You all may be right.

I do feel like it just needs some tweaking--in other words more comfort feels close---AND I don't ride nearly enough NOR am I very strong yet. AND, I am the original Princess & the Pea....sometimes my socks hurt....

size:
I bought the bike from a pretty intense LBS called River City and had a cyclist spend quite a bit of time with me. She had me try several different sizes of the same frame. She watched me pretty closely as I rode and was looking for angles of knee and the triangle between butt, hands and ?? My DH was standing with her as she probed so I didn't hear alot. The 52 probably fit me a little better....but I wanted a step through and the 49 was too small so I got the 53. She said it would be fine. The only time stand over was discussed was when she wanted to show me that I could stand over the "mens" 52 and didn't NEED a step through. IOW, I had a choice.

SO. Yesterday as I was riding, I found the most comfortable position was to tip my pelvis back (ye olde basin) and sit up straight on on my ibones...I could reach the bars then with my fingers, but not my whole hand. That seems to have more to do with how far away from the bars I was...either in height or length. And perhaps I was just unable to maintain that position for long.
(being weak and all)

Thus! I think moving my seat forward a bit and the tipping the bars up a bit may help.

Because I have the longer 67 saddle now...I may not need it quite as far back as I put it. And I will say this...I have no lingering pain anywhere from the ride. Maybe the ibones are a wee bit sore.

I'm not sure about moving the nose up, Mimi...I can imagine it would help me maintain the right bone position...but the front pressure??? More info?

thanks for the help...I know I'll get it right with your guidance. And I DO like my new saddle.
The SUN is out and I have a little time to fool around so I'll take my wrench and my bike out.