Just in case you forgot... you guys are awesome.

I definitely know I want to keep the fender stays straight so the plastic safety releases are allowed to function normally... I've never before seen or had a stick or anything picked up by the tire that might flip me, but as you said I want those releases there to "save my bacon" if needed.

Sounds like I'll be making a pit-stop at the hardware store this afternoon... I think I'm going to try the wiring clamps first, I just think I want/should attach the stays as low on the fork as possible (instead of using the eyelets a couple inches higher).
At least the wife shouldn't be too bothered about another bike-related purchase, since it's only $4 this time!

Visualizing my task for tonight, I guess my only concern is bending the wiring clamps to match the fork... it's flat on the inner side but I think it would be best to have the stays bolt onto the clamps on the outer side of the fork so they (and especially the safety clips) aren't bent too much.

Thanks again!