Chris, I swear you're the best person on the face of Earth, I swear!
It is a fun project, I can't even begin to describe the happiness while I'm recording, and now I have even more reasons to get better and better.
Good news is, I am doing more or less what you're saying, although sometimes I find a bit tricky to find the key, especially it's random strumming but eventually turn into a nice tune.
I'll check all those links you've posted, and of course the rest of your lessons.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you forever and after man.