I'm definitely trying to think logically, I'm fairly certain I could "brute force" the problem with about 40 variables and if-else statements. I'm trying to avoid that and write code that both A) works and B) I can understand in three days when I look back at it (comments can only delve so far into the convoluted mind).
I appreciate the help I've gotten on these forums so far - I haven't programmed in a long time, and members have been very helpful in showing me different ways to see a problem.