Sunday, November 30, 2008

I've got Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty

I've got whozits and whatzits galore. Thingamabobs? I've got 20....

OK So who can name that movie/song in 3 notes??

I have a confession. I have become a total gadget geek. One major purchase and one other major experience today, and I am sunk.

I used to be a normal human being who did things the old fashioned way - by hand. I mashed my potatoes by hand. I sew by hand (ok ok I don't know how to use a machine and all I can do is sew buttons, but still, it makes a nice story....). But this weekend? I have gone all gadget-Rambo.

First, Daughter and I went out on Black Friday at 545 am. Oh yes We did. I didn't even know why we were going. I think just because she wanted to and she was going because I wanted to. But it turned into a good trip. We came up with ideas for the grandparents in Penny's, laughed a ton over silly stuff, got a lot of great bargains, and enjoyed each other's company. Oh yeah and we bought ourselves some new duds.

Then we went to Circuit city on the way home where they had the iRobot Roomba on sale. I've been eyeing these babies for months. I actually did some investigation into the company and the technology last year for something work related and was duly impressed by my discoveries. But hundreds of dollars for a little scurrying vacuum that takes 45 minutes to do what I can do in 7 minutes? Hmmmm. But as time is getting more scarce and the doghair is multiplying in triplet now, I am thinking otherwise. And then I see it. The "5th generation" model for a whopping $100 less than anywhere else even close - even $115 less than Kohl's 4a.m. earlybird sale. It's clearly screaming my name. So I buy it. Turns out they mismarked the little robotbaby. But the cashier agreed I had the right model per the printout on the shelf and gave it to me for the silly price. Nirvana

It does work - cleaned my living room of all traces of dog hair. While I sat on the phone and chatted and watched it. (um wait aren't I supposed to be doing something more productive with my time? Well I had to watch it the first time to make sure it did it right).

Then today Son and I went grocery shopping and I remembered the portable scanners. What's that you say? Load bags into your cart, grab a scanner, scan and bag as you go, plug the scanner in at the end, get a grand total, swipe your credit card and exit the store in 37 seconds? Yep. Just like that. AND I got an extra $6 off my purchases for using the scanner. I kid you not. Son and I had a ball with the thing. And when we changed our mind on a purchase and put something back? No sweat. Easy to delete an item. Produce? No problem - weigh, spit out sticker, scan. Badabing badaboom. I am in love. I am going grocery shopping tomorrow just to play with the scanner again.

I think I need to call the Geek Squad....

13 comments:

Katy said...

I love gadgets too! Does the vacuum robot get hung up on rug fringes? That's the only thing that has kept me from buying one so far...

Persnickety Ticker said...

The Little Mermaid.

Just got home from a day at Disney.

My sister loves her Roomba.

I avoid black friday like the plague. Glad you scored a great deal, though. Don'tcha just love that clearance high?

Busy Bee Suz said...

I heart the little mermaid.
Love the roomba...I need a few of those babies. I wonder what the cats and dogs would do while I was away though????
The scanner at the grocery store...oh my heavens. I have not seen or heard of this. I would be in NIRVANA myself......I have got to check into it asap.
Take care,
Suz

Feisty Irish Wench said...

I scored myself a new mixer, and pray it holds up to my cookie batter. And here in redneck-central, there are no honor system self scan hand held thingamabobbers. The vast majority of the citizenry here struggle with the blasted self-checkouts as it is. Of course they could make the systems just a TAAAAAD more user friendly. I tend to avoid those things because I inevitably have to have help with something-clearance item, alcohol purchase, lord-knows-what. It's just not worth my time and frustration most days.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

But who cares? No big deal...I want mooooooore!
Ah, The Little Mermaid.
I'm glad you got a good deal, that Roomba sounds awesome!

Jen said...

Gadgets are fun. The Roomba would be wonderful to have, lucky you. Where did you go grocery shopping? I want to play with the scanner.

Bytheway it's The Little Mermaid, my kids ask me everyday to sing it to them. Jeesh

Abby is Abundant. said...

hehehe! We got a roomba last year for a birthday, and it took 3-4 using before the child stopped taunting it trying to get it to chase her, and the dogs. oh god the dogs. the little one still thinks its some monster out to get her. But. TOTALLY worth it, especially on the hardwood floors.

The Girl Next Door said...

The roomba doesn't get hung up on fringes - my model goes from hardwood to floors, not sure they all do. It totally rocks. After the living room, I set it up to do the foyer and kitchen. Son had to empty the bin 1/2 way through (ugh we had that much dog hair I'm embarassed to say) but I woke up to a CLEAN kitchen! Yippee

We are thinking of training Stinky to ride it - she insists on chasing it around, which messes up the electronic eye that is constantly calculating the size and shape of the room...

and the scanners are a Giant Food(same as Stop & Shop - not sure of parent company)

Paranoid said...

Too funny. The Boy just ordered a Roomba this weekend, after being impressed by the unprecedented level of cleanliness in my Mom's house this Thanksgiving. I have to admit, I'm looking forward to seeing it in action.

And The Little Mermaid? M must be watching it at least 3x a week these days, and she asks me to sing "Ariel's song" at least a couple of times a day.

Mrs. G. said...

Black Friday? Gah. I'm glad you weren't trampled or shot.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

You've got to go through the archives of Beanpaste if you haven't been reading her. She has very cool Roomba pics.

Black Friday and I would not mix well.

Anonymous said...

Love my Roomba! It's the only appliance that my husband has ever bought as a gift for me- and I wasn't even mad!! Isn't it amazing? We have 3 dogs too- now if only the technology was able to vaccuum the stairs- It would be better than ...( well maybe..)

Anonymous said...

Are we sisters in another life? I love gadgets! I love gizmos! I need a roomba!