Help! New Here! Lots of questions!

[PhotoAngie]

Ok, I am new to photography. I am really trying to learn all I can and really want to get into this. I only have Canon Powershot A70, but it has lots of options for manual controls. Do you think I can get away with this camera for now? I realy would love a SLR but don't think that will happen for a while. Also do I need to invest in the 52mm close up lens for it to take close up shots? I am mostly going to be doing people, mostly kids. Now onto lighting, I really want to get some kind of lighting kit, but I am overwhelmed with the options. I think I want the Continuous lights, mostly because it would be easier for me and my camera can't support the other ones. I would love the cool light ones, but they are lots of $$. Can I get away with just a key light w/umbrella or softbox and a reflctor? Or do I need 2-3 lights and maybe a background light or hair light? And I am on a tight budget so what do you recommand i get (brand, ect..) ? And how much watt. do I need? Also I have to shoot on ISO 50 or 100 cause my pics are grainy if I don't, can the cont. lighting support that. Here are some pics I have taken in the past with just natural light, they aren't great but not to bad, but that is why I want to get some kind of lighting cause it is to hard to get natural light, especially in the winter. Plus I hate the shadows I get behind my subject.
Sorry this was so long and don't mind my typos, I don't feel like fixing them. LOL
Thanks for all your help.

ok never mind I can't get them to upload

[PhotoAngie]

I meant to add to my post- I have instruction from the DIY network on how to make you own lighting but it only takes 3 shop lights with 100 watt light bulbs and white posterboard as a filter. Then you have dimmers on them also. Is that going to be enought light?

[Steveo31]

Hey Angie!

Well, with your current camera, continous lights would be the only real option, but it limits what you can shoot. People get hot, food melts, etc. Maybe window light and a reflector would be the best bet, but then that limits what you can shoot. Not sure what you can do... either way you are limited without an SLR or at the least something with a PC connection.

Steve