I know there are some threads which may have the issue. If so please point me in the correct area. And thank you in advance.

However, I am going to describe it in the best possible way.
Reverse gear works fine - no issues that I can see at all.
When put in drive I have to slightly accelerate and it gets up to 2,000 rpm.
I have to keep it there until around 35-40 mph, when it will move to second.

It will still sit around 2,250 rpm. Then it will get to third and then around 45-50 it will hit 3rd and drop to like 1,250 - 1,500 rpm.

I can throw the shifter into 1st and 2nd and it will respond well - just as 1st and 2nd should when it is in drive.

I would love to work on this issue myself. But if it is out of my expertise or time constraints, I would still love to walk into the shop with some ammo so they dont tool me around.

Any advice would be great. Thank you.

 

First thing to try would be changing fluid/filter, and adjusting the bands. Procedure is listed in the service manual, which you can download for free from the service manual thread in the faq section. (don't think we have a 97 version, but, the 96 version will be damn close.)

 

Check the TV cable, adjust if necessary, sounds a little loose.