Blog terminology is confusing- I see things other people do with their blogsand often don't know how to describe them. So often I'm just left stumped. Is this normal to be overwhelmed when starting off or am I just hopeless??? Any good, clear, simple, and concise websites that easily describe more complicated aspects of MT modifications?

I found MT very confusing to begin with as well. You might check out forum4bloggers for general blogging questions. I also have a little blog I've started to help out beginners with MT - Learning Movable Type. The MT Wiki can be very helpful. Good luck!

Another thing I would encourage you to do is to set up a test blog. That way you can try new things out without messing up your main blog

For myself at least, the best way to learn is to actually do things, through trial and error. Sit down with the manual and with some of the resources that Elise mentioned and work your way through it

I do have a blog site that is being tested out. It's not a 'live' site but I plan to incorporate it as soon as I feel comfortable with the design/layout.

LunarLog
LunarStudio

I am a designer by trade- and the appearance of a site mimicking the main URL (www.lunarstudio.com) is very important to me. The only problem is that I am unfamiliar with how to modify this blog visually in a program such as Dreamweaver instead of directly through hand coding. So if you have any ideas that would be great- for now I'll have to stick with some of the suggestions you have given me. Thank you guys and gals!

well, I have this site:

http://www.arcdivision.com

I will try and let see how its work.

Thanks.