2/24/14 - Since last post, I have extended my stay in Cleveland until 3/26/14 because healing of the femur is a little slow and I will feel much better leaving her alone at that time.  Aunt Esther has an appt with the orthopedist on March 7th and then we will learn a little more.  It will give us a couple of more weeks for some physical therapy before she will be on her own.  Our biggest thing is to get her ready to drive since it is her right leg.  We have learned how to get the wheelchair in the back seat so have been able to go out and run errands.  We also got her a temporary handicap sticker for the car so she won't have to walk very far when she is by herself.  We finally got a break with the weather last week and even had 50 degrees one night.  I actually felt I was living on a different planet one evening because it was in the high 30's in early afternoon and when the sun went down it was in the mid 40's and then around 11:00pm it hit 51 degrees!!  The temperature went down as it progress to morning.  I had never been somewhere that got warmer after the sun went down!!

Last Friday when we got home, it had gotten warm enough to melt snow and ice and since the back door was not shoveled, she had snow and ice up to her door and we ended with about an inch of water coming in under her door.  I did a lot of mopping, call maintenance to clear the drain and get the ice out of there but he did not do a very good job and I had a lot of water to mop up plus lots of towels that were soaking wet with ice water.  In the morning, her son came over and cleaned it all up for me, we put salt down and so I will keep on top of it for now.

Otherwise, not much as been happening here.  Today we went to Costco and I got an eye exam to learn that in about 15 years I probably will have cataracts to deal with but otherwise my eyes are fairly healthy.  I will get my new glasses in about 10 days.

It snowed a little this morning but has been clear this afternoon but we are expecting snow again this evening.

2/13/14 - I have decided to stay another month in Cleveland since my Aunt is slowly healing.  Her next doctor's appointment is March 7th and then hopefully she will be able to bend the knee and put weight on the foot so she can be more self sufficient.  I have not actually changed my schedule but am looking at returning to Phoenix on March 26th. We have actually had a few warmer days (temp in the 20's) but last snow was on Saturday.  On Saturday, some of Aunt Esther's friends came over and I learned how to play a card game named "hand and foot".  It was really interesting.  On Monday my Uncle Homer and his wife came over for lunch.  Aunt Betz brought over the dessert which was date pudding so we were really happy.  We had a nice visit.  They live about two hours from here.  On Wednesday night, two couples (friends of Aunt Esther) came over for dinner.  I made sauerkraut and spare ribs.  It was delicious. After dinner we played Rummique. (I am sure that is not spelled right). Tomorrow two uncles from Plain City are coming up for the day so we plan to have lunch.  Then we have a couple coming over on Saturday night for dinner and they also like to play games and are bring a new game.  Aunt Esther and I decided that we would plan to do NOTHING on Sunday. 

On Tuesday, I finally convinced her that I could put the wheelchair in the back seat and there was no reason why we could not get out.  She really wanted to get some projects to do since she is really bored so we ended up at Hobby Lobby.  The high for the day was 17 degrees!  We did have a good time.  This afternoon while she was having a snack, she also lost a front tooth off her dentures!  We could not believe it.  She called her dentist and could not be scheduled until Monday.  We then got a phone call around 4:10pm and they stated they could see her if she could get in by 5:00.  We got cleaned up and out the door by 4:45.  Now she also has a new tooth!!  It was a good day since the dentist office was giving out carnations for Valentine's Day and since it was the end of the day, they also gave me one so we have a nice arrangement on the table.

2/6/14 - I have now been in Cleveland, Ohio for the past week.  Came in on 1/30/14 around 6:00pm.  I have been helping my Aunt Esther since she has a fractured femur and is non weight bearing for the next 6-8 weeks.  She had surgery, then rehab in a group home and then came home and I came in.  It has been nice getting to know her better and to be able to help her make it more comfortable for her at home.  She has a doctor's appointment tomorrow and then we will know when the weight bearing can begin and also start some physical therapy since I am scheduled to go home on 2/19/14.

I did put my gear on her car and before the big snow storm, went to the grocery store to get food so we would be OK for a while.  It started to snow in the evening of 2/4 and then snowed most of the day on 2/5.  Today the high is only 20 degrees so think I will just stay in and look out!! 

Yesterday morning I was eating some scrambled eggs and sausage when I hit felt something hard in my mouth.  I soon learned that I had broken a tooth off my new top dentures so was very upset.  I called the dentist in San Diego and the office did not know anyone in Cleveland so Aunt Esther was able to make an appointment with her dentist but now there was the issue of driving in the snow so she got one of her friends to come and take me to the dentist at 3:00pm.  Her dentist was so nice and helpful and in about 1 1/2 hours, I had the tooth repaired and on my way back to the house.  She has used this dentist for a long time and he was very sweet and did  not charge me anything.  Her friends were very sweet as well.  I am so glad that is over with.

Today we are making something with chicken breasts, take care of some personal items (coloring and curling of hair).

The attached picture was taken on 2/5 out the patio door of my aunt's condo.