About Me

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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Fun Monday --Step Right Up! Claim 10 Million $


Hosting duties for February Fun Mondays will be in the capable hands of Molly at Return of the White Robin . Her assignment for February 7 is very intriguing:

If your were to win 10 million dollars what would you do with it? How would your lifestyle change?

In answer to the second question, I would go on living very much the way I do now, only with more freedom to pursue some activities that would make me happy and a bit more secure in my senior years. Here's some specific uses I would make for 10M (by the way, it would take about 20 of these gold bars to do the trick):



World Travel--so long as I'm healthy I'd spend some of my winnings on fabulous travel all around the globe. Sometimes I just look at a world map and think of all the places I still want to visit. I'd want to travel with a purpose--spend time in Jane Austen's England, a writer's or painter's retreat, gardens of world, cooking classes in Tuscany,wayfarer's walks, train trips across Europe.




Universal Home--I'd buy a home in the older part of Louisville and turn it into what's now called a universal design, fully tricked out to make it accessible, safe, and easy to live in independently as I grow older. I'd still want to be in a multi-generational community instead of being hermetically sealed off in a senior citizen's enclave.


Education--Endow annual college scholarships for students interested in studying literature or music. The help I received in getting a college degree is something I never forget. Locally, I would make annual contributions to agencies and groups responsible for humane education and animal care. Peace education would also get some of the 10 M. Specifically it would go to Greg Mortenson's (Three Cups of Tea, Stones into Schools)Central Asia Institute which promotes peace through education, especially for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan.



Long Term Care--since aging is a reality that we all must face, I'd set aside funds for my care when I'm no longer able to do this for myself so that I could approach the golden years with Maxine's good attitude! :-)






On the subject of winning big bucks, specifically Publisher's Clearinghouse bucks, here's a post that I wrote a couple of year's ago about dating S the accountant and accompanying him to New York to pick up his Publisher's Clearinghouse winnings. Yep! They're for real so get those entries in:
Sweepstakes Winner Date From Hell

10 comments:

Pamela said...

I've got to go back and re read that "from hell" story. I remember it vaguely.

I want to come live with you if you win all that money.

Your choices are perfect.

Molly said...

Faye, thanks for playing this Fun Monday. You have spent your 10 million kindly and sensibly. I like your idea of a universal home. Perhaps, all homes built today should be designed that way.

Your Publisher's Clearinghouse entry is an intriguing story.

Sayre said...

Sounds like what I would do. I haven't got my post up yet - blogger ate it for some reason, so I've got to do it again...

Gonna go read the PCH story now - I do an entry online almost every day! Can't hurt and it only takes a couple of minutes.

Jill said...

Lol I don't remember that, but I commented on it. How odd. The funny thing is, my grandma got sucked into something like that, not sure if it was publishers clearing house or something else, but they kept calling her and telling her she won and she bought videos and statues and all sorts of stuff every time they called. They wanted to know what she wanted for her 'party meal'. They were really preying on an old lady. My dad had to take off work to drive 2 hours and sit with her when the people didn't show up-- I mean he KNEW they weren't going to, but she was convinced of it. So sad.

Living Life said...

Sounds like a perfect plan, Faye. If only...

joanygee said...

I'm intrigued and am going to have to find out more about a Universal Home. It's great seeing how others would plan. Thanks for sharing.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

I think it must be wonderful to have the security and peace of mind never to have to worry about money, to be able to help others financially and have the freedom to travel as much as you want. Bliss.

Kim said...

Well, my list is growing now. I would also love to buy and restore an old home in a picturesque neighborhood. Great list.

Jan n Jer said...

I love that universal home thing. I think about that alot...being able to take care of myself in a place I can manage. All the things on your list are very practical Faye.. money can make ones life a bit more enjoyable.

Sandy said...

I think now that when I move to Fredericksburg, I will have to have my home renovated...love the idea of a universal home.

Thanks.