PRINCESS "DY"

There is a new lady in the house and both my men are quite taken with her. Standing only 4 ft tall, this royal beauty has an uncanny ability to steal the undivided attention of my son, while all the while monopolizing my husband's time.

And truthfully, I might be be jealous if she weren't doing such a good job of keeping my home clean, without me having to lift a finger.

The night we moved into our house, our neighbor brought over his Dyson vacuum cleaner. He explained to us that this vacuum was like no other we had ever experienced before and since they would be out of town he wanted to leave it with us overnight.

My first thought was I'm not exactly sure I would classify something that cleans dirt as an "experience" and my second was how did we get so lucky as to move next door to a man that wanted us to babysit for a vacuum?

Thankfully, I did not voice such judgements because I was very wrong on both accounts.

Now, my husband is not a brand name kind of man, folks. He believes that food is food, clothes are clothes, and a product is a product. No amount of cheeky labels or designer price tags are going to convince him otherwise.

Until now.

Chris has become a vacuum snob. As far as he is concerned, if you are not a Dyson, you are not a vacuum. And when this "Great Value" loving man told me that we were buying a $350 dollar dirt sucking machine, I knew he meant business.

So, she has affectionately been dubbed "Princess Dy", our newest beloved family member. And I reluctantly admit she does not disappoint.

The Princess is a non-discriminatory machine and believes in equal opportunity for all surfaces; she sucks as much dirt off wood floors, tile and window seals as she does carpet. Dust bunnies everywhere, TAKE COVER, because she comes with attachments and she is not afraid to use them.

Perhaps the best part of the deal is that Chris and Park are so possessive protective of her that I am rarely allowed to touch her. Hallelujah!

With as smitten as they are with her, though, I'm a little worried that she will develop an unruly attitude of superiority to our other cleaning apparatuses. Sibling rivalry runs rampant in many families and I'm certain that when royalty is involved it's only worse.

Princess Dy, I must warn you that as Queen of this house, I outrank you. You may have the love and support of my men, but I will not tolerate it if you try and edge out my beloved Swiffer.