Yeah yeah guys -- you get A++ for your assist. MY DILEMMA IS NOW OVER. Yes, I'm making this official: problem solved. All the apps (106) came back and the data that goes with them ...we tested a few. That one message I got claiming "some items could not be restored" might have been a fluke, a glitch - doubt it's anything real serious.
So I leave on a very happy note!
So I leave on a very happy note!