1994 Ford Thunderbird how hard is it to change brake pads?

Brakes problem
1994 Ford Thunderbird

Hi. I am a woman who knows nothing about cars and who is not mechanically inclined. Yet I want to learn how to be both and my brake pads have apparently worn down and sound like I'm landing a plane. My friend was supposed to come change them for me but he kinda baled on me, said he would come next weekend. So 2 questions.

1) how dangerous is it to drive another week in my car if it sounds like I'm landing a plane? I swear, it just did this two days ago, I never heard ANY screeching b4 hearing that.

2) is it that hard for me to do myself? I've found a lot of sites that seem to have really simple directions and some even w/ pictures. Altho I saw your how-to on this site and pictures and it freaked me out.

Whatcha think?

Kris