My advice about the mixer replacement would be to get a bosch
universal mixer. Much more powerful and works SO much better. I have
2 Bosch mixers, a small one and the universal. I bought the small one
because it is comparable to a Kitchen Aid but has a stronger motor
and was on clearance for $50. Bought them for my niece and my sister
too! The universal is all you really need, it has beaters for cookie
and cake batter as well as a dough hook. I have made 4 loaves of
bread, using over 8 cups of flour and the motor never strains. It is
SO much better than my old Kitchen Aid, and I had one of the old ones
that are better made than the new ones.
Sandy