This is one of those "stories" that just keeps getting better and better. So fasten your seatbelts and hang on for the ride. Last week, when I got my hair cut, my stylist announced she had "a secret." Knowing, as a former mental health specialist, that I understood confidentiality, she felt safe in telling me.
Everyone in the local Fargo-Moorhead community knew Extreme Home Makeover was coming to town to build a house for one local family. My stylist's secret was that she knew the family down the block from her was one of five finalists for the show. The Grommesh's participate in Cully's Kids and we have gotten to know Garrett over the past couple of summers. I was also excited to know the home was relatively close to our neighborhood, if they were in fact chosen.
Well yesterday, by noon it was announced that same family, the Grommesh family was chosen to be on Extreme Home Makeover! We were driving right past the block as the barricades were going in and decided to stop to see what the set up was. Surprisingly, the first security guard we encountered was from the show and waved us right in. We learned a few minutes later they stopped allowing people access. So once we got in, we weren't leaving anytime soon.
The Grommesh's house is this one on the corner of the street.
The bus had just pulled in before we got there. The family had been surprised at their sons adaptive hockey game.
The man of the hour, Garrett Grommesh, Mr. Personality himself.
Adair Grommesh who was gracious and humble and made sure she was using the spotlight to shed focus on others.
Paulie spreading the love.
The homebuilders, Tyrone Leslie, and Daryl Braham, of Heritage Homes.
The first Ty sighting... sigh. We were told we could scream once to get it out of our system, but then we had to keep quiet or they would keep having to reshoot the scenes. We kept our giddy on the inside...
These were the first volunteers to arrive. We were all jealous of their blue t-shirts...
The cast filming the opening of the show. This took about 3 times to get all the footage they needed.
They would walk from the bus to the house talking about the same things each time. (hmm, yes and how would I know what they talk about? Just wait...)
In between the action, there was a lot of standing around and waiting. But the security guards were easy to interact with and answered what they could for us. This is the dolly that just one of the many cameras is attached to.
This is one of the equipment guys who took a liking to Colton and teased him continually.
Nolan made friends with a neighbor who was trying to socialize her sheltie. She shook the whole time in Nolan's arms, but he was so thrilled she trusted him to hold her.
This time we yelled Ty's name and he waved to us... shiver, giggle.
When our friends the Rahman's arrived, Brian became our fearless leader and managed to get close enough to ask sweet Paige for a photo. I got her a bit before she was ready... but let me vouch for her, she is tiny, pretty and as sweet as she is on tv.
At this point I was thrilled with all I had seen and could have gone home happy. But then they announced they needed 40 spectators who were willing to participate in the opening scenes. With Brian leading the charge, his wife Jessica and I raced to sign our consents for "Hollywood", and donned our blue shirts.
And then they told us to put our camera's away. So the next little bit I can only describe to you... and you'll have to see for yourself if we make the cut on the debut of the show in a month or two.
Brian and Jessica
We were asked to form two lines on the driveway. The scene is the one in which the family learns where they are going on vacation from Ty, and then they get escorted by all of us to the limo. Brian, Jessica and I wound up at the top of the driveway next to the family and cast. After Ty walked by us (very closely, giggle) we filled in behind the family as they were told they were going... to the Bahamas! We all knew, and the family had no idea. The reaction is classic. You are going to love this family as much of the rest of us did from being around them.
4 times we walked them down the driveway and the producer would tell us when to cheer, and when to quit, and where to move to. It really was a very easygoing relaxed atmosphere and we were all giddy at the thought of being a small part of it. Most of us had signed up to volunteer but they had 2000 more than the 4000 they had asked for.
After we "wrapped" ha ha, I'm so Hollywood now, you know... giggle snort... I knew it was time for me to depart. I had been there for over 5 hours standing, I was dehydrating quickly and needed a restroom. As I turned to leave Brian saw Ty snap a photo with someone. He quickly grabbed me and my camera and we walked over a few feet to Ty. The security guards were already telling people no more photos, as Ty had to leave. But I snuck in sideways, with Brian ready with the camera and asked very sweetly, "please Ty, one more?" And he said... YES! Be still my quivering heart and quaking knees... And then I got a sideways hug from him as I said thank you to him he replied "your welcome sweetie." And then I died and nearly fainted... or not. I was way too tired. Hollywood is exhausting peeps. (she says, tongue firmly in cheek.)
Ty and moi... I know! Who would have thought?
And the fitting, cool part? Was when we all saw the bald eagle circling overhead. Truly, as much fun as I had doing this, the family at the center of all of this, is totally deserving. Not only does Garrett face numerous physical challenges, but his sister has a medical condition that requires treatment at the mayo clinic as well. The house is not going to be demolished either, rather it is going to be moved to a new location and given to another deserving family. (We are under strict orders not to disclose the name of this family so as to not ruin their surprise.)
I'll do my best to bring more updates as I figure out how to navigate over to the site.
