I learned a while back it is easier to work with a page template. The first thing I do is to build what I call my template page. It has all of the common elements without the bells and whistles of the indivdual pages. i save it as "template" and when I make a new page, I save that page by its proper name. I am famous for making mistakes as well. I have learned to copy and paste html, etc, as well....just an idea.