iphoto11 not saving edits

Currently using Os10.8.4, iPhoto11 on a MacBook Air, I can not duplicate pictures and after making changes, my pictures are not saved. Exporting them does not save changes. When viewing pictures in the screen, they apprea original, but as soon as I hit enter to allow the editing bar to open, they will change (after a few seconds) to the edited version. Lots of odd little things happening. What could be wrong? I am not a strong apple user. I have learned some basics, but no more.

Most of my library that I use comes from a WD My Passport for Mac. I try exporting the files to the SDD on the MBA in smaller versions of jpg. My originals are all in RAW.