On step 2, Am I reading this right? can you adjust the pixel sample average on the eye dropper? one of my problems with that tool has been it constantly selecting from one of the pixels that contribute to the color we see, but not the color I want.

OK, the tutorial is pretty light. If I had to stop and explain every tool.... well it'd take an entire website (Coming soon!), so feel free to ask.
Yes, when you select the eye dropper, you can average with 3, 5, or higher to get a more uniform sample.
Or you can stick with a single pixel - and zoom in to be more precise.

Also use Caps-Lock to flip between the tool cursors: Caps Lock turns on the precise cross hairs for precision work.

Thanks!