I thought I was going to spend Sunday amending the in-ground garden beds in the backyard, readying for the plantings of tomatoes and cucumbers next month but instead, I was sitting in the passenger seat of my mom’s SUV heading for Idaho.

Why?

Last Thursday, my aunt went to Idaho with my uncle to buy some action in the Lottery. I live in Utah, a state that forbids gambling, so for a little bit of adult fun, I must either head to Nevada to play the slot machine or go to either Wyoming or Idaho to play the lottery. I won a few times so far but nothing more than a few dollars, so I don’t usually even bother to claim the winning.

On the 5th, the latest result for the Powerball was announced. I got the special number correct. Based on the winnings amount posted online, I won $4. On Sunday morning, I told my mom about it and immediately, she raised the idea of “let’s go claim the winnings.” So there we were, in her car, heading some 70 miles northward to claim my $4 winning.

When we arrived at the gas station, where my winning ticket was purchased, I got in line behind a group of people trying to buy lottery tickets. It seemed everyone wanted in on the action. My turn finally came, nervous and excited at the same time, I handed my ticket for the man at the counter to scan. The winning amount that popped up on the screen was not what I’ve prepared myself for. I was totally prepared for $4. I was totally not prepared for $16. How in the world did my aunt buy this ticket? Why is my winning $16?

I accepted part of the $16 and handed the man a new sheet with the boxes “Quick-pick” checked. My plan was to always to buy more lottery tickets with my winning. This time though, I’m not playing Powerball. I ended up buying $8 worth of tickets.

Wish me luck on the next drawing!