New Photos!

So here goes.  I failed horribly with PS CS5.  I couldn't get anything to work.  I messed around my whole free trial and nada!  I tried downloading the Elements, but for some reason when it was almost done, boom I'd lose connection or something.  Im super impatient so, I said to heck with it.  But I love taking pictures.  I want them to look like fanfriggintastic!  So I'm trying out Picnik's tweaks.  What do you think?

I'm working on getting the %'s right.  I used gritty, vibrance, sharpen, and fancy focus.  I love that all the brainy work is done for me.  Even the drop shadow! 

What programs do you use?  Online or software.  It's only like 5 bucks a month.  So we'll see. 

Photoshop Help

Sorry, this isn't a post to help you LOL, I am so desperately in need of some guidance. I've gotten myself the free trial of the Photoshop CS5. My thought is, if Im gonna drop some serious cash down on a program I want it to do some kinda magic for me. This thing cost basically an arm and a leg...and your first born. Not sure why Im trying out this one, but Ive heard so many bloggers talk about the CS5 as if it were magical.

There is the Elements9 that is considerable less, but I thought I see what the hype was about.... So far I DON"T see it! Ugh it's so frustrating, I thought I'd be able to make my photos look amazing.. but not yet! I've downloaded some of the Pioneer Womans actions, those are awesome!

 If it weren't for the actions I would have no clue what to do!  In case you have no clue what Im talking about, an action is basically already set up for you, simply press play kinda thing.  It takes your pictures automatically thru everything.  You just do a bit adjusting with opacity %'s.

 I can't even figure out how to eliminate red eye...  I'm loving my XARA Photo & Graphic Designer soo much more.

Anyone know or have the CS5 or the Elements9?  Am I just dumb?  I've been to so many darn sites, where everything goes right over my head.  I need Photoshop for dummies, hmmmm  I haven't googled that one yet.  Holy cow! LOL there is such a thing.  {Sorry typing and searching}  I'll check this out, if you have anything at all that could help me :) I'd love you forever!