Delusions of grandeur ... #MFRW 52-week Blog Challenge

This week's blog challenge delves into practically everyone's fantasy: winning the lottery. What would I do if I won the lottery?

First, I gotta ask: how much? After all, some ambitions can't be fulfilled without obscene amounts of money. So, let's just pretend that I won the Mega Millions drawing yesterday: $522 million.

After swooning and then picking my stupid self off the floor, I'd make plans to blow a million or five: a new house, new vehicles, updated everything. Top quality. My husband and I would travel for two or three months. And then we'd return, glad to be home and looking forward to moving into a new house. Of course, I'd hire people to take care of the house and grounds and barn(s) and livestock because I loathe housework and I'm getting too damned old to enjoy mucking stalls.

You didn't think I'd get rid of the critters, did you? Heck, no! If I had that kind of money, I'd probably add to the herd by indulging my penchant for taking in rescues. That, of course, would mean hiring farmhands to take care of the livestock and trainers to do their thing. The agricultural aspect of the estate would also supply us with almost everything we need and the surplus to sell.

If we're really going to indulge in fantasies, then I'd have a castle built upon vast acreage. What girl doesn't want to live in a castle? As mistress of my own quasi-modern fiefdom, I'd build a village for folks engaged in cottage industries: brewer, farrier, weaver, potter, glazier, etc. Of course, I'd have to go hog wild and turn the castle into a resort or hotel of sorts, offering people the castle experience, but with modern day amenities like indoor plumbing and chocolate. 

Yes, chocolate is an amenity and one I prefer not to live without. Now, if only money could buy eternal youth, beauty, and good health. <sigh>

Hey, this is my fantasy. Don't scoff.

Part of my fantasy in winning a fabulous fortune like that would involve setting up businesses to train and employ people. I have high standards, but I'd pay those people wages commensurate with those high standards. I establish a school with a classical curriculum, because kids need more than screen time to learn: they actually need to do things.

Yeah, there's a strong social element in my fantasies. The kind of money dreamed of here wouldn't change the world, but it could and would change that little corner where I live. I think it would be a good change.

What would you do if you won the lottery?