I've got a good feeling about this year.

Yes. Yes, I do think this may be my year.

TO WIN THE HGTV DREAM HOME.

How amazing is this place?! I love the style and setting - and it's going to be in Northern California, my new favorite place! Check out these floor plans and let your imagination run wild (nerd alert: when I was a kid, I used to have my parents buy me house plan books instead of mags like Teen Bop because I LOVE looking at floor plans):

I don't know if you realize this, but this house and I? We were made for each other. And I'm going to do everything in my power to win this thing, which is to say, I'm going to enter myself every day into the contest. Religiously. Without fail.

Of course, I made this very commitment two years ago when the Dream Home was in Winter Park, CO (another favorite place) and here is the depressing result I reported on March 18, 2007:

For six weeks earlier this year I religiously entered both myself and Ben into an HGTV contest. EVERY DAY. Right after checking e-mail, MySpace, and my favorite blog. I acquired a little bit of OCD in doing so. Then I waited a month for the drawing. A MONTH. So, that means for almost three months I have been slightly consumed with the thought of winning a multi-million dollar home in Winter Park, CO. I had already figured out the game plan of how we'd enjoy it for a year, then sell it because, really, who can afford the taxes on a home like that? But before I sold it, I was going to strip it because this thing was loaded - flat screens, computers, a kitchen to DIE for, a dog house even. Plus there was the car that came with it, and oh, did I mention it was in COLORADO - ski in/ski out, no less. It was an amazing prize. I've had many dreams about it.

Anyway, today was the day of the big reveal - 9 o'clock Eastern, 6 o'clock Pacific. So, I make myself and my home look rather presentable because, come on, we're both going to be on national television today. Then I wait, scrapbooking and watching tv, until the appointed time came. Then stupid HGTV teases me with an HOUR LONG program, waiting to reveal the winner at the very end. I thought I was going to throw up I was so nervous and excited. (Here I should remind you that I am eternally hopeful, I sport rose-colored glasses, and sometimes go by the nickname 'Pollyanna'. I really thought I was going to win this thing.) To make matters worse, my little apartment complex became grand central station and everyone who passed by I just knew was the HGTV crew arriving at my door. But each time I was disappointed. Poor Mia picked up on my nerves and kept running to the door, thinking it was them, too. Hey - she had a new dog house on the line here.

Anyway, long story ever so slightly shorter, I didn't win. But I should have, really. I enter every contest I can and fill out all surveys that come my way (which might explain the ridiculous amount of junk mail I get) because one of these days, people, ONE OF THESE DAYS - I will win. It's just too bad it wasn't this time - the place slept 11 and that wasn't even counting couches or air mattresses. Just think of the fun we could have had. Sigh.

So, you see? It's my year. I've paid my dues. I'm currently entering two contests daily: one is to win a trip to the Olympics in 2010 and the other is to win $5000. But soon these will be done and I will have an open schedule to devote to the Dream Home. Go ahead and snicker. I'll get the last laugh when I unlock the door to my new home and do my happy dance through the threshold. And maybe, if you're lucky, I'll invite you over for a visit.