Feb
19
The Giveaway Is Over, But Wait …
There’s more. There are still so many reasons to visit Dream Home Central daily. Don’t miss these cool features:
HGTV Dream Home 2009 Virtual Tour
Video Gallery
My Dream Designs
IDreamBig
Plus, the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway 2009 special is just weeks away. And who knows when we might reveal the 2010 location? It could be sooner than you think.
Sawasdee krup, Marie Miller. I’m not directly involved in the Balance and Revitalization programs there (except for those great one hour Thai massages for $4—such a deal!) However, I will probably have to enroll my checkbook balances for revitalization after furnishing the condo!
Good suggestion, by the way; I need to purchase my Buddha amulet for good luck—to get my name drawn by HGTV on 3 March.
No elephant rides for me, 2cherubs. I just have so much respect for those magnificent animals that I’m uncomfortable seeing them as a domesticated tourist attraction…just my take on it.
Back to serious business here—talk about questions for the winner, I’m starting to get a bit nervous about this “ambush” on 15 March. Will a preproduction crew show up to check out lighting, sound, camera angles, backdrops, etc? Can I request a no close-up, soft-focus filming? Before the “live” on-camera shots start, what about makeup, hair and wardrobe assistants—will they be made available? Will HGTV expect me to turn in a triple-threat performance without rehearsals, or will a walk-through be allowed?
I assume that a Q-rating is not a concern, since the feedback will come directly from HGTV bloggers’ comments. (I DO know that I don’t want to try the deadpan approach like last year’s winner, and get mauled in the ratings.) And lest I forget to ask in all the excitement, will there be any delay between “live” filming and actual on-air transmission—just in case I faint, freeze-up, or hyperventilate? After all, this is a “make or break” 15 minutes of fame, and I don’t want to blow my chances for any lucrative future TV contracts or product endorsements.
My final concern: will the panel of judges from HGTV’s Design Star, Martha McCully, Cynthia Rowley, and Vern Yip, call me up under the spots to critique my on-camera performance, cancel my show and send me home? Well guess what, WHO CARES, because home will be the 2009 Sonoma Dream Home, and nothing will dampen my enthusiasm about calling HGTV’s gorgeous Victorian Farmhouse MINE once I have that key in hand!!!!
So, media star or one-time flash-in-the-pan performer, I’m ready for my closeup, HGTV….
BRENDA: Thanks so much for giving me a special dream tonight. I can hear your husband playing the piano, and then listening with lovelykitty to smooth jazz. Does Tom know know how to play “What’ill I Do?” If he does, maybe Coop would materialize out of the blue and we could have our waltz. That porch is still waiting for us. But Marie’s tantalizing aromas from the kitchen would call us….to the dining room? Or the patio? While we dine and sip the conversations would go on and on. But then look, here comes Ingrid&BoBo and Gail, and all the other CA bloggers to share our celebration. And the HGTV crew and all the other out of state bloggers….and…pop… I’m awake again. What a dream that was. I love all you dreamers.
All these comments, and all these dreams. I had no idea how much eveyone loves this home and how close they feel a part of it. I too want to win, and I think it is such a wonderful selfless act of kindness to offer and send in $5 or more, whatever anyone can to help the winner with the taxes. It would make me happy just to know that I participated in someone’s joy! and that they would do that for me as well. You bloggers have hearts of Gold. You have all blessed me with your dreams and put yourselves in the winners place. I would love to see the locals of SIS be avail and have the winner post it for everyone to see and feel they were there with the winner. After all so many of you, us, have invested they hearts in this sweepstakes. Maybe it is the situation with the economy, or the good feeling we received when all those people survived the airplane crash that landed in the water (Sully). Whatever it is, we all want to be happy for the winner. Praise God. We are already winners for having this inner belief of friendship and good wishes for the winner.
Happy Friday, Bloggers and Other California Dreamers.
Hey, BrendaLoo, just like your aunt, my mom used to call me “BrendaLou” teasingly as a child. This had nothing to do with my middle name – which is not Loo or Lou. Happy Friday, Bloggers and Other California Dreamers. The reason I didn’t respond to the person who invited “Brenda” to her restaurant was because I knew she wasn’t blogging to me. What’s her restaurant like, anyway?
Dear Tree: I can’t believe that you made such a biased statement as “I think that the reason no one ‘of color’ has been chosen is because not as many colored people are entering the contest as whites”. Shame on you! I believe just as many African Americans and other people “of color” have entered this contest as whites. African Americans (who haven’t been known as “colored people” since the 1950′s) have the same dreams and aspirations as people of other races. As Rhonda Priest stated in her post, “Red and yellow, black and white they are precious in HIS sight”. I do agree with your statement of “Just because it hasn’t happened doesn’t mean it won’t in the future!” Perhaps it will happen in this present.
Okay, enough fussing from me because we are all a colorful group. Can’t wait to see who wins. Good luck to us all.
Katydid, you’re very welcome for tonight’s dream. I love “What’ll I do?” Have you heard Chris Botti play to this?
Thx for HGTV n crew, we just move back here in hawaii 7 months ago, since then we had through a lot..just hoping and dreaming everything will be better. A friend remind me never give-up a dream…:). I always wanted to see the shooting star (finally I had to see it last month) hopefully that will be a good sign for me n our family. HGTV dream home give away 2009…is one of my big dream. Good bless HGTV!
Love and Prayers to everyone. God luck once again and just hope a pray! I dont blog on here much but I have been reading all the comments and blogs! I too have been entering online since day one and did make the cut off on the west coast!
Fingers Crossed! we can all still dream can’t we?
Monica M
Yuba City, Ca
It’s me again. I didn’t want anyone to worry that my hearing problem is anything serious. Just need to soften the wax for the irrigation on Monday. Must confess as much as I will love having the pressure gone not looking forward to the prceedure. On a much lighter note Coop, you really need to put in an application to HGTV. Coop’s Travels.:) I am Sure that Vern will give you a thumbs up. Me, well I would appreciate if they can somehow take some pounds off my profile with dream works lighting. Some styling and makeup magic will surely help my ego too.
I know that we can count on Bobo to keep those reporters at bay. If I win Trevor and Daisy have voluteered too. With the three of them distracting the press we should all be able to have a wonderful time. Dreaming is sure contagious. Of course we could ask the media to help set up the tents and provide lighting for the park lol. OOPs silly old bear. Well hey If they must come then they can help can’t they. If they want an exclusive story I am sure there is the local pet shelter who would love a contribution, right? On that note I will say goodnight.
Isn’t wonderful that if a blogger wins that she, he will already have friends in Sonoma. Makes the move easier. Being retired military have relocated many times and the trasition can be stressful. Moving to Sonoma will surely feel like coming home to the truely blessed recipient. Still pondering on what I would ask the winner. As to the party the idea of guess who name tags sounds like fun. As to the local media, I think the 15 minutes of fame from winning and going to my new home would be enough to last for many lifetimes. I would think the neighbors would say enough already. Just to blend in and be a good neighbor would set fine with me. Just a thought to the suggestion of having it be a media event to raise money for the winner.
The party is to have a good time and to meet everyone we have come to know in the blog and the HGTV family and all the wonderful people who contributed to making the home a reality. The cookbook and and momentos and brainstorming has truly been a gift of love.
I would hate to see it become a media circus.
Of course if HGTV wants to send a crew that is entirely another matter. But what am I worrying about I know that Ingrid will keep everyone on track
Dream big!
Cynthia Newland
Cynthia Newland- Would you like to come to the SISBP?
Jenny D
Oh God…this is really really really a big dream! My chest just pounding n my eyes are watery just imagining of this dream home maybe will be ….. ( some times I have to stop myself to not dreaming it too much…coz that sound like to good to be true). I just imagine how many door will be open for the better, not just for me, my husband n my son but also my dearest mom (amazing woman i have in my life), my aunt n my poor neighbour around…just imagining we will share this luck (if I win). We can’t afford to stay in that big dream house…(for sure) but we will work it around so it will work for us (every one) i mentions above. Again thx HGTV for letting us have a big dream. GBU!
Jenny, I would love to come to the party but unfortunatly it would be cost prohibative. I have 4 animals that would have to be boarded and I would not dream of puting that burden on my daughter. But, thank you for asking. You always have a kind word and cheerful view of everything. I look forward to your blogs. Have a wonderful time and have a glass of wine. I will toast all of you on that special day. Thank you again,
Your friend,
Cynthia
Cynthia- 4 animals to board? Would any of those be horses?
I used to have one 15 years ago and miss him very much. I now volunteer at a ranch called The Grace Foundation and we rescue local horses and other animals. It’s a safe haven for them. It’s very sad to see. We have been overwhelmed by the amount of horses and other animals that have been abused and left by their owners who have foreclosed on properties and had decided that they can no longer keep them and feed them so they abandon them. Makes for a very heavy heart.
Some people don’t even think to send them to Grace so, they just leave them, by the time we get to them, they are on the verge of death. There are many happy stories in all of it and it’s so wonderful to see the community pull together to help the treasures of the earth…the animals.
Jenny D
Jenny D are you still here>
Jenny D are you still here> I’m trying to read from most current back, what a lot of new stuff!
Brenda, Are you in Somona or Marin Co, If you are I can get you, My tour id 12:30 need to be there by noon, I don’t know how to do this and not let everyone know your address but post tonight or EARLY tomorrow morning and we can figure it out. If your’e not going cause you don’t like to drive in the rain, I can relate to that…Let me know
it’s 8:30pm now and I will be reading all these new posts for at least an hour or so, I’ve made dinner and everyones asleep except my son who won’t get home till 10pm, We are staying up tonight to watch the last Conan show till June,, It’s always been the only time we get to with hang together.
I put this on another page but wanted to find all you ladies going tomorrow, Jenny I am planning on getting to Sonoma about 11 am, Don’t have to be at the hotel till noon Would love to stop by and visit with you and your mom, and Bonnie b and maybe lovelykitty at the resturaunt for a drink..
I hope that Brenda contacts me, I don’t know where in the north bay she is but you can get to Somona from Petaluma too if she’s south of me – and calistoga if she’s north, I’m going 12 thru Santa Rosa
= Brenda, we want you there! Also, I haven’t had a mom’s day off since Bitts was born 5 years ago, and before that….. I don’t remember having a mom’s day off, If I went anywhere it was always with the kids or hubby,(except grocery shopping), What should I wear, are we going casual (jeans?) or decked out (Jeans with pearls;)
This is from before…
Jenny D are you still here> I’m trying to read from most current back, what a lot of new stuff!
Brenda, Are you in Somona or Marin Co, If you are I can get you, My tour id 12:30 need to be there by noon, I don’t know how to do this and not let everyone know your address but post tonight or EARLY tomorrow morning and we can figure it out. If your’e not going cause you don’t like to drive in the rain, I can relate to that…Let me know
it’s 8:30pm now and I will be reading all these new posts for at least an hour or so, I’ve made dinner and everyones asleep except my son who won’t get home till 10pm, We are staying up tonight to watch the last Conan show till June,, It’s always been the only time we get to with hang together.
I’m going to put this on the 2 19th pages as well as the newest one, I can’t read all of them tonight, I had just started to catch up this morning and I leave for the day (with my son) and WOW!
Please let me know if anything changes by tomorrow or if anyone see a current post from Brenda I will go to this page in the morning for any new info for “the best day ever” If you have kids and let them watch SpongeBob you’ll get that…
I love checking in on the HGTV blog everyday. It is nice to see a lot of the familiar folks on here still checking in as well. I have my phone in my pocket at all times, waiting for that dream call. I think this may be a long two/three weeks. Long but filled with anticipation. peeking in from afar. God bless and best of all things wonderful.
I’m glad to see that this blog site is still going strong. As like all of you guys, I too can’t wait until March 15. I do hope it’s a blogger who wins. Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. Hey just a side note go to https://www.glidden.com go to the color tab and do the color test. I was very suprised how accurate it was about me. God Bless you all and keep having wonderful dreams about the DH 2009.
That's an excellent idea Audra M!! Love that idea.
Well, maybe HGTV would be interested in having a reality show with the winner family leaving in the dream home and sharing that first year. “Leaving the Dream” would be a nice spin off to all those reality shows that really don’t teach you much but this one would be all about making dreams come true and adapting to life in Sonoma, etc. Each week there could be a new guest stay with the family (my family he,he) for the weekend and stay in the guest room and I get to show everyone around Sonoma and stuff..tasting wine and sharing recipes….this way all you bloggers all get their 15 minutes of fame (since you should be the surprised guests ambushed at your houses and being offered a weekend in the dream home!!!) and HGTV helps with taxes in exchange of having the show.
Would you guys watch it? Wouldn’t that be neat?
Dear fellow bloggers: What would our world be like if we could not see color? Human skin color can range from almost black (due to very high concentrations of the dark brown pigment melanin) to nearly colorless (appearing reddish white due to the blood vessels under the skin) in different people. But, what real difference does it make? I look forward to a world where no one sees color of the skin, but rather sees past to the heart & soul!!
Audra–
Still love the idea, but maybe every other weekend would be better. My kids might go nutso if we didn’t get some relaxing in on the weekends. Can’t imagine entertaining every single weekend. However, if it was only for a year, I could do almost anything.
Audra M -I could just kiss you-what a wonderful idea-I hope the producers see how an idea like yours would work-for everyone!! Of course I would watch that-They could film the family moving in-first party- holiday decorating ohohoh they could have designers come over and help with the holiday fun!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!It would not have to be to invasive(sp)? Farmers markert-local entertainment. Love it!! It would be like everyone was a winner!!!Plus the viewers could get pleasure out of the family enjoying there win and not just wondering what happened-like family selling the home and poof dream gone-This is great-WHAT IF THIS DREAM CAME TRUE HOW WOULD YOU FEEL THAT YOU CREATED SUCH A GOOD THING????
I was wondering if Sonoma was a big earthquake zone? It seems like such a lovely place to live and I am so excited for the giveaway! Good luck to all!
In case y’all hadn’t seen this. There’s another house for sale just down the street. Unfurnished…
http://www.eastsidecraftsman.com/content.html
The Dream Home does continue to get better every year… they have been all over the south from the Florida Keys to Texas and now California.. in Sonoma County.. think of the food and the wine.. all that healthy living !! I can’t imagine where the next location is going to be… Maybe Sante Fe, Aspen or Sedona,,, I love this Dream Home !! It is truly one of my favorites.. I though that they would never get better than the one in Austin or the one in North Florida,, but, they do the continually come up with the most amazing location and everything about the house is perfect,, from the floor plan to the interior design. I can imagine having wonderful holidays in this house.. Easter would be so much fun for my son.. a big 4th of July party, Thanksgiving would be delicious and Christmas would be magical.. I will keep dreaming… and hopefully get ambushed in March.. I will put the Champagne in the fridge.. Good Luck to everyone…. !!!
Lets hear it for the Bloggers-YIPEE! Hooray!
You guys are so great!
I have to tell you I had watched the past winner’s videos and it appears that at least for one past drawing there had been over 50 million entries. God bless those entry folks, huh? The contest is non descriminate seeing no color so we All have a chance to win, how great is that?
It appeared that past winners were notified that they were finalist for the contest, and were later ambushed. Was there more than one finalist, who knows. This set up is probably to ensure at a certain time/date they will be home. Humm Home makeover always seems to have the family gathered at the time of ambush. Do you also think they are told they are finalist and are later ambushed also.
Well none the less I encourage all of you to send a congrats card with monies (sounds like $5.00 + is preferred by most Bloggers) The address is
Dream Home Winner 620 5th street East Sonoma, Calif 94576. This could add up if all the Bloggers did this. Taxes-federal/state/property, homeowners ins, utilities,etc it’ll be quite a large tab. Hopefully the rumor that Ledson is picking up the property taxes for 5 years is true. I hope the contractor also picked up the closing costs. Let’s all pray Uncle Stan is a legit company and it pays nearly/all of those federal taxes for who ever wins.
It is written the entry is pulled on the 3rd of March, correct? The time in between is probably to gather/prep the crew for the state/ambush, get waivers signed by the finalists for the filming [;^)
Well it’s just around the corner. I know we are all so excited. Good luck to you all.
Jenny D.
I typed a response to your question last night but my internet connection acted up so it didn’t get posted. I have 2 dogs, one cat and one senegal parrot. Emma my cat is a rescue. Poor baby had been abandoned in an apt complex somewhere in western Mass. Ater she came to me me she would watch anxiously at the window for Trevor Daisy and I to come home. I am so happy to hear that you are able to give these animals love and security.
Your community sounds wonderful and caring.
Yes, Emma is fine now but still has a habit of window sitting.
I just didn’t want you to think I ignored you.
Cynthia Newland
You know what the site needs? An FAQ section.
It would have the basics like floor plan, sq. footage, taxes, powder room, no basement, etc. Then if bloggers came up with new questions, they could be added easily.
WELL I KEEP ON SAYING GOOD BYE…BUT I GUESS IT’S NOT OVER TILL THE FAT LADY SINGS….!!! JUST A FEW THOUGHTS….MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE FIVE DAUGHTERS (A LA BRADY BUNCH STYLE) TWO ARE EURASIAN, I HAVE AN AFRICAN AMERICAN UNCLE, etc.etc. WE ARE A NATION OF BLENDED PEOPLE….THAT’S THE WHOLE IDEA…YES, THERE ARE A FEW UNINFORMED HOLD OUT (bless them and feel sorry) BUT THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE AT ALL FOR THIS…HGTV HAS A DIVERSE CAST….THIS IS OPEN TO ANYONE AND I DOUBT THAT ALL WE WANT TO SEE IS A HAPPY PERSON…..OF ANY COLOR …WIN THIS….A GRATEFUL PERSON WHO WILL SOMEHOW SEE IT IN THEIR HEART TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY…I HAVE GREAT FAITH IN HUMANITY…IN ALL ITS SHAPES AND COLORS…WE ARE PEOPLE….BLESS US ALL…..NOW.. ON A MORE INSIGNIFICANT NOTE; I GOT A LITTLE FOREHEAD BOTOX TODAY… i know…i know…JUST IN CASE…WANT TO LOOK GOOD….YOU LADIES OUT THERE KNOW WHAT I’M TALKIN ABOUT….WITH ALL MY MAIL IN ENTRIES I DREW A LITTLE PICTURE OF NATURE…IT WAS FUN AND GAVE IT A LITTLE LOVE…..AND SENT THEM ON THEIR WAY….LIKE CHILDREN GOING OFF INTO THE WORLD…..AGAIN THANKS HGTV…FOR GIVING US A FEW CHUCKLES….
I can’t stop looking at all the pictures and videos of the dream home. It is truly a beautiful house. I tell myself not to, but I can’t stop daydreaming about my little girl running around that house. I can picture myself making dinner in that awesome kitchen while my husband plays outside in the sun with our little girl. I know I’m setting myself up for utter disapointment, but I guess it could happen to anyone. I would like to say good luck to everyone who entered!
Hi all you long-time bloggers! It has sure been fun reading all this everyday.My husband can’t beleive that I would blog!!!We’re still waiting to hear if he got the job in SanFrancisco,if he does we’ll have a house to live in out there! It would be a LONG commute to Atlanta,GA.We would rent out our home here to college students.I wish I could go get botox to get ready,but disposable income with three kids(one in college) is hard to come by!All you ladies that have the opportunity to meet and get together are so lucky! I would love that! I don’t think I have had a girls time in about eight years!Happy thoughts to everyone.Keep being positive and beleiving that you will be the one!
I should use spell checker!!!LOL
Thanks HGTV and sponsors!
Is there anywhere on this site that discusses the estimated taxes on the dream home and SUV? Just curious whether I could afford the taxes after I won!
Good Luck everyone!
Peace and Blessings
JodiJo
Hello All!
When I win, everyone of my fellow bloggers are invited to my SISP
Speaking of wiring, someone was. (for speakers) Any idea if there is internet/CAT5/home network? Might come in handy for the home office…
No Lee G,you will have to set up your own internet and cable service.
We did ask the tour guide that.
I can’t hardly wait to see who won!!! Everyone is right, what a true blessing it would be to win something this huge! Life changing, that’s for sure!
My husband and I are hoping to be the winner. We use to live in California and it would be very nice to live there again in our our approaching retirement years.
We really miss the weather, there.
We are keeping our fingers crossed.
Kay,
You just cracked me up! It is funny that you describe your German husband as stubborn! Both my mother and my father’s ancestors came to Illinois from Germany in the mid 1800s. My husband has called me “the most stubborn person on Earth!” I just like to think of myself as determined!
Jenny D,
You have LOTS of grrr-8 ideas for the SISBP! If I don’t win, I hope that you do!
I feel sort of silly because my phone just rang and I was disappointed that it wasn’t HGTV calling me to announce that I will be ambushed!Good Luck to All!
Lucky Lady
I wish everyone luck and blessings also……..but I think only certain types win these contest. This is just my opinion please no harsh comments on what I think. Thank you in advance.
Thanks for the info, lk. that kind of sux. It would have been easier to do the wiring in the beginning. Now you might have drill into those new walls. And no cable TV? ouch.
Not that i’m complaining. ok, a little. maybe go wireless??
Ooops, just had to add. Can you even watch HGTV without cable???
hey guys… i was just wondering how will you know you won the house?? will they call you first?? thanks for your time… have a great day everyone =)
Looking forward to congradulating the Winners. I think everyone who entered has a fair chance and desires to win. Good luck to you all.
I was reading all the blogs posted recently and was taken back by the overwhelming caring of people. From the lady who’s husband has MS,to the person describing their dream of growing old living in this Dream home with their family. What a variety of (thoughts) and peoples dreams we all get to read about.Who seem to be so worthy…
We can all dream, and this house has sure done that for us all!!
Good Luck,
Kristy
I have enter the dream home give way 99% and maile in entery about two aday each day until the end, I hope I will be the one th win this very beautifull home. Thanks a lot for every one that sponsored the sweepstake.
I have enter the dream home give way 99% and maile in entery about two aday each day until the end, I hope I will be the one th win this very beautifull home. Thanks a lot for every one that sponsored the sweepstake.I enter your sweepstake every year and I enjoy doing so. Thanks once more.
Amazing!!!! All the comments and well wishes for the home to go to a deserving person, and prayers on behalf of it going to the right person. Wow!!! I’m there with some of you California, I’m a single Mom finishing school, Sonoma reminds me so much of Tuscany…. my dream place. Only this is so much more within my reach. I can taste the glass of wine at the sipping in sonoma table.
Good luck everybody.
I am “In Love” with this Dram Home! Please don’t break my heart!
OOps I meant Dream Home! I love you HGTV!!!!!