O.K. First know you are very welcome on the 40's....HI!
But if you look at the top of the CF page, you will see it's logo up toward the left (note: that changes everytime you go to new page). BUT in the lower left hand corner of that logo, there is the tiny word HOME. If you click there, it brings you back to the front page.
On that front page, there is a large area that shows the differing Catagories of forums. For instance, this forum - The Fabulous Forties" is under "Life Stages"...and Life stages has several other areas like a parenting forum, and a marriage forum.
Other catagories on that home page hold other forums, and in each of those forums you can find "threads"....like the one you just created here.
Note, there are arrows that open and close those catagories, so be sure you try those out to make sure you are seeing all that is one there.
Also get to know the "SUPPORT" area there. You are able to see decisions about CF being made there, as well as able to see if there are any discussions going on when there is technical problems....then you will know it isn't YOUR computer, it's the site itself.
SO, that is the basics on navigating where to go on CF.
When it comes to profiles, characters and how the different info that follows your character around all works, those are other topics. Let us know if we can help you.
Final note....I was a newbie a little over a year ago. These Fab 40s people were the best at helping me figure it out....more than anywhere else on here, so I think you posted your question in a good place.
If you see MNJohn is signed on, and he hasn't responded to this thread question, you can probably send him a private messege (go into his profile, and look for private messege).....he really really knows his stuff!