Washing Woes

Holy Bananas! This past week and a half has been so busy! This poor blog was so neglected. I'll get back on it! This comes from my good friend Michelle.

"My washing machine died after it was full of a load of the boys' pants, soap and water. They needed the pants the next day!! What to do? Is the laundromat even open at 9 o'clock at night?

I know! I'll ask Jenni, my next door neighbor. Sure enough, she was a DOLL and let me use her washer that night. On top of that, while she was out of town, she lent me the key to her house so I could continue to use the washer until mine was returned. I'm so grateful for wonderful neighbors! Thanks Jenni!"

Jenni, you are so kind, and frankly I think you're gorgeous. It's so nice to know someone who is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. We love you!

We are so lucky to have these neighbors!

Sorry! I've been on vacation, so my goal of one post a day didn't work. But I'll try better!

This comes again from my good friend Raven:

"As a mother to a newborn and two young children, I am learning the art of saying "yes" to offers of help. Today, I pulled into our parking spot after doing some grocery shopping, unloaded the three children, and chatted with my dear neighbor Janae for a minute. I know, I know, I already highlighted Janae on this blog. But this story is actually about her husband, Jared. I mentioned to Janae that I'd be back in a minute to grab my groceries after I got the kids upstairs and she said a couple words to Jared who was over at my car's trunk with no hesitation at all, grabbing the bags of groceries. He lugged them up to our third floor condo for me and brought them into our kitchen. It's acts like these that make me so grateful to live in such a neighborhood surrounded by such terrific people. Jared needed no prodding and he served quietly and with no fuss. What a great guy. Thanks, Jared, for making my day."

Thank you Jared! You give such quiet acts of service! And I know how much you help my husband, all without any want for recognition. Thank you!

Cupcake extroardinaire AND generous to boot!!

This comes from my friend Michelle-

"Brekke is awesome. She is a fantastic photographer. She bakes delicious cupcakes! Her Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes rocks! She is just so much fun and super creative!

BUT. . . the thing I love most about her is generous nature. So many times have I been a recipient of her generosity.

Some time ago Brekke gave me some fabric that she wasn't going to use. Bags of free fabric, all for me!! I love to sew!! I was so giddy, just thinking about all the things I could make with all that fabric. At the time all I could do was sort and store it for "one day".

Well, "one day" came recently, when I had to whip up an apron and mob cap to complete a Betsy Ross costume for an activity at Coby's school. My first thought was "Crud, I don't think I have enough white fabric" But there in those bags I found a bunch of it. Those accessories turned out beautiful!

Then Kai's class was celebrating Cinco de Mayo and his teacher suggested that the students wear a poncho. What am I gonna make his poncho out of? I have solid colored cottons and patterned flannels, but nothing that really says "Poncho." From Brekke's fabric stash, I found the perfect piece. It was just the right size, texture, and had wonderful coloring. All I had to do was cut a triangle from the middle and voila, poncho. Kai loved it!!

My last two escapades in sewing were a success because of her. Thanks Brekke!!"

Thanks, Brekke, for your kindness and example!

The best non-parent on the block

This story comes from my good friend Mandi, about another good friend, Ryan.

"Ryan watched my son most of the morning while I let him run wild in the stake garden. I was helping people get signed up for plots and was being slightly neglectful. But have no fear, Ryan (the man who ALL children adore) kept him fully entertained and safe."

I think all of us have a good story about Ryan that we can share. He and his wife are two of the best people I've ever known. Ryan has an affinity for kids- he's good with them, and they LOVE him.

He always plays with my kids at church, and they are so excited to see him. We were at the garden the other day, and my little 2-year-old said as we were leaving, "Bye, Ry Ry!" It was so cute. And he's just about the best nursery worker you could ask for.

Thanks for being the best Ryan! Also, Ryan and Kristen are looking to adopt, so keep them in mind!

My young grasshopper...

You guys need to start sending me your good gossip! I'm sure it's boring to hear stories that only come from me... :)

Anyway, this is about my good friend Heather.

I don't know if you knew this, but she makes the BEST dessert called grasshopper pie. I'm sure it's simple, but it's SOOOO good. It's gotta be my all-time fave. Who doesn't love mint-chocolate chip ice cream? Honestly? It tastes like the asphalt pie from Wingers. Mmmmm. I'm drooling just thinking about it...

Heather just happens to know that it's my favorite dessert. And do you know what she does EVERY time she makes that dessert? She hikes her way up those darn stairs and hand-delivers two beautiful pieces to me for Brandon and I.

And if I'm truly honest with myself, both pieces end up getting eaten by me. :)

Heather, that is honestly so nice of you! It's very kind and thoughtful for you to think of me.

Send me your good gossip at cassmaster(at)gmail(dot)com! Any act of service is welcome!

This Southerner is AWESOME

I'm sure you all know Andria. She's in a different ward now, but she will always be known by my girls as the candy lady at church.

She volunteered to bring Janae a meal once she had her baby, and I witnessed this act of kindness. I was outside by Janae's house, when I see her with takeout for her and Jared, and McDonalds for the kids. And Andria is helping her take it inside. Andria had taken Janae with her to hand-pick their dinner for that evening. How nice is that? To choose exactly what you want for dinner, and to get to spend time with Andria in the car too? Perfect, if you ask me.
I just thought that was so nice of her to give that little piece of luxury to Janae while she was nurturing her newborn.

Andria, we miss you like the dickens! I hope your new ward knows exactly what they have- a treasure.

Email me at cassmaster(at)gmail(dot)com for your good gossip!

The Best Blog on the Block

My friend Michelle, does such a GREAT service to the community! She created a blog a few years back that includes EVERYTHING Utah Valley. Everything you could ever need!

One time, she posted that it was national pretzel day, and that pretzels were free at pretzelmaker that day. So, the girls and I headed over to the mall, played in the big treehouse thingy, and got a free pretzel. It was the perfect little playdate, and it was FREE!

Thanks, Michelle. Your blog is AWESOME.

Go here if you want to see her community blog: http://pleasantspringsvillage.blogspot.com/

The nice way of saying "you reek!"

This is about my friend Janice-

Long story short, Our house smells like cigarette smoke. For the story, go here. I was telling the story at stake choir practice, where Janice just happens to be.

That night, when we were at home reveling in our stinkiness, Janice shows up at our door with a 'kit' of sorts to help with our smelly home. She brought brownies (my favorite mint brownies that she didn't know were my fave), febreze, odor eaters, a candle, and a fan.

I just thought that was so nice of her! It showed that she was thinking of us and she cared. And we used her fan, though we have 5 of our own. If I could have a fan in every square foot of our house, I think I would at this point. :)

Thank you Janice! That was SOOO nice of you!

Email me your good gossip at cassmaster(at)gmail)dot)com.

To Seattle they go

My good friend Tia will be moving this next week to Seattle, and we are so sad to see her go. Here is what my friend Maggie had to say about her:

Tia has been my visiting teacher for a very long time, and she will be leaving us this next week. She has not only been my visiting teacher, but also my good friend. She is not one of those sisters that only comes around to make her monthly quota on visiting teaching. She is there for you always, no matter what you need.

Tia has been there for me through the good times and the bad. She was here for me last year when I lost my younger brother to a massive heart attack. She has been there for me when most of my grandbabies have been born. And she was there when I found out that my mother has lung cancer. Like I said Tia is one of a kind. She just seems to know when I need that extra visit through the month or a phone call every now and again to see how things are going.

Tia has been such a good friend not only to me, but to my girls also. When I question about Vanessa, she is always there to remind me that Vanessa is a beautiful girl and that we know that her spirit and heart belongs to our Heavenly Father. And for this Tia has gotten me through quite a bit.

One thing that stands out in my mind that Tia did was this past winter. Tia, Benji and Charlie had come over just for a visit. Anyways Kayla had been sick all night long and she was wanting some 7-up and Chicken Noodle soup. And my son John was here after having some surgery on his foot. He said that he did not feel like going to the store for me. So what did Tia do, she bundled up her two little boys and went to Macey's to purchase some 7-up and chicken noodle soup for Kayla. I will never forget how unselfish she was to take her two sons out in the cold weather so that Kayla could have something to eat. I could go on and on, but I need to let someone else have a turn.

So Tia if you are reading this I hope that you and your family will travel safely and find a wonderful new life in Washington. I will miss all of you and our love goes with you'll.


Tia, you and your family will be missed IMMENSELY!

Love in the form of clothes

This one is given to me by my good friend Raven, about Janae, who I'm sure will frequent this blog because she's awesome too. Thank you, Raven!


So, anyone who lives around here knows that Janae is one of the most neighborly doer of good deeds around. And she always serves quietly and with the purest of intentions. I could list a dozen things she has done for me personally, but here's the most recent one. We just had our third baby, a little boy. We already have a boy in the family, so you'd think we be set for clothes and other baby items. But just a couple days after baby came, I heard my husband answer the door, say an enthusiastic "thank you!" and close the door. When I came out, there was a huge bin, a whole garbage bag, and a smaller box stuffed with boy clothes. Everything from newborn onesies to toddler coats. I know there were a couple families who donated to this stash, so thank you to you all. I sorted through, took what I needed, and gave the rest back to Janae to pass on to someone else.

Here's the great thing. Janae didn't just say, "Let me know if there's ever anything I can do," which, admittedly, is exactly what I said to her a couple weeks later when her baby came. She just thought of a need we might have and took action. She quietly dropped them by with no fuss and served our family in her usual wonderful way.

You are awesome, Janae! My world is better because of you.

Life is like a jar of peanut butter...

I'm sure I will have a lot of posts about Britney. She's kind of awesome. This comes from me today...

So, I was in the middle of making a treat for a girls' night, when I realized I needed peanut butter and I didn't have any. This is a rarity. We love PB at our house, so it's surprising that we were at the end of our carton and I didn't have a spare.

I sent my 4-year-old downstairs to my friend Britney's house to borrow her peanut butter. My daughter comes back with this huge container of peanut butter, and says, "Grady's Mom says we can just keep this."

I ask her again, because, well, a 4-year-old is likely to get it wrong, but I know my girl is telling the truth, because that's such a Britney thing to do.

Once I took the 1/2 cup I needed, I sent my daughter back down to Britney's house, and I told her to tell Britney no thank you. I wasn't going to take her whole big container of PB! That's just too nice.

2 days or so later, Britney herself comes to my door and won't let me refuse her Peanut Butter. That stinker. She says she bought a 2-piece set at Costco and will never get around to using them both. So we are set for the next while for PB! Honestly, that was so nice to me. We love PB, so not having to remember it at the store is just helpful.

Thanks, Brit!

Email me at cassmaster(at)gmail(dot)com if you have any good stories!

New Blog!!

Hey all, I was thinking in the car today (isn't that where all good thinking starts?) and I was reveling in the fact that I love the community I live in. I feel as if we all get along well, I have great friendships, and I have met people I want to stay in contact with for the rest of my life.

So, I wanted a place to a)showcase the great people around here and what they do for others, and b) breed more good deeds by telling others. I think 'good gossip' is great. I hope that makes sense...

Anyway, here's the deal. I need your help! If you live in the Pleasant Grove area and either did something nice, heard of someone doing something nice, or someone did something nice for you, email me! I want to have something to post EVERY DAY.

If you'd also like to be a contributor to the blog, LET ME KNOW! I'd love the help. So, email me at cassmaster(at)gmail(dot)com.

Thanks!

-Cassie