Hi ya Kizzy, (Great name by the way) When you said in your intro you were getting used to the forum................well to have an avatar you have to have a certain amount of posts, and the same goes for the shout box, although when you actually get the right amount to go on to the shout box, no ones ever on it a real shame there will be a pop up at the top of your page stating you have to have at least 20 for an avatar and 50 for other things (I think)
Any way, welcome to the forum mate, and by the way, I think you look great as a green box