Here's to family that isn't really family!

I like the movie Big Fish. I think it is extremely profound.

My first day back at work I met Frank Sinatra. He was standing over by the produce wearing the red apron working alongside my co-workers cutting cabbage. He was small and skinny and looked to me exactly like a young Frank Sinatra in the movie On The Town (even though this Frank was actually about 45 years old). I found out that he was a replacement for my old friend Rufino who went back to Mexico for a few months to be with his family. That meant that Frank was probably only temporary.

I found out that his first name really was Frank, but his last name was not Sinatra. When I told him that I thought he looked like Frank Sinatra he was surprised and said he had never been told that before. "I have a friend who gets told he looks like Dean Martin," he said, "So I guess we're the beginning of the Rat Pack!"

Our random friendship only lasted a few months, because Frank quit recently due to a disagreement with our boss. While the real Mr. Frank Sinatra probably could've just had old Joe 'taken care of' by his people, I suppose our Frank had to take his dignity and simply move on with his life. I don't think I will ever forget his parting words to me as he walked out a few days before he quit. He said, "Goodnight Hillary, see ya tomorrow. And remember I did it myyyyy waaayyy."



I wish I had gotten a picture of him so I could see if they look as much alike as I thought they did. Plus I don't think I'll ever see him again. Oh well. This one looks a lot like him. And I guess those few funny memories are probably plenty.

So that's my movie moment for the week.

1. Cuddling with Luke.
2. Avonlea, Northern Exposure, Reba, Andy Griffith, Monk.
3. Mom's gingersnaps.
4. That faithful blue Honda.
5. Samantha's imaginative anecdotes.
6. Watching the ocean.
7. Late night Frasier with Julia.
8. Themed weeks.
9. Dad's scripture reading voice.
10. Grandma and Grandpa dropping by to bring us magazines.
11. Watching all the black and white movies I WANT! (Ellen doesn't let me in Utah.)
12. The way Mariah sniffs when she's pretending to be mad.
13. The sound of the heater coming on.
14. Luke singing in the bathroom.
15. The house where it all happens.

I went to visit the Bennings in Livermore about 2 weeks ago. I can't decide if the highlight of my 2 day trip was the County Fair they took me to or the 3 hour walk I took with Austin. From Muttin' Bustin' at the fair to bunny chasing in the park with Austin, it was all just great. I love them so so much. I hope to not become 'someone they used to know'. I love that Austin recognizes me and knows my name. And I love that I can still talk to Mike and Amy about anything and everything.

I made THE BEST cherry cobbler I've ever tasted. I don't think I've ever had cherry cobbler other than this, though. Thanks, Mom, for answering all my questions and constantly encouraging me in the kitchen. Even when things have turned out less good in the past....


(PS: I think my head looks really big in the top picture...in case you wanted to know.)

We fight, yes. But don't we look good together?


I miss every bit of this when I'm gone.

Gregory Peck read this, her favorite poem, at Audrey Hepburn's funeral.


I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times...
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,
That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,
In life after life, in age after age, forever.

Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age old pain,
It's ancient tale of being apart or together.
As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,
Clad in the light of a pole-star, piercing the darkness of time.
You become an image of what is remembered forever.

You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.
At the heart of time, love of one for another.
We have played along side millions of lovers,
Shared in the same shy sweetness of meeting,
the distressful tears of farewell,
Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever.

Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you
The love of all man's days both past and forever:
Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life.
The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours -
And the songs of every poet past and forever.


Rabindranath Tagore


I just love beautiful things. I would love to write like this.

I suppose I have very strange taste when it comes to guys. While every girl swoons over the Brad Pitts and Orlando Blooms of the world, my heart beats to the tap of Fred Astaire's fast feet. Here are two of the leading men of my dreams.


As I said, Fred Astaire steals my heart with every tap of his shoe. I especially love seeing him dressed as a sailor in Follow the Fleet or a soldier in You'll Never Get Rich. I love his mannerisms. From his boyish expressions when he puts his foot in his mouth all the way to his sophisticated top hat, white tie, and tails. He and Ginger have danced me out of a bad mood more times than I can count. One of my biggest wishes is to dance with Fred Astaire. I love him!
Gregory Peck's voice is one of the things I love most about him. When I heard him read a poem by Rabindranath Tagore called Unending Love, I fell in love! I seem to use the word 'love' a lot in talking about him. I think he is one of the best leading men in all of Hollywood history. I particularly love him in Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn. I love the way he holds a girl in his arms so tightly it looks like she can barely breath. It looks as though nothing ever in the entire world could ever ever harm her in any way because he's there.