*CONGRATULATIONS*This was the message that greeted me when I opened my email account today. I was so excited! All I have to do to collect my winnings is to call Mr. Mark Williams and give him my name, address, phone, age, sex, occupation, driver's license and social security number. Once he has all that info, I'm sure Mr. Williams will rush my winnings to me by overnight mail. Right?
Sweet!
By the way, in case you didn't catch that number the first time, it's £1,500,000,000.00.
By the way, in case you didn't catch that number the first time, it's £1,500,000,000.00.
One. Billion. Five. Hundred. Million. Pounds.
That's over two billion dollars. Just so we're clear. I'm not sure how Mr. Mark Williams can afford to give me all that money, but I'm more than happy to take it off his hands.
In fact, I have a whole list of things I want to buy, starting with houses in all my favorite places. And I'll need a private jet, of course, so I can fly there whenever I want without having to take off most of my clothes in the security line at the airport. And of course I'll give tons of money to charities and organizations that provide food and medicine and animals and housing to people in need. We would all do that, right? Now that I've told everybody I'm going to be immensely wealthy, I suppose I'll start getting emails and phone calls from everyone I know, asking me to loan them some money to buy a house or pay off a loan or whatever. That's okay. I've decided to be generous. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. I want everyone to share in my joy!
Maybe I'll buy a publishing company. And a boat. Hmm. A personal trainer? I'd better make a list. It's going to be so much fun spending all this money!
Maybe I'll buy a publishing company. And a boat. Hmm. A personal trainer? I'd better make a list. It's going to be so much fun spending all this money!So, play along with me. What's the first FUN thing you'd buy with your big winnings?
One thing you won't have to buy is a copy of Homicide in Hardcover, because one random commenter will win an autographed copy!
79 comments:
Mine!
Congrats on your winnings! Let me see I want a new bigger house with a basement and garage and my very own library! Also I want to travel. I do so want to go to Ireland and Scotland and if any one else wants to go just let me know. Don't enter me in the contest because I have already read Homicide in Hardcover an its a great read.
Hello Kate,
First, congrats on the winnings. I guess if I won as much as you did, I would have to start with paying off all my current debts. We would then start with new home, new car, new wardrobe. Let's just say new everything. The most important thing would be a library. Could you imagine being able to go visit all your favorite authors at their signings no matter where they are located. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Have a great day.
What a fun game to play, Kate. I used to love imagining what I'd do with tons and tons of money to spare! Not so much anymore.
But my fantasy splurge has always been to have a personal chef, one who plans the menus, buys the food, cooks, and cleans up. Huge sigh. I could really go for that kind of thing.
Congrats Virginia have fun with him
And congrats to you Kate firstly on such a wonderful book Homicide in Hardcover it truly is a fantastic read I couldn't put it down and secondly on winning so much money.
The first thing I would do with that much money is throw my job in YAY pay the house off buy a bigger house that has its own library that I could easily stock LOL buy all of my children their own houses and then I would be off travelling the world with hubby first stop probably Great Britan I do want to see Scotland Ireland and the beautiful places in England, then to the USA to visit all the Bandits we could book a whole hotel somewhere and have the biggest bash with all of the Bandits and Bandit Buddies from all over the world because I would fly them all in.
I would of course donate to charities. then after I have done my travelling what a life I would lead spending time with the family and reading and I could buy what ever I wanted.
Thanks for the dreams Kate
Have Fun
Helen
Congrats on the GR, Virginia.
Lucky you, Kate. The first thing I would do is buy a house for my parents. I'll probably buy myself one, too. Traveling would be next on the agenda.
I think I would buy a 12 month cruise around the world...and then I would really start spending.
Congrats Virginia!
Oh, fun question! Um...the first fun thing I'd buy with my winnings would be...horseback riding lessons! Or maybe a horse. Huh. Which should come first, the horse or the horseback riding lessons? Ah well, since I'll be super duper rich, I'll buy both...at the same time! Unless I get sidetracked by a bookstore...
Hooray, Kate! Congrats! ;)
As for me, I want what Virginia wants--a house with my very own huge beautiful library, preferably with a lovely comfy window seat and a bunch of cozy reading chairs!
Ahhh... :)
Congrats on the GR, Virginia! How's he enjoying the library? ;)
Congrats on the GR Virginia.
Wooooohooo on the BIG winnings from Mark. So glad to know that I am not the only one that gets those.
I would buy an e reader first and foremost. I want one so bad I can almost taste it. Then I would be an adult and pay off all of my bills and my family's bills. Next would be a house and 2 new cars right along with college funds for my kids.
Hey, Virginia! That's the second time in a week, isn't it? Whoo-hoooo! I hear he's been a bit of a handful since his trip to RT. In fact, a little bird (one of his chickies) told me he stole Donna's award and refused to give it back, claiming he taught her everything she knows. He really is the limit!
Ah, Kate, how lovely to dream. You do know Mr Williams is scamming you, don't you? Speaking of which, you know my Judge Judy obsession? I watched one the other day where someone had actually gone into debt to a friend in the expectation of getting some of this funny money. I think hers was from Nigeria. As JJ says, pretty passes, stupid is forever!
Actually, my first spend would be on a huge party on a private island for Banditas, Bandita buddies, Bandita guests, cabana boys, gladiators and my own private Richard Armitage! Once I'd done that, I'd like an extra storey on top of the house for a library and a work area for me. And a long holiday in the Hebrides. That would only use up a tiny fraction of your winnings, Kate, so I'm sure you'll agree to this.
Congrats Virginia on the GR!
I would buy a flat in London...Kensington or Chelsea..and a library with custom made shelfs and one of those cool ladders that slide on a brass rail.
Jen
LOL Love it, Kate. I don't have anybody offering me billions by email, but I do get quite a few 'growth' offers, if ya know what I mean.
Hmm, can I use your personal trainer for awhile? Once I get in great shape to wear the cute clothes I love, I'd need some shoes... lots and lots of shoes. Of course, new shoes means I'd need a bigger closet. I supposed a bigger closet would require a bigger house, right? A bigger house would mean land -lots of land.
I'd buy a new car! My van is a 1993 model. Yes, 16 years old. I can't even open one of the back doors1
Right now, all our money goes to college (3 sons), health insurance and taxes!
I'd buy a new car! My van is a 1993 model. Yes, 16 years old. I can't even open one of the back doors1
Right now, all our money goes to college (3 sons), health insurance and taxes!
Congrats on the GR Virginia.
If I had that kind of money I would build the GR a huge chicken coop.
I would pay off all my bills, sell my house and find a place on the river. Not that I am anti-social but there wouldn't be another house around me for at least a mile. I was raised in the country and I have to say I didn't transplant to the city real well. I find it very disconcerting to look out my window and into the neighbor's window.
I would travel to England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Greece. Everywhere I have ever read about.
Heck, with that kind of money maybe I would just buy up a lot of land and build an entire community of readers. Any of the Banditas or BBs want to come live in my community?
Wow, so that's some imaginings for me ... starting with those dang mortgages getting paid off but once those nasty little practicalities are done, I'd have a full time driver, housekeeper, gardener, hairdresser, beautician and chef. After that, I'll start stocking up on the library and getting EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING on my wish list to read. Then for the ultimate splurge ... there's this diamond necklace that I've been dreaming about for an age. After that, I'd set the rest of my family up for life or at least a good part of their lives and then I will travel - in my own private jet, of course. I'll even stay in the presidential suites of all the top hotels around the world - always wanted to see what that was like. Oh and a butler, I'd love a butler (can you tell I've been reading a few too many Regency Romances?). Hmmmm... I think that's about it for the dream so far. I'm sure I'll think of other things.
For that kind of money I could buy a small country. Yes welcome to donnaland. I'm getting used to being in the company of male models. Had two at our table last night at the vampire ball so we'd import busloads in to donaland. Heading home tomorrow. Big booksigning today.
Kate, my daughter and I were talking about this very thing last night, because it was Friday night...and the SciFi channel had Moonlight on!
Yes, I would take that money and bring back Moonlight. I would cast Joseph in every scene. I would make episodes as long as I wanted to.
Oh, and I would spend as much time as it took to find the perfect Amelia Peabody and Emerson, and shoot their first book as a movie, all on location. Bliss!
Vacation property at Ogunquit Beach, Maine. It is lovely up there.
Margay
Mark Williams? He must be loaded...he promised me the same thing!
Well, we'll get the altruistic items out of the way. Massive money to the American Heart Association (to find a CURE for heart failure), several other specific organizations.
I would fund a nursing unit at MY hospital that would have state of the art equipment and ENOUGH staff that no one nurse need take care of more than three patients at a time!
Then an organization that would secretly go around the country and financially help people esp. children in medical crisis. Pay for that liver transplant, all their associated debt...all secretly...shhhhhh.
Then for me? Ireland. The country. I'd buy Ireland and go around the country staying one week in every B&B.
I'd visit Scotland and swing by to say "good on you" to Susan Boyle. Wales, the Nordic countries. Rome (at last) and those Greek Isles look interesting. THen on down under to visit Christine and Anna in Oz. (Please to have Mr. Hugh Jackman there to attend me)
A huge house with lots of land. Same for my brother and countless friends.
Oh, and then I'd go visit Donna in Donnaland, LOL
Oh. And the Banditas and BB's. Par-tay...my island...in the Carribean...Everyone gets their own personal cabana boy and/or gladiator. Loincloths optional.
Oh, and I'd put some in my savings account :-)
Oh, my. I would travel (Canada!) and buy myself a nice cottage -with a sauna, of course- by a lake. And I would need lots of space for all those books I'd buy.
ABBA - Money Money Money
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCkOmcIl79s
"Money" - Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkRIbUT6u7Q
Money, Money, Money - Full Track - Mamma Mia The Movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8ybnrIzwYg
Congrats, Virginia! Hope you have something at your house to compete with the RT Convention. He really is getting spoiled when it comes to entertainment!
A billion, Kate? Wow.
The first FUN thing I would do is tell Wal-Mart SO LONG !! IT'S BEEN REAL.
The next FUN thing I would do is book a fantastic trip to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland which would end with our arrival in Belgium for the Waterloo Bicentennial. Anyone else want to go? I'm buying.
Pay off my student loans.
Pay for my niece and two nephews to go to college. Take care of my Mom and my brothers and their families.
Buy a new car before Blue Boy gives up the ghost. A shiny new red MG convertible for me. Then a really nice van tricked out so the dogs can ride in comfort.
Buy our local humane shelter lots of land, a whole new facility and its own hospital that treats shelter pets AND gives low cost vet care to people who are struggling. That way nobody would have to give up their pet. AND it would have a pet food pantry to help people out too. And obedience and training classes for pet owners. Then another adjacent facility for horses and farm animals complete with its own hospital too.
A scholarship fund at the University of Alabama and at the University of Southern Mississippi in memory of my late DH to study psychiatry and/or neurosurgery specializing in brain tumors.
I'd buy up all the vacant land around me and have a nice largish English cottage built with a HUGE library with window seats, fireplaces and big reading chairs. It would also have a big orangery attached complete with exotic plants and large iguanas and parrots.
And then I would TRAVEL and WRITE and TRAVEL and WRITE !!!
Oh and a personal trainer and chef so I would be motivated to eat right and exercise! With that much money to spend I want to be in good health and live a long time.
I would buy a house and get a dog.
What a delightful dream. I would travel around the world, buy a beach house, buy a ranch and then rescue all the wonderful dogs who would romp and play together.
Congrats, Virginia!! Hope our GR isn't too fried from RT. It's not easy keeping up with those cover models. ;-)
A library sounds wonderful!
I'm so glad you enjoyed HIH. :-)
Hi Housemouse, thanks for the congrats! I can't wait to get my hands on all that money. Snork!
Paying off the debts first is a smart idea. No use paying all those interest rates, right? And I think everyone here would love a new library!
I love the idea of jetting off to book signings all over the country. Totally fun!
Hi Jo! A personal chef? Wow, good thinking. That sounds like heaven! He'd probably be very persnickety and demand his own clean-up crew, though. But that's okay. I'd want to keep him (her) happy. :-)
G'day, Helen! Thank you so much for your kind words about HIH! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :-)
That's so generous of you to fly all the banditas in for a world-class bash!! Par-Tay!! We'd probably have to pay the cabana boys overtime, but who cares? LOL
Hi Jane! I think a new house for our parents is the first thing that comes to mind for many of us. My brother took care of that a few years ago for my mom, but I know she'd love a pool in the back yard so I'd definitely take care of that first!
Ooh Jeanette, I've never been on a cruise, and you want to go for 12 months? Wow! I think cruising through the Mediterranean, around Italy and Greece, would be lovely. Naturally, you'd need the presidential suite, right? With the big terrace and your own butler? Yeah, that would be really nice! ;-)
Genius ways to get what you want -even if you don't win £1,500,000,000.00:
One red paperclip guy:
http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/
And the million dollar webpage:
http://www.milliondollarhomepage.com/faq.php
LOL, Kate, I'd even do the cleaning up if the chef would shop and cook!
Louisa, student loans, ouch that brings back painful memories. It took my husband and me seven years to pay ours off. Wasn't it Jacob who worked seven years to get Leah and then another to get Rachael, whom he really wanted. Hmmmmm. I see the parallel.
LOL Pissenlit! Why not have both at the same time? You'll probably need a whole stable of horses and several trainers and groomsmen to take care of you--er, the horses, and teach you how to ride. :-)
Hi Fedora! Ah, that library sounds lovely as you describe it. I see a wide picture window with comfy pillows and a view as far as the eye can see. Rolling hills? Or maybe a windswept cliff overlooking the ocean?
Sorry, I got carried away with your fantasy! :-)
Sarabelle, I hope you get your e reader soon! I'm not ready to buy one yet but they seem like a lot of fun and very practical, especially for voracious readers like all of us here in the Lair. :-)
Anna? Scam? Really? Why would Mr. Mark Williams want to scam me?
LOLOL! I love Judge Judy and her wise sayings! Stupid is forever. That one's particularly true, isn't it. :-)
Can't wait for that beach party on our private island!!
Hi Jen! I love those library ladders, too. So classic, aren't they? I really need to think about adding a library to my house ...
Virginia, given that you've won the GR today, you're almost required to spend part of your jackpot with him. :) So, what would you buy the GR today?
As for myself, I'd build a large cottage on a secluded Hawaiian beach with a ginormous library, original oils for the walls, the best music system in the world, an English garden full of riotous colors, a daily massage therapist, a personal trainer, a nutritionist-cum-world-class chef, weekly manicures/pedicures/hair treatments, and house and garden staff for every chore imaginable and then some.
I'd fund research in beauty institutes worldwide to invent a method for permanent hair removal from every millimeter of the female skin (men can keep waxing their chests, hah) while growing thick, lustrous hair on the head.
Then periodically, I'd invite various groups of friends (such as the Banditas & Buddies) for retreats.
A beach house! Then I'd let all my kids and friends use it. And a horse just to prove to my husband that I can to learn to ride a horse without falling off and breaking assorted bones :-) I'd also get "people" so I could say, "Call my people."
Kate, can I borrow your private jet so I could travel to Scotland and Ireland? I've never been!
The best part would be making sure that the people I care about never had to go without.
I would move to my home town in Eastern Canada on the Atlantic ocean. I would by a hug 'compound' on the ocean and move my entire family in!
A mustang, not the horse, the car.
But then, I have always wanted to own horses, so slap a beach-side ranch on that compound.
And I would have to hire some rugged hunk to take care of the horses and barns...this sounds like a plot for a book, LOL!
Wow. There is so much I want. I want a new laptop (mine is Millineum Edition...TERRIBLE...and the keyboard and touch pad don't work so I have to plug in working ones....sigh) I would fix my falling down house...seriously, the side of it is caving out and the bricks are bulging. I would get 3 cars ( a Jag, for sure), put some airconditioning in my house so I don't have to sweat anymore, and then go to Scotland. Being in the Highlands would be heaven, I think.
Man, this is depressing. Life just sucks right now and I am wearing some major cranky pants.
Oh....congrats on your winnings. ;)
You pretty much hit my top things to buy already, but I'd also get the biggest, baddest MacBook Pro on the planet. And a HUGE HDTV that rivaled a movie screen in size.
Oh and I'd have to do my best to give the Library of Congress a run for their money in the number of books I'd own. *g*
Tawny! Of course we can share personal trainers! Or I'll just buy you one for your very own. :-)
Shoes! Yes, you'll need more and more as your fame grows, and a great big house to store them all in! I should probably buy some more shoes, too...
Virginia, congrats on grabbing the rooster! Maybe he'll be too tired from partying at RT to cause trouble. *g*
Kate, I love that castle. It would do nicely for a purchase. Have always wanted my own castle. There's actually one on the Welsh marches that would be just about perfect if it were for sale. It's Stokesay, outside Ludlow, and is actually a fortified manor.
http://www.castlewales.com/stokesay.html
There is apparently a Stokesay Castle in Pennsylvania, but I don't mean that one!
And if can buy just absolutely ANYthing, I'll take a stone cottage in Yorkshire. Also my own island, preferably with a ready supply of fresh water. Also an air, palatial, hurricane-proof house with plenty of room for books.
And I might like an emerald necklace, not that I have anywhere to wear it. Though I might if I had that kind of filthy lucre.
Fun game, Kate!
Laurie, you definitely need a new car! And all that college tuition. Wow. Okay, the check's in the mail! ;-)
How nice it would be if only that were true. :-)
Of course my cottage would have Solar Panels and everything.
You have to wonder how anyone could ever fall for those scams (sigh). After doing the usual things like getting out of debt, paying mortgages and my kids school loans I would love to take a cruise to anywhere while they are building my new house with it's own huge library and then I'd love to build an animal shelter :)
The first thing I would do is go on a long vacation around the world, to places I have never been to, like Tibet, Indonesia, Brazil, Switzerland....
Wow, I'm loving everybody's fantasy spending! Kate, you really got people's imaginations working! Keep it up!
Oh, I like the publishing company idea. The ultimate in self-publishing!
LOL, Dianna, sweet of you to think of the GR! If only he would stay inside the coop, but alas, our chook rarely stays in one place too long. :-)
I was raised in the city and I don't like looking into my neighbor's house, either. People need space! I hope your dream of country life comes true some day!
All right, Daz, way to dream big! I love the idea of having a hairdresser on staff! And of course, everyone needs a personal chef. At least, I do -- along with a personal trainer to counter the effects of the personal chef. :-)
LOL Donna! Donnaland sounds like a lovely place, especially with all those male models hanging out there!
Hope you're having a blast at RT! Congrats again on taking home the prize for Best Historical Love and Laughter! We're very proud of you!
Hi Gillian! Wouldn't it be great to be able to bring back all your fave shows that the networks cancelled? Stupid networks! Personally, I would bring back New Amsterdam. It was such a cool show and the guy who played the Immortal was soooooo cute!!
Oh Margay, I love Ogunquit! The beach is so beautiful and peaceful, so different from California beaches, and the town is charming. I really enjoyed my time there.
Ah Joanie, you've a grand heart yourself. :-)
So you're going to buy the entire country of Ireland? I guess you can afford it now! I hope you'll have a large house where we can all visit, please!
I'm looking forward to our regular reunions every year in Donnaland. I wonder if she has rides there. You know, like Dollywood? ;-)
LOL Minna, love all your clips! And of course, everyone will want solar panels on their cottages and castles. :-)
Hey Louisa, I'll see you in Belgium for the bicentennial! Your wish list is lovely and I hope everything on it comes true! The day you quit your day job, we'll want to see the video. :-)
jcp, I'd like to get a dog, too. I'm adding that to my list. :-)
Hi traveler, you're another dog person! I love the idea of rescuing all the animals and letting them play in a safe, happy place!
LOL Jo! With all this money, you can afford a cleaner-upper for your personal chef. :-)
Keira, your secluded Hawaiian cottage sounds like paradise!! And I'd personally love it if you could finance that research into permanent hair removal! LOL
I'd like to personally finance research into permanent fat removal, too. That's just me. :-)
Jennifer!! Hi! How's my favorite witch??
I have no people either, but I always say "call my people" anyway. :-)
I'm sure you could learn to ride a horse without breaking bones. But it doesn't matter, because if you had people, they could run beside the horse and catch you if you fall!
Well, that sure beats the measly $30,000,OOO that will be mine once I fill out the forms for the gentleman who works at the Nigerian Bank and is having problems with next of kin for above account.
My book club is reading 'Lottery' by Patricia Wood right now, written in first person about a developmentally delayed man who wins the lottery and how his family/friends/community react. It's really throught-provoking. In case it's helpful: he bought Hershey's Kisses, a hoody jacket, and a new TV.
Hey Drew, a beachside ranch sounds fabulous! I love watching horses run along the beach. And I've always wanted to have a family compound, with all my brothers' families and mine living on the same land. We would have citrus orchards and fig trees and veggie gardens.
Luckily, I love all my brothers' families. LOL.
Sherrinda, it sounds like you deserve to be Major Cranky Pants! Wow, I wish I really did win the lottery because the check would be in the mail to you!
I really hope your house problems get taken care of soon! And ugh, computer woes are so annoying. We used to have Millenium and hated it. Hated it. Horrible. I'm so sick of MS coming out with stupid products, just so we all have to go spend more money when what they already had wasn't broke. And if it ain't broke ... well, you know.
Ahem. Guess I picked up the rant on your behalf. :-)
Hi Tori -- Wow, I'm dying to get an HDTV, too! But first we'd have to get all new furniture because our current tv fits into a big hutch that matches every other piece of furniture in the living and dining rooms. Sigh. Someday.
I think I've already surpassed the Library of Congress for number of books. Maybe I should think about spending money on some bookshelves. :-)
Cool castle, Nancy! Thanks for the link.
And you would look marvelous in an emerald necklace! Just think, once you have all that money, people will be inviting you to fancy parties all the time. Plenty of opportunities to wear the necklace! :-)
Hi Catslady! Yes, it really is amazing that people still fall for these schemes. And just today, I've received seven new emails with "money-making opportunities" from all over the world. SEVEN emails! Who are all these people and why do they think I'm that stupid??
Okay, don't answer that. :-)
Ooh, Mari, I'd love to go back to Switzerland! It's so beautiful! And Tibet would be interesting, too.
Hi Treethyme! Can you imagine owning a publishing company? Nice! Of course, someone else would have to run it. I'm barely capable of balancing my checkbook. :-)
LOL M! $30,000,000 for helping out that nice banking gentleman sounds like my kind of deal!
And 'Lottery' sounds wonderful and sweet. I love that his priorities include Hershey kisses. :-)
I wonder if she has rides there. I hear she does. It's called "Model-A-Whirl". You jump on a model and BLEEEEEEPPP.....
ROTFLMAO ... oh Joanie, you very bad!
Oh, my family loves to talk about this fantasy scenario! My first move would be to pay off any debt, mine and my immediate family--fortunately, this is very little. Then I would love to fly on a private plane for a complete, kick-ass round the world trip.
A home in Ireland, another in the Caribbean, cook, housekeeper, personal masseuse....I could go on and on! :)
Awww, thanks Kate. I am feeling much better now...peeled those Cranky Pants right off. Thanks for ranting for me though!
Kate - several trainers and groomsmen to take care of you--er, the horses, and teach you how to ride.I like the way you think! ;)
Sneaking in a few days later to say hi and thank you all for your comments. I love the lottery game!
"What would you do if..." It's a little like starting a new book, isn't it? It all starts with "What if..."
I'll post the winner this week. Thanks, everyone!!
A minion...someone to do all the stuff I don't want to so I can do the stuff I love. Like writing. I'm less interested in grocery shopping and doing laundry. Second for me would be a chef. Oh, now I'm hoping *I* get an e-mail like that!
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