We, too, had a workhorse KA dishwasher. I fairly wept when it gave its swan song after 20+ years of washing dried on cheeses, tomato sauce and other malodorous gunk. We purchased a new one, bought the extended warranty and had a service call within two months. Control board went. Frustrating part was that Lowe's told me that no matter what died, it was covered. Well, it was covered, but I couldn't get anyone to come out. I'd make an appointment, and the company would cancel the night before. Finally, I called Lowes, told them about it and they sent someone right out. Currently, the little happy chime doesn't signal denoting the end of cycle .... probably signaling another service call. Sorry to corroborate your experience, PKguy. I've become so cynical. I hear energy savings, it only uses a teaspoon of water, blah, blah, blah and I just put up my hand like a traffic cop, thinking "Please. I'll be replacing this in just a few years." Cathy in SWPA

eenie meenie miney mo and cross your fingers. We went through this last year. Fingers still crossed. And blanked out the whole experience for the most part. Did research but as mentioned above they are all about the same, then not. So far so good with what we ended up with. It is just too big, huge. They sent the wrong one but close enough. I've not had one in the past to compare, except a horrid small chest type in my vacation home that needs defrosting monthly. And a countertop upright that was free from a friend that works great so that one will go to that home. In short, we ordered a number of times with e-mail confirmations, then out of stock...repeat. We used Lowes and they we very helpful with all the troubles. I find it easy to keep organized with some added baskets that i can pull out onto a counter next to it. The door itself holds all my spices nuts grains...the main reason for my choice. As mentioned, assess your needs and start from there. If we purchased in bulk like ducks chickens turkey or end up with a moose tag a chest freezer would make sense. The wire shelving in most uprights would not hold or store or even makes sense for storing big bulk things. For garden harvest and meats packaged in meal portions i think uprights work really well. Two different ones are on this page. We ended up with the bigger beast. It is Frigidaire.fridge

Thanks guys. The cottage is about 5 hours north of Fargo right on the lake. Great location and much of the expensive stuff has been done (decks, roof, levelling). We acquired it from my in-laws legally in the last little while, but we've been using it for many years. Now that it is ours and they no longer are able to make it out there, I am ready to (slowly) fix a few things. They took great care of it, but somethings just need to be changed - aesthetically and functionally. The backsplash is just sheet laminate (I think that's the right term?) over top of the fake wood panelling. The cabs are really solid, but nailed (big nails) and built right in place. I'm worried if I try to take them off, they will be toast. The backs of the cabs are all one piece and then the fronts are nailed to the one long back. However, I think I will try to (carefully) pry them off on the fridge side and see what happens. The stove is as old as the cabin and while the elements (usually) work, the oven does not and it keeps blowing fuses. I had an electrician in this past weekend and he says it wouldn't be hard to run the electrical for the stove to where the micro is and then I could get a 30" stove. I'm just not sure I want to be cooking with my back to the room (altho I just realized that is my set up at home and I don't mind it). I'm thinking that if I can get the upper cabinets off, I could have someone come in and drywall just the 3 walls of the kitchen. That would be doable financially and open up more possibilities. I keep putting off painting the fake wood ( I know it's awful) thinking of different solutions (paintable wallpaper, adding vertical wood strips and then painting to make it look like board and batten rather than painted panelling, taking down the panelling and doing vertical shiplap, etc.). Thanks for ideas so far.

The bedrooms and bathrooms are in the same family of colors but are a lighter shade. When you open the door to go into the bathrooms they are a lighter gray from the same color family. Nicely done. I personally think blues are hard to coordinate, but I also know my own limitations, and I know I am a total idiot when it comes to color. As far as my house looking real people nice .. you said it perfectly! That is exactly right on point and exactly what I wanted and could afford It’s just my family home, sweet, simple and a place that makes me feel happy when I look at it That's my goal too. Also, my bedroom suit was dark oak and in pretty good shape. I lightly sanded it, primed it, sprayed it and brushed the tops of the dresser, night tables, and chester drawers so they would be more durable It turned out beautiful and I finished the entire project in about 5 days You've convinced me to paint my bed when we move. but I can assure you that I would never paint my home again.. it would have been worth double that to pay someone It gave me a great respect for painters and why it cost so much .. it is a job that I would never want to do again.. I’m still touching up paint and if I could I would have used spray paint I don't mind painting a room here and there ... but to paint the whole house /I assume you mean interior only ... and to paint new drywall, well, that's a task. At the same time, $10,000 is no mean savings.