HeelSpur,
Is your camera a simple point and shoot model with a range finder viewer near the to of the camera or is it a more full featured camera with a screen on the back of the camera?
On my camera, in auto mode, I push the shutter release button half way, the auto focus brackets come on and show up on the screen and you can see the focus results. If the focus is to your liking (i.e. sharp), simply push the shutter release all the way down and take the photo. If the focus is not to your liking (i.e. blury) release the shutter button, and press the button half way down again to refocus on the area in the focus brackets. If the focus is better simply press the button all the way down. If not, try to refocus until you are happy with the results...
Also, sometimes the auto focus cannot work properly because of tricky lighting conditions (i.e. you dont't have enough light on the item you want to focus on; in this case try supplying some external lighting on your subject with a drop light or lamp or a spot light or even a good flash light).
Also worth noting-- cell phone cameras are getting much better. You might try experimenting with the your cell phone camera and see what kind of picture quality it can produce. My wife and kids have Apple 4S & 5C phones and they can take quick photos that match the quality of my Olympus SP-565UZ camera. My own cell phone, a cheapy, takes craptastic pictures; I only use it when I have no other choice.
At any rate, keep experimenting with your photo gear and read the user manuals if you have to.
