I don't want to clog up this thread with my personal issues that I'm having with a single project. If you wouldn't mind I have posted my sketch (that is still a work in progress) here: http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php/topic,108375.0.html
I'm hoping this thread will get a little more attension and people that are just starting or got threw a book and don't know where to go from there, could maybe find a little direction on this from the more experienced members.