Transmission woes.. stuck in gear?

[cardriver]

i need some help guys.. i have just put my transmission back in from replacing my clutch and can't seem to get the transmission in neutral to get the shifter put back in right. i've done this many times before and have not had this much trouble with getting the shifter back in, and i did not force anything. here's what i did once i got the transmission put back in:

slid the shifter back into place and proceeded to bolt in back in and accidentally moved one the shift rods... so i took it out and used a screwdriver to slide it back into place with the other one (match the notches).

put it back in place and started bolting it back down, but noticed it seemed to be too close to the dash. bolted it down and moved left to right, then wiggled it around but couldn't find a gear. so out it comes again.

i tried to slide each shift rod forward one click to make the shifter sit at more of a correct angle (at least i thought). well, i couldn't move both into place. i could move one, but not the other, and vice versa. just not both at the same time. maybe that's how it should be?

with the transfer case in neutral, i can't move the intermediate shaft, but if i push the clutch in, then it will turn. could that mean it's hung in a gear?

well, now i can't even move either of the shift rods. i am stuck like chuck. i pray that i didn't majorly screw up the tranny cause i really don't look forward to taking it back out. the shift sheet is still in good shape and the bolt is still doing good, no slop. any help anyone has to offer will be taken dearly.

thanks
-charley