Glowing

Still trying to figure out this blogging thing. I tried to add a poll and a counter to my blog today. Despite how easy my husband made it sound with all the free "copy and paste this html" files I found they all just made for some ugly and frustrating posts that I have now deleted because either a) they looked really bad or b) they didn't work as far as I could tell (and usually both) Any of the pro bloggers out there... Firstly, wow thanks for reading my ramblings and secondly HELP!!!