WHY did I wait so long to buy this mixer???

A few years ago, I received a "secret" Pepperoni Roll recipe used by the local elementary school... you know... the ones "to die for". They used to take orders for them twice each year and made several thousand dollars for the PTA fund doing so. Well, the school closed, and the recipe was shared with me by one of the past PTA presidents. After burning up several hand mixers while trying to make the dough, I decided that it was high time that I purchased a "grown-up" mixer. After much research, I chose the Kitchen Aid Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer.
From the day I brought it home (over a year ago), I have been TOTALLY pleased with this mixer. The ease of use, ease of cleaning and the sheer POWER of the mixer makes this MY favorite kitchen appliance! The bowls are easy to clean, as are the attachments... I put the stainless steel mixing bowl in the dishwasher as well as all of the included attachments... they come out clean and shiny!
The attachments included with this mixer included a wire beater for creaming and fluffing liquids and thin batters, a solid beater for heavier mixing and dough, and, my favorite... a kneading tool. My mixer also came with a removable two-piece splash guard which I really don't use too often. It has plenty of different speeds for various needs... enough to complete every mixing task you can imagine, and then some.
Using the mixer has made it FUN to bake... I have been a reluctant cook during our first 16 years of marriage. After buying this mixer, I have thoroughly enjoyed cooking, especially baking! I have become much more daring in the area of making my own recipes and concoctions. Owning this mixer has given me the confidence to "really cook", as my sons say.
I still haven't quite figured out WHY it took me so long to buy this mixer... it has certainly made a big difference in MY cooking habits and in my family's eating habits! We ALL love it!