Awesome post gypsyblues thanks!! It really is amazing how different they all feel. I ended up bringing back my Fender and getting a decent beginner Yamaha 700S that was $100 less. It has gotten GREAT reviews and each store I have seen it at the people there have spoken very highly of it. Every time I picked it up and strummed some chords I could play them clearly on it. I would go back to the Fender and do the same exact thing and touch the other strings. I liked an Epiphone Hummingbird a lot that was the same price as the Fender but I felt I could play the Yamaha just fine for now to get started. Down the road when I get better I'm sure I'll want to get something a bit nicer but for now this will do just fine...I have a ways to go yet :)

And yes most certainly everyone had to start somewhere. My starting point is age 39 and I figured approaching 40 was a good time to start :). I'm not looking to perform or anything. Learning to play the guitar is just something I have always wanted to do so I'm very determined to keep at it. I can already see progress in only a week of practicing and I know a week from now I'll only be better. Thanks for the encouragement!!