Trouble with Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0?

I am having issues getting the tools to work; blur, spot healing, sponge, clone stamp. grrrr. For example; i was trying to edit out a freckle on my face. I used the spot healing brush. I placed it over a spot with a good pattern; pressed Alt+click, then placed it over the freckle and clicked. ...... and nothing! That is how the book says to do it; but it is not working! Either is my blur effect; i drag it over the area i would like to blur; and nothing. NONE of my tools want to work!!! am i doing it wrong?