My Very Own Sewing Machine!

I'm really excited.  Next week I start Intro to Sewing at Whipstitch - this way trendy sewing store on the Westside.  Have I mentioned that I love living on the Westside? When we left it was just becoming cool... in the past three years, it has become way cool.  Anyway, back on topic.  I've been sewing a bit with Kathy's old Kenmore that she got way back in 1978. 

Her machine looks just like this one... I'm too lazy to take a photo myself since it's dark and rainy and getting good lighting will be a challenge.  Photo courtesy of http://possumjimandelizabeth.com/

It's a great old machine.  Works really well, as far as I can tell.  However, I don't have all of the pieces and I eventually need to return it to her anyway.  So I decided that I should buy my very own sewing machine before I start class! 
Seriously, did you know how hard it is to choose a sewing machine?  Apparently simplicity is over-rated when it comes to the modern versions.  After an agonizing morning reading reviews and an informative call to Whipstitch, I made my decision.   Here she is:

She is the Brother CE-5000 PRW. The PRW stands for Project Runway.  I was a little leery of buying a machine associated with the show, it seemed gimmicky but I went with it.  I was mesmerizer by its snazzy features.  Fifty built in stitches!  Fifty!  (I think Kathy's has straight and zig-zag but I can't really get zig-zag to work.)  It's also a Consumer's Digest Best Buy.  I found mine refurbished on overstock.com for a great price and I had a 10% off coupon.  She will be here in 5 to 10 business days... Lets hope for closer to 5 or I will have to start class with the Kenmore after all.