Moving Category sidebar outside of main wrapper

I am going for a bit of a different look for my next site and am trying to move the category sidebar (navColumnOne) outside of the content main wrapper.

I can get it outside like I want with no problem, but it sits all the way to the top of the browser and then forces the content main wrapper down too far...when I try to move the categories down with CSS the WHOLE site moves down including the content main wrapper....

I moved this code in the tpl_mainpage

to go ABOVE the div id mainwrapper forcing it to be outside of that...then gave it its own div to manage the CSS...but nothing is working?!?

I know this is an unusual request...but anyone have any ideas how I can make this work?

I want the category box to site snuggly up against the main wrapper...but outside of it.....

Thanks as always!!!

How about a link to what you have?

It is REALLY rough - just started it this morning...but here is what I have so far...

I did get it outside the wrapper....all is good without the main wrapper being pushed down

...but now cannot figure out why the category box won't sit against the main wrapper with the CSS I have tried....

http://www.2dogsdesign.com/masters/

...but now cannot figure out why the category box won't sit against the main wrapper with the CSS I have tried....
I am not sure what you have described above???

But try the following:

/*CATEGORIES*/
#navColumnOneWrapper {position: absolute;top: 320px;} 

This is not how I would have approached what I believe you are attempting though.
Might you have a mockup of what you are seeking say a jpg image?

I should have been more clear...sorry...I have 3 different monitors...a 15, 19 and 24 inch....all 3 show the category box all the way to the left of the screen...I have tried to absolute position it but it it doesn't work to keep it next to the main wrapper....

I have attached a mock-up...would love to hear if there is a better way to do it.....I had one other way to consider but thought this would be easier....

Thanks so much Kobra!

Are you wanting this to be a fixed width site or a fluid width site

If fluid, which part of the design should be fluid?

The width can be fixed...only the height needs to be fluid..both the category and main content wrapper need to be fluid.....

Should have asked

Minimum width to display on what resolution without the scroll bar?

I was shooting for a 960 fixed width (I know that is not what it is now....)...150 for the categories and 810 for the main content...