Mysql and PHP easy software

You can call me Mysql and PHP illiterate....I've downloaded both and the apache server on my computer and can't make heads nor tails out of it. I've even gotten books from the library and nothing seems to help. Also checked into the local college extra curricular classes to see if they offered a quick class, but none.

Is there something out there for people like me that just don't get it and is affordable? Or is there an online class or workshop? I know a database would make things a whole lot easier in the long run, but the short term is very frustrating.

thanks,

Mamie