Riding lessons!!!!

Sit down!  I emailed a friend of my cousin, Valerie, and she offered to help me with riding lessons next week. She has a well-trained gaited horse that I'm going to ride.  I actually have 3 weeks off for winter break, which is one more than we usually have, so I have an extra week off school.  Hubby goes back to work on the 3rd (THANK GOODNESS!), so I've set up 3 lessons next week.  I'm so anxious and excited...I only hope that my legs can take it and don't cramp.  Also, I'm so nervous around horses if I even THINK of getting up on one, but I've decided that I need to do this.  If these lessons work out, I want her to take me back to the beginning and really be critical.  She knows about my back problems and my fear of riding, so I'm hoping to overcome both of these issues and get back on a horse again.  It's NOW or NEVER!