hi everyone.

i feel really bad that this is how things have ended as all throughout this was a really fun project to be involved with.

however, i feel like i need to explain....  my very supportive husband, it seems, got a bit excited that i might possibly be in the running for a prize.  -so he called a bunch of his friends from work and asked them to vote.  apparently many of them responded and so the votes for me skyrocketed this evening.

i don't really feel right about accepting the prize though -especially since it seems to have upset barry and perhaps some of you as well.  the last thing i want is for people to lose interest in being a part of this site/forum because perhaps they don't feel things are honest.  so, i have sent the appropriate parties a pm letting them know who has my vote to receive the slipper in my stead.

i, personally, have been so thankful that i came across this site as it has so inspired me to push myself and do the best i can do in this new venture.  already the time i have spent learning and challenging myself has brought so much joy to me and hopefully that will continue. 

with sincere apologies,

~michelle bjelde (sunshineb)

ok....  since there seems to be the repeated inferrence that somehow i was cheating and stealing to recieve the 1st place prize (after all, that's the prize that keeps being mentioned) i feel the need to once again clarify my intention and involvement.

for the record....  i only voted once!!  yes, i voted for myself on the first day as i'm sure most of us competing did!  as for the rest of the votes that were placed for me, yes, i spread the word to some of my close friends and family that i had entered the contest and told them they could vote for me if they were interested in doing so.  i did not know that was not allowed and i expect most of the rest of the contestants did not either.  up until about 30 votes or so i knew who had voted for me and could account to the fact that there was no double voting going on.  after that when my voting numbers shot up and i found out why and could no longer verify that there hadn't been any double voting, i did what i determined to be the right thing to do and asked that i no longer be considered for the prize.

once again, i apologize.  i hope this finally puts to rest the questions and indirect inferrences that somehow i was trying my hardest to cheat and steal my way into being the first prize winner.

when i originally sent my video in to barry i was under the assumption that the contest had already closed and just decided to send it in anyway for fun.  that's all it ever was for me and the fact that i shared the link with my friends and family was more to have them see my accomplishment and show their support for my new venture.  i am still thankful to those who decided to show that support to me by voting as i am with those of you who have inspired and encouraged me since i began -now 3 wks ago (barry being included in that group).

my congratulations to Naska.  you deserve it!  you really were the best -in my opinion, anyway!