wow, thanks for the help guys! really awesome.

I went ahead and hardwired these buggers tonight. I started realizing my opportunity cost of fighting with the wireless was too high. It only took 2 drill holes to get one SB to the router!

I also bought a homeplug on the way home. done and done!

still not really able to figure out how to drive individual SBs off SS, but I think at this point we are talking about getting to know the software.
and... now i've got a frosty beer and some bitches brew