Thank you all again.
The latest chapter in this saga is that I called the quilt store and was told that $600-700 was the lowest price they would recommend for a basic machine. It went up from there, and I do mean UP! :mrgreen: I was a little dissappointed since I felt the quilt store would have offered a brick and mortar address that might be helpful with the zillion questions that are likely to come up.
From what I have read here I am tempted to go back to Sears and buy the Kenwood (Janome?) machine that is on sale for $199 <Mfr. model #16231>
Link to sears site
My wife has been reading your responses with me and feels a pull towards the Janome Magnolia. There seems to be different models of he magnolia and a large price spread. I think she would also seem happy with the idea of the machine linked above.
Any feedback will be very much appreciated. Thank you all.