L is for Lottery
2 weeks ago there was lottery fever here in the U.S. The jackpot went over $600 million. Because I don't have cable tv and I don't listen to the radio, I had no clue. But my normally rational and analytically minded husband came home from work one night and told me I had to buy a lottery ticket the next day before the drawing. I laughed. I thought he was joking. But his green eyes stared at me and I knew he was serious.
I complained, "But I've never bought a lottery ticket. I don't even know how to get one!"
"I don't either," he replied. Millions of people buy them all the time, and we couldn't figure out where to get one.
All day I thought about how silly it was. I didn't want to buy a ticket. That just wasn't me.... I also thought, what would I do with all of that money? $600 million. My brain doesn't go that high.
Ryan asked, "How big would the stack of money be?" Of course I had no idea, so we Googled it. It said something crazy like 100 miles into the sky but I don't know if that was in 20s or 10s.
While I was checking out at the grocery store, I nonchalantly asked if they sold the tickets there. No they didn't. I'd have to go to the gas station.
Because I didn't want to head to the gas station for the sole purpose of getting a ticket, I stood in the cold rain to pump gas first, even though my tank was almost full. I scanned the cashier inside. I decided to make my move. Dripping wet with my dollar in hand, I nervously approached the counter. I handed the guy the money and he gave me a ticket. It was all over in about 2 seconds.
I showed my husband the ticket when he got home. Despite our normal reluctance to buy "things", we talked about the home improvements we would make. Maybe I could get my own laptop or a new minivan, or even a good vacuum that wasn't like lugging a small car up the stairs. We laughed. That wouldn't even bring us to 1 million. We couldn't think of anything else.
We went to sleep dreaming happy dreams. Of course, we didn't win. I guess I'll have to wait on that laptop.
Kathy :)
Did you buy a ticket?
Check out all the other great entries here.
2 weeks ago there was lottery fever here in the U.S. The jackpot went over $600 million. Because I don't have cable tv and I don't listen to the radio, I had no clue. But my normally rational and analytically minded husband came home from work one night and told me I had to buy a lottery ticket the next day before the drawing. I laughed. I thought he was joking. But his green eyes stared at me and I knew he was serious.
I complained, "But I've never bought a lottery ticket. I don't even know how to get one!"
"I don't either," he replied. Millions of people buy them all the time, and we couldn't figure out where to get one.
All day I thought about how silly it was. I didn't want to buy a ticket. That just wasn't me.... I also thought, what would I do with all of that money? $600 million. My brain doesn't go that high.
Ryan asked, "How big would the stack of money be?" Of course I had no idea, so we Googled it. It said something crazy like 100 miles into the sky but I don't know if that was in 20s or 10s.
While I was checking out at the grocery store, I nonchalantly asked if they sold the tickets there. No they didn't. I'd have to go to the gas station.
Because I didn't want to head to the gas station for the sole purpose of getting a ticket, I stood in the cold rain to pump gas first, even though my tank was almost full. I scanned the cashier inside. I decided to make my move. Dripping wet with my dollar in hand, I nervously approached the counter. I handed the guy the money and he gave me a ticket. It was all over in about 2 seconds.
I showed my husband the ticket when he got home. Despite our normal reluctance to buy "things", we talked about the home improvements we would make. Maybe I could get my own laptop or a new minivan, or even a good vacuum that wasn't like lugging a small car up the stairs. We laughed. That wouldn't even bring us to 1 million. We couldn't think of anything else.
We went to sleep dreaming happy dreams. Of course, we didn't win. I guess I'll have to wait on that laptop.
Kathy :)
Did you buy a ticket?
Check out all the other great entries here.
Continue to dream happy dreams- you don't need to win the lottery or buy a ticket to do that. =)
ReplyDeleteI've always had such terrible luck gambling has never appealed to me. Kind of a blessing really.
ReplyDeletemood
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@mooderino
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A wise lady was told me - only ever gamble if you can afford to lose the money you've put down. Dream big but dreams aren't always due to money. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteAw, man.. i thought it was gonna be a happy ending. lol
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, dreams are fun anyway. I never have bought a lotto tkt. I just don't believe in that kind of luck. But it sure would be nice!!
I'm like you - I've never bought a lottery ticket! I think you can get them at the supermarket here.
ReplyDeleteI didn't buy one as I'm in the UK, but my sister-in-law was over in Jersey and she did, she didn't win though. It was so crazy, we heard about it over here in the UK, it was all over the news with pics of people in long queues for hours!
ReplyDeleteYes we had a ticket. But we didn't get in line...we buy ten weeks worth at one time, one chance per each drawing. It is for the children, after all (supports schools - if the politicians actually leave the income alone for its intended purpose). See how easy it can be rationalized? Also, the odds of winning are statistically much better when the jackpot is small (ask Jesse) and it only takes one ticket to win. And I did win $7 once. :)
ReplyDeleteWe did buy a ticket... a few tickets... didn't win anything, but it was fun playing and scheming. As bad as the odds are, they're worse if you don't play at all :) But not much worse...
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for nominating me for the Leibster award, too. I am very grateful. I hope your A-Z challenge is going well.
You're welcome! You deserve lots of followers!!!
DeleteWhen Grandpa (Jesse's dad) told me I had to read your post ASAP today, I knew it was going to be good. Really good. The first paragraph made me laugh out loud. As I kept going on to the next paragraph, and then to the next, your words kept tickling me until I couldn't take it anymore. I’ve been laughing so hard I'm now in tears. That's our son! And that's so you, too, who loves him so much so that you would venture into the world of the unknown - as uncomfortable as it has made you feel. I'm so glad that you at least went to sleep dreaming happy dreams. I love you to infinity, Kaffer! Your MIL. No pun intended.
ReplyDeleteI play occasionally, so this was definitely a time I bought a ticket. I don't do the random though. I have three sets of numbers I always play- one based on the birthdays of my family of origin, one based on birthdays of my current family, and one based on Star Wars. Haven't won yet, but I'm keeping my lucky numbers just in case.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Good luck with the rest of the challenge!
Ilikento buy a ticket or two when the jackpot is high. I buy my ticket early so that I can dream aboutnwhat I'd do with the money for that much longer.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really cute post. I could imagine you pumping gas, wondering. Yes, we bought tickets, five of them. No, we didn't win, but the dreams were ahhh moments we shared together.
ReplyDelete