I didn't win the 2012 HGTV Dream Home.
Can you believe it? After all the hard work I put into winning that house. All the blood, sweat and tears. The finger kinks from getting online daily and entering twice were horrendous. But I did it. I persevered... Day after grueling day. Month after Month. I toiled to win that house. Just like I toiled to win the 2011 house and the 2010 house and the 2009 house ( and the Green Homes too) and the... well you get my drift.
And they gave it to someone else.
NOT ME. Wahhhh. I don't know if my heart can contain the sorrow I feel.
I think I will write a nasty letter, or perhaps stop watching HGTV, that will show 'em. (But then I couldn't watch House Hunters International, or kitchen remodeling or...) Maybe I'll sit down and have a bit of a snit. Or maybe, like I've done before, I'll wait for next year to come and start entering again with my hope and dreams in tact and ready to try. And there is always the Green Home. Yep that sweepstakes should be starting soon.
Okay, so truth be known, the woman who won probably put in as many, if not more, email chances as I did. And there were millions of people vying for the same house. I was like a grain of sand in a sandhill. So it wasn't like my chances were all that great anyway. But it might have been nice to win.
It would have been awesome to have them come to my door and have them film me getting all choked up and crying as they told me I won. Of course I probably would have started hyperventilating and fainted.
Yeah that wouldn't be so pretty.
What about other things in life?
As some of you know... I'm a writer. My latest release When Shadows Fall is due out in June of this year. I've worked for years to finish stories and get them published. When my first book saw the light of printing day, I had... now don't laugh... hopes and dreams of hitting the best sellers lists, and certainly Hollywood would come knocking at my door for the movie rights.
But, to my utter disbelief and great frustration, it didn't happen. That's not to say it couldn't. That's not to say I've stopped dreaming that it will someday.
So why do some books make it to the Bestseller's List over other books? Is it because those books were better written? I don't think so. Honestly, I've read some of those books and had to wonder, but then, my tastes may run different, and the author (who got my spot on the list) probably hit a vein with the populace that I didn't. Is it because the author had some in with great friends and family? Maybe...
Word of mouth goes along way.
But I'm also a firm believer that sometimes we don't get it for other reasons.
One might be that God knows we weren't ready. We couldn't handle the fame at that time in our lives. If ever... We might dream of fame and fortune, but it comes at a price. How might it affect my life?
What am I willing to pay?
Or maybe the book wasn't ready. Oh it was written, but it needed more editing and the wait allotted me the time to see that and fix a few things.
Another could be that the story wasn't meant for anyone, but myself.
I don't know. But this I do know. I will keep plugging away. I will keep writing stories and dreaming that I hit the Best Sellers list and hoping that Hollywood comes calling. And I'll be living in my HGTV Dream home when they do.
I may never get any of those things, but it doesn't hurt to dream.
9 comments:
Well, well, two of a kind. I love HGTV, especially House Hunters, and especially International House Hunters, and anything kind of room make-over.
I'm so sorry you didn't win the house. I love to see those houses and all the new things they use in them. But I missed it this year. I think I've watched the least amount of TV this year than I ever have.
There's always next year, Tina. Don't give up!
I didn't win either. :( But then, I'd rather win when they build one in coastal Maine. LOL
And as far as not giving up on your dreams, I'm glad to see you're moving forward. It takes more strength than people realize. Good on ya!
LOL, Tina! Just think of all the taxes you'd have to pay! And it looks like it's out in the boonies!
I'd rather wait for your books!
Oh so I'm not the only who likes HGTV, huh, Celia?
Smart People think alike, Right?
So you've watched less TV this year. Has that left you more time to write? Maybe I should do that.
But what if I miss a makeover?
Kathleen,
Could it be true, you didn't win either, and that would make you my competition. You may be the very reason I didn't win. HAHA.
I kind of liked where the house set in Utah. It was closer to Colorado and looked more like home than where I am now.
No not giving up my dreams. I hope you don't either. have you heard anymore about your stories?
Oh yea, there are those taxes, Linda. I actually thought about that. I figured if they were too much I could just sell the house and take the leftover cash. Don't they usually have a cash option?
As for books I do have one coming out by June so you won't have long to wait.
Thanks for stopping by.
What a great post. I totally agree. I always tell my kids, it will work out. It just might not be quite the way you wanted it to be.
That is an important point, Susan. I think too many times we expect it the way we want it, when we want it. And look where that has led.
I've been thinking about this topic lately, too. Why is it so hard to make it? but I'm convinced that success is up to God to give out. It's a bit of a relief to realize I have no control over that part. I don't feel like a failure for not being famous this way. ;)
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