Melissa McLean Montgomery

Why don't people signal when they change lanes? I could never eat canned salmon - and I live here! I'm glad I have never had to fight in a war. I'm basically a big chicken. I'm going to Sears tommorrow. My Grandfather fought at Vimy Ridge. I love hot milk. And my heating pad. I'm getting up at 7am tommorrow- and it's Sunday! I saw a really famous sports broadcaster this week - but I don't know his name.

It is only 11.11.11 once in a lifetime. I made a wish today whilst I was at the Chevron station . Meaningful. I don't do New Year's Resolutions: I don't need to lose weight, quit anything and I think resolutions set one up for failure. Plus, I'm pretty darn happy with myself and my life. Here's to all my fabulous Blog followers! Have a fabulous NEW year! You deserve the best.

Memories of Dysfunction and Xmas Drama past: It's family time. For some this means joy, for most it means returning home and dealing with the devil. Below are some choice examples. ( I have left out names to protect both the innocent and their divilgers ) 1. A sister who left a restaurant and sat in the car because she wasn't consulted that she and her siblings would be picking up the Xmas dinner cheque for her parents. She pouted for 3 days. 2. A father who greeted his son ( who hadn't been home for Xmas in 7 years ) at the door with , " You idiot! Why did you cross the front lawn? There's snow on your shoes ! " 3. A mother, who, still in her nightie at 3pm, screamed at her daughter ( in front of company ), " I told you too keep the goddamn cat off the turkey! " 4. A sister who screamed at the table, " Mom! Give me my food so I can get out of here!" 5. A cousin put her new china nativity set on the mantle piece. As the Catholic family me...

Well I haven't done my Christmas shopping in July like I planned. Oh well. I am going away this year, so my shopping scenario has changed - I am now buying for relative strangers. My sister's in-laws. It'll be a Polish Christmas in Comox. I hope to get through the 12 meatless dishes without wishing I was at home having steak and lobster. I hope I don't have to cook or get up early. I'm a dream houseguest!

That's not my line, it belongs to Christopher Small- designer and advocate for proper colour and architecture everywhere. While standing in the rain today, we discussed the lack of " good " architectural design in our fair city. Both of us are native Vancouverites. We abhor the recent tauping of Vancouver. My personal un-favourite is the salmon peachy pink cement home. Since when is that a pretty colour in a city where it rains and rains and the peachy pink inevitably turns to.....something not- so- peachy- keen. We bemoan the faux gingerbread architecture that has found its way into Steveston - a rip off of New England architecture..... which by the way, is on the other coast, people! I guess it comes down to a matter of personal taste, or as Christopher said so diplomatically those colours/styles, " belong elsewhere."

I love poutine! When in Rome, or Montreal it's best to do what the Romans (or Montrealers ) do. Tommorrow I'm going to Schwartz's! Double YUM. Is it any wonder I feel the need to periodically blog about food? There is a great middle eastern market near my mom's and we shop there often. There are so many varieties of food and people here. Not just Western and Asian like in Vancouver. Montreal is TRULY multi-cultural. In my opinion. So look at the photo and drool! Anyone who says they don't like poutine is a big liar!

I'm in Montreal. Helping Mom clean her house. It's funny how everything is different between us , yet the same. She gives me shit for eating a chocolate bar before dinner and I give her shit for dropping her coat on the floor. Montreal is busy and messy. My mom is busy and messy. I fluctuate between wanting to walk out the door and never come back and stay home forever. But I do not live there anymore. My home is elsewhere. We laugh and fight, cry and yell, laugh, insult each other, drink coffee and drag the dog on errands. It's so cold here. And lively. Montreal has a flavour all it's own. I am trying my best to help my mom organize. It is natural for me, unnatural for her, hence the chaos. The house is looking better- at least she is willing to let stuff go and realize that people are the most important thing.