@farmerman,
Wow! What a coincidence! My mom had a vacuum cleaner too! That's when I learned to love them. If I had a choice of any of the chores - dusting, washing dishes, ironing, cleaning the bathrooms or vacuuming - I'd always choose vacuuming.
Now she has this really good lightweight Dyson or Dysart or something. It's a pleasure to vacuum at her house.