Thanks Stallwart.
Ya, I plan to continue with the buddy box training if my instructor ever decides to reappear at the field. I soloed the plane because no one was available for over 3 weeks to help me. While waiting I did extensive simulator training on takeoffs and landings. I just wanted to see if the real thing was anything like the simulator. I found out that the real thing isn't quite the same. It is less forgiving! The simulator did help train my brain to make the moves more instinctive though....