Things I would do if I won a ridiculously large amount of money in the lottery (even though I never play)...

Let me give this a little preface... I keep having these dreams where I win the lottery, but the thing is... I don't play the lottery; and sometimes it's that someone I don't even know decides to leave their gimongous fortune to me! So, in the spirit of my dreams that won't come true (hehe), here is a list of things I would do if a ridiculous amount of money fell into my lap for some odd reason. Of course this list could change if anything big were to happen in my life (i.e. marriage, kids...). But since I'm single; here goes nothing!

The List:

1. I would tithe it. Definitely to my church, but also I would give to a couple of different missionary families that I'm close to (including my relatives in MN).

2. I would pay off all the debt I owe. duh...

3. I would buy a new car. Nothing flashy or grand. I really like the Toyota Rav4. Something basic. Maybe a hybrid Ford Escape. Lots of storage, good mileage...

4. I would get a new laptop. Mine is quite antiquated, and I'd like a computer that didn't take 20 minutes to open a program (yes, I'm exaggerating... but not by much!)

5. I would travel. One of my goals in life is to visit every state in the US. And I think it would be fun (yes I'm odd, you all know me!) to buy an RV in Maine and travel through back roads United States with a black and white camera. Of course it would be one of those really nice digital/film cameras because that would be amazing. Anyway, I think it would be fun to travel around and take pictures of the random back roads beauty that exists. Once I made my way (I'm thinking an up and down zig-zag) to the Pacific I would sell the RV and take a cruise to Alaska where I would rent a car and back road it with my camera. And then I'd fly to Hawaii. Where I'd stay. For a while. And maybe if they could, I'd fly some of my family out (and maybe a couple of friends) and we'd get to vacation there for a while.

6. Random vacations with my best friends. Where should we go? Just tell me...

7. I would buy land and build a house. I think some large area of land. Lots of room to roam around. The house would have a great room and hardwood floors everywhere. I love the look or the open area on the main level. And the kitchen area would have a double stove. Maybe a confectioners oven (ooo...) With enough of an area in the great room for a large dining room table, something rustic and big enough to have a lot of people over for dinner. A fireplace and comfortable, overstuffed leather couches and chairs around it. There would be a library/study. Nothing big, but it would have built in shelves with a smaller fireplace and a leather couch with throw blankets. A place where I could sit with a glass of wine and a good book. A place to relax. I'd pay extra money to have a full sized finished basement. I love basements, and I miss having one. It's the best place to be in the summer with all the cool air that stays down there. I'd put a pool table down there, with that Tiffany billiards lap we sold when I worked at Lowes. It's beautiful! I'd also have an in ground pool out back, with a grill pit next to it. One of those brick and stainless steel ones off of a patio. And a sunroom to sit and cool off in. And a sand volleyball pit! Surely we would all want to play volleyball! It's so much fun!!!

8. I'd build a separate little place out back just for my art stuff. I'd have a pottery wheel and kiln and all the stuff necessary for it. It would be big enough with enough storage for my painting stuff and all of my craft type things. Maybe some good shelving for stamping stuff. All of the walls would be white so when I wanted to work on something but didn't know what, I could doodle on the walls. Paint, stamp, draw... what a place for inspiration. I'd make sure there was a bathroom out there and a mini fridge for drinks. A big sink for cleaning brushes and wetting pottery before it's glazed.

9. I think I'd have a small place on the property just for my parents to stay when they're here visiting me. And maybe for my brothers and sisters-in-law if they ever decide to come to Tennessee (in the three years I've lived here 1 sis-in-law has been here) *side note: I just realized that I've lived here for 3 years!!* Maybe just a small apartment sized house near the art building so they'd have whatever kind of privacy they'd like/need.

10. I would start a non-profit. Here's what it would be (I haven't named it yet). I would buy a house somewhere in or around Murfreesboro. Nothing big, maybe three or four bedroom; and I would use it as a house for women. Not a halfway house or anything like that, it would be for single Christian girls that are in debt. Not just "but I want it spending", but people that felt they were following the Lord's leading in their life and wound up in debt and struggling to get out of it. Or if it was "but I want it spending" they would be showing the conviction that debt isn't what the Lord wants for their lives. Women that have that strong desire to be out of debt and able to stand on their own two feet with the ability to freely serve the Lord in whatever direction He is leading them. There would be rules and stipulations for living in the house (i.e. proving they are paying off debt and perhaps financial counseling) but mostly it would provide a safe place to live in a decent neighborhood, instead of the kind of neighborhood they could afford on a get-out-of-debt-budget. I've been there (am still there) and I always wind up in areas where I feel safe at first but after a year or two I'm kind of scared to walk outside alone at night. I would provide a place that is rent free, they would have to share in utilities. I wish I had that kind of a deal right now...

11. I would buy a condo in Chicago. Or maybe the suburbs halfway between my brothers houses (they're an hour+ away from each other). It wouldn't be big, all I'd need is a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Nothing fancy, just a place to stay when I'm home that's in the middle of it all.

12. I'd buy my parents a house. Wherever they'd like. Even better, I'd buy the land and have a house built for them. Anything they'd like, anywhere they'd like. Someplace for them near their kids, between their kids, whatever...

13. I'd start college accounts for my niece and nephew (or nieces and nephews right now it's just one of each). Something for their future. I want them to be able to do whatever they want with their lives! I pray for nothing but blessings and promises for them, and if they want to go to college, I want them to go to college. I want the success of their dreams!

14. I'm make sure my brothers and sisters-in-law were out of debt. I'm talking cars and mortgages and credit cards. Debt free. I don't know what on top of that, but I'd make sure they were taken care of.

15. I'd quit working, and volunteer places. I'd work in assisted living centers (I totally heart old folks!) and help where I could in the foster/adoption community. I've always thought about fostering and adopting, and I don't know if I could do it before I'm married, but I'd do whatever else I could. Even if it just means hanging out with some kids a few days a week, I'd do it. Big Sisters of America, here I come =0)

16. I'd go back to school. Part-time, anyway. I'd take courses that I want to take. Get that bachelors degree that my parents would be so happy about! Of course, knowing me, it would be a Bachelor of Arts or something equally as fun! I'd take some more advanced photography classes, although it's been a while since I took my last one, so I'd probably start all over again in the beginning classes! And I'd take more pottery classes, specifically wheel not hand building. I'm not so good with the hand building, but I made a bowl on the wheel once that was 10 inches high and 8 inches in diameter... then while it was drying waiting to be fired, someone knocked it over on the shelf... man that got me mad! Luckily it still cemented my A for the course, since my teacher had seen it... he chose to still use it toward my grade even though it was destroyed. Maybe I'd take some creative writing, too. I always enjoyed those classes.

17. I'd make sure Faith was out of debt. Pay off her car. I'd help her out wherever I could. Especially because she wouldn't asked me to. She wouldn't want or expect a dime.

18. I'd do what I could to nurture the dreams of those around me. Andrea wants to own a store, Ali could have a daycare, Rachel would finish all those tests and degrees she wants, Angela and Sean, I'd help them bring their 'kids' here from Columbia for school; sponsor who I could... I have amazing friends with amazing dreams... I would do what I could to help them come true. I wouldn't get them out of debt (as much as I love you guys... I can't get everyone I know out of debt!!) but I would do what I could to support your dreams.

19. Did I mention that the basement of my house would also have a mini-gym? Basically an elliptical and a universal weights machine (blanking on what they're called) and whatever else the personal trainer I would hire thinks I would need (She, I'd hire a female trainer, would have to prove why I need it no need to spend stupidly). I would lose all that weight that I lose and gain and lose and gain... I want to look like I did in high school. I wasn't tiny, I had weight to lose in high school, but I was much more comfortable in my own skin back then. What a dreamy thought!

20. Of course, when I got myself back to the cute clothes size, I'm going to need cute clothes. Not going crazy, but more clothes then my sad closet holds right now! Besides, I'm way more likely to buy an plethora of cute shoes =0)

21. I would buy a plethora of cute shoes! That would be a fantastic time!!! I wouldn't go crazy with them name brand stuff, names don't mean that much to me, but I would get one pair of ridiculously expensive shoes. Trust me, I've come close to drooling over a few different pairs of $200+ shoes! (I know it's sad, but they were just so cute!!!) Why not own a pair!!

22. I'd have my knee checked out. It's been really bothering me lately and all I can think of is how much money it's going to cost to go to physical therapy, possibly even surgery and I don't have the time to go, so if I wasn't working, and I had time and money... I'd go and have my knee looked at.

23. I'd finally go and visit Meri in Iowa! She's lived there about 6 months less than I've lived in Tennessee, and she's come to visit me, but I haven't gone to see her yet. If my car was a little more reliable I would go (not that it will break down, but I want it to last until I can afford to get a new car!) and no, she's not that close to an airport... at least that's what I'm told...

24. Speaking of visiting friends, I'd also go to see Angela and Sean. They recently moved from Winona, MN to Hampton, VA; and I'd totally go and visit them if I could (again... this whole car thing...) But I'd probably go and visit when I could make the most of Virginia Beach and Busch Gardens (heh heh... we'll have fun!) I even forgive them for being my first friends to move out of my time zone! =0p

25. And of course I'd go and visit Faith! I'm pretty sure that was a big duh! hahaha...

26. I would go to Thailand. I've wanted to go ever since I head by brother talk about it. I don't know why but between the stories and the pictures... I'd love to go.

27. I'd buy a house (or condo) somewhere near an ocean. Not on the ocean, I don't think I could handle paying that kind of money!!! Houses right on are so very expensive, even the condo's!! But I'd get something, I think near Myrtle Beach (I really like it there) maybe somewhere in Florida... I'd want to be able to go to the beach without having to make reservations... no packing, I can just have some clothes there for when I'm there... What do you think, Ladies? Girls beach weekend whenever we want??? ok... maybe the guys could come sometimes, too... maybe... ;0)

28. *Here's the banker coming out* Set up a great interest bearing account (Or several). I'd start out with some money in my savings and checking, but I'd have interest coming in from my other accounts to actually live off of. You can earn pretty good interest off of millions of dollars, at least that's what I'm told... I've never seen that kind of money in my life!!! I'm poor!!!

For now...

You never know when dreams will come true...

=0)