Hello snp! I'm a newbie too, but I wanted to say that one of the smartest things you've done so far is to register on this site and read through the threads! The women here are some of the most encouraging and enthusiastic you'll find anywhere.

I also live out in the country far far away from my LBS, so I took a couple of bike maintenance classes through a local community college "continuing education" program....learned how to change flats and clean my chain, etc. I also bought a good bike repair and maintenance book recommended by the instructor.

There's been good advice on this thread for you...I don't think I can add anything new, but I did want to empathize with you about your BF trying to "educate" you as to bikes. My DH is my waterski coach and I learned that just because they're guys who know something about a sport doesn't mean they communicate well.