To be honest, all but the SZ SxS were nixed for things like ice buckets at the very bottom. I am tall, have neck and back problems, we live in TX and being able to get to ice easily is important most of the year. Once I saw that in the freezer, I didn't look that hard at the fridge portion. Those with the bottom freezer might have been okay for me on the fridge side if the ice had been better located. The Thermador (and Bosch -- Gaggenau if those are out yet) have the compressor mounted at the bottom of the unit, lifting up your food storage space. The handle of the bottom drawer is about 21 inches off the floor. It's like bending to touch your kneecap versus bending to touch your ankles. On top of that, the drawers are full extension -- you can see and reach everything. Compare that to digging into a half-open drawer just above floor level. The drawers are placed where they make sense and are easily used. They can be opened with the door at 90 degrees. For me, it's like the difference between my framed cabinets with side drawer glides that left 6 inches of drawer under the counter when fully opened and my new cabinets with under mounted, full extension glides. I could hid seldom used utensils and gadgets in the back of the drawer, but veggies, cheese and such tend to do funky things when you do that with them. One of the GE models we looked at was great in terms of the cooling specs, but the drawers couldn't be opened at 90 degrees, didn't open fully and they were not placed well -- really too many, if I recall correctly. Not enough room left for standing items. Try not to get swept up in the sales pitches and remember to look at the appliances with a critical eye and keeping you use and needs in mind. There are other little details -- like the bin at the top of the door where I keep butter and cream cheese. It actually holds a tub or sticks depthwise. My old fridge was just a bit too small and tubs had to go on the shelf and sticks had to go lengthwise. That little bin winds up holding so much when I need it to (baking for school this week and currently have a pound of unsalted butter, a pound of margarine, 2 lbs of cream cheese, a tub of whipped butter and 2 spice bottles that need to be kept chilled in that one bin). Find the feel and the features that appeal to you. We had already picked out another fridge when the Thermador finally appeared on the showroom floors. I told the marketing rep I had no interest in them -- my cabinets were ordered and why would I get 2 units to go side by side, spend more and lose space in the middle? Smart man -- he shrugged and moved on. When I went into the showroom, I was looking for my last decision -- hoods. Curiosity mandated that I at least stop and see the French door as I entered. I loved it, but I didn't have a 36" space and thought I was still safe. Then I did it -- I opened the columns. This fridge sang to me. I had DH come see it and he feltthe same way. The columns have worked so well for all of us (DW was 5 ft 2" or 3" when we got it up to 6'3" for other DS now, and we all love it). On top of that, the Thermador fridge, freezer and DWs are the only appliances I haven't had calls on to adjust or repair (Wolf, Dacor and Sharp have all had repairs). I can only tell you what works for me, but I don't believe there is anything that is completely one-size-fits-all. I hope you find something you and your wife will both love.

Not taking sides or promoting as I concur there may be some potential concerns as to disposal of a CFL. I always keep in mind an old style mercury thermometer had 125 times the mercury of CFLs. Plus some of us, hand raised here, use to take a finger and play with mercury when a thermometer broke. I still have all my fingers and I didn't grow a second head. I have been wondering too if some of the resistance is based on the initial cost of purchase. When a homeowner can go to the dollar store and get four incandescents for a dollar versus the outlay for CFLs and LEDs there has to be some eye opening and questions. I also keep in mind some people just can't live with change of any type. The world didn't end when the nation went from analog television to HD. I have had two CFL's fail; one flickered and one just stopped working. Like many of my others, they were warranted for nine years. Each time I e-mailed Sylvania and provided them with the requested date of purchase, location and the UPC number. The first time they sent me a $5.00 voucher/coupon and the second a $10.00 voucher/coupon both good for any Sylvania product. No muss, no fuss, and each time I made some money. I know someone out there wonders as to how I disposed of the two failures. Answer: I drive past the recycling center every day going to work. DA

If Noah had lived in the United States today the story may have gone something like this: And the Lord spoke to Noah and said, "In one year, I am going to make it rain and cover the whole earth with water until all flesh is destroyed. But I want you to save the righteous people and two of every kind of living thing on earth. Therefore, I am commanding you to build an Ark." In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications for an Ark. In fear and trembling, Noah took the plans and agreed to build the ark. "Remember," said the Lord, "you must complete the Ark and bring everything aboard in one year." Exactly one year later, fierce storm clouds covered the earth and all the seas of the earth went into a tumult. The Lord saw that Noah was sitting in his front yard weeping. "Noah!" He shouted. "Where is the Ark?" "Lord, please forgive me," cried Noah. "I did my best, but there were big problems. First, I had to get a permit for construction, and your plans did not meet the building codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw the plans. Then I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark needed a sprinkler system and approved floatation devices. Then, my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinances by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission. Then, I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to protect the Spotted Owl. I finally convinced the U.S. Forest Service that I really needed the wood to save the owls. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service won't let me take the 2 owls. The carpenters formed a union and went on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board before anyone would pick up a saw or hammer. Now, I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no owls. When I started rounding up the other animals, an animal rights group sued me. They objected to me taking only two of each kind aboard. This suit is pending. Meanwhile, the EPA notified me that I could not complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood. They didn't take very kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction over the conduct of the Creator of the Universe. Then, the Army Corps of Engineers demanded a map of the proposed flood plain. I sent them a globe. Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing discrimination by not taking atheists aboard. The IRS has seized my assets, claiming that I'm building the Ark in preparation to flee the country to avoid paying taxes. I just got a notice from the state that I owe them some kind of user tax and failed to register the Ark as a 'recreational water craft'. And finally, the ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding the earth, it's a religious event, and, therefore unconstitutional. I really don't think I can finish the Ark for another five or six years." Noah waited. The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine, and the seas began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up hopefully. "You mean you're not going to destroy the earth, Lord?" "No," He said sadly. "I don't have to. The government already has."

You don't have to worry about calling and complaining. Go ahead if you want. I can assure you that one complaint will certainly *not* result in the loss of a contract to the company! Actually more people *should* call, both when service is unusually bad or unusually good. I received a follow up call after delivery. Deliveries are tough. I've done them before. Some go great, some are nightmares. I have a lot of respect for people who do on-site anything. I bought a stove and refrigerator from Home Depot last year and part of the reason I bought there was the free delivery and pickup/disposal of the old appliances. I couldn't be happier with the service I received. They almost called too often! The two guys were unusually careful. They pulled them out of the boxes on the driveway, checked it over top to bottom for scratches, dents or damage and were unusually careful about cleaning up every scrap and checking for anything that may have been left on the driveway! I was surprised. I got a call that told me where in the queue I was and an estimated time something like between 9 & 10 am. Then I got a call from the delivery guys two or three times. They called before the one right before me and when they finished and would be on the way, giving time estimates on each. I have some extra blocks on the back steps to make for shorter height steps to be easier for me to go in and out. I said it was easy enough to move them but no, they said that wasn't necessary and went right up them and they were twisting themselves to be sure not to damage the door jamb or anything. Amazing. I gave them each a $10 tip and a big thank you. They were surprised and very appreciative. I imagine not too many people tip delivery guys. I kind of felt cheap about it afterward. But the time frame vs the amount was a pretty good income anyway. I also realize that the odds of getting them for another delivery are slim to none and it might be a total nightmare next time. But when they take that kind of care on cheap appliances (about $900 for both OTD) they obviously have a great work ethic.