[Ohiogirl]

Boomer, your posts are just too good - you really need to submit a manuscript somewhere, or how about an Erma Bombeck style column in The Daily Sun? You would have a pre-built following. Really, I'm not kidding here.

Back to DWs and appliances in general. We remodeled our kitchen in Ohio 4 years ago, knew we were going to move south at some point in the not too distant future and didn't want to spend all that money on a Bosch. Should have. Got a Kenmore middle of the line - it's ok, not great, but better than the Quietpower GE we have in Fl (about the same age).

At one point about a year ago, we thought the GE in FL was going fast. Seemed like we had to start it 2 or 3 times to get it going and was cleaning not so well. I would not have been surprised to have a tenant complain and planned to replace if needed.

Well, on our next trip down, didn't seem to have the same problem starting and it even seems to clean better than before, so maybe it fixed itself? I once had a refrigerator fix itself also (leaked slightly every night for a few weeks, then stopped). DW still doesn't clean all that great, so we will replace once we move down this fall, although maybe not immediately.

Our first priority is a new fridge - the one that comes with a CYV is just not big enough for the way I shop and cook, but we have room for it in the laundry room. Will mostly use it for cold pop (soda to you non-Ohians) and beer, extra ice.

Problem down there is that our appliances in TV are also bisque. I am having a hard time justifying replacing the range (gas) and microwave as they haven't been used all that much. (Tenants go out for meals a lot more, I think). Being the cautious and financially frugal person that I am, I will probably get a stainless steel french door fridge and DW soon, and hope that something goes wrong with the microwave and range so I won't feel as bad replacing them. Unfortunately, I'm also bothered by the aesthetics of having different color appliances, so I will probably not wait too long.

We put a GE profile slide-in gas range here in our house in Ohio, and a month ago had to replace the oven ignition switch - almost $300. Think it was just a plug-in piece. Should have tried it myself, but was afraid to touch anything since it is gas. Could see myself blowing up the house.

My kids in Orlando just purchased Whirlpool Gold brand (stainless steel) for their first house, might also see how happy they are with that brand and see it in action. They checked out Consumer Reports but were trying not to spend a fortune. At retirement, however, you figure this might be your last ones, so I tell myself not to be quite so penny-pinching, but when it's a lifelong habit, it's hard to break!