Sew...what now?

[o-nikki-o.livejournal.com]

while browsing freecycle the other day i saw someone offering an older sewing machine.  only problem with it was the pedal sticks & so it won't always stop sewing when you want it to. 
i am a complete sewing novice (unless making one drawstring bag in home ec in the 8th grade counts) & i have NO idea how to use a sewing machine.  HOWEVER i have recently acquired my great grandmother's sewing table complete with machine (no pics sorry - it's not set up yet)  as that one has a lot of sentimental value for me i don't want to screw something up & break it.....besides i'm sure it needs serviced as it hasn't been used it at least 20years.
so i figured that the best solution was to practice on another machine...



the model # is 960 & the serial # is1681

it did not come with a manual & i can't seem to find one online that's free.  the woman i got it from said she had found one but lost the zip drive it was on. 
can anyone help me find a manual?
any tips for a complete sewing virgin?

thanks!!