When I was young and newly married I began collecting my china pattern one piece at a time over the years. The china meant alot to me because it took me so long to save for it and because I bought the first small piece on our honeymoon. We used the china for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many years later, the year I turned 50, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. One of the first things I did was to give away my everyday dishes and put my good china in my kitchen cabinets. We have used the "good" china everyday since, and I no longer worry about hand-washing it. I figure we might as well enjoy it! Many guests have said to me, "But what if the gold rim gets washed off by putting the china in the dishwasher?" I laugh and tell them I can't take the china, with or without the gold rim, with me! Moral of the story: enjoy your quilts, special dishes, silver, etc. now while you can....besides, your DIL may not like it!!!! PS...get your mammograms, ladies...it saved my life!