Melissa McLean Montgomery

Yesterday I waited 35 minutes for someone. He was supposed to arrive at 5pm. He arrived LATE at 5:35pm. No apology. No excuse. No acknowledgment. Grrrr. In my world, 5 is 5. If I make arrangements or have an appointment to meet someone or be somewhere at 5pm I usually arrive at 4:50pm. I'm so perfect. I don't understand lateness! It's bad planning. Bad etiquitte. I called the tardy man at 5:15 and was told he was halfway across town and was 'on his way'. How could you be on your way to somewhere where you were supposed to be 15 minutes ago? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I cleaned out my closet. Again. It's full of crap, stuff, and brand new items that I have never worn. What was I thinking of when I bought a tent-sized baby caca smock? Why do I have a pair of size 7 grey Italian pumps when my feet are a size 9? I'm off to a clothing swap today . I hope everyone's stuff is a nice as mine ( sometimes people bring stained and torn old clothes- I mean come ON, what makes you think anyone would want to wear that? ) and that I can get a few black or grey pieces. Black and grey are my new reds. And, I have to bring an appetizer. Chips.

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."