Pull a plug wire off and hold the end (might need to stick something in there to make contact) about 1/4" away from something metal on the engine, as you crank it over you should see a nice blue spark. No spark or a weak yellow or orange one can be a problem.
Do you have anyone you could ask to stop by and help you with this?
Not that any of this is impossible to do by yourself, but from the sounds of it you could use a helping hand from someone with a little more experience.
Grigg
