My Spring Project - The time has come to repair my baby...

The main question being to do it myself w/ help or take it to a shop. I've never done any body work or painting, but have a grandfather will all the main items (compressor, sander and such) and some friends who fix cars up on the side. From my view the bumper needs sanded down and repainted (which will allow me to remove the plate), the driver fender will need some work and repainted, as well as a touch up spot on the hood.

In the process I'll need to replace the passenger fog light and wheel well, the first owner tried parking on a curb I believe.

Any ideas on the difficulty, cost or pointers.......

A few pics of the work to be done:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...DSCF4294-1.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...DSCF4295-1.jpg

Once this work is done I would love to lower it, simply to lose the front gap nothing more (remember the hills I must climb), tint the windows and maybe a spoiler.

well if your going to sand and repaint a bumper make sure its your favorite bumper out of them all.