You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”
Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- Your favorite frozen treat?
All of them! My sweet tooth fiends for the frozen stuff like ice cream, ice cream cake, gelato, etc.It’s hard to narrow it down, but right now I’m all about Three Twins Salted Caramel Ice Cream.
I also love good old-fashioned Popsicles, too, especially the red ones and the orange ones.
The purple ones, though? Forget about it. I don’t want anything to do with the purple ones…
- How are you with DIY home projects?
Not bad, I guess. I think if I had more free time I’d be decent, like I think I could probably sand and repaint a chest of drawers. I definitely do like to see household projects from start to finish, but I don’t have as much patience as I used to… - Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
Oh, my gosh, yes! Back when El Hub and I started dating, there was a guy who lived in the apartment under mine who I called “12-year-old neighbor” because he looked and acted like a 12-year-old guy living on his own for the first time.He did a bunch of obnoxious, inconsiderate things, but the most obnoxious things all involved noise, like he’d blast his music at all hours (the worst was early on Sunday mornings), play Halo on full blast in the middle of the night, and leave the same DVDs playing on repeat for days.
Eventually, enough people complained to the landlady that she gave him the boot.
I did a dance of joy in my living room that day. 🙂
- Sweet, sour or savory?
Sweet.Then sour.
No too savory, for the moment, because the thought of savory food makes my tummy turn (I’ve been trying to get over a stomach bug).
- Has anyone ever read your diary?
Yeah, my mom.When I was five my mom took me to a Hallmark store because I wanted to get a journal, so I picked out a cute one with a unicorn on the front that said, “Secrets, Dreams and Happenings.” 🙂
I wrote with abandon for weeks! Nothing too exciting, though, just your typical five-year-old kid stuff like “My brother stole my toy and I’m really mad!” and “I played outside today and had fun!”
But I thought it was the coolest thing in the world until my mom made me show it to her one day…
After that happened, I didn’t want to write in it anymore. I just didn’t feel like it was mine. Plus, I was afraid she’d read whatever I wrote and I’d get in trouble.
Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
Hello, friend! Greetings from the headquarters of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC.
I think your nephew/my kitty boss/micromanager extraordinaire currently feels the need to supervise my activities closely, because he’s sitting next to my desk in a patch of sunlight and watching me.
I’d like to think that he’s feeling extra lovie-dovie…but he probably just wants food.
I hope you had a good weekend. Believe it or not, the highlight of mine was looking for pillows, LOL!
I know that sounds weird, but I’m very picky about my pillows, and I need a new one because I’ve been sleeping on my side a lot lately. My lower back’s been super wonky, and sleeping on my side feels a little better. If you have any pillow recommendations for side-sleepers, holla! Please let me know.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
1. Your favorite frozen treat? mint chocolate chip ice cream or nocciola gelato
2. How are you with DIY home projects? I’ve done quite a few over the years but not lately
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors? thankfully no
4. Sweet, sour or savory? sour and savory
5. Has anyone ever read your diary? I’m sure my mother read my diary from 7th grade and though she died years ago, I’m still mortified 😉
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
In the whole entire world? Ice cream from Big Dipper in Missoula MT – specifically, the Caramel Cayenne (a specialty flavor) in a waffle cone with a chocolate dip. It is beyond good. (their raspberry ice cream is a close runner-up.) However, I’m a fan of most ice creams, and have a soft spot for klondike bars and orange creamsicles.
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
Not too bad? If I take the time to do them right, I can do a good job. And I do think they can be really cool. It does take a lot of time, though, and I generally choose to spend my time on other things. Like, mostly music. It’s crowded out any other hobbies I’d ever want to spend time on. (moment of silence taken here, for all of my neglected and withering hobbies…)
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
Kind of? We stayed with our friends a lot when we moved to NYC, and the couple we spent most of our time with had these neighbors who would play their TV really loud at night, and insanely early in the morning. Maybe it went on all night? I don’t honestly remember. I mostly remember the infuriated, sleep-deprived state it would throw me into. 🙂 but most of our neighbors haven’t been too bad.
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
All three, please! Just not all at the same time. 🙂
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
Hmm. Maybe? I feel like I might’ve let someone read my diary when I was younger. I don’t remember. I haven’t in a long time, though, and I’ve been journaling off and on since I was… gosh, about 6 years old??
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
I like ice cream in general. I don’t think there’s a single type of frozen treat that I dislike, so choosing a favorite is hard! I have a soft spot for frozen Twix.
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
Eeeh… I’m not the most skilled with my hands so I try not to get myself into complex projects. Painting furniture is ok but that’s about as far as I would go.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
Hell yes. I used to live in an incredibly noisy neighborhood in general, and that was taking a real toll on my mood and health.
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
Savory!
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
I never really had a diary. I started writing one after I saw my friends do it but it didn’t last. And that one actually had a little lock and a tiny key that I was hiding so well that I lost it!
1. Your favorite frozen treat? Maple ice cream that’s made at a maple sugar shack in Maine (using their own syrup). YUM.
2. How are you with DIY home projects? I’m married to Mr. DIY so I pitch in when needed but mostly I just stand back and let the magic happen.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors? We used to have neighbors with really loud dogs (the 2 males would chase and bully the one female). Sadly it got to the point where we had to go to court over it (along with our next door neighbor). They were not good dog owners–they would do things like leave them out during thunder and lightening storms. Anyway–big mess but they ended up having to find homes for 2 out of the 3 I think!
4. Sweet, sour or savory? love each equally!
5. Has anyone ever read your diary? When I kept a journal I would read parts aloud to my husband. 🙂 I go through phases where I keep a journal.
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
Hm, that’s hard to narrow down. Probably ice cream. Double chocolate chip in a waffle cone, please!
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
It depends. We did some minor painting around the house and it went okay. I haven’t tackled anything more complicated.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
Luckily, no. There have been some annoying/rude neighbors, but not noisy ones.
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
Savory, then finish up with something sweet!
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
I don’t think so. I had a little pink journal with a tiny lock back when I was in elementary/middle school. I wish I still had it so I could see what was going in my little world back then. 🙂
I’ve been having back issues for a while now too. I’m a stomach sleeper, but I have to sleep on my back now with my legs propped up with pillows. I’m getting old. I don’t remember feeling this way back in my 20s! 🙂
Happy Monday to you and Tabs!
P.S. Mingus pulls the lovey dovey thing when he wants noms too. I was in the kitchen yesterday afternoon and I nearly tripped over him multiple times as he followed me around. He acts like hasn’t eaten in days. Such a brat. 🙂
I was actually just thinking about your Monday post a few seconds ago and wondering “hmmm, what’s Karen up to? I should be getting the email about a post soon” and BAAM.
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
Pistachio frozen yogurt with mochi.
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
Either it all gets done now or we aren’t doing it. I can’t live with a mess or half finished projects around. But I don’t have the patience to actually do most DIY stuff, so.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
Yes. The neighbors behind me throw parties late into the night all summer long and I’m like “really bro, some of us are old at 25 and like to be in bed by 10m okay?” That said, my two dogs can get loud when they play though, so it balances out?
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
Savory. Followed by sweet. Hot damn.
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
This POS in first grade. Granted, why I brought it to school I’ll never know and it’s not like there was anything good in there but still. He actually ended up bullying me through all of first grade so we can see how great of a person he was.
I hope you had a fab weekend Karen. And yoga pants always count as actual pants after a day of work or if you’re running errands on the weekend! I’m the worst about throwing a tank top on over my sports bra and just going out in my workout clothes on the weekend (when did I become that person?!).
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
Hmmm, frozen fruit for smoothies or the occasional coconut ice cream!
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
Terrible, I mean to do them but never do!
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
OMG, you have no idea. ARMY STAIRWELLS!
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
ALL!
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
Yes, it was my mom when I was a kid and it put me off journaling.
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
Currently it’s the watermelon ice pops I have been making. I just throw some watermelon in the blender and add a few frozen pineapple pieces and mint leaves and pout it into Popsicle molds. SO good!
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
Not great. I just don’t have the time or patience with that stuff!
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
Thankfully no!
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
SWEET!
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
I am sure my mom did when I was younger…I’m going to have to ask her now!
Hope you had a good weekend Karen! On the pillows…I have heard the snoogle I think it’s called? is pretty good. I think it’s a pregnancy pillow but I have heard of people using it to help them sleep better! I want one!
Well…my blog is my journal and anyone can read that… but I keep my sketchbooks private and I do wrote in those as well. I can relate to how you felt after your mom read your journal….like that sacred space isn’t sacred anymore. 🙁
1. Your favorite frozen treat? Hot fudge sundaes with whipped cream and nuts, but no maraschino cherry (yuck).
2. How are you with DIY home projects? Pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. If I can do it, my hubby can, so we’re a great team.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors? Yes, especially our first el cheapo apartment right after we got married.
4. Sweet, sour or savory? Sweet
5. Has anyone ever read your diary? I never kept a diary because I knew my mom would read it. She regularly snooped on everyone, read their mail, their notes from school, tried to listen in on phone calls, etc. and would tell her friends and family everything she found out. No regard for privacy, she just liked to snoop and gossip. (My mom was mentally ill, so there was no reasoning with her.)
1. Your favorite frozen treat? Do coolattas & frapaccinos count? I like frosty, tasty drinks more than things you bite into.
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
All I need are the instructions & the tools… & the motivation lol
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors? Ugh! Currently!!! They’re always slamming things & they have this half Pomeranian/half beagle creature that screams! I swear he doesn’t bark, he does this howl thing that turns into a bizarre scream/screech. I call him “the banshee” or “the mongrel-shee”… But yeah, whole neighborhood is dogs… I’m a dog person, but I prefer when they’re actually trained and/or listen.
4. Sweet, sour or savory? Sweeeeet!
5. Has anyone ever read your diary? Yes! My mother did right before I moved out at 19! So that was like, adult stuff in there! She actually looked around for it too! Sneaky sneaky mother… & the only reason I found out was because she slipped up & said something that was in only in there & in my head! Soooo embarrassing…
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
ICE CREAM, all flavors and all forms (like Dove or Magnum bars). I’ve got a tub of mint chocolate chip in my freezer right now. I also like those Mexican paletas. I live in San Antonio, so they are easy to come by. I think I’ve still got some Mangonada chamoy ones in my freezer still…
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
Meh. I can put some IKEA stuff together and I can hang a picture up but that’s about it. I’m not much of a DIY-er in the first place though.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
Depends on my mood, but it’s usually between sweet and savory, not sour.
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
No! I don’t even re-read my own stuff! Although, have you watched Mortified Nation on Netflix? It’s a documentary about this live show where people volunteer to read their adolescent/teen diaries and it is hysterical. They have a weekly podcast now too.
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
~Love ice cream and gelato, too. But I won’t say no to a Starbucks Frappaccino in a great flavor! Love the green tea ones.
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
~Pretty good at getting the finished product, but sometimes I get serious ADD and it will take several months to get the motivation to finish. But I really enjoy building stuff for the home myself. We are moving to a house with more acreage in 3 weeks (we live in a townhouse now), and I’m super excited to get the new house organized the way I want it.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
~We have an end unit townhome, so not terribly noisy for our little alley but if it is a holiday, you will hear the neighbors out all night. Our neighbors used to be terrible about watching their kids in the road/alley, but now they are a lot better when they see people turning in to go to their homes. I’m very excited to move in part because it will be a very quiet neighborhood, fairly rural, but still plenty of neighbors to get to know. And the new town I am moving to is super friendly and will wave to you even if they don’t know you!
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
~Depends on my mood, but usually savory. I love savory foods. One of my fave dishes to make is mussels in a garlic butter wine sauce (similar to what Red Lobster does with their bakes).
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
~My mom did when I was younger, but like you, it was more “little kid” stuff at the time. It still felt like a huge invasion of my privacy, though.
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
Talenti Roman Raspberry Sorbetto
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
I find myself taking on some projects , but always find that many of them I fail to finish. Unless it’s something like putting together dressers, desks or a new vanity for my beauty room.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
I’ve had to live next to noisy neighbors a few times when I lived in apartments. Now that I live in a house (the one I grew up in) it’s pretty quiet.
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
This is difficult because I happen to like them all. If I had to choose though it would be savory.
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
There was a guy I use to date that read my journal and found something in there about him. We broke up that day lol. Guess he shouldn’t have been snooping.
Have you tried sleeping (on your side) with a pillow between your knees? Sometimes when my back is being dumb I do that; my masseuse recommended it and it helps. I also do stretches that my BF recommended to help with posture since I’m at a computer nearly all day – those have really made a difference for my sleep and migraines.
1. Your favorite frozen treat? Strawberry froyo from Golden Spoon, or a white gummi bear from Jamba. 🙂
2. How are you with DIY home projects? I’ve done small things, but it’s tough when you don’t have a real garage or backyard! My favorite was a simple padded headboard, I love sitting up in bed.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors? Definitely. Nobody as bad as yours, but at my old place a guy was at his power saw every weekend morning!
4. Sweet, sour or savory? Yes.
5. Has anyone ever read your diary? Not that I know of…
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
All of them? Especially ice cream or gelato, particularly if it is chocolate or has nuts and or coconut in it.
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
I’m good with sanding and painting. Anything that involves the need for muscles or has to do with electricity or plumbing I prefer to hire someone. The DH isn’t the handiest guy in the world either (but that’s OK by me, he has other great qualities).
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
Too many times to count. Right now my really good, quiet neighbor just moved away (she was finally able to buy her own home) so we are waiting to see who the house got rented to. I am hoping it’s a quiet family.
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
Sweet, then savory and finally sour. Except if it’s sweet/sour like Sour Patch Kids, then sour gets a bump up on the list. Let’s be honest, they’re really about the sugar.
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
No, because I’ve never kept one. Being dyslexic, I don’t like writing that much. It’s one of my weakest skills.
I’m a side sleeper, too. Lately, my shoulder has been hurting when I wake up. I’m guessing I need a new pillow, too. Haven’t found one that really thrills me. Sorry I’m no help.
Your favorite frozen treat? When in Europe, GELATO! The rest of my life, my favs are
1) NaDaMoo (almost every flavor)
2) Coconut Bliss: Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge
3) SoDelicious: Peanut Butter Zig Zag (If you like peanut butter cups, this is the BEST THING EVER!!!!!!) 🙂
Has anyone ever read your diary? I once kept a diary specifically to send to my now husband, He loved it! :-)(I was visiting family in the Czech Republic for a month.)
That’s such a sweet story, Anna! I’m sure it’s that diary is a treasured memento now!
Hope you had a nice Monday. I just got back from a walk and now I’m about to make some dinner.
I hate the purple Popsicles too! I never buy em since I feel like I’d be wasting a third of the box. I’m looking for a new pillow too; I think I’ll get a fancy miracle foam one.
Bah, they’re gross, right? I’ll eat them in a pinch but I have to be really desperate.
Have you ever had blue ones? I don’t mind blue for some reason. But red and orange are the best!
If you find a good miracle foam one let me know. I’m considering one of those too, I’m just worried that it’ll be too warm.
1. Your favorite frozen treat? Ice cream, especially any chocolate or coffee flavors, sometimes a coffee shake. Don’t even think of coming at me with Gelato. Can’t stand that stuff. I’ll tolerate frozen yogurt.
2. How are you with DIY home projects? Not good at all. I generally have no interest in them and I’m not very handy. My husband is handy, thank goodness.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors? Not that I can remember.
4. Sweet, sour or savory? Sweet
5. Has anyone ever read your diary? If they did, they haven’t told me, she says as she cringes.
If you ever get the chance you’ve gotta try Three Twins. They make THE BEST ice cream. Even Tabs likes it! (He only gets a lick here and there though.)
I like memory foam pillows. I got a pretty cheap one at IKEA just to try out and I ended up loving it! They work well if you sleep on your back or your side
Hi Rachel,
Ooh, sounds interesting! Do you find that it keeps your head warm? That’s my only concern. I get pretty warm at night.
Hope you had a nice Monday. 🙂
It’s maybe a little warm. They make higher quality/more expensive ones that are supposed to be cooler and breathable so those might be worth checking out.
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
Ice cream, but in fact when it’s super hot I prefer popsicles.
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
I’ve made a couple but not a big DIY guy.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
Oh yes, my right neighbor plays music high (sometimes in fact I dance with it) and left neighbors have two noisy children (I hate when they start to cry)
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
Savory first (I’m not sure if spicy food enter here too), then sweet and after sour.
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
I hope not, because I’ve written really deep stuff; I re read them days ago and it was rather painful some of it.
Hope that bug goes away soon, my mom is also sick and with the hot weather is not pleasant to be sick.
Haha! If my neighbor played good dance music I’d probably dance to it too! LOL
I hope you had a nice Monday, and that your mom gets better soon. I just got back from a really long walk (like 5 miles!). It was fine until the end — I got eaten alive by mosquitoes, bah!
1. Your favorite frozen treat? Coconut milk-based ice cream? I’ve been loving Amy’s Organic lately.
2. How are you with DIY home projects? Let’s just say I’m always very proud of myself if I’m able to put together something from IKEA. If it involves glue, painting or drawing, I’ll probably be ok. But if we’re talking sewing or any actual tools, then I’m just going to cross my fingers.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors? Yup. When I lived in the dorms, there was a frat house next door. Luckily, we didn’t share a wall with them and they seemed to limit the worst of their antics during weekends.
When I moved to an apartment, my roomie also once called the police to report a noise violation on neighbors we did share a wall with–but I actually can’t remember how bad the noise was. I just remembered he actually got the police involved.
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
Savory, then sweet, then sour. I actually love it when all three are combined in some way.
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
Yup. I’ve showed my BFF a few entries that I thought she’d find entertaining. If anyone else has read it, they never said. That sucks for you Karen: that you’d get the feeling it would never be private–it would take away from the experience.
We have just finished painting our apartment. Actually my husband did. I was helping him with cleaning and sweeping a bit. And now I have to do the tiding part.
1. Your favorite frozen treat?
Ben & Jerrys Caramelsutra Ice Cream
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
Horrible. I don’t enjoy the, they turn out to be horrible and I´d rather pay someone else to do it.
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
We lived right above a kiosk with a bench in front that was occupied until 4-5 am every night from April to October. Does that count?
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
Sweet or sour. Never savory, and never mixed.
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?
I don’t think so. At least no one told me.
Your favorite frozen treat?
ice cream!!!!
How are you with DIY home projects?
depends on what it is
Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
yes!
Sweet, sour or savory?
Sweet.
Has anyone ever read your diary?
Yeah, my mom.