Mar
4
It Could Be You
Pinnacle Mountain, Stowe, Vermont. Photography by pdbreen.
Are you excited? Think you might be the winner? I myself cannot wait to find out who wins this amazing mountain lodge.
While we wait with anticipation, take time to hop over to the Green: Home blog. We’re sharing another video teaser: the completed interior. Mark your calendars: The HGTV Green Home 2011 online virtual tour launches April 1.
Please stop, jemimasona. Your posts about Jim Samples, a semi-public figure, were stalkerish enough – what you are posting about a person we don't even know really is the winner is useless and has no bearing on what we THINK we know about her and her family or the giveaway.
STOP!
No kidding – posting a phone number and suggesting someone calls is not very nice.
jemimasona-I think you should delete any PERSONAL INFO in order not to get in trouble with anyone…we can all look it up if we want to BUT what happens if they are not the winners and you are posting their personal info-
ok i will
I feel if Mr. Smiths statement was not true someone at Hgtv would have denied the statement.
I think i agree with you! Why not just post something stating this too be untrue? Im hoping that someone hasnt gone and messed up the suprise for everyone!
Keep dreaming!
I just got home… So, is this winner revelation a train wreck or a garbage dump?
And where's Mary when ya need her??
I just wish Mary or Gail would say something-All Day this Blog has been hopping because of Mr. Smith…
really!! why no comment from either one?
I concur
I have always been a fan of entering the Dream Home sweepstakes,and always check on here to read all the wonderful comments! I love to read what everyone has to say about what they would do if they won. However, ive never commented before today! This whole Smith thing just made me feel as if he took away the uniqueness of the blog!
Hi Cami, I think it's a little of both! I'm not sure a new post can "fix" this mess!:)
Train Wreck– The winner was revealed too soon.
Garbage dump– Rumors not true
No need for a food fight I guess.
Oh My Goodness. What a Mess :S
It's not a train wreck or garbage dump Cami. To me it's more like the premature revelation of the end of a dream. It came sooner than we expected—like a baby being born right before the baby shower. It doesn't decrease our joy for the winner, but it wipes out the immediate anticipation of everything associated with and planned for the party.
Very well put Lessie! I missed a couple days here on the blog…….and well, I truly feel like there is no wind in my sails. If they are the winners then I wish them the best. It just was to soon!!! But until I see the winners announced myself my ship will drift on…
Thanks Dreamgirl03. Never experienced a blog day like yesterday. Hope your sail is now filled with fresh wind and that you're headed in a new and exciting direction.
I love ya Lessie, your positive grounded, loyal, creative, BRILLIANT joy based comments are what makes this blog a blessing to be part of.
I love you too Janzee. You bring a different spirit to the blog and can take us in so many wonderful directions as well as help us appreciate everything around us. Thanks!
Everyone should switch to the winner blog!
Now this is what everyone meant when everyone finds out the winner?….
so many nasty things are written. :p
Hi all, haven't had time to read all the stuff about this 'Smith' person already knowing the winner. Please someone fill me in on what's happening, very curious!!
Hi Everyone. I don't think HGTV has anything to do with that comment at all. I found this at the top of the message board:
NOTE: There are no representatives on the boards from HGTV to answer your questions, but you'd be surprised what information your fellow posters can provide.
I think the message board admin removed it then put it back. I don't know. If they won, congratulations, but I'm still waiting to hear it from HGTV.
..and I'm still hoping. LOL!
Same Here..
mee too…lol…;)
I agree DBCoop….Lets all just Chill until we have reliable accurate conformation.
Hi Everybloggie !
Here's a sweet blog, to make up for some of the bitter ones that have been careening around today ~ my daughter and I are trying something new this year ~ Maple syrup ! My kitchen smells soooooooo yummy right now, with five gallons of Sugar Maple sap boiling on the big stove :O)
We only tapped three trees and the sap is running fast. End of sugaring season is late March.
We have the Mason Jars ready for the Maple Syrup :O) Pewrhaps I'll try some in my porridge. Lol.
Bring on the pancakes and waffles DBCoop !
I may not have won the Dream Home, but I'm having fun with my family.
GoldiLocksBear
XO
You made your own maple syrup?? How kewl is that?
sounds like fun enjoy all that maple syrup yum!
Can I come over with my Belgium Waffles? mmmmmm, Homemade Maple Syrup…How Heavenly
Dear GLB, you "may not have won the Dream Home, but…" you have an even more precious prize–your family, and the fun of enjoying things together ! That is so wonderful…<3
I LOVE your positive and loving outreach comments LLColeman, and relish the things you say to each and every person. Bless you every day in every way for being here.
Janzee—aahhh it is a love fest here…. you are the main reason I even read the DH blogs ! <3
Dear Coleman, I've been savoring this beautiful comment, and just wanted to let you know that I feel very close to you and a group of people that I love like family on this blog. So many times, this group is the highlight of my day, above and beyond business, volunteer stuff… writing. In between the lines, the stories, the heartfelt comments, there is always nourishing food and fuel for thought. As an aside, today I am looking out over another friend- a pine tree that seems to be waving his hands in the wind as if to say a "happy helloo" to the world.
Goldie, now I know that there is a second Maple syrup stasher in the group. Coop has bottles that he has tucked away and to know that you actually tapped the trees is totally awesome. I tried this when I live in Cinci and didn't get much. What a wonderful golden earth woman you are, and how devine your kitchen must smell. My mouth is watering yummy. Thanks for sharing this!!!!
Love your research Matthew!
lessie…i am leaving this blog…see u at the green home blog—
I'am still dreaming! Heres hoping the Ambush Team are on their way to Waipahu Hawaii
"WOW! I have never been there"
Good Luck!! I'm from Pearl City Hawaii
Hi yah neighbors, Aiea here!!!
Hi!! I really hope someone from Hawaii wins!!
You know, Hawaii people are rated the HAPPIEST PEOPLE in the USA!!! Maybe we should form our own blog with only POSITIVE comments..haha
i'm all for it!!!;)<3
Oh boy I have a story for you about the Waipahu Valley. Do you live in Hawaii Aloha?
I am soooo way done. This used to be so fun….now it is to much negativity. I am really disappointed that HGTV has not stepped in and said something. This was the first time I ever entered for the Dream Home contest and blogged….(shaking my head) it is really sad…..
me too JenniferHI from Waikiki, such a dissappointment and :S
I feel the same!
FINALLY, this is starting to happen: This comment has been deleted by the administrator.
Boy…I hope your right debbielee. Let’s keep the dreams alive for a couple more days atleast. First time on the blog and second post. Will not log on again but will tune in when it air’s. Good luck everyone!
Hey everyone, on a more positive note, I got to thinking about the first response Mr. Jim Samples said "I have never been to that State". (That was the original quote, before the wording was changed to "location") Well, with all of Mr. Samples travels, I am almost positive he has touched down once or twice at O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois!!:) So, with that being said, are we the bloggers really sure that the winner hails from Illinois??
His response when he saw the (STATE) location ? “Wow, I’ve never been there.”
No – nobody really knows.
now u are agreeing with me…i guess…
According to Gail's Facebook, she thinks the business with Smith seems odd….and is going to try to beg info out of someone….Hope she finds out
YA! Thanks areeve….What a totally odd day this has been all day and tomorrow I have to go back to work with more odd people..:S
thanks areeve, hope she finds out!
hey areeve i couldn't find Gail's facebook can you help pls
I just typed in Gail Fenton HGTV (Or something like that) in the search function of Facebook, and her link came up as an option. I then pressed her link. After that, I pressed like (I really like Gail…she is the greatest!) At that point, I was able to see and participate on her page. Let me know if you need any further help with this.
got it thanks areeve
Really? Good, maybe now we are getting somewhere. I hope she finds out too. Thanks areeve. That should make everyone feel a little better.
I think it’s just a very bitter person trying to bring everyone down. Ignore them and keep your energy positive!
I am good, Lessie. Thank you! <3
Good, ShadySideT! Look forward to seeing you on the Green Home and Blog Cabin blogs. As close as Virginia is to us, we should tour the Blog Cabin.
i am officially leaving this blog….i came here to dream….but i has become a nightmare….see you guys at the green home blog…..i apologize for any heart ache i may have caused any one…..good byee friends
Matthew you are not Mr. Smith and you need not apologize~He the one that needs to apologize! Not you!
No Mathew, don't go. No heart ache here…You did a great job and you deserve to be here as a dreamer as much as any of us. Please stay.
debbie…i came here to dream and have fun, but now it is really nuts..—
Mathew, everyone on this blog has their own opinions, their own advice, and their own dreams, and we may not like them and they might not like ours all the time, but we are all here to have fun and show our support for all of our Dreams. There are a lot of good people on here and if you are getting a lot of thumbs down it could be because the information may be getting a little too personal or does not have much to do with the topics that are brought to the front of the blog. You have a lot of good information and we are all so very impressed with that. But, we need to go on to other topics and hear everyone out. Please stay with us and dream along with us. There a lot of people that really like you a lot.
Matthew, would love for you to stay and dream with the rest of us…:)
Don't!!! the only mistake you did was point out the obvious! …. i for one knows where you found these info you provided, it's all in the internet!!! all you have to type is the name. Nowadays there's places/websites that you can search a person either free or you can pay at a minimum. just be careful next time because of the privacy issue.
We all are here simply because of a DREAM, to win, but sadly only one can win. So don't sign off Matthew, let's have some fun, as i have said before, there are always next time, who knows, we will be the LUCKY ones……
See you in a bit!:D
The Home Owners Bargain Outlet where DIY was crashing this week is only 20 minutes from the reported city the suspected winners are from. If they are the winners that is a real coincidence that they'd be in the same area within the same week. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&am…
Excellent!
Good work, skimferella! Way to go!
John Smith 2510- Whoever you are- Take this from a teen who can spot a liar from a mile away; You’re full of it! First of all, if you DO disclose the winner, you can be sent to JAIL. So think twice before you try to trick us clever bloggers.
Awwwwwww……………..I think we are all taking this way to seriously…This John dude is reading all this today, sitting back in his LAZY-BOY and laughing……at all of us……COME ON PEOPLE!!!! NO ONE WON YET!!! LIVE THE DREAM!!!!
Very well said Jennifer. Lets all just forget John Smith. I for one will not give him the satisfaction…
Please someone from HGTV … throw us a bone, PLEASE. Let us know either way if a winner HAS been chosen.
Yes, I am one of the lurkers here. I have been entering for the past 4 years and have only ever posted on the blog maybe 3 times total. I DO however LOVE to come here and read about the hopes and dreams that make each of us come back, year after year, and enter these contests hoping for a miracle. I like to come here and read as the day comes ever closer to the reveal. The anticipation is so thick, you can feel it through the screen. I hope that this John person for some reason (attention maybe) made this all up. And I hope that the winner is still sitting there … waiting for that blessed news.
if not … oh, well. Then congratulations to the winners
Michelle, What a nice thing to say..Lurk all you want, but you can join in. We need people with faith like yours…:)
They just posted the info on the next blog.
You surely meant to say "let us know if the winner has been NOTIFIED", because we all know the winner WAS indeed choosen at the drawing 3/3/11.
I agree with Jennifer HI, Let keep the DREAM alive. According to the "rules" the winner will be notified on or about March 12th. So three more days, one lucky winner will find out whether he or she is the winner. So I am still in the dream land.
I guess you are ourlittleangel on here! Let's get back to the HAPPINESS of there will be a winner soon…and we don't know WHO it is yet!
Have to run to the store before it closes….and YES I am still putting my sign on the door….HGTV, running errands. Will be back soon! STILL DREAMING IN MICHIGAN!!!xD
Way to go!
Congrats Eric Makstenieks on your big win!
Congrats MR. Eric Makstenieks. I aint mad at you.
Wow. I haven't been on this blog today, but reading Gail's facebook page made me think that something imploded over here. It's really unusual for someone to name another person on a public blog as the winner. Usually, they get on and say "I'm the Dream Home winner!" to agitate everyone else. I'm not buying it, and I don't think March 9 is close enough to "on or about March 12" for me to think they have already done the reveal. This is bizarre. Stay positive, everyone!
Mary just announced the winner, it really WAS who John said it was.
No you are not Mathew…
guess the secret's out now
I guess I spoke too soon — they HAVE announced the winner. Thanks, Mary, for updating us on the next blog. Congrats to them.
Hello my fellow dreamers! Just think we have so much more dreaming to do! There are lots more contests so if the previous is true and they did win! Congrats! If not, we will be super suprised when the knock comes at the door! Keep smiling and dreaming! If you are interested I did find this link, I have no idea how accurate it is so I guess take it with a grain of salt and for now I know I am still dreaming!
http://finance.paidcontent.org/paidcontent/news/r…
Okay I dont know how to make it an actual link but i think you can copy and paste it in a new browser
Okay a little late there sorry guys! Woo Hoo onto the green home! and again congrats to the family!
I think your posts played a role in HGTV announcing it today.
I am coming to this late, so I will assume that you know that it is true. Go back to this Blogs beginning
with the title: And the winner is…. as big mouth said, it is true. We have been asked to watch the TV
program on the 19th as if any of us would miss it. The ending isn't any different unless they take the house away because they talked too much. So there could be another winner, but it has been officially posted that a winner has been chosen!
Not only would I like to congratulate the winning family on the Dream House win, but I also congratulate you on on the birth of your new child. He entered every day just like us. If you come on the blog, tell us if you now have two boys or girls or one of each. Hope you can keep the house. If not there are more people who wouldn't mind…………..
Anything to get a little attention, right John? Obviously it kills you when someone other than you is the spotlight. Just gotta make sure you're involved in some way don't you? You've spoiled a SURPRISE for MILLIONS of people that have been waiting MONTHS. Little selfish and egotistical if you ask me.
YOU are a NOSEY neighbor. I'm more happy for Eric that he doesn't have to be your neighbor anymore than I am for him winning the prizes. As for your moral compass, if you have to do something anonymously to "not get shot"…. OBVIOUSLY YOU SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT! Clearly you have zero common sense.
HGTV,
I think it would be great if HGTV offered a lesser expensive house …maybe under 500,000 and gave the winner enough money to cover taxes on home plus taxes on winning and still end up with 500,000 cash and a vehicle. Instead of the 1.2 or 1.5 mil dollar house! this way you would be set! Just a little bit different managing of the money…that's all
just my opinion:) HGTV …We love you! 
Thanks for making one more family's dream come true!
Still adreaming here, also, after entering twice a day
for months. Last night the local VT, statewide TeeVee news
channel did a big story about the HGTV winning family. The
story covered their name, location, family size, and whether
they plan to live full time in the dream home. I am in Vermont
over back from Stowe. So, the singing began ?
I sure would have loved to win this! Like so many, we are really struggling right now. I usually feel happy for the winners of this contest but I am really having trouble mustering it up this year. The winner may be "just" a stay at home Dad but his wife is the Chief Financial Officer for a big investment banking firm in Chicago. They already have their piece of the American dream, after buying a dreamy little home last year in a prestigious neighborhood outside of Chicago, and apparently they got it for a steal, too. Sure would have loved to see this prize go to someone who could really use it to give their family a better life. If the winner was someone more like me, I wouldn't feel so let down. What we need are more inspirational, feel-good stories, not another story of someone in the investment banking industry being handed a big bonus.
There's always next year, I suppose…
I completely agree with you! I actually know Hinsdale, Illinois VERY WELL and know — generally speaking — taxes there are an average of $10,000 / year. I am happy for this family, as I would be happy for ANYONE who won this amazing prize, but can't help but feel saddened by how HGTV has ruled this contest. When it comes to entering ANY contest, I just want my faith restored in how the winner is determined. Do I make any sense? Signed: azdebbie07@aol.com
@deboraha11:
I, too, have heard that the HGTV contest is fixed, that they actually select the winner. It makes sense, in a way… the whole point of the contest is advertising, after all, and everything about advertising is about manipulation, so why not this?
I wish I could say that I feel happy for the winner, but this year I just don't. I don't feel unhappy for them, either, though… I just feel unhappy for ME.
Better luck to both of us next year!
LOL….I understand completely! I just don't see how the average income family or someone who is struggling could afford to win this prize? Taxes!
@Wyo_Girl:
In times like these, it inspires us all to see someone else rise from a bad situation into a better one. That didn't happen this year. Like I said before, if a family in a situation similar to mine (or worse) had won, I would have felt a boost instead of feeling let down. Even if I wasn't able to give my family a better life as a result of this contest, it would have made me feel good to see someone else giving their family a better life… but since the Makstenieks already have a better life, I am left feeling let down. Doesn't make me a bad person.
I did not criticize the family or the wife's occupation, nor do I think I was being unkind to them. If anything, I was criticizing HGTV's "spin" on the story. ("Stay at home Dad" sure sounds better than "husband of the VP of an investment banking firm whose wife makes so much money that he doesn't need to work," doesn't it?) I merely said I would have felt happier about the outcome if the winner was someone more like me (or me, for that matter!)
My husband and I both work two jobs each to keep our tiny home, and we homeschool our children because the schools in our community are so bad. So yes, I am disappointed that I didn't win, and I guess you could say that I am jealous of the Mastenieks. I am jealous of people who live in a town where the schools are good, who have a little money in the bank and can give their children a good life. We are working hard and hope to do the same someday for our children, but I fear that they will be grown before that happens. But yes, I am jealous of the Makstenieks.
Jealousy is a natural human emotion… as is your pious self-righteousness. I am glad that your judgment of me makes you feel better about yourself.
Well, I guess you just judge others for the fun of it, then.
Again, I did not judge the winners. I only expressed my personal feelings about not winning, and about not getting to see someone in need benefit from winning. There was no reason for you to comment on my post at all, but for some reason you felt the need to do so. You weren't trying to be helpful. You didn't say, "I find feelings of jealousy to be unhealthy for me personally, and I hope that in the days to come you find a way to feel happy for the winner because then you will probably feel better." Rather, you judged me and labeled my opinion as "jealous" and "unkind", then posted that you, in contrast, "wished the winners congratulations and good luck" . In my book, that makes you pious and self-righteous. Not "far from self-righteous"… EXACTLY self-righteous.
Who elected you moral compass of this blog, anyway? I bet you go around judging every single comment here, diligently clicking thumbs up or thumbs down on each one AS IF YOUR OPINION REALLY MATTERED TO ANYONE.
[Insert any one of your generic, insincere best wishes comments here.]
Someone posted the average HGTV viewer stats on the MB last year and I didn't save the post or have time to research it right now but it's something like middle class, 40 something year old home owner with income over $50,000 is profile of HGTV viewer. If most people are in that ball park it only makes sense someone like that will be an HGTV home winner.
Looks like I didn't win.
But congrats to that family!
http://triblocal.com/hinsdale/2011/03/10/hinsdale…
I'm happy for Eric and his family, but I am really soooo disappointed!! Reason is … the HGTV RULES clearly state: "the winner will be chosen ambush-style ON OR ABOUT March 12." I don't think March 3 is anywhere near 'on or about March 12. ' Too many of us entered from my family alone and we were really concentrating "on or about March 12." Why did HGTV decide to choose a winner on March 3. It is really very disappointing.
No — the rules say that they draw the winning entry on or about March 2 (it was March 3) and contact the person ambush-style on or about March 12. They ambushed the Makstenieks on the 8th, which I agree did seem slightly earlier than the 12th, but it's closer than the 3rd!
I would also like to comment … the winner is from Hinsdale Illinois. I know the area extremely well and it is a very very nice and wealthy area. Taxes alone are averaging $10,000 / year for most. Generally speaking, it would be nice for someone who doesn't have a whole lot, to win something like this … just because. With this awful economy, there are so many people unemployed and in bad ways … I feel it would be nice to see someone like this winning a home who really needs a home. Thank You!
I agree with you 100 percent. I know Hinsdale very well also and it is a very affluent suburb of Chicago Illinois. You don't live in Hinsdale unless you have money. As far as why HGTV decided to announce the winner way too early is puzzling to me. I took off work for the 12th of March in just a glimmer of hope that I too could be a winner, but now that dream has been deflated as I suspect for those of us who didn't win will be. Makes me wonder if any of this so-called sweepstakes it's rigged. Oh well, I'm glad for the winner never the less. I just don't like the way HGTV set this up.
Another judgmental, self righteous comment about someone else's feelings, Wyo-Girl? For someone who supposedly doesn't base their feelings of self-worth on negatively judging others, you sure do it a lot. I wonder why?
Don't feel bad ronsodattle and akkmnj. I feel sorry for Wy-Girl. She has over a hundred pages of posts of this blog!! Pages!! Sad. Obviusly no life and nothing better to do than judge people and feel superior.
I think the winner this year is a bummer for a lot of people , in my opinion. Wish a needy family had won. That would of been nice! Last year I think it was a couple of retired teachers, and I was genuinelly happy for them. I think a lot of people just say they are happy for the winners so they don't look bad when they really do feel bad or sad.
And hold your comments Wy-Gril, I don't care what you think about me or my opinion.
LOL – thanks for pointing that out. I clicked her name and it listed all of her posts… more than 1200 of them! Wow, someone sure has a lot of time on their hands.
I remember the winners from last year, too. You're right, a married couple, both teachers I think. Made me so happy! This year not so much.
I don't see how the average income family could afford to win this prize? Think about it? Taxes all the prizes and then you have to pay taxes on a 2 million dollar home? It just does not seem fair that someone who would really need to win can't afford to win?
Well am a state worker with average pay and it would had been nice to not have to worry about bill for a while.Lol
Not sour just disappointed to learn that chances are out the window.
Guess it’s true the richer you are the richer you get. It’s sad to see a that a person who already owned a home got handed another one. I thought the home giveaway was about giving. But clearly it isn’t !! Hgtv did you think about the families living out of shelters, living out of cars, single parents living in low income apartments. Did you think about the real needy? It broke my heart to see a family who does not know what true struggle is to win. Can you imagine a child who has been living in a shelter to see a dream like this come true ! Thank you for letting us know the poor aren’t even on the radar!
Can you imagine a hgtv crew running through a public housing building. I won’t be watching hgtv anymore or ever dare to believe any sweepstakes. Im going to focus my time on trying to actually help the homeless and make a change for the less fortunate! Bloggers enjoy your Saturday watching the hinsdale handed their second home.
2012 Dream Home
Hawaii would be a dream!!!!!! On the beach would be a dream come true!!! This is my #1 choice.
Other considerations: Northern Arizona, California's wine country, The Smokey Mountains or Nashville, TN
But nothing would compare to Hawaii. A beautiful home on the beach, just outside of town.