I want to thank everybody for their help and tutorials and images, I really appreciate you sharing your expertise. I am learning paint.net little by little but I am just starting and I have a lot to learn. If I manage to create something, I will let you know.
A big thanks to yellowman for the images!
here's a link to my first crude attempt, like I said, I am still learning. The text is supposed to stay level while the light reflection moves a little and then the animation stops, just the one little, subtle thing to catch the viewers eye.
http://mnforensicnurses.org/manoDonate/donate-image.html