Why do people have to be jerks? How is it some many people know how to take something fun and create so much drama? Let me explain what I’m talking about.
In July, I told you about the Ultimate Backyard Contest on www.wqmagonline.com. A great idea to offer someone in either Manatee or Sarasota county a $16,000 makeover all for free. Well, last week I got an e-mail from my friends over at Backyard Getaway, letting me know the finalists for the worst yard have been chosen, and the voting is open.
So I logged on and voted for my favorite, #6.
Photo courtesy Backyard Getaway
Now, it’s not just the picture of the contestant’s barren backyard that made me want to vote for it, but there was a cute picture of the family, including the dog, and a poem that hooked me.
“We’re a joyous family of five
With passion to help our earth thrive
Our household runs green and clean
But the outside is not so pristine
When we go outside to work and play
The yard is too barren and hot to stay
An outdoor oasis would be great
So we could play, grow and create
We’d be proud to nurture a garden space
With organic elements and art to embrace
And how we would be so very fond
Of a new fish friendly water pond
We’d be honored to welcome ya’ll to takeover
And do a backyard Florida-friendly makeover!!”
But I’ve learned that #4 is the front runner. By a landslide so far.
I’ve been told Heather is a teacher, and she and her husband have recruited everyone they know to vote. She’s passed out flyers in her neighborhood, even asked the bag boy at Publix to vote. Nothing wrong with that I say!
But apparently not everyone agrees. Some of the other contestants think she’s cheating. Someone even asked if it was “legal” for a teacher to ask her students to vote, or if she could be fired. (Note the spelling on the comment that’s obviously not written by a teacher).
“i had dinner with some one from the school broad, and was told students that are recuited by their teacher can be fired for that???????so if number four is asking her students then maybe the give a way backyard should maybe look into this???”
Seriously people? Now I’ve been told her students are second graders and she hadn’t even mentioned to them, but even if she had how is that cheating?
Save the drama for your mama voters! It’s just a makeover contest not a trip down Wisteria Lane. The contest was intended to be a fun giveaway from local businesses aimed at helping a homeowner in the community during these tough economic times. So whoever wants to keep voting for #4 should keep voting for her.
Or vote for whoever you think has the yard that desperately needs that makeover. Voting is open through September 18. Tell them I sent you!
Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude
Tags: attitude, backyard, contest, drama, makeover, miss attitude
WOW! It’s a great idea! That backyard does need a major makeover.
I remember when you first posted that photo and the contest, it’s a shame that bickery has taken it over. I guess in such tough economic times everything becomes so cutthroat.
Can’t wait to see who wins and what their yard looks like after the makeover!
Thank you Miss A.
Can’t we all just get along?
Dave (Backyard Getaway) posted a blog on wqmag.com to try & bring the contest back to being a positive thing:
http://www.wqmagonline.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2298959%3ABlogPost%3A44311
the dog kills me hahahahahahahahahaha *tears* . I don’t know why but omg hahahahaha
Flyers! are you kidding me. what ever happened to keeping things simple!! I hope the little family wins.
I think the flyers are a great idea. There are a couple of contestants doing that. We want them all to go out & get as many votes as they can. One things for sure, if they are working this hard they must really want to win!
Why do people have to turn someting that should be fun and good into such a hateful mess. If it was my backyard I would be recruiting everyone I know to vote for me a million times. May the best yard win!
Excellent blogging! In fact, Heather is an awesome teacher and a fabulous one at that! She has this kind of passion, dedication and desire in her classroom, day and day out.
Let’t not overlook the fact that this a multi-day contest and one which requires a daily commitment to voting. There’s no forcing me … I want to let her know how much I appreciate her and do this cheerfully! She rocks!
Too funny! Heather has always been an extremely creative person, if someone is jealous that she can market their horrid backyard better, then they should learn a lesson from her and take the contest as seriously as she has. I sure hope they win, it has taken a long time for the two of them to get to this blissful time in their lives… the new backyard would be icing on their cake!
I don’t understand why people get so nasty over a simple contest. #4 is the worst yard in the finals. Did you ever think Miss Attitude that the reason they may be ahead is the Lord saw not only there yard is the worst but that there attitude & spirit is in the right place… Shame on you for being such a poor looser and what kind of example does that show your children.. shame on you
Wow, so much support & positive energy. Love the comments!
Thanks for saying what I am not supposed to say. 
We hope to make this a yearly contest & won’t let the negative comments stop us from doing just that. We have learned alot from this experience & believe me, we will be changing a few things but it has been so much fun watching the voting & seeing the support & enthusiasm. 
I hope that everyone doesn’t lose sight of the fact that 17 local companies are so willing & eager to contribute to this contest. Most of these companies didn’t know us before we approached them about this contest. None of them hesitated to join us! We did have a few that declined but I bet they wish they were involved now!
That’s so sad. I won’t be voting for number 4 though since it doesn’t look the worst.
If the weather is beautiful and you only have uncomfortable patio furniture or none at all, you are going to waste all that lovely sunshine rather than be out there enjoying it.