[FreeTheHostages]

To: Mudboy and Billie
Cc: Finalists so far

Well, they have 3 hours to go, but so far I think we have 12 finalists. Mudboy Slim, I've note in the late 300 series why I've picked these finalists. For your convenience, to summarize, they are, in no particular order except that I do want you to know that the top five have caught my particular attention:

Flyer's schtick throughout -- Posts 17, 46, 51, 56, 82, 206, 217, 231, 374, 398

GailA -- Post 252

Aquamarine -- Post 35, as well as good sport playing foil to Flyer's schtick throughout with Pippin

Diver Dave -- Post 216

Tgsltakoma -- the second photo in Post 403

Sweetliberty -- Post 99

xJones -- Post 44

DaisyScarlett -- Post 136

Balata -- Post 339

Kayak -- Post 180

WVNan -- Post 397

Lodwick -- Post 221

[FreeTheHostages]

Diver Dave's entry is at post 215, of course, not 216. But it's right near the hyperlink in the above thread of proposed finalists, Mudboy.

[Flyer]

WAHOO! A finalist!

Now. . . YOU, FTH, get some rest!

[sweetliberty]

Getting down to the wire now huh? Let's see, what's a good bribe????

How about a beer for Mud and a margarita for FTH.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

There are only SO MANY gingerbread housies to post, so do you like AOL? TELL ME YOU ARE NOT MARRIED TO STEVE CASE!

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

[FreeTheHostages]

I dunno, this so impressionistic, judging these, and we'll each have our own favorite. I suggest that you and I both choose our own personal favorite and that we award 2 first places.

What would mine be? Hmmm. Well, you know, it seems like being Flyer is it's own reward. Flyer had a *lot* of fun here already and I have praised his work muchly. But GailA's Post 252 is an actual gingerbread house that she did take time to protect from the dog, and we have to take that into account. And as a gingerbread house, it really does have everything.

For me, sweetliberty and balata and maybe diver dave are interesting dark horses. I really don't *want* to punish sweetliberty for the relatively poor photo quality, and I love the fact that it's one she did with her niece and nephew, but the photo quality does prevent me from seeing those glistening details of GailA.

Aquamarine is the second in the category of "the perfect house" but since GailA gets first for the all-round perfect house/photo, if we're to go with a straight up, non silly best house, GailA would win.

Hmmm.

So I'm thinking we should do two awards. I've got a nice back-up prize we can use. I'm thinking one of the awards might go to GailA and I'm interested on your thinking on the second award.

[Mudboy Slim]

At the risk of offending some very worthy participants in this wonderful contest, I'm going to attempt to winnow my favorites down to three:

1. GailA's scrumptious-looking gingerbread house on #252 has got to be one of the finalists...I could chow down on that one right now if it was in fron of me!!

2. Ms. Takoma's second submittal in post #403 also gives me hunger pangs, as I'm a sucker fer chocolate and icing and also like the little gingerbread folks out front.

and...

3. Sweetliberty's post #99 has got to be in there 'cuz that one was actually created by a genuine FReeper, which counts fer a lot in my book!! If either of the first two were actually created by the FReepers that posted them, I'd have to give either #1 or #2 the nod, but otherwise, I'm leaning towards post #99.

Now, FTH, you have earned the right to overrule me because you've done such a great job keeping this thread on track despite my part-time participation...just let me know what you think and I'll abide by yer final ruling.

Kudos to ALL who participated by offering entries of humorous asides...this has been really fun and I consider everyone involved to be weiners.

LOL and FReegards...MUD

BTW...xJones' entry at #44 definitely deserves an honorable mention but I haveta deduct points fer the pretzel fence not being chocolate-covered...LOL!!