I just found my way back to the Forum here - I have heeded some of the above advice and I am having a really good time. 

As an update, I shifted my priorities from trying to plow through the lessons to learning a few simple songs and trying to get my chord changes fast enough.  I am finding that a couple of Anders' practice songs are worth focusing on at this stage - I really like "Stepping Out " and "Bittersweet Rainy Day".  I still suck, but I have recorded my self and noticed some modest improvement.

Again thanks fo the encouragement.