I was just like you, researching as much as I could but uneasy when I first rooted last fall. After finally deciding to flash a rom a couple of months ago, I had an idea of how to get back stock. I burned the ez SBF file ( last fall ) which would take me to Froyo. I have done that a couple of times now that I am flashing roms and did have my D2 stall at the M logo a few weeks ago. I knew it would happen but not when,lol. I already had loaded the disc in my laptop and booted to the file, just to see what it would do. After getting to the screen that asked if my phone was hooked up, I just exited it, having seen what to expect.
When I actually used the disc, it sbf'd my cell to Froyo, then after I had it up and running, took the OTA gingerbread update and was back in business ( then re rooted ).
A couple of weeks ago I noticed the dev had posted an update, adding a gingerbread sbf file with a built in root tool. I used it this past Sunday and works great. Just start up or reboot your pc ( set up to boot from the disc first ) and follow the instructions. Really easy after you have done it. Any problems just ask, :biggrin:
As for first rom, I flashed MIUI first and have loved it. Tried a few of the builds that beanstown106 has and have been following him ever since. Very nice and I love it. I have tried a few others ( using Boot Manager ) just to see what they were like, but I am staying with MIUI. Just what the Droid 2 should have had from the start,lol.
Here is the thread here on DF of what I am running right now
http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-2-roms/203454-rom-official-miui-us-defx-gb.html
Oh, and hope you have Titanium Backup or another app with everything backed up. Comes in handy when resetting up your phone with you apps/data.