Workflow for existing content -- impossible?

I installed workflow 5.x-1.2 and actions 5.x-1.0 (2.0 was throwing an error in use w/ workflows) and I'm getting familiar with a rather confusing workflow system. The big problem here is it only seems I can start workflows on brand new content!! Tell me this isn't correct! If I edit an existing content type (page), which my workflow is set up for, I don't get the drop down workflow area in the edit screen. I notice that if I create a new content page and I go to edit that page, I do. Am I missing something here in the workflow set up?