First, don't use photobucket for the avatar. Upload a picture from "my pictures".
You can resize it with paint.
Make sure it's not in a .bmp format.
If it is, you can use your paint program to change the file extention.
JPEG usually is the best choice for color if it's a photograph.
If at the end of the day you still can't make it happen...
ask one of the moderators to help you.
AniseedRock or Glamster will help you out.
Just don't use photobucket for the uploading of your avatar.
Doesn't work well.
"I even had a little mini skirt and waistcoat made for Wig Wam Bam. The skirt was so short, my undercart hung beneath the hem. I thought it best to keep my underwear on"-Steve Priest