I think your decision to cancel was wise. You will be much better off if you choose your appliances based upon features and performance criteria that match your needs, and not simply one manufacturer's. I do not have any experience with Viking, per se, and cannot comment on their performance or reliability from that standpoint, but there have been plenty of problems reported with them here. That anecdotal info would be something I would take into consideration, personally. Stainless and custom color options on many of today's appliances, as well as the option for custom, cabinet-faced, built-ins, pretty much allow cooks to pick and choose what they want with the knowledge that it will all go together fine. For instance, our kitchen features Miele Speed Oven and Coffee system, Bluestar range, GE Monogram range hood, Bosch Dishwasher, and an LG fridge. About the only matching I tried to do was after I saw the Miele speed oven for the first time paired with the coffee system. That was a look my wife and I liked. Turns out the Miele speed oven has become a real "go-to" device around here (I don't even turn on the big oven unless I am making pizza or something huge like turkey) So yeah, I would focus on getting the best example of each appliance you need rather than trying to shoehorn all of one maker's wares into your new kitchen. Best of luck!

Well, they just called today and I didn't get the job. Boo hoo but just teeny tiny boo hoo because I wasn't really sure I wanted to go back to work. This job this time next year would have been ideal. I had a really good talk with the principal when she called to tell me and the other woman with all the experience got the job. She was really encouraging about applying for future positions which is very reassuring. In the meantime, I can actually have time all to myself for the first time in 8yrs! I just realized when I was contemplating the unruliness of my hair that I can actually make a hair appt without calling 3 different people trying to arrange someone to watch one or both of the kids. OMG, I can sign up for a yoga class! And DH is satisfied because I did actually try to get work. I've got calls out to a couple of teacher friends to see what they recommend for getting some more experience teaching reading (the principal said this would be a good thing to work on). So all in all, I think this will work out for the best. I can still substitute and tutor for extra cash - we won't be getting that new car but that can definately wait. Thanks again everyone for keeping me company during this experience. I really appreciated your good wishes and support.

I am not sure why your neighbour hates her FL machine but I have used a front load washer for more than 10 years. Never a problem. You do have to rethink how you wash clothes with them but most of them clean and rinse much better than traditional top loaders. There is a very little bit of water used for washing and some people can't get past that (mentally). Even my new Miele uses less than my previous Frigidaire and it's an adjustment. I'm not a fan of these HE top load machines. Not sure why exactly. FL technology has been around forever in Europe and I just think it's more time tested. I had a Frigidaire pair for 10 years and when the bearings started to go on the washer I bought the Miele W4842 and gas dryer (I've had them a short while). Not in everyone's budget - but just excellent machines - thoroughly enjoying them. I did narrow my search down to Miele and LG. There are some nice LG machines at Lowe's. I spent months reading and researching and if I hadn't purchased the Miele I would have purchased the LG (FWIW). This model was not yet available in Canada but it would have been top of my list. My parents have brand new entry level FL LGs they purchased from Lowe's (after all my mom's years with a top loader). She tells me she is very pleased with her new machines. Good luck! I know how hard these decisions can be. Here is a link that might be useful: LG WM3360

It was a stupid mistake (being pregnant) I made in thinking I was still in love with him. He was my first love in college and was a jerk to me back then. It got to the point I was devasted and committed suicide because of him at one time. Eventually, I woke up and broke up with the guy. His mother and him then begged me to get back to him. I did eventually (my 2nd mistake-the first was falling for him). I then moved back to my state after college. He left his parents and came to live with me in my state when I becamse successful in business. I owned 2 houses and lived in a decent house with my parents then. He was very nice to me and my parents then and promised to treasure our love. He seemed like a hard-working person so I thought he had changed....until one day I accidently got pregnant with his baby and to my disappointment, sensed his irresponsible side of being human. He didn't seem so happy knowing he had created a baby. We decided to get married in 4 months of the pregnancy. That is when he called his parents and asked them to attend our wedding. Since their son left them for me, his parents were furious. They bad-mouthed about my parents with the intention of tearing us apart. The result was the man insulted me even before the wedding. I did not believe in abortion and I didn't want my son to live without a father so I went through the wedding in bitterness (my 3rd mistake). His parents came to the wedding with their empty hands (very rude in our culture) and insulted my family and I right at the ceremony. The first time in my life I cried for my parents. I was their bad seed because I'd put shame on them. Because of what his parents did, my husband first realized he couldn't even trust his parents...but then who could divorce their parents? He agained listened to his parents and our marriage just got worse and worse. My husband would call me names, fights broke out between us, he repeatedly threatened divorce, eventually spent the nights out and did not help me with the baby nor household chores. My in-laws live out-of-state, treat my baby like a toy, but wants no part in caring for him. On the contrary, my husband had to make mortgage and utility payments for them every month, no matter what financial hardship we were in. My 72-year-old mother resented my husband (he listened to his parents and wanted to kick my parents out of my own house which I planned to purchase for them - my parents ended up leaving) but had no choice but to love her daughter (me) and babysit my son since he was 2 months. My career went downhill so I had no money for daycare. With repeated threatens of divorce, I one day fulfilled his wish: I filed the divorce. Marge-the work that I do is very flexible so it is not an issue. I make the call for whether I want to work or not. Right now I always make time for my son in the afternoon...stopping by grandma's place to bathe him, feed him, and tug him in for a nap. Both my parents are very supportive of me in terms of caring for my son. It broke my heart to see my mom in the emergency room and still thinking about what my son has to eat with every meal she had. I just got my baby's medical record today showing how involved I have been with my baby and how little his medical record mentioned of his father. I talked to a few attorneys already and they said I should have no trouble getting full physical custody for my case. It's been very stressful for me everytimes I think of my son not being well cared for if he was to spend weekends with his dad. I mean I've known my husband looking up porns on my laptop right next to my son when he was 2 months old when I had to go do grocery shopping....and many other things... How can my mind be at peace when thinking of how my husband had treated me and his own child? We had another fight again tonight because he said the "F" word to me. I emailed him and told him to leave within 1 week because I cannot tolerate it anymore and I do feel unsafe being around him. ...just want to break down and cry but I know I need to be strong to care for my child...