html code, css, and padded cells....

I've been working diligently on my new website, and have come to three very important conclusions....

1. In order to get my website to look the way I want, I will have to pay a fortune to a web designer to create a custom template that meets my standards.
2. I don't have  a fortune.
3. I am going to (do my best to) learn html coding and css.....I'm not quite sure what either of those are, but as long as it doesn't kill me first, I will figure it out!!!

Right now, I am taking a break from all the tutorials I've been reading.......I have tried a few out, and I can now edit HTML to change font sizes (there are 6 standard), colors (there are 216 "web safe"--can be seen on any monitor--, and they are differentiated between using a 6 digit code containing either/or/both letters and numbers).  I can make the text bold, italic,capitalized, upper, or lower case (regardless of how its typed)....and I'm working on background colors and something called "cell padding".....which has made me feel like I'm the one being "padded"....you know, like as in a padded room.....

I feel like pulling my hair out, my brain is on overload, and I wish I was at the beach.....Its January 28th and around 85 degrees!!  I haven't picked up a needle and thread or turned on my sewing machine all week.  I've buried myself in the details of my website and turned my creativity in a different direction.  I find the website to be much less rewarding....working in a format I'm not familiar with and using "computer language" makes me feel like I've been living among foreigners that have no idea what I'm saying or what I want to do.   I think that learning chineese would've been eaiser and more fun!!