Laura - Steve's digicam review (see link from LemansX5) is a good info source. The site is run by a retired gentleman (I was going to say old geezer) who apparently has a fetish for digital cameras, but damn it, his reviews as detailed as anything you'll find on the net.

If you are looking to take pictures whenever photo opportunities come up, then get a small point and shoot with as many convenience features as possible. If you want to become a paparazzi, then you might need something more heavy duty. Seems to me that you want photography to be a fun hobby as opposed to being a science as it is to some of us hardnose, hardcore technogeeks.

Get something small and light like the Sony T7 and Canon SD630 that LemansX5 suggests. You can carry it in a purse, backpack, or a pocket.

Spend the money and go for a higher pixel count - 4MP to 6MP. 8MP is probably over the top for a point and shoot camera.

Get a camera with a zoom lens - do not get a fixed focal length. You can use the zoom to get close to a subject as opposed to moving your feet with a fixed lens.

Get a camera that has a built in lithium ion battery and comes with a charging cradle so you can charge it like a cellphone.

Read the reviews - the most important thing is to find a camera that gives good detail, especially at the picture corners (very difficult for compact digital cameras with small diameter lens) and renders color accurately.

I think LemansX5 has you on the right track with his two recommendations.