i am sure this is just user error or ignorance on how to view a transaction to verify it. so if someone knows how, would appreciate the 2 minute walk thru.
https://xmrchain.netPut in your TX hash then select Search
Scroll a little past midway and enter your values in the following fields:
Monero address/subaddress
Private viewkey
Then hit Decode Outputs. This will then show funding in the Outputs section on the next page.
this did work - I validated one so far, will validate the other 8 when back home and off a mobile phone