I use Internet Explorer and do not wish to switch to a different
browser. I am seeking either (preferably) A. How to get buttons to
appear on my google toolbar for a couple of my most frequently used
websites so I don?t have to find them over in my favorites list (I
don't like having the favorites open if I don't have to and pulldowns
are a pain), or B. If there is an extra ap/utility that I can add to
IE that will allow me to do this.

I do not know of a way to do this with the Google toolbar, but you can
place shortcuts to favorite sites on your Links toolbar in Internet
Explorer.

Here's how:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=171228

You can also make yourself a home page in HTML on which you put links
to anything you want.  I made one with a background design that I like
and links for frequently visited sites, including this one.  That's
the page that comes up when I open my browser, and not the default
browser home page.

Apteryx