I'm with you SRS. Of all my kitchen toys, the one I would replace within 24 hours of it breaking permanently would be my Kitchen Aid. At the risk of sounding like a commercial (I DETEST commercials) that thing does EVERYTHING. It has an attachment for just about any function you could ever want: shredder, slicer, meat grinder, sausage maker, ice crusher, food strainer, juicer, dough hook, paddle, whisk, etc...
I got mine for a wedding present eons ago, but I'd replace it in a heartbeat (despite its exorbitant cost) if it ever *gasp* broke.

Beccy