Okay I have been quilting for about 15 minutes with no thread breakage and having so much fun. I hope I am not jinxing myself. So far the advice I have taken: oiled the machine, changed to a Jean 100/16 needle (someone I know with this machine told me to do this), loosened the top tension a little and it seems to be working. It just stopped sewing and I thought "oh no", but it was just the bobbin out of thread. Will post more later if it keeps working after I change the bobbin.
Again, thanks to this wonderful site for all the support. I am having fun again.
CA