PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! If anyone is familiar with "Occam's Razor", the simplest solution is usually the right one, then my situation fits right in.

After doing a stress test on my freehub (and finding it to be in solid shape), I noticed something about the chain. It turns out that in some sections of the chain, the diameter of the bearings that go between the links (and over the pins) was much less than the distance across the outside edge of the link at that point.

What that means is that in some places, the chain (bearing, actually) was not fully seating into the gear (critically important on an 11T gear) and thus I had chain skip. I put back on my old chain and, voila', the skipping went away. I'll use it until I get another new chain (which means I have to deal with minor shifting issues until then). I don't know if SRAM has changed the specs for this particular chain, but the quality certainly sucks. The new chain is a PC-870 that I bought because SRAM says it's a replacement/upgrade for a PC-58, the old chain. Hmmmm...I wonder.....

Tomorrow I head over to the LBS to make an exchange (Not a normally stocked item, unfortunately). Sheeesh!!!!

Thanks to everyone for their help. Looks like I can get back into my riding routine.

Cheers and safe riding...Steph