Say goodbye to elbow grease.

Preface: this is not a product endorsement. Just a small expression of gratitude that my husband convinced me to invest in a steam-cleaning upright vacuum last year. I have yet to steam clean every inch of carpet space in my entire home. However, let me just acquaint you with a small portion of the items that I have managed to extract while using my trusty Hoover SteamVac, listed in no particular order.
1. Urine (Quite possibly the liquid found in the greatest abundance AND in the greatest number of locations)
2. Red tempera paint.
3. Stephen's Hot Cocoa
4. Raw egg.
5. Lotion
6. Vomit.
The last item on my list was the one that put me over the edge. Why? Because it was at 1:30 a.m. that Anna decided to spew the black bean soup and corn bread we had had for dinner that night from the top of the bunkbed ladder and coat at least 1/3 of the floor space in her room with the lovely goop. She then ran to our room, crying, to tell us all about it and unloaded what had once been our family home evening treat of brownie sundaes in the doorway. Upon surveying the damage, it was clear that this was a task for my trusty Hoover. I was in bed less than half and hour later. Another thorough shampooing in the morning and voila! The pukey mess was as good as gone. Clearly a wise purchase on our part.
Now my only question is, "How is it that what went in first (Anna's dinner) was also what came out first?" Puzzling...