Problem solved.
 

The loos of power was due to the cat being clogged. It also sounded like the rattle everyone assumes is the heat shield. So you might want to check yours out sometime if you get the rattle after removing the heatshield. The shop i took it to replaced in in about a half hour cost was almost 200, and wow the performance increase was amazing. My car never had this much power even when i wasn't having problems.

Don't ya just love a happy ending :D

in case my sense of humor isn't making it thu, just pulling your leg a bit - honestly that's great