That's not a trick question... go ahead, answer it!  Do you vacuum your lampshades? 

'Just curious, because I do a few times each year, but I've never seen that task on any list of housekeeping tips.

(If you're looking for an inspiring real estate post, please move on.  This is not going to be one of those.)

I took advantage of the opportunity to get a few things done around the house that are not part of my normal routine, when my husband was out of town a few days.  As I vacuumed the lampshades, I was amazed (as I always am) that they still look like new.  I patted myself on the back for taking such good care of them, and it dawned on me that they are older than my children.  (Shhhh... don't tell anyone, but the oldest is 40.)

Who could have imagined that a pair of lampshades would last that long?  I didn't even pick them out, so I can't ask myself if I would have selected something different, had I known they'd still be in my living room four decades later.

While my husband was a Naval Officer on a ship serving off the coast of Vietnam for several deployments over the course of four years, he had a few opportunities to visit a few Asian ports during R&R stops.  The lampshades were among many things he brought home to me - along with a large hand-carved chest (which serves as an end table in my living room), brass lamps (that host the oversize shades), and several other treasures.

Picture this, if you can... After purchasing these goodies, he transported them on a small boat back to his ship in the harbor and then he carried them on his back up a ladder on the side of the ship.  Had he dropped them, there would have been a big splash...  Then I would have picked out lamps and shades at a local store and probably replaced them periodically over the years.  LOL.

Given their history, obviously these lamps aren't going anywhere as long as we're around!

Okay, there's no punch line here...  I was just thinking out loud - or more precisely through my fingertips.  But I am curious to know if other people vacuum their lampshades (and if anyone has lampshades older than mine.)  Come on... you can tell...

(Who says that Activerain posts have to be about real estate?)