Hoping this works once again. I had a very old custom index template and my own css style sheet - something I had altered and adjusted over the years to suit myself, and I think that some legacy code there may have been causing some of my troubles. So I've set those aside in favor of the MovableType 4.1 default layouts.
I am also hoping that my web host can figure out what's causing the server load issues so that I can get back to posting pictures again, and having comments, and using this blog as a space for quiet thought...
I am going to be going to South by SouthWest Interactive - a terrific web conference in Austin, Texas, day after tomorrow. If you happen to be there too, say hello - or contact me on twitter: elizabethperry.
Conference sounds great! Have fun.