Battle axe - lost your fire....sorry. Yes, I think at one time or another, we have all been there. And we are all getting older- yuck! Working with a longarm is not an instant skill-well maybe some have that "gift". You have a Millie, how great is that.....but you must start easy and work into hard...I have a very old apqs,no complaints, and have been l/a for a long time. I started out with simple, but not straight line pantos...lots of curves and easy movement....til you get the "feel" of the machine and then try a little ruler work on front side. But you have to do a little every day....put up plain muslin sandwich, this way you can see how you have progressed. Oh, fun thing.....write your name (cursive) from front... Hmm, wonder what this new generation of kids kids who are not taught cursive will do....oh, I forgot, use the computer, of course! Sorry, I digress........and it's winter....short days, no sunshine, hard on the mental attitude, which controls our physical in so many ways....think spring!!!!!!!!!