Nakao Diary: Entry Nine

* Note: This is the ninth in a series of diary entries written by the winner of the 2004 HGTV Dream Home Giveaway, Kathi Nakao.

May 13

A custom-built island highlights the Dream Home kitchen.

We arrived in Jacksonville, Florida after 14 hours, not a good thing. We are very tired. We missed the welcoming reception (my younger son Marc, represented us. Thank goodness the greeters were still at the airport, they were meeting others that were coming to the "Winners Weekend." They were surprised to see us, they had lost us on the radar.

We go to pick up our luggage and you guessed it, no luggage. Liz (the public relations rep) took us to the lost luggage office and got everything set up for someone to pick the luggage up when it shows up. WOW! We have a limo; we know we have won the house for sure now. This is the first time Don or I have had such luxury; Bri of course had used one before. There are snacks and champagne, and this is really nice and unsuspected. Brian pours for Liz and the rest of us.

Kathi's husband, Don, is salivating at the prospect of having a personal study.

Liz tells us Marc has really done our family proud. Marc got in early and met all of the HGTV and public relations people; he had fun being wined and dined. Liz tells us about our itinerary for the next three days. Sounds like a lot of fun. As we
drive up to the hotel, quite a few people are cheering for us (Marc is with them). We are going to have a drink with Marc and Bri and several others. What a great group of people, we are laughing and having such a good time.

It is 1:15 a.m. and we have to get up early for an 8:00 a.m. breakfast. We did not have dinner, and Liz said to order anything we wanted from room service and they would take care of the bill. What a treat! We are in our room - jeez! Don and I can't believe the room, we called Marc and Brian to see if their room is like ours and they were just as impressed as we were. We ordered chicken strips and fries, which were excellent.

Beyond the fresh flowers lies the great room.

It is time for bed; we called for a wake up call at 3:00 a.m. The phone rang, it was the boys saying, "Mom, Dad can
you believe this is happening to us?" Don and I were talking in bed and we said the same thing. We finally believe we have won the Dream Home and SUV!

May 14

We get dressed for breakfast; me wearing the same clothes from last night since we still have no suitcases. Thank goodness
Don and Bri can where Marc's clothes. Breakfast was set up outside in the lawn area close to the beach. We are meeting the President of HGTV and many others, and when we meet, they are like old friends. Boy, the weather is great, warm with a gentle breeze. I sent the guys upstairs to change for the trip to the house.

Wonderful views are the norm, such as here in the guest bedroom.

Glenda from the PR firm said, "Kathi, let's go shopping for some new clothes; you can pick out what ever you like." Well, as my luck was going, none of the shops had my size. Glenda stepped up and said if I did not mind she had a few outfits she didn't plan on wearing if I would not mind wearing a stranger's clothes. What a terrific lady! I got dressed in her room. Now my hair is a mess and they took me to the beauty shop. They did a marvelous job and we are off to the Dream House, in the limo again!

We had treats champagne and orange juice again. We are about 45 minutes away, lots of scenery on the trip. Once we arrive at the house, a lot of people there again cheering for us as we get out of the limo. I am now shaking and crying from happiness and nerves; Don and boys are nervous also, but happy and excited. They will be giving me the key to the house soon!

Entry One
Entry Two
Entry Three
Entries Four and Five
Entry Six
Entry Seven
Entry Eight

Dream Home

Nakao Diary: Entry Nine

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Dream Home

Nakao Diary: Entry Nine

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