Me vs. html

I was trying to make this site a bit more pleasant look at, but so far, it's been to no avail. I hate being able to have a clear idea in my mind of how I want things to look, and yet a fumbling inability to make it happen. Does anyone know how to stretch text to fit without consigning the sidebar to the bottom of the screen. I've spent too much time with it for now, but any html people are welcome to advise me. Sigh.
Tags: html, Blogging.