Can't get mac.com mail from iCloud on Snow Leopard iMac

I can't get the mail app from wanting to connect to mobileme when I try to update my mac.com email preferences. At first it kept opening dialog messages that the certificate to retrieve my e-mails is unvalid and unsecure. I looked on support here and it was suggested I delete that mail account and start fresh.

I did but now keep getting a the following prompt:

I was able to set up and ICloud account on an iOS device

I have too many ProPC apps that I use daily which will no longer work if I upgrade to Lion at this time. Upgrading to Mountain Lion will be a $8000 expense for me, I can't afford at this time. I just need to retrieve my mac.com emails on my IMac using Snow Leopard. I use a iMac 3.2 GHz i3.

Is there a workable fix or should I just navigate all communication to a gmail account and abandon my mac.com account?