UPDATE: With a new battery, finally got the codes to read out. (Also, the car did start again before that.) Showed Code 21 twice, so I replaced both upstream O2sensors. MYSELF! The only things I've ever replaced before were fuses or a battery. But how do you guys with guy-size arms and hands do this stuff?? Even with my smaller-size girl arms/hands, it was really, really snug in there!
Anyway. Got it done.
Cleared the codes. Started the car, Wha Hoo! Started right up, no check engine light on.
Ran in to get my license to go for a test drive; when I came out it had died. Would not start again. Checked codes. NO codes displaying. It was firing, turning over, not catching.
Ok. Gave it a couple hours. Went back out, reattached the battery (I disconnect the neg when I leave cars sitting) and this time it started up. Ran okay, idling.
I'm leary of a test drive now. Can't afford to have it conk out on the long driveway and block things so we can't get out. I guess I will go start it and sit in it and see how it goes.... maybe I could do laps back and forth beside the carport?
Thanks for all the help!
What do you all think? Just tune up stuff? Fuel filter? (I looked for an in-line but did not see one.)

 

I would do a complete tune up, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, oil, oil filter, and new intake gaskets, they are metal, but you never know, also you might want to get three or four feet of vacuum line and replace all of them, one at a time. Your idle then a few minutes later die problem makes me think you have a vacuum leak or intake leak. This what I did shortly after I bought my car. Just my two cents.