how do you thread a sewing machine?

[plumosa.livejournal.com]

i know, i know....dumb question right? i thought i knew how to do it, but apparantly there's something i'm doing wrong. perhaps its the order, i don't know...i'm also having trouble getting the thread to stay in that swirly thing. and when i get that to work i can't get the thread to catch on the bottom thingy.

(sorry for the 'thingys' its been years since i've used a sewing machine)

i looked in the memories and i didn't see anything.