Your post about controlling your nerves brings back memories for me. I began playing 16 years ago in my friends basement, similar to your playing in a garage. At first I was nervous playing a game for money, since I was not much of a gambler. We only played for $20, and small bets, but I was quite nervous. It did not take long to overcome the nerves as I focused on playing the game and paid less attention to the money.
Then, a couple of years after starting in the basement, my friend convinced me to try playing in a casino. The stakes were 4 times higher than we played in the basement, and my legs and
hands were absolutely shaking. Thankfully, the table was solid, so my shaking didn't move the table. I won a hand very early on and I wondered if everyone noticed how my hands shook as I pulled in my chips and struggled to stack them. It probably took me a full hour to settle down. Now I enjoy playing in
casinos and seldom get nervous, although the nerves sometimes come back when I am in a stressful hand.
Good luck and continue to learn. As you focus on your game and the play of the hand you will have less time for nerves.