is there a functionality that allows me to use the "flooding" feature that you get when you draw a hatch, that will allow me have the perimeter of that "flooded" area of a pline instead of a hatch?  did that make any sense?

A LIST on a closed polyline will return both area and perimeter.  If that is not the answer you are looking for post an image.  It's worth 1000 words.
John Connor2013-12-05 19:13:36

i knew i would figure it out after i went ahead and registered and asked...what i was looking to do was draw a pline, for and area just by picking inside that area like you would when you go to hatch something....  the work around i figured out was after i actually did draw a hatch (and select it), you can then select from the ribbon "recreate" and it will draw a polyline around the hatch then you can delete the hatch leaving you with what i wanted in the first place...  the polyline... 

It's called a "boundary".

you have just saved me so much time!  thanks!!also, how do predefine a width to the new polyines i will be creating? thanks again!

Use the PLINEWID command or after starting the command and picking your first point type W (for Width) and enter both the starting/ending width at the prompt.  Done.

thanks!!!