Wow! Thanks a lot for all the advice guys and gals. This forum is quite more lively than I expected.

I've been doing a lot of reading, thanks to the links. I was at first really worried the cable was set permanently to the shifter housing, but it looks like they do come apart. Hopefully they aren't fused together by rust!

With regards to the small chain ring, it is toast. If I use that chain ring with the chain and put any pressure, my crown jewels are likely to feel the pain (found that out the hard way). However, the big chain ring and rear sprockets seem to be fine. I am hoping to only use the big chain ring. The chain doesn't seem to sit on the big chain ring correctly. Would the chain need to be replaced?

Man, I am sooooo super excited about fixing it up. Despite the 5 days of rain DC is getting, it is finally getting warm enough to ride. I wonder why I didn't pick riding up sooner!