Account alias

I have a new Surface Rt that I like very much.  However I am having problems with Microsoft Accounts.  When I got this thing, I didn't know I had and old account, but it came I think from Messenger that I never used.  I wanted to share my wife's skype account, but it won't let me do this, I guess since Skype is now inextricably linked to Microsoft and she has therefore her own account.  In trying to do that I closed the old account after having to change the password like a million times.  I have an obtuse but standard for me password that I wanted to use.  When I created the new account I tried to alias it to my Charter email account which I have been able to maintain as my only really active email account.  It won't let me, says it's already in use, but as far as I know only by the account I closed.  I want my own email name back, but I have no idea what has it tied up or how to get it released.