Powerball Madness

At the time I'm composing this, the poweball jackpot is up to $700 million dollars. If you take the lump sum payment (after taxes), you would win a little over $428 million dollars. When the lottery gets up that high, I find myself dreaming about what would I buy if I had that much money to burn. 

Of course you set aside money for college funds, retirement, pay off the mortgage, and all that  responsible grown up stuff. You take care of family (the family you had before you won the lottery) and donate to charity. All of these very noble, but who cares. What do you get for yourself when money is no object?

Taking away all the boring stuff, lets say that I have $300 million left over to have fun with. Here's how I would spend it. 

Audi Q7

Zippy little sports car, preferably vintage

Louis Vuitton luggage

Disneyland Annual Pass

Giants season tickets 

Vacation homes in Hawaii, Tahoe, San Francisco, and New York

Lots of eating at amazing places

Crafting stuff (supplies, machines, and gadgets)

Dream kitchen complete with gadgets

Broadway Show tickets

Multiple vacations (Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Carribean, Argentina)

Upgrades and new jewelry (Tiffany's and Cartier, I'm coming for you)

New wardrobe, complete with accessories (shoes and purses)

I think that's a good start. Fingers crossed that my numbers get picked. But if they don't, what would you spend your lottery winnings on? 

Am I doing this right?

While we were out at dinner, I gave Shane "the look". He was dropping anything he could get his hands on onto the floor, so I gave him "the look" and he stopped. Not really a big deal, right? We've all gotten "the look" from our parents. You're off doing mischief and from the kitchen you hear your mom yell out your full name and you immediately drop what you were doing and come running.

One of my biggest fears about being a parent was how was I going to teach this tiny human not to be a jerk? I want him to be kind to others, be respectful, and not become a serial killer. I don't think that's asking too much, right?

But how do you do this? There is a limit to how much you can reason with a two year old. There was a great episode of "This American Life" that addressed the hard topics that parents have to explain to their children (sex, racism, and death). What I came away with is that you have to be honest with your children. Kids are smart and then know when you are BS'ing them. Give them a safe space to express their feelings and listen.

Being a parent is hard. I worry every day that I'm doing a good job. And I haven't even gotten to the hard stuff yet.