great stuff buying the wife a scope
I still use my small cheshire I got from andrews $29 and don't have any problems with it .
If a check of the collimation useing the info you have raises a few doubts drop back in here ..I'm sure somone will be able to help you out.
Ericks tip regarding putting something under the secondary really does remove the confusion of all those reflections that stare back at you when you look down the focuser draw tube.
cheers and merry x-mass