I wish to trasnfer my iTunes songs from my iMac to my PC Windows XP
Pro laptop. I then wish to move these songs to my iPod.

I see this as three steps:
1. transfering the iTunes songs from my iMac to my PC.
2. reformatting my iPod to accept PC, not Apple, iTunes
3. transferring the songs to my iPod from my PC

I am looking for a detailed step-by-step directions on how to do this.

In addition, I would like to hold on to the play counts and last
played info that currently is listed beside each song in my iMac.

You could transfer the songs from your iMac to your iPod, then use
software such as MacOpener on your Windows XP Pro laptop to copy them
off the iPod. This will accomplish it in 2 steps. There may be other
software besides MacOpener that will do this and is free (check
http://www.ipodlounge.com).

I don't get it... The iPod is designed for this. Try the following:

1) Copy everything off of yout iPod to your Mac (just a precaution...
I don't know enough about all of the early versions of the iPod, and
having a backup is always wise)

2) Download and update to the latest version of iTunes on your Windows PC.

3) Plug the iPod into the Windows PC and see if it offers to update it
or anything... see if there are any maintenance options, like
converting it to Mac/Windows compatible (All iPods have been
automatically cross platform (Mac/Windows) compatible since the second
generation of them)

4) Plug it back into your Mac and dump your whole music collection onto the iPod.

5) Plug the iPod into your Windows PC, go to iTunes, and import your
whole library into the PC.

It is supposed to be that simple... Maybe if you have a 1st generation
iPod, you will not have as easy of time. Good luck though.