How to Align HomepageLeft w/ HomepageRight

[kiaajjjj]

If I don't use the same size images in my post, then the content from the HPL and HPR doesn't line up. Is there "a-way" to format specific parameters into the HPL and HPR to make it always line up, regardless of the image size? I don't want to go in and adjust the word count every time a photo isn't the same dimensions as the right said. You can see what I mean here) http://eveneyesspeak.com/
Second question is the header. To make a 10px spacing between the image and the wrap and the image and the search bar on top, do I add margin 0px 10px opx 10px or is it the padding?
Thanks,
Adam