HGTV Dream Home

Get regular updates on our HGTV Dream Home, including giveaway updates and exclusive videos.
Mar 16

Some Final Words …

Good morning, bloggers!

Whew, what a night. Wasn’t the HGTV Dream Home 2009 Giveaway special great? I am thrilled for our HGTV Dream Home winner. My whole family was glued to the TV for the entire show. I have a few closing thoughts to share. First of all, THANK YOU to my HGTV Dream Home blogging family. It’s funny, but I really do think of you all as friends. I hope the last few months have inspired you to keep dreaming. In many ways, I feel as though I won the HGTV Dream Home because this whole experience has been a dream come true for me. I won’t be active on this blog anymore, but stick around because Mary will be posting updates about the 2010 location.

Second, I hope you will join me on the HGTV Green Home blog as we dream about the gorgeous eco-friendly home in Port St. Lucie, Fla. I am so excited to go behind the scenes and share the inside scoop with you.

Thank you for visiting the blog and posting your inspirational thoughts and questions. Keep dreaming!!

Your Super Fan,
Gail

PS: You did see the call for Super Fan 2010 video submissions, right? Send in those videos — next year it could be you :-)

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122 Comments

  1. The Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri would be a nice location for the 2010 HGTV Dream Home.

    Bella on March 16, 2009 at 10:28 am
  2. Great job, Gail! You were a wonderfully enthusiastic Super Fan. I loved the fact that your video of the selection process was on last night’s special, and we got to see it first on the blog!

    Congrats to Cheryl Smith and good luck next year to all of the faithful bloggers. It has been fun to read your comments every day!

    JeanIsDreamin' on March 16, 2009 at 10:51 am
  3. I always wondered if the winner was notified beforehand. It appears they are. I found this from an article written in the Press Democrat, a news webside in Santa Rosa:

    “The couple learned about their windfall last Monday night, but they had been forced to keep their win a secret from all but immediate family until after the show aired at 8 p.m.”

    So for future Dream Home contests, now we know that if you haven’t been contacted days earlier, you are not the winner!

    Mindy on March 16, 2009 at 11:09 am
  4. I checked HGTV’s website the day after the Dream Home winner was announced, I missed the excitement live on t.v.

    I read some of the comments on the blogs and I have to say some of the people really need to simmer down. It appears the bad economy we are experiencing is really turning some folks into nasty, greedy gremlins. When I submitted my entry/s to win the Dream Home I completely understood I was entering a HGTV GIVEAWAY, I did not pay any money to enter the GIVEAWAY so I wasn’t expecting them to go by my rules, it’s HGTV’s GIVEAWAY not mine so if going by their rules is how you enter I’m fine by that. You do understand they don’t HAVE to give away a Dream Home……free.

    Over the years I’ve enjoyed watching every Dream Home being built, along with seeing each different location in our country. I even had a small wish that they’d walk onto my porch with balloons to tell me I won. But I wasn’t taking that wish to the bank, it was only a WISH, it should never be a WANT, a SHOULD or a MUST.

    And goodness people, commenting on what ethnic group should win, what rock did you just crawl out from under. As long as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and their clan of kids didn’t win I’m happy for the person who’s WISH did come true.

    Debbie on March 16, 2009 at 11:12 am
  5. Launiopoko on the West mountains of Maui. Such all incompassing views of the ocean to the fron of your home and mountains and streams to the back, truly panoramic and a GREAT DREAMHOME!! :) Please!! ;)

    Cheryl in Central California on March 16, 2009 at 11:33 am
  6. It Has been a wonderful Journey with all the DH2009 Bloggers sharing the same dream. We owned the Dream Home for two months in our Dreams, but now this Dream is a reality for Mrs. Smith. I wish her, her husband & family a wonderful new life. Also, I wish for all the 2009 bloggers dreams to come true and to continue to dream big for your chance of a life time!

    Katherine on March 16, 2009 at 12:14 pm
  7. Gail,
    You were fabulous on HGTV last night. You are the best superfan ever. I really want to see you on your own HGTV show!!!! You could give away a house every month, maybe to homeless people, that could be a good spin. You are so great thanks for your enthusiasm on the dream home giveaway!

    Tonya Foster on March 16, 2009 at 12:18 pm
  8. Gail, you were wonderful as our very own Super Fan. My only wish is that there will be no negative remarks about the lady that won the DH. Please don’t let there be any moaning and groaning because you didn’t win, and that you deserved to win more than she did. So, that said, CONGRATULATIONS CHERYL SMITH, I hope that you are able to live in the home, if that is your hearts desire, and are very happy. Now, on to the Green Home, lol.

    barb from arizona on March 16, 2009 at 12:20 pm
  9. Bella, the Ozarks sound like a great choice. They haven’t had one in the middle of the country yet and it would open our eyes to a beautiful area that many might not be familiar with.

    Lynn on March 16, 2009 at 12:28 pm
  10. Hi Gail,

    Thank you for being the “eyes” for the rest of us. You did a great job! You’re a real pro, and you made it fun and a very approachable experience – plus I loved your enthusiasm!

    At last, I was able to watch the most recent videos posted for the 2009 winners – Congratulations again, I am so happy for you and your extended family. I hope the dream home is able to provide you with what you want or need. Hearing you entered that often has given me hope to try again. All the Best!

    Elizabeth on March 16, 2009 at 12:35 pm
  11. Gail you did a magnificent job as the HGTV Superfan 2009! I really enjoyed the features of the 2009 Home, and your quaint interviews, topics, and personal touches were very nice, Thank you.
    As you kindly mentioned, its time to move onto to the next big topics DH 2010 and GH 2009! I hope to learn the sacrifices/mitigation involved with making a “Green” home. There may be a few ideas my wife and I can benefit from, for our 1st home addition!

    Lastly, BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Cheryl. :)

    Deryck on March 16, 2009 at 12:42 pm
  12. Gail, you did a fantastic job. I agree it must be a dream come true for you. I’m so thankful for my new blogger family, thank you for sharing your thoughts, stories, and dreams with me for this past week. I hope to see you all on the “Green” home site!

    MsPatti on March 16, 2009 at 12:49 pm
  13. Hope the winner is able to live a more comfortable life financially than they were the day before they found out they had won.
    If they have to sell, hope they are able to so very easily and quickly. This, after all, is supposed to be a dream house not a nightmare house.
    If they plan on living in the home, hope they are able to do so with little strain on their family in their new digs.
    Hope HGTV has listened to previous posts and builds a more realistic home in the future. We all have our dream home but ‘really’ whose dream house these days is the caliber of the one just won. Keep it simple (average home around $200,000 or less these days) and let the winner actually be able to enjoy the place for a change.
    Are people in the bracket who can afford to live in the style of this year’s dream house even entering to win houses like this. My guess is that they are too busy living their wealthy lifestyle to be bothered to even know what the HGTV Dream House contest is even about. Just a thought. Comments?

    collegemom on March 16, 2009 at 12:49 pm
  14. It’s sad that some think they’re in a position to determine who deserved win. Remember that there’s almost certainly someone and probably many many many who would qualify more than you. If they use that criteria you’ll end up just as childishly disappointed. It’s not charity. It’s a fun event that markets what the channel is all about and gives us all an equal chance to win a dream in the process.

    Janine on March 16, 2009 at 12:53 pm
  15. Awesome show on March 16th. Gail, you did a great job and I love your youthfull enthusiasm! It made the show that much more fun to see you really enjoying yourself. I’ve got to admit, this was my first time watching the show and now I’m hooked!

    Ryan in Orlando on March 16, 2009 at 1:02 pm
  16. CONGRATULATIONS CHERYL SMITH! I WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THE BEST IN YOUR NEW BEAUTIFUL HOME!! and gail thanks for keeping us updated. and i think that the next dream home should be in maine buy the ocean! congratulations again cheryl!!

    Amber on March 16, 2009 at 1:13 pm
  17. CollegeMom, one would like to think you wouldn’t be so ignorant given the statement of college before your name. But please do not generalized nor victimize an entire class that you have no knowledge about. Victimizing and demeaning the upper class is just the same as doing so to lower classes. You would be so overtly racist (As I’m sure you know to hide it well), so why be so overtly judgmental and biased with regards to class.
    You come off as simply ignorant.

    This entire experience has been extremely enjoyable and I wish the winners the best of look. Regardless of the outcome (whether they stay or sell) their lives have forever changed.

    I’ll be back next year for another chance at winning a $2 million home as it is the price and grandeur of the whole experiences that entices me.

    Victoria on March 16, 2009 at 1:30 pm
  18. AWWW GAIL! I will miss seeing you going through all the nooks and crannies of the DH for us bloggers…LOL! But I am also so HAPPY :) that we will be seeing you as the GREEN HOME 09 SUPERFAN!

    I think that they should build a DH in Indiana! I do live in the town with the largest natural lake in Indiana. It would make for a BEAUTIFUL spot for a DH!

    XOXOXO~Renee from IN

    Renee on March 16, 2009 at 1:46 pm
  19. CONGRATULATIONS CHERYL SMITH WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THE BEST IN YOUR NEW BEAUTIFUL HOME and gail thanks for keeping us updated and i think that the next dream home should be in South Carolina or Maryland buy the ocean congratulations again cheryl

    Price in Aiken South Carolina on March 16, 2009 at 1:46 pm
  20. Congratulations cheryl!
    I hope your win will make many of your dreams come true.Thankyou HGTV! I really enjoy fantasizing sp? about the dreamhomes every year. I can’t wait to start learning about 2010.

    susan on March 16, 2009 at 2:14 pm
  21. Hey Gail,

    You did such a great job as Super Fan! It has to be sad to have the experience be over now but maybe HGTV could get you on another show??? I loved watching you and would watch you again for sure. I felt I could relate to you, that you were one of “us” – I guess that’s the whole point of being a super fan right? We’re all crazy about home design and the programs on HGTV and you represented all of us with class and sass. Thank you.

    Susan Z on March 16, 2009 at 2:24 pm
  22. For Mary the Super Fan:

    It has always puzzled me as to why Lenders.com stopped co-sponsoring the Dream Home giveaway with their $250K in cash. What happened there? Can you answer this for me? Also I would like to say I think you have a great “super fan” and wouldn’t mind if you were it for the upcoming dream home. I have read many of the blogs but never blogged until today. I could not sit back and say nothing because of all the disgusting negative comments from various bloggers.

    I hope HGTV does not go for the suggestion of 8-10 smaller homes. In many areas across the US,$175-$250K would put you in a un-dream situation. Then, the 8-10 winners would be whinning that somebody else got the house they wanted.

    Anne on March 16, 2009 at 2:47 pm
  23. Congratulations Cheryl and Joe Smith! My best wishes to you as you enjoy your beautiful home and begin to make decisions about how to deal with the windfall that has landed in your lap! And thank you to HGTV for all the fun and the chance to dream….it has been a great ride!!

    I think it was Lovelykitty who warned us that the blog entries would turn ugly after the winner was announced, but I had no idea it would be as ugly as some of the entries above have been!! I feel that HGTV was very open and transparent with showing how the selection process is accomplished, and I am totally satisfied that it is completely fair and random. EVERYONE had an equal chance to win, be they white, black, hispanic, rich, poor, single, retired, no matter what state they live in….people, it was totally “the luck of the draw”!! You wouldn’t go to Las Vegas and when you lose at the gaming table, claim that you didn’t win because you were black, or poor or whatever, would you? This was a contest (with no entry fee!), and no one had any better chance of winning than anyone else. At a time when we should be happy for the winners, instead we get the “poor me” and “sour grape” stories. These people need to recite the serenity prayer:
    “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference”
    .
    On a happier note, now that the winner has been revealed, it is time to celebrate! Once the winners have a chance to wrap their heads around what has just happened, then maybe they will be able to let us know if they want to be involved in the SISBP planning or if we will be on our own in doing so. I hope we get a chance to meet them at the party and congratulate them in person. I look forward to helping put the party together. Maybe we can get together for a planning session??

    Bonnie B on March 16, 2009 at 3:02 pm
  24. Thanks Gail for all your hard work (Done with such class and poise ) and the Cheryl Smith our very lucky winner congrats The lord has blessed you so go out and do whatever it is you have dreamed of doing (In Life there are no dress rehersal enjoy)

    and to my blogger friends another story
    A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill in a room of 200 people, and asked, ” Who would like this $20 bill ?”
    Hands started going up.
    He said, ” I am going to give this $20 bill to one of you, but first let me do this….” He proceeded to crumple the $20 up.
    He then asked, ” Who still wants it ?”
    Still the hands were up in the air.
    “Well”… he replied, ” What if I do this?”..and he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now who still wants it?” he asked.
    Hands still shot up!
    “My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it..because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.” Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt, by the decisions we make, and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you never lose your value ! Dirty…clean…crumpled…or finely creased…you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. You are special….don’t ever forget it.
    Count your blessings…….not your problems
    grandma

    lifeisgoodatgrandmas on March 16, 2009 at 3:09 pm
  25. I wonder how many bloggers are still willing to send some money to the winner to help with the taxes?

    While most of the post-drawing blogs have been pleasant and congratulatatory, there are way too many small, bitter people out there. You didn’t win. It was 39,000,000 to 1. Of course you didn’t win. Get over it. Go back to work and earn what you get in life.

    mcorrallo on March 16, 2009 at 3:55 pm
  26. Mary, how about a suggestion for next year now that it’s over for now in 2009. Why not reserve one room, such as the master bedroom because it’s so personal, as a blank slate for HGTV to work with the winner to design on their own. They could go to Ethan Allen (or whoever the sponsor is for 2010) and work with the designer to choose furniture, flooring, paint, etc. It would be fun for the audience too because we’d have a show or two after the big win to see how the new owner interprets their dream home once they’ve won it. Even if they don’t keep the house it would be great to watch. Decorating your own home is part of the bigger dream for all of us. I’d watch the show(s) and I’m sure the rest of the DH enthusiasts would as well.

    Oh, and a suggestion for the future: The best floor plan I’ve ever seen which has room for EVERYTHING is the DRHorton Gilpin II. It is the best I’ve ever seen for storage, space, family, entertaining, etc….. Do something along those lines so it will be easy to sell for the winner. The reason the Florida home is unsellable probably has more to do with the totally bizarre and impractical floor plan than the bad housing market. Somebody had to say it, I’m just trying to be helpful. The floorplan in that home was an absolute disaster and well below HGTVs standards. I would want to know the truth if I was in HGTVs shoes – -

    Ynotme on March 16, 2009 at 3:55 pm
  27. Well I have to admit that I was *very* disapointed I didn’t win last night and even had to walk away from the computer. I live in Alaska and didn’t have a live feed only what people were saying online. I knew it was only a dream, but I got so wrapped up into it I believed it was meant for me.. plus Im pregnant and hormones are HARD to control lol!

    But I am so happy for the Smith family! I still have not been able to watch the videos.. I missed the TV special at 7pm since I was still cookig dinner and for some reason my sound isnt working on my computer.

    I hope the Smith family invests wisely and that their lives are improved by what HGTV has done for them.

    Oh and to make a comment about what collegemom said.. Yes I do “dream” about owning an affordable home, having children and not having a lot of money, only renting at the moment.. but when I really “DREAM” I look at the 1 mil plus homes on the Internet! When I make a search I put how many beds I want and NO LIMIT on the ammount of money then have it listed from highest priced to lowest.. I dream for an hour looking at all the wonderful photos of houses I will never own.. then I look at the “cheap” houses I will also never own.. then I look at trailers lmao! then log off.. but thats my take on HGTVs dream home. Keep at it! I love it! Even if I did get too emotional this year!

    Samantha Love on March 16, 2009 at 4:07 pm
  28. mcorrallo, I’ve sent my congratulatory card to the winners… with a picture of a dead president in it!

    Bonnie B on March 16, 2009 at 4:21 pm
  29. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Smith!

    Keep your home in Sonoma, sell your home in Sonoma, it is yours to do what you feel is best for you, so… honestly, it’s nobody’s business but your own what your final decision will be.

    HGTV, please make the 2010 Dream Home bigger and better. You don’t call it “Dream Home” for nothing. It’s not called “Affordable Home” or “Mediocre Home”. It’s “Dream Home” for goodness sake! I am looking forward to 2010 to see the next season on HGTV “Dream Home”

    A sweepstakes is great fun. A chance to win, or not. If you enter and then lose sight of the fact that you may not win, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

    No “sour grapes” from non-winners, please! Be happy for the winners.

    HGTV had specific posted rules for entering.

    If one chooses to enter sweepstakes, read every word carefully.

    I have a question for someone who is knowledgeable. How much is earthquake insurance on a home such as this one? Is it on an earthquake fault line? Any geologists out there?

    -K- on March 16, 2009 at 4:43 pm
  30. Oh Well…..I guess I need to RSVP to the SISBP.

    Deryck will attend SISBP in Sonoma?
    [ ] Yes / [X] No

    Bonnie B….I’m sure you all will have a great time @ SISBP, and thanks for keeping in the spirit of this year’s DH. Afterall….we bloggers did pick the winning tablescape for the Smiths! LOL :)

    Deryck on March 16, 2009 at 5:12 pm
  31. Gail…Thank you for doing such a great job as the very first Super-Fan! You seemed to really enjoy your new “job”(it really seemed like more fun than anything). And you got paid to travel and meet the handsome Jack Thomasson,beautiful Monica Pedersen,talented Steve Ledson,comical Norm Oliver,and let’s not forget the amazing BoBo,the “Super-dog”!!! I bet you won’t have as much fun on the GH09, but of course I’m sooo biased towards Sonoma.Hope to see you around town when you bring your family here for visits.
    Again…many congratulations on your success with HGTV! Ingrid from Sonoma

    Ingrid & BoBo on March 16, 2009 at 5:15 pm
  32. Dear Gail,

    What a fantastic job you did!

    For 2010, Marco Island Florida, is MY DREAM HOME LOCATION!!!!!

    I hope next year I will be the lucky one. My very best to the Smith Family!

    Maria

    Maria on March 16, 2009 at 5:26 pm
  33. Thank you Gail Iam so happy for the winner ,they said that they have been doing this for 10 years way to go thats great !! Dreams do come true just have to hang on to them!! Thank you again HGTV see you all at the GREEN HOME!!

    Tamara on March 16, 2009 at 5:27 pm
  34. Gail you were the absolute best!!!!!!!!! I will be blogging like a maniac on the green home blog I’ll know that Gail will make it exciting. Congrats to the winner! Well everyone keep dreaming it seems like the dreamhome just moved out and the green homes moving in I think the online tour starts in April. So what will we say for the green home instead of keep dreaming on those last few hours till the special? Well I would still say keep dreaming

    And last this is not the end of me on the blog I hope all of you will keep on blogging and as we all ways say KEEP ON DREAMING!

    Jenna on March 16, 2009 at 5:36 pm
  35. Take me off your subscription list. I will take you off my viewing channels. I am mad that I didn’t win, and I could have lived a very happy life in Sonoma, with shoes on my feet and maintenance and taxes affordable for me. I am VERY DISAPPOINTED, and I will never enter one of your scam contests again. SHE was probabably a cousin of the guy pretending to draw those names. This contest is an illusion and a lie. It is cruel to people like me who want to win so badly, and win they never do.

    hedy borenstein on March 16, 2009 at 5:42 pm
  36. Gail, maybe you’ll be a part of the Green Home hooplah. Thanks for the work you did here as it surely enlightened me more. I had only entered one other time and I never did anything other than enter. You made this educational for me. I doubt I’ll enter again but this was an interesting learning lesson this time no doubt!!

    Dianne T on March 16, 2009 at 5:51 pm
  37. Gee, I was expecting to win..when a commercial came on, I went and freshened up in case my doorbell rang and I was told I won LOL Seriously, it was exciting to see them surprise the winner…it didn’t look like she had already been told…if she knew, she and her hubby are great actors and they belong in CA..LOL Look forward to next yr. Could a Tucson home be next?? How about my home city/state New Orleans, LA..Love to live back home, but still love my present home in Tucson, AZ HAPPY BLOGGING YALL!!

    Patrish Refre on March 16, 2009 at 5:54 pm
  38. Whether they knew beforehand or not, it’s great that they won. Good for them! But I was thinking HG should do away with the mail in entries next year as that was a whole bunch of wasted paper.

    Kris on March 16, 2009 at 6:02 pm
  39. Gail, thank you for being the most SUPER Super Fan!!! You’ve made this blog very exciting and you’ve made me feel like I was getting the latest news from a girlfriend. I’m so glad we still get to see and hear from you on the Green Home Blog.

    Hope to see you a whole lot more on HGTV…you did a great job!!
    Congratulations to the DH winner!

    Sina on March 16, 2009 at 6:25 pm
  40. Excuse me Ingrid and BoBo, but didn’t you forget to mention the person who is the cornerstone of the design team–Linda Woodrum. She was there long before Monica, Kim and everyone else (except Jack) came along on the show. Shame on you!!!!

    Anne on March 16, 2009 at 6:30 pm
  41. I have to agree with Victoria and K. I hope HGTV continues to build its future “DREAM” homes in the $2M range, and not average homes. Just because I already live in a million dollar home, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have the right to dream about living in a $2M home. My husband and I come from humble beginnings and have EARNED every cent we’ve made, and the lifestyle we have through our own hard work. We are grateful for our good fortune and very generous with our time, talent and financial resources when it comes to supporting philanthropic causes, so I don’t feel guilty about dreaming of a bigger house for my family. I’m sure there are a number of others out there like me who could have afforded to keep the Dream Home. The DH is about luxury. Keep up the good work HGTV! I’m looking forward to the 2010 Dream Home!

    Danielle on March 16, 2009 at 6:36 pm
  42. Gail, EXCELLENT job as super fan! I know you had a blast and you were fun and inspiring to watch…. and I will keep watching as the green home gets closer.

    On another super fan note, I noticed that the casting for the new super fan needs them to live in Northern Cal…Is this correct?

    Maren on March 16, 2009 at 6:38 pm
  43. Western Pennsylvania would be a great place for a dream home.

    Mary Alvarado on March 16, 2009 at 6:46 pm
  44. Gail plain rocks. Gail is golden. I cannot stop watching Gail!

    Eli on March 16, 2009 at 6:58 pm
  45. Ah Gail, we hate to see you go but keep telling yourself what a privilege that most people will never experience and you at least got to step foot in the house.
    And, I don’t understand why winners don’t give more credit with praise for the time, energy, money, etc. Well make sure you “BLOG” next year.

    Terri on March 16, 2009 at 6:58 pm
  46. Congrats, to the winner, just I wish they would have at least let all of us know what state the winner was from because I changed my trip to Las Vegas to make sure I was home on that Sunday. That really sucked.

    Keidra Markie on March 16, 2009 at 7:16 pm
  47. I remember one year HGTV gave away some cash to go with the house (I assumed it was for taxes). After seeing these winners so happy and excited, I sure hope they are going to be able to keep their win. Caleefornia is a big mess at the moment and I am sure the governator wants to get his hands on all the tax money he can.

    Dee on March 16, 2009 at 7:17 pm
  48. Gail, You are so FABULOUS! You remind me of my best friend from college and I hope to see more of you on the HGTV channel!

    Katarina on March 16, 2009 at 7:44 pm
  49. Ok I was thinking and a home in Fayettville, NC would be great. And if they could make sure I am the winner that would be even better…LOL! That is where my very bestest best friend lives and I would LOVE to be near her. :P That ones for you my dear BFF.

    Renee on March 16, 2009 at 7:47 pm
  50. Hi guys.

    I will keep this short and sweet :) . But two Blogs really stood out for me.

    Debbie: You spoke exactly how I feel, but I am just able to put it as elouquent as you did.

    lifeisgoodatgrammas: I don’t know where you live, but you sound like a lady I would love to meet :D .
    Where do you get those great stories? I would love to read that book!!

    I am not a big fan of the Green House but I will stop in on the GH Blog every now and then, to keep up with my new found friends. :D

    lovelykitty on March 16, 2009 at 8:33 pm
  51. Mary Alvarado- I completely agree! I grew up and still live in Western PA, specifically in the Ligonier Valley. I am just 40 miles away from Pittsburgh, and I have both the beautiful countryside and the Laurel Highlands surrounding me. I always considered Ligonier to be a little piece of Virginia in PA. This town is such a quaint, historic town. HGTV. . I think you’ll find that Western PA is a hidden gem!

    p.s. Congrats to the Smith’s!

    SJW on March 16, 2009 at 9:17 pm
  52. Thank you, HGTV, for giving us Gail as the HGTV Dream home super fan. I am one of her fans. Gail, I really hope you go on to bigger and better things, you deserve it!!

    Thank you, also, HGTV for the whole Dream Home experience…though I must say I was a little obsessed this year. I live in Sacramento…so close and yet so far.

    Congratulations to you Cheryl Smith! Enjoy your windfall!

    Sheryl on March 16, 2009 at 9:51 pm
  53. Just saw my tape of last nite’s show. Wish I was moving to Sonoma, but so happy for the winner. Thanks for a great show, and just wanted to say I love what the Super Fan Gail Fenton brought to the show. I’m a real fan of the Super Fan! (Is there a contest for that?) Seriously, I hope we still get to see more of her. She has a wonderful ability to make us feel part of the whole thing, keeping us in the know, while entertaining us at the same time. She drew myself and many of my friends and co workers in. Thank you for that! Kay

    Kay on March 16, 2009 at 10:02 pm
  54. Anne…I apologize for omitting Linda Woodrum’s name. Although Jack T. introduced us, I only saw her at the DH09 once.(out of sight/out of mind). There were so many people that made this Sonoma home so special,I really should name them ALL in alphabetical order…but I won’t!
    It will be nice though to meet the Smiths when they visit our town. My guess is they won’t live in the home(too far from their children and grandkids),but they’ll walk away with a big chunk of change. Sonoma is a very friendly place, and when they arrive here,everyone will already know who they are…how weird would that be? Ingrid from Sonoma

    Ingrid & BoBo on March 16, 2009 at 11:20 pm
  55. Congrats to the winner!

    I for one plan to keep on dreamin!!

    Happy continued retirement, and thank you Gail for your hard work!

    Kat on March 16, 2009 at 11:23 pm
  56. Thanks Gail, you did a great job! And thanks for keeping us abreast of as much as was possible during the entry time! Much obliged and loved all the videos :)

    I’ve already tried to see your video on the Green Home, but it keeps hanging on me while it’s buffering. I’ll have to try it at a not so busy time or maybe when all the hoopla has died down.

    Keep up the good work and thanks again HGTV for giving us hope and allowing us to dream away our worries, even temporarily – heck it’s less expensive than playing the lottery – wait a minute, it’s free! So no loss there!

    On to the Green Home and looking forward to the hints/tips for the 2010 Dream Home!

    Ciao ;)

    Laila on March 16, 2009 at 11:31 pm
  57. Gail is amazing, and I can’t believe she won’t be on this anymore. I think Gail should do the show. Gail is the reason I watch this period. I am a fan of this years super fan. Thank you Gail. Yeah

    Shari on March 17, 2009 at 12:40 am
  58. My sincere congratulations to the Smith family. Enjoy it all as you want to enjoy it and ignore those who are negative and hateful. I do have to admit I wish it had been me! :) SO —– now I will dream about the Green Home. That part of Florida is so beautiful – I was born and raised in Florida. I sure wouldn’t mind winning a nice home there.
    I see there is another Victoria blogging here now so I will have to change my blogging name to “Victoria from San Francisco”. I’m the blogger who posted photos I took from the tour of the DH on Flickr.
    Hope the GH blog is as positive as this blog used to be. Green dreamin’!

    Victoria from San Francisco on March 17, 2009 at 1:25 am
  59. To HGTV, their sponsors, and everyone involved in any way in designing, promoting, planning and building the Dream Home 2009:
    THANK YOU! This year was my first time to enter, follow the progress, and dream about what might happen. It was so much FUN!
    Congratulations to Cheryl Smith. Happiness is a wonderful feeling–enjoy!

    Oh, and this is my first ever time to blog, but I wanted HGTV to know what a great time I had!

    Carolyn N TX on March 17, 2009 at 2:42 am
  60. Thanks Gail, I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job!

    terri on March 17, 2009 at 3:15 am
  61. I guess I don’t understand if the giveaway was live on Sunday night, how did you have footage of Cheryl, her family, and interviews with them in daylight that was posted on the website already the next morning at 6:00 am?

    Kelly on March 17, 2009 at 7:38 am
  62. HEY Mcorallo you are one of those small bitter people! That was very mean to say

    Jenna on March 17, 2009 at 8:51 am
  63. Gail, Awesome job being the first Super Fan, you set the bar high, we will always remember you.

    BoBo – aka HGTV Super Dog, Gracee barks out a greeting and sends you a doggie kiss.

    Continue to DREAM BIG! Never lose site of your dreams.

    Chip on March 17, 2009 at 11:11 am
  64. I need to respond to the person who said I was ignorant because I generalized that most wealthy people who could afford this house were probably not even watching HGTV or even aware of this show. I stand by my words. While there has been one (1) post of a person who lives in a million dollar house and her opinion about the dream house most people who have posted here have commented that HGTV needs to build a more realistic dream home that most of the United States residents can dream about and hopefully can live in if they were to win.
    While I have never contended this Dream House is not beautiful, it is not realistic for the thousands of people who entered to win this house to be able to live in and enjoy. Most bloggers would have had to sell this house. Not to say doing that would still have set them up financially, if handled correctly, is that what this show intended??
    We live in a country where our opinions are valid and not everyone agrees. With that being said, I do not in anyway consider myself a racist against any group of people anywhere in the world. And for someone who does not even know me to say such a thing, if even on a blog, is very disturbing.
    I do have first-hand knowledge of the ‘wealthy’ lifestyle I commented about. The people I know and have talked with about their after-work habits and have spent time with them after work, had no knowledge of this show because mostly what they watch is news–if anything at all. Never intended to imply this was all wealthy people, just the ones I knew.

    collegemom on March 17, 2009 at 11:31 am
  65. Happy Tuesday, Bloggers and other California dreamers (present and past). Congratulations again to Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

    Unfortunately, there were a lot of negative and even profane comments (which proves our comments are not screened or censored)– some of which were so bad that they became comical :) , but many of us wish you well. I believe “The List” joins me in that sentiment. I believe that it was Bonnie and Lovelykitty who warned us in December that comments turn brutal after the winner is announced.

    I believe this quote by Robert Kiyosaki who says, “The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream, and how you handle disappointment along the way.”

    My only regret is that a North Bay California resident didn’t win (namely jealous me), which would have probably increased the chances of them staying in the house. But, it’s the Smith’s house to do however they choose. If they don’t want to stay there, I’ve got my eye on some items in the house that I would LOVE to purchase, but I’m sure that they’ll spend SOME time in that lovely house.

    Gail,I loved you as Superfan and feel that you’ve done a great job.

    Lovelykitty, JandVsmom, Jenny D, Bonnie B, Ingrid and Bobo, Katydid, are you all up for the SISBP? Lovelykitty, the date you gave April 12th is a Sunday not a Saturday – is that the date you’re suggesting to go play again in Sonoma? Please clarify.

    So, who’s planning on auditioning for the 2010 DH Superfan? Mary, I’d love to see Gail’s initial auditioning video as well as her sharing any tips for success in that area.

    Marie Miller and DBCoop, are you joining Gail on the Green House blog? Happy Dreaming, everyone – there’s always next year!

    Brenda on March 17, 2009 at 12:33 pm
  66. Big thank you to HGTV in hosting and making the sweepstakes available for all of us to enter. Allowing us to get caught up in the madness of the big dream. College basketball has its March madness and we have our sweeps March madness. It’s been fun. I so much appreciate the opportunity to win something grand. I sure hope during these economic times you’ll be able continue offering this event as a lot of us look forward to it each and every year. It’s a great way to get through those cold winter months (more wet out here in washington state), knowing the big giveaway means spring is around the corner! Look forward to 2010, please be in Sedona Arizo!!!!!!
    Thank you, thank you, thank you
    Belinda

    Belinda on March 17, 2009 at 1:01 pm
  67. Gail!! You did an amazing job as the Super Fan! My husband and I will certainly be tracking your updates on the HGTV Green Home Blog- looking forward to seeing you there! You really made us feel like we were part of the excitement- thank you :) Please come do a show in Illinois!!

    S. Dahlgren on March 17, 2009 at 1:37 pm
  68. I think the winners sound and look like people who would love the SISBP and will fit in well with the local bloggers.

    Janine on March 17, 2009 at 1:39 pm
  69. My daughter is 15 years old and have benn watching the HGTV home giveraway for the past five years. She ask me why black people don’t get picked for the giverway. I told her maybe they did not enter. She said it wasn’t fare for us to win an not them. This really got to me and I thought about and decided that I wasn’t going to allow her to pull the HGTV site any more plus I block all HGTV emails.

    Beth Green on March 17, 2009 at 1:57 pm
  70. Brenda, how do we get together and start planning for the party? I emailed JennyD at her home email address but haven’t gotten a reply yet. Hope she’s okay.

    Bonnie B on March 17, 2009 at 1:57 pm
  71. Bonnie B, I believe you have my personal e-mail address as well as Lovelykitty and JandVsmom. I just we elect Lovelykitty as the party planner.

    Brenda on March 17, 2009 at 2:27 pm
  72. I’m wondering….doesn’t HGTV want to sponsor the SISBP? And,….do the winners want to be involved?

    Brenda on March 17, 2009 at 2:28 pm
  73. Kelly – to answer your question about why if the giveaway was live on Sunday night, how did you have footage of Cheryl, her family, and interviews with them in daylight that was posted on the website already the next morning at 6:00 am.
    Well, It wasn’t “live”! It was “live on tape” from Monday (March 9th I think) and then shown to us on Sunday March 15th. Hope this helps.

    My first Blog! I do like the HGTV Dream Home Message Board better though since the topics are categorized.
    http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/4714002552

    G. on March 17, 2009 at 2:28 pm
  74. I’D LIKE TO TAKE BACK AN EARLIER SUGGESTION I MADE IN HASTE….about possibly doing a lesser priced house in each time zone…..I DO AGREE WITH MANY “LISTERS” WHO SAID “THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A “DREAMHOME” NOT JUST A HOUSE….I WAS JUST BRAINSTORMING WITH MYSELF LOL…GAIL, YOU HAVE DONE A PHENOMINAL JOB…AND WE THANK YOU…GLAD TO HEAR YOU WILL BE A PART OF THE GREEN HOME…..MY CONTINUED GOOD WISHES TO THE SMITHS….IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER HOW “LIVE” the show was…there are technical and logistical matters involved in the production that we are not privy to…so let it go. I have. AGAIN….HATERS AND WHINERS….PLEASE LEAVE THE BLOG…..WE DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT…THIS IS A HAPPY PLACE AND IF YOU SPENT THE TIME TO READ ALL THE BLOGGING STILL POSTED YOU WOULD SEE HOW OUT OF PLACE THESE NEGATIVE COMMENTS ARE.!!!! I JUST WANT TO LET THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE UNDERSTAND THAT REAL ESTATE IN CALIFORNIA….LA, SF, AND MANY OTHER PLACES ARE MUCH MUCH HIGHER THAT MANY OTHER LOCATIONS IN THIS COUNTRY…SO IF SOMEONE HAS A HOUSE, SAY IN L.A. RIGHT NOW, EVEN WITH THE CURRENT ECONOMY, ONE MILLION DOLLARS CAN GET YOU A NICE THREE BEDROOM…NOT HUGE AND FANCY….THAT’S JUST THE WAY IT IS….FOR SOMEONE OWNING A MILLION DOLLAR HOME…CURRENTLY…..AND WANTING THE DREAM HOME IS PERFECTLY LOGICAL…AND AS SOMEONE MENTIONED THIS IS NOT A SHOW OR SWEEPSTAKES ABOUT FINDING A HOME FOR AN UNDERPRIVELEGED FAMILY….THAT DOESN’T MAKE IT BAD. OKAY…HGTV IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR WHAT THEY DO….AND YES…LIKE ANY SHOW THEY NEED SPONSORS TO DO THE SHOW…THAT’S SHOW BIZ FOLKS.. ((((hugs))) to my gals… Liz in L.A. (where houses cost a bundle)

    Lily-Beth Reilly on March 17, 2009 at 2:31 pm
  75. Brenda, I didn’t get your email address that day (If I did, I’ve lost it!) nor Lovelykitty or JandV’sMom. The only one I had is for JennyD. I think making Lovelykitty the “chief” is good. I’m always happy being one of the “indians”!

    Bonnie B on March 17, 2009 at 3:14 pm
  76. You don’t have to “scream’ Lily-Beth (using CAPS). Yea, I like to see the haters and whiners go away also but…they won’t. On the HGTV Dream Home Message Board we always say – SOB (Scroll On By). Just ignore them and they actually do go away.

    Personally I don’t want the Dream Home to be “affordable” and there are just too many other variables; location, just don’t want to move, don’t want another house, etc. I like the multi-million DH’s so that after I sell it, I’ll have some “dream” money.

    G. on March 17, 2009 at 3:30 pm
  77. Well said Lily Beth Reilly! A million dollars will buy you a modest home (1700-1800 sq ft.) on a postage stamp sized lot in Silicon Valley. The real estate market in CA is very unique. The two other markets I’ve seen that compare are Manhattan and Hawaii.

    Danielle on March 17, 2009 at 3:44 pm
  78. Hi Everyone!

    Happy St. Patrick’s day to all our irish bloggers!!!

    I’m not irish, but I too am seeing Green these days. Soon Spring will be upon us – tulips and hyacinths sprouting everywhere – and we now have the HGTV Green Home Sweepstakes to drool over. It’s simply beautiful and I’m loving the spanish-style design and red roof!

    I can’t wait to start entering and blogging with the regulars – see you on the HGTV Green Home blog…. :)

    My sincere congratulations to Cheryl Smith and her family. May you enjoy each day living your dreams in your new home, or wherever you choose to live. :)

    New Jersey Gal on March 17, 2009 at 5:01 pm
  79. For all the Irish in us if you are a CD purchaser, pick up ‘Celtic Thunder’s’ CD. Great music and one of the singers is a youngster of 11 years old. My sixteen year old purchased for me and we all love it.
    Haven’t checked, but probably also can listen to on the Internet. Enjoy the day. Spring is around the corner.

    collegemom on March 17, 2009 at 6:13 pm
  80. Lakeland Woman Wins HGTV’s Dream Home

    http://www.theledger.com/article/20090315/NEWS/903164996

    -K- on March 17, 2009 at 6:44 pm
  81. I wonder who the nine other finalists were?

    -K- on March 17, 2009 at 6:47 pm
  82. Well, what can I say? I am recovering from the initial shock and realization of “Hey, you didn’t win!” But I am okay now and up and running. What did I tell you guys (original bloggers), didn’t I also say that the posts on here would get nasty and ugly after the winner is revealed? Just ignore them my sweets, and they will go away.

    On a lighter note, thank you Gail for being the “Greatest Super Fan” ever! Just one concern though, you live close to the 2009 Dream Home, but how will you handle being a Super Fan for the Green Home in Florida? Well, I think HGTV will pay for all your travel expenses, right? Congratulations on also being the Super Fan for the Green Home. May you enjoy that gig as much as you enjoyed this one.

    Congratulations to Cheryl Smith and her family! I hope this experience greatly enriches your life, whether you decide to live in the home or sell it, either way, you have “Struck Gold”. I hope you enjoy every minute of it.

    Good luck ladies that are planning the SISBP, I won’t be there as I live 5 to 6 hours away and is just not feasible for me. However, I hope you guys have a wonderful time and have a glass of wine for me ;-)

    As for the 2009 Green Home, I don’t know. I am a die hard West Coaster and I don’t think I can ever give up one coast for the other. As lovelykitty stated, “the Sonoma home is close to my heart because it is in my home state” and I will never love another home like this one. So if I enter, I will only enter the Green Home Sweepstakes with the intent on selling it after and I don’t know if that is fair.

    As for all those who are bummed out about not winning, cheer up because HGTV will give away more homes, Dream Homes, Green Homes, and DIY gives away the Log(Blog) Cabin. And even if we don’t win, there are so many other things to look forward to in life. As New Jersey Gal stated, Spring is upon us and so many other beautiful and miraculous things around us if we just stop and take a moment to “smell the roses” we will see them.

    My 8 year old saw the Dream Home giveaway with me and said, “We didn’t win, right mom?” and I said, “No son.” And you know what the little guy told me? He said, “You know mom, we already live in a Dream Home.” And you know what fellow bloggers? He is absolutely correct. As long as we fill our homes with love, we truly live in a Dream Home.

    So goodnight and good luck to all and much love your way.

    2Cherubs on March 17, 2009 at 7:58 pm
  83. Bonnie B, I don’t want to post my email here after seeing all the nuts that has been on here lately, but I will email Jenny D again, and ask her to please give it to you.

    Brenda, I think we can all be together in the planning. Don’t need any “chiefs” ;) . And I had the dates all mixed up. The winner’s weekend is the Saturday the 18th of April, and that is when I would like some of us to meet out there to play and then go by the Dream Home. We might be able to even invite them to the SISBP.
    What do you think about that Bonnie B, Ingrid, and some of the other local bloggers?

    lovelykitty on March 17, 2009 at 8:43 pm
  84. I just wrote a long post, but it is “awaiting moderation”, so don’t know if it will get posted.

    Bonnie B, I will email Jenny D and ask her to send you my email. Don’t want to post it here with all the nuts that has been posting lately.

    lovelykitty on March 17, 2009 at 8:46 pm
  85. They won’t let my post through. i think they are mad at me. :(

    lovelykitty on March 17, 2009 at 8:47 pm
  86. I’ve been a “lurker” these past few months. Bummer we didn’t win *grin*. But I just wanted to say CONGRATS to the Smith family and wish them all the best as they decide how to manage their good fortune. I had soooo much fun entering daily, dreaming, and checking out the house in all it’s splendor. I look forward to DH2010. Oregon or Washington state sure would be beautiful places to consider for the next one! Yeah I’m not subtle :o )

    Kristi M. on March 17, 2009 at 9:36 pm
  87. Thanks for the responsed to my question on the “live” taping. Good to know in the future. Won’t spend time that day worrying if I had showered or if the house was clean. LOL.

    Congratulations to the winner and her family. It is indeed a Dream Home! And thank you to HGTV for the opportunity to win it and for all their wonderful shows that I enjoy watching.

    Kelly on March 18, 2009 at 7:30 am
  88. Congratulations to the dream home winners, and many thanks to Gail for keeping all of us so well informed with pictures and interviews. Your contributions made the wait this year much more enjoyable.

    Joyce W on March 18, 2009 at 11:21 am
  89. Lovelykitty, Brenda, JennyD, Ingrid & BoBo, JandV’sMom, the blog entry above from -K- has a link to the Lakeland newspaper that says that the winners will be visiting the house “next month”. Wouldn’t it be cool if it was on the weekend of April 18th??

    Bonnie B on March 18, 2009 at 12:35 pm
  90. -K-, I think that there were not really nine other “finalists”. Telling the winners-to-be that they were one of 10 finalists was just a ruse to make sure they would be available for the ambush.

    Bonnie B on March 18, 2009 at 12:37 pm
  91. 2Cherubs~what you said is so right! <3

    Renee on March 18, 2009 at 2:00 pm
  92. Hi Bonnie B…

    According to the HGTV Rules for the DH in the Grand Prize Winner Notification section, it will be “on or about April 16, 2009″.

    http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-dream-home-2009-giveaway-rules/package/index.html

    G. on March 18, 2009 at 3:25 pm
  93. Thank you Mr.or Ms. Moderator
    for removing the offensive comment of “H”

    Now on with some clues as to where the dream home 2010 will be :-)

    All that you accomplish or fail to accomplish with your life is the direct result of your thoughts.
    James Allen

    lifeisgoodatgrandmas on March 18, 2009 at 3:26 pm
  94. Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him.
    James Allen

    Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.
    James Allen

    lifeisgoodatgrandmas on March 18, 2009 at 3:29 pm
  95. When I first saw the floor plans for the 2009 Dream Home I was so exited! I thought they were perfect and I could not wait for the finale results. Boy! Was I disappointed! I’m not a sore loser because I did not enter even once to win this home since it was so far away from where I call home. I am happy for the winner since all that really matters is they love the home but I do feel the disign team really dropped the ball this time! As for the winner being notified on LIVE t.v., It’s not live! I learned that last year!!!

    Dana D on March 18, 2009 at 3:44 pm
  96. Doesn’t anyone else think it a bit strange that the winner of this year’s Dream Home was not actually watching HGTV on Sunday night to see if they had won the house? When the door opened their TV was not on HGTV. That can only mean that they knew ahead of time & the whole “ambush at the door” is set up ahead of time. Too bad. A surprise needs to be a true surprise. Come on HGTV creative folks. . .you can do better than that!!!

    Kathleen on March 18, 2009 at 3:48 pm
  97. Don’t forget friends, to come post on over to the “Dream Home message board” also. We would love to meet all of you! Not to used to the BLOG yet. The message boards have been here forever tho.

    Please go to http://
    boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/4714002552

    See ya there!

    hugatree on March 18, 2009 at 9:30 pm
  98. Don’t forget friends, to come post on over to the “Dream Home message board” also. We would love to meet all of you! Not to used to the BLOG yet. The message boards have been here forever tho.

    Please go to
    ht tp://
    boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/4714002552

    See ya there!
    Vote for how you like to post there.

    hugatree on March 18, 2009 at 9:59 pm
  99. Well the 2 million dollar home is won and the person says she can’t afford the car! Here is how it breaks down:
    Federal tax on prize alone-$787,812
    California state tax-$208,465
    (these are must pay taxes)
    If she doesn’t have that on Apr 15, 2010- capital gains tax after sale-$215,895 plus fed and state tax. Total tax bill: $1,212,172!!!
    I am a California tax accountant.
    Why don’t they make it affordable like say $350,000? Then everyone should be able to handle it without the incredible tax bills! Lets hope she can sell it for $1.2 Mil!!

    winefan on March 18, 2009 at 11:40 pm
  100. To Winefan:

    I am curious. If you are not a resident of CA at the time of the drawing nor do you establish residence in the current year, how can CA slap a CA income tax on the winner? Seems to me, you would pay income tax to your residental state. The dream home was not purchased so there should not be a “sales tax”. I can understand owing property taxes.

    Anne on March 19, 2009 at 10:54 am
  101. Wow, what a fantastic gift, congratulations Cheryl Smith and husband. Did anyone see today’s Ellen Show . . .they gave a car and some cash to a family that was down on the funds. That was the knid of reaction I was looking for. She was shaking and screaming and hugging everyone. Thanking you everyone for such a wonderful experience. I only posted a few times but was always excited to read everyone s post and perspectives. Meet you all at the green home . . .game on!!

    Brandi on March 19, 2009 at 11:51 am
  102. winefan on March 18, 2009 at 11:40 pm

    I hope if she wants to she can sell the DH for a nice profit. It’s nice to know that the builder offered to buy it back. Nice!

    G. on March 20, 2009 at 11:44 am
  103. Well, I have been late in checking on the website-HGTV Home Give Away,and watching on T.V. Channel-of HGTV Home Giveaway.Because of family medical issue’s. I decided to check today online and see that someone-family-Smith’s have won this “Beatiful” Home. My congratulations to Cheryl Smith and Family. I entered this sweepstakes and so did my parents. But, only cause I thought it is a dream home. And any person would be lucky and fortuniate to be so lucky to win such a beatiful home. I find it funny that certain individuals are affended or dissapointed the way they are. I read some comments posted and it blew my mind what some people have posted. Some individual’s need to be realistic-and not be affended that they did not win. That’s why they call it a DREAM HOME GIVEAWAY. I knew right away that I would never win this gourgous house. Because,I was realistic about it. Not affended that I didnt or wouldnt win. But,I have other things in my life that I am more realistic about. Remember, people. You will always have your family-and most important of all – your health. And that is more important than any dream home that you could win in a sweepstake. I have two family members-my father-my children’s father dying from cancer,now my health is not in the best either cause of all the stress of losing people I love to this disease. So, remember – before you say anything negative on this blog. REALLY think first. What really is important. And that is your family and your health. I want to thank HGTV for this Home Give Away, cause for some people it is just something a person can turn on the televison and enjoy and give a person hope-that there is something out there in this world to keep hopeing/reaching for.Thats what its all about “right” the dreams. I may of not won this home, but I printed out every page of the floor plan and pictures online of this home, cause it gives my mind comfort for a little bit out of my day, to just look at the pictue’s and know maybe..and that a big maybe I can build a beatiful home like that in my home town where my beautiful and wonderful family is.Where me and my family can enjoy it together. And building a home like that would be way cheaper/nalf the cost. So, thank you, HGTV for all you have given to your fan’s. For all you have given me to just believe that good things do happen to people. God Bless HGTV and the Cheryl Smith and family. And enjoy your New Dream Home. God Bless America…

    missy on March 20, 2009 at 7:19 pm
  104. Hi Bloggers and “Ledson Ladies”…My husband and I took BoBo to Tahoe for a few days so he could play in the snow for the first time…we all had fun!
    I was soooo disappointed to find out that the Smiths will be coming to Sonoma on the weekend of April 18[pouty face]…we’re planning a Hawaii getaway that week[happy face].If my crystal ball had been working correctly,we would have chosen different dates for the Hawaiian adventure. We would have loved to meet the Smiths,and renew our friendships with Jack T.and Gail and the Ledson Ladies.
    That is THE perfect day for the SISBP, but BoBo and I might be absent…boo hoo. Oh well. Plans change…we’ll have to see what happens…Ingrid from Sonoma

    Ingrid & BoBo on March 21, 2009 at 2:29 pm
  105. Would future winners be more likely to actually take possession of the Dream Home if a] it was located in the state in which they reside and b] if the sponsors/builders subsidized some of the tax burdens? Just wondering….

    Susan in Irvine, CA. on March 21, 2009 at 8:11 pm
  106. Ingrid & BoBo, I hope you are able to reschedule your trip to Hawaii. We’d sure like to have you there with the rest of the Ledson Ladies to welcome the Smith’s to Sonoma!

    b on March 22, 2009 at 11:31 am
  107. That was supposed to be from Bonnie B

    Bonnie B on March 22, 2009 at 11:31 am
  108. Ingrid & BoBo, I hope you are able to reschedule your trip to Hawaii. We’d sure like to have you there with the rest of the Ledson Ladies to welcome the Smith’s to Sonoma! We need your “local” help and besides, you’re one of the DH video stars!

    Bonnie B on March 22, 2009 at 11:49 am
  109. I am from Florida and was so excited for the winners, although they are not sure they can afford the home, because its so expensive to pay the taxes for real estate alone, also if there is the gift tax or whatever, why doesn’t hgtv build half million dollar homes, so 4 people could win, that way
    the winners could keep the homes and not have to sell it right off. I haven’t really read the other blogs, maybe some of you feel as I do. Did they get any cash like last years winners? If they did maybe they could keep it for at least a couple of years since it is such an outstanding home. Thanks for the chance to share my views.

    mary rozmarynowski on March 22, 2009 at 8:58 pm
  110. Great Dreamhome this year. Let’s hope next year’s is every bit as good. With the economy down,American’s sure need something big to dream about. I was thinking about a large brick and limestone house on a very green and shaded acre lot! The state doesn’t matter so much-just about every state has a fantastic location or two! And next year’s should have a pool and a limestone patio–we haven’t seen a pool since Texas!

    Clif Hancock on March 22, 2009 at 11:10 pm
  111. mary rozmarynowski on March 22, 2009 at 8:58 pm. Your question concerning cash as part of the prize – remember you have to pay taxes on the cash also.

    Clif Hancock on March 22, 2009 at 11:10 pm. Your comment about there hasn’t been a pool since Texas! Last year’s Florida home will have a “community” pool for all the residents in the development as shown in these drawings. http://www.theshoreislamorada.com/property.html http://www.theshoreislamorada.com/keys_architecture.html

    I wonder if the Quilt Ladies will be presenting the Dream Home quilt during the “key” presentation. I hope so.

    G. on March 25, 2009 at 8:18 am
  112. So sorry you won’t be able to make it on april 18th Ingrid. But have a great time in Hawaii!!
    Went out to Bodega Bay yesterday and had a great time. The weather has been just perfect!!

    <3

    lovelykitty on March 30, 2009 at 6:07 am
  113. my mom n dads home needs a lot of help to be fix up and i realy dont know if this is the right place to contact but there house is falling down on them and i wish they could get help they are on social security and they cant get no pls help or send this to the pepole they help repare home they need lots of work down to and from the storm in may of last year to so pls help us

    ruby garrett on April 16, 2009 at 4:57 pm
  114. Congratulations to the winner and to say “Thank You HGTV” for creating this wonderful giveaway to begin with.

    On the next giveaway or even a creating a “new” home giveaway, can you limit it renters and condo owners ? I understand that it will be hard to limit it to such such groups but these are the people who can’t afford a House but would like to be able to some day own one.
    My apologies if I have offended the Home owners group. The Renters and Condo Owners are the people who will not only appreciate but will truly benefit from being able to win their very own 1ST HOUSE, versus some winner who already owns a House. Now that’ll be “A Dream Come True.”

    Thank you for hearing me out and again for giving such an Incredible Prize. You guys all ROCK at HGTV ! :)

    Anh619 on April 20, 2009 at 2:53 pm
  115. Hi, my name is Mary and I want to thank HGTV for the green dream home give away. It will give me the opportunity to win. I have six kids and I am living in public housing and this can change my kids life. I am a single parent struggling in this falling economy and even if I dont win, it is well worth the try and my kids are praying for us to win and we are so excited! Thank you HGTV for making dreams come true, even if it’s not ours, someone else’s dream will still come true.P.S. the house is beautiful!

    Mary A. on April 21, 2009 at 12:21 am
  116. HI Ruby,
    What state is your home located? Do you have friends, neighbors or relatives who could help with the repairs?

    kc on April 23, 2009 at 9:00 am
  117. Picture a colonial style turn of the century home on the South Carolina coast with large full front porch, with a swing and toggle board on the porch.Large entry with staircase winding to the second floor.High ceilings throughout the house.

    David M.O'Driscoll on April 29, 2009 at 10:48 am
  118. Congratulations to the Smith family, you have fun with that dream home and do what you want to with it! Don’t worry about those who are playing the feel sorry for themselves grumpy scene. They just have a big case of the green eyed jeoulous monsters. Shame on them for not being happy for someone else getting blessed. I finally got around to reading some more of the dh blogs, I’ve been hanging around at blog cabin most of this year, since I wasn’t intereseted in livng/ or winning the DH in Ca. or the GH in Fl, this time. However, I really loved the CA home alot and the layout of the GH FL home rocks. Gail, girl, I hate to see you go. You did do a great job on the super fan gig. And I’m glad you get to do it all over on the green home. Have some more fun. Wish I could do the same! Run through the dream homes, greenhomes and blogcabin and tell all.

    Carrie Miracle on May 4, 2009 at 2:17 pm
  119. Congratulations Cheryl Smith, I’m new to this whole game and I hope to win, it’s all destiny and if it happens to be me for the opportunity to live in a bigger house, I’ll gladly take it knowing that it was meant to be, if not let’s all remember to stay content where God has us! Mary your passion is your prize.

    Sonia Zapata on June 11, 2009 at 11:27 pm
  120. Good day, sun shines!
    There have were times of troubles when I felt unhappy missing knowledge about opportunities of getting high yields on investments. I was a dump and downright stupid person.
    I have never thought that there weren’t any need in big initial investment.
    Now, I’m happy and lucky , I started take up real income.
    It gets down to choose a proper partner who uses your money in a right way – that is incorporate it in real deals, parts and divides the profit with me.

    You can get interested, if there are such firms? I have to tell the truth, YES, there are. Please be informed of one of them:
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    QUIENDINDERTY on September 23, 2009 at 5:03 pm
  121. Hi there!
    I would like to burn a theme at this forum. There is such a nicey, called HYIP, or High Yield Investment Program. It reminds of ponzy-like structure, but in rare cases one may happen to meet a company that really pays up to 2% daily not on invested money, but from real profits.

    For several years , I earn money with the help of these programs.
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    Friersfex on September 30, 2009 at 7:57 am
  122. Hello everyone!
    I would like to burn a theme at here. There is such a nicey, called HYIP, or High Yield Investment Program. It reminds of ponzy-like structure, but in rare cases one may happen to meet a company that really pays up to 2% daily not on invested money, but from real profits.

    For quite a long time, I earn money with the help of these programs.
    I don’t have problems with money now, but there are heights that must be conquered . I get now up to 2G a day , and I started with funny 500 bucks.
    Right now, I managed to catch a guaranteed variant to make a sharp rise . Turn to my blog to get additional info.

    http://www.cash-blog.com

    Clelortew on October 5, 2009 at 1:02 am

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