Pete,

To get the avatar in the upper left, you have to go into the "my profile" option (underneath the yellow menu bar) to download your picture. If you download it from the "reply" or "post new" options, it will appear in the body of the post.

Be aware...the file size for the avatar is pretty small! And...when you click "preview message" you won't see the avatar. You have to post the message before you see it.

Good luck