Thursday, April 20, 2017

Carrington City-Wide Yard Sales


Time to get ready for Carrington's City Wide Yard Sales... especially if you're going to sell things!
As for me, my friends and I always try to get around to every sale. For some reason or other, people practically give away some wonderful items.
For instance, I have at least 6 excellently framed paintings/prints from these yard sales. One of the prints from England is listed at 235 British pounds without the frame. I even tried to talk one seller from selling me a beautifully framed print for $10 (one that would sell in someone's shop for $400). He said he was happy for me to have it since it was just sitting in their attic not being appreciated by anyone. Every day when I look at these prints, I feel so grateful to the people who sold them to me. For them, these things were surplus...whereas for me they are treasures.
Also, if you're looking for furniture, our yard sales are the place to go for great buys. For instance, I've seen beautiful couches for $10-25, a solid wood queen bedstead for $8, mattresses for $10, an oak dining set for $40, all kinds of vintage glassware for practically nothing, baby/children's clothes that look like they've never been worn, an abundance of children's toys/games, garden and shop tools galore, camping equipment, and so many items just too numerous to mention!
If you want to be sure everyone knows about your yard sale, you can list it with the Chamber of Commerce, and it will be listed in the Foster County Independent. Some people choose to put up a sign in their front yard for the event without advertising... and that seems to work just fine, too. Also, you're welcome to post your yard sale on Carrington News for no charge.
The more information out there, the better the sales will be!
Happy buying and selling!

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Have a Blessed Easter


I love this picture of Dolly Footitt who turned 102 on October 4, 2017.   The reason I'm writing about her on Easter is she is such a wonderful example of a totally "nice" human being!  We have been "running around" together for quite a few years... with her telling me entertaining stories about local places, events and people.  Since I only moved to Carrington in 2004, I'm quite a newcomer to the area, so Dolly does her best to fill me in on all the years since 1915 (her birth year) that I missed out on.  I never get tired of listening to her!

Right now Dolly is staying in the New Rockford Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd.  She had a problem with high blood pressure a few weeks ago, went to the hospital, and wound up being placed in this rest home until she can take care of herself again.  You can imagine how she feels... in one room without being able to move about as she pleases.  

Before a few weeks ago, Dolly did all of her house cleaning, scrubbing floors, vacuuming, taking care of her yard, raking leaves, feeding the birds and squirrels, baking wonderful goodies for church and fundraisers, creating and sewing quilts and all kinds of sewing projects.  She even got a 4-year renewal on her driving license in October!  An amazing woman!!!

To be honest, I haven't paid much attention to rest homes in the past, but now that Dolly is in one, I want to find out all I can bout them.  So far, I've been really impressed with the New Rockford Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd.  It's very spacious and clean and has lots of great activities going on.  The people who work and volunteer there have been very friendly and helpful... and the food looks yummy!

The only drawback I see is that Dolly isn't getting enough physical therapy and help with walking that she needs so badly.  Her legs are weak from being in bed so long, and she needs to walk in order to get her leg-strength back.  Of course, that's only my lay-person's opinion, but I have a feeling that many medical professionals would agree with the importance of getting regular exercise.

I'm thinking about starting a program called "Walk with Dolly" -- where people could sign up to walk with her every day.  😍  In fact, I wonder how many people would like to become "Walkers."  Just think what a wonderful help that would be to so many older people who need someone to walk with them.  After all, many of us who are dog owners take plenty of time to walk our animals.  Why not spend some quality time walking our older friends?!!!  

Anyway, since I'm out of the state and can't be with my friend Dolly today, I'm asking God's blessings on her on this very special day.  I'm hoping that she's getting lots of visitors and love and cards. When I called her today, she said her room was full of flowers and cards... so a big THANKS to everyone who has taken the time to visit or send a card to Dolly.!

And to all of you who are reading this article... HAPPY EASTER and God bless you!



Saturday, April 1, 2017

Visiting Dolly Footitt at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd

Freda Myers, Jocelyn Zink, Claudia Timm, Dolly Footitt
It was a delight visiting with Dolly Footitt in New Rockford today.  She is staying at the New Rockford Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd while she recuperates from her bout with high blood pressure.  Claudia Timm, Freda Myers and I really enjoyed our visit with Dolly and her great-great-granddaughter, Jocelyn.  What fun listening to these two "older" close friends (102 and 95 years young) reminisce about family, friends and places from the past.  Freda told lots of great stories with Dolly chiming right in and with Claudia adding details and information. 


I took quite a few pictures so Dolly's friends and family can see how well she's doing.  Also, when Freda told us that many of her kids had seen Dolly on Facebook, I told her that I'd make sure they could see lots of pictures of Freda, too.  :)  As you can see from her pictures, she is a very expressive, friendly, upbeat person... just like Dolly.


As for Claudia Timm, she made sure the trip happened, picking Freda and me up and driving us to New Rockford.  Also, since we arrived at the time for Dolly to have her hair done, Claudia volunteered to roll and style her hair for her.  In one of the photos you can see Dolly dozing off under the hair dryer while Freda is entertaining us. 


Dolly's "great-great" Jocelyn flew up from Arizona to spend time with her grandma while she's getting better.  You can tell that Dolly is so proud of her... telling us about "all the houses" she's selling!  Jocelyn is a real estate agent in Phoenix, having moved there recently from Colorado.


All in all, it was quite an enjoyable day with Dolly... and a pleasant, new experience for us.  The staff at the Home of the Good Shepherd were all extremely helpful and very friendly.  The building itself is very attractive inside with lots of cheerful decorations and cozy places to visit with each other.  And, Dolly's room is located on a corner with large windows all around so she can enjoy the view outside.  Jocelyn says they are going to put a bird feeder outside so Dolly can enjoy watching the birds... one of her favorite pastimes.


As you know, Dolly is a very friendly person who would love to have visitors.  Please feel free to drop in to see her at any time during the day.  


Also, Dolly loves to receive cards and calls!  Here is her address and phone number: