You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
Maracas! And I’ll do backup vocals.Oh, you want me to sing lead? OK, twist my arm. 🙂
- Do you have any family members in the service?
Not right now that I can think of, but my dad was in the Navy. - What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
I was such a goody two-shoes, so I didn’t really do anything that bad on the scale of big trouble, but looking back I kind of wish that I had.One time in elementary school a friend and I found this huge spare tire in her backyard, and there was no landscaping back there. Just all mud. So we each took turns rolling each other around in the tire through the mud and got really, really muddy.
I remember her dad coming out and flipping his lid! Then he hosed us down like two hogs.
- How do you like your French fries?
I like how McDonald’s does ’em. Hot and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, with lots of ketchup on the side (I don’t like them covered with ketchup because it makes them soggy). - Pastel or neon nails?
Neons on my fingertips and pastels on my toes. 🙂
Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
4. How do you like your French fries?
5. Pastel or neon nails?
I keep seeing this hashtag on Instagram, #100happydays, where you post one thing that makes you happy every day for 100 days.
Anyone else want to do it with me?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
Vocals only! I have a decent voice but cannot play anything!
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
Not active, but I have two uncles that were both in the Navy. And two of my great-grandfathers were Irish and found in the Spanish Civil War.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
That’s a tough one! I was normally pretty good, but when I was 10, I was playing with some neighborhood kids and went pretty far away (I’m talking like…a football fields distance away) without telling my parents where I was going. When we came back, my dad sent me to bed– it was 4 pm during the summer. He was incredibly strict.
4. How do you like your French fries?
In truffle form with parmesan. Dip in garlic aioli.
5. Pastel or neon nails?
Usually pastel! My finger nails are plain right now, but my toes are lavender.
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play? I’ll be the singer!
2. Do you have any family members in the service? Some distant relatives are, but no one very close to me on the family tree.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid? Honestly, I was a pretty good kid. I never really got into any trouble. Though, I did run away for about an hour. I went off into the woods by my apartment complex and brought some hot dogs, but I couldn’t cook them because it was raining. So, I went home. 😉
4. How do you like your French fries? IF I eat fries, I like them with ketchup or some fancy sauces.
5. Pastel or neon nails? Both! I’ll do whatever to my nails. Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t do. But I guess if I had to choose, I’d go with pastel. They’re more versatile.
I’ve been on the Russian River a few times before! Gorgeous!
I’m 15 days into #100happydays and I’m really enjoying it – it’s such a nice exercise in gratitude – I can’t wait to see your pics! 🙂
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
I think I’d be a backup singer – I can’t play any instruments and my singing voice is terrible. At least if I sang backup I could lip sync! 🙂
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
Not any more, but on my dad’s side of the family both his parents and all their siblings were in the army. For them, it was wartime so they didn’t have a lot of choice. Some of them died very young but I’m thankful they gave their lives for the rest of us.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
I was a good kid, but the worst thing was skipping out on an after school club to go to my friends house. Turns out that day my dad came to pick me up from school, and understandably he freaked out that I wasn’t there. He came and found me and was furious and I got grounded!
4. How do you like your French fries?
Skinny, hot and probably with more salt than is healthy. Yum!
5. Pastel or neon nails?
Neons. I’m super-pale so pastels aren’t flattering on me at all. I look a little corpse-y!!
I hope you’re having a great day, Karen!
xoxo Beth
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
Flute
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
My dad used to be in the Navy. Right now no one.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
Nothing major! I guess I was goody goody too or maybe too good that I never got caught!
4. How do you like your French fries?
Same as you. I hate when ketchup makes it all soggy. I prefer ketchup on the side too!
5. Pastel or neon nails?
Pastel
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play? Bass guitar!
2. Do you have any family members in the service? Nope, but my dad used to be, just for two years though.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid? I locked myself out and decided to climb the side of the house, get on the roof and drop myself into my room through the velux window. Bad idea. Big bruise. Angry mom.
4. How do you like your French fries? A lot! And they’re actually not ‘french’ fries, they’re Belgian!
5. Pastel or neon nails? Pastel.
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band.
What instrument would you like to play?
Guitar and lead vocals baby!
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
Nope
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
When I was 17 I idiotically let my car run out gas and my dad had to come get me and my bf.
4. How do you like your French fries?
Soaking in ketchup with a dash of sriracha!
5. Pastel or neon nails?
Neon!
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play? Drums, if I knew how to play them!
2. Do you have any family members in the service? My dad was when he was in his early 20s, it was mandatory.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid? Um, I was kind of wild, so there’s a lot to choose from. Maybe going on a 3 day road trip when I was 15, without telling my parents. This was before cell phones and such.
4. How do you like your French fries? I like the In-n-out fries with ketchup on the side. Classic and delicious.
5. Pastel or neon nails? Both! I can never choose, although the last time I got a mani/pedi I got a really pretty (almost pastel) iris blue on my fingers, and a bright orangey red on toes.
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play? Bass guitar because I love the deep, thumpy sound.
2. Do you have any family members in the service? My hubby served 22years in the navy. So proud of him!
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid? I got caught smoking at the tracks. My mom just walked right up to me and said put the cigarette out and go home. That didn’t last since I got permission to smoke when I was in a car accident and broke my arm and got stitches in my head. She didn’t want me to be “nervous”.
4. How do you like your French fries? A little spicy but no ketchup.
5. Pastel or neon nails? I actually like both but mostly wear pastel.
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play? Cowbell! Or… jazz flute (that’s really the only instrument I can actually play).
2. Do you have any family members in the service? I have a couple cousins who recently got out of the Marines and Navy. No one currently, though.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid? Hmm. When I was in 5th grade or so, my friend down the street and I decided to see how far we could go on our pogo sticks (apparently we were also time traveling to like, 1950… I mean, pogo sticks, really?). We made it like, a mile away and when our parents found us we were in soooo much trouble.
4. How do you like your French fries? I’m not much of a fry person, but I like Smashburger’s fries because they’re really crispy.
5. Pastel or neon nails? Neon!
I want to go canoeing! That looks super fun. I’ve been kayaking once, but being in Arizona, that’s not the most common pastime. 🙂
I went to visit my grams at the hospice (yep, she got transferred to hospice; I am not happy) and Zena came with me in her Star Wars bow tie. Well, she was so eager to leave (not that I blame her; I was too) that she wasn’t watching where she going and she bonked her head on the plexiglass on the way out. My dad and I could not stop laughing for a good minute or two. I wish I had gotten it on film. She’s fine, by the way; she thankfully has a thick skull. It was quite funny though.
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
I’m not good with instruments, but I love to sing!
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
Yes, many, active and retired. Here’s as many as I can remember:
-My dad’s biological father. Marines. Retired. Vietnam.
-Dad. Retired Army Reserves. First Gulf War.
-My mom’s dad. Navy and Police. World War II. (Deceased from a heart attack.)
-Mom’s eldest brother. Navy. Vietnam.
-Two cousins. Marines (or Army. I cannot remember.) Second Gulf War.
And I’m sure I have more. I come from a very long line of military-serving men. That’s all that I know!
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
One time I decided to ditch the bus and walk to school with a friend and I missed first AND second period. Yea. I got in so much trouble. I had to look up words in the dictionary that related to family virtues like “loyalty” and “diligence” and also write an entire essay on what it meant to follow the family rules ON TOP OF writing a formal apology to the school and being grounded for two weeks. Yep, big trouble.
4. How do you like your French fries?
Salted.
5. Pastel or neon nails?
I don’t know; I think I could go for both.
I love to canoe! Kayaking is fun too!
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
Keyboards, please and thank you! ^_^
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
Not currently, but both my grandparents fought in WWII, and my grandfather was a prisoner of war before escaping.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
I used to frame my brother for doing things like knocking over plants, breaking toys…
4. How do you like your French fries?
I really love McDonald’s french fries – their combination of salt, grease and potato is perfect!
5. Pastel or neon nails?
Neon, baby! I look washed out in pastel, and neon fits my personality SO much better.
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play? Keyboard, perhaps.
2. Do you have any family members in the service? Nope.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid? Nothing too major really. I got caught playing cards with classmates in class a few times, but since teachers thought I’m a goody two-shoes, they usually targeted my classmates first.
4. How do you like your French fries? Crispy, no ketchup.
5. Pastel or neon nails? Either is fine for me. I’m more about the shades than the brightness.
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
No instrument, I’d be the roadie.
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
I have family friends who are.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
Talcum powder bomb
4. How do you like your French fries?
Served in a cup with skins at Charlie’s, or seasoned wedges at Popeye’s.
5. Pastel or neon nails?
Pastel, with little lace accents
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
Electric guitar :p
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
Yes, my grandfather served in the Navy during WW2.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
So when I was in about 4th grade, my mom and my friend’s mom put us in some children’s choir at a nearby college. We REALLY hated it, so after my mom dropped us off we would just walk around the campus a bunch of times to make ourselves purposefully late :p
4. How do you like your French fries?
Oh my god…I love ALL kinds of fries. Plain, cheese, chili cheese, garlic, curly, any type of French fry you can think of. Especially with barbecue sauce 🙂
5. Pastel or neon nails?
Neon. Always neon.
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
Hm, I can play the cello (although I’ve never tried Apocalyptica style). Would that help? 😀
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
In the 1st/2nd World War, I think.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
I was hideously well-behaved! I can remember getting into low grade trouble for stuff like breaking a dish or something, but never anything huge 😛
4. How do you like your French fries?
Actually, I’m partial to the McDonald’s ones too. They just do them well! Well, now that they’re using vegetable oil, anyway. On the side I’ll have mayonnaise and tahini/lemon sauce!
5. Pastel or neon nails?
A mixture is fun!
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
Bass and singing!
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
Yes. Many people in my family are in the military. I’m a military spouse.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
I rarely ever got in trouble or made messes. The best one that happened to my family was something my brothers did. They flushed potatoes down the toilet. Weeks later I sat on the toilet and it cracked/exploded. We had to replace flooring, piping, and pretty much the entire bathroom. Luckily I didn’t get any cuts.
4. How do you like your French fries?
I’m not a huge fan of fries. I like the frites at Bouchon in Yountville. I know the secret but I can’t tell you! I also like sweet potato fries!
5. Pastel or neon nails?
Either if it’s the right shade for my skin tone!
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play?
Well I’m a cellist, so lets go with either cello for that orchestral sound, or electric bass.
2. Do you have any family members in the service?
Probably a second or third cousin.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid?
Mess? I once painted myself green while my mother was on the phone with my grandma.
4. How do you like your French fries?
I love lots of different types of fries. Those boardwalk style double fried kind of thick fries may be my favorite. Crispy and slightly browned on the outside with the softest almost creamy insides. And then sprinkled with malt vinegar and sea salt.
5. Pastel or neon nails?
Pastel probably.
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play? Tambourine please!!!
2. Do you have any family members in the service? Not currently, but I did have a cousin do two tours in Afghanistan and a close family friend do two in Iraq.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid? We grew up on a farm, we were always dirty. I got sent to the office once for writing a mean note about some kids in our class. Luckily I didn’t get in trouble, but I’ve never written anything mean about anyone ever again!
4. How do you like your French fries? Hot and crispy and plentiful! Dipped in ketchup or ranch.
5. Pastel or neon nails? Neon! I never do pastels, I like color! I’m neon blue right now.
1. We’re starting an ’80s cover band. What instrument would you like to play? Oh if only I were musically talented. Ideally guitar, it’s just so cool.
2. Do you have any family members in the service? My boyfriend is an active duty marine.
3. What was the biggest mess/trouble you ever got into as a kid? When I was really little, think under 3, I bit someone and had my mouth washed out with soup. When I was a little older I got in trouble more for playing with things I wasn’t supposed to, like chipping paint off of a wall or taking down tennis nets. I was an active kid and couldn’t sit still, what can I say.
4. How do you like your French fries? Crispy. I love little shoestring fries the best.
5. Pastel or neon nails? Neon for summer, although in the office I go with neutral 🙁