I have the 2x10 speakers which I prefer over the 1x15, but just a personal choice. +1 on the clean channel vs the dirty, but you can get very useful tones out of the dirty channel IMO. I bought mine used for $250.
Definitely get the a tube guard or make one like I did. I took out a power tube right before a gig with my amp stand
but luckily had a spare.
Hey mojo, how is your wife doing? Can you give us an update?