Having the very best friends part deux:

Other people who've recently made my days a little brigher:

My sister Melody who loves me the way I am, isn't afraid of hearing my pain on those days when I need to let a little out and who willingly came over to paint one night even though as a former apartment manager she's painted enough for one lifetime.

Dear Regan D. with whom I have this wonderful understanding so our two sets of kids who like to hang out together are equally welcome at one another's home at the drop of the hat. She spontaneously took Z~ across state lines and to Disneyland last year while we were in Finland last fall. A while ago we were a safe place to land when her son got his heart broken by a stupid girl. The last couple of weeks her house has been a less-crazy place for my youngest son to land while we're all torn up around here.

Sweet Sue-donym who brought over a loaf of pumpking-chocolate chip bread when the rabbit died. (I'm sorry, I know it's not funny; it's really sad, but I still like saying that.) She got excited about our remodel just when I was deciding it was a bad idea and thinking about quitting.

Good friend Julie who was all cleaned up and sooooo excited to go to her first book group discussion for a book she actually read and reread and then it came into her head, "You've forgot Dalene." So she donned her work clothes and came over for the very unglamourous job of sanding baseboards. Over tack strips no less. This is a woman, among many other of my single-mom friends for whom I have immeasurable admiration. The DIY every day, for every thing and in every way.

Also-like-family Mel and Lynda who show up with a box full of supplies Thursday night and also get down on their hands and knees amidst the dust to tackle the knuckle-tearing job of baseboards. With a little trim on the side. Lynda is a perfectionist with a great eye for excellence and I was worried the thought of my carpet-crusted baseboards might be a little too much. But the entire crew that night was amazing and I should be done with most of that kind of grunt work today.

Wahoo!