The nice thing about going to work at 11 am is I can get a lot of things done before I leave or before I have to be there. I made sour milk cornbread, called the credit union to find I didn't have to do anything about the confusing letter they sent, put the new session cards in Tom's CDs, and went to the remains of the library sale to buy a bag of books for 2 bucks (for which I gave them $5). Oh, I also picked up my prescriptions. Sandy was 45 minutes late this morning but I a) learned a few more things about using my new cell phone and b) she called to tell me where the key is hidden.

The job is fun, but I DO have my work cut out for me -- but she seems to so appreciate what I'm doing. I'm not so much an administrative assistant as a personal assistant...or, mor accurately, a personal nag. She's ADD or ADHD or both. And I'm here to get her to focus on not wasting time and energy on bouncing around in 37 different directions at once and getting things done so as to eliminate the stress of NOT getting things done. F'rinstance... This morning after I let myself in, I was nosing around to see where everything was and found in the supply closet the slip of paper she'd been carrying around most of yesterday to remind her to call someone back. So I put it back on her desk and when she came in, I suggested she call this person back, since his call was on Monday. Then I reminded her again when she got sidetracked. Then t reminded her again. She said she'd call him tonight. I said, no, call him now... So she did and set up the appointment. She's got some virus mess on her computer, so I suggested a trustworthy tech and called him. He came this afternoon, took the computer and will bring it back tomorrow with, we hope, all of the virus trash cleaned off. Then maybe I can teach her not to click on ANYTHING she has the slightest doubts about, even if they say Microsoft.

Anyway, we found the (physical, not computer) file she was looking for, finished copying a borrowed document so she could return it and basically crossed a lot of things off the list I made for her this morning, starting with replacing the batteries in her hearing aids which yesterday she said she hadn't done. Since she did it before coming in, we crossed it off the list along with mailing an important thing we got done yesterday...so first thing this morning (well, noon) she was on a roll and already felt the day was going well. And with a list she can SEE what we're getting done...and it's easier to see what still needs to be done so it gets on the list tomorrow (and DONE, I hope!).

She says, "Yes, Mom," when I nag her (she's about 10 years older than me)...but with a big smile. And I got a big hug as well as thanks. She also likes that I make her laugh. She says I'm really making a difference.

I don't know how long the job will last, but so far it's both fun and gratifying. And I make some money to supplement my Social Security.

Linn