Thanks all for your input, I'm going to put it off for now, at least. Maybe mention it if someone (MIL) asks me for birthday gift idea.
I should note that my concerns are not in the order of importance! Obviously staying safe and alive is more important than getting up the hills! Honestly, I'm not beyond walking a bike up a hill if needed. I've been surprised with how comfortable I am taking the lane when riding, and I've read my state's bicycle driver manual. So I follow the traffic rules. Hmm, I should say mostly, because at a stop sign where all is clear, I sometimes I come to an almost-stop, but not a complete stop. So I'm still in motion the tiniest bit before I take off, for the sake of not having to step off the bike. (Is this a huge no-no, or is it okay?) I would never blow through a light or stop sign like it wasn't there!
Yes, I have found that when I assert my rights to be on the road, I feel more confident and safe. I try to ride smack dab between the center and right side of the road for the most part. I do struggle with left turns/merging left across multiple lanes to turn left, so I often slow and stay right and wait for a break in traffic, or stop and cross as a pedestrian. (any better ideas?) Anyway, my point is, I already feel plenty safe and confident, so that is why efficiency is my concern at this time.
So far on my new hobby I have spent $10 on a light. Kind of. It was a mother's day "gift," but purchased on behalf of my kids by my husband, and it's really all the same money. I'm not a "spend a bunch to do new things" kind of person. Salvaged a pretty neat wire handlebar basket (two parts, a frame that attaches to handlebars and a basket that can be clamped in or taken off like a little grocery store basket) from a junk pile outside of my in-laws place. Needed some creative repair, but it's totally functional.
I actually had the bike, helmet and gloves sitting around unused since about 2007. I didn't really ride much when I initially got the bike, and hadn't had a bike since I was a kid, and had never owned one with gears. I got pregnant in 2008 and wasn't comfortable riding with my balance off... then 5 years passed. Two kids later, I'm ready to get back on the saddle. Anyway, I am very much looking forward to making this a regular part of my life. Took it to the grocery store for the first time over the weekend!