First, I'd pay off all my current bills. Then I'd attack my "get list" which includes buying a new mattress set for my bed, having my cats declawed, getting a new computer setup, getting a two-seater reclining couch, and buying a new vehicle. Then, I'd make sure there was enough money invested in trust funds or whatever to take care of future family medical bills, college help for nieces and nephews, another trust for my younger sister and her husband so they wouldn't have to work so many jobs owing to the lousy pay teachers get AND get them a new house of their choice. Other family and some close friends who might need a financial boost would get one too. I'd also donate funds to various medical research areas, animal protection groups, various cancer research and treatment facilities, and various historical groups and local libraries or ill-funded small-town schools. Oh, and maybe set up a scholarship or two at my college alma maters. I'd buy a decent amount of land somewhere in Texas and maybe get some cows and horses and build a huge ranch-style house with an all-around porch on both of two stories. Unless my siblings wanted their own places (in which case the main house would be somewhat smaller and we'd have some sort of compound thing with various other houses too), the house would have to be fairly large to accommodate my immediate family and some others. It would have a garage for several vehicles, several full bathrooms, a large dining room, extra large living space, some sort of room for exercise stuff, ceiling fans in most rooms and on the wide porches, and a large, fully equipped kitchen with lots of counter space. There would be large garden areas for various herbs and produce and maybe a grove or two for oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and avocado trees. I might consider adding a lap pool that can be covered or a full-size pool (Olympic length; width negotiable) IF there aren't any mesquite trees (OR ANY OTHER year-round "shedders") within 1/2 mile of it! A pool might have to be inside an attached or separate building (not a huge priority for me, but the nieces and nephews are a different story). A large gazebo might be nice too. Family of course would have the option of living there too, if they chose. I wouldn't be there all the time because I'd be traveling around the country and to the U.K. and Mexico to continue research into my family genealogy and working full time on gathering enough facts to write various books about them and other historical subjects that interest me. Thus, I'd keep working, I'd just be doing exactly what I want to do, where I need to do it, and not have to worry about money! When I was there, I'd learn how to lathe and make furniture, and hence get what I needed to do so. I'd try to make furniture that is attractive and multifunctional, as well as some additional porch swings to hang with one my Dad and Grandpa made for me on the porches, which would also have various other chairs. If I can't make decent rocking chairs, I'll hunt for them wherever I travel to add them to the porches as well. Oh, and the place might have to have an attached or separate building for quilting, sewing, and various other craft activities. Who knows, maybe such a dream site could liven up the economy of some otherwise dying small Texas town. You know, start various businesses that employed locals and sold various hand-crafted products locally and on the internet. Maybe we could have a shelter for various animals too. I wonder how far that much money could actually go...
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