Pots & Pans...advice? Anyone?

A few years ago it was my New Year's resolution a to try two new recipes a month. I was getting sick of making the same things over, and over, and over again. I've been getting better at making some pretty darn good food. I actually love to do it. I'm finding joy in my kitchen!

However.....yes, there is a however. If you could actually see me right now, you could see the embarrassment written all over my face as I am about to admit this. Ugh.....we have not-so-good pots and pans. I have a decent non-stick pan (actually, a large one and a small one), and a mediocre pot for pasta and the like. I really, really yearn for some good cookware. New pots and pans. I am surprised we're still cooking and using a 4 qt pot that Michael had when he lived on his own. The one that the handle is loose, and you can tell how old it is like you can tell how old a tree is by the rings...well, on the pot you could count the spoon marks in the Teflon that was scraped away by stirring Macaroni & Cheese, one of Michael's staples when he was on his own. I entered, and the pot stayed. Why is that? Why did we never register for new pots and pans when we got married? I don't need a whole set of 15 pieces or anything...just a few nice, good quality, I-never-have-to-buy-pots-and-pans-again kind of cookware.

I think I deserve it. The welfare of my children's nutrition (not to mention mine and Michael's) depends on it.

Any suggestions? Brands?? Le Creuset, Calphalon, All-Clad....???? I beg of you....help! What's good? What do you use?