Friday Night Notes

Hello from Sioux Falls,
  Tonight finds us continuing to monitor Gram. She has been sleeping all day, except when we gave her care. Even then, she sometimes did not rouse. She is only minimally able to swallow, so no food (Ensure) today and just a few cc of water. She has had some trouble with leg cramps,which made her restless.. Our nurse helped us work out a plan with med. and warm towels from the dryer. The muscle finally relaxed, and so did Gram. 
What we are working for right now is to keep her comfortable. So glad we have the hosp. bed. She seems more comfy with her head elevated.
   
 It is so interesting that as Gram prepares to head back to heaven, we are also awaiting the birth of Maya Rose Wilmeth in Omaha. She was due on this past Wednesday, but seems to be holding out for a bit. She is Mary and Randy's second grandchild, and will be born to their daughter Rachael and her husband Mike. 
 This reminds me that Liz was born around the time that Grampa Don passed. Comings and goings....
  In more arrival news, Kevin flew in from Denver yesterday, and we are so glad that he could come. Mom gave him several smiles when he got here, reached out to touch his arm.  Kevin, Mary and I are sitting in Gram's room now, keeping her company and visiting with each other. Today Kevin made the most incredibly awesome chicken chili....fresh cilantro, celery, cheddar cheese, and a whole bunch of other great stuff. Best I ever tasted, extreme comfort food. 
   I am going to hang at home tomorrow instead of going to the art fair. Tom will take my display (and sell it all, I am sure!). He has some beautiful handcarved walking sticks, and pendants made of slices of interesting driftwood branches. He finds a lot of neat materials when hiking around the river. Our friend Lindsay will also be there, so that if we need Tom, he can zip over here in a short time. 
   Wow, the  fireworks are going strong right now. The Sioux Falls Pheasants (used to be the Canaries) had a game tonight, and they always have some pyrotechnics afterward. Their stadium (aka The Birdcage) is not too far away. We can watch them and certainly hear them very well. Kind of fun. It is also nice to be a block away from Terrace Park when the Sunday night concert is going on. 
It is a fun neighborhood in so many ways.
  Mary and I met some of our new neighbors across the street. Becky is an energetic young mom with 4 little boys and another baby on the way. She is also an artist, and the three of us promised each other to get together for some artsy time one day.
    Gram is still resting peacefully, all snuggled into her pillows and soft blankets. Will write again soon.
Love,
Annie, Kevin, Mary and all the Fallon kids.