After DH killing my third stick blender in 3 years making frozen smoothies, I have reluctantly agreed that we need a blender. However, being a kitchen gadget freak, I am really lusting after a Vitamix (I found a used one on gumtree for half of the usual eyewateringly high price). Are they worth the price, and does anyone use them for anything else besides smoothie making (I was particularly curious about soup and ice cream making in them).