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 five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start.
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
Man…it used to make me really crabby to see Christmas decorations up at stores and stuff and on houses BEFORE Halloween, but now I’m kind of like, “Eh, let ’em live.” It’ll be Thanksgiving in literally (OK, figuratively) the blink of the eye, so if somebody wants to put up their Vegas-style lights already, I’m not gonna hate. It makes my world brighter, so I’m cool with it. I will, however, be waiting until the week before Thanksgiving to put up my Christmas decorations around the house.
2. Skin care or hair care?
Homie, don’t make me choose! — but seeing as how I usually put my hair up and back because it’s part of my dress code at the bakery, I’ll pick skin care… I’ve been all about moisturizing potions lately.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Mmm… Seeing as how I discuss my sweet tooth often, you might think I’d lean more toward hot chocolate, but I actually prefer hot tea.
Basically, I’m picky about my hot chocolate. I don’t like when it doesn’t taste chocolaty and all you can taste is sugar, and I also don’t like when there isn’t any milk in it, so you don’t get that sensation of milk coating your tongue (I know, such a weirdo). Also not my fave: when the marshmallows are too big, or when there are too many marshmallows… Point is, I’m really picky about my hot chocolate, and I’m less picky about tea (just please leave the bag in there for at least five minutes).
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
The best thing? Being able to make decisions for myself (good or bad ones) and know that they’re 100% my decisions, because there wasn’t a lot of that happening in my family growing up (Asian tiger parents and all).
And the worst thing? UGH, when you find yourself in a situation where all of your options are sh*tty, LOL! So like you have to pick between the least sh*tty option… That sucks! Oh, and paying bills, of course. Oh, and knowing that you have to “adult” for the rest of your life because there’s no turning back!
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?
Girl, please. Give me a list; otherwise, I’ll throw all sorts of nonsense into my cart and promptly forget to buy all of the important things.
Sing it loud
Heya! Monday is the best day… Yes, I just sang that out loud, I hope you know, and I’m doing it because I’m trying to psych myself up to have a great week.
You gotta do what you gotta do, right?
Also, after the fires and power outages last week…this week has to be better! Heck, I’m just happy to be in my house again and able to turn on the lights… It’s the little things, really.
How are you doing this morning? Did you turn all your clocks back?
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. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
2. Skin care or hair care?
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?
P.P.S. In case someone hasn’t told you lately, you’re brave and you’re tough. ❤️
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
For me yes but mostly because I’m too lazy to drag all that sh** out! I get why the stores put all their stuff out so early though, gotta make the $$$!
2. Skin care or hair care?
Skin care? I definitely have more skin products than hair products.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Hot tea. Hot chocolate is too sugary for me!
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
I agree with you about being able to make your own decisions. Worst thing…no “summers off” ever again!
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?
Definitely need a list, even then sometimes I forget stuff!
Have an awesome Monday! So glad they are getting the fires under control!
1. For me, yes. I don’t care what everyone else does. You do you, boo. Grab happiness where you can.
2. This IS a hard one! I’ll pick skin care since we’re heading into winter and my hands are already cracking.
3. Hot tea. Drinking a cup right now in fact.
4. Good question! Best: Independence. Worst: body getting creakier by the day and having to watch what I eat more.
5. Both. I’m trying my hand at weekly meal planning so right now I’m using a list since the recipes are new. But when it’s my regular routine, I buy the same old stuff at Aldi.
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? I wish Corporate America would dial it back a few notches, and let us enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving ( case in point, the Hallmark Sirius XM radio started all Christmas music the week before Halloween), but as for people decorating their houses – if it makes them happy – you do you.
2. Skin care or hair care? My hair is going to do what it wants and product does not seem to help, so I say skin care all the way.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Love them both, and like you, appreciate quality hot cocoa, so probably tea – also tea is supposed to be healthy, so I can feel like I am being good.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”? Best is being able to do what you want and freedom to choose. Worst is taxes/bills/neverending responsibility
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there? Gotta have a list!
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
For me, yes it’s a bit early. But I don’t care what anyone else does! 🙂 I usually put up decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving.
2. Skin care or hair care?
Skin care. As I get older, I’m definitely paying more attention to my skin.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
I love hot chocolate, but on a daily basis I drink hot tea.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
Being able to make my own decisions and living on my own is one of the best things. Paying bills and taxes kind of sucks.
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?
I definitely need a list! I do my best to plan meals for the week and then put ingredients on the list that I need. I started ordering cat food online via auto-ship with Chewy and it’s been great because I have one less thing to remember.
Happy Monday! Hope this it’s a good week. Being safe at home is definitely something to be thankful for!
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
I like to wait until November 11th has passed before I start heavy duty stuff, ie the tree. We don’t do much and we don’t do much outside (too busy for that.) but it doesn’t, like, hurt my soul to see stuff up, except how commercial stores make everything out to be.
2. Skin care or hair care?
My hair sucks so pretty much shampoo, conditioner and mousse is all I do. I’d pick skincare (even though I don’t totally believe in it. I haven’t seen much of any results since trying a night time routine.)
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Tea! Preferable black and strong.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
Work! 40 hours a week is tough, especially if you’re like me and have to factor in 2 hr travel times (daily) so it’s more like 50 hrs a week where I’m not doing what I want and I don’t get paid for 10! I’d love to go down to 35, 32 or 30 would be much better!
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?
I can wing it for day to day needs but if there’s an event and people are coming over it’s just better to stick with a list!
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
It doesn’t bother me! I have a white small tree with rainbow fiber optic lights that is up year round because I like rainbows and some Christmas lights we keep up. My mom’s birthday is the 2nd of December and growing up we weren’t allowed to decorate until after her birthday.
2. Skin care or hair care?
Skin care! My skin is finally calming down after two bad product experiences.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Hot chocolate but same as you, I’m picky. So many are too sweet and not chocolatey enough.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
Best: choosing what to do, feeling accomplished
Worst: Bill’s and the fact that when you get injured it never gets fully better ??
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?
I wing it but I really need to use a list because I always forget things.
I’m at home sick – Jiji is taking very good care of me. Some sinusy fevery crud. Weather changes do not help!
Jiji is such a good nurse! I hope you feel better soon.
P.S. Re: your answer to adulting… Getting injured now SUCKS. It takes me months, MONTHS, to recover from things. I had a left hamstring injury and it took a year to get better.
I got turf toe on my left big toe twice and I have arthritis in that toe now. I also have some chronic joint issues…
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? Yes but I don’t really care if others do it – I wait till Sunday after thanksgiving
2. Skin care or hair care? Skin – I have super short hair so it’s low maintenance
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Hot tea but when I was in Copenhagen the hot chocolate was steamed milk with a big chunk of chocolate on a stick in it. You had to stir it to get it to melt into the milk. So freakin good!!!
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”? Worst – paying bills. Best – getting to travel wherever I want
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there? I prefer a list but half the time I’m winging it. I also buy the same stuff on repeat every week since I’m a creature of habit with my lunches for work
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? For me yes. I will wait until it’s closer to Thanksgiving. But when I was in SF last Tuesday I noticed that Bloomingdale’s already had Christmas decorations up. It would bother me more if Christmas decorations weren’t so pretty. But I love all the sparkle, shimmer and lights of it.
2. Skin care or hair care? Skin care only because I never know what to do with my hair. As it gets thinner and thinner with more and more age I like it even less.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Well I’m fussy about both (and coffee too), but I’ll have to say tea. I hate overly sweet hot chocolate. The Venetian coffee spot near my house makes a bittersweet, hot chocolate that’s so thick you can practically stand a spoon in it.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”? The best thing is not giving a fork about what other people think of me. The worst part is paying bills and taxes. And I still worry about my kiddo even though she’s an adult now too.
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there? Oh gosh, even with a list I forget ingredients. Like I was going to make fish the other night. I bought salad greens and citrus fruit and everything else and it wasn’t until I was a block away from home I realized I forgot to get the fish. Doh!
Today I’m having packing panic which is leading up to Wednesday’s airport anxiety. I wish I was more organized so I could get ready for trips easier. Would help if I wasn’t such a procrastinator, too.
Oh boy! I’ve done that too. Did you end up going back for the fish, or did you end up doing something else?
I hope you’re all packed and ready to go… Make a list, check it twice. Or three or four times. That’s what I do, otherwise I’d forget my toothbrush.
I have multiple lists. I’m the type of person who has to pack for every contingency, so it’s hard narrowing it down to what I’ll actually use. (Except somehow I can narrow down makeup to nothing. Skincare is another story.)
No, I ended up going to a closer store and they had marinated pork tenderloin, so I got that instead. Didn’t feel like driving to the fish market.
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
I’m pretty ‘whatever’ about the decorations, but it’s way too early for Christmas music in the stores. All up on my nerves.
2. Skin care or hair care?
Skin care for the moment, because I’m having some Serious Issues with my skin. Hormones maybe? I’m not sure what’s up.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Hot tea during the day, all year round. Hot chocolate for an evening treat during the cooler months.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
The best thing is that I’m not in middle and high school anymore. I watch the girls and think “Well, at least I never have to go through all that again!”. The worst is the physical aging process. It used to be, when I woke up and something hurt, I knew it would be okay in a day or two. Now when something hurts, it’s probably going to hurt forever more and/or require medication.
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?
A trip without a list is a wasted trip, because I will remember nothing I needed.
I’m so glad you guys were able to come home. I’ve been worried about y’all as I watch the news about the fires, especially since I have almost no concept of California geography. (The equivalent of most people thinking everyone in Florida lives 5 minutes from Disney World, lol. They look so confused when I tell them I live 5 hours from Disney.)
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
Yes. I like celebrating each holiday separately. Lately, it feels like stores in particular are in such a rush to take advantage of the holiday spirit in order to rack up profits. This year was really bad – I started seeing stuff in September. It makes me sad seeing Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas as one big holiday, with no distinction between them. I wouldn’t be surprised if they renamed the season to something like Hallowthanksmas lol.
2. Skin care or hair care?
Skin care. My hair’s been on an ugly rollercoaster ride (serioulsy, like wth is going on? Argh). Thank gawd my skin has been happy even though I’ve been abusing it with constant changes of brands and formulations, so I’d rather concentrate on the good for now.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Though choice. Umm, think I’d choose hot chocolate, though, using chocolate curls/flakes instead of cocoa powder. Yum!
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
Oi, the reesponsibilities. The worst thing for me: Taxes. Bills too.
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?
Definitely need a list when grocery shopping. I like to preplan a week’s worth of dinners and without a list in front of me, I usually forget about 50% of the items I wanted to buy lol. (Typical Me: Oooh, look at that new spice! Hmm, how can I use it? *does lookup on phone* Hmm, what was I supposed to get here again? Oh well! Must have not been that important!)
I was catching up on your posts and saw you are now a professional baker! Woot! Congrats!! Would love to see all the yummy goodies you bake. 🙂
Thanks, Mitzi! I definitely plan on sharing things that I bake at home. 🙂 Right now I’m working on a pumpkin spice cupcake with brown sugar pecans. I’ve been toying frosting it either a cream cheese or a vanilla buttercream frosting and perhaps a dusting of bacon bits. I think it could either be gross or wonderful, HA HA HA!
How have you been? Hope everything on your end is great. 🙂
Ooooh, now that cupcake sounds divine either way! Are you recruiting any taste testers? *raises hand and jumps up and down screaming, ‘Pick me! Pick me!’* LOL!!
Everything here has been going chaotically well! (Still trying to trim down the cosmetic clutter I’ve built up, with no end in sight, eek). Hope all is going well with you and family. And (very belated!) congrats on your newest family member, Miss Rosie 🙂 I have a feeling Mr. Tabs is nodding his head in approval. It’s a nice feeling having a cat calling you and family hers, isn’t it? 🙂
Hi Karen, Connor Claire, Miss Rosie and El Hubs!
I hope the fires have officially left your area. I got diagnosed with acute sciatica and I’m finally sort of at the point I can sit for a while, so I can finally do a poll.
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
For me, yes. I love to keep up my Halloween decorations extra late as I love Halloween. LOL.
2. Skin care or hair care?
Do not make me choose. I have got hypersensitized, allergic to silicone (particularly dimethicone) and sulfates hair, scalp and skin…do not make me choose girl. I have a very strict regimen that DOES NOT CHANGE. Does. Not. Change. One change and my skin can break out in hives. I literally cried at Walgreens when I found out my cleanser wasn’t being sold at any of them and had to try something new. So far, so good. I have customized shampoo and conditioner the issues surrounding this scalp and this hair is so bad. Thankfully, the customized hair care has truly turned my hair around.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Hot chocolate, but only from certain brands as I have lupus and can’t have anything super sugary or processed.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
Best: getting to choose my own decisions and not having anyone tell me no.
Worst: Paying the vet bill. It’s definitely the vet bill for me. Oh, my goodness. I just cry looking at the price sometimes. $500? For dental cleaning? – cries –
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?
I have a list…and then I wing it. Whether I remember everything is kind of up to the grocery gods.
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
For me, yes. We usually do it right after Thanksgiving. I love the lights and decorations, and if people put them up early I very much enjoy seeing them when I go for a walk.
2. Skin care or hair care?
Skin care, but I really don’t want to choose.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Usually tea, hot chocolate is so rich!
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
Best is really not caring much about what other people think about my choices. Worst are all the responsibilities.
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there? I like to make a list so I don’t forget any necessities or special ingredients, and it’s very helpful to have one for budgeting.
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? No! When you’re about to turn 50, you start to wonder how many more Christmases you’re going to have. Will there be ten more? 20 more? 30 more? 3 more? I want to do all the celebrating I can for as much time as I can.
2. Skin care or hair care? Skin. A lack of hair care can be dealt with.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Hot tea. I love hot chocolate but like you, I’m super picky about it.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”? Billzzzzzzzzzzz
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there? I must have a list or I wander around throwing All The Things in the Cart. Except for what I really needed.
Yay that you’re back home! Is Connor Claire recovered?
Hi Jennifer,
Yes, she’s doing so much better! Thank you for asking. Of course now the clock is ticking down to her next cold. 🙁 Her pediatrician says toddlers are either sick, recovering from being sick, or about to get sick… Just waiting now for the next round and hope it happens before we leave for Hawaii for Thanksgiving.
P.S. Got your Thanksgiving meal planned yet?
Oh, plans for Thanksgiving in Hawaii? I bet she’s healthy as a horse until the day before boarding. Of course I wish for you otherwise, but children always seem to be sick for traveling.
I do not have my meal planned yet, which is unusual for me. I’ve been really busy and in the back of my mind, I keep saying to myself, Thanksgiving is late this year, so I keep myself from putting pencil to paper. However, I do want to serve a really, really over the top salad this year so I’ve got to get on it.
Is there some sort of special macadamia nut pie that people serve at Thanksgiving in Hawaii?
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations?
We get our tree the Friday after Thanksgiving. ?
2. Skin care or hair care?
Hair.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea?
Burdick’s in Harvard Square has hot chocolate worth going out for. My husband makes an excellent cup of cocoa, too, on the stovetop. But I can just handle a few sips! Not really a hot tea fan, but lemon ginger tea really hits the spot some days.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
Best: answering to no one. Worst: no one makes me snacks and does my laundry. ?
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?
I get a Farmshare box every week, which I love because I don’t have to make a list and go pick stuff out. Just get the box and then search fun easy new recipes for whatever they include in it! I get extras there too like meat and eggs. Just pick up whatever they have that week.
I’m with you on the snacks and the laundry! I also miss having someone make me breakfast. 🙂
P.S. Your Farmshare box sounds fun! I bet you get to try lots of new recipes, too.
I know. My sister offered to make me a sandwich during a visit two years ago, and when she asked if I wanted extra mayo and a diagonal or straight cut, I almost cried. I mean, they ask you in a restaurant, but that’s what you’re paying for. To have someone ask just because they care… well, my household full of boys and men shows their love in other ways. ?? They are also lovely and priceless. The snacks are a rare surprise bonus! To be fair, I love cooking, so I’m kind of off the radar in that regard. And my boys take me out to eat, which I also love!
Yes, lots of new recipes. Beets marinated in honey and balsamic with goat cheese chunks (loathed beets until this revelation). Lots of zucchini and squash muffin varieties. Fiddlehead fern and dandelion green soup. Totally wouldn’t have shopped for that!
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? No. The Christmas spirit is nice, people are friendlier, lights are pretty. I totally understand wanting to extend that feeling.
2. Skin care or hair care? Skin. I can wear my hair in a bun or braid. Moisturizer is my best friend.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Hot chocolate, I can’t stand tea. But I like 60% hot chocolate, 40% whipped cream!
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”? Best, if I want potato chips for breakfast, I can have potato chips. Worst, bills.
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there? Sometimes I like a list, sometimes I don’t. It depends on what I’m going for. If it’s for a big trip, I need a list. If it’s for dinner tonight, I wing it.
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? A little. I need to enjoy my Fall decorations first!
2. Skin care or hair care? Skincare is more important to me!
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Tea. I’m not the biggest chocolate fan and I’m picky about my hot chocolate. Many are too rich
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”? Best: I can do what I want. Worst: everything costs money ugh!
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there? Yes so I don’t forget anything and so I can keep my spending in check!
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? Yes . I worked in retail and I hated that they put it right after Halloween.
2. Skin care or hair care? Skincare . I have had hair care go bad on me
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Hot tea .
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”? I can do what I want / I have to pay
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there? I wing it but feel more accomplished when I do it by list
Remember back in the day when Christmas stuff didn’t get on the shelves until late November? I swear I walk into Target and it’s up even before Halloween is over and done!
1. Yes, but I can tolerate lights on houses so long as they are not overtly “Christmasy” at this time of year. I don’t want to see Santa inflatables or yard art in November.
2. Skin care because I’m getting old.
3. Hot chocolate. I’ve never been able to stand any kind of tea.
4. Best – going anywhere I want to go (when I don’t have to work). Worst – having to work in an underpaid, unrewarding job.
5. I prefer to have a list if I’m shopping for more than two items.
1. I like to put up thanksgiving decor but then Hubby brings up Christmas ?
2. Um a skin care is number one but I have a ton of hair care too ever since I had that scary hair loss !
3. I love hot chocolate at night but enjoy hot tea afternoons .
4. The best thing about adulting is being in charge even though our destiny can be scary .
5. Oh yes ! I have several lists . I started my thanksgiving list in July ?
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? For me, yes. I wait until after Thanksgiving. Or sometimes December 24th. HAHA! If anything is up in the house before then (I’m looking at you lighted evergreen garland on the mantle), it’s because I never took it down after last Christmas. This is a true, and sad, story.
2. Skin care or hair care? Skin.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Tea.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”? Best is the freedom to do pretty much what you want when you want. Worst is being responsible for the current and future happiness/success of other little lives (trying to be a good parent and feeling like I’m constantly failing at it).
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there? Oh, yes. One of my only lists is for groceries. I don’t usually do the shopping but I make the list based on what’s on sale or what I have coupons for. I also put everything in aisle order so it’s easy for the Hubs to grab everything without backtracking. If I do go myself, I will sometimes go off list if there is something that looks particularly good or I know I can sub for something that’s out of stock. But I still have my list!
Coming late to the party, but want to play anyway ?
1. Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? Yes! I love the sign outside of our Nordstrom that says they don’t deck the halls until after Thanksgiving. Thank you Nordstrom. I like to take it holiday by holiday so October sees my house decorated for Halloween, November is time for Thanksgiving and autumn harvest decorations, December is all about the Yuletide’s spirit and celebration.
2. Skin care or hair care? Definitely skin care. I’m a fanatic about good, consistent skincare, but when it comes to hair, I’m a bit of an old hippy. I have long, wash ‘n wear hair.
3. Hot chocolate or hot tea? Hot tea, and because it’s the holidays, I enjoy a hint of citrus and sweet spice in my tea when coming in from the cold.
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”? The best: Being confident enough to take responsibility for my thoughts and actions and being able to say I’m sorry when I’ve hurt someone and being able to ask for help or advice when I need it. The worst: You know the saying, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ? The various aches and pains that are a normal part of aging begin adding up and things I once did with ease can sometimes be a bit of a struggle.
5. Are you the type of person who needs a list when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there? I always keep a running list going on a notepad in the kitchen so as I think of things I can jot them down. I don’t necessarily have to take the list with me though. I’ve been blessed with an excellent memory— knock on wood! LOL