The Red Umbrella...

Happy Saturday everyone! What a fun-filled and uplifting day I had! Went out to Adopt-A-Block this morning and it seemed as if the excitement from last nights outreach carried into this morning! A group of 10 volunteers headed down Shore Road on the lookout for litter. I was teamed up with the one and only Abigail who was a burst of sunshine! Always passionate and energetic and today was no different! She is such a joy to be around <3

As we were walking down the road - one of our volunteers, Michael, said to me that on his walk down to the church, where we all meet up, he had stopped to bring the red umbrella closer to the pathway so I could be rid of it once and for all . . .

He made my day right there. . .

The story of the Red Umbrella:                                          When you are picking up litter, no matter the location, it begins to mess with your mind. Especially when you are collecting it for long periods of time. If you see something off in the distance you cant just skip it . . . oh you can try but eventually you will have to turn around and go back for it. It's really tricky when you come to a spot so full of litter that you know you'll have to leave some of it. What do you do? You pick up the largest pieces as well as the most colorful, say a quick prayer of forgiveness for leaving the rest . . . and continue on your journey. What does all of this have to do with a red umbrella? Well, on our first day of Adopt-A-Block (the 27th of August to be exact) we passed a large bush full of thorns. In this bush were several visible umbrellas just out of reach. One in particular standing out above the rest - a bright fire engine red one.

I have been out to Adopt-A-Block 23 times since then and for the past 6 months I have been taunted by this dang umbrella just out of reach in the thorn bushes! But thanks to Michael I have now been able to trash this major piece of litter and be rid of it! WOOHOO!                                                           Also, Jacs, (who happens to be alot taller than the rest of us) was able to lean over the railing and grab the other three umbrellas!! Dream Team: 4 Umbrellas: 0

Once we finally reached our site, Emma, Abs, Jackie, and I all headed over to see Mr. McCrae. He was watching Britain's Who Wants to be a Millionaire? It was alot of fun trying to guess the correct answers with him while he ate his lunch. I got one question right! Awk I felt so smart! (It had something to do with Tina Turner who I recently had wikipedia-ed) After we left Mr. McCrae's we headed over to visit with Vera and fam. Finally ending up at the neighborhood park where a group of kids were playing. Abs got on the swings with them while i set up a football (soccer) match for next Saturday. "It's on!" one of the 8-year old boys shouted full of excitement for next weeks game. Haha oh how I can't wait :)

We got home around 1pm and had a few hours to blow before the crew got together so Jacs opted to relax and shower and tidy up while I set up the Wii and got Just Dance - Michael Jackson Version up and running. Haha only got a couple dances in there before Natasha arrived (came a couple hours earlier) so I shall have to continue where I left off tomorrow!

What a wonderful time we had tonight with the crew plus one! (Stephen joined us tonight) The Luke-isms as we so fondly call them now continued and new inside jokes were created. We headed out to Blue Chicago for dinner and then back to the Agnew house for coffee, TV, and a movie. Haha didn't get into the movie too much (F&F 4 - Tokyo Drift) but Natasha, Luke, and I had alot of fun playing on my new favorite app Draw Something. (Thank you Emily for introducing me to this). All in all the evening was grand! Loads of banter, lots of laughs, and new memories <3 Gotta love a night out with friends :)

Heading to bed now. . . ready for church in the morning!

Sweet Dreams!

-J