It all started with a tiny bikini and a whale named Shamu ...

It was a cool day in November. It was no longer fall, not quite winter. I woke up early - 6:30 a.m. - a time I don't often see. As I was getting ready Jennifer Valentyne on Breakfast Television said that the first person to show up at Dundas Square with their bathing suit on would win a trip to Orlando. As I hadn't been to Orlando since I was 11, I quickly put my far too small bikini on over my dress and ran downstairs to the Square- without even being washed or doing my hair. When I arrived at Dundas Square I found out that I was the first person to arrive wearing a bathing suit, but it had to be on under my clothes. A mere technicality. Shortly after me, another person arrived wearing his shorts under his pants and won my trip :)
Note: I did try to put my bathing suit on under my dress before the next person arrived, but that ended in disaster.

Jennifer told me that there would be a trivia contest for another trip to Florida in 20 minutes. I ran home, put my bathing suit on under my dress and ran back to answer trivia about Orlando.

After answering 7+ questions, including the winning question - What is the name of the famous whale at Sea World? -SHAMU!!! - I won a trip for four to Florida. My reaction went from- "OMG, I won," to "OMG, how am I going to choose who to take with me?"

After discussions with mom and dad and one of my besties, my decision was clear.

I made the first call to Dianne (my auntie) early in the morning asking if she and Jocelyn (my cousin 20 years my jr) would like to accompany me to Orlando. Dianne said she would think about it (I was a bit stressed about this), but she called later on and said yes. (no longer stressed) I then called my auntie Judy to ask if her youngest son - Fraser (19 years my jr) would also like to come. She said yes and passed the phone to Fraser. I then said, "Fraser, would you like to come to Florida with me?" I heard silence ... I was worried he didn't want to come. I then said, "Fraser, did you hear me? Do you want to come to Florida with me?" He replied, "Ok." I could tell from his voice he was excited and shocked!

So this is how the FLA FOUR came to be. Dianne - Jocelyn - Fraser & Me!

Follow us on our trip to Florida where we will meet some famous mice, swim with dolphins and if I have my way - shop, shop, shop!!!

Erin

This is a photo of me with Jennifer and some of the other trip winners.