WIY- Thanks for the info; i do want to keep it upbeat for best chance of sticking w/it. BTW you mentioned about Michtav meeliyahu- totaly agree that everything is essential, but we learned MM weekly when we were first married for over a year (and I still learn it on my own) and just looking for something new this time around. Thanks again!
PS- another interesting suggestiion someone local (we live in Baltimore) gave me was Alei Shur. I’ve seen bits and pieces but never really went through it. we’ll see- I have until Sunday to choose!