I won the lottery!!

I won the Lottery!!

People are fascinated by the concept of winning the lottery. 

“If I just won the lottery…” people say, and then launch into all the different things they would do.  It’s fun to think about having all that money and getting to make all your own choices.  It seems like it would be so freeing.  And yet a lot of people that win don’t handle it well.  They divorce, they spend all the money, they change who they are.

But, what if you did win the lottery?  What would you do first?  Would you be practical or wild?  Would you tell everyone or keep it a secret?

I admit that I like to think about winning the lottery.  I haven’t bought a ticket this year but I bought a few last year.  So, since this is completely hypothetical, what would I do if I won? 

This is how I would handle it (at least in my imagination).  My husband and I would rejoice, smile, cry, hug, get busy….   Then we would contact a lawyer to understand the best way to protect the assets.  Once we had a good grasp of what would really occur and how much money it actually would be, we would contact the lottery people (whoever they are).

I assume we would want to keep our win anonymous.  Even if it doesn’t change you it can definitely change how others view you.  I would quit my day job, which I really do like, but would give up for the opportunity to spend more of my time with my family.  I like to think that I’d work out in the mornings since I wouldn’t be running off to work so early.  Right now I always come up with some excuse not to work out – work, too tired, meetings, etc.  I’d also like to think that I would cook nice dinners for the fam.  Normally I don’t get home in time to do this and my husband cooks.  He does a nice job but I would like to have the time to actually think through some meals and plan. 

I would also like to travel.  There are so many places in the US and beyond that we haven’t seen.  The magnificence of this earth is overwhelming and it would be nice to experience different cultures and climates.

One of the big wins would be the freedom to write.  Winning the lottery would take away the financial burden which requires me to work outside of the home and would give me more time to write.

Lastly, or maybe firstly, I would volunteer.  Not just money but also time.  There are so many wonderful causes that need time and attention.   We already do a lot of volunteering but it would be nice to have more time to be involved.

What would you do if you won the lottery?  Am I too tame/boring?  Would you jet-set all over the world?  Have huge elaborate parties?  Move to Hollywood and hang with the celebrities?

A funny thing happened on the way to my blog

A funny thing happened on the way to my blog. (Badum bum!) I had all these wonderful blog post ideas for July and before I could write and post them I was kidnapped by aliens!  They held me against my will and forced me to do all these unmentionable things, which I am going to mention here.  Ha, take that you alien abductors! 

The first task that needed to be completed was a major undertaking.  It required immense brain power, long hours, and… statistics.  Yes, you read it right.  The torture!!!  The aliens informed me that if I didn’t complete this task called a “Project at Work”, the aliens would die of starvation and lose their alien shelter and spaceship.  Well, I couldn’t let something like that happen since they seemed so nice.  I mean, they did kidnap me but they were very nice about it.

The second task required me to spend a week of evenings after the “Project at Work” hours educating more of their kind about a very special book.  There were several captives performing duties during this time period for a whole bunch of alien offspring.  The other captives were required to sing songs, make snacks, do crafts, and play games.  I worked closely with the main alien kidnapper telling stories from this special book.  I surmise that he didn’t want me out of his sight.  There might have been a slight attraction between us, I admit.

The third task required spending an exorbitant amount of time at the most awful place of business where they sell everything.  I mean everything.  From food to clothes to cleaning supplies. Everything aliens need, I guess.  And boy, that place has a lot of weird looking aliens.  All types were there.  The aliens forced me to spend a tremendous amount of time choosing between different colored folders, scissors, paper, and pencils.  Apparently the young aliens were going to be doing a vast amount of learning in the months to come. 

I planned to escape but I was enamored by their sweetness, their neediness, and their lack of maternal support.  The main alien was obviously good for the two little aliens, but they needed more.  Someone had to be here for them, to guide them, to educate them, to love them.  So, I gave up the July blogs but I got so much more in return.

What did you do in July?  Any alien abductions to share?