healing and counteracts aging.
Frequently Asked Questions: What is this? This is an oxygen bar. This oxygen bar dispenses 40/% oxygen enriched air with optional aromatherapy - double what you breathe in fresh country air.
How much oxygen is in the air we normally breathe? About 19% - 21%.
How am I supposed to feel or what will this do for me? This oxygen bar combines oxygen enriched air with elements
of aromatherapy for an uplifting, energetic, refreshing and positive experience.
How long should a session last? A 30-minute oxygen session is an optimum session. A 10-minute session will give
you the beginning effects. Is this medical oxygen? No. Medical oxygen is 100% pure oxygen and you must have a
license to dispense and a prescription to receive.
Disclaimer: Oxygen bar personnel are prohibited from making any specific claims as to the benefits of inhaling pure oxygen. This is recreational oxygen only and is not a cure nor is it meant to address or treat diseases and or any medical problems of any kind. None of these statements have been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Price: $599.00
Friday, October 29, 2010
O2 Innovations Personal Oxygen Bar (Includes Headset, Storage Cover, Extra Filters and Manual)
This Portable Oxygen Bar filters dust and delivers 40% (+/- 2%) oxygen enriched air with quiet operation, sleek design and is user-friendly. This Unit provides the highest oxygen output of any non-medical personal
oxygen concentrator.
Comes with 6 Spa CD's, 1 Aromatherapy 30ml blend, owner's manual.
Light weight and portable. Comes with built in 10, 20 and 30 minute timer.
State-of-the-art headset & 5 nose hoses. FREE additional air intake filter.
FREE protective cover. 10 Day Money Back Guarantee (less S&H). 1 Year Limited Warranty. Extended Warranty available.
Listed by Underwriters Laboratory. Technical support available.
Oxygen is vital to your immune system, memory, thinking and sight. Promotes healing and counteracts aging.
Frequently Asked Questions: What is this? This is an oxygen bar. This oxygen bar dispenses 40/% oxygen enriched air with optional aromatherapy - double what you breathe in fresh country air.
How much oxygen is in the air we normally breathe? About 19% - 21%.
How am I supposed to feel or what will this do for me? This oxygen bar combines oxygen enriched air with elements
of aromatherapy for an uplifting, energetic, refreshing and positive experience.
How long should a session last? A 30-minute oxygen session is an optimum session. A 10-minute session will give
you the beginning effects. Is this medical oxygen? No. Medical oxygen is 100% pure oxygen and you must have a
license to dispense and a prescription to receive.
Disclaimer: Oxygen bar personnel are prohibited from making any specific claims as to the benefits of inhaling pure oxygen. This is recreational oxygen only and is not a cure nor is it meant to address or treat diseases and or any medical problems of any kind. None of these statements have been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Price: $599.00
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