You know I don't live in Iowa or New York. Nor have I visited Iowa (recently) or New York (ever). So it's pretty clear that such a fortune did not find its way into Val's casino bankroll.
Way back when I was still working, my best old ex-teaching buddy Mabel and I both played the PowerBall. We each bought one ticket for each drawing. That's back when there were fewer numbers in the pot, and tickets only cost $1 each. Even a teacher can afford to spend $8 a month on PowerBall. Mabel and I had an agreement. We would split the jackpot if we won. No matter whose ticket was a winner.
Yes, I'm pretty sure that such a verbal agreement would not hold up in court. But Mabel and I both adhere to our promises. I would not have made such a deal with any other faculty member. Oh, we were free to buy an extra ticket if we had the urge, which was not part of the deal. Just so long as we designated which was which before the numbers were drawn. That's what I did, anyway, when the jackpot was large. I don't know if Mabel ever bought any extra tickets.
Anyhoo...every now and then, one of us would have some numbers come up. Of course we'd go to work and announce, "Well, I won the PowerBall last night!" Meaning, literally, that we'd won THE POWER BALL. One number, designated as the PowerBall. Yeah. We were all feisty like that. Remember, we were teachers. We had precious few outlets to kick up our heels. Back then, the PowerBall paid $2. Now, it pays $4.
Well...I'm here to announce to you that last Saturday, I won the PowerBall!
I was lucky enough to also have a few of the regular numbers. Three, in fact. Which paid me $100. My odds of winning that amount that way were 1 in 14,494.11, same as it is every drawing. That doesn't mean I'm going to start playing PowerBall again. I might buy a single ticket when the jackpot goes over $250 million.
I sent a picture of the ticket to my sister the ex-mayor's wife. I know how much she enjoys hearing about my winnings! I also told her the current drawing is only the standard $40 million, and I don't mess with such a low jackpot. To which she dryly replied, "I understand. Who would want to win only $40 million?" That Sis! Sometimes, she thinks she's funny.
Shh...I don't think we need to tell Mabel. I'm pretty sure we were done with that deal when the price went up to $2 a ticket. Or when Mabel retired before I did. Or when I won more than $2.
You're the first Powerball winner of any amount I've ever known personally (or at least through your blog)!!
ReplyDeleteGood to know that if Letterman still had his show, I could be your Claim to Fame!
DeleteIf you win, you should still throw Mabel a couple of bucks...like maybe $100 and a few of Hick's gold frames to boot.
ReplyDeleteIf I win a giant jackpot, Mabel will definitely be on my list of giftees.
DeleteHolding my breath here?!!! $40 million?
ReplyDeleteWhat next? Let us know.
There won't be much to tell, because I won't buy another PowerBall ticket unless it goes over $200 million. But I will definitely let everyone know if I "win" the PowerBall!
DeleteI won $1,200 on the Powerball (or the Pick) once right before Christmas. I think it was about 40 years ago but I'm still hoping for the big one!
ReplyDeleteWow! Like fishducky, I've never known anyone who won that much on PowerBall.
Delete"only the standard $40m"? $40 million is the standard amount? Ours has to work its way up to that via weekly jackpotting if the weekly daw isn't won. Tonight's draw here is $40m and I'm just about blue from holding my breath with hope, my fingers are locked in the crossed position, because if I don't win, I can't afford to buy any more tickets until after Christmas. or I could cut back on the groceries, I really don't need to eat so much. And I really want to help my kids who are living in a rented 120 year old house that is crumbling into dust and they can't afford to move. Rents are sky high around these parts.
ReplyDeleteSince they revamped the PowerBall for bigger prizes, and jacked up the cost to $2, the minimum jackpot is $40 million. I don't like my odds, so I only buy for bigger jackpots. Which technically mean my odds are slimmer, but for a one-time thing, it's okay with me. Can't win if you don't play.
DeleteWell, the draw is over and nobody won the $40m, so it has jackpotted again. I did win $17.50, so I can buy another ticket for next week. Yay me!
ReplyDeleteYes, YAY you!
DeleteI never play. HeWho will buy a ticket when the amount is up there, but I am not allowed to touch it, as every scratch-off I scratch is a loser.
ReplyDeleteOoh! You have Hick's Disease! I don't let him buy tickets for me. Even if I'm incapacitated and can't make it to town.
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