Contestant Blogs

Lynn S.

POSTED 9-15

You don't realize from home everything that is going on during the show.There are a lot of good things to help us as the contestants like the letter and vowel board. There is also a board that shows our names and what we have won so far and where we are currently in the puzzle. There are an incredible amount of people working behind the scenes to make this a great show.

Earlier in the day we spent practicing spinning the wheel, solving puzzles, filling out paper work, getting our make-up done and getting great information from the WOF contestant team. We also made short little commercial blurbs to promote the show that aired the week prior to the show airing. After all of that was done, it was about time to start the actual tapings. This is also when we found out who we were going to play with and what color we would be. We also drew numbers to figure out whatshow we would be on.

We walked into the show with the live audience. We were told not to look at our family or friends. I am assuming because of cheating etc. That was probably harder than anything. I really wanted to waive at them and I knew my niece and nephew wanted to as well.

It was time to play!

I had drawn #1, so my group played the first game.I had hoped for the first, second or third taping other wise I could have been there until 11pm or so. When we did get on stage, I was glad that my family was not in the front row, it would have made me too nervous to see their expressions.

During the taping I messed up in solving one puzzle and went Bankrupt on another and lost a cruise and the wild card. I could hear the audience sigh and moan. I was very sad. I had to get it together so, I started talking to myself. I said "FOCUS LYNN FOCUS" over and over. I could hear my nephew and niece in my head saying, "C'mon Aunt Sissy you can do it". I had to regroup. I kept looking at the contestant board and I had NO MONEY!

So then the 3rd and final toss up puzzle arrived. As the letters came up, I rang my buzzer. Pat looked at me (probably hoping I was not going to screw it up again? And I guessed it"Tapioca Pudding"!I won the Toss-Up and the opportunity to go first on this next round. We then ran out of time and so Pat spun the wheel. $5000 plus $1000=$6000 per letter. I called a letter, the next girl, the guy, then I called a CThree C's in the puzzle for $18,000 plus, I solved the puzzle. Oh My Gosh!I was so overwhelmed and excited I cant even put it in words. Pat was also amazed he said something about three aliens coming down and getting me!!! He was great and very supportive during the entire game.

I did go to the bonus round, but I was not successful in answering the puzzle. But that is OK. My winnings, experience and fun was more than I ever imagined. It was great to meet Pat and Vanna. They both are incredibly nice and comforting especially when you mess up twice like I did.

After my game I went outside the event hall where we had been taping to find my family. As I was walking around people were congratulating me. I felt like a Rock Star!

And after it was all said and done, I said, "Did that really just happen?"

My wonderful "Major" husband took us all out for a beautiful dinner to celebrate.

I am still deciding what to do with the money. Once I get it, it will go in the bank at least for a little while. There are some projects around the house I would like to do. We also travel a lot so we will use the money to travel as well. The trip to San Francisco I won we hope to take over my husband's birthday next year. We will bring our golf clubs and golf, go wine tasting and have some great meals and sightseeing.

I am still on this incredible high!