category IDs - can't find tutorial

[restmin]

I followed instructions at viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8433&p=41878&hilit=add+section #p41878 and was able to set up an additional box at www.invisibleillnessweek.com - I want the top wide box (to be guest bloggers and the bottom wide box to be articles.

I saw links to a tutorial to "find your category ID" but the links didn't work (sent me back to the main page here). And under "options" my new box hpbottomb is not showing up to be able to select the info I want there easily.

I know the answer is somewhere in here viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7125

It says "1. find the header and type in your desired Headline" - I am not sure where to even look and a google desktop search doesn't bring up anything with <h3>Featured Category #1</h3>

Same with "find... <?php $recent = new WP_Query("cat=1&showposts=3"); while($recent->have_posts()) : $recent->the_post();?>

Google desktop search only brings up this post for this code anywhere on my computer...

I am not great at CSS but can follow tutorials pretty well so (obviously) the easiest solution is most appreciated so I have less room for error. Thanks!