What mixer should I buy?

I did some research and thought I'd publish the answer just in case someone else is looking for a mixer with a stand. I went with the Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer. It's a nice mixer with stir speed plus speed settings 1-10 and comes with three types of beaters. The bowl locks in place easily and the mixer head locks as well. The one downside is it is large, but it is also powerful.

I have the professional grade Kitchenaid and have used many, many times the home grade Kitchenaids. It is absolutely my favorite stand mixer. I've used a few Hamilton Beaches, Cuisinarts, etc, but found the Kitchenaids to be the sturdiest and easiest to use. I do a lot of baking, often times making 20-30 dozen cookies at a time. The Kitchenaid mixers can easily handle a doubled recipe of chocolate chip or gingerbread! I've burned a couple other brands up trying that :) The Kitchenaids come with about 3 different attachments (paddle for cookies, whisk for meringues and such, or a hook for stiff doughs like bread). You can also buy numerous other attachments and tools making it more than a uni-tasker! I have the pasta roller, ice cream maker and grinder. Love them! As far as pies go, if you're looking to make crust in a mixer, I'm not sure I totally recommend that. I've had bad luck with that. I like to use the plastic blade in my food processor, though. Anyway, hope this helps a bit. :)

What kind of pies and cookies and how do I get some?