Mar
17
A Note From Mary
We are aware that someone claiming to represent HGTV has been posting on this blog. Please disregard his posts: This person is not affiliated with Scripps Networks and his posts have been removed.
We are aware that someone claiming to represent HGTV has been posting on this blog. Please disregard his posts: This person is not affiliated with Scripps Networks and his posts have been removed.
Lovelykitty – I would definitely attend the SISBP (if I’m invited of course) I live in Southern California, a few short hours from Sonoma. I am probably not considered a “regular” blogger but I am a big fan and faithful viewer of HGTV. I’m a single mom with four small children (all boys)their ages are 3, 4, 5 & 10. So as you can see I have my hands full and don’t have time to blog as much as I would like to. Anyways, please keep us posted on the SISBP. I would like to help with the planning though, just let me know what I can help with and I will be more than happy to help out. Ok, gotta go, my 4 year old Willie is demanding my attention. Thanks
Who would watch the show, or follow the Dream Home site, if you were excluded from entering, because you worked hard and own your home… you’re older than 25 years old… have children who are grown…live in Florida…are a non-minority… let’s see did I leave out anything? This sweepstakes is about winning a dream home, not Habitat for Humanity, or Extreme Home Makeover… be happy for the people who won, it doesn’t matter that they owned a home…(they probably have a mortgage) or they’re older, so what…they still have bills to pay also…so let’s just leave it at that…HGTV did not pick them Fate…Luck…The Power of the Universe…did
COOP!! Where are you? I know you don’t like this phrase, but have you flown the “Coop?” Are you resting, getting ready for the DH2010? I’m still waiting to hear about your trip overseas!
Hi All…BoBo,my handsome husband,and myself went to Tahoe for several days so Bo could have some “play-time” in the snow! This was his very first snow experience, and he seemed to really enjoy it!(my dog…not my husband!!!) Looks like the SISBP might be mid April when the Smiths come out to see their new home…we might be in Hawaii that week…crummy planning on dates as we would really have loved to be there. I’ll keep watching the blogs to find out any SISBP info in case our plans change. Ingrid from Sonoma
PS…BoBo says THANKS for all the “woof-woofs” from all his blogging buds!
WOW! Things have gotten very quiet on this blog! Where are all my blogging buddies? I guess we are all waiting for the BIG MOMENT when CHERYL arrives at the DH2009 to open the door to her DREAM MANSION in SONOMA!! Can you imagine the feeling when they hand over the key to her to open the front door? I remember how I felt when I pretended to open the door! It was absolutely an incredible feeling! We can now live vicariously through CHERYL as she begins her journey in Sonoma, California. I just know that Ingrid will be there to welcome her, as well as her family, to the neighborhood!! I wonder if CHERYL will invite Bobo for a stay-over, so he can have fun in the DOGGIE DREAM HOME? I can hardly wait for the next post!! Can you imagine all the Hullabaloo that is going on behind the scenes right now? I wonder how much coaching they will do with CHERYL…will they tell her what to say? What to wear on the day they hand over the keys? Then after the filming, will HGTV leave? Will CHERYL be left to enjoy her home without the cameras?
CHERYL: I am extremely happy for you and your family!! CONGRATULATIONS once again!!
P.S. When am I invited over for a barbeque?
Hello , Hello, Hello
Gosh I had a week from Hell BUT I turned it into heaven.
Its good to see that you guys are still around, here I am stealing time to catch up.
Just stop in to say hello to ALL of you and I promise to come back soon, just got quite a lot on my plate right now that needs my attention.
I really want to know who is is up to all the tricks on the blog so I can HAMMER and NAIL them. Theres always a bad banana in the bunch, but most of the time they slip on their own skin.
got to run, keep up the planning for the SISBP, if anyone need my help with anything, please let me know.
LOVE ALWAYS
Esla Sinclair
oh wow. It’s so sad that people think you don’t deserve to win a dream home if you’ve bought a home already. My husband & I have a home we bought. Do we own it? Nope. Most people I know don’t OWN their home….the bank does and we work ourselves crazy to keep it. Our hours are cut at work. We pay taxes just like most people. The people who won entered honestly like everyone else. I am so happy for them.
“G”. I guess with the blog delays we both had the same thought in mind and went over the statistics. People are complaining that Florida is one of the states always wins when there has only been 1 dream home winner. Others complain that they don’t like the demographics about the winners age. As you can see the people who have won are from many different stages of life and many different states. HGTV has run a fair contest. We should be thankful to have had a chance to dream. Congratulations again Cheryl Smith.
I wonder if some people are going to blog too many women won? LOL (8 women vs. 5 men)
HGTV should change the rules-build a Dream Home but of lesser value. Then require each entrant to check to check one of the following: “own home” or “do not own home.” Pick a winner from each. The winner who does not own a home should win the Dream Home. The winner that owns a home should get a HGTV home makeover (HGTV could set a dollar limit).
I own my home, but I don’t want a makeover I want to win the Dream Home, why should a non-home owner have priority over me?
Has anyone figured out where Dream Home 2010 will be? Let’s change the subject about who is most deserving and brain storm the next location
No, my dear friend Marie Miller, I’ve not yet flown the “coop”—I remain in the background, in semi-retirement, until HGTV picks up the pace once again with the 2010 Dream Home party. Besides, I find that some of the recent posts, since the DH09 winner announcement, are an unsettling distraction from the positive vibes, hopes and aspirations of fellow dreamers AND the very intent of the folks at HGTV who continue to work so hard to bring us the Dream Home opportunities of a lifetime.
Trust that despite my recent self-imposed “silence” in the Dream Home blog, I continue to enjoy following posts and exchanges among so many of our regular blogging friends, and DBCoop will definitely be contributing in some manner, albeit surreptitiously, to the Green Home blog with equal interest.
As to questions about my Thailand home and visits, I plan to return there for an extended stay later this summer (with laptop in tow), but for reasons of privacy and not to bore some readers with personal details, (after all, most folks prefer to discuss all the fun, new and exciting things that HGTV has in store for all of us) I’ll stick to the most interesting topic of all, the dreams we share thanks to our friends at HGTV.
I see that you’re becoming a regular already on the Green Home blog, Marie, along with Deryck, Cynthia, Katydid, and many other former DH dreamers. You’ll certainly keep GAIL on her toes with your questions, and make sure the rest of us are kept well informed and engines primed for the Green light of the 17 April sweepstakes start. Along with a few million others, and some great dedicated bloggers, I’ll be in the stadium seats cheering for a win from the get-go.
Everyone is invited to the SISBP. You’re a Dream Home blogger…you’re invited.
But we need help on setting up the date. Would like a date that can work for everyone, so could those who would like to come, please let us know.
Ingrid, we don’t have to pick that date. That is the weekend the Smiths will be out accepting their new home and I just wanted to go out to see it.
Some of us girls are going out there anyway, but we can plan another date for the party.
So far it doesn’t look like there is as much instrest..as I knew would happen.
Kristine, you are very much invited, and it would be nice to meet you.
We need more information about the people who are coming, or the few of us that are coming can just make it a lunch date at one of the many great resturants.
I can’t wait to see them walk in the house. Cheryl seemed very gracious to me. i liked that she did’t plan to change anything. I loved that she said she didn’t know much about good wine.. i can imagine the sonoma people bending over backwards to give her lessons. And she looks slim enough to fit in the clothing in the closet. if i had won, i would have changed a lot of things, admitted that i seldom drink wine, and would NEVER have fit in those clothes. goes to show you that the right person won.. we’ll all be watching you Cheryl.. enjoy a toast for us.
Hey, bloggers. Happy Sunday. just checking in to say “hello”. I’m looking forward to the SISBP, which may be a small gathering, but a wonderful one, all the same.
Ingrid, I love your name for us — “Ledson Ladies” and I agree with your post 100%.
I believe I share DBCoop’s sentiments, there was SO MUCH negativism floating around this blog lately that I just “chiled out” for a while. I guess I’ll see you all on the Green House Blog.
Tamara, if you read this, I was wonderfing how plans are for your wedding going. I have a question for all you guys who offered to plan from long distance….how will that work? Just curious. Oh, another curiosity, has anyone joined Debi and Diana on their HGTV facebook blog?
Let me correct my English (and spelling) in the above statement, “Tamara, I was wondering how plans are going for your wedding.”
Congrats Smith family….
…
Wow lots of entries…
Hope Next winner would be meh.
Hello Everyone,
Lovelykitty….thank you so much. It would be nice to meet you and everyone else here. Ok, so how are we going about the SISBP planning, is there a way to get our emails through facebook or any other source? I remember reading in one of the blogs something about keeping in touch through facebook. Also, how do we notify Cheryl about the SISBP? Does she know? I don’t think she would mind, she looks like a very nice person. I totally loved her and her husband the moment I saw them. They are very likeable people. Lunch at a restaurant would also be nice in the event the SISBP doesn’t happen. I have never been to Sonoma but have inquired about it’s history and sight seeing so there’s plenty to do; oh and I love red wine, I prefer the fruity type. So please let me know how I can give you more information about myself,’cause I definitely plan to go. And yes, this would be a weekend for me without my “brady” bunch. I will not be taking my kids with me, however, I know I will totally love it out there so the next time I go I will definitely take my babies.
Thank You! Take Care!
I sent an earlier post and it’s awaiting moderation. But something just hit me, for some reason I thought the SISBP would take place at the Dream Home….is it taking somewhere else?
Where is the location of DH 2010?
Traditionally, when is it announced?
Has HGTV already chosen it, or do viewers send in suggestions?
Lovelykitty & the “Ledson Ladies” &”SISBPers”; you go ahead and pick a date…whoever can come will come. If you try to pick one day that EVERYONE agrees upon, it might be April 17, 2011 !!! BoBo and I will be there if we’re in town…without a doubt! Ingrid from Sonoma
How would a sweepstakes even be monitored to verify the checking off system of: ‘own a home’ or ‘don’t own a home’ because technically unless you have your home paid for free and clear you do not own it. Boy I would not want to be responsible to be part of the legal team that would have to write up the correct wording for that one.
I understand that there are ones that you have to be over 18, must be a homeowner, have to be a student, have to be married with certain income, etcetera and if you do not qualify for them, you do not enter them. But own or not own opens up a whole can of worms.
This is a wonderful way for anyone anywhere to dream they could possibly be the winner because as far as I know, you are supposed to be an adult and not a felon to win; easy enough qualifications.
This was a wonderful way for people across the nation to enjoy a fanciful time in thinking they could possibly be the ones to win.
Life has been rough lately — between my parents well being and my company going through a financial crisis. I really need to stay focus at work, but at the same time I need to just take a few moments with my dreams and aspirations to release the stress. That’s why this blog is so great — I can express myself freely and dream at the same time with like-minds. I’ve missed this for over a week now — maybe I was just waiting for all the negativity to subside and converse with the regular bloggers again. As Sheilagg1 mentioned, let’s change the subject to something more positive. Marie, DBCoop, Esla, Brenda, Bonnie, Ingrid, lovelykitty, Dereck, Katydid, Kat and all the others, let’s bring on the positive vibes!
Dear Gail: I guess you are completed rapt with producing videos! I can only imagine what is going on behind the scenes with Cheryl & her arrival at her new home in Sonoma, California. It is a little difficult for me to make that recognition, because for months I imagine the DH2009 as mine! It seemed like the perfect resolution for my situation with my family! But, I am extremely happy for Cheryl, and I know that her family must be overwhelmed with excitement about her win!! My wish to her is for years & years of happy days in the most beautiful home I can think of! Maybe the next time I’m in Sebastopol/Santa Rosa area, I will stroll by the Dream Home in Sonoma & maybe get a chance to meet Cheryl in person! Better yet, I think it would be perfect for Cheryl to be the guest of honor at the SISBP!!! Wouldn’t that be appropriate?
Anyway, we are all breathlessly awaiting more news from you…have a GREAT day!!
Just a note…I was not the one who suggested a box for Own a Home, or don’t own a home… that was Nancy…I used the quotes wrong…you’re right collegemom…who would be the one to divide up non-home owners, and home owners…and wouldn’t the odds be different? This time it was 39 million to 1 with different categories it might be 10 million to 1 for one group, and 29 million to 1 for another group not completely random, or fair
Just a note to Mary, how soon will we be able to guess the new Dream Home 2010 location from the clues? Thanks
Brenda: I don’t remember “planning” from long distance but I do plan to be there in spirit. How will I do that? I will depend on you wonderful bloggers to post every detail of the party….who attends, food, drinks, entertainment, and PICTURES. And I’m thanking you in advance. Kristine: I thought it might be at the DH if one of us bloggers won. Cheryl probably doesn’t even know what the SISBP is, unless she is finally reading our posts.And if you are, Cheryl, CONGRATULATIONS again. We love you and wish you the best and can’t wait to see you enter your new home.
Now, where, or where, is the Dream Home 2010? Hints, HGTV? and thank you!!!!!
Coop: So nice to hear from you. Always promoting HGTV and all the benefits of dreaming as entertainment. So glad that you will never be “far away”. Think you’ll be in disguise on the Green Home blog?: I’ll spot you in a flash but mums the word. A promise is a promise. Keep well, dear friend.
‘
Hi Kristine,
The SISBP was going to be at the Dream Home only if one if us won it
.
We would love to celebrate with the Smiths, but am sure they have a full weekend scheduled.
After the winner was announced, the interest for the party died down a lot except for a few of us ladies.
So far we are planning on meeting on the 18th of April, either for a picnic or lunch in Sonoma and then to just drive out to the Dream Home, if it is not going to interfere with HGTV’s festivities for the Smiths.
We will still be having the party, just on a smaller scale
.
Those coming so far are Brenda, JandV’Mom, Jenny D, Bonnie B, myself, and maybe Ingrid and BoBo if they are in town.
Hope you, and any others, will be able to join us,
Esla: A week from hell and still going on. An eminent death of a loved one. Friends and family call. it’s not the same. Somehow, I just have to go onto this blog and read the posts. It’s private, outside the real world. So if I’ve been a little nuts lately, I hope you’ll understand.
Thank you HGTV, you have great programs, I can always count on you to bring some joy and hope into my life.
Don’t know how many of you have viewed the ‘green house’ progress but it is amazing to watch. What a beautiful place and again a family can dream of winning.
This is such a nice idea in times like we are seeing now in our world. Unless people are of the older generation, we have not really ever seen the US in a financial situation that it sees itself in these days.
It is fun to dream and see the different ideas and some of them a person can use in their own homes if painting, redoing a room, organizing a closet, whatever. New ideas are great.
(((((Kathydid)))))
Mary, I am sure the handing over the Key will be a private ceremony, but us Ledson Ladies (like our new name…thanks Ingrid) are a nice well behaved group
,so do you think we could be invited?
Marie Miller, I see you have settled in on the Green House Blogs.
Nice to see you and our other Main Man, Deryck, there.
I will be there from time to time, but I am just not into it like I was into the Dream House. And I am still geting over my not winning it
.
Hi All(and of course the “Ledson Ladies”);BoBo and I will be keeping our eyes on the blogs to find out all the details about the SISBP…time,location,etc. If we’re in town, we’ll be there! Spring has sprung here in Sonoma…the trees are leafing out and it’s so green and beautiful.
When the Smiths arrive in Sonoma most everything will be in glorious bloom…they’ll be seeing Sonoma at it’s best! Ingrid from Sonoma
Just wanted to say I enjoy reading the positive comments entered in this blog. I have been blogging for the last couple of years (off and on for DH and last year’s GH), no where near as frequently as many of you. I just added my last initial recently because I read an entry by someone else with the same first name and disn’t want to be confused with her. However, I do read more that I write. It is nice to know that friendships have been formed through this blog. We may not have won this year again, but we will continue to enter and dream because that is what we enjoy doing. I ask God’s blessing for each of you.
Joyce W. ~ thanks for finally writing in the blog, we need more of you! – I was touched that you ask for God’s blessing of each of us. I guess there are more good people in this world than we know. I just know that each of us on this daily blog have won much more than we think we have. As I’ve mentioned several times before (my favorite quote) – “Dreams are more precious than gold”. Anyone that has the ability to dream outside this crazy world, has the capability of living a good life! It brings peace, balance and harmony to a world of crisis.
Today a great and beautiful lady passed away at 91 years young. Her oldest son was explaining to her 41/2 year old great-granddaughter that when “Gramcracker” was her age they did not even have television. The little one then asked if Gramcracker was older than George Washington? A smile amidst the tears. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who are bereaved today. Thank you blogger friends for letting me share.
Hey lovelykitty: I understand what you are saying about the DH2009..I’m having a hard time letting go of my BIG DREAMS and aspirations of living in Sonoma also, but it has been uplifting for me to get involved with the Green House…life goes on!! I will always have a special place in my heart for the home in Sonoma as it represented my childhood & a home that would have been close to my family and grandchildren!! Who knows, if Steve Ledson does end up buying back the DH2009, and puts it on the market, and I come into a “windfall”, maybe I will still have a chance to at least buy it!! Am I a DREAMER, or what?
OK Mary, when are we going to start getting some hints about the location of the next Dream Home?
Ready to move on, and the Green House is not doing it for me.
And are we going to keep the delay posting? The other way was so much fun. I think the naughty kids have gone back home now |:D .
Kathydid…my heart is with you.
Hi Marie Miller
)
I totally understand what your saying its been hard to let go of the Sonoma dream home. Same here if I came across a windfall and could buy the home in deed i would. Its always good to dream..im still dreaming I live in the dream house 2009
I wonder where the 2010 dream home will be!!
I think HGTV is full of it. Notice how the winner had a nice descent home. What you guys should’ve done was gave it to some poor family who deserved it rather then some rich looking folks like the ones that won. You guys are all about your image. I wouldn’t be surprised if you picked who won yourself, by the looks of their home etc. What a waste of a prize. RIGHT! Just keep giving to the Rich and let the poor get poorer.
lovelykitty: You are a true friend and I thank you so much for your heartfelt thoughts. I really wanted you or Marie Miller to win the 2009DH because of your close connections to Sonoma. Life is short and while we celebrate each day we are given, we “can’t wait” to see Cheryl enter her new home, see the Green Home decorated, find out the location of DH1020, hear about the SISBP and see pictures, the list goes on and on. All thanks to HGTV, providing us with interesting shows, fabulous homes to give away and this blog, where dreamers can feel the excitement and keep dreaming. I am not brave enough to list all my blogger friends, but I love you if you are new, blogged only once, frequent posters, whatever, as long as you are positive and love to dream. So enjoy each day and enjoy the anticipation.
Read the posts from Scarlet A on the “watch the winner” blog folks. It is interesting. I hope it is not true.
It really amazes me when I read so many comments by bitter people, who didn’t win the Dream Home. I bet they feel lotteries are rigged, so only the rich win them too! If they were more positive and happy with life, they would probably be luckier in life. I would have loved to win the Dream Home & lived in the same town where two of my sons & three of my grandchildren live. But it wasn’t meant to be. Oh well! I am happy for Cheryl Smith. I doubt that she will keep the house, but I hope she at least enjoys a long vacation in it. I lived much of my life in the Bay Area & it is perfect weather. To all of you positive bloggers God Bless & enjoy your dreams. To the other sour grape bloggers – cry me a river, build a bridge – and get over it. If you want positive things in life – You have to be positive!!
Good Night All.
Thank you Kathydid.
Love your post, and hope some of the dissapointed bloggers will read it and understand how great HGTV is for giving us all the dreams, and for the friendships that are made from here.
What happened to the Log Cabin that HGTV was building in Ashville NC?? I cannot find anything in this site as to how the home is coming along. It disappeared…LOL
Hi All; (Happy Bloggers,Ledson Ladies and Dreamers!) BoBo,my husband,and myself just returned from a trip to Half Moon Bay(small town right on the Pacific Coast.) While we really enjoyed our trip,it’s always sooo wonderful to return to Sonoma! Katydid; I’m sorry for your loss of Gramcracker…what a wonderful name.Anyone with that name HAD to have been a very special person.The name my granddaughters call me is “Graming”…and it doesn’t get any better than that! And as for the “Ledson Ladies” visiting the DH when the Smiths receive their keys…PLEASE be there in ALL your wonderful glory to represent all of us Bloggers!!! We all want you there…up close and personal…to report everything to the blog. Ingrid from Sonoma
Katydid: You so eloquently described what HGTV does for each of us!! Our involvement with all the wonderful attributes produced by HGTV in our daily lives is heartfelt & much appreciated!! Thank you for reminding us what we have to be grateful for!!