The following is a guest post from my good friend Lauren. While I would not normally use this blog to ask you to go vote for someone you don’t know ( I save that for my Facebook friends) I am making a special exception for Lauren.
- because I really, really like her
- because I *think* she might share her chocolate chip cookie recipe with the world if she wins
- because by voting you can win too
It takes less than a minute to register and vote, and by registering you are automatically entered to win your mortgage/ rent paid for, for an entire year!!! I’ll let her explain the rest…
What would you do if you won a year’s worth of mortgage payments?
I can think of plenty of answers to that question – some noble, some not so noble. Roll a giant debt snowball down the hill, Dave Ramsey-style. Enjoy weekly sushi dates with my husband. Give. Save. Get pedicures at a spa where people drink Evian and wear cucumbers on their eyelids. Replace the kitchen chairs that are currently held together with a product called Monkey Glue. Take a trip.
These were the thoughts that propelled me down the sidewalk with my video camera, looking like a regular Francis Ford Coppola with a baby on my hip as I shouted, “Good! Good! Now one more time around the block!” Only it wasn’t Al Pacino I was directing; it was my four-year-old son, Noah, and we were filming our entry for Taylor Morrison’s “Homemade Memories” video contest. The challenge was to create a short video about our most treasured memories of home, and the prize – $18,000 – was enough to make me suspend all normal household operations (laundry, cooking, showering, reading Happy Housewife) in order to capture my family on film. With a hope and a prayer, I submitted my entry into the contest.
And now – I AM ONE OF TEN FINALISTS COMPETING FOR THE BIG PRIZE.
Just the thought of it makes me need to sit down and put my head between my knees. The winner will be determined by vote – an agonizing process requiring me to bite my fingernails to the quick and ask everyone I’ve ever met (and their spouses, parents, friends, uncles, and second cousins twice removed) to PLEASE VOTE FOR THE WEEK 2 VIDEO: “Memories Made from Scratch.” At this rate, I am going to need to add manicures to my list of post-contest indulgences.
What’s in it for you, apart from the knowledge that you are helping keep a friend from hyperventilating? Every person who votes will be entered into a drawing to receive an identical prize: your mortgage or rent paid for one year. Which, my fellow Frugalistas, is a fabulous prize. If your debt snowball needs padding, this will turn Frosty the Debt Snowman into the Abominable Debt Snowman. Or, even better – the Abominable Frosty Debt Ninja Assassin. I think I might suggest that to Dave Ramsey for his next book.
Each voter must be age 21 or over and can vote one time. Click here and vote for “Week 2: Memories Made from Scratch” (the second from the left).
Thanks, friends! I hope to see you in the Winner’s Circle!
I voted. That baby jamming to the portable radio is hilarious!!
A HUGE thank you to Toni and to everyone who votes!! We really appreciate it!
Just started reading your blog. I enjoyed your friend’s video and voted. Hope she wins.
I went and voted.Precious video!!!!
Yours is by far the best! I voted…and wish I could do it again and again!
Hey, I tried to vote but can’t see everything on the right side, i can only see half of week 9. Not too big a deal since i want to vote for week 2 (although that baby jamming WAS pretty funny…) but i can’t finish my registration because of this problem. anyone else have this issue?
Not sure, have you tried it in a different browser? I had some trouble viewing the videos in Firefox last week….
Toni
DONE! Good luck!
Just voted! Hope she wins! Loved her narrative!
Hi Hun, Just wanted to let you know I went and registered and voted for Lauren’s video this morning. What a very cute video. And boy it is so true. Homade and memories are so important and spending time with your family, just can’t beat it. Hope she wins. I wish her all the best.
Shirley
Your video was by far the best. What a sweet family. I hope everyone reading this tells their friends to vote as well. Good luck!
I voted! What a great video and I LOVE the message that goes along with it. I hope she wins.
voted! good luck lauren:)
Glad you posted this! I hope your friend wins!
I voted!! Hope she wins
I voted too! Hers was the best anyways
And I’m praying I can win the free Rent! Ohh my goodness…. what a blessing that would be!
I know! I am really hoping one of you all win!!!!!
Voted, hope we both win
Awesome contest! We close in 5 weeks on our first house – would LOVE a free year of mortgage payments!
I voted and sure would love to bake those yummy CC cookies : )
Hope you win that would be FABULOUS!
Just voted! Loved the video! Good Luck!
Cute! I voted.
Canadians aren’t able to vote
I voted for you!
Super cute video. Voted for her.
I voted for her! Loved the video, too.
I just voted too. Her video was inspirational–just let it go and enjoy the ride. With kids about her age, I needed the reminder.
Voted! Good Luck!
I voted! That video was awesome. I cried!! Love it!
I just voted…I hope your friend wins.
I voted! Good luck!!
I voted for you. Fingers x’d you get it! Great job on the video. It is a treasure in itself…
We love you, so I’m sure we love your friend, too. c-: Glad to vote for her!
Aww- Katie that is so sweet. I am really hoping one of my readers wins the drawing for the free mortgage for a year as well. Wouldn’t that be a fairy tale ending?!?!
I just voted! What a great video!
I know, I love watching the video because I know Lauren and it really is how she lives her life. She is a wonderful mom and wife!
Toni
Voted. Too cute of a video. I loved it!
Loved the videos but I liked Lauren’s the best,it didn’t make me cry and good videotography. Is that a word? Hope you win Lauren and thanks, Toni, for giving all of us a chance to win! Have a great day!
I just voted. Love the video.
Just voted ! Good luck to your friend. Crossing my fingers in winning a year of mortgage payments. We could really use this, hubby will not have a job as of Dec.
Did your hubby vote too? That gives you an extra entry- and Lauren and extra vote.
I voted! What an amazing opportunity! Thanks!
i voted for you. hope you win
Another vote coming your way–praying for your success!
I have been overwhelmed by the responses from my fellow Happy Housewife readers! Many thanks to all of you for your kind words and votes! With 14 hours left in the contest, you have put us in the LEAD! WOW!! Let’s hope we can hang on!