Amazing Race Contenders

The "fun" part of my Toronto trip included a BFF, Kristin A. The moment I called to tell her I was thinking about going to the seminar she asked if she could go with me. When I told her I would be in class all Saturday she said she didn't mind. Her agenda would consist of sleeping in and shopping. Perfect! So the planning began... well, that is on her part. I had been really busy editing client's pictures and photo work stuff. She tackled ALL the logistical plans of the trip. Kristin investigated hotels, researched local attractions and actually bought a Toronto travel guide. The day of the trip Brian actually said to me, "I'm really happy Kristin is going with you... she's actually organized." I agreed whole heartedly! So I drove us and she navigated. We are so the perfect team for the Amazing Race! There were a few little obstacles like how we couldn't find the hotel at first and then my Ford Expedition wouldn't fit below the parking garage height bar but we kept level heads and won. While I was at my class all day Kristin worked out, received a massage, took a self walking tour of the city, and shopped! We met up later back at the hotel at dinner time.

 NILMDTS had the opportunity to see a private concert,

Craig Cardiff

. Not too many took them up on the offer but we did and it was wonderful. It was held at a little whole in the wall bar/cafe with a crazy staff. (It just added to the experience!)

Afterwards I got to network with other photographers and have more conversation with the founder of NILMDTS and master photographer Sandy Puc. I really did learn A LOT!

After dinner, Kristin and I walked around the city. It was so beautiful because all the major stores had Christmas displays in their windows. It was the only time I really missed the kids not being with me. They would have loved it!

The next day we took our time getting ready to leave. We checked out and began making our way back to the US, that is until we spotted an IKEA off the QEW. Well, after sliding over 4 lanes of traffic to get off the highway we found our way to the store. We joked that our sense of direction was heightened due to the opportunity of an IKEA shopping experience! :)

Two hours later.... we headed back to the US but not until we made an impromptu visit to

 the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. (Yes, we were extending the trip for as long as we could! :)

After quick walk around and dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe we were on the road again. 

~

I have to say that even though I was in Toronto for something very serious and difficult, the rest of the time was full of laughter, smiles, and great company! I have some wonderful memories that still make me laugh.... Kristin trying to act as if she was a native from toronto with her Canadian accent, the truck almost getting stuck in the parking garage, getting lost (twice) trying to get back to the hotel, thinking Kristin's wallet was stolen while in IKEA (and realizing that her pretending to be Canadian may actually come true since she had no ID to get over the border), and while at Niagara Falls being able to see the bridge to get back into the US but not finding the ramp to get on it. Lots of boneheaded moments!

After the entire weekend of adventures we proved to be a great team. Perfect for the Amazing Race. I think all my future getaways will end up being photo related. The next dream place is the gigantic photography trade show in Las Vegas. 

It's mid February 2009... do I have any takers??? :0)

The CN Tower
View from our hotel room. (Sheraton Centre)
Kristin checking out.
IKEA outside of Toronto.
Niagara Falls... Canadian side.
Hard Rock Cafe... just trying to prolong the trip home. :)

Making it back home!

~

A special shout out to Brian and Dave who had to manage the kids, houses, a birthday party, ponytails (yeah, can you imagine Brian trying to master that?),  coughs/colds, and all meals.

Thank you!

~

Also, to hear her version of the weekend and see her pictures check out her blog... it's listed under Atkinsons on the right side of my blog.

NILMDTS

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is an organization that I have been accepted into. I applied a few months ago and was accepted just a few weeks ago. This past weekend I attended a seminar in Toronto, Canada for NILMDTS. It is a wonderful organization and I am proud to be a member. It definitely will be hard for me if and when I am called upon but, knowing that the parent's world will be 1000x worse makes it seem selfish for me not to offer my help. 

It may be hard for you to watch these videos but please do. This group is beautiful and I am honored to be a part of it. For more information www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org

** Don't forget to turn off the music at the bottom of the blog page to hear the videos. :)**

Philly PD

I have been waiting a while to be able to post this news. Luke starts in the Philadelphia police department in just over a week. This is the end of a very long, drawn out drama starting with the NYS police canceling his class last year. Fed up with NYS red tape he left. Where you ask? Well none other than the city of his favorite football team.... Philadelphia!

So, one year later he has jumped all the hurdles, passed all the tests, given countless glowing interviews, and checked out ok with all the background investigating. He begins November 17th. I forgot my cell phone  today and when I got home there was a missed call. I was surprised to see it was his number. Immediately I called back fearing that something was wrong with Danielle.... (Luke never calls me!)

Danielle is safe and sound... and very happy.

After he laughed at me, he told me his good news. 

Brian and I can't be any prouder for him. He is making a dream come true. Of course, being the meddling, nosey sister that I am (and this ones for you Danielle) after he told me, and I congratulated him I said, " So, does this now mean you can officially get engaged to Danielle??"

:)

.... don't you wish you knew what he said!

Good luck Luke!

Yes. We. Can!!! :)

Brian and I stayed up well past midnight to listen to his acceptance speech. Watching the crowd in Chicago's Grant Park made me wish I was there. My friend, Heather L., and I made several calls back and forth to each other through out the night. Excitement was seriously flowing through our veins. We spoke of how honored we felt to be able to be part of this special history in our country. Of course this won't change overnight.... he is inheriting the problems of some of the worst 8 years in our nation's history. But I felt motivated and inspired listening to him. He is trying to reconnect ALL Americans, no matter what party you belong to. 

I smell that breath of fresh air... I see that light at the end of the tunnel... I feel the hope.

If you don't... well then, I will carry you. I will carry you through the skepticism and doubt because I have enough hope, belief, and faith for this moment in time, in the greatness of this country, and in you.

Giving out a cyber high 5!

VOTE!!!

If you haven't done so already, get out there and VOTE!!

:)

A new future starts tomorrow.

 patriot

pa·tri·ot (pey-tree-uht)

–noun

1.	a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.

2.	a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, esp. of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.

Conversations from the Backseat.... Part 1

The Subject - College

Me- "Someday when you go to college you'll get to learn about whatever you want to. What do you think you might want to learn about?"

Sam- "I think I would like to learn about science and math. I also want to learn about... what do you call it when have the tubes of liquid and you pour them together and make an explosion?"

Me- "Chemistry?"

Sam- "Yeah, chemistry!! I want to learn about chemistry, science and math. I think that would be fun."

Me- "Sounds great Sam! Beth, your turn, what do you think you would like to learn about someday?"

Beth- (imagine her saying this in her "Beth" confidence/attitude and very serious)....

 "I want to learn how to ride a unicorn and milk a cow."

It was all I could do to not starting laughing. :)

Of course we'll support them in whatever they want.... at least she dreams BIG!!!

~Tara