Patti, go to the Apple Store and buy the one-to-one - 1 hour a week time ($100 per year) with a tech. Some of the 'kids' look like they haven't begun to shave, but I'll tell you they are patient and fabulous. (Two of the techies that helped me with my website rode up to the store on their skateboards!) Write your questions down and I guarantee you what you will learn is worth every penny. I bought the same book you bought and it simply won't answer my questions. I ask it a question and it just remains closed and silent. Infuriating! All that money and nothing.
I have the same need to learn the program's infinitely capable resources, so plan to use the tutorial.
By the way, you may be able to access the Apple Help line over the phone if you know what to ask. My experience has been that the ones I've spoken to have been people whose English is their primary language so you there wasn't a pronunciation barrier.