I agree with you Georgia,
If we were to only have one, I'd go with the large oblong ones...
Can even cook a medium sized leg of lamb in ours or two chicken fryers... or six cornish game hens...
We have three...
A 1 qt. (very small, round, great for apps. or making oatmeal <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />)... about $10 for the CrockPot Brand...
a 2 qt. round which we don't use too much, except for stews and soups, as the round shape doesn't fit a lot of meats...
and our large oblong one...
whatever one you get, make sure it has at least the three settings... high, low & warm...
and has a removable bowl (I think that's pretty standard now)...

we just recently gave away all the other really old (avacado/harvest gold colored, 20+ years old) slow cookers to outreach...
They still worked fine, but not nearly as good as the new ones...
and you don't have to spend a lot for a new one... they are fairly cheap...
This is the large 4 qt. oblong one we have (CorningWare):
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/190...gt_adv_XSP10001


BUT I did just see this one... which would be great for when all the family visits...
Really nice!
http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-84905-5-...4618&sr=1-1