So as an update...
I did pick up a new and solid copy of 2.2. I copied in my mods and blocks. I renamed my current install folder from moodle to moodle_old.
I copied in the new solid copy of 2.2 with ONLY the added mods and blocks that I had originally installed. I did not copy the entire mod directory (this actually becomes important).
I then hit the browser, and all was working exactly as expected.
I took a bit of a chance I guess, but instead of going to 2.3 first, I went forward with 2.4. I downloaded both, because I had an idea that when I copied the ENTIRE mod folder over in the original attempt yesterday, I then copied over newer copies of the files/mods that were already included in 2.4 that had dependencies on other newer files. The thinking was that if I had ONLY copied over the few mods and blocks that I had added (instead of the whole mod folder) then I might be ok.
Regardless, I prepared to restore 2.2 and the database.. Fore the database, I simply copied out the moodle database from the MySQL directory...it was easier, and I already had my site in maintenance mode so no tables should have been in use.
I renamed the newly placed working 2.2 to moodle_old1, and I then...feeling brave and adventurous...copied in the new MOODLE24_STABLE in and renamed it as the new "moodle". I then copied in only the mods that I had installed. The upgrade progressed fine until the plugin check. This time though, everything was fine (To be installed, To be upgraded....) except for info on my add-ons that said they were missing pieces. I simply went back into my original saved moodle foldder (moodle_old), and found the files that I needed. I put them into the new install, and voila! Oh... I should also mention that I originally forgot to copy over the config.php with the new 2.4. Scared the hell out of me, because moodle thought it was a brand new install. Grabbed the old config.php as instructed, and popped it in...refreshed, and Moodle picked right back up asking me if it was ok to upgrade.
Upgrade problem solved...now chasing down fixes to overcome the newer version of my mods. Can't thank you both enough.
For anyone else out there, the moodle directory can almost be swapped out at will and on the fly. I was really afraid of this until today until I'm renaming and copying and moving files at will. The database really is what keeps track of things. That really helped me feel comfortable about moving things around.
I guess I'm fortunate that I've tried to keep it fairly base, and simple. Because of that, I feel like the instructions to get a clean copy, and start over with good code isn't anywhere the issue I thought it was.
Thanks again!