My Bucket List

Believe it or not I started to think about this topic and what I would put on my bucket list, the first time I watched the movie "Bucket List."  If you saw the movie then you know that it was about two men, (Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman) who made their bucket lists when they found out they were dying.  I know this is a topic (dying) most of us don't like to think about including me.  But it is a fact of life and is inevitable that we all are going to die someday.  No one lives forever!  After watching the movie, I started my own bucket list.  Today, there are two items I can cross off mines: (1) getting my degree, and (2) flying on an airplane.  I flew on a plane for the first time, when I went to visit my aunt in Rochester, Minnesota in 2011, and I graduated with an Associated degree in Health Care Data Technology in May of this year.  The other items on my list are listed below:

#3 Buy or build a new house like this one that is big enough to hold family functions like my mother's 80th birthday dinner we just celebrated this past Saturday.  It would have been nice to have had a house big enough for this family affair and not have to rent a place.  I'm sure I don't have to tell you how very expensive it is to rent a large hall.  I think a house this size would have been big enough.
 

#4 Own a Lexus (the car of my dreams).

#5 Drive cross-country in a RV with my husband.
Click the link for places to see on a cross-country trip.
 http://www.drivecrosscountry.net/About.html

#6 Be debt free!   No more worries!










 
#7 Go to Disney World with my family.

In summary, I realize that it is important for us to try to improve ourselves whenever we get the chance and sometimes making a bucket list can help us to do that.  I felt such a sense of accomplishment when I crossed of the first two items on my list.  But I think it is just as important to be grateful for the things we have.  So, even if I don't get a chance to cross another thing of my list, I can say that  I'm happy with what I have (the love of my family), and what I have accomplished.  

Class Review

I have really enjoyed this class and interacting with my classmates.  This is the only class that I've ever had to do that.  In all of my other online classes, after the first week of introductions, I never talk to them again.  I think creating this blog is where I really got to know them; reading their posts about their lives and families.  To be honest, I didn't like posting at first, but now I truly enjoy writing in it.  It gives me a way to express my thoughts.
  
I have also learned a lot about the Internet in this class.  New Perspectives on the Internet is just what the name implies; it gives you a new perspective on the internet.  I knew there was a lot I didn't know about the Internet, I just didn't realize how much.  Thanks to this class, I know how to use the different Search Engines, Web Directories, and Metasearch Engines to do extensive research.  I know more about Internet Security and how to protect my personal information.  I didn't know that there were so many ways for people to steal your personal information.  Thanks to this class, I will be more mindful and watch out for them.

Last, but not least, I want to thank Mrs. Dunaway.  Thank you for always helping me when I needed it and for encouraging me to do my best.  I know the things I've learned from this class will help me a lot in whatever job I'm lucky enough find in the future.  I want to also say that I've enjoy all of you and I wish  everyone good luck in their future endeavors.

If I Won the Lottery, I Would....

I'm in the Money!

I would be lying, if I told you I haven't thought about this question.  Who can honestly say they haven't thought about what they would do if they won the lottery.  To not have to worry about money and to be financially secure for the rest of your life.  I don't know about you, but that would a God sent for me; especially, in these hard times!  
   
If I won the lottery, the first thing I would do after I cashed my check is pay off all my bills; especially, all my credit cards.   I'm sure a lot of you know that credit card debt is no joking matter!   It seems like it is so hard to get out of debt, no matter how hard I try.  So, yes that is definitely the first thing I would do.  

The next thing I would do is sell my house and buy or build a new one.  I've always wanted to have a house built from the ground up.  When I was a little girl, my mother worked as a housekeeper in a house that I just loved.  I remember saying to my mom that I wanted a house just like that when I grow up.   The floor plans are still etched in my mind.   I think I could draw them myself if I had to.  But, if I couldn't build from the ground up then I would just buy one; hopefully, with a similar floor plan.
 
Then I would give a generous donation to my church's building fund.  We are in the process of making plans to build a new one, so I would want to help with that.  I would also give to other charitable organizations like United Way because they help so many peoples across the country in times of disaster.  I'm a firm believer in helping other people that are less fortunate.   

I haven't forgot about my family.  I would give each and everyone of them a generous amount and put some money in an account for my grandchildren to help with college expenses when they need it.   My husband has always wanted a new Silverado truck (the truck of his dreams) I would buy that for him.   I don't need a new car, since I just purchased a new car in 2007.  It's not new but it's still new to me!   I would also like to take him on a trip or maybe a cruise somewhere nice.  In all the years we've been married (22 years), we have never been on a honeymoon.  I think this would be the time to finally take one! 

The last thing I would do is invest the rest in something safe that draws interests and pays dividends.   I would invest in hiring a financial planner to help me make the right decision.  That way I could live on the interests or receive a dividend check each month to pay for expenses.   These are only some of the things I would do if I won the lottery.   I think that's enough to start with so you get the general idea.   Most of all, If I won the lottery, I would just try to live a happy, healthy, and comfortably life.


Click the link for things you shouldn't buy, if you won the lottery. http://www.buzzfeed.com/lyapalater/26-totally-unnecessary-things-to-buy-when-you-win

Favorite Childhood Memories

My favorite childhood memories were the times spent at Christmas.   Christmas was my favorite time of the year.  Looking back on those Christmases with my family are memories I will always cherish.


Christmas back then wasn't so commercialized like it is today  I mean we didn't have television, all we had was the Sear's Catalog to use to see all the new toys that was on sale.  My siblings and I would take turns looking through it, trying to pick out the toys we wanted Santa Claus to bring us.  This was the only time of the year when we would get toys.  The rest of the year we would make our own.  It's amazing what kids can come up with to occupy their time; for example, we would play stick ball, roll tires, and stay outside for hours playing hide-and-go-seek.   Our parents didn't have to tell us to go outside and play.  We played outside every chance we got.  Maybe that's why I don't remember ever hearing the word obese because kids seemed to be more active back then.

I remember that we would wait until Christmas Eve to put up our tree.  My brother and I would go out and chop down a pine tree; bring it back, set it up, and start decorating it.  There is nothing like the smell of a freshly cut pine tree to fill the house with the smell of Christmas.  I can also remember the smell of apples and oranges; you see, Christmas was the only time when we would have apple, oranges and candy canes.   It may not seem like apples and oranges are a big deal, but believe me they were to us.  while we were decorating the tree, my mother and my big sister would be in the kitchen baking pies and cakes.  I was always a tomboy and loved being outdoors.  I didn't like being in the kitchen for anything except to lick the bowl!  My mother liked to do all of her baking the day before.  She would always say that she wanted to get the sweets out of the way so that all she would have to cook the next day (Christmas Day) would be her other foods such as: chicken and dressing, sweet peas, turnip greens, black eyed peas, potatoe salad, mac & cheese, cornbread, rolls, and cranberry sauce.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!  Although, we would all be at my grandparents house for Christmas dinner, my mother always liked to cook at home.  That way we would have food the next day to eat and she wouldn't have to cook.

While this was going on at home, my father would be out visiting with neighbors and  friends.  By the time he came home we would all be in bed and asleep.  We went to bed early on Christmas Eve because our parents told us that if we were still up when Santa came, he wouldn't leave us any toys.  It is amazing what a child will believe when they are young!  I think that is the reason why Christmas is not what it used to be.  Children of today are so use to getting everything they want all year; they don't have to wait until Christmas.  It would be hard to find even a three year old who believed in Santa Claus nowadays.  I was about eight before I stopped believing in him.

On Christmas morning, we would wake up early to open our presents.  I always got the doll I wanted and some other things I needed like clothes.  My mother and sister would get up a little earlier to cook breakfast and to finish cooking Christmas dinner.  The rest of us children would eat breakfast and clean up the house.   After the cooking was done and the house was clean, we all would get ready for church.  After church, we all went to my grandparents house for dinner and to exchange gifts.  There the rest of the family would be.  I have a large extended family with a lot of aunts and uncles.  Each one of them at that time had as many as six children.  So needless to say there were a lot of us running around playing while the grown ups set around and socialized.  I like seeing my cousins, but I couldn't wait to get home and play with my toys.

At the end of day, we would say our goodbys to everyone and my parents would load us all up into the station wagon to go home.  When we got there, my parents would just relax while we kids would play with our toys and eat again.   Although, I was very young, I can still remember these Christmases with my whole family as being some of my most favorite memories. 
 

If I Didn't Live Here, I Would Live....

London, England

I truly believe that the United States of America is the best country in the world in which to live and pursue your dreams.  I love this country, even with its bad economy!  But if I didn't live here, I would like to live in London, England.  I like England because it is a country that I wouldn't have to learn a second language, since English is also their primary language.  Contrary to what you've heard, it does not rain everyday in England.  The weather is usually warm in the summer and cool in the winter; therefore, I wouldn't have any reason to stay inside the house and run up my electric bill on air conditioning.

London is a place full of traditions and rich in cultures.  It is home of the Queen and the Royal Family.  I can remember staying up all night to see the Royal Wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles.  It was really amazing to watch!   It was like watching a fairy tale and love story come to life.

 








 

I would love to live in a city like London, where there is always so many things to see and do.  London is home to some of the best museums and galleries in the world (many are free).  You could spend hours browsing the permanent collection without paying a penny.  It has both a theatre and entertainment districts.  In the theatre district, there are many cinemas, bars, clubs and restaurants.  It is the home of many ballet companies and opera houses.  The entertainment district is where London and the world film premieres are held and where you can see Piccadilly Circus's giant electronic advertisements.

Piccardilly Circus

Other facts about London that I found interesting was that Britain has a National Health Service which provides free health care to all its citizens.  This was very appealing to me because when my job closed down, I not only lost my source of income, but I also lost my health insurance.   With the cost being so expensive, I still haven't been able to purchase any.  London also has some of the best universities in the world.  Kings College which was founded in 1441 by Henry VI has a chapel that is the home to the world famous Choir.  It has premiere shopping areas, where there are a lot of shops and markets to browse.  It is the home of Wembley Stadium and the O2 Arena.

It is a place where there are many beautiful and historically landmarks such as....
 
 

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has 600 rooms that is surrounded by a 40 acre garden






 

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is the most
famous prehistoric
landmark in Britian,
built in 3100 B.C. 

I almost forgot to mention the Tower of London, where many movie scenes have taken place because of its dark and sinister reputation.  The Tower was once used as a prison, and a place of torture and executions.  I wouldn't mind seeing it, but this is one place I wouldn't want to live!

The Tower of London

These are only a few of historically landmarks in England, to see more of England's landmarks and read more facts and information on London visit:  
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/regions/london.htm

Finally, London is a multicultural city, with more than 270 nationalities. This gives London its warm and inviting feel.  Although, I love the United States, I wouldn't mind living in London, England.  Not only is London a place where there is always something to do and see, but it is also a leading global city with a diverse range of peoples and cultures.

World's Greatest Parents!

Mom and Dad

 

As I sit here thinking about my life, and the individuals who influenced me the most, only two people come to mind....my parents!  I can't honestly say one without the other because they both played an equal part in raising me and my siblings.  I thank God everyday for giving me the kind of parents that provided me the three most important things I needed to succeed in life and that is love, support and encouragement. 

First of all and foremost, they gave us love.  You see, my parents started out as sharecroppers, which was back then working on a farm for a share of the crops.  In the past, sharecropping paid little to nothing, but they still somehow managed to provide for us children.  Later my father worked on a farm that paid him a decent wage and  my mother worked as a housekeeper.  I can remember that even though my mother worked she was always at home by the time we got there from school.  She was there to make sure we did our chores, homework, and anything else that needed to be done.  They both worked hard to care of us, which wasn't easy with eight children; five girls and three boys.  I'm not trying to paint a picture of the perfect family, with perfect children because like all families we had our share of bad times too.  Somehow, they always managed to give us children the basic things we needed.  We had three meals a day, clothes to wear, a roof over our heads, discipline when we needed it, and of course their love.  Not having much money, they tried to give us mostly what we needed and some of what we wanted.  I think this taught us not to focus so much on the material things we didn't have, but to be more appreciative of what we did have, which was the love of our family.  I regret not following this example; I instead tried to give my children everything they asked for.  I thought like so many other parents of my generation that I wanted my children to have more of the things I didn't have when I was growing up.  Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's wrong to want more for your children.  I just think that they will appreciate it more when they have to work for it.  

When it comes to the support and encouragement my parents gave us, all I can say is that whenever I or one of my siblings called them, they were there to offer whatever support and encouragement we needed.  Whether it was helping us out financially or spiritually, it didn't matter.  Any way they could help, they did.  Since my father passed away, my mother is still give us her love, support and encouragement.  Not so much financially now since we all are grown, but we still come to her for advice.  

Looking back on my childhood now, I realize those were some of the happiest times of my life.  My parents not only gave us the love, support, and encouragement that we needed, but they also taught us the important of going to church; to put God first in everything we do and to follow the Golden Rule which is "To do unto others as you would have them to do unto you."  The values my parents taught me when I was growing up are the same values I've tried to instill in my children, so that they can live happy, healthy and successful lives. 

1929 - 1999

My Favorite Songs

Growing up in a religious atmosphere and having a father that was a Baptist minister, I developed a love for Gospel music.  Not because Gospel music was the only type of music I listen to, but because Gospel music made me feel something I can't describe.  I can remember being in church and hearing those beautifully song hymns sounding so wonderful.  Which is why when I got older, I join the choir.  I'm sad to say that even though I love to sing, I don't sing well enough to do solos.  I can however,  hold a note.  

Now, to tell you my favorite songs is really tough because there are so many.  So I'm just going to give you my top five.   First, on my list is Mary, Mary's The God in Me, and Go Get It.  I enjoy listening to them in the mornings.  Their music helps me start my day because after listening to them sing, you can't help but want to get up and move.  Second, on my list is Kirk Franklin's Lean On Me.  This song makes me think about my life and how I've had to lean on God to get me through the bad times and how I've had to be strong for my family.   Third, is Marvin Sapp's Never Would Have Made It.  I know this song is so true for most of us.  I know I never would have made it without God in my life.  Fourth, is Yolanda Adams Never Give up.  I love this song because it's how I try to live my life, by not letting anything get me down.  I guess you could say, I'm an optimist; I try to see the bright side of things.  And last, but not least is Donnie McClurkin's We Fall Down, But We Get Up.  I saved this song for last because it's really my favorite.  When I listen to this song, I think about all the times I've falling down in my life and the number of times I've had to get back up and try again.  I think this song is very inspirational.  I hope you think so too.  

Miscellaneous, + 7 things most people don't know about me

 What People Know about Bettye Foote

I am married with three children and four grandchildren.  I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.  I recently graduated from EMCC with an Associate degree in Healthcare Data Technology.  I am currently unemployed, but I'm actively searching for a job.  Until that happens, I'm taking online classes to obtain a second Associate degree in Office Systems Technology.

Married 23 years

 My children and grandchildren are my pride and joy!

Deatrick

Dominique

Lakesha

Granddaughter (Rayvn)

The Baby (Somer)

Granddaughter & Grandson

 (BeBe & Taraus)

Things People may not Know about Me

I enjoy listening to all types of music; especially, Classical music Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is my favorite.  I would rather stay at home and watch a DVD than go to the movies.  I'll take a good love story like Pride and Prejudice any day.  I hate Chinese and all seafood except fish.  Although I'm number four out of eight siblings, I'm the person in my family that everyone seems to depend on.  This might seem strange to many people, but I don't like to travel.  I guest you could say I'm a bit of a homebody.  And the last thing people may not know about me is; although, I may not look like it but I can drive a fork truck and a crane.  I forgot to mention that I worked at Domtar formerly Weyerhaeuser Paper Company for 15 years.