today was the anniversary of the last normal day.

a year ago, today, my life was normal.

for the last time.

a year ago, tomorrow, maura called me and told me that mom backed the car into the garage. she crunched some garbage cans and cracked the frame of the garage door. maura ran outside when she heard the noise, mom got out of the car and walked upstairs and got in bed.

it was odd at the time. maura took pictures of the mess and sent them to me. nervous laughter ensued. then, i sat at my desk and cried. then i booked a trip home. i knew something was terribly wrong. i called to tell mummy...but she still had "laryngitis" so i told her, through maura, that i'd be home in little over a week for some made-up social event. i had to make something up because i knew that she would tell me not to come if i told her i was just coming out because i was worried.

now, i know that she already knew. she knew she had lung cancer. she knew that the tests that would tell the whole story were scheduled for the next day. she knew that she was going to have to give us the horrible news. and she turned into the driveway and she was overcome by pain and she crashed into the house and got out of the car and went upstairs and crawled into bed. so she could just have the last few hours before this all blew up.

and i knew something was wrong. and on october 3rd, i booked a flight that i never took. because on october 4th, i learned she was sick and took a red-eye. but now, as i continue to roll things around in my head, i find comfort in these two things: when she was in trouble and was afraid to tell anyone, she knew i was already on my way ... and when i sensed she needed me, i bought a ticket before she had to say it.



my mummy and i knew each other. so well.

she was the cool side of my pillow when i had a fever.

i've mentioned a few times, over the last few months, how insane it has been at the office. this week was no different. we were pitching new business...so the vacation zen was quickly overtaken by work intensity. it was fun this time. the work we presented was phenomenal. we'll find out on tuesday if we won the account. you can never get your hopes up about these things...but i will be disappointed if we don't get a chance to put some of the work out into the world because it was as smart as it was beautiful.

i've always taken pride in my work, but i was especially proud this week because 80% of the people who contributed to this pitch were people i recruited and hired. and they are as lovely as they are talented. i feel like i have had a hand in reshaping our culture and the results are proving to be incredible.

when you find yourself in the office past 3am...it's nice to be there with people you really enjoy.

i can't show you the work we presented for the pitch, or any of the work that we have done that has not aired yet, but here are a few of the things that we've done since we opened our doors in march:


this one won a lion at cannes


the director for this one is jeff labbé. i love the cinematography. mummy would have loved this one.


the Jeep work makes me happy. i've been singing this song in my head for three months now.

we've got a few more incredibly joyful spots in the works. i'll post them when i can.

the vacation is over.

it ended with a lovely weekend in new jersey with the mooney clan. it's a very sweet thing to sit among a crowd of people that are all family. and seeing little missy among all of those people who look like her makes you marvel at the magic of genetics.




i marveled at genetics again on tuesday when we stopped at aunt mary anne and uncle jude's for lunch on my way to the airport. mummy and aunt mary anne look so much a like. but the thing that sent me into the bathroom for a little cry was the feeling i got when aunt mary anne came out to greet us. she radiates unconditional love for us. i get that when i go to aunt jane and uncle johns. but there was something about being wrapped up in that warmth while looking into eyes that look so much like mummy's and being hugged tightly by those arms that feel so much iike mummy's that churned up the ache again. i was unprepared for it.

we were having such a lovely visit that we lost track of time and made a mad dash to dulles. my flight was boarding when i arrived at my gate.

and now i am home again.

our week is winding down.

the sun has already set. i can still see the ocean...but just the white foam when the waves crash. i'll be going downstairs in a minute to cook fresh veggies from elmer's farm stand. we'll have a feast of perishables tonight since we head to new jersey tomorrow and we won't have a kitchen.



we had a lovely day today. we started the day with a walk to the coffee shop with margie.
in between expense reports and e-mails to prospective hires, we sat on the floor and played, went for a walk, held missy's fingers while she pretended to walk. we laughed at her when she decided she was already ready to let go...she is fearless.

she came to the beach with no teeth and she will leave with at least one. she has been so good natured, her teething was so low key that her tooth was a big surprise.

i haven't been this relaxed since my week in florida last year with cat and max.

i am starting to get the end-of-vacation-blues...but then i remind myself that i have three full days before the day i have to get back on a plane...and i remind myself to just enjoy the moment.

and so i am.

tonight the mooneys go to eddy and mia's house for a barbecue with the schreiers, doughertys and one o'donnell.

missy loves the water. she squeals with delight when it reaches her toes.





missy has been féted all week. monday night we had a lovely dinner in lewes with margie and steve. tuesday night, aunt tommie came over and i pretended to cook.

tonight...a walk down the boardwalk and a soft serve chocolate cone.

life is good.

today is mummy's birthday. we had a quiet day. i miss her so much. i can see her here so clearly, though. it is so good to be here.

magee, maura, missy and i wake up early and head to the beach for a mummy's birthday weekend. lisa and kara join us.

kara cooks us a delicious saturday night feast. missy eats orange food. a good time is had by all.

my vacation finally begins. missy picks me up from dulles.
she's a nut. she pulls out a bottle in broad daylight and starts chugging.
we head for aunt jane and uncle johns for a delicious dinner and lovely company.
and so my vacation begins.