en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2707802 Comments by ShadySideT http://blog.hgtv.com/greenhome/2011/04/22/super-fan-explores-second-floor-spaces/#IDComment146547220 For me, I am not motivated to blog for two reasons: 1) this home just doesn't do anything for me - the scale seems off in all the rooms and it seems very tiny (I counted only about 12 floorboards from the edge of the living room carpet to right up under the breakfast bar - so unless there are 6 inch floorboards at least - that is small. The living room appears to have a love seat as its largest piece and there is still no open space. Having to cover windows just to get furniture and artwork in the home seems like a red flag. 2) the ending to the last contest (the only time I have participated in the blogs) left a bad taste for me. I am still entering every day - but will definitely take the cash out option if I win. Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:13:14 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/greenhome/2011/04/22/super-fan-explores-second-floor-spaces/#IDComment146547220 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/21/watch-the-winner-videos/#IDComment136605672 You guys are just too sensitive. lol Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:16:18 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/21/watch-the-winner-videos/#IDComment136605672 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/21/watch-the-winner-videos/#IDComment136574126 I think next year's Dream Home should be decided by way of an essay contest. That would eliminate quite a few from what I have read from some of these blogs. Just sayin.... Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:13:15 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/21/watch-the-winner-videos/#IDComment136574126 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/14/exploring-the-laundry-room/#IDComment135453596 I completely agree. I come from a family who always tours other people's homes at Christmas and during certain touristy weekends and events. They also open up their own homes during these times. We all have very nice houses and are house proud, but I always found it very creepy and have never had any interest in visiting a stranger's house just to see what its like inside, how its decorated, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love to visit my friends and and love to have them visit me - but its about the people then - not their house. Some people in my family think I am weird and snotty - but I just don't get it. On the other hand, I love model homes. Until the winner was announced I "toured" the Dream Home daily - now not at all. Thank you for putting into words the sense of voyeurism I have felt during the last week with regard to the Dream Home. Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:30:57 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/14/exploring-the-laundry-room/#IDComment135453596 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/14/exploring-the-laundry-room/#IDComment135142476 Yes, he accepted and is now contracted with the Marines. He is a sophomore (although an academic junior) at Norwich University (about 1/2 hour from the Dream Home in Vermont). He has been given an aviation appointment and will go to Pensacola when he commissions in 2013. He is pulling straight A's and is turning into quite the bad ass. Very proud of him. They don't give out many of these scholarships (the Marine option) - especially to girls - why didn't your daughter accept? He is home on spring break right now and has been helping me get the yard in shape for spring - he is much cheaper than hiring a truck load from 7-11 - but he eats just about as much! I also have a daughter in chiropractic school - she is older than her brother. She is considering enlisting in the USMC after she sits for her boards in a couple of months. I think the funniest thing I could witness is seeing her salute her little brother (she would then still beat the tar out of him!) Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:03:02 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/14/exploring-the-laundry-room/#IDComment135142476 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/14/exploring-the-laundry-room/#IDComment134983449 My son has a huge check like that - his scholarship was awarded by two beautiful Marines in full dress blues - metals clanking - in front of his graduating class. I have it mounted over his bed and go stare at it often. Checks like that are so cool no matter who gets them! Tue, 15 Mar 2011 02:57:44 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/14/exploring-the-laundry-room/#IDComment134983449 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment134630131 I am still going with the Elvis and alien story... Sun, 13 Mar 2011 15:25:37 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment134630131 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment134523662 Brandy1996 - I posted earlier that I entered 98 times online- and mailed in 1300 entries - and in round numbers that only increased my chances to about 1 in 55,000 - still very long odds. I will do it again if I have the time and inclination - anything to increase your chances is good if you want it that bad - but until you can turn the odds to 50/50 - it is anyone's win. Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:44:21 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment134523662 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment134520433 Oh please - this was all Elvis' and the aliens' fault! Seriously? Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:19:37 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment134520433 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment134246558 Rozmill - don't blame HGTV. They were pushed into a corner by an angry, small person who let the cat out of the bag here in the blogs. For those coming in just now and seeing the winner's name revealed early it certainly must be a shock. But, trust me, it can't be as bad as those of us who "watched" the drama unfold in real time in blogland the day the nasty neighbor told everyone. It was quite bizarre and disappointing, yes; but getting over it took about a minute. I have no doubt HGTV will find a way to never let this happen again and all will be well in HGTV-land. Move on to the other home giveaways - Green Home, Blog Cabin, Urban Oasis. This was my first time entering for any HGTV giveaways, and I plan on entering in each one from now on. Congrats to the winners - and good luck. Hope whoever your bad neighbor is is outed and run out of town on a rail! Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:54:47 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment134246558 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment133968398 Don't lose hope darbydawn. I entered twice every day too - and sent in 1300 (yes 1300!) handwritten entries - and that only increased my chances to about 1 in 55,000 - still a long shot. All it really does take is one when the odds are so high. All those handwritten entries just gave me something to do on my long commute to and from work everyday. Head on over to the Green Home - and don't lose hope! Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:38:24 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment133968398 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment133755958 I had oysters to drown my disappointment. :) Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:26:05 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment133755958 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment133729150 Go back to the previous blog of March 4 - the last 5 pages or so tell the whole story. Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:00:26 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment133729150 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment133725580 I know the correct and gracious response to the winners is congratulations....so congratulations! However, I cannot say that with much sincerety since obviously there was a huge breakdown in the spirit of the giveaway. Logic would tell us that the weakest link in the chain as far as letting the cat out of the bag is with the winners themselves. HGTV has a lot more money on the line than just the house and it is in their best interests to keep it a secret in order to adhere to their programming and revenue generating agenda - which is completely fine. Even your mean-spirited neighbor "John Smith" gets half a pass as he could not have been the messenger to ruin it for us if the winners had kept their mouths shut. A lot of people who wanted a fair contest that played by the rules we were given are very very disappointed now. Enjoy your winnings! Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:40:50 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/09/the-winner-is-%e2%80%a6/#IDComment133725580 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133711558 I am good, Lessie. Thank you! <3 Wed, 9 Mar 2011 23:30:24 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133711558 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133695954 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! Wed, 9 Mar 2011 22:12:19 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133695954 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133695238 I am heading to Happy Hour - the first round is on me! Wed, 9 Mar 2011 22:08:31 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133695238 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133694820 Winner of what is the question? Your link tells us nothing. Winner winner chicken dinner. Wed, 9 Mar 2011 22:06:10 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133694820 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133694306 If what he is saying is true and these people are blabbing all over the place - then hopefully they will have this windfall snatched away from them. I have no idea what is in any of the non-disclosure agreements, but certainly these people can't be that stupid to blab to everyone. While JohnSmith is most decidedly an A-hole who has stooped to a very low level, blame rests solely with the winners who are blabbing - what idiots! I still think he is hearing his information second hand and what he saw was the renovation ambush (or whatever it is) if he even saw anything other than lights and cameras. Or he could just be a liar on all levels... Wed, 9 Mar 2011 22:03:21 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133694306 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133691497 I stand by my original assessment of you. And I still think you are a troll. Wed, 9 Mar 2011 21:49:33 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2011/03/04/it-could-be-you/#IDComment133691497