Thanks for all of the replies!! I've made a list of the machines that all of you have suggested and will be researching them through a couple of different avenues that I have available to me.
I convinced DH that today would be a good "research" day - me for embroidery machines, him for flat screen tvs. COincidentally, the 2 stores I had in mind were right next to each other!! (Yes, yes, devious mind and all that). However, instead of taking our son to look at tvs, he actually stayed and wandered through the store while I got some demonstrations on the 2 Vikings that were making me drool. Sadly, they are both a bit out of the price range this go 'round. Not so sad is that, if this whols business goes as I hope, I should be able to upgrade to one of them within a year or 2...provided I sock away as much money out of each but as I can and still have money for supplies and such.
I'm honestly still not 100% sure about an embroidery machine, though I know it will allow me to expand a bit. The whole "needs specific threads" issue that has been brought up with some of the machines is a HUGE turn off for me. I do know that I want one that I can connect to the computer for designs and preferably one that doesn't take thread that will cost an arm and a leg per spool...other than that, who knows.
Right now, the machines that get regular use are the Brother serger that I got for Christmas/birthday and the old Kenmore (17 years and never been to the shop, though the presser foot takeup lever is starting to get loose, so it might go in soon). I have a EuroPro that I really only bought for the decorative stitches that I like to use on quilts and my DDs clothes, but for the time being (at least until the sewing room gets it's turn at being remodeled), it lives in the closet.
As for making curtains and such....pretty much anything goes, though I think, given the ages of my children, I will have to decline anything that is too racy or goes against the republican leanings of the area that we live in (think drag queen costumes, etc.). Granted, I could have a lot of fun making them, but....want to watch what the kids are exposed to.
Anyway, thanks again for the suggestions, I am off ot research them now...figure I have 6 months or so to research, test out, and make a final decision.
Larisa