alright, worked on the car over the weekend. to make it short, i replaced the idler pulley (about $20 from advanced) got home put it on on she still squealed!
I pulled out the wd-40 to start working my way around each of the different pulleys. Started with the alternator and it shut right up. So thinking I was a lucky guy, i pulled off the alternator, took it to advanced to put on their tester. i had the guy run it with a belt for like 2 minutes; perfect charge, no squeal. Went home put the alternator back on, started it up and it squealed more. i put my ear as close as i could to the accessories (without losing it) and it seems to come from down lower. I almost want to say in the area of the water pump or crank pulley. I have no idea. so i will take it into a mechanic and have them tell me what the heck is wrong with it.