Sometimes the old fashioned way is the best way. After many hours, too many, trying various platforms for my blog and hosting options I decided to host through my Gmail creating a group list. The only drawback so far is that it doesn't have an "unsubscibe". So in the emails I will add a personal note that I will take them off my mailing list.
I am still testing cloudHQ to make a template. So far it is not very user friendly and probably will end up with a request to upgrade to use this or that option.
So I will post the link on a mail post fingers crossed all will work