Old Dog, New Tricks

I have started doing volunteer work three days a week in the campaign office of a good friend. Patrick Keenan-Devlin, who sang the psalm at Tim's funeral, is running for 18th District State Representative. If you're local, please check out his website, www.patrickforillinois.com. Patrick needed office help and I needed a way to fill my days and update my work skills. It's been great to have some place to go and the people I'm working with are fantastic. I started out offering to do data entry and have progressed to office manager, event coordinator and assistant treasurer.

Apparently, being married to a computer geek was good for something because I have picked up more about computers than many of the other volunteers in the office. Today I got to learn a new skill. I spent the better part of my day learning the ins and outs of mail merge. I'm so excited, because I figured it out all on my own. For a change, the help with the program was actually useful and I was able to do everything I was asked and more.

One of my biggest concerns these days is the long term financial security of my family. Having been out of the work force for over ten years, I worry a lot about finding a job that is rewarding and covers our expenses. It is very intimidating to have to step into Tim's shoes as the sole breadwinner for the family. It helps a little to have days like today where I did something truly useful.