Hey Jim. Yes the paper size is 8.5 x 22. I'll try to explain my logic in doing it that way.

I never create documents for printing, I create them for my own use to view electronically so I set the paper length as long as possible to reduce the number of pages. I use section breaks at the end of every page so I have better control of page breaks. For example, say there's a picture that's too big for the end of page 1, I move it to page 2 and create a section break at the end of page 1. Then I readjust the paper size for that section so it cuts off the empty space at the end of page 1. Normally Word would just move the picture to page 2 and leave the space at the end of page 1. So what I end up with are pages that are different lengths. Another reason is so I have a little leeway if later I need to go back and enter something I forgot. I can just adjust one section instead of the whole document shifting.

This could be what's causing the problem, I don't know. If there's a better or easier way I'd change, but at this point it's the best way I know of for what I want to do.