Interesting thread. I have an 11 y.o. frigidaire that has had the same issues listed in this thread. After defrosting the ice maker one too many times, we bought a new one through a parts dealer on ebay. The shape/style of the ice maker purchased after-market was a bit different, but we've had zero problems with the ice maker since (knock on wood). Also had a temporary problem with the temperature and found it to be what Kaseki mentions a few posts above. In our case, keeping the refrigerator side cool, requires keeping certain pathways free- we found those particularly to be in the back of the shelf under the ice maker on the freezer side, and on the top shelf in the fridge side- so that must be where the circulation takes place. We have to keep that middle shelf in the freezer loosely packed with nothing pressed all the way to the back, or there goes the temp in the fridge side- just the way it's designed, but sheesh. I'd be especially frustrated if I didn't have a deep freeze in the garage and depended on that freezer for more packed/long term storage. Wayne, I'd try to get the contents of the fridge and freezer down to a minimal level and away from the back of the interior-- and see if doing that allows more circulation and hence the fridge cabinet cooling to a greater extent. Also, keep in mind that if you are opening the door frequently to check the air temperature, you can get misleading readings. We used a high quality mercury thermometer placed in a glass of water in the refrigerator- this gives you an accurate reading of what the contents of your refrigerator are being kept at. This morning I had the door open for a while to clean the shelves, so the air temperature in the refrigerator had increased somewhat, but the temps of the milk/meat/etc. didn't have a chance to rise much before the cabinet cooled again.

I replied in an earlier thread, but after hearing all your replies I was able to relate because not only did I experience firsthand your problems, but also caregivers constantly visited my senior center office looking for advice and services. So here we go: 1. The most difficult time in your life is the transition from being a child to becoming the parent. It's very difficult and heartbreaking. 2. As people get older they become less interested in activities they once enjoyed because they're just plain tired. As memory fades, they'll talk about the past. Don't fight it. My brother had Alzheimer's, and every time we visited he told us he had just come back from cutting firewood in the woods. Rather than correct him, we continued his conversation about this and he was quite pleased. Get a recorder, as mentioned above, and get as much family history as you can while the person still recalls more vividly past events. Be more accepting of their declining limits. If they just want to sit there and watch TV, let them. Try some simple chair exercises. One that helps keep legs strong is quite simple. Just sit in a chair and lift each leg. This builds the upper front thigh muscle and is one of the first exercises they have you do in physical therapy after a lengthy bedridden stay in a hospital. Also, most senior centers office similar programs just to keep people moving. Be nice to yourself. Take a break. Hire an older person who could more easily relate and also "babysit" for you so you can go out and have a few hours to yourself. If you don't, you will come to resent your caregiving. Also, there are people who would be willing to stay overnight to give you an entire weekend of freedom. Do it! And lastly, don't feel guilty if you're nice to yourself or occasionally lose patience. You're only human. Consider a day or two per week in an Adult Day Care program. Simply being among their peers can do wonders. I've seem an amazing difference in seniors who have participated in this. However, you may have to bring the person screaming and hollering at first, but very quickly they will begin to enjoy themselves. My last suggestion comes from a study I read years ago. Nursing home residents were asked what they would like to do. While activities directors thought they wanted loads of activities, when asked, the residents replied they really wanted to get out of the home for a few hours and take a short ride. We once had a program at our senior center where a local restaurant that offered a soup and sandwich type of lunch donated a number of gift certificates. We would choose an elder along with a volunteer, and they would go out to lunch. Most people really enjoyed this. However, you must keep the outing to no more than a few hours due to fatigue. Hope some of this helps, for I've been there, done that; and I have a special spot in my heart for the caregivers who look after others. It isn't easy.

The first Electrolux oven (a single) we had wouldn't fit in the cabinet. The cabinet hole was square, but the oven was not. The box looked fine,but the whole thing was racked. We had our contractor take it back and we ordered another one. We were there when he unloaded it. Box looked fine, When we opened the door, both corners of the box down by the hinge had an alarming amount of distintively-blue "powder"-- fine glass shard from the enamel. We couldn't see visible cracks,but that was just too scary after reading about the blue enamel issues of the past. Took that one back, ordered a third. Were starting to think that maybe a whole container got dropped onto a dock or something. Something stressful had happened in the door hinge area. Third time, we unpacked the carton ourselves on the loading dock at the warehouse. There was some blue dust, but not nearly as much as before. We accepted this one, and now counters have been installed over it and work is marching on, but it hasn't been used yet, so only time will tell if we should have accepted that one or just moved on. We were also considering a Bosch as a contender. Then just recently, I read here about one catching on fire. You can always get a lemon, but it's not like there are some 100% reliable options out there. Fingers crossed for both of us!

I have a big picture window behind my sink and I wouldn't trade it for anything! It's about 5 inches above counter, but when we reno I want to raise the countertops a couple of inches (I'm 5'9"). I'd love to bump it out 6 or 8 inches, but these windows were just installed a couple of years ago and I know there won't be budget for that. I'd also bring them down to the countertops, but that too won't be happening either. Windows behind the sink get splashed, but a quick swipe takes care of the worst of it. I climb up on the counter about once a month and give them a good wash and wipe. To my mind, that's a small price to pay for the enjoyment they give me everyday watching goofy golfers, blue herons, coyotes, foxes, ducks, geese, eagles, and hawks. Lauraxx, your plan sounds great--go for it!! I don't think you'll ever be sorry you put in that great window. Get low-e windows and you won't be bothered by heat coming through them. The low-e windows have made an amazing difference in our house.