Thanks for such a long reply to my question. After looking here and at Bob Dunshire's forum and checking out the classifieds at Chiff and Fipple, Uillean Obsession, etc. and pondering over all the excellent replies, I decided to order a practice set from John Pedersen in California. He makes a beautiful instrument that people love to play. I feel like his set will be one that I can add to and have a really nice profession set when I'm finished. We had a number of discussions and he plans to show me how to make my own reeds when the instrument is ready. He says its not only important to know how so you won't be without reeds, but even more so, its important to know how to adjust your reeds when that don't sound right.
In the meantime until I get my set, I am learning tunes on the tin whistle but using Uilleann fingerings (at least as close as I can do). I'll also be lining up an instructor (via Skype) because I've learned a number of instruments with and without an instructor and discovered that the instructor route is much more efficient and the money is well spent.
Again, I want to say that living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I am on my own and I appreciate the willingness that you had to help me.

Eyler