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. What’s your favorite genre to read?
Hmm… Well, apparently, based on the last few books I’ve read (The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Lilac Girls and Lost Roses), these days it’s historical fiction.
But I’m also a sucker for cookbooks.
2. What time did you go to sleep last night?
A little after 10 p.m. Hawaii time. Connor usually goes to bed between 8-9, but we’re staying in Waikiki for the next few days, and the hustle and bustle down here is LOUD.
Back when I was a city girl and lived on one of the noisiest streets in San Francisco (Geary), I could sleep right through the car horns, sirens and boisterous sidewalk conversations about people meeting up with friends, but not so much anymore. Now I’m like, “WHY DON’T Y’ALL JUST MEET AT THE STARBUCKS!?”
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green?
Matte Blue! Navy, specifically. And I’d apply it with a wet angled brush as a liner.
4. Something you accomplished recently?
I rode a horse for the first time, and woo-hoo — I didn’t fall off! ?
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family?
LOL. It’s gotta be the baby, hands down. She’s got the most colorful collection of tutus, and she isn’t afraid of bold prints.
My (not so little) pony, Napoleon
I crossed one of the items off my bucket list this trip. I finally rode a horse!
It happened at Kualoa Ranch, which is a huge ranch at the base of the Ko’olau mountains on Oahu.
You know the Jurassic Park movies? Many of the jungle scenes from the various movies were filmed there. ?
They have a whole bunch of things to do at the ranch, like zip lines, ATV tours and horseback rides. I was really surprised and impressed by the whole place.
Luckily, I was paired with the most gentle horse, a blonde boy named Napoleon, who, I was told when we finished the ride, is the horse they give to the elderly and children…
LOL! He was a great listener and super sweet, and I may or may not have teared up a little when I had to leave him at the end of the ride.
The most surprising things to me about riding a horse?
- How high off the ground it felt! Holy crap, the ground seemed really far away.
- Also, the amount of core muscles involved. By the end of the ride, I felt like I had worked out for 60 minutes.
- Lastly, how unpredictable animals are. I don’t know why, but I was surprised when Napoleon would do his own horse thing, like veer off to a patch of yummy-looking grass (which happened only once… He was a good listener, but apparently this grass was too delicious to resist).
It was one of the funnest things I’ve done in ages, and it made me wish I had a horse buddy to hang out with on the regular.
Have a wonderful rest of your day and a great week. Talk to you soon.
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’s your favorite genre to read?
2. What time did you go to sleep last night?
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green?
4. Something you accomplished recently?
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family?
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? I’ll read almost anything but lately it’s true crime
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? 9:30 ish
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? Green
4. Something you accomplished recently? Actually followed through on my plan to cook on Sunday to fill the freezer for quick meals. 2 giant batches of soup
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? My husband – he has almost as many shoes as me
Karen! I am so proud of you, taking on these cool adventures(and getting enviable paradise pictures) in Hawaii with the family. You all are making awesome memories to last a lifetime. I wish I was brave enough to get up on a horse by myself. The idea of it holds such fascination for me.
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? Young Adult and historical bios
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? 10:30pm
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? metallic green
4. Something you accomplished recently? completed the FAFSA for my daughter’s college applications. I barely made that early deadline. whew!
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? that would be my teen.
This kid looks great in everything(thanks to her caramel coloring- filipino genes! and lithe dancer figure/posture), and has a newly discovered adventurous fashion fun streak.
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? Science fiction
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? 11 pm
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? metallic green
4. Something you accomplished recently? i applied to graduate school.
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? my sister.
Congratulations on your grad school application! Best of luck!
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? nonfiction, I’ve been like that since I was a kid
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? 9:30
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? metallic green
4. Something you accomplished recently? I cooked a delicious Thanksgiving feast!
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? For sure the teenage boy. He’s an artist and a has a very strong aesthetic sense. Also, I feel like I spared no expense when we went back to school shopping…
1. What’s your favorite genre to read?
Fiction. Or anything that’s gotten good reviews and lots of hype!
2. What time did you go to sleep last night?
9:30. I get up at six and am at my best when I get at least 8 hours. Plus I’ve been reading lots in bed which helps me relax.
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green?
Metallic green. I like green eyeshadow on my green eyes.
4. Something you accomplished recently?
Finally getting a new phone! I’ve been putting it off forever, because I can never choose which one I want! With all the deals going on, it seemed like a good time.
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family?
Me?! Aren’t I humble! I’ve always liked dressing nice and buying new clothes!
I recommend Chanslor Ranch in Bodega Bay if you enjoy riding horses Karen! I had a friend growing up who had horses but hadn’t been on one in years until I went to Chanslor Ranch this summer while visiting a friend who lives in Sacramento. It was so fun and the horses were very nice and chill.
Aloha and furreal welcome to the ‘hood. Depending where you’re staying in loudest-beach-city-on-the-planet-Waikiki (were you here yesterday for the Toys for Tots ride down Kalakaua?), I’m either a block away or 6 blocks away. 😀
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? Science fiction/fantasy.
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? 8:03 PM.
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? Hard choices (neither desirable lol), ok metallic green makes the red in my brown eyes pop but also my bloodshot eyes.
4. Something you accomplished recently? Standing up from full backbend/wheel pose/urdhva dhanurasan. I almost started crying; it’s as if I can “stand up for myself” now.
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? Me, since I’m the office/lawyer person. Drum kit musician hubby’s the very relaxed one in the family: board shorts, t-shirt, hat, slippahs. When on a gig, sub board shorts/slippahs for jeans and chucks, respectively.
Hope you and fam enjoy the rest of your stay!
This is such a fun idea! I’ve always wanted to ride a horse but I’m still too anxious!
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? True Crime
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? midnight and I regretted it this morning when I had to get up for work!
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? Metallic Green
4. Something you accomplished recently? I finally did a long overdue wardrobe clear out!
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? Me haha sorry
Georgia Rose | http://www.justgeorgiarose.com
xx
Dang girl! So proud of you and happy you got on a horse! Why would you fall off? Were you jumping bareback without stirrups? Blindfolded? Drunk? Riding a spooky horse? All of the above? Lol. I don’t mean to make fun of you, but seriously, you’re fit and I’m assuming you have decent balance. Then again, I’ve fallen off more times than I can count over the years. If you decide you want to ride again there are plenty of barns in your immediate vicinity and I can recommend some really great trainers up your way. Btw, second time today I cried about not having Lucy in my life anymore. Once in grocery store because I passed by the candy canes and they were one of her favorite seasonal treats. And just now because Lucy’s doppelganger is in the photo above the one of you giving your horse love.
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? Cookbooks, then weird drama fiction. Anything with whacky characters who make me feel normal in comparison.
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? 10:30 ish. And I took half a sleeping pill too. I’ve been sleeping so poorly lately. Still awake and tossing and turning at 3:30 a.m. I’ve had about a week of 3 or 4 hours of sleep/night max and I was tired of it.
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? Metallic green.
4. Something you accomplished recently? Uhhh…..
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? Dear Daughter. She has sort of a retro style with fitted tops and full skirts. And she’s still slim and rather buff from doing CrossFit.
Thanks for mentioning where you rode. If I ever make it back to Oahu I’ll be sure to check them out.
I knew going to work in the bakery was going to be a wonderful step forward for you, Karen. Look at you being fearless and taking fun chances! First the Spartan race, now getting on a really tall horse and riding through Jurassic Park. ?
1. What’s your favorite genre to read?
According to the spreadsheet I use to track my reading (because I’m super cool like that), it’s a tie between mysteries and historical fiction. With cookbooks as a close second.
2. What time did you go to sleep last night?
I honestly don’t know. I went to bed around midnight after staying up to watch some tv. I had trouble getting to sleep, though, because it was windy and there was a loose window screen on one of my windows that kept banging incessantly.
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green?
Metallic green. Which, coincidentally, the UPS man brought me today from MAC!!
4. Something you accomplished recently?
I took everything but the large appliances out of the kitchen, purged anything unnecessary, then put everything back in a much more functional way.
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family?
My cousin, who is 5 months older than I am. She has a timeless, simple style, which she livens up with cool jewelry.
Congrats on your horse achievement! And I agree with you, it DOES feel really high!
1. Historical fiction or biographies from the POV of a woman. I’m done reading about dudes.
2. 11pm! My husband and I stayed up watching Legend of Korra. ?
3. Metallic green!
4. I recently found out I saved someone’s life. I helped someone not knowing they were suicidal at the time. A couple of months later he told me. ?❤️?
5. Me. ?? Unfortunately that isn’t saying much. ?
1. What’s your favorite genre to read?
Literary fiction, but I will read anything if it’s well written and informative. Right now I’m in the midst of The Book of Dust, the first book of the newest Philip Pullman trilogy.
2. What time did you go to sleep last night?
1am-ish. Later than usual, but I took a nap earlier in the day.
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green?
I could do either, but I would reach for the matte blue first. I would like a cobalt blue.
4. Something you accomplished recently?
Not much comes to mind, just some recipes, I guess. I made an excellent pasta bake from Smitten Kitchen with broccoli and five cheeses. So good, and made really good leftovers.
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family?
My partner and I do pretty well.
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? Mostly nonfiction history and current events.
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? About 1:45 AM.
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? Matte blue, but I’d only use it as an eyeliner.
4. Something you accomplished recently? Finally got my Dr. and insurance company to agree to let me have a cancer-related scan. (After all I’ve been through, I now despise the US healthcare/insurance system.)
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? No one. Poor taste/poor bodies/poor incomes.
One more comment: You really should canter or gallop a horse if you get a chance. I’m thinking you didn’t get a chance to move faster than a slow walk on your excursion. I’ve ridden a horse only three times, but the most fun was moving out at speed at the gallop.
1. What’s your favorite genre to read?
I really enjoy nonfiction.
2. What time did you go to sleep last night?
That would be 12:44; I had to pry myself away from the CyberMonday emails.
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green?
Metallic green!
4. Something you accomplished recently?
Nothing of note.
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family?
I’d like to say I am, but that may be pushing it!
Karen, congrats on your horse experience. May you enjoy many more. They are amazing animals.
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? Mysteries
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? About 11:00.
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? Metallic green sheered out to create just a subtle glimmer.
4. Something you accomplished recently? I opened a Spotify acc’t. I have a wonderful collection of classical music CD’s and veritably no way to play them except one at a time on an ancient CD player. My sons finally convinced me to start using Spotify and have been enjoying putting together playlists. I don’t know what took me so long. Welcome to the 21st century Eileen! LOL
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? Me because I’m old school and still dress for occasions.
Aw, Napoleon looks so sweet! The ranch looks beautiful.
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? Horror/fantasy/sci-fi
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? Early for me. About 11:30 pm
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? Metallic green!
4. Something you accomplished recently? I did a makeup palette purge
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? I am.
I’m so glad you were able to go horseback riding! I was just talking about that the other day. I haven’t been in a while and wish we had a bit more access to trail rides in my area. We brought the boys a couple of years ago (they’d been on ponies when they were small) and one of them was a total natural, like he’d been riding forever. I know you’re not on the Big Island but if you have a chance to zipline at Umauma Falls, it’s really awesome. 🙂
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? I’m a classics gal at heart.
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? About 10, which was too late since I was up at 4:30 to get some bloodwork done.
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? Oh, I’m just cringing over both (on me). Metallic green.
4. Something you accomplished recently? I was going to say nothing but I did actually jog on the treadmill last weekend. Just a couple of miles but I usually avoid it (old knees). It was very slow but I was glad that was the only option at the hotel.
5. Who’s the best dressed person in your family? Son #2. He actually cares about how he looks, much unlike the rest of us who are either about comfort or convenience (the Hubs has horrible clothes with a kazillion pockets and velcro – HAHA!).
First off, Karen, if you’ve been reading and liking historical fiction lately…can I please send you a copy of my book?? It’s historical fiction — young adult protagonist, setting inspired by midcentury Singapore! Let me know and I’ll hook you up with a copy!
Ok, now to the questions:
1. What’s your favorite genre to read? Right now, romance.
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? Midnight because The Man and I have been binge-watching an old TV show we love.
3. Choose an eyeshadow: matte blue or metallic green? Metallic green. I could rock it.
4. Something you accomplished recently? Writing 50, 000 words in 2 weeks. Yeah baby!
5. Who’s the best-dressed person in your family? It’s tied between me and my son cuz I dress him lol. He wins incrementally.