Thank you Yelsel and Stacy. You both are very encouraging.

I looked on MapMyRide and found a slightly different route for half of the ride (the other half is over a marsh and only the 2 roads cross it)...but there arn't any shoulders on the road and some huge rollers on this new half...so I am kind of weighing that out. I think it would be a great ride...but not in rushour...I drove it home last night in rushour traffice and even going the speed limit someone was on my tail! I am also playing with the idea of only doing half of the ride in the pm, then catching a ride home with my husband from his office (through the worst of the traffic)
I am definatly going to check out a road safety class...in a group setting I think I would be more likely to pick up more information...everyone has experiences they like sharing or more questions than will come to my mind.

Thank you for all the suggestions for reflectors and lights. I have a blinking talelight already...but it's not the greatest so I will definatly check out thier stuff.