thanks all! Your advice is wonderful. I cannot afford that Vega mandolin unfortunately; wish I could. I might ask about layaway...

Kendall, I just think it would take me years to become a good enough player to be able to accompany myself and not take away from my singing...my voice will always be my main instrument, wouldn't you say?

Though I would love to learn to accompany myself on some instrument. Got that little harp a few months ago with that dream in the back of my mind; now just have to learn to play the darn thing...

Peg