So…what is the Monday Poll?
Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).
1. What emoji do you use most often?
❤️❤️❤️
2. Something you’re currently watching?
“The Crown” on Netflix.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go?
Kauai, for sure. I could use a chill vacay by the beach.
4. Whom do you live with?
Rosie-Pose the Destroyer (our resident feline), Connor Claire (my daughter) and El Hub (my partner in crime).
5. A favorite snack?
One can never go wrong with honeycrisp apples and brie. YUM!
6. Do you bite your nails?
Nah, never really understood the appeal.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself?
Very! In fact, I crave time alone, and if I don’t get enough of it, I start to feel a little off.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair?
Up until about a month ago, I would wash and condition every day, but recently I started doing it every other day. It’s been too cold! I’m also hoping that washing less will help with the hair damage and loss I’ve been experiencing in the past year.
9. Write yourself a nice note.
Oh, Karen! I love you so much. You’re doing great, and I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.
1. What emoji do you use most often?
2. Something you’re currently watching?
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go?
4. Whom do you live with?
5. A favorite snack?
6. Do you bite your nails?
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself?
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair?
9. Write yourself a nice note.
P.P.S. Have a joyful and productive day, my friend! Happy, happy Monday. 🤗
1. What emoji do you use most often? 🫠
2. Something you’re currently watching? Charlie’s Angels circa 1977.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? Somewhere warm. Maybe Hawaii. Perhaps Disneyland in California or Tokyo.
4. Whom do you live with? Alone at the moment.
5. A favorite snack? Anything savory.
6. Do you bite your nails? No.
7. How comfortable are you by yourself? I’m comfortable but right now, I like being around others.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Once every three to four days.
9. Write yourself a nice note. I’m very proud of you. Not for how much you’ve endured or how resilient you are but because you are who you are.
1. What emoji do you use most often? I don’t use emojis that much, but often just the 👍🏻 when coordinating logistics with my husband.
2. Something you’re currently watching? The Crown and (gulp) Dubai Bling.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? The Swiss Alps.
4. Whom do you live with? One husband, one elderly dachshund, and one very elderly black cat.
5. A favorite snack? Chips and salsa.
6. Do you bite your nails? No.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? Very! I spend lots of time alone.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Condition every day, wash every other day.
9. Write yourself a nice note. Don’t worry so much about what’s happening at the office. It will all work out, and you’re doing very good work.
1. What emoji do you use most often?
💗
2. Something you’re currently watching?
Magpie Murders on PBS
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go?
Morocco. I’ve wanted to go for so long!
4. Whom do you live with?
My partner, an ancient pug and a middle aged long haired chihuahua.
5. A favorite snack?
Red rice and quinoa cake with mixed nut butter and banana slices.
6. Do you bite your nails?
No
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself?
It’s my preferred mode!
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair?
Twice a week. My hair is long and curly, high maintenance.
9. Write yourself a nice note.
Why is this so hard, lol?
“It’s all going to turn out great! Just keep going!”
1. What emoji do you use most often? The heart one.
2. Something you’re currently watching? Second to the last season of Castle.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? North Coast of Ireland.
4. Whom do you live with? My husband “Partner in Grime” and a 9 year old rescue Lab.
5. A favorite snack? Greek Yogurt with Triple Cherry Granola from the Cherry Republic Company.
6. Do you bite your nails? No.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? I prefer solitude. But I like to connect online – my husband calls me a “gregarious loner”
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Every other day.
9. Write yourself a nice note. Brigid – you deserve some time for yourself, go make some mint tea and reflect on the joy you find within yourself and the world.
1. What emoji do you use most often? 😊
2. Something you’re currently watching? The Cleaning Lady
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? Disney with hubby and kiddos
4. Whom do you live with? Husband, 10 year old son, 8 year old daughter, two 2 year old labradoodles🐕🐕, and an elderly aussiedoodle 🐩
5. A favorite snack? popcorn
6. Do you bite your nails? never
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? I like alone time…but it is very rare😖
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? I also was doing it everyday….But have recently switched to shampoo every other day. I still use conditioner daily.
1. What emoji do you use most often? Probably one of the lol ones.
2. Something you’re currently watching? I’m getting caught up with “The Good Doctor”. I had missed a few episodes.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? Turkey! I love Istanbul.
4. Whom do you live with? My husband, our bird, and our dogs.
5. A favorite snack? A handful of cheddar “goldfish”.
6. Do you bite your nails? Nope.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? I like to socialize but I absolutely love having alone time. I’m perfectly content and at ease being by myself.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Every other day.
9. Write yourself a nice note. Patience is its own reward so be patient with yourself as well as with others.
Happy Monday:
1. What emoji do you use most often?😘
2. Something you’re currently watching? Andor
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? Israel
4. Whom do you live with? My husband most of the year and my son winter break and summer, soon to be a bit longer.
5. A favorite snack? Low-sodium tortilla chips. I especially love the ones my son makes from semi-scratch.
6. Do you bite your nails? I used to for years, but they’ve grown very strong. I sometimes nibble at my cuticles.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? Very much.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Every three days. Since going grey, my hair is so coarse tat washing it too often dries it even more.
9. Write yourself a nice note. Make sure to check in on your loved ones.
Hope all is well.
1. What emoji do you use most often?
🤣🤣
2. Something you’re currently watching?
I recently finished the 101 Scariest Movie Moments on Shudder. I love a good countdown show.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go?
To Budapest where my best friend is living for work.
4. Whom do you live with?
Me, myself and I.
5. A favorite snack?
Tortilla chips and hummus. Side note, I made a TJ’s run over the weekend and found some good new stuff. Including the umami corn chips which are perfect w hummus!
6. Do you bite your nails?
Never picked up that habit fortunately.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself?
Very! But I’ve learned how valuable socializing is for me as well.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair?
Typically every other day. Although I can extend 2 days.
9. Write yourself a nice note.
It’s ok to not be where you thought you would be. You have tremendous value.
Have a great week!
What emoji do you use most often? 🤪
2. Something you’re currently watching? The Crown, season 5.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? Hong Kong. I was there about 6 years ago and loved it.
4. Whom do you live with? My husband of 45 years.
5. A favorite snack? Tortilla chips & Cheese. Or Hummus & Carrots if I’m being good!
6. Do you bite your nails? I used to.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? Love it.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Every other day.
9. Write yourself a nice note. Take it easy, it’ll all work out in the end.
1. What emoji do you use most often? 🤷♀️
2. Something you’re currently watching?
The Dropout on Hulu.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go?
I am going to say Kauai too! I’ve never been to Hawaii but I’ve always wanted to go, especially seeing all the pics you post!
4. Whom do you live with?
Brett (boyfriend/babydaddy) Linleigh and Phaedra (the twins/the girls) and Felix (handsome tuxedo rescue cat).
5. A favorite snack?
Apple pear! Target has them right now and they are so crispy and delicious!
6. Do you bite your nails?
I used to really bad – then in college I wore acrylics which helped me break the habit! I think it was an anxiety thing.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself?
Pretty comfortable – I am an only child and I’ve had a lot of experience with it!
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair?
Every other day.
9. Write yourself a nice note.
Dear Rachel – you made it through a hellish Monday at work and you have Thursday and Friday off so it’s all downhill from here!
How are you liking the Crown, Karen? I kind of want to start watching that one!
1. What emoji do you use most often?🤣
2. Something you’re currently watching? documentaries like stutz
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? bali or thailand
4. Whom do you live with? my sister and her kids.
5. A favorite snack? welches fruit snacks
6. Do you bite your nails? yes
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? since the pandemic .
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? once a month . which i think you asked this before and i said every 3 months.
9. Write yourself a nice note. dear you. you are doing alot . its going to work out.
1. What emoji do you use most often? ❤️
2. Something you’re currently watching? “Sister Wives”, I’m obsessed. I have so many questions.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? Probably back to California, I moved from there to Michigan six months ago, and spend the holidays with my family.
4. Whom do you live with? The hubs, my two daughter (16 and 20), three pugs (my babies), three cats, two snakes, two lizards, and a bird. Plus the raccoon and possum that come by every night to eat cat food.
5. A favorite snack? Cheese and crackers
6. Do you bite your nails? No. I work hard on my nails.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? I love my alone time, I feel like it’s healing for my soul.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Twice a week, I have thin fine hair, so twice a week does me up just fine.
9. Write yourself a nice note. Hey Steffie, you’re kicking butt! Everything is working out the way you dreamed! And call about getting a mammogram tomorrow!
1. What emoji do you use most often?
🤣
2. Something you’re currently watching?
Always watching British Baking
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go?
A cruise, never been on one
4. Whom do you live with?
Husband, four kids and two dogs
5. A favorite snack?
Peanut M&Ms and popcorn, donuts
6. Do you bite your nails?
No, but I pick at my cuticles
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself?
Love it!!!
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair?
2 x week
9. Write yourself a nice note.
You can do hard things because you are capable. You are doing a great job.
1. What emoji do you use most often?
🤣 — yep, I’m an old!
2. Something you’re currently watching?
Bachelor in Paradise. Complete junk but now I’m invested. Also, the Twitter snark greatly improves the experience.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go?
Paris. Museums, here I come!
4. Whom do you live with?
Just myself.
5. A favorite snack?
Marcona almonds. Yum!
6. Do you bite your nails?
I used to, through the early teen years. It took a while to kick that nervous habit.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself?
Fine. I’m used to it.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair?
Every two or three days, optimally.
9. Write yourself a nice note.
You’ve done an amazing job helping people when they needed it most. Now you can take some time to care for yourself.
1. What emoji do you use most often? 😂
2. Something you’re currently watching?
I just finished “The Staircase” on Netflix. That was pretty heavy so I need something light before I go to “The Crown.”
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? As long as it’s warm, I’m in. I need heat.
4. Whom do you live with? Parents and 2 dogs.
5. A favorite snack? Cheese.
6. Do you bite your nails? When I was younger. Not anymore.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? I live alone time, but I need people too.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair?
Every single day.
9. Write yourself a nice note.
Be kind to yourself.
What emoji do you use most often? 🤦♀️🤦♀️
2. Something you’re currently Boston Legal
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? Milan, Italy to buy clothes and handbags
4. Whom do you live with? Myself
5. A favorite snack? Ooh these cheese puff things that are so good
6. Do you bite your nails? Never, I’d be afraid to break a tooth
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? Very! I was an only child, so I get being alone
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Every single day!
9. Write yourself a nice note. Even though a few friends have died this year, and holidays are coming, it will all be ok and a different kind of fun!
1. What emoji do you use most often? Don’t really use them.
2. Something you’re currently watching? Rewatching “The Wire” on HBO. It’s still so good. And I wanted to see a young Michael B. Jordan now that the new Black Panther Wakanda movie is coming out.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? If the corona virus cases weren’t so high I’d love to go discover Seoul. Or go back to Tokyo. I’d be happy to go to London to shop at Selfridge’s and Liberty.
4. Whom do you live with? Dear Husband and I’m fostering Dear Daughter’s cat Nibbler. I have a funny feeling DD is going to reclaim Nibbler this holiday season.
5. A favorite snack? All of the food! But popcorn, pretzels and Pirate’s Booty do it for me. I also like whatever fruit is in season. Figs, persimmons, apples, berries.
6. Do you bite your nails? No. I don’t understand that habit.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? As an introvert whose husband travels for business quite a lot I’m very good with it.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Since I workout 6 days a week, I wash and condition it every day. It would probably be better if I didn’t but my scalp gets way too itchy if I don’t wash it.
I’ve heard that show is great, and I tried to watch it years ago but just couldn’t get into it. Do I need to try again?
Re: fall fruit! Give me all the persimmons, please. Which one do you prefer — hachiya or fuyu?
Persimmons. For a quick snack I prefer fuyu. But if I can find the patience to let one ripen enough, I love the pudding like texture of a hachiya. I love them both.
The Wire – Man I hated the first three episodes the first time I watched it. Couldn’t figure it out and then I realized I needed subtitles to understand the Bal’mor accent and the street accents too. But this must be the 4th or 5th time I’m watching the series. Can’t remember the later seasons, but the first season is just so well written. There are funny moments mixed in with the tragic and one scene where two detectives go back to rework a murder scene using only the eff word and variations on it.
Oh! and Dominic West who is Prince Charles in this season of The Crown plays an often drunk, but well meaning Irish American detective. And don’t get me started on a young Idris Elba, too. And 16 year old Michael B. Jordan. The acting is just top notch.
I have to admit that since it’s HBO there’s lots of sex, drugs and graphic violence you don’t see on network TV.
I’m not one to tell people they have to watch this show or read that book or they’re missing out or whatever. I say give it another try. Three episodes. And if it’s not your jam then it’s not your jam. Just make sure Connor is definitely asleep when you watch it.
Just curious, do you peel your fuyu persimmons? or do you eat the skin?
1. What emoji do you use most often? 🤷🏻♀️
2. Something you’re currently watching? Andor
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? Tokyo, Japan
4. Whom do you live with? Hubby and my little boy
5. A favorite snack? Guacamole and chips
6. Do you bite your nails? No
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? I need and crave alone time, but once I’ve had that need met, I enjoy being around (very) small groups of people
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Every 2-3 days
9. Write yourself a nice note. Your swing looks great! Keep it up 😁
Keep up with that swing, KC! You’re getting better every day.
Thank you… that’s so very kind of you! 😊 I need all the encouragement because golf is a lot harder than I expected lol
1. What emoji do you use most often? Probably the underlined “100”
2. Something you’re currently watching? Not much, currently in a bit of a lull.
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? I’d like to go back to Iceland during the winter solstice. Last time we went, it was close to the summer solstice.
4. Whom do you live with? Just DH.
5. A favorite snack? Don’t really have a set favorite, but I’ve noticed I’m eating more salty snacks than sweet snacks.
6. Do you bite your nails? No, and I have a hard time being around someone who does. That noise is infuriating.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? Completely. Most of the time, I prefer it.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Every 2-3 days. My hair is dry and getting coarser.
9. Write yourself a nice note. Whatever you think about how you’re doing, remember that you’re outpacing 99.99% of the people out there. This is actually a paraphrase of something my fifth-grade teacher told me when he thought I was being too hard on myself.
1. What emoji do you use most often? smiley face
2. Something you’re currently watching? The Watcher on Netflix
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go? Maui – been there twice and love it
4. Whom do you live with? Hubby, son, a Shiba Inu, and a cat
5. A favorite snack? Potato Chips and/or Guac and Tortillas
6. Do you bite your nails? No
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself? Like some alone time every now and again
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair? Weekly. I have such coarse/dry hair and that is enough
9. Write yourself a nice note. Hi me! I am proud of you for doing everything you do on a given day.
P.P.S. Have a joyful and productive d
1. What emoji do you use most often?
I had to check my phone for that one – it is the laughing emoji, which somehow makes me feel better about my life now.
2. Something you’re currently watching?
The Sandman – love it!
3. If you could hop on a plane today and go anywhere on a trip (with all expenses paid, of course), where would you go?
Somewhere sunny and warm near the ocean where I haven’t been before.
4. Whom do you live with?
My parents, my husband, my two children and currently no animals – we do the multi-generation thing and it is perfect for the children.
5. A favorite snack?
Nimm 2 – it is a German treat.
6. Do you bite your nails?
No. I think I did once, as a child, but very briefly.
7. How comfortable are you being by yourself?
Very. I crave alone time as I am always around a lot of people for work.
8. How often do you shampoo and condition your hair?
Every second or every third day, depending on my workout schedule.
9. Write yourself a nice note.
You did great last week, and it is totally fine to be tired and relax the upcoming weekend.