My 2cents:
1. One should get the Forms kit at Canadian Friend address in Canada, as they are not going to mail it out side Canada
And the Fee Receipt from site can only be sent to Canadian address. The your Friend or Relative should mail it to you in US
2 Read what you need to be done in Canada for PR card, I have found that for Photographs the requirement is that it should have date when it was taken at what place it was taken or stamp of Studio at back of Photographs. I don’t think one kind find these kid of Photo studio in US who stamp the photographs as lot of Canadian PR will be applying for the card, better to take the photographs in Canada and many studio will know about the photographs in Canada.
2. If you are in US you have to visit Canada for 3-4 days because you have to find a guarantor and your documents that are to be attached with PR Card application like record of Landing Copy or First page of Passport that should be Notarized in Canada and you have to find a guarantor in Canada get his Sign on Application and back side of your one photograph. Even if they have an option that one can submit the application with out a Guarantor, one who is staying out of Canada should apply with signature of a Guarantor to avoid any complications or more info in future. I hope the Friends who have landed in Canada from US may also help you to get other info like finding a guarantor or Notary in Canada.
One should prepare before coming to Canada to apply for the PR card.
If you visit the site you clearly know that who landed in 2002 they should be processed for PR card from 15 OCTOBER to November End. It means that those who landed in 2002 should try to get the forms, Kit, Receipts and should prepare for filling.
I do not know if one landed in 2002 and suppose he cannot visit Canada immediately or is unable to apply between OCT to NOV, what will happen to his/her application if he/she applies later.
I do not think that it will be a problem to mention that you were away from Canada, you are required to stay 730 days in any 5 years to maintain your PR
For more info regarding forms and kit please visit:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/prcard.html
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/5445E.PDF
Actual PR Card filable application
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5444E.pdf
let us wait for the responces from other friends also.
I will provide the help as much as I can. Many who are just landing they will get the PR directly but they will stop visiting this site, all should help each other.
Good Luck!!